Guanyin Bodhisattva explained all the changes and told the young Taoist who was spending the New Year's Festival with his teacher and brothers. Then he put his hands together and said with a complicated expression: "I first went to the ancestral land of the Buddhas and saw the Bodhi tree. Then I went to the Pure Lapis Lazuli Buddha Kingdom in the East and told my two fellow practitioners, Sunlight and Moonlight, about all the things about Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata."
"But after I came out, I saw that everything has changed drastically."
He sighed, his expression complicated:
"But I never thought that so many changes would happen in the world in such a short period of time."
"It is much bigger than I expected."
He saw that the young Taoist in front of him fell silent.
Soon after the New Year, the 17-year-old Taoist priest comforted him gently, saying, "A little bit adds up to a lot. A saint does not seek greatness, but eventually achieves greatness. Such a huge change cannot be achieved overnight. Just like before a rainstorm, contradictions and conflicts have long been like undercurrents, surging for a long time, such as the disaster in Jinzhou, the change in Zhongzhou, and the collision between the military strategist Li Zhai and the emperor."
"The demon clan's rebellion broke through the border of the human world. Even the fact that I deposed the emperor of the human world was part of this process."
"Change after change will make all kinds of contradictions and conflicts in the entire human world more and more intense, but from the beginning to the end, they have been suppressed tightly. However, simple suppression is only a means of treating the symptoms and not the root cause. After so many years of suppression, this huge contradiction is finally about to erupt..."
"This kind of explosion will have different ways of detonating."
"It's just that this time, it starts with a fight between Buddhism and Taoism."
Guanyin Bodhisattva was speechless.
After a long time, he looked at the Taoist in front of him and said, "I have heard that among the sixteen Buddhist teachings, there is a Buddha who simulated the laws of the gods in heaven and wanted to pass them on to the emperors of the world. He wanted to use the destiny of humanity as the material and the Buddhist teachings as the basis to divide the gods. This is part of the ritual of dividing the destiny of humanity."
"I will tell this matter to the layman."
"I'll take my leave now."
Guanyin stood up and said goodbye.
The Taoist priest saw him off and asked, "Where are you going, Bodhisattva?"
The beautiful-looking Bodhisattva put his hands together and said, "The Buddhas are using the Dharma to confuse the common people. I should stop them."
The Taoist paused, then suddenly asked, "Why stop me?"
The Bodhisattva replied: "To practice the Dharma, to realize the Dharma, and to spread the Dharma."
The Taoist asked again:
"What is the Bodhisattva trying to stop?"
The Bodhisattva put his hands together and chanted the Buddha's name in a gentle voice: "Block Buddhism."
"I am practicing Dharma, not a sect. What a sect practices is ultimately power, not Dharma."
"Can you stop it?"
"Probably can't be stopped."
So the Taoist sighed and said gently: "The Bodhisattva has mercy on us."
The Bodhisattva asked the Taoist, "Do you want to go down the mountain, sir?"
Qi Wuhuo looked at the turbulent wind and clouds below the mountain, but said, "It is not time for me to go down the mountain yet."
"I can't go down the mountain yet."
Guanyin Bodhisattva was surprised, then understood, clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and floated away.
Whether it can be stopped or not is just a result, but the significance of this matter is not determined by the result. Qi Wuhuo watched the Bodhisattva Guanyin go away. He stood on the top of the mountain, looking into the distance. A trace of golden light flashed in his eyes, and he could see the cause and effect and the qi. With just a little divination, he could know the flow of cause and effect at this moment, and the flow of qi was like a dragon.
If he went down the mountain now, it would just be like every time before. He could rely on himself to suppress all the contradictions, but suppression is not a solution after all. Before long, such contradictions would completely erupt. The young Taoist stood on the top of the mountain, as if he was about to take a step and walk down, but it seemed that the great trend of heaven and earth and boundless luck were gathering towards him.
The young Taoist priest was unable to take a step or leave.
