The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

The spirit of the people migrated north to Luoyang in spring, and the integration of the three religions brought about a new political order.

Benevolence spreads far and wide, bringing peace to millions; undercurrents surge beneath the auspicious surface.

It is said that Su Qingxuan, at the young age of seventeen, became the Grand Secretary, overseeing the central government and promoting a new policy that integrated the three teachings (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism). After his reforms, the court became orderly and disciplined.

Etiquette and laws were restored to their proper order, redundant officials were eliminated, and criminal justice was simplified and lenient. In less than half a year, the atmosphere in the imperial court was completely renewed, and the whole country looked forward to good governance.

However, Su Qingxuan was farsighted and insightful, and he clearly understood that the fundamental principles of governance lay in improving people's livelihoods and promoting education. If granaries were not full and propriety and righteousness were not upheld, then all reforms and innovations would ultimately be like a tree without roots or water without a source.

Therefore, from the very beginning of the preparations for the Winter Solstice Heaven Worship Ceremony, he devoted himself to promoting the agricultural and sericulture education policies that had already been very effective in Jiangnan to all prefectures and counties throughout the country, and strictly ordered the governors and viceroys to abide by and implement them without any negligence.

Its agricultural and sericulture policies were deeply rooted in the essence of the three teachings: based on the Confucian teachings of "revering Heaven and protecting the people" and "not violating the agricultural seasons", it ordered officials at all levels to prioritize the promotion of agriculture and sericulture. During the spring planting and autumn harvest, it strictly prohibited the conscription of corvée labor to take away the people's time. It also set up special agricultural officials to inspect the fields and strongly curb the annexation of the property of ordinary people by powerful families.

Following the Taoist principles of "following the natural way" and "following the natural order," he promoted the superior rice, wheat, mulberry, and hemp varieties cultivated in Jiangnan. He also ordered various regions to take into account local conditions, build ponds and ditches, and guide the water from rivers to irrigate fertile fields, so that human efforts would not go against the seasons and farming would not violate the soil's fertility.

Upholding the Buddhist principles of "compassion and protection of life" and "cherishing things and valuing life," they prohibited hunting and burning forests for land reclamation in spring and summer, taught farmers to cherish insects and seedlings in the fields, regarded grains as a treasure for sustenance, and held them in awe.

The effects of this policy were immediately apparent: the prosperity of Jiangnan gradually spread to the Central Plains, the fertile lands of Qi and Lu were restored to their former glory, and the once barren lands of Guanzhong were transformed into lush fields of millet and sorghum. Mulberry and hemp were planted everywhere, and the sound of looms could be heard day and night; granaries were full, and the people gradually escaped hunger. The people praised the Prime Minister's benevolence and virtue, and the foundation of the people's livelihood in the Great Xia Dynasty grew increasingly solid.

Its educational methods, especially the newly established "Three Teachings Propagation Hall," served as the central hub, with official schools widely established in prefectures, counties, and villages, connecting the Imperial Academy to village schools and township schools. It was decreed that all children in the country, upon reaching the age of seven, regardless of their social status or wealth, were allowed to attend school, with tuition and fees waived, and the government providing them with writing materials and books.

The lessons taught draw on the strengths of three schools of thought: Confucian classics to establish the foundation of moral character, Huang-Lao metaphysics to enlighten critical thinking and wisdom, and Buddhist teachings to cultivate compassionate nature.

Furthermore, a special pathway was opened for those from humble backgrounds to be recommended for official positions. Anyone with exceptional talent and learning, regardless of their social standing, could enter the Hongwen Academy for advanced studies. After examinations and selection, the best were appointed to official posts. This system, once implemented, was like a gentle spring breeze, and a nationwide enthusiasm for learning flourished: even village children could pick up books and recite them; scholars from poor families vied to hone their writing skills. Talented individuals from the three schools of thought frequently gathered in the academy to discuss and debate, and the barriers of social class and distinctions between the noble and the lowly gradually disappeared. Thus, a new era of flourishing education and culture was ushered in, unprecedented in history.

That day, Su Qingxuan was reviewing agricultural and sericulture reports from various regions in his office at the Secretariat when he suddenly felt a warmth in his arms. The bronze sacred seal itself emitted a warm and lustrous light, subtly resonating with the increasingly abundant and righteous energy within his dantian. Sensing something, he closed his eyes and concentrated. In an instant, his mind traversed thousands of mountains and rivers, connecting with the ancient spiritual tree on the banks of the Qingxi River in Jiangnan.

