From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 287 Selection
After hearing what Abbot Zhiguan said, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Ever since Meng Yuan entered the martial arts world, he has been entangled with monks, and was finally completely involved in the Qing Guangzi incident.

Especially after experiencing the changes in Songhe Prefecture, Meng Yuan vaguely realized that Qing Guangzi was actually following the path of "Bodhi Extinction", which means killing for the sake of all living beings, which is simply evil in the form of righteousness.

Of course, Meng Yuan did not feel Qing Guangzi's compassion for all living beings in the world.

Now that he had gained some insights from Abbot Zhiguan, Meng Yuan finally understood Qing Guangzi's behavior and thinking completely.

Because in Qing Guangzi's view, everything he did was for the sake of seeking "Tao", for the sake of proving "Buddha", and for the sake of establishing a Buddhist kingdom in the world.

Paranoid, arrogant, fearless, without bottom line, without conscience, and distorting the orthodox Buddhist teachings, this is Qing Guangzi.

Everyone in the hall was either an accomplished master or a young talent. Naturally, they understood that Abbot Zhiguan's words were not only to reveal Qing Guangzi's motives, but also to use them to deal with this beast.

After Abbot Zhiguan finished speaking, he closed his eyes and sat for a long time without saying another word.

"Please come in, fellow Taoists." A young monk spoke and bowed to Meng Yuan, Ning Qufei and others.

This is to send the younger generation away, leaving the rest of the people to discuss the matter.

The young monk had red lips and white teeth, a handsome appearance, and was very polite. He led everyone out of the meditation temple and greeted them one by one. Those who wanted to rest asked the monk in charge to lead the way, and those who wanted to visit Lanruo Temple also had younger tour guides. He was very considerate.

"Amitabha." When the young monk heard that Meng Yuan was invited by Jueming from the Zhijieyuan, he quickly put his hands together and said, "So you are Brother Jueming's friend. I am so sorry for your disrespect."

He called another younger disciple to lead the way.

"May I know your Buddhist name, brother?" The monk looked very young, and Meng Yuan thought he was of the 'Xuan' generation, but he did not expect that he was of the 'Jue' generation.

"I am Juesheng." The monk smiled kindly.

"I'm Meng Yuan from the Demon Suppression Division, and this is my senior brother Lin Yan." Meng Yuan returned the greeting.

"I have heard of your great name for a long time. I am sorry for the disrespect." Monk Juesheng smiled slightly and bowed to Lin Yan. "I heard that you are a newcomer in the Demon Suppression Division. I see today that you are indeed extraordinary."

He bowed to Meng Yuan again, "I have also heard about Meng Feiyuan's great effort to defeat the Bodhisattva Ku Rong. It was truly moving."

Meng Yuan and Lin Yan looked at each other, and they both understood each other, thinking that this monk was a flatterer.

After chatting for a while, Meng Yuan and Lin Yan went to the Zhijieyuan. Ning Qufei and Mo Tingyu, who had nothing to do, followed them.

"Brother Lin, Brother Meng, since we last met, I never expected that Songhe Prefecture would encounter such a huge change. I heard that your mentor, Senior Nie, had met with misfortune, so I was unable to personally pay my respects and express my condolences. Please forgive me." Ning Qufei apologized, and then continued, "If there is anything I can do to help, please speak up."

"Brother, you are really the best man in the world!" Mo Tingyu looked at no one but her brother Ning Qufei, then she turned her gaze with great difficulty and looked at Meng Yuan, saying seriously: "The mountain didn't want us to come, but brother said that Brother Meng's elders died in Songhe Mansion, and Brother Meng would definitely come to Lanruo Temple to seek revenge! We had a life-and-death friendship in Hulu Mountain, and brother knelt in the mountain for three days before following us, saying that he would lend a helping hand to Brother Meng, and he would have no regrets even if he died!"

"Brother Ning is righteous." Meng Yuan bowed.

Lin Yan also looked at Ning Qufei with a higher opinion and nodded slightly.

"Subduing demons and eliminating evil is what we should do." Ning Qufei said.

"Big Brother, if everyone in the world was like you, there wouldn't be an evil monk like Qing Guangzi?" Mo Tingyu's eyes turned red as he spoke.

