Swing the sword at the future female devil

Chapter 431 The Secret of Zen Buddhism
Duan's mother: ?
Future daughter-in-law #1, please be normal, I'm scared...

Although she didn't know what she had said that made Xiao Jiang's demeanor suddenly become so evil, Duan Ma felt that Xiao Jiang's personality couldn't be too bad, so she was relieved.

I'll endure the hardships of Huaige, and bear the blame! After all, it's all for the sake of family harmony and prosperity!
……

On the other side, Duan Huaige's flying boat pierced through the clouds and obstacles, and soon arrived at an ancient temple with a history of thousands of years.

Because we arrived at the true ancestral temple of Zen Buddhism directly by flying boat, rather than the secular place visited by tourists, the mountain gate was wide open. Instead of the strong smell of incense, we were greeted by the deep, moist scent of moss and earth, like the breath of the earth that had been hidden for thousands of years.

The stone steps, layer upon layer, have been worn smooth by countless devout footprints, their surfaces covered with lush green moss, and a few tender blades of grass sprout from the crevices.

"Is this the ancestral temple of Zen Buddhism?" Miss Qiu Xi jumped off the flying boat, stretched, and realized she was quite tired from playing games in Duan Huaige's arms.

Duan Huaige looked around and found the place to be quiet and secluded, with the Zen temple deep inside, its ancient charm like ink stains. Where the wall plaster had peeled away, it revealed a base color of earthy yellow in varying shades and mottled like the wrinkles of an old man; the black tiles weighed heavily on the eaves, and the dust and years that had accumulated between the tiles had long since settled into another layer of dark glaze.

In the center of the courtyard, an ancient ginkgo tree stretches out its branches, its crown like an umbrella, its trunk twisted like a dragon, and its leaves swirl in the breeze, shimmering with golden light that shifts between light and shadow, filtering down fine dappled light that falls onto the stone well platform beneath the tree.

"Should we visit the abbot first?" Yan Qiuxi asked with great interest. "I can't wait to comprehend my Dao of Cause and Effect and make a name for myself!"

“Please be careful with your words. The doctrine of cause and effect is the supreme teaching of Zen Buddhism. Learning it will bring endless benefits. However, if you use it to compete for fame and profit, I fear there will be endless troubles in the future.”

An aged voice suddenly rang out, gentle as the wind rustling through pine needles. An old monk had appeared under the eaves at some point, his robes faded from washing, but his eyes were as clear as stars washed by well water.

He held a rough pottery teacup in his hand, from which wisps of white steam rose and swirled, drawing one continuous circle after another in the clear air—a cycle of birth and death, an endless loop, like a concrete manifestation of cause and effect.

Duan Huaige's eyes narrowed; clearly, this master already possessed a trace of the Dao of Cause and Effect.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. This fragment of the "Landscape and State Map" has been in Zen Buddhism for so long that some exceptionally talented individuals would have grasped its subtleties and, combined with their own understanding and insights, written books to pass on to later generations of Zen disciples.

"Master, you are mistaken. The cause and effect in this world are all predetermined. To make a name for oneself is to follow the will of Heaven. Do you perhaps think that it is better to escape cause and effect than to go with it?"

Yan Qiuxi turned her head and smiled slightly, then spoke in rebuttal. A fallen leaf drifted down from the ancient ginkgo tree, swirling and elusive, before finally settling gently in her outstretched palm.

“Excellent, benefactor, you possess profound wisdom and seem to have a strong affinity for Buddhism.” The old monk smiled slightly and said, “I wonder if you two have come here to join my Zen school?”

"Of course not." Yan Qiuxi clenched her palm and crushed the ginkgo leaf in it. "I came to help Zen Buddhism solve that age-old mystery!"

"So you're here to study the Dao Stele of Cause and Effect." The old monk gestured for you to come in: "Please come in, both of you. Hand over your spirit stones here, and I can reserve a good spot for you."

Duan Huaige: ?

"Why do you charge extra?" Duan Huaige exclaimed. "So, does that mean there are three levels of comprehension: near, medium, and far?"