The branches and leaves of the spirit tree moved swiftly without wind, its verdant canopy tilting slightly to the north, and its roots, deep underground, seemed to tremble slightly, as if harboring a desire to migrate far away.

Qingxuan immediately realized that although Luoyang was the imperial capital and the court had a new look after his purge, the filth and resentment accumulated from a century of factional strife, the deep resentment from past wrongful imprisonments, and the fierce edge of the recent rebellious plots of the vassal kings—all these filthy things still lingered like invisible dark clouds over the palace, eroding the nation's fortune and hindering the ultimate perfection of his own Dao seed and holy seal.

The spirit tree is connected to his heart and soul, and is of the same origin as the Dao Seed and the Holy Seal. At this moment, the spirit tree is willing to leave its homeland in Jiangnan and move north to Luoyang, precisely to use its own ancient vitality and compassionate Buddhist charm to cleanse the demonic atmosphere and malevolent spirit of the capital, nourish the righteous energy between heaven and earth, and thus protect the eternal foundation of the unity of the three religions.

Su Qingxuan made up his mind immediately and issued an imperial decree, ordering the Prefect of Luoyang to select a sacred and auspicious site near the Temple of Heaven in the southern suburbs and on the banks of the Luo River to cultivate a three-acre garden specifically for welcoming the sacred tree. The garden was surrounded by a blue stone fence and planted with auspicious flowers and plants such as orchids, angelica, cassia and lingzhi, and named "Three Religions Sacred Garden".

No more than three days after the decree was issued, a strange phenomenon occurred in the Su family courtyard in Qingxi Town, Jiangnan: the spiritual tree suddenly burst forth with ten thousand rays of light and auspicious energy, and its massive roots slowly emerged from the soil without raising a speck of dust. The entire ancient tree transformed into a magnificent column of azure light, which, following the mysterious spiritual veins connecting the north and south, rode the wind and broke through the air, speeding northward.

The people along the way looked up and saw a blue rainbow across the sky. They all thought it was a miracle and knelt down to worship, saying, "The sacred tree has shown its power."

In less than an hour, the shimmering azure pillar of light fell to earth like a meteor, landing steadily in the newly cultivated spirit garden in the southern suburbs of Luoyang. The spirit tree's roots touched the soil and immediately penetrated deep within, instantly transforming the ordinary soil into a vibrant, spiritually rich environment. Grasses sprouted at a visible speed, and exotic flowers bloomed in profusion. The spirit tree now stood gracefully in the heart of the garden, its branches and leaves unfurling, its canopy like clouds, emanating a pure, peaceful, and vibrant spiritual aura that instantly enveloped the entire imperial city.

The gloomy and malevolent aura that had accumulated above the imperial city melted away quickly upon encountering this life-giving light, like snow meeting the sun; the malevolent and ominous atmosphere was also cleansed and purified by the continuous flow of peaceful and harmonious Taoist energy.

In an instant, the beams and pillars of the Taiji Hall seemed to radiate new brilliance, the oppressive atmosphere within the Secretariat was swept away, and the people in the streets and alleys of Luoyang, regardless of age or gender, all felt refreshed and relaxed; the violent spirit of the prisoners in jail subsided, and a sense of repentance and goodness arose; the selfish thoughts and desires in the subconscious of the officials in the court were also invisibly cleansed, and a spirit of loyalty, integrity, and incorruptibility naturally grew.

On the day the spirit tree took root, a gentle rain fell upon Luoyang, silently nourishing every inch of the capital. The Luo River became crystal clear, revealing the fish swimming within. The righteous energy of heaven and earth grew ever more abundant and powerful. Nourished by this, the ancient Buddha seed nurtured at the core of the spirit tree quietly grew, regenerating three inches and hiding within the main trunk. Its shimmering white light mingled with the radiance of the bronze holy seal, resonating with each other and making the foundation of the unity of the three religions even more unbreakable.

Su Qingxuan personally went to the Spirit Garden and stood quietly under the tree, regulating his breathing and energy according to the incomplete scroll of "Confucian Heart Method" in his bosom. Suddenly, he felt the vast energy within his dantian surging like a tide, and the incomplete scroll in his bosom flew out on its own, hovering in front of him. The pages moved without wind, and the ancient and profound seal characters on them shone brightly.