Seeing Mo Tingyu grabbing Ning Qufei's sleeve with a look of being about to cry, Meng Yuan quickly changed the subject and inquired about the identities of the people in the hall just now.

Before Ning Qufei answered, Mo Tingyu started chattering again.

In the main hall of the Zen Meditation Temple just now, besides Abbot Zhiguan, Taoist Master Mo, Taoist Master Wang Er and Taoist Master Ren, there were also Taoist Master Yun Zai Tian of Qingyang Palace, Taoist Master Chen of Tianyan School, Mr. Zhou of Qingya Academy, and the abbots Zhiqing, Zhiwen and Zhilai of the three academies of Lanruo Temple.

Mo Tingyu was afraid that Meng Yuan would be confused, so she described what the person looked like while explaining the origin of his name.

These are all masters of the fourth level. As for the rest of the people in the meeting, they are all in the fifth level.

Meng Yuan saw that although Mo Tingyu was talking to him, his eyes never left Ning Qufei, and it was obvious that he was deeply in love with her.

While walking towards the ordination hall, Meng Yuan couldn't help but think of Dugu Kang's Buddhist name, Liaokong, and his master must be a master of the "Zhi" generation, but he didn't know which one.

Arriving at Zhijieyuan, it was much more imposing than Chandingyuan. There were many temples, one after another, and many monks came and went, but they just nodded and put their hands together, without saying anything.

I asked someone to lead the way to find Jueming, and they led the way, but they just didn't say anything.

"They have been practicing silent meditation recently." When they found Monk Jueming, he casually explained, made some hot tea, and started chatting.

After talking for a while, Monk Jueming mentioned who the great-grandmaster Meng Yuan wanted to see was.

It turned out to be Monk Zhitong.

It was Monk Zhitong who invited Xuanjizi to discuss Taoism at Lanruo Temple some time ago. Meng Yuan heard that this eminent monk was now facing the wall.

"Donor, please follow me." Seeing that it was getting dark, Jueming stood up and bowed to Lin Yan and others, "Please wait a moment."

"I heard that Master Zhitong is facing the wall to reflect on his mistakes. How can he still meet guests?" Lin Yan asked curiously.

"Facing the wall, not people." Monk Jueming smiled, "It was my uncle's idea to pass it on to the donor, Bodhi Mie Dao. He approved it."

"So that's how it is." Meng Yuan was not afraid of anything and immediately followed Monk Jueming.

Monk Jueming led the way, holding a lantern. They walked west along the mountain path, and after more than half an hour, they heard the sound of water.

There is a waterfall hanging under the night sky.

"This waterfall is called Wulai, which means nowhere. It is extremely cold in winter, but the Wulai waterfall has never stopped flowing and has never frozen." Jueming smiled, pointed into the waterfall, and said, "Please come in."

It turns out that Master Zhitong is inside the waterfall!

Meng Yuan pressed the hilt of the knife at his waist, stepped forward and stepped into the waterfall.

After passing the waterfall, you will see a small cave.

The cave was small, only enough space for two or three people to stand. A bald man in black clothes sat with his back to Meng Yuan.

"Amitabha." An old voice sounded in Meng Yuan's ears.

For a moment, it seemed as if the Buddha's name was heard everywhere, and yet it seemed as if only I could hear it.

Meng Yuan was just three steps behind Zhi Tong, half of his body was soaked, and he saluted with his fists, "Junior Meng Yuan from the Demon Suppression Division, I pay my respects to the old Zen Master!"

"My disciple was taken away by Qing Guangzi?" After a long time, Zhi Tong spoke again.

So you are Dugu Kang's master? Meng Yuan only realized at this time that Fang Jueming said that Bodhi Extermination Dao was passed on to him only after Zhitong's permission. It seems that it is not his face that is big, but Dugu Kang's face! At that time, Dugu Kang said that he would give him another copy of the Tianjitu, but later because of Li Wujiu's matter, he never thought that it would be here.

"I wonder who the senior is talking about?" Thinking of how he had relied on Bodhi Mie Dao to save his life many times but failed to save Dugu Kang, Meng Yuan felt that fate was unpredictable.

"Liaokong." Zhitong said. "Liaokong was captured alive by Xie Yi and handed over to Qingguangzi on the orders of Xin Wang Dugusheng." Meng Yuan replied.