Only the mountain wind was whistling and the Taoist robes were fluttering. The three Taoist ancestors did not appear at this time, never asked their disciples, never gave them any instructions, and never imposed their ideas on their disciples. They just let them face the oncoming calamity.
Watching the changes in the wind and clouds, his luck flows like a dragon, entrenched in the capital.
The noble families are all clinging to the dragon scales, they are the so-called ministers clinging to the dragon scales; according to the original direction of fortune, such a majestic beginning, a step taken at the cost and stepping stone of the reputation of the previous emperor, must be grand and invincible, with the aura of the greatest emperor through the ages. However, at this moment in the border areas, there are also weapons rising to the sky, as if the aura of a tiger is rising, baring its fangs and claws, wanting to devour a dragon.
All things and phenomena have yin and yang energies.
While a large number of people benefit, even more people suffer. They live for profit and die because of profit. There are also many people with vision who know the harm of such behavior to the country and their families, and they are indignant about it. The military leaders take advantage of the opportunity and naturally gather the magnificent luck of the world under the military force.
Right now, civil officials, noble families, and monks have gathered in the capital.
The common people gathered around Li Zhai's troops.
The luck was divided into two in an instant, and the people of both sides had not yet clashed with each other, but the luck had already been spread over the land of Kyushu, with dragons and tigers fighting each other. Those who observed the sky at night saw light flowing above the sky, and could hear the roars of dragons and tigers. At this time, everyone knew why the chief military strategist had suddenly sent out troops to fight against the four countries, fighting thirteen battles in a row and winning every battle.
One is to accumulate the spirit of an invincible army.
The second is a warning.
A kind of [tips].
Tell these short-sighted small countries around here not to think they can play tricks just because he is away. Otherwise, when he comes back, they will sweep them away without any mercy!
Therefore, after this world-famous general left the border, the situation at the border became more stable than before.
This elite force, which had experienced battles against the demon tribe and border passes, kept marching towards the capital with a sharpness that the imperial guards and literati in the capital could not imagine. They did not, nor dared to, resist any city along the way, and did not harm a single person. They only burned down all the large temples and smashed the Buddha statues that had been carved and built with huge amounts of manpower and material resources. They ordered the monks to return to secular life, and those who had committed crimes were not exposed, but were dealt with like ordinary people according to the law.
All other privileges such as tax exemption and people's support for temples were abolished.
Return the land to the people and return the farmland to the people.
Those temples and monks who cultivate their own land in the deep mountains and forests will be commended.
If gold and silver were found in the temples, they would all be confiscated. The property of the common people and believers would also be looted. Anyone who used the property for personal enjoyment would be beheaded. Anyone who dared to resist would be beheaded, and anyone who dared to shield the rebels would be beheaded.
Three words were cut off in succession, and the bloody murderous aura rose to the sky.
The path this famous military general walked on was filled with a solemn and murderous atmosphere, but he did not enter the city or invade the civilians. A sense of iron-blooded cleansing under order brought a huge and solemn sense of oppression. In this garrison, the soldiers cooked the hunted prey and the purchased food together. The military leader, who always liked luxury and enjoyment, also changed his personality at this moment and just ate simple food.
He had studied and conquered every place in the world.
In the light of the fire and the moon, they flipped through the maps and files. Although there were many famous generals in the world, none could match Li Zhai. The deputy general said, "General, if we continue, we will reach the capital in less than ten days. His Majesty will definitely not sit idly by. There will definitely be a large number of troops and generals to intercept us. We..."
Li Zhai said: "They are no match for me."
With his eyes bright, he looked at the marching battle map and stuffed the hard dry food that could be used to sharpen knives into his mouth. This thing was as hard as stone, but it tasted much better after soaking it in soup with salt.
The deputy general hesitated and said, "But, General, this would really mean that you would be severing your ties with your country."
"No, the one who cut himself off from his country was Li Hui."