Even more astonishingly, the originally incomplete texts of the "Nourishing Qi" and "Rectifying the Mind" chapters, nourished and infused by the boundless vitality of the spiritual wood and the vast Daoist aura of the sacred seal, spontaneously generated and completed dozens of ancient seal characters! The newly completed texts, like the resounding tones of a great bell, were imprinted on Qingxuan's mind, word by word: "The vast and righteous Qi fills heaven and earth, supremely great and unyielding. Above, it can resonate with the will of Heaven; below, it can harmonize with the will of the people; within, it can nourish the virtues of all officials. When the mind is righteous, the Qi channels are unobstructed; when the Qi channels are unobstructed, the officials are honest; when the officials are honest, the people are at peace."

Su Qingxuan closed his eyes and concentrated, fully comprehending the completed supreme mental cultivation method. As the method circulated, it naturally drew upon the overwhelming and unstoppable righteous energy of heaven and earth. This righteous energy, sourced from the spiritual wood and guided by the sacred seal, transformed into an invisible yet omnipresent network of fortune, gently yet firmly covering the vast land of the Great Xia Dynasty.

This method does not harm living beings or damage anything; it can only awaken a spark of enlightenment deep within people's hearts and nourish the inherent conscience and virtue of officials. As a result, among the officials of the world, those who are corrupt suddenly feel uneasy and unable to eat or sleep, and eventually surrender to the government, returning their ill-gotten gains to atone for their crimes; those who are corrupt suddenly realize their mistakes, repent, and from then on enforce the law impartially; those who are negligent in their duties feel ashamed, work diligently, and dare not slack off in the slightest.

Within just a few days, the atmosphere in officialdom was cleansed, corruption was almost eradicated, lawsuits were greatly reduced, and people in the city could live in a state where doors were left unlocked at night and lost items were not picked up. The Great Xia Dynasty truly entered a peaceful and prosperous era of harmonious governance and thriving industries.

Upon learning of the relocation of the sacred tree to the north and the flourishing of the Qing Dynasty's administration, Emperor Jinghe was overjoyed. He personally went to the sacred cemetery in the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. Holding Su Qingxuan's hand, he exclaimed with deep emotion, "Minister Su has received the true teachings of the three religions, is protected by the sacred tree, and has the sacred seal to stabilize the destiny. He is truly my right-hand man, the pillar of the Great Xia, and a blessing to all the people! Without you, my empire would likely have long since sunk into the mire!"

He immediately issued an imperial edict, bestowing upon the ancient sacred tree the title of "Supreme Sacred Tree Protecting the Nation of the Three Religions," and honoring the ancient bronze seal as "Sacred Seal for Guarding the Nation and Promoting the Way of the Three Religions." He ordered all prefectures and counties in the land to build shrines to worship it and offer sacrifices in all four seasons, hoping to ensure the eternal protection of the nation's destiny.

However, beneath the glittering surface of this prosperous era, the undercurrents were growing ever more turbulent. Seeing Su Qingxuan's growing prestige and the increasingly stable political situation, Xiao Jing, the Prince of Heluo, was already extremely anxious and restless, as his own long-planned path of rebellion had been almost completely blocked.

The demonic figures he secretly colluded with repeatedly attempted to cast spells, but were all suppressed by the increasingly strong Daoist aura of the Holy Seal Spirit Wood in Luoyang City, making it difficult for them to perform their spells; the imperial guard generals he had won over were gradually influenced by the omnipresent righteous energy and began to regret their actions, their rebellious intentions wavering; and the Northern Di Khan repeatedly sent envoys to secretly urge him to set a date to go south, hoping to coordinate an attack from within and without.

As the Winter Solstice ceremony to worship Heaven drew near, Xiao Jing knew this might be his last and only chance. The Emperor would be present at the Temple of Heaven, accompanied by Su Qingxuan. If he launched an attack at this time, using elite troops to control the Temple of Heaven, capturing and killing the Emperor and the Grand Secretary, and seizing the imperial seal, he might be able to turn the tide and ascend to the throne. Then, he could lure the Di troops into the pass, using their strength first, and then plotting against them, thus securing the realm.

