The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 29: Knowing Black and White, Enlightenment

"Have you heard? The Chen Mansion was razed to the ground, and a century-old heritage was lost in one day."

"There was such a big scene last night, I'm afraid half of the cultivation world in Fuyun County knows about it, but I didn't dare to get close, for fear that the city gate would catch fire and everyone would be affected."

"I live nearby, so I know a thing or two. I heard that it was those cows from the Qiuzhen Temple on the mountain... the Taoist priest did it. Please issue a killing order. From now on, the Chen family is completely a thing of the past."

"Yesterday was glorious, today is miserable. Life is unpredictable. We should enjoy life while we can."

"That's a different story. Those who climb steep cliffs should be wary of the heights, and those who cross deep waters face danger when the boat is heavy. In recent years, the Chen family's descendants have been rampant in Fuyun County. Their current downfall is entirely due to climbing high and falling hard. They have brought this upon themselves."

"You all missed the point. My Chang family is second only to the Chen family in Fuyun County, and we have some knowledge and background. My grandfather said last night that the sword formation of the Qiuzhen Temple is extraordinary. The sword that destroyed the Chen family's protective formation has already touched the threshold of Qi training. The Taoist priests on the mountain are not to be messed with."

"More than that! My grandmother once said that Old Master Chen had already reached the fourth level and was extremely powerful.

This time he did not show up when the Chen family was in trouble. It was most likely that he went up Floating Cloud Mountain at night with evil intentions, angered that group of Taoists, and got himself involved, which brought disaster to the Chen family.

Although this sword formation is quite powerful, it requires sufficient preparation and manpower to set up. If Old Master Chen is discovered, Qiuzhen Temple will not have enough time to set up the formation and kill the enemy.

There might be a master hiding on this Floating Cloud Mountain who has seen the threshold of Qi training, which made Old Master Chen suffer in vain. In the future, the Qiuzhen Temple may have a real master, and it will really take off."

"Great minds think alike. My Liang family's ancestor also holds the same view. Last night, he summoned his descendants and warned us not to provoke the Qiuzhen Temple.

The old man guessed that this master was a person who had been hidden in the mountains for many years. He was either a Taoist who had been secretly trained for three generations, or the only surviving antique from the previous generation who was hidden.

Some even speculated that the sword formation last night was created by that unknown master, and now that it can no longer be hidden, it has been revealed. Otherwise, why haven't we heard any news about this formation in all these years?"

As the sky brightened and the Chen Mansion was destroyed, similar discussions began to appear in restaurants, taverns, and on the streets.

The entire Fuyun County became bustling with activity.

Even ordinary people can have something to say about it.

The common people worship the Qiuzhen Temple even more and say that there are gods above it. The practitioners are even more awed and dare not offend it easily.

---

To the west of Fuyun County, there is the Chen Mansion.

Looking at the burned corpse and the billowing black smoke, Taoist Xuantong, who always smiled at others, had a serious expression and a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"Brother, although according to the responsibility of our sect, the Chen family should be punished, but there is a saying among the people that misfortune should not affect family members, and our sect also has the saying of forgiving others when you can. Is it right or wrong for us to kill them all?"

Xuanyin didn't reply immediately after hearing this. Instead, he glanced at Xuantong, speechless.

When I took action just now, I saw you hesitating and dragging your feet. Now that I've killed you, I thought the sky would be clear for me, but I didn't expect that you would start to doubt yourself and get yourself into trouble.

He really will find something for me to do.

Despite this, I cannot ignore my junior brother, lest he bind himself and get deeper and deeper into trouble.

Staring at the raging fire in front of him, he pondered for a moment, then Xuan Yin explained, "Junior Brother Xuan Tong, you are responsible for the incense offerings in the temple, and for receiving the kind and long-lived people outside the mountain. You are very good at dealing with people, and you are the smartest among all the fellow disciples."

"This is both a good thing and a bad thing. Smart people who think too much can easily become fools by their own cleverness."

Xuan Yin paused and continued:
"I know what you mean."

“But if we show compassion and let the Chen family go, the grudges will be entangled and the disputes will continue for generations, which will bring more trouble to the Truth Seeking Temple.”