Under the moonlight, Li Zhai looked calm, like a tiger before hunting. He said, "The world belongs to everyone in the world, not Li Hui. He uses the flesh and blood of everyone in the world to support Buddhism. I'm afraid he has gained some extraordinary benefits and deals from Buddhism, just like my father."
“But if you use the flesh and blood of all people in the world for the sake of one person’s ritual, you are a thief.”
"Aren't you and I, stinking soldiers, here to fight against thieves?"
Li Zhai smiled and said, "As the old saying goes, those who steal a hook will be executed, and those who steal a country will become princes."
"This time, I want to tell everyone in the world clearly."
"Thief of the country."
"Also punish him!"
"Those who steal the country should also be punished. However, you, a traitor, I'm afraid you won't live to see that day!" Suddenly there was a loud laugh, and then there was a solemn Buddhist chant. In the dark night, in the endless sky, a huge golden palm print rose from the sky and fell towards this place. Li Zhai drew his sword, his brows raised like a blade, and said coldly: "I've been waiting for you!"
“Draw your sword!!”
Since the emperor has already joined forces with Buddhism, Li Zhai's actions will naturally make him a thorn in the emperor's side and a thorn in his eyes. The army cannot be easily moved. Once the imperial army is defeated by Li Zhai in a head-on confrontation, its reputation will naturally be greatly damaged. At this time, sending a Buddhist master to kill Li Zhai is the best option.
At that moment, the Buddha's light was bright and shining in all directions. The knife in Li Zhai's hand was wrapped with a majestic murderous aura. It merged with the army formation and slashed horizontally, breaking the Buddhist handprint. Then he continued to move forward and chopped down towards the monk's head. However, the monk then had several more Buddha's lights flashing, using himself as bait to lure Li Zhai to attack, and then took the opportunity to break his luck.