Having made up his mind, he secretly summoned his trusted henchmen, the shadow messengers sent by the demon realm, and the leader of the spies hidden among the Di people, to a secret chamber deep within the palace, where they swore a blood oath and devised a treacherous plan:

On the day of the Winter Solstice sacrifice to Heaven, three thousand trusted generals of the Imperial Guard, who had been bribed, pretended to protect the emperor but actually controlled the key passages of the Temple of Heaven. The Shadow of the Demon Realm led evil cultivators to set up the "Nine Netherworld Spirit-Eroding Array" in the shadows to cut off communication between the inside and outside of the Temple of Heaven and suppress any possible supernatural forces. Xiao Jing himself led five thousand carefully trained private armored assassins from the Prince's Mansion, disguised as a ceremonial guard, to infiltrate the ceremony. At the climax of the ceremony, they suddenly launched an attack on the altar with the slogan "Purge the court of corrupt officials, kill the treacherous minister, and depose the foolish emperor," aiming to kill Emperor Jinghe and Su Qingxuan in one fell swoop.

After the deed was done, he promised to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to the Di barbarians, appoint the Dark Shadow of the Demon Realm as the Imperial Preceptor, and share the Great Xia Dynasty. In the secret chamber, the flickering candlelight illuminated the ferocious faces of the crowd, filling the air with an eerie atmosphere. Xiao Jing's eyes flashed with a fierce light; for the sake of that supreme position, he had long since cast aside the common people and the state.

Little did they know, this seemingly meticulous conspiracy had already been anticipated and calculated by Su Qingxuan. The warning from the gray-robed Taoist priest, the clues uncovered by Chi Ying and the righteous heroes of the martial world, the spirit wood's keen sense of the ominous aura in the capital, and the ominous warning from the Holy Seal about the rebellious intent—all these signs intertwined, clearly revealing the outline of Xiao Jing's scheme to Su Qingxuan.

However, Su Qingxuan remained calm and composed, secretly making arrangements and strictly ordering that this suppression of the rebellion should only capture the ringleaders and not harm the coerced rebel soldiers, striving for a bloodless victory to demonstrate the benevolence and forgiveness of the three religions. He knew that most of the rebel soldiers were ordinary soldiers who had been coerced and deceived, and that rashly resorting to force would only increase bloodshed and violate the principles of Heaven.

Qingxuan's arrangements were still based on the essence of the three religions: Confucianism's strategy of "winning people over with virtue" and "winning hearts and minds" was used to secretly order important officials such as Wen Yanbo to appease the imperial guards and promote the court's virtuous policies and the chief minister's benevolence, thereby undermining the rebels' morale; Taoism's methods of "quietude and non-action" and "dissolving malevolent energy" were used to set up the "Three Religions' Purification and Dissolving Malevolent Energy Array" at key points around the Temple of Heaven in advance. This array was not for killing but was specifically designed to purify evil spirits and awaken those who were lost; Buddhism's vow of "compassion and universal salvation" and "turning back to the shore" was used to order highly accomplished monks, Taoists, and Confucian scholars from the Hongwen Academy to lie in ambush around the Temple of Heaven. When the rebels attacked, they would recite the virtuous chapters from their respective classics in unison, using the power of peaceful scriptures to influence those who had gone astray.

Meanwhile, Chi Ying was ordered to lead elite martial arts heroes to deal with the shadowy figures of the demon realm and evil cultivators; while the truly loyal and reliable Imperial Guards would surround the area without attacking, waiting for the opportune moment. An invisible net had been quietly cast.

With his plans in place, Su Qingxuan continued to handle government affairs and oversee agriculture and education as usual, seemingly oblivious to the impending crisis. Seeing this, Xiao Jing became even more convinced that Su Qingxuan had been deceived by the illusion of the "prosperous age" before him and was completely unprepared. He was secretly delighted and began to mobilize manpower even more urgently, waiting for the winter solstice to launch a thunderous attack.

On the winter solstice of the eleventh year of the Jinghe reign, the sky was clear and bright. A recent snowfall had just ceased, and the sunlight shone on the snow-covered ground, making it appear even more radiant. At the Temple of Heaven in the southern suburbs, flames of burning wood rose high, smoke billowing upwards, and solemn ceremonial music resounded all around. Emperor Jinghe, dressed in a black dragon-embroidered robe, holding a jade disc, slowly ascended the Circular Mound Altar. Su Qingxuan, in his purple robes as a prime minister, with a purple-gold fish-shaped pouch at his waist and the bronze imperial seal firmly in his arms, respectfully attended the emperor, presiding over the ceremony. Civil and military officials, elders of the three religions, and members of the imperial family stood solemnly below the altar according to their rank; countless common people gathered far outside the Temple of Heaven, kneeling on the ground, praying for the well-being of their families and the nation.