"It is better to stir up thousands of rivers than to disturb the heart of a Taoist. The sky is big, the earth is big, and my Tao is the greatest. If you can't bear it for a moment, you will never be at peace. So you must have a heart of Tao as strong as iron and cut off the troubles from the root, so as not to affect your own practice."

"Killing all the Chen clan members would put an end to everything. This would free them from the burden of hatred, and would also allow the Truth Seeking Monastery to find peace. It would kill two birds with one stone, so why not do it?"

"In a way, by killing them, we are actually saving them."

At this point, Xuan Yin asked, "If it were the Chen family besieging the Qiuzhen Temple today, would they show mercy?"

After saying this, Xuanyin looked at the disciples who were carrying classics, spiritual materials, spiritual medicines and other things, and shook his head and smiled.

Thinking about the Chen clan elders who bravely died last night, and looking at the current situation, they do look a bit like villains.

Seeing Xuantong again, he lowered his head, as if thinking about something.

He turned his head and gazed at Floating Cloud Mountain, continuing to explain his doubts: "Before I left the mountain, when I went to Cangdao Peak to borrow a sword, I had the same doubt and asked Senior Brother Xuanming for advice: Is it too cruel to kill all the Chen clan members?"

He once said: "The way of heaven is impartial and always favors the good! What is a good person? Those who do not disturb my heart are good, and those who disturb my heart are evil. The practice of my Taoist sect is different from that of other sects. There is no need to suppress oneself or worry too much. The Taoist sect bears responsibility and does not talk about cause and effect in past lives or future lives. It only focuses on the retribution of good and evil in this life."

"The so-called truth is all about one's heart. In the final analysis, one should seek a life that is in accordance with one's heart and mind."

"But there is no definite standard for right and wrong."

"This world is not black and white, and there is no fundamental right or wrong in everything. Absolute light is darkness, and absolute darkness is light."

"All cultivators in the world walk between black and white. When Taoists cultivate their minds, they seek the true self between the two. They learn to know how to keep, to know black and keep white, to know male and keep female, to find a balance between the two, and to blend in with the world."

"Take the eradication of the Chen family as an example. If we don't make a decision, we will suffer the consequences. Junior brother, don't you understand?"

Xuan Tong's body trembled slightly, and thoughts surged in his mind.

I felt like a fish wandering between clear and turbid water, not knowing which way to go.

And Brother Xuanyin's guidance was like a loud bang to him, which helped him see the light and gain sudden enlightenment.

If the water is too clear, there will be no fish; if the water is too turbid, there will be no life. As long as your heart is at peace and you have not killed innocent people for no reason, why bother about other things like good and evil, right and wrong.

The key is to feel comfortable and have a clear conscience.

Looking at Xuan Tong who had broken through the maze, had a more simple temperament, with magic power surging around him, and seemed to have reached a higher level, Xuan Yin felt happy and sad.

He was happy because his practice of Taoism had improved and his mind had become clearer. He felt bitter because although he had also gained something from what Senior Brother Xuanming had said, it was not as immediate as Junior Brother Xuantong's. Could it be that his Taoism was not about knowing and keeping?
Seeing Xuan Tong wake up, Xuan Yin collected his thoughts and bowed his head, "Congratulations, Junior Brother."

Xuan Tong's brows were filled with joy, and the smile on his face became brighter and warmer, and he bowed his head in return.

"Thank you, senior brother, for your advice."

Xuan Yin quickly said, "I just relayed Senior Brother Xuan Ming's teachings from last night. I dare not take credit for it."

Hear the string song and know its elegant meaning.

Xuantong looked at Floating Cloud Mountain from afar and bowed.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xuanming."

Not far away, Xuan Yang saw this, rolled his eyes, and muttered, "Smart people are trouble."

Why think so much!

They say that mediocre people worry about their own troubles, but I think smart people are no less so.

"Moreover, he is very eloquent and has a silver tongue!"

When a sharp gaze shot over, Xuan Yang's body froze. He looked embarrassed at first, then he grinned, revealing eight white teeth. He smiled ingratiatingly at Xuan Tong and Xuan Yin, then quickly stepped to Xuan Kong's side, trying to use his body to shield himself, but he forgot that he was two heads taller than Xuan Kong and could not block it at all.

---

Zangdao Peak, Sutra Repository.

