020. Paving One’s Own Path (Votes and Support Appreciated)

At that moment, Wang Yu and Wei Wuji became sworn brothers, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Wang Yu also shared his courtesy name with Wei Wuji, who began to address Wang Yu as Brother Hongjian.

Wang Yu said, "Brother Wuji, it's late today. Why don't we rest for the night here in Wenyang Town and set off for Jixia tomorrow?" Wei Wuji, of course, had no objections.

So, the two entered Wenyang Town, found an excellent inn, and booked two top rooms. Due to the world's strange changes, inns that hadn't originally existed had appeared ahead of time. The service was quite good; the food and lodgings were roughly on par with those of the Ming Dynasty in Wang Yu's world.

Since it was not yet too late, after their meal, the two did not go to sleep but instead stayed up talking by candlelight. From their earlier conversation, Wei Wuji found Wang Yu to be insightful and resourceful, and couldn't help but feel a desire to win him over.

At this time, Wei Wuji already displayed some of the grace for which he would later be known as Lord Xinling. To respect and befriend worthy people seemed to be his nature, so he wanted to further test Wang Yu's abilities.

Wei Wuji poured Wang Yu a cup of wine and said, "Brother Hongjian, you said you are not a disciple of the Confucian school. May I ask, then, from which school do you come?"

Wang Yu sipped his wine lightly, knowing full well that Wei Wuji intended to test him. Though he had yet to formally join any sect, his knowledge and insight were certainly extraordinary—as a prince of the great state of Wei, he must have seen much, even if only from the sidelines. It would be easy for him to judge a person's true worth.

Wang Yu did not conceal the truth. "I am not a disciple of the Confucian school now, but I never said I had never been one."

Wei Wuji was taken aback. What did this mean? Had Wang Yu been cast out? Expelled from the Confucian school?

At this, Wei Wuji began to doubt his own judgment. The reputation of being an expelled disciple was extremely poor in this world, for it implied a flaw in one's character. People of questionable character generally had few willing to associate with them.

Thus, Wei Wuji looked at Wang Yu thoughtfully, as if awaiting an explanation.

Wang Yu smiled. "Why, Brother Wuji, are you regretting having befriended me upon learning that I am an expelled disciple?"

Wei Wuji considered this for a moment. "Though I do not know why you were expelled, I feel you are worth befriending, so I do not regret it."

Wang Yu laughed heartily. "Brother Wuji, you are truly no ordinary man. In fact, there is nothing to hide. I left the Confucian school not because I was expelled, but because I felt its path did not suit me. I withdrew of my own accord."

He clarified, for he had been probing Wei Wuji to see whether his reputation was deserved, and indeed, Wang Yu was not disappointed. Wei Wuji did not, like most, assume that someone expelled from a school must be unworthy; he trusted his own judgment.

What a remarkable person. To accomplish great things, it is crucial not to follow the crowd, but to have one's own ideas and discernment. In this, Wei Wuji did well.

Hearing Wang Yu's explanation, Wei Wuji breathed a sigh of relief. Although he trusted his own judgment, he did not wish Wang Yu to bear the stigma of an expelled disciple—a reputation that would always be a burden. Voluntary withdrawal, however, was different. Expulsion meant violating the school's rules; leaving of one's own volition merely meant a divergence of paths, not a flaw in character.

Moreover, those who voluntarily left their schools were not subject to discrimination; there were many such cases in this world. Many great figures had changed affiliations midway through their journeys, ultimately achieving mastery and becoming grandmasters. This was especially common in the Jixia Academy, where it had even become something of a standard: the more experts a school could attract from other sects, the more influential it became, and the greater the benefits that followed.

Thus, learning that Wang Yu had left on his own initiative, Wei Wuji finally let go of his misgivings. Feeling some shame for his earlier doubts, he drank three cups in quick succession and said, "Brother Hongjian, I drink these three cups to atone for my earlier doubts."

Wang Yu smiled, knowing the reason, and did not stop him.

After the three cups, Wei Wuji's cheeks were slightly flushed as he poured more wine and said, "Brother Hongjian, since you feel the Confucian path does not suit you, which of the Hundred Schools do you think fits you best?"

Hearing this, Wang Yu fell silent in thought. Under Wei Wuji's expectant gaze, he said, "To be honest, I do not yet know which school suits me best. I can only try them one by one. That is why I wish to go to Jixia Academy—there, with every school vying for supremacy, I can witness their ways and, in time, discover my own path."

Wei Wuji, unwilling to give up, pressed on, "Do you truly have no preference in your heart?"

Wang Yu pondered for a moment. "The School of the Military, the Mohists, the Daoists, the School of Yin-Yang, the Logicians, the Agriculturalists, the Syncretists, the Legalists, and the Strategists—I wish to learn about them all."

Wei Wuji was speechless; this was a truly broad preference. The strongest schools in the world, except for the Confucians, had all been mentioned.

"Brother Hongjian, you have great ambitions and much confidence. For most people, to win the approval of a single school is already a rare fortune, yet you intend to try all the most powerful schools. Such breadth of mind and spirit is rare indeed."

Wang Yu laughed. "So long as you do not think me arrogant, Brother Wuji. I simply believe that only by integrating the strengths of all the schools can one forge one's own path and attain sagehood. To merely follow in the footsteps of the ancient sages is to forever stand in their shadow. Do you not agree, Brother Wuji?"

Wei Wuji reflected on this. Wang Yu's words were bold, but not without reason. Perhaps this was why, since the founders of the Hundred Schools, no such sage of that stature had again appeared. To follow in the footsteps of those before is, in the end, to fall into their pattern; to attain sagehood, one must blaze a new trail.

Wei Wuji found himself admiring this friend whom he had only known for half a day. Though Wang Yu had no cultivation, his breadth of vision and spirit were truly exceptional.

Wei Wuji nodded. "Brother Hongjian, your words make sense. In that case, is not the School of the Syncretists most suited to you? The Syncretists are known for drawing upon all schools, combining Confucianism and Mohism, integrating Logic and Legalism, and mastering all teachings—this seems well aligned with your chosen path."

Wang Yu smiled. "Though my understanding of the Syncretists is shallow, from what I know, while they strive to master the art of governance by drawing on all schools, those who do so often drift without a firm anchor. The Syncretists lack a core principle to truly integrate the teachings of all schools. Thus, following their path can lead to confusion and indecision. This is their flaw, and so I shall not choose it."