The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven was halfway through, the firewood was burning brightly, and the sound of chime bells and ceremonial music resounded through the sky. Suddenly, shouts of battle rose from the outer perimeter of the Temple of Heaven! Three thousand rebel soldiers dressed in the armor of the Imperial Guard suddenly turned against their own side and charged towards the guards; closely following behind, five thousand mixed private soldiers of the King of Heluo from the ceremonial guard surged forward.

King Xiao Jing of Heluo was also among them. He suddenly leaped out, ripped off his disguise, tore off his ceremonial robes, revealing a gleaming silver armor, and stood before the ranks, his face contorted with rage. He shouted fiercely, "Su Qingxuan has bewitched the emperor with his wicked words, corrupting the ancestral laws! Emperor Jinghe has been deceived by him and has long lost the hearts of the people! Today, I, the king, will carry out divine punishment, purge the court of corrupt officials, and secure the nation! You will all surrender immediately, or I will raze the Temple of Heaven to the ground!"

At the same time, a cold wind suddenly rose on the west side of the Temple of Heaven, and black mist filled the air. The shadowy figures of the demon realm appeared with more than ten strangely-looking evil cultivators. They quickly set up a sinister array, and the black air currents spread like snakes, intending to isolate the spiritual energy of heaven and earth inside and outside, and interfere with or even suppress the power of the holy seal and the spirit wood.

The unexpected turn of events caused the officials below the altar to turn pale instantly, the ceremonial music to stop abruptly, and everyone to panic. Although Emperor Jinghe tried to remain calm, his face also turned slightly pale, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on Su Qingxuan's arm beside him.

Su Qingxuan remained calm and composed. He gently patted the emperor's hand to reassure him, then slowly walked out of the center of the altar, standing alone before the white marble steps. His purple robe and jade belt fluttered in the wind. The bronze holy seal on the altar seemed to sense something, rising on its own and hovering three feet above his head, its soft yet boundless white light radiating outwards. Almost simultaneously, the guardian sacred tree in the southern suburbs' spiritual garden moved without wind, its thousands of branches swaying gently. A boundless, ancient vitality surged along the earth's spiritual veins, flowing into the Altar of Heaven. The "Three Teachings Purification and Evil Transformation Array," which had been set up beforehand, also activated. Golden, blue, and white Daoist radiance rose from the ground around the altar, weaving together into a huge, semi-transparent light curtain that enveloped the entire core area of ​​the Altar of Heaven.

"Xiao Jing!" Su Qingxuan's voice, like a resounding bell, carried the pure and righteous spirit of Confucianism. Each word was clear and echoed throughout the hall. "You, a member of the imperial family, have received the nation's favor for generations, yet instead of being loyal to the emperor and serving the country, you have colluded with foreign invaders, secretly communicated with evil spirits, raised an army to invade the capital, and plotted to usurp the throne. Such disloyalty, unfilial piety, inhumanity, and injustice have angered Heaven above, violated human ethics below, are rejected by the three teachings, and are intolerable to Heaven and Earth!"

Before the sound had even faded, disciples of the three religions, who had been prepared all around the Temple of Heaven, chanted scriptures in unison. Confucian scholars loudly recited the chapter from the *Great Learning*, "Sincerity of intention, rectification of mind, cultivation of self, and regulation of family"; Taoists softly chanted the lines from the *Tao Te Ching*, "Quietness and non-action, cleansing and profound contemplation"; and Buddhists softly recited the passage from the *Heart Sutra*, "Seeing that the five aggregates are empty, one transcends all suffering and distress." The three chanting voices, initially distinct, gradually blended, transforming into a peaceful, gentle, and deeply moving melody, like a spring breeze caressing the face, like a clear spring cleansing the heart.

Most of the five thousand private soldiers of the King of Heluo were originally from ordinary families. They were either coerced, deceived, or brainwashed. They had no intention of dying. At this moment, they were enveloped by the chanting of scriptures containing supreme peace and harmony, and were also bathed in the pure light of the holy seal and the vitality of the spiritual wood. They felt the violent and fierce energy that had been stirred up in their hearts melt away like hot water melting snow. Their eyes changed from frenzy to clarity, from fierceness to bewilderment, and then deep regret and fear emerged.

