National Division

Chapter 52 Shen Xian: Listening to both sides leads to enlightenment, listening to only one side leads to darkness... (Seeking monthly votes and to continue reading!)

"Heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river, but no matter how hard they try, they only circulate in the second realm. There are techniques like Huang Sheng's that can generate Dao seed, but none of them have managed to plant the Dao and bear fruit!"

After Xue Zhihua finished speaking, she casually placed the "Hun Yuan Yi Qi Gong" that Shen Xian had just "treasured" aside.

"Such a Daoist seed has a major flaw, but it also incorporates the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into one, known as the Hunyuan path, which is quite impressive. This martial arts grandmaster is indeed well-versed in the Daoist canon," Xue Zhihua commented.

Shen Xian didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Xue Zhihua looked at the young man, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "The cultivation methods of the Three Teachings were created by sages and have been passed down for a long time. As the saying goes, the methods should not be passed on lightly. The first and second realms are fine, there may be some in the martial arts world, but the methods that lead directly to the Golden Core require the bestowal of a Daoist talisman. Many key points are passed down orally. It is difficult to make a name for yourself by relying solely on a cultivation method. If you can achieve the Dao by using such immortal methods, you will be a pioneer in your generation. You will have a place on the list of Daoist immortals!"

By the end, Xue Zhihua's voice had become somewhat cheerful, as if she found it amusing.

In reality, the Taoist list of immortals is mostly for those who have passed the civil service exam and become low-level laborers. It is highly unrealistic to expect them to join the elders' council and have their names recorded in history.

It has absolutely nothing to do with ordinary people. For ordinary people, being at the section chief level will lock you out.

Shen Xian: "..."

Alright, he understands. Five hundred merits to resolve the defects in the Daoist seed is really not expensive.

To put it bluntly, all immortal techniques are methods created by sages and saints, and they have millstones to deduce them.

Xue Zhihua sighed, "These martial arts grandmasters, even the fifth-realm martial gods, all wanted to switch to cultivating immortality in the end. But firstly, the accumulated problems were too deep to reverse. Their internal organs had been soaked by the true essence and qi of martial arts, and they simply couldn't recover. Since they chose to be enemies with everyone, this is the price. They cultivate life but not nature, and in the end, it's all for nothing."

Of course, there is no other choice. Taoism emphasizes comprehension, while martial arts emphasize physical constitution.

Shen Xian said, "Then this cultivation technique..."

“If you want to learn the Dao, besides taking the imperial examinations, you can also join the Shangqing sect. The Shangqing sect teaches without discrimination, and I am also a member of this sect.” Beneath Xue Zhihua’s arched eyebrows, her clear and bright eyes flickered, and she said, “However, you still need to study the Daoist scriptures. No matter what kind of Daoist method you cultivate, you must focus on understanding the Dao.”

Shen Xian thought for a moment and said, "I can give the Dao Trial a try."

The main reason is that he has a millstone and is not subject to these constraints.

Xue Zhihua said, "After we return to the capital, I'll take you to see Master and a few senior brothers from the branch. Master has never accepted male disciples, but I'll see which senior brother from the branch is willing to take on a disciple."

"Master?" Shen Xian asked in surprise.

Xue Zhihua's voice was filled with awe and reverence as she said, "Master is an elder of the Shangqing Sect, whose talent for cultivation is unparalleled in a thousand years. He is also the current Imperial Preceptor. You will know this when you arrive in the capital."

When her master was mentioned, Xue Zhihua's mature and domineering aura faded somewhat, and a little girl's admiration flashed in her bright eyes.

Shen Xian said, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Xue."

He thought to himself, "It seems that this Grand Preceptor of the Great Jing Kingdom has profound cultivation. I wonder if he is male or female?"
Most of them are women; they don't accept male disciples.

Because at this time, the teachings and methods are passed down orally, which is inconvenient for men and women. Although there will be no cases of disciples rebelling against their masters, Taoists will not want to make things difficult for themselves.

At this moment, Zhiyun came quickly from outside and said softly, "Young master, the wine and dishes are ready."

“Miss Xue, why don’t we share some? I also have some details about the current situation of the dynasty that I would like to consult with you on, so that I can write a memorial to the throne,” Shen Xian said.

Xue Zhihua asked, "Are you going to write a policy document? Once it's finished, I want to see it first. Have someone prepare some wine and food so we can eat and chat."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xian instructed Zhiyun to bring the wine and dishes to Xue Zhihua's courtyard.

The two then sat down, and Shen Xian looked at Xue Zhihua and asked, "Miss Xue, with demons and evil spirits causing chaos in the world, how far has the situation progressed?"