李翟右手持刀，左手已持了一柄剑，也是故意设局。
只是此刻，却忽而有一道明艳剑光复现，只是瞬间就扫过了这几道佛光，便听得了阵阵惨叫之声，一道道身影落下，而那剑光明艳，流转翩跹，李翟浓眉扬起，道：“谁人？”
却见到那剑光凌厉，于长空之中盘旋最终落下，却有一人，曼声长吟，道：
“庞眉斗竖恶精神，万里腾空一踊身。”
“背上匣中三尺剑，为天且示不平人。”
身穿甲胄的李翟抬眸，见到来人，是一名模样甚是清俊道人，后者拱手，温和道：“贫道吕洞宾，知诸佛一脉必然对将军动手，故而前来相助。”
“吕洞宾？”
李翟按着的刀剑缓缓回鞘，抬眸看着那消失的佛光，下令让部队肃整，而后邀吕洞宾一同坐下，吕洞宾自腰间摘下了酒壶，晃了晃，递向李翟之时，被后者抬手拒绝，吕洞宾也不在意，只是仰脖饮酒，一身道袍清净，将手中的剑横放在身前，拍着剑，道：
“将军之锋芒已至盛，只是过刚而易折，将军认为，自己可以以一军而敌一国乎？”
以一军而制衡一国。
哪怕是李翟这样杰出的统帅，最多也只是能够维持一时间的优势，时间一长，终究还是会逐渐落入劣势之中，最终覆灭，而哪怕是最终能胜，麾下之军也必然死伤惨重，刀剑之锋落在袍泽身上，将清君侧，除妖佛的事情变成了一场绝对没有胜利者的内战。
李翟眸子微敛，道：“道长有什么话，不妨直说。”
吕洞宾提起旁边一根树枝，轻而易举刺入地面，勾勒出两条不同的曲线，道：“而今天下之大势，一在于京师，一在于将军，将军乃是万民之所望，得了人心，只是一路所行诸事，也不乏酷烈，终归是有损天和，未曾得了全部气运。”
“而今天下气运两分，一在将军，一在人皇，双方已成如水火之姿，而人皇之优势，乃是佛门，之后彼必以佛门为长处击将军，此刻将军有两条道路，一则是以军阵大势缓缓相逼迫，将军胜之机更大，但是恐有诸多杀戮死伤，伤及百姓；二则是，人皇必然提出以气运相争，以人间佛法和道法相斗。”
“则将军并不占据优势。”
李翟道：“道长觉得如何？”
吕洞宾叹息道：“无论如何，皆是一场胜败，一场厮杀。”
“只不过一个需要无数士兵和百姓的命去拼，另一个则是将军气运和诸道之论法。”
“贫道也不知道在那皇帝背后站着什么级别的佛门中人，若是菩萨，贫道或可一斗，若是诸佛的话，我也不是对手。”
他顿了顿，看向李翟，似漫不经心地询问道：“将军欲称皇者乎？”
李翟看着燃烧的火光，没有说话。
自此日之后，吕洞宾开始保护李翟。
在那山上，年轻道人看着山下的气运，见到了那龙虎气运似已经席卷于苍生万物，其中龙有佛光，虎有道魂，这人道气运之争，终究是越发庞大，就连佛道也不可避免，亦或者说佛门道门，于尘世之中发展了如此长的岁月，早已和人族气运彼此纠缠，不可分割。
谛听双手撑着下巴，看着山下的风起云涌，询问道：“这么大的气，乖乖，这爆发出来，得要死多少人啊。”
他长叹息道：“喂，小牛鼻子。”
“你下山吗？”
背后三清道祖已经很久不再出现了，那三间木屋院子里面，已经渐渐积累了些灰尘，积了白雪，雪上面覆了灰尘，灰尘之上又有飘然落下的干枯梅花，道人站在山上看着山下，安静站着。
于是谛听只是长叹了口气。
而又过数日，皇帝果然昭告天下，乃自白于天下，讨伐李翟，攻其为兵贼，道贼，李翟则仍旧是闷不做声地疯狂破庙灭佛，这天下的气运逐渐疯狂，却在这一件件事情的累加之下，逐渐分流，隐隐化作了两股磅礴之气，一者佛，一者道，彼此争锋。
世家大族依附于佛，兵家战将百姓依附于道。
如阴阳轮转。
如万物苍茫！
彼此争斗煊赫冲撞，后世的史家们无数次地复盘这一次的争斗，都发现这个时候，是这位威武王登上历史至高舞台最好的机会，这个时候，有敌人，有从属，是大势所趋，是民心所向，无可匹敌的兵锋以保国安民的最高级别大义为驱使，甚至于有城中士兵百姓的投诚。
裹挟着如此的大势，如同洪流一般地前行，终将踏足在历史的最高峰。
但是这位名动天下的威武王却勒住了那霸道的兵锋，没有选择以铁骑踏破九州，而是选择了和人皇进行直接的谈判，有人懊悔遗憾，认为这是改变人族未来进展的一个节点，无数野心家叹息这位名将愚蠢的抉择；
却也有人认为，兵家的目标不是为了争夺天下，而是为了护国安民。
最杰出的军事家无不追求着不战而胜，维系着国家的生力，威武王并非是如同其父兄一般的野心家，那是自古以来排名前十的兵家大家，而之所以不是前三，是因为他不愿意用苍生之血，铸造自己的荣光和胜利。
他求的，是人间之大胜。
“一朝英雄拔剑起，又是苍生十年劫。”
“与其如此，不做英雄便是了。”
三日谈判之后，佛道各出三人，以论法，论道。
加上李翟和李晖背负的气运争斗，来做出胜负，以此来避免过多的死伤，两位君主按着剑，坐到了彼此对面的位置上，人间的气运，佛道的气运，如同冲天而起的亢龙，长吟动天，裹挟着苍生，也裹挟着佛道两脉的千年香火，以一种特殊的方法，开始碰撞在一起。