Someone threw down their weapon with a clang, and then, like a tidal wave, soldiers knelt on the ground, tears streaming down their faces, crying out, "We were coerced by the Prince, bewitched by evil spirits! We did not truly intend to rebel! We beg the Grand Secretary for mercy! We beg Your Majesty for mercy!"

In less than the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, the five thousand private soldiers, along with the three thousand traitorous imperial guards, had all surrendered without resistance or casualties. A long-planned and seemingly thunderous mutiny had vanished in an instant in such an unbelievable way.

Seeing this, Xiao Jing's eyes widened in fury. He never imagined that his painstakingly built power would be so utterly vulnerable before the opponent's upright and righteous path. Filled with rage and despair, he roared and charged towards Su Qingxuan on the steps, sword in hand: "Su Qingxuan! I will perish with you!"

A crimson shadow flashed like lightning, the spear moved like a dragon. Chi Ying, who had been guarding nearby, was already poised to strike. With a flick of his red-tasseled spear, he precisely deflected Xiao Jing's sword, then slammed the spear down, knocking him to the ground. Several elite guards rushed forward and bound him tightly. On the other side, the Demon Realm's shadow, seeing the tide had turned, transformed into a wisp of black smoke and attempted to escape. Su Qingxuan's gaze sharpened, and he pointed his fingers, a pure white light shooting from the holy seal above his head, arriving before the shadow and enveloping it. A piercing scream rang out, and the shadow, along with more than ten evil cultivators, rapidly dissolved in the light, leaving only a faint, hastily fleeing remnant soul—Su Qingxuan had deliberately spared the kill, leaving this remnant soul with a deeper meaning.

The leader of the rebel generals, his face ashen, knelt down and begged for forgiveness. Su Qingxuan, in accordance with his previous policy of "leniency in punishment and emphasis on education," ordered him to atone for his crimes by serving in the northern border army; the remaining thousands of rebel soldiers were all appeased, explained the greater good to them, given travel expenses, and sent home without further investigation.

Emperor Jinghe, finally recovering from his shock, descended from the altar surrounded by his guards. Gazing at the scene that had been quelled in an instant, at the rebel soldiers kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down their faces, he still could not believe it. His voice trembled slightly as he stroked Su Qingxuan's back, filled with emotion: "Minister Su... you resolved the conflict with the principles of the three religions and a benevolent heart, pacifying this great rebellion without losing a single one of my soldiers. Such wisdom, such magnanimity, even the wise ministers of ancient times could not surpass you!"

Su Qingxuan bowed and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this rebellion is not limited to the faction of the Prince of Heluo. According to investigations, they have long colluded with the Khan of the Northern Barbarians, agreeing to launch a large-scale southward invasion when the rebellion breaks out in the capital, intending to coordinate an attack from within and without. Although the rebel leader has been captured, the Northern Barbarians are unaware of the situation. I suggest that we temporarily suppress the rebellion and release one or two insignificant Barbarian spies to return north, allowing them to spread the false message that 'the mutiny has occurred and the capital is in chaos.' The arrogant Khan of the Barbarians will surely see this as a golden opportunity and will certainly launch a full-scale southward invasion. At that time, our army will be well-rested and ready to ambush, which can achieve remarkable results. Therefore, I request Your Majesty's permission to temporarily claim that Xiao Jing has taken control of the palace and that we are dealing with him."

Emperor Jinghe was also a wise ruler, and he immediately understood the crux of the matter. He nodded and said, "Your wisdom is profound, so proceed with this plan. You shall have full authority to handle all matters."

Thus, the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven resumed after a brief interruption and continued until it was successfully completed. Meanwhile, news that the mutiny had been quelled and Xiao Jing had been captured was strictly kept secret from a select few high-ranking officials.

Upon returning to the palace, Su Qingxuan secretly reported again: "Your Majesty, since the Di Man Khan has made an agreement with Xiao Jing, after receiving the false report from the spies, he will surely believe that our dynasty is in turmoil and that this opportunity cannot be missed. He will certainly mobilize all his elite troops for a large-scale invasion southward. This is a golden opportunity to severely damage or even annihilate his main force in one fell swoop, thus eliminating this great threat to the northern border forever. I request permission to travel lightly and secretly to the northern border to coordinate the various armies, make all the necessary arrangements, and strive to achieve victory in one decisive battle!"

