On the official road in the southern region, Su She, a scholar in a blue robe, was walking slowly with his book box on his back. He had just finished teaching for three days in the small town ahead, teaching the local children some characters and explaining the principles of "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness," and was now preparing to head to the next village.
"Amitabha."
A Buddhist chant rang out before him. Su She looked up and saw a monk in a gray robe blocking the road. The monk had a square face, held prayer beads in his hand, and had a peaceful yet profoundly insightful gaze.
"Greetings, benefactor." The monk clasped his hands together. "This humble monk observes a righteous spirit between your brows, indicating an affinity with Buddhism. Would you be willing to return with me to the Great Thunderclap Temple to study Buddhist principles and guide sentient beings?"
Su She stopped and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Master, you are too kind. I already have a master, a disciple of Mr. Lin Zhou of the Qingyun Sect, who cultivates Confucianism and Taoism. I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you."
"Qingyun Sect?" A hint of surprise flashed in the monk's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "Although Confucianism and Taoism also educate the world, they are not as vast as Buddhism. Benefactor, you have a deep connection with Buddhism. Only by returning to Buddhism can you use the supreme Dharma to save the people in this chaotic world and resolve the calamity in the four regions."
Upon hearing this, Su She smiled slightly and said, "Master, you are mistaken."
"Of the three thousand great paths, each leads to immortality and each can save all living beings. Buddhism and Taoism emphasize 'conversion' and use compassion to resolve attachments, which is indeed a way to save the world."
“But Confucianism and Taoism also have their ways of ‘governing the world.’” Su She raised his hand and pointed to the farmers working on the ridges of the fields by the roadside. “Teach the people knowledge so that they can distinguish right from wrong; teach them skills so that they have enough to eat and wear; govern the people with propriety so that they know honor and shame and abide by order. Isn’t this saving the people?”
The monk paused slightly in his hand, which was holding prayer beads: "What you have said is merely the Hinayana path. The root of suffering in the world lies in greed, anger, and ignorance. Only the Buddha's teachings can eradicate attachments and bring about great liberation."
“Master is wrong again.” Su She shook his head. “Obsession is not all bad. A farmer’s obsession with cultivation leads to a bountiful harvest; a soldier’s obsession with protection leads to peace and tranquility for the country; a cultivator’s obsession with the pursuit of the Dao leads to the attainment of the Great Dao.”
“Confucianism and Taoism do not strive to ‘eradicate’ but rather to ‘guide’.” His voice was gentle yet firm. “Like this flowing water, if you block it, it will collapse; if you dredge it, it will flow smoothly. Using propriety and righteousness as channels and education as guides, we can make obsessions a driving force for goodness and the Tao, rather than the root of evil—this is the way Confucianism and Taoism save the world.”
"As for the 'origins' the master mentioned," Su She smiled, "If you have Buddha in your heart, where is not a Buddhist paradise? If your actions are in accordance with the Way, why be attached to Buddhism? The path of the Great Way, though different, leads to the same destination. Ultimately, it is to bring more peace and less suffering to this world."
The monk remained silent for a moment, looking at the unwavering faith in Confucianism and Taoism in Su She's eyes, and then at the smoke rising from the distant village. He slowly sighed, "What you say makes sense, benefactor. It was this humble monk who was too attached to the truth."
He clasped his hands together again: "Since you are inclined towards Confucianism and Taoism, I will not force you. I only hope that you will stay true to your original aspiration in the future and use the light of Confucianism and Taoism to illuminate this world."
"Thank you for your understanding, Master." Su She cupped his hands in thanks.
The monk chanted a Buddhist prayer, turned and left. His gray figure quickly disappeared into the woods, leaving only the sound of his prayer beads fading into the distance.
Su She watched his retreating figure, sighed softly, then gripped the straps of his book box tighter and continued on his way. The road to the Southern Region was still long, and his preaching journey had only just begun.
Meanwhile, at the main altar of the Xuantian Sect in the Northern Region.
The atmosphere inside the council hall was so oppressive it was almost palpable.
"What? Qin Yue... was killed by Xiao Chen?"
"Qin Yue is a half-step Mahayana cultivator! How could he be killed by a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator?"
"Absolutely true! News from Hidden Dao Mountain says that Xiao Chen used a mortal spear on the Life and Death Arena..."
The elders murmured amongst themselves, their faces filled with disbelief. Although Qin Yue had left the Xuan Tian Sect, he was, after all, a genius who had emerged from it. His death was undoubtedly a slap in the face to the Xuan Tian Sect. What shocked them even more was Xiao Chen's rapid growth—how long had it been? He was already able to kill a half-step Mahayana cultivator!
In the main seat, Zhao Xuan's face was ashen, his spiritual energy surging, and he crushed the armrest of the chair beneath him.
"Useless! You're all useless!" Zhao Xuan slammed his fist on the table, his roar echoing throughout the hall. "You can't even handle Xiao Chen? What use are you elders to me?"
The hall fell silent instantly; no one dared to speak.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng's heart stirred, and he immediately knelt down: "Father! Please give your son another chance! Xiao Chen is an arrogant and domineering villain. Your son is willing to personally lead the elite troops to the Central Region, and will definitely tear him to pieces to avenge Qin Yue and wipe away the shame of the Xuan Tian Sect!"
He knew this was his last chance. If he missed it, he would have no place in the Xuantian Sect.
However, Zhao Xuan merely glanced at him coldly, his eyes filled with disappointment and no trust: "You? You couldn't even handle Xiao Chen, who was only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm back then, and now you want to kill him?"
“Father…” Zhao Feng’s face turned bright red, filled with shame and indignation.
"No need to say more." Zhao Xuan interrupted him, his tone resolute and unquestionable. "Xiao Chen's rise has exceeded our control. You don't need to interfere in this matter."
He glanced outside the hall, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "Send down the order to have the 'Black Wind Guards' stationed on the border of the Central Region prepare. Also, go and ask 'that person' to take action—this Xiao Chen cannot be allowed to live."
"Yes!" came the reply from outside the hall.
Zhao Feng collapsed to his knees, staring at his father's cold profile, his heart filled with resentment and fear. He knew that the "one" his father spoke of was the hidden trump card of the Xuan Tian Sect, someone he himself had only seen a few times, whose strength was unfathomable. It seemed his father truly intended to kill him, to completely eliminate Xiao Chen.
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