Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 207 Human Immortal (Part 2)

Thinking of that old friend, the old monk sighed deeply. With that person's inherent nature, even after nine reincarnations, if he had followed the proper path of cultivation in just one lifetime, he would have achieved great success.

After all, to be valued by the Buddha Shakyamuni and accepted as one of his two disciples, one must possess immense wisdom and profound Buddha-nature. Even though he was banished to the cycle of reincarnation and his true nature was obscured, he was still a born Buddha.

Even if one forgets all past lives, relying solely on one's true nature, one would still be a saint or Buddha-like figure in the four continents of this world.

Unfortunately, after that person reincarnated, he had to travel west in every life, and in every life he would face tribulations on the journey west.

If this continues, even those with innate wisdom and Buddha-nature will find it difficult to achieve anything significant.

"Amitabha,"

The old monk slowly walked out of the temple. The bluestone slabs under his feet were wet with the night dew, but there was not a trace of moisture when he stepped on them.

The temple gates were already closed. He walked to the gate, where two heavy elm wood doors slowly opened inward, their hinges turning silently.

As soon as the temple gate opened, the night wind rushed in, splitting off three feet away from the old monk, causing the edges of his robe to flutter slightly, while the inner fabric remained perfectly still, making him appear like a statue carved from jade.

After leaving the temple, the old monk walked along the street toward the governor's mansion. His pace was slow, but each step seemed to be stepping on an invisible node.

The guards along the street clearly glanced at his figure, but they only thought he was an ordinary monk returning home at night. Their gazes lingered on him for less than half a breath before they looked away, leaving no impression on him at all, as if this figure was meant to blend into the night.

When they reached a hundred paces outside the governor's mansion, the sound of golden bells and jade chimes lingering above the mansion became clearer, and the majestic aura of righteousness overflowed as if it were a tangible substance. Ordinary people would tremble and lose control after taking three steps closer, but the old monk strolled leisurely until he reached the invisible wall of aura.

Inside the wall, golden light flowed, exuding righteousness; outside, a Zen-like atmosphere permeated the air, serene and peaceful. The two auras touched, yet there was no conflict whatsoever. Instead, they seemed to blend together quietly, like spring water meeting the warm sun.

"Governor Lü's enlightenment has truly broadened this humble monk's horizons,"

The old monk raised his hand and gently tapped the void. The qi wall formed by the essence and blood of the immortals rippled, opening a door like a stone thrown into water.

Inside the government office, Lü Shang stood under the corridor, sensing the tranquil atmosphere outside the door, and a golden light flickered in his eyes.

"A rare guest indeed."

With a flick of his sleeve, the faint radiance condensed from the essence of heaven and earth receded into his body, and his aura returned to its inward state.

Footsteps could be heard coming from outside, unhurried and gentle, each step seemingly landing on the most peaceful spot in one's heart.

Lu Shang turned around and saw an old monk with white eyebrows standing in the shadows under the moon, his hands clasped together, his eyes lowered, exuding a compassionate understanding of the world.

“Faming of Hongzang Temple greets Governor Lü,”

The old monk raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Lü Shang, as gentle and clear as moonlight.

"So it was a master from Hongzang Temple,"

Lü Shang nodded slightly and said, "Master, what brings you here so late at night?"

Faming's gaze swept over the golden light that had not yet completely faded from his body, and then looked at the moonlight that had been stirred up in the night sky. He said softly, "Hearing the sound of golden bells and the reflection of jade chimes, I know that a great sage has attained enlightenment, so I have come to offer my congratulations."

After carefully examining Faming, Lü Shang said indifferently, "Master, you flatter me. I have only achieved some success in martial arts and cannot be considered a great sage."

Fa Ming paused slightly with his hands clasped together, and said softly, "Your Excellency is mistaken. The martial arts master who has reached the level of an immortal has transcended the mortal body and bones, and his essence and energy are so powerful that they resonate with heaven and earth with every move he makes."

"Such a level of attainment would be worthy of the title 'sage' even among the three major religions."

