A Man in the Snow: Starting with a Sword Challenge to the Northern Liang Prince's Palace

A kind-faced, smiling, hunched old monk was gazing at this largest Confucian holy site in Liyang.

"The Shangyin Academy, chosen by the Zhang family's sage, is indeed extraordinary!"

The old monk muttered to himself.

It was quite a rare occurrence for a monk to suddenly visit this sacred Confucian site.

Many students glanced at him curiously, but no one stepped forward to ask. The old monk simply sat there cross-legged, chanting Buddhist mantras, as if waiting for someone.

The old monk only slowly opened his eyes when Qi Yanglong, the Grand Master of the Academy, appeared.

"I didn't know that the Venerable Nagarjuna had come to visit, nor did I know that he had something to discuss."

Who is Qi Yanglong? His learning is as high as the heavens, and he is the pillar of Shangyin Academy. Yet he personally came to receive this old monk.

It is clear that this old monk is not as simple as he appears.

The Venerable Nagarjuna slowly rose, clasped his hands together, and bowed to the Grand Master of the Academy, saying, "This old monk has come to seek an opportunity for Buddhism and Taoism."

Qi Yanglong, his hands hidden in his sleeves, smiled slightly and said, "As expected of a Living Buddha, you see things very clearly!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Yanglong turned and headed towards the Moral Forest.

Since Zhang Fuyao dispersed the Confucian aura of eight hundred years, the most of it remained in this Moral Forest. Furthermore, because Ye Yun went into seclusion here, the Confucian aura of the entire Shangyin Academy has become increasingly concentrated.

As the monk Nagarjuna walked, he couldn't help but nod: "As expected of a sacred place of Confucianism, it is truly remarkable. The Grand Master of Ceremonies was chosen long ago."

"Of course, he deserves to be that kind of person."

Qi Yanglong, though residing in the Shangyin Academy, possesses a thorough understanding of world affairs.

Ye Yun's scheme involved him.

This Grand Master of the Imperial Academy, who was scheming to rule the world, was shrewd and worldly-wise. He was well aware of the timing of "cultivating one's own virtue" and "benefiting the world." He also had a unique eye for people. Instead of leaving the Shangyin Academy, he was waiting.

He was waiting for the right opportunity; someone would naturally invite him to take up an official post.

We arrived outside the Morality Grove.

This is a bamboo forest. Ordinary people can only see an ordinary bamboo house, but in the eyes of the holy monk Longshu, it is a different world altogether.

Especially that red figure.

Ye Yun, who was constantly perfecting his sword core, suddenly sensed a harmonious and pure power.

Ye Yun vanished from his spot in an instant, reappearing right in front of the two of them.

"This old monk greets Benefactor Ye!"

A golden glint flashed in the eyes of the holy monk Nagarjuna, and then he took a step back, put his hands together in a gesture of respect.

Ye Yun returned the greeting, saying, "Greetings, Holy Monk!"

He then turned around and continued, "High Priest, your cultivation has improved quite rapidly."

Unexpectedly, in just a few years, this scholar has already reached the peak of the Great Celestial Phenomenon Realm. If he were given a bit more luck, the world would have one more Confucian sage.

Qi Yanglong laughed and said, "My opportunity still depends on you, the future emperor."

After saying this, the old scholar turned and left.

It seemed as if the two of them had some secret that everyone knew about but didn't say a word.

"Holy monk, please!"

After watching Qi Yanglong leave, Ye Yun waved his hand, and the entire Morality Forest suddenly changed its scenery.

The two were already seated on two prayer cushions, surrounded by white mist, as if in a fairyland.

"Young friend Ye, what skillful methods! It seems you have a connection with Buddhism."

The Buddha said: "All forms are illusory. If one sees all forms as non-forms, then one sees the Tathagata."

The holy monk Nagarjuna raised his hand and said.

The scenery changed again, this time the surrounding ethereal mist disappeared.

The two were still in that purple bamboo forest.

Ye Yun smiled. As expected of the highest martial arts and spiritual leader of Buddhism, he achieved the Vajra Indestructible Realm by relying on a "Diamond Sutra".

"Holy monk, have you come today to discuss the Dao with me?"

Ye Yun guessed what was going on and took the initiative to ask.

I have great admiration for such a person of great spiritual practice and wisdom.

"Benefactor Ye, this old monk has come for two reasons. First, to thank you for your indirect help to the two Zen temples. Second, I have a request."

Nagarjuna, the holy monk, clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect.

The Northern Mang regime carried out the persecution of Buddhism because of the Daodezong sect, but all of this was because of Yuan Qingshan.

Yuan Qingshan's campaign to destroy Buddhism was part of a strategy to integrate the Taoist forces in the north and transfer the fate of the martial arts world to the imperial court. He wanted to combine his personal cultivation with the dynasty's destiny, establish himself as a Taoist saint, and ultimately ascend to immortality.

However, because of Ye Yun's appearance, the Moral Sect was ultimately destroyed, and his clone was killed. Fortunately, he finally made a deal with Ye Yun by using the method of "One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones".

"The holy monk's purpose in coming is to seek an opportunity for Buddhism. I wonder if this is correct?"

Ye Yun understood why this holy monk had come to find him.

The old monk nodded: "Benefactor Ye, that is indeed the case."

"Yuan Qingshan taught me a supernatural power, and I owe him a favor. I cannot get involved in matters between Taoism and Buddhism."

Ye Yun refused the request from the holy monk Longshu.

The conflict between Buddhism and Taoism has existed since ancient times.

A glint of light appeared in the eyes of the holy monk Nagarjuna. He put his hands together and said, "All people suffer. Since I entered the Buddhist order, I have had a great vow to achieve equality for all beings, but alas, my wish has not been fulfilled."

In the battle of Dunhuang that day, with Ye's abilities, there was no need to care about the lives of tens of thousands of civilians. Unexpectedly, in order to protect these civilians, Ye chose the latter option, fighting against Hong Xixiang in the most disadvantageous way.

"Now that the world is in chaos, there is no pure land of Buddhism left."

"Why did the Liangchan Temple not support the Northern Liang?"

Ye Yun asked a question.

In the world today, only Northern Liang is the only pure land for Buddhism in the Central Plains. Only Northern Liang does not persecute Buddhism; on the contrary, Northern Liang reveres Buddhism.

Even the Li Yang royal family did not have much affection for Buddhism.

"Benefactor Ye, why ask a question you already know the answer to?"

The wise Nagarjuna had seen clearly how the entire world works.

Wherever Ye Yun goes, fortune follows him.

Ye Yun remained silent, simply watching the old monk.

"Benefactor Ye, although you are a sword cultivator, you have entered the Confucian school and practiced Taoist secret arts. You are unaware of the Buddhist Vajra teachings. Would you be willing to accept them?"

"The integration of the three religions (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism) is not necessarily a bad thing."

Nagarjuna opened his palm, and a swastika symbol appeared in his hand.

"All things return to one!"

The words fell.

The Venerable Nagarjuna transformed into golden light, all his fortune and cultivation ultimately settling on the swastika symbol, and continued:

"Benefactor Ye, if you can agree to this old monk's request to preserve a pure land for Buddhism, this old monk is willing to use his fortune and cultivation to help you achieve the realm of a saint of the three religions."

This saint chose to sacrifice himself for the survival of his sect.

Ye Yun did indeed receive gifts from the Confucian school and also acquired secret techniques from the Taoist school. Now, the only thing missing from the three schools of thought is the Vajra of Buddhism, which naturally makes him very envious.

"Holy monk, why go through all this? I agree."

Ye Yun refused the gift from the holy monk Longshu and, with a wave of his hand, forced Longshu's power back into his body.

The holy monk Longshu revealed a look of surprise. He did not expect that Ye Yun could so easily stop his power. But what pleased him most was the young man's character.

Despite such temptation, Duan Ran refused.

"As long as the Buddha's heart remains, Buddhism will never perish."

As the holy monk Nagarjuna chanted the Buddha's name, golden light flowed, and it seemed as if flames were burning on his body.

"Benefactor Ye, you have a connection with Buddhism."

As soon as he finished speaking, the old monk passed away on the spot, transferring all his fortune and cultivation to Ye Yun's body.

Ye Yun finally let out a sigh:

"Why bother? I'll just agree."