"You are indeed exceptionally intelligent, benefactor. I see you have a connection with Buddhism." The old monk said in a deep voice, "Indeed, there are four levels of locations for comprehending the Dao Stele of Cause and Effect, divided into Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. The Heaven level at the very front is not only rich in spiritual energy, but also contains notes and insights left behind by sages of past generations. Perhaps you can gain enlightenment from it!"

"I see that you two have an affinity with Buddhism. How about this: I'll book a top-tier enlightenment package for both of you together, and the second person will get half price! What do you say?"

"..."

At that moment, Duan Huaige suddenly felt as if the once serene and quiet ancient temple was now filled with the sound of spirit stones colliding. Indeed, all Buddhist sects have always been the same… compassionate when collecting money, but otherwise…

"Master, actually I know Wuxiang, a Buddhist disciple of your Zen sect. I even saved him in Longhu Mountain... Could you give me a discount?" Duan Huaige said shamelessly, "I'm a student, I don't have many spirit stones, could you give me some?"

The old monk's expression changed. He was about to say, "Don't even mention that you're a student. Even if you were born, it's useless." But he stopped abruptly when he heard Duan Huaige say that he had saved the Zen Buddhist disciple Wuxiang at Longhu Mountain... In the Longhu Mountain incident, it seemed that only one person could be considered to have turned the tide.

The old monk gasped and asked, "You...you are Duan Huaige?"

"You...have heard my story?" Duan Huaige was somewhat surprised, not expecting that he was so famous.

"Of course, I heard you killed the 52nd Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, is that true?"

"..."

Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. Duan Huaige turned his head away awkwardly and said, "Um... it's not really my fault..."

"The Battle of Longhu Mountain is known throughout the world... It's just a pity that the demoness escaped later." The old monk sighed and said, "Why didn't you kill her once and for all back then? Letting this child go will surely cause endless trouble in the future."

"That's the military's fault, it has nothing to do with me," Duan Huaige quickly denied.

"Oh? The imperial court and military say that an ancient treasure has been unearthed in Kunlun Ruins. Is that true?" the old monk continued, asking with great curiosity.

"..."

You dare ask such detailed questions about military matters? I think you look a bit like my Second-Class Merit Award.

"Master, be careful what you say. Don't ask questions you shouldn't."

"I apologize for my abruptness," the old monk said. "Then let me ask something less sensitive..."

"I heard you have a confidante who is on par with the ancient witch Taiqing, and is incredibly beautiful... Why didn't she come? Instead, this one came?"

Yan Qiuxi: ?

Is it implying that I'm not as pretty as Da Jiang after she turned evil?
Very well, Old Deng, you have successfully offended me... Once I comprehend the Dao of Cause and Effect, you'll be waiting to apologize to me!
“Master, let’s get down to business… I have come here to ask about the truth of the matter. I have some doubts in my heart, and I feel as if I have a fishbone stuck in my throat. I humbly request the master to guide me and allow me to climb the cliff to ask about my conscience.”

One sought to comprehend the Dao of Cause and Effect, while the other sought to examine his own heart amidst the mortal world. This strange combination caused the old monk to pause in surprise, and he slowly said:

"The Cliff of Inquiry is not a road, but a mirror of the heart. What you see may not be what you wish to see, or you may already know it but simply refuse to acknowledge it. This journey is not for gaining 'joy,' but for understanding 'truth.'"

“I understand. My mind is in turmoil. If I don’t confront it, it may become a mental obstacle, and I will be lost forever. I am willing to bear this burden and seek a moment of clarity.”

“Good.” The old monk nodded slightly, his withered finger pointing to a winding path behind the monastery that was almost completely overgrown with weeds. “The journey begins here, and the path is under your feet.”

"Master, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is, let's go over there and pay the fee, one hundred spirit stones each time."

After watching Duan Huaige leave, the old monk stood still for a long time. Finally, his figure gradually dissipated, and a familiar face appeared in the void.

The old monk, transformed from Taiqing, reverted to his original form, gazing thoughtfully at Duan Huaige and Yan Qiuxi. "It's only been a few days," he thought, "and this kid has already formed the Mountain and River Dao Core..."

No, that should be more than just the Mountain and River Dao Pill. The Dao Pill he condensed was actually of an even higher grade!
(End of this chapter)