Zhitong didn't move at all, as if he had passed away.

After a long while, Zhitong asked, "When Dugu Sheng practiced the Dharma, was there really a sense of endless darkness, and people near and far were terrified?"

"That's right." Meng Yuan had faced Dugu Sheng many times before, and quickly asked, "Master, why did Dugu Sheng help Qing Guangzi achieve enlightenment?"

"Achieve enlightenment." Master Zhitong's voice was vague, hidden in the sound of the waterfall. "He has been stuck in the fourth-grade realm for many years. If he wants to make further progress, he must kill to achieve enlightenment. The third-grade people in the world are all outstanding people, and they are all people who have practiced diligently for many years. Dugu Sheng has no confidence in defeating them, so he naturally wants to find a weak third-grade person to sharpen his sword."

After hearing this, Meng Yuan suddenly cleared up his thoughts and figured out many of his questions.

But vaguely, I felt something was wrong.

In a trance, Meng Yuan remembered Xie Yishen's words before he died.

At that time, Xie Yisheng asked why he could not go any further, and also said that Prince Xin Dugu Sheng was the same.

Now it seems that Xie Yisheng and Prince Xin Dugukang are the same kind of people. No wonder they can become master and servant!
"Dugu Sheng planned for a long time, but in the end it was Taoist Xuanjizi who ruined his plan?" Meng Yuan asked curiously again.

"I heard that you, with your seventh-grade body, forced Bodhi to destroy the Dao several times and killed the sixth-grade Xie Yisheng in one fell swoop?" Zhitong asked instead of answering.

Meng Yuan didn't dare to say that he was lucky this time, he just said: "Qie Yisheng has a way of choosing death, he looks fierce but is weak, he can only fight when the wind is favorable, although he has the will to fight to the death, but not much, this is the chance for the younger generation to win.

"Good." Monk Zhitong remained motionless, with his back to Meng Yuan. He continued, "Isn't Dugu Sheng the same? In fact, when a warrior enters the third rank from the fourth rank, he must have an indomitable heart to open the gate of heaven and kill people of higher ranks. By then, whether he kills a third rank at his peak or a third rank who is seriously injured and waiting to die, he can achieve enlightenment. The difference lies in the level of enlightenment after achieving enlightenment."

Monk Zhitong moved slightly and said, "In his quest for safety, Dugu Sheng has already lost the essence of a warrior."

Meng Yuan understood. It was not that warriors could not seek safe strategies, but in extraordinary times, they must move forward courageously and never regret even if they die.

This is not only a change in the level of realm, but also a change in the state of mind.

"After the incident in Songhe Prefecture, all the knowledgeable people in the world laughed at Dugu Sheng." Zhitong also sneered, without any demeanor of a great monk. "Liaokong's mother saw through Dugu Sheng's true intentions, and that's why she met with misfortune."

Meng Yuan pricked up his ears and listened carefully, waiting for Zhitong to continue speaking, but he stopped talking.

"Master, I wonder where Dugu Sheng is?" Meng Yuan asked.

"His method of transformation from heaven to man is an endless dark cloud, containing the power of surging thunder, and he is best at hiding." Master Zhitong's voice became more and more ethereal. "He has extremely high martial arts skills, surpassing Xuanjizi, but he is still afraid, fearing that his head will be chopped off if he shows it."

"Who is he afraid of?" Meng Yuan had seen Dugu Sheng's ability. He easily suppressed Miss Ying San and fought back and forth with Taoist Master Xuanjizi. His momentum was truly the best that Meng Yuan had ever seen.

"Chongxu Guanjingxu, Li Weizhen." said the monk Zhitong.

Jingxu is Li Weizhen. The former is his Taoist name, and the latter is his secular name in the world.

Li Weizhen is the lover of Xiangling's godmother and also the eldest senior brother of Chongxu Temple.

After listening to Master Zhitong's words, Meng Yuan couldn't help but recall the experience of fighting side by side with Li Weizhen.

At that time, Li Weizhen said that he could handle a few sixth-grade monsters, but in the end he only had to deal with a deer monster, and it took him a lot of effort.