The mountain is bustling with activity below, but the mountain is always peaceful and quiet.

The aroma of tea fills the air, the fragrance of books warms the heart, and the natural fragrance refreshes the mind. Xuanming sits by the window, concentrating on reading the scriptures.

It was as if the destruction of the Chen family had nothing to do with him.

I am even less interested in the reactions of the people down the mountain.

Since anyone with a brain can guess that the expressions are nothing more than shock, fear, awe, admiration, anger, or grief over the death of a rabbit or applause.

Because he lived this life again, Xuanming gradually became indifferent to fame and fortune. He never talked about other things with people he met. He just smiled and pointed at the coming and going of white clouds. He believed in letting things take their natural course in the life of the mountain.

In short, nothing is more important than your own practice. As long as you don't disturb him, it doesn't matter whether it's sunny or stormy outside.

All the noise was excluded.

He cultivates a pure heart and keeps himself clear-minded.

Of course, Xuanming did not read scriptures or read books the whole time. Every hour, he would take a short break, either to look at the green peaks and jade belts to relieve his fatigue, or to look out the window at the cartloads of supplies being pulled up the mountain, stroking his beard and smiling.

As the sun was setting and the sky was filled with sunset glow, Xuanming had just come out of the Sutra Repository when he met Xuanyin, Xuantong and Xuankong.

Xuanyin came to return the sword.

After collecting the peach wood sword and exchanging a few simple greetings, Xuanming watched Xuanyin's departing back with his eyes wide open and his brows relaxed.

This junior fellow apprentice is smart and capable of taking on responsibilities.

Although he ordered all the Taoists to go down the mountain and besiege the Chen Mansion last night, the Chen family has been passed down for a hundred years and has some foundation. Three generations of Taoists cannot be gathered together for the time being, and only four have gone. Even with the help of the Yiqi Bagua Sword Formation, this trip may not be safe, so we have to be on guard.

Although Xuanming did not go down the mountain, he did not want to stand idly by. With his strength comparable to that of a Qigong master, he could not fly the sword for a hundred miles, but within a hundred miles it would not be a problem.

Without leaving home, you can control life and death, defend against enemies outside Fuyun Mountain, and kill people in Fuyun County, which is enough to protect the safety of Taoist priests of all sizes.

But he didn't expect that Xuanyin would come to ask for the sword just in case. This not only relieved Xuanming's worries, but also made him extremely happy. The more outstanding his junior brother was, the more he could put down his burden and practice Taoism with ease.

When he looked away, he saw Xuan Tong bowing to him and saying, "I came here to thank Senior Brother Xuan Ming. This time I am going down the mountain..."

Xuanming was stunned.

He saw Xuan Tong's changes.

Knowing that he came down the mountain this time, he might have other gains.

But I didn't expect it to be related to me.

Xuanyin actually used the principles he taught last night to enlighten Xuantong. It was really a coincidence.

Xuanming said:

"The same principle applies. How much you gain varies from person to person. Some people don't care, some people take it to heart. Some people see dust, and some people see stars."

"Junior brother, you have gained some understanding. It is ultimately you who strives to be better. By grasping this trigger, you have broken through the barrier of your heart and gained good fortune."

"The Taoist priest just said a few words but did nothing else."

Seeing Xuantong's clear eyes and restless magic power, which affected the airflow around him, he was not far from perfecting his training. Black and white colors vaguely appeared behind him, revealing a faint yin and yang energy. Xuanming reminded him:

"After you go back, Junior Brother, in addition to calming your mind and improving yourself, you might as well take the opportunity to read the Yin-Yang Foundation Building Chapter. Perhaps you will see a different view."

Xuantong understood and thanked him happily. Seeing that Xuankong had not left, he knew that he had something to do, so he did not stay long and said goodbye and left.

Looking at Xuantong with envy, and seeing Brother Xuanming's eyes falling on him, Xuankong looked around but didn't speak immediately. Xuanming understood in his heart, stepped forward, and took Xuankong into the Daoyuan.

　感谢爱看仙侠大大、蒋JDC大大、1067……5269大大、南兮101大大的1张月票，感谢今生意凉薄大大、2024……0901大大的2张月票。

　　
　
(End of this chapter)