The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 171 A Pure Mind Makes the Eyes Clear, a Polluted Mind Makes the Eyes Turbid

In times of turmoil and conflict, people are in panic and looking for peace and protection. Since the Taiping Rebellion began, people have flocked to Fuyun County in droves.

Today, the area of the county has expanded several times, commerce is prosperous, and people live in peace and contentment. In an era of poverty, it presents a different kind of prosperity, with merchants gathering, trade developing, and a constant flow of carriages and horses.

There are more than a dozen towns and hundreds of villages in the surrounding areas.

Fuyun County has become a superior county, and even the City God has benefited from it, with frequent worships and improved strength.

Even though the wars in the surrounding counties had been settled, most of the people did not leave. Firstly, they had settled down here and did not want to continue to struggle; secondly, Fuyun County had the protection of the Qiuzhen Temple, which gave them a greater sense of security; thirdly, the land here was fertile, the crops grew more vigorously than elsewhere, the government was clean and honest, and there was more room for development. Even many wealthy families did not return to their hometowns.

Xuanming led the Taoists down the mountain to beg for alms from the people: one copper coin per household, one lamp oil per family, and one stove ash per person.

Some Taoists were familiar with it, while others were new to it, but no matter which type they were, they all did it with extra care, both because it was the order of Uncle Master Xuanming (Master Uncle), and because they knew the importance of it and understood that it was necessary for refining treasures.

Xuanming wanted to refine a magic weapon, and this time he needed more materials. The stall of Qiuzhen Temple was bigger. Fuyun County was given to the fourth-generation disciples of the Jinglian Realm, and the nearby counties were under the charge of the Zhenren of the Qilian Realm. Each person was assigned one county, and Xuanming traveled around other places begging for alms.

Qiuzhen Temple is widely praised in Fuyun County. No matter whether they are wealthy businessmen, powerful people, small traders or poor people, they all have great awe for Qiuzhen Temple. Especially during this war, Qiuzhen Temple has made great contributions and protected the peace of the area, so they admire it even more.

In addition, the amount of alms asked for this time was not much, even for the farmers it was a drop in the bucket, and the Taoists were sincere and polite, so the four generations of disciples had a smooth process.

Some people wanted to give more, but they kept the teachings in mind and did not dare to accept more and firmly refused. After all, the Qiuzhen Temple was already self-sufficient and there was no need to ask the people to give more money and food.

The Qiuzhen Temple was also well-known in the nearby counties. After experiencing the Taiping Rebellion, it became famous in Fengyang County. Whether it was the immortals such as Xuanxu or Xuanming, their alms were generally smooth sailing.

---

Crows fly and rabbits run; the sun and the moon rotate.

A few days later, the Taoists returned to the temple one after another.

Xuanming went to Huoyang County again and collected some chaotic, uncontrolled or damaged and violent fire veins, moved them to Fuyun Mountain, and set up a water and fire yin-yang formation together with the water veins in the mountain before he stopped.

After resting for a while, Xuanming called Xuanxu and others, told them about the changes in the dragon vein of Canglong Mountain, urged them to make early preparations, and also told them that the real dragon was incomplete and the monsters in the mountain suffered heavy losses. He ordered them to go into the mountain to collect rare flowers and plants, and enlighten the creatures that could be created.

Xuanxu hesitated for a while, then said, "Brother, if I, the Qiuzhen Temple, wantonly accept the monsters and transform them into spirits, I am afraid that it will attract unnecessary criticism?"

Taking a sip of tea, Xuanming said indifferently: "I have considered this matter carefully and have made up my mind. In ancient times, my Taoist sect opened the door of convenience, enlightened all spirits, and taught everyone.

Whether it was the Taoist Ancestor or the Four Great Daoists, when they taught the Dao in the past, they did not consider the identity or race of the seeker, but only looked at his sincerity, his words and deeds, and his moral character. What I am doing is to follow the example of the Taoist sages and saints in their moral conduct. What's wrong with that?"

Seeing that the Taoists were thinking about something, he continued, "Besides, we have to act in an emergency. The dragon vein has been polluted. Once it is freed, it will inevitably implicate innocent creatures in the mountains. We can sit back and watch those with deep karma, but we cannot stand idly by when it comes to the kind creatures. We should relocate them to another place as soon as possible and properly settle them.

We will select some of the intelligent ones from among them and bring them back to Fuyun Mountain for education. We will also treat them specially for special cases, give them the correct teachings, and guide them, so that they will not go astray in the future and harm others and themselves. This is also the way I seek truth and accumulate virtue.

"As for the opinions of the outside forces and cultivators!"

He paused, put down the teacup, looked into the distance, and said in a rhythmic voice: "If the mind is pure, the eyes will be clear. Even if you encounter poor mountains and bad waters, you can still see the colors and appreciate the creation of the universe. If the mind is polluted, the eyes will be turbid. Even if there are beautiful scenery like a painting, it is difficult for you to see it and it is difficult to see the colorful world.