How could such a person kill the fourth-rank warrior Dugu Sheng in battle? There are no third-rank warriors in the world, so isn't Li Weizhen also a fourth-rank warrior? And a more powerful fourth-rank warrior?

"My eldest brother's Taoist name is Jingxu. He is very proficient in Taoism, but his boxing and kicking skills are a little weak. Master said that my eldest brother is a man of intentions, but now is not the time to draw the sword..." For a moment, Meng Yuan remembered what Zhao Jingsheng said when he talked about Li Weizhen.

Meng Yuan was silent for a long time before he asked, "Old Zen Master, where is Taoist Priest Li Weizhen now?"

"I don't know." Monk Zhitong's tone became more subtle. "Even Master Xuanji doesn't know, so how can I know? I just hope that Li Wei can really transform from a green snake into a dragon and eliminate the evil spirit."

Meng Yuan said nothing, but the image of Xiangling's godmother's old lover kept lingering in his mind: sloppy, kind, and didn't look like he had any real abilities.

"You follow the path of Bodhi and have no dust in your heart, which shows that you have a connection with Buddha." Zhitong spoke again, "Liaokong once wrote to me, saying that you have the heart of Buddha and the ability to understand, but you only lust after women."

Zhi Tong still had his back to Meng Yuan, and continued, "Since you have already reached the sixth level, the great road lies ahead. I hope you take care of yourself."

Meng Yuan thought that Monk Zhitong had also come to persuade people to join the profession, but he was truly an accomplished monk and had no intention of shaving Meng Yuan's head.

Just as he was about to say something, a book appeared in front of Meng Yuan.

"The road of martial arts is difficult, but it is the real way out. All our lifelong study of classics and debates on the doctrines are not as good as the bloody road cut by swords and knives." Zhi Tong said in a light voice, as if he was somewhat helpless, "Please keep this book."

"Thank you, old Zen Master!" Meng Yuan saw that the book was worn out and thought it was the same as the one Dugu Ying had given him.

"Please pass it on to Kong tomorrow," said Monk Zhitong.

So it's for your apprentice! Meng Yuan immediately put it away and said, "I will definitely pass it on!"

Seeing that Monk Zhitong stopped talking, Meng Yuan knew that he was going to expel him.

These people came to see him purely because of Dugu Kang, not for any reason of Bodhi's extinction.

"Old Zen Master, can I see it?" Meng Yuan asked.

Monk Zhitong nodded slightly, "It's just some experience."

After saying goodbye and leaving the waterfall, Meng Yuan found that his clothes were not wet at all, as if the meeting with Master Zhitong just now had never happened.

Meng Yuan couldn't figure out the level of this Master Zhitong, but since he could be on friendly terms with Xuanjizi, he must be at the fourth level.

As for whether it can be higher, it is unlikely. After all, to advance from the fourth rank to the third rank in Buddhism requires a great ambition. Even if it is not as great as Qing Guangzi, but to achieve the status of an Arhat, the noise would be too big and it would be difficult to conceal.

"Donor, you seem to have a sudden enlightenment. Is it because of the advice from your uncle-master?" When Monk Jueming saw Meng Yuan coming out, he lost his composure and even felt a little envious.

"It's a pity that I'm very stupid." Meng Yuan sighed helplessly.

"It's okay, it's okay. Think more and feel more, and you will definitely gain something!" said Monk Jueming.

The two chatted nonsense and returned to the Zhijie Temple together.

Meng Yuan, Ning Qufei and Lin Yan shared a bed together. The three of them talked about strange stories in the world and stayed awake all night.

The next morning, after having a vegetarian meal, Meng Yuan was going to go to Yunshan Temple to find Taoist Master Xuanjizi, but unexpectedly, Wang Buyi came to see him.

"The governor said that Qing Guangzi sent a letter to Lanruo Temple, saying that he has chosen a place for meditation and has no time to come in person, but he will send his disciples to attend the meeting." Wang Buyi was very serious, "The governor also said that Wusheng Luohan came from the west and brought many disciples with him, and there will be literary and martial arts competitions at that time."

"So, we are asked to contribute in the fight?" Lin Yan said unhappily.

"That's not the case." Wang Buyi spread his hands, "The governor said that not everyone is qualified to fight, we have to be selected first!"

(End of this chapter)