Xia Chuan said, "Throughout the dynasties, besides gathering civil officials and generals, strategists and assassins, the emperors needed four special figures."

"According to the arts, they are: Ming Shi (fate master), Suan Shi (calculator), Yun Shi (fortune master), and Feng Shui Shi (geomancer)."

"With civil officials, brave generals, the four masters gathered, and strategists arriving, emperors can achieve their hegemony."

"Liang Jie Tang (Two Realms Hall) has already occupied 80% of these talents."

"Hall Master Li is comparable to a fierce general. Hall Master Ye's Feng Shui techniques are unique in the arts. Master Liu is a top strategist. Xia Mengying leading Ban Xian Zhuang (Half Sage Manor) can just fill the position of civil official."

"As far as I know, Hall Master Li has deep connections with the Suan Shi, Qu Zhi Guishen (Fingers Count Ghosts and Gods) Ling Tongling. Tianming Dashi (Grandmaster of Destiny) hides Tian Ji (Heavenly Secrets) very deeply. Hall Master Li has invited them to take action several times. I think, if Hall Master Li is willing, it won't be difficult to bring them into Liang Jie Tang (Two Realms Hall), right?"

"Besides, Hall Master Li has a deep friendship with Dao Jun (Blade Monarch) Jun Jixue. His Tian Sha Shiliu Qi (Sixteen Sky Fiend Riders) can be called a formidable force in Jianghu (Martial World)."

"Hall Master Li, if you can bring Jun Jixue to Xia Zhou's command, hegemony can be achieved."

After Xia Chuan finished speaking, he looked at me intently: "More importantly, Hall Master Li should also be one of the Yi Tian Jiu Zi (Nine Chess Pieces of Heaven). With you assisting Xia Zhou, he can reduce one opponent."

Hearing this, I almost laughed out of anger: "Mr. Xia, I have to say, your plan is good, and your idea is great. However, you are dreaming too beautifully."

"Switch us over? I wouldn't even dare to dream of it."

"Does that Xia Zhou you mentioned possess the aura of a king, or the appearance of an emperor? Is he assisted by the Holy Son or does he have a magnificent general with an imposing presence?"

"Call him out and let me see. I'll try to see if I can kowtow to him?"

Xia Chuan smiled and said, "Of course, Xia is not so naive as to think that he can persuade Hall Master Li to work for Xia Zhou with just a few words."

"There are five of us here. I believe that sacrificing our lives is enough to move Hall Master Li!"

I couldn't help but frown: "What do you mean?"

Xia Mengying suddenly woke up: "Li Po, leave quickly! They are going to use the Confucian secret technique to change the world and transform appearances!"

Before I could react, Xia Chuan and the four Confucian scholars behind him stood in a line, confronting the Liang Jie Tang (Two Realms Hall) people. At the same time, the remaining Zhen Mo Bei (Demon Suppressing Steles) in the forest emitted golden light.

This world, as if illuminated by the steles, turned into a pure land with only books and learning, like auspicious clouds descending, suppressing the killing intent on us.

Xia Chuan said indifferently: "A Confucian strategy can change the world; a word can transform people's appearances."

"My Xia family is sacrificing five great Confucian scholars, which will surely move you all!"

Xia Mengying exclaimed: "Li Po, leave quickly, don't be held back by them. They are not suicide soldiers. The true Confucian martyrs are not here."

Although I didn't understand all of Xia Mengying's meaning, I understood the gist of it: She was saying that the Xia family had dispatched a total of ten great Confucian scholars, five of whom were to hold us back, and the remaining five were using the Confucian secret technique.

Later, I learned that the Confucian "changing the world" and "transforming appearances" were actually two kinds of secret techniques.

"Changing the world" is similar to Feng Shui secret techniques, which can change the environment within a certain range to suppress opponents. Once the secret technique is used, it can even create a Confucian holy land in a ghost domain within a short period of time.

Once an opponent falls into the secret technique of "changing the world," it is equivalent to falling into the Confucian home field, and his power will be suppressed by at least 30%, while Confucian disciples can surpass their limits with the blessing of Wen Qi (Literary Qi).

With one positive and one negative, the Confucian school is taking advantage of both the environment and the people.

"Transforming appearances" is to use the lifelong cultivation of a great Confucian scholar to change the thinking of the opponent. Once the secret technique is successfully performed, their opponents, whether they are ghosts or demons, will become supporters of Confucianism.

Although there will be no changes in cultivation or skills, and they will still roam Jianghu (Martial World) with demonic skills and evil arts, their actions will be based on Confucianism.

Although "transforming appearances" is extremely domineering, its reputation is not widespread in the arts, and even few Confucian disciples know about this secret technique.

The reason is that "transforming appearances" must be at the cost of a great Confucian scholar's life to completely change the opponent. Great Confucian scholars will not use this secret technique until they are about to run out of life.

Moreover, the activation of the secret technique also requires a certain amount of time, and no one can interrupt it in the middle.

Once the secret technique is blocked, the great Confucian scholar who performed it will have sacrificed in vain.

Xia Mengying later told me that the five great Confucian scholars dispatched by Xia Chuan this time should be the elders of the Xia family who were in their twilight years.

I looked at Xia Chuan and laughed loudly: "Patriarch Xia, is this what you call the battle of gentlemen?"

"That's right!" Xia Chuan nodded and said, "We hold the joy of a gentleman, which is the battle of gentlemen."

I couldn't help but laugh: "What a joy of a gentleman!"

The joy of a gentleman is that what a gentleman pursues is a righteous cause, a great cause, which may succeed or fail. But a gentleman should adhere to his aspirations, uphold his integrity, and persist in his pursuit.

I don't know if Xia Chuan has twisted the joy of a gentleman, but I know that I want to kill!