The so-called three teachings are Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism!
In martial arts, a Human Immortal is equivalent to an Earth Immortal in Taoism and an Arhat in Buddhism. Their lifespan is far shorter than those of Taoists and Buddhists, but their killing prowess far surpasses that of Earth Immortals and Arhats. Looking into Faming's insightful eyes, Lü Shang smiled faintly and said, "Since you've arrived at the yamen, why not come inside for a chat?"

"Good, good,"

Faming clasped his hands in agreement and calmly followed Lü Shang through the corridor into the study.

"Please have a seat, Master."

After entering the study, Lü Shang raised his hand and gestured, and the purple clay teapot on the table seemed to come alive, floating to the stove on its own.

Then, the water in the kettle boiled on its own without fire, and wisps of white steam rose up.

After Faming sat down, he looked at the steam rising from the stove and seemed to understand something. He smiled and said, "Governor Lü's method is close to the Taoist 'transportation' technique, but it is not a magic or supernatural power. It is quite unique."

Lu Shang stirred the tea leaves with a teaspoon, his movements slow but not hesitant, and said, "The martial arts masters who reach the level of immortals have their physical bodies connected to heaven and earth, and their breaths are filled with the flow of energy. It can't be considered any kind of supernatural power."

As he spoke, he poured boiling water into the teacup. The tea leaves unfurled in the water, their veins clearly visible, yet they remained perfectly still, their movement controlled by his inner energy.

For Lü Shang, this was indeed just a minor trick. After he attained the status of a human immortal, his 1,296 orifices were perfected, and he naturally possessed supernatural powers.

Upon seeing this, Fa Ming was struck by a thought and said, "The governor possesses exceptional talent and has thoroughly grasped the essence of martial arts; he can be considered a prodigy of our time."

"It's a pity that the highest level of martial arts in the human world is only the Human Immortal realm, with no way to transcend it. It's a real shame to waste the governor's extraordinary talent."

Lü Shang smiled and pushed the brewed tea in front of Faming. The tea was clear and blue, and the steam condensed and did not dissipate, but instead formed a miniature lotus shape, which gently swirled in the cup.

"The master said the road ahead was blocked,"

He tapped his fingertips on the table, producing a clear and crisp sound, and said, "But in my opinion, the path is ultimately made by people walking it. The martial arts of the mortal world stop at the level of the Immortal, perhaps it's just that the predecessors haven't reached it yet, rather than that there is really no path."

"I, Lü, have the intention to pave a path to immortality for future generations, so that they may transcend mortality,"

"Open another one, what a spirit!"

Fa Ming exclaimed in amazement, "Since Governor Lü has such a heart, it is a meritorious deed beyond measure."

"But how easy is it to transcend these two words?"

Faming thought for a moment, then frowned and said, "Buddhism speaks of transcendence, which requires breaking free from attachment to self and attachment to the Dharma, resolving cause and effect, and not being trapped in the cycle of reincarnation. Taoism seeks transcendence by refining the elixir, nourishing the primordial spirit, uniting with the Tao, and transcending the Three Realms and Five Elements."

"This martial art of immortals is based on the physical body, which is ultimately just a stinking carcass. Even if one is indestructible, one cannot escape the cycle of formation, existence, decay, and emptiness. How can one transcend it?"

"The master said the physical body is a stinking bag of skin,"

Lu Shang raised his eyes to look at Fa Ming, his eyes seemingly containing the turning of the wheel of gods, and said, "But I, Lu, believe that the world is a sea of ​​suffering, and the physical body is a precious raft for crossing the world."

"The so-called formation, existence, decay, and emptiness are the laws of all things, but they are not irreversible. My tempering of my physical body is to forge a path of survival within this formation, existence, decay, and emptiness. To transform this physical body from a flawed body into a flawless immortal body, from being bound by heaven and earth to breathing in harmony with heaven and earth, and finally transcending them."

Faming shook his head and said, "No leakage? Governor Lü, do you know that even the Buddhas of the Western Paradise, who have attained the Vajra Indestructible Body, must abandon their physical bodies and attain the Dharma Body in order to transcend?"

"The physical body is ultimately formed by the combination of earth, water, fire, and wind. Even if it can breathe in harmony with heaven and earth, it is difficult to escape the waxing and waning of yin and yang. How can it be said to be without leakage?"

(End of this chapter)