The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

The crimson tent is opened again to recount the old chapters; in the shadows of the tall building, we seek inspiration.

Ten thousand years of worldly ties have passed in the blink of an eye; let us entrust our true intentions to the vicissitudes of life.

It is said that Su Qingxuan and the four women descended to the mortal realm from the Heavenly Reincarnation Platform.

He sealed away his cultivation memories and returned to the mortal world.

More than twenty years have passed since he was reborn in the Great Xia Kingdom of the human realm.

The world has undergone tremendous changes over the past ten thousand years, and civilization has evolved, making it no longer the same as the Great Xia Dynasty of yesteryear.

Skyscrapers stand tall, traffic flows like a river, information surges, and technology flourishes.

However, people's hearts are complex and their spirits are multifaceted...

This is the place of boundless mortals, where cause and effect are intertwined.

……

The Great Xia Kingdom, Longjing City.

It is a national historical and cultural city, as well as a modern international metropolis.

The city contains well-preserved ancient imperial city, temples and Taoist monasteries.

There are also towering commercial centers and science parks.

Longjing University is one of the highest institutions of learning in the Great Xia Kingdom.

It is renowned worldwide for its profound cultural heritage and top-notch scientific research capabilities.

On this day, in lecture hall 308 on the third floor of Wenhua Building at Longjing University.

On a summer afternoon, sunlight streamed through the clear glass window.

The sunlight streamed into the spacious and brightly lit lecture hall.

A warm yellow hue was reflected on the smooth floor.

The classroom was packed.

Not only students from this college, but also many students from other departments.

Even students from other schools who were auditing the classes arrived early to reserve seats.

The back rows, aisles, and even the windowsills were packed with students.

There were four or five hundred of them.

The humming whispers, the rustling of pages, the clatter of laptops... all blended together.

But it couldn't hide that faint expectation.

Today's lecture is titled "The Essence of Traditional Chinese Culture: The Evolution and Contemporary Value of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism."

The professor who taught the course, Su Qingxuan, was only twenty-eight years old.

He is already the youngest professor in the Faculty of Humanities at Longjing University.

Doctoral supervisor.

He has gained renown in the fields of Chinese studies, history, philosophy, and religion.

He not only has a solid academic foundation but also has a prolific body of writing.

What's even more remarkable is her refined demeanor and her ability to explain complex concepts in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

It is very popular with students, and every class is packed with students.

……

There was someone sitting in the front row by the window.

A young woman wearing a light blue cotton-linen dress.

She was about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with a beautiful and delicate appearance.

She wore no makeup, and her long hair was loosely tied back.

Her smooth forehead and delicate eyebrows were exposed.

A thick book, "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic: Plain Questions (Translated and Annotated)," lay open in front of her.

With a dark blue notebook and a black fountain pen in his hand,

As my thoughts drifted, I occasionally jotted down a few notes on paper.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her profile.

She exudes a gentle, tranquil, and unassuming aura.

Her name is Xiao Lingxi.

A third-year student majoring in Traditional Medicine at the Medical School of Longjing University.

In her classmates' eyes, she was an absolute academic star.

What's even more remarkable is that this annual scholarship recipient possesses an extraordinary understanding of classical medicine.

Her mentor once praised her, saying that she "seemed to have been born with an understanding of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements."

She often understands the obscure theories in ancient medical classics without a teacher.

They can also offer refreshing and novel insights.

Last year, the affiliated hospital treated a patient with intractable migraine.

Western medicine treatments proved ineffective.

Xiao Lingxi based his theory on the "Huangdi Neijing" which states that "all dizziness and vertigo are related to the liver."

Based on the Five Elements and Six Qi theory, it is recommended to perform acupuncture on points such as Taichong and Xingjian at specific times.

With the addition of three doses of Xiaoyao San (a traditional Chinese medicine formula), the pain was greatly reduced, and the patient recovered completely in half a month.

It became a popular story in the hospital, and he earned the nickname "Little Miracle Doctor".

However, no one knew that deep down, Xiao Lingxi often felt a strange sense of disorientation.

She always felt that her understanding of "qi," "blood," and "meridians" was inadequate.

