The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 50: Same Path, Different Hearts, True Men Discuss the Dao
The next morning, the sun rose.

In Xianlin Pavilion, Chang'anzi sat cross-legged on the eaves, breathing in and out with his fellow disciples, refining the purple energy.

After completing his training, he stayed in the courtyard, either practicing swordplay, strengthening his body, or meditating to prepare for the martial arts test.

Upon seeing this, Changqingzi also devoted himself to practicing sword-fighting, and sometimes he would seek out Changanzi to learn from him and exchange ideas.

Seeing this, the other disciples also began to practice hard.

This made Xuanxu and others very pleased.

However, other disciples would go out for an hour to play after practice, as they did not want to miss the hustle and bustle of the county town.

Looking at the disciples leaving, Xuan Yang asked in confusion: "Brother, the martial arts test is approaching, why are you letting the disciples go?"

It was put before the written test because they had never been to the county town, so they wanted to relax and satisfy their curiosity.

Why is it released before the martial arts test?

Master Xuanxu patiently explained:
"The disciples are young and restless. It is better to let them go than to block them. Only by letting them feel at ease can they calm down and keep their minds. Rather than leaving regrets behind when they return to the mountain, it is better to let them play freely so that they can practice Taoism with peace of mind when they return.

If you are unable to control your wild mind and restless thoughts, then you are not destined to seek the truth. You should return to the secular world and walk your own path.

We share the same path but different hearts, we share the same road but different paths, whether to go or stay, just let nature take its course.”

Xuan Yang understood.

The other three generations of Taoists had no objection to this.

The disciples who came this time are all elites in the sect, and I believe they can stick to their original intentions.

To take a step back and say that even if there are exceptions, Qiuzhen Temple has spent a lot of energy to train them, and returning to secular life does not mean a break with the sect, and they still have to help the sect with its mundane affairs.

Build bridges and roads, eliminate violence and protect the good, accumulate virtue for yourself and your master, and benefit the people.

Run a business, accumulate wealth, provide resources for the people in the mountains to practice, and give back to the master.

Unlike his fellow junior brothers, Chang'anzi did not leave the hospital for two consecutive days. Although he had gained a great advantage in the transaction the night before, he was also worried.

He didn't think much about it at first, until the stall owner invited him to his home, then Chang'an Zixin brought it up.

Before going down the mountain, Uncle Xuanming reminded him to be more careful and not to go far with strangers, as he would meet few good and virtuous lay Buddhists but many evil ones.

Regardless of whether the other two lamps were real or fake, Chang'anzi didn't intend to pay attention to them. When going out, it's better to be careful.

In order to prevent himself from wrongly accusing the stall owner, when Senior Feibai came to look for Uncle Xuankong, Chang'anzi asked the senior to send a disciple to the street and pretend nothing had happened to take a look.

The other party readily agreed to this simple favor.

There is no need to seek the truth because the disciples of the same sect wear the same Taoist robes. If that person really has bad intentions, the fellow disciples will be easily recognized.

As it turned out, Chang'anzi was right not to go.

This was because the stall owner was still there on the second night but did not show up on the third night. Uncle Xuankong was curious and helped Taoist Feibai to inquire about this person, but they found nothing, as if this person had never appeared.

Even the stall owners nearby had no impression of this person. His presence was so low that they didn't even remember that there was a stall next to him.

This was strange, and it alerted Xuanxu and others. They specifically warned Chang'anzi not to worry about it, but to concentrate on the martial arts test and wait until the Daoyuan Conference was over before deciding on anything else.

If he successfully enters the Tiandiyuan, he can use his authority to check the household register or ask the ghosts and gods under the City God to draw a portrait to help find this person.

If the stall owner was not lying that day, he should apologize and compensate; if there is really something strange, then see his purpose and deal with it, which is better than making random guesses.

At the same time, he disciplined his disciples and reported to the Tiandi Institute.

The Tiandi Academy has the responsibility to maintain the safety of the Daoyuan Conference. Qiuzhenguan’s power is small, so it is safer to leave this matter to the higher-ups.

Only then did Chang'anzi feel at ease.

---

Three days passed in a flash.

On the fourth day, the much-anticipated martial arts test began. A Taoist priest climbed the Fuyun Mountain.

He was wearing a sky blue Taoist robe and shoes with cloud patterns, alternating blue and white as if he was draped over his body. He could make the distance between two hundred feet become as short as an inch while walking and could take one step to cover a distance of three hundred feet. He was indeed a Taoist immortal.