"It's not exactly an emergency, but the situation is getting out of control," Xue Zhihua said. "The Vermilion Bird Division has limited manpower, and apart from the Shangqing Sect, the Taiqing and Yuqing Sects are all standing by. Even within the Shangqing Sect, there is no consensus, because the three sects are dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager's regency and want power to be returned to the Emperor."

Shen Xian said, "Has the imperial court never considered using martial artists to assist the Taoist sect in exorcising demons?"

“Martial artists above the Innate Realm are alright, but they don’t know magic and can’t activate talismans. You saw it the other day too; talismans require one’s own blood essence to draw.” Xue Zhihua said softly, then added, “Not every martial artist is like your father, selflessly sacrificing himself for others.” Shen Xian thought for a moment and said, “Then we still need the Shangqing family to contribute. Hasn’t the imperial court considered issuing low-level immortal cultivation techniques for martial artists across the land to practice? In fact, many evil spirits are just causing trouble in the countryside, and they’re only at the first or second realm.”

Great demons are always few and far between, while these lesser demons cause widespread panic.

If it's a powerful demon, the imperial court will send a great expert to deal with it.

"Hmm, this? It seems the imperial court hasn't really considered this." Xue Zhihua's bright eyes lit up, but in an instant, the light in her eyes dimmed, and she sighed, "But if we spread the cultivation techniques and use martial artists to assist in exorcising demons, the three religions will definitely not agree."

Shen Xian said, "This requires strategy and struggle, and even spreading out cultivation techniques is a way of testing each other."

Chinese people are good at reconciliation. If you say you can't open the window, then you'll just tear off the roof, and the window will naturally open.

Xue Zhihua looked at the young man and said softly, "However, the Empress has gone even further and intends to bring the Buddhist sect into the Great Realm again. This matter is of great importance and there is no conclusion yet."

Shen Xian frowned and said, "The Buddhist sect, they want to spread their religion in the Central Plains?"

There are Buddhist schools in this world, and the temple where the three-headed serpent demon was located was left over from the previous dynasty.

Xue Zhihua said, "When this dynasty was established, it relied heavily on Taoism. Therefore, it was established as the state religion, Taoism was respected and Buddhism was suppressed. The Taoist teachings of Huang-Lao and Zhuang-Zhou were used to govern the world, with light taxes and lenient punishments. This was to learn from the lessons of the previous dynasty, which allowed excessive and arbitrary issuance of corvée labor and did not cherish the people's strength."

Shen Xian's heart stirred slightly, and he thought to himself that the previous dynasty, Da Xu, reminded him of a dynasty—the Yang Sui.

In fact, each subsequent dynasty learns from the lessons of its predecessor's downfall.

Xue Zhihua said, "Before the Great Xu, the North and South were in a state of confrontation, and wars were frequent. The people were all devout Buddhists, and they caused countless troubles. Now that Buddhism wants to return to the Central Plains, the Three Pure Ones and other major sects will oppose it, but the Empress seems to think highly of Buddhism."

In the end, Xue Zhihua sighed.

Even she couldn't understand this point. She didn't actually agree with introducing Buddhism. Buddhist monks preaching and bewitching people were even more despicable than the Taoist Yuqing sect.

Shen Xian looked thoughtful and said, "It's nothing more than the imperial art of balancing Yin and Yang."

Allowing Taoism to dominate, monopolize religion, and infiltrate secular society is detrimental to consolidating humanistic imperial power.

Xue Zhihua looked at Shen Xian with her eyes sparkling like water and agreed, "If that's the case, then it should be true. The Empress does not always listen to Master's words. For example, when it comes to matters of the stars, she often consults the Astronomical Bureau and then seeks advice from Master."

“Listening to both sides leads to clarity, while listening to only one side leads to obscurity; this is not surprising,” Shen Xian said.

This is the basic cultivation of an emperor.

Xue Zhihua sighed, "But introducing Buddhism into the grand scene may cause many variables."

Shen Xian nodded slightly and said loudly, "In this era of great contention, whichever family can do something practical for the people will be respected. Running water does not stagnate, and a door hinge does not rust. It is because the three religions have no competition that they have become complacent and arrogant."

The conflict between Buddhism and Taoism can also divide the three religions and give ordinary people some breathing room in the cracks.

Xue Zhihua did not delve deeper into this topic, but instead said, "It would be feasible to let all martial artists cultivate the first and second realms of the Immortal Path."

"We can even distribute pills to martial artists to help them treat hidden injuries, so that they can be used to their advantage," Shen Xian said loudly.

Xue Zhihua said, "The methods of alchemy are in the hands of the three religions, so it may not be easy to master them."

Shen Xian thought for a moment and said, "The imperial court cannot be without its own alchemists; it can even train its own alchemists."

He is now using Xue Zhihua's perspective to gather information about the immortal cultivation practices in this world.

No investigation, no right to speak.

(End of this chapter)