Although Emperor Jinghe was reluctant, he knew that the safety of the northern frontier was crucial to the foundation of the nation, so he immediately granted the request and bestowed upon the emperor's sword, granting him the authority to act expediently: "All the generals of the northern frontier are at your command. I am in the capital, awaiting your good news. The affairs of the court will be temporarily handled by Wen Yanbo and others, so you need not worry about them."

Su Qingxuan thanked the emperor for his grace and returned to the Secretariat to make his final arrangements before leaving: he ordered Wen Yanbo to temporarily assume the position of Grand Secretary and handle daily government affairs; he ordered Zhou Laogen, who had been promoted to head of the eunuchs, to lead a group of trusted local militia and guards to be specifically responsible for protecting the sacred tree in the southern suburbs, to prevent the demon realm or remnants of the rebellion from resorting to desperate measures; and he strictly ordered the Three Teachings Propagation Hall and all prefectures and counties to continue to vigorously promote the policies of agriculture, sericulture, and education to stabilize the foundation of the country.

With everything arranged, he selected only Chi Ying and twenty of the most elite, alert, and seasoned martial arts heroes as his followers. They all changed into merchant's clothes, concealed the Emperor's Sword and the Bronze Holy Seal, and quietly left Luoyang in the dead of night, heading straight for the key to the northern frontier—Yanmen Pass.

Almost simultaneously, inside the golden tent of the Northern Di royal court, the Di Khan was drinking and reveling with beautiful women he had captured from the Central Plains. A trusted spy rushed in, kneeling excitedly to report: "Great Khan! Great news! The King of Heluo has successfully launched his uprising in Luoyang! The Xia Emperor and Su Qingxuan have both been beheaded! Now the Xia capital is leaderless and in chaos, the perfect opportunity for our steppe eagle to march south!"—This spy had already been manipulated by the shadows of the Demon Realm using secret techniques, his mind half-dead. What he was conveying was false information deliberately released by Su Qingxuan. The Demon Realm's true intention was also to use this to provoke a great war, to pollute the fate of the Great Xia with the blood and chaos of war, making it easier for them to make a comeback. The calculations of all parties intertwined, seemingly coincidental, but in reality, everything was under Su Qingxuan's control.

Upon hearing the news, Di Man Khan was overjoyed. He slammed the golden cup in his arms to the ground, rose abruptly, and roared, "May the Eternal Heaven protect us! Issue my order: gather the elite troops of the nine tribes of the royal court, and send proclamations to all the tribes of the grasslands, assembling a total of 500,000 iron cavalry. At sunrise tomorrow, we will raise our banners and set out! Taking advantage of the internal strife among the southern people, we will break through Yanmen Pass and seize Luoyang. This bustling world of the Central Plains should change its masters!"

In an instant, horns sounded across the grasslands, hooves thundered, and 500,000 Di barbarian cavalry converged into a surging torrent, dust obscuring the sun, and with a fervor of plunder and conquest, they surged toward the majestic pass to the south.

The Khan, brimming with confidence and believing the Central Plains were within his grasp, ordered his entire army to advance swiftly and lightly armed, aiming for a quick victory. He was completely unaware that the rebellion in Luoyang had already been quelled, and Su Qingxuan, the greatest obstacle in his eyes, had already traveled ahead of him, rushing to the northern frontier day and night. A net of traps targeting his 500,000-strong army was being silently woven outside Yanmen Pass.

The sacred tree protecting the nation has taken root in Luoyang, and the Confucian, Legalist, and Taoist traditions have solidified the court, heralding the dawn of a glorious new era. Meanwhile, beyond the northern borders, the flames of war have been lit, and half a million iron cavalry are rolling south, about to unleash a bloody war that will determine the fate of the Great Xia Dynasty. Su Qingxuan's journey of enlightenment, "The Path of Mortals and Saints," will shift from strategic planning and cleansing of evil in the imperial court to the clash of swords and the defense of the borders on the frontier. The grand vision of unifying the three religions now faces a new and more severe test and tempering.

It is:

The sacred tree was transplanted to govern the imperial capital; its benevolent heart transformed into a halberd to secure the rule of kings and nobles.

Warfare rises in the north, shrouding the land in dust; the vast empire awaits strategic planning.