Outside the gate of Qiuzhen Temple, Xuantong and Xuanyu had been waiting there since early morning. When they saw the Taoist priest, they bowed and saluted:
"Wulian Tianzun, Xuantong (Xuanyu) greets Yuanji Zhenren. The Zhenren's arrival has truly brought glory to the humble Seeking Truth Temple."

Yuanji Zhenren returned the half greeting and said with a smile: "The Tianzhuan Sect and Qiuzhen Temple have a long history. It is my fault that I only came to visit today."

Taoist Yuanji was humble and kind, so Xuantong and Xuanyu naturally gave them a warm welcome, and the group walked into the mountain gate.

As for the apology in the real person's words, everyone can hear that it is just a polite remark and no one would be stupid enough to say it.

It was clearly written on the visiting card yesterday that Taoist Yuanji came to discuss Taoism with Senior Brother Xuanming, so the two Taoists chatted while leading Taoist Yuanji straight to Zangdao Peak.

Ask for advice in the thatched cottage.

Sensing the distance to Yuanji.

Xuanming stood up, walked out of the courtyard, and reached the foot of the peak.

Although Taoist Yuanji's strength is not as good as his, Taoist masters are all in the same realm and theoretically can be regarded as fellow Taoists.

The other party came from afar again.

It is reasonable and logical for him to welcome it.

When Yuanji arrived at the foot of the peak, he saw an old Taoist priest in a wide-sleeved Taoist robe waiting there. He had a ruddy complexion, snow-white hair and beard, and clear eyebrows. He held a whisk in his hand, his back was as straight as a pine tree, his spirit was as bright as the sun, and he had the air of an immortal, with an extraordinary temperament.

The newcomers are guests, so Xuanming was the first to speak and greet: "Xuanming greets Daoist Yuanji."

Yuan Ji did not dare to neglect his compliments and immediately returned the greeting: "Yuan Ji has met Daoist Fellow Xuan Ming. Seeing is believing. Daoist Fellow is extraordinary."

"You are too kind, Taoist friend. I am just a rustic country boy, not as powerful as the Immortal who works in the Guangfa Division."

The two Taoists exchanged a few polite words and did not waste time at the foot of the peak. Xuanming invited them to go up the mountain for a chat.

In the Daoyuan, the vigorous old pines are tall and green, with their crowns like a canopy, blocking the scorching sun and spreading coolness on the ground.

Xuanming and Yuanji sat opposite each other.

Xuantong and Xuanyu accompanied him.

The aroma of tea wafted from the stone table as Xuanming personally poured tea for Yuanji. The tea was mountain tea, the water was spring water, and the pot and cup were ordinary objects, all very ordinary. However, the person pouring the tea was not ordinary, and the person drinking the tea was also not ordinary.

The aroma of tea filled his nose, and he sipped a mouthful of tea. Yuan Ji praised: "Tasting tea and reading scriptures, leisurely traveling in the mountains and rivers, learning from nature, I really envy you for your leisure and freedom."

Taking a sip of tea, Xuanming replied, "You maintain order for all living beings, accumulate merits and virtues, and promote morality. This is admirable. I hide in the mountains to practice Taoism, and this is the only leisure time I have."

The two Taoists looked at each other, drank their tea and passed over the conversation. The mountains and the world, each has its own charm and flaws, just like the waxing and waning of the moon. What they just said was just a casual remark and they would not argue about this matter.

After a cup of tea, seeing that they were already familiar with each other, Yuanji said: "It is said that those who have built a superior foundation of Taoism will see great scenery when they become immortals. I came here this time:
First, I congratulate you on achieving the status of a real person and becoming one of us; second, I want to discuss the Dao with you, to confirm each other and to see the beauty together. I hope you will agree. "

As he spoke, Yuanji Zhenren took out a jade box from his Ruyi bag and placed it on the stone table: "This is a gift, please accept it, Taoist friend."

"Thank you, fellow Taoist. I will accept it with audacity."

Xuanming did not refuse.

Since the other party has given you a gift, you have no intention of taking it back. If you don't accept it, you'd be slapping the other person in the face.

Knowing this, it is best to accept it directly.

Pretending not to want something is hypocritical and inferior.

After this incident, the two Taoists formed a preliminary impression of each other. After Xuantong temporarily took over the jade box, Xuanming and Yuanji looked at each other, had a tacit understanding, and each talked about his own opinions.

Yuanji raised his finger, and his fingertips shone.

(End of this chapter)