“此番论法，则陛下必胜之。”
老僧双手合十地对那皇帝开口：“彼之最强，不过是吕洞宾，而陛下麾下，当有诸佛法脉一十六位大菩萨，如一十六名真君，论法上下，吕洞宾区区一地仙，如何能够是吾等之对手呢？”
李晖按着剑，道：“但是，是约定好了，人间的佛道双方争斗。”
“诸位来此，不是坏了规矩吗？”
老僧注视着这个皇帝。
看着他脸上的挣扎。
心中在叹息着。
何其虚伪的帝王啊！
他明明一切都知道，明明也希望靠着这十六位大菩萨的援助，斗败道门，哪怕是违背了约定，却也执意如此，但是他偏偏还要别人劝说他如此。
就好像做出这个抉择，是在诸佛蛊惑之下。
而后稍微推诿一番便是顺势下来，如此便可以欺骗自己的良心，得以一夜安眠。
僧人温和道：“这是为了天下计，百姓会感谢陛下的。”
“受国之垢，是为天下主，您是为了他们而背负了罪孽啊。”
“这也是大功德。”
李晖按着剑，闭了闭眼，不知道几分真实几分虚假，慨叹道：“我们这一家，注定了要血肉相残吗？”
“那么，就交给诸佛了。”
是日，曾为真君巅峰，却因情劫而坠入地仙层次的吕纯阳，最终走上了自己这游历凡间最大也是最后的一步，在这一日前，早已经有两名信使，一个来自于秦王，一个来自于李翟，朝着一处山脉奔去了。
他们在道途的途中相遇了，知道了自己的目的合一。
人间除去了吕纯阳之外，尚且还有一名真修。
他们知道事情的紧急，不肯有丝毫的放松，沿途混杂有龙血的异兽都累死三匹，三日间，狂奔七万里，来到了这山下，问明了百姓，这才一步一步朝着山上走去，身躯都已经颤抖了，谛听看着他们，叹了口气，道：
“不要来了……”
“他如果不愿意的话，是不会下山的。”
信使神色激动：“可是，这事关于天下百姓……”
“可是事关于天下也未必能让他动啊。”
两个信使在和谛听激动描述这事情的严重程度，而山下的百姓们开心地过去了元宵节，准备着新的一年，双方明明同处于一片天地，却分明在两个世界。
那山上站立而观天下气运的道人，终于看到了那个节点。
矛盾最高，最激烈，已然爆发却又不曾波及苍生的时候。
一个可以瞬间将之前压迫的诸多矛盾一起斩去的机会。
如花开未开，如石落水，而浪涛未起。
他朝着前面踏出了一步。
一步凌空。
于是这山上云海，刹那之间翻卷滚动，猛然朝着四方排斥开来，两个信使心中震动不已，下意识跌坐在地上，头晕眼花，谛听下意识抬起头来，看到那道人踱步虚空，袖袍翻卷，两侧云海逸散，壮阔绝美。
见到老青牛却忽而长叹一声，抖擞精神，往前迈步。
化作一青牛，足踏云霞，身缠流光。
一步一雷霆。
一步一天阙。
这是！！！
谛听眸子收缩，一时间失言。
青牛为道祖坐骑，那么有资格骑它的……
Di Ting suddenly sat down on the ground with his head tingling, blurting out:
"Qi Wuhuo!!!"
"Who the hell are you?!"
Who will it become?!
This was an ordinary day, but it was also a piece of history that was richly recorded by historians of later generations.
At this time, the people living at the foot of the mountain were immersed in the afterglow of the New Year festival, looking forward to the future. Farmers were eager for the harvest, and children were thinking about growing taller. The luck of Buddhism had been stimulated to the extreme, but was about to erupt at a certain point in the future. Lu Chunyang calmed his mind and prepared to face his enemies. The Buddhist sect had gathered sixteen great Bodhisattvas who mixed in with the crowd discussing the Dharma.
This day.
A young Taoist riding a green ox.
Going down the mountain.