I seek truth only to have a clear conscience. I don't need to care about other people's opinions, let alone pay attention to them. Misunderstanding and misunderstanding always go hand in hand. Don't just see one side, and don't be led by the nose by the stinking people. You will fall into inferiority, disturb your peace, and ruin your mood. A man should be looked at with new eyes after three days of absence. I am no longer the same as before. I don't need to care about other people's faces in many things. Even if outsiders have complaints, they dare not express them openly. Otherwise, I will personally explain the truth to them. "

The last paragraph was plain yet revealed a shocking domineering aura, which inspired everyone. Xuanxu was also relieved. He had been wary and questioning just now out of habit, but now he had figured it out.

Senior brother has already achieved the status of a True Lord, and there are as many as ten True Qi Practitioners in the Qiuzhen Temple. Not to mention in Fengyang County, even in the northern part of Daxuan, or even in the entire Divine Dynasty, he is ranked among the best. As long as his actions do not hinder his Tao heart, he does not commit sins or do evil, and he does not bully others, there is really no need to worry about many aspects.

Xuanxu's thoughts suddenly became clear, and he felt heroic. His temperament changed from the inside out. Xuanming smiled and said, "Congratulations, Junior Brother. You have broken free from the shackles and are free from restraints."

A mind without restraints does not mean it is truly unfettered, but it is freer and more open than before.

Xuanxu stood up and said happily, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

The other Taoists also stood up and saluted: "We will remember the teachings of our senior brother."

After they sat down again, they discussed the details, clarified the division of labor, said goodbye and left, each going about their own business.

---

Xuanming was not idle either. Just after he sent away the Taoists, True Lord Chaoguang and True Lord Xianyue arrived together.

At Cangdao Peak, in the Daoyuan, under the newly grown sacred pines, Xuanming took the accumulated snow on the pines, put it into a pot, lit the fire, and brewed tea with great care. His every move was as smooth as flowing water, pleasing to the eye, and beautiful as a painting, revealing a sense of ease and comfort. In his spare time, he would sit among the pines and watch the snow on the pines boil.

When the two True Lords stepped into the courtyard, the tea had just been brewed, the aroma was lingering, and the tea was warm, suitable for drinking.

They greeted each other, bowed to each other, sat down as host and guest, and drank a cup of wild game tea. Master Xianyue sat quietly without saying a word. Master Chaoguang, who was still more active, spoke first:
"After receiving the message from fellow Daoist, I and fellow Daoist Xianyue went to the old site of Mingquan Mountain. With the help of the method left by our master, we saw the blood-stained dragon spirit through the gap in the formation."

Taking out a half-broken jade ruler with cracks from Ruyi's bag, he stated, "My master passed away suddenly before he could give instructions after suppressing the blue dragon. Although the Xu Ri Sect and Shui Yue Temple remembered the master's orders and assisted the great sage Guan Yan in the county city to guard the dragon suppression formation, they were unable to do anything about how to save the dragon vein.

After thinking about it, perhaps I can only try it with this Mingxin Ruler. Jade Scenery enlightens the mind, and Wooden Chicken cultivates the nature. This treasure is the secret treasure carried by my master. It has both the ability to attack and the magic of enlightening the mind. Maybe it can help you to remove the blood stains for the dragon vein spirit. "

After he finished speaking, he handed over half of the ruler. Zhenjun Xianyue took out the other half of the ruler and handed it over as well.

"Thank you two Taoist friends for your generosity."

Xuanming did not refuse, nor did he ask stupid questions like "Are you really willing to give up the treasure left by the ancestors?" Since the two True Lords decided to hand it over, they must have thought it through.

After generously accepting the Mingxin ruler, the three Taoists chatted about the situation in Fengyang County which had been settled. Zhenjun Chaoguang and Zhenjun Xianyue left, and Xuanming personally sent them to the foot of the mountain. Xuanming did not immediately expel the blood from the dragon vein, as having the Mingxin ruler was not enough, and he still had to wait for a reply from Xingjun Tianxuan and a reply from the court.

He had a hunch that the fourth purification was crucial and it was the last chance for the dragon vein to regain clarity. If he missed it, it would be counterproductive and the spirit of the dragon vein would be completely controlled by the Taiping Sect. Xuanming needed to be more prepared and improve his grasp, so as not to make things worse.

After returning to the Wendao Academy, he rested for a day and then entered the Feihuo Palace. He took advantage of his free time to prepare for refining weapons.

In times of peace, do not forget danger; in times of survival, do not forget death; in times of order, do not forget chaos. People should have a sense of crisis. Fengyang County is only peaceful for a while. Before a bigger storm comes, Xuanming needs magic weapons to strengthen his combat power and increase his confidence.

(End of this chapter)