It didn't come entirely from books, but rather seemed to be...

A certain dormant instinct.

In the quiet of the night, she would occasionally have bizarre and fantastical dreams.

I dreamt that I was dressed in ancient costume, preparing medicine in a room filled with medicine cabinets and permeated with a pleasant fragrance.

The fire in the stove flickered, and bamboo shadows seemed to sway outside the window.

There was also a blurry figure in blue standing at the boundary between light and shadow.

She couldn't see clearly, but when she woke up, she felt an emptiness in her heart, a strange sadness...

At this moment, she arrived at the classroom half an hour early, chose a seat by the window, and waited quietly.

This was her only elective course this semester, but she listened to it with exceptional care.

Professor Su's classes always gave her a strange sense of familiarity.

It's like those discussions about "Tao follows nature" and "the balance of Yin and Yang,"

It had long been flowing in her blood...

In the middle of the classroom, towards the back, another woman sat upright.

She wore a simple white silk shirt paired with light blue slim-fit jeans.

Her long hair was tied into a neat low bun at the back of her head, revealing her beautifully shaped neck.

She wore no jewelry, only a simple silver watch on her wrist.

There was an ultra-thin laptop on the desk.

The screen was filled with dense notes, but she mostly looked up towards the podium.

His gaze was calm and focused, occasionally furrowing his brow in thought, exuding a scholarly air.

Her name is Lin Wanqing.

Xia Wen is a second-year graduate student majoring in classical literature.

Lin Wanqing is a well-known talented woman in the School of Liberal Arts at Longda University.

During my undergraduate studies, I published several papers that were included in authoritative journals.

He possesses an extraordinary sensitivity to the collation and exegesis of ancient book versions.

Her master's thesis topic—

A Study on the Interaction between Neo-Confucianism's Theory of Mind and Nature and Buddhist Thought on Tathagatagarbha

Despite the extreme difficulty, a preliminary draft has been completed and received high praise from the supervisor.

She seems to have an interest in all ancient texts, ideas, and changes in civilization.

They all possess an almost obsessive desire to explore.

Similar to Xiao Lingxi, Lin Wanqing also has her own "secret".

She often experiences a strong sense of déjà vu when browsing through certain ancient books.

It was as if she had personally written those words on bamboo slips and silk scrolls in another time and space.

In her dreams, she often saw herself in a magnificent palace-like library.

The building was several stories high, and the shelves were piled high with jade slips and golden books.

She was writing furiously at her desk under a dim lamp, while the Milky Way shone brightly outside the window.

Occasionally, a gentle male voice would sound from behind.

He pointed out a punctuation mark to her, but when she turned around, all she saw was the room filled with the fragrance of books and the flickering lamplight.

That voice made her feel incredibly at ease, yet also incredibly wistful...

Upon hearing about Professor Su Qingxuan's course, she enrolled almost immediately.

Not only because the course content aligned with her research interests,

Furthermore, she had read all of Professor Su's papers and monographs.

I was captivated by its grand vision that connects the past and present and harmonizes the three religions, as well as its profound thinking.

She had a vague feeling that this young professor might be able to answer the questions in her heart.

Some deep-seated questions about the transmission of civilization...

The last row, near the corner,

A woman with a completely different demeanor was sitting there.

She was wearing a dark green modified Zhongshan suit.

The tailored fit accentuated his upright and graceful posture, making him appear as tall and straight as a pine tree.

Her short hair was neat and clean, and her skin had a healthy wheat color.

His eyebrows and eyes were striking, his nose was high and straight, and his lips were pressed into a resolute straight line.

Her sitting posture appeared casual, but her back was naturally straight and her shoulders were relaxed.

It is a posture developed through long-term training, which allows for the explosive release of power at any time.

There were no books or computers in front of her, only a military green water bottle.

His hands were casually folded on the table, his fingers long and slender with distinct knuckles, and thin calluses on the base of his thumb.

Her name is Chi Ying, and she comes from the National Defense University next door.

I came to Rungda University as an exchange student to audit courses.

At the military academy, Chi Ying was a true "king of soldiers."

Top-notch in combat, shooting, tactics, and physical fitness.

He won first place in the military region's major skills competitions multiple times.

He also participated in numerous combat operations and repeatedly earned military merits.

Despite his young age, he has already been awarded the rank of major.

Her superior commented that she was "born to fight."

Not only are they physically outstanding, but even more remarkable is their battlefield intuition.

And decisive action at critical moments.

However, this female soldier, who was a formidable force on the battlefield,

But he has a little-known "artistic" hobby—

He is an avid reader of ancient military books and chivalrous novels.

I'm thoroughly familiar with Sun Tzu's Art of War, Wu Zi, and the Six Secret Teachings.

Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Wandering Knights, Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, The Three Heroes and Five Gallants.

Even the martial arts novels by Gu Long, Liang Yusheng, and Wen Ruian were always kept by her bedside.

She often thought about those chivalrous heroes of ancient times who roamed the world with swords, fighting against evil and upholding justice.

And the soldiers who defend our country and protect our people today,

Is the core spirit inherited from the same source?

Her dreams were often filled with images of war, bloodshed, and smoke.

I dreamt that I was wearing armor from some unknown dynasty, holding a long spear.

Charging through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, I seemed to hear the shouts of my comrades and the neighing of warhorses beside me.

There was always a figure at the forefront, following her with her life on the line...

Every time she woke up from such a dream, she was drenched in sweat and her heart was pounding like a drum.

It wasn't fear, but a strange sense of pride and tragic grandeur.

It was as if those battles were the glory and trauma she had personally experienced...

I came to listen to Su Qingxuan's lectures partly out of curiosity about the spirit of "chivalry" and "loyalty" in traditional culture.

Half of it was because... she heard that Professor Su was giving lectures.

The ideas of ancient military strategists are occasionally mentioned...

Near the corridor, a woman sat quietly.

She wore a plain linen robe, loose and simple in style.

Her long hair was simply tied up with a wooden hairpin, revealing her smooth forehead and delicate features.

Her features were gentle, her eyes clear; upon closer inspection...

Deep within his eyes, however, lay a hint of compassion and transcendence.

She wore a string of dark brown sandalwood prayer beads on her wrist.

Each one is round and plump, with a warm, lustrous sheen.

A notebook with a kraft paper cover was laid out in front of me.

She used a charcoal pencil to write in neat and elegant handwriting.

It contains a few questions that came to mind before class.

Her name is Xiao Lingyue.

A young staff member at the Center for Religious Studies, State Administration for Religious Affairs.

Responsible for compiling Buddhist and Taoist classics and conducting research on their contemporary interpretation.

She graduated from one of the top religious universities in China.

He has a profound understanding of Buddhist doctrines.

What's even more remarkable is her understanding of those profound scriptures and Zen koans.

They often possess a profound understanding that "points directly to one's true nature."

It was as if she already knew the answers to those convoluted truths.

During an internal seminar, when faced with a high-ranking monk's question,

The profound teachings of the "Neither perception nor non-perception realm".

The scholars present all frowned in thought, but she suddenly added softly—

"One should let one's mind dwell nowhere and yet give rise to it."

The high monk was momentarily stunned, then clapped his hands and laughed.

He repeatedly called her "good teacher"...

Xiao Lingyue's dreams are often peaceful.

Sometimes it was the sound of ancient temple bells and the gentle breeze through the bamboo grove, as she knelt on a prayer mat.

I heard the distant sound of chanting coming from above;

Sometimes the pond is full of lotus flowers, bathed in the clear moonlight, and she sits facing someone playing chess, making no sound as she places a piece.

Occasionally, fragments of terrifying scenes—lightning flashes, thunder roars, and the earth shatters—flash by, accompanied by a mournful cry of "My lord—".

It startled her awake, and she sat up, tears streaming down her face.

My heart aches unbearably, yet I know not for whom I suffer this pain…

This trip to Longda to attend classes is both a work requirement and...

The Religious Affairs Bureau is promoting the project of "Contemporary Transformation of the Essence of Traditional Culture".

Professor Su Qingxuan was an important interviewee.

It was also her personal desire to experience firsthand the intellectual charm of this rising star in academia…

These are four women with distinct personalities and backgrounds.

For their own reasons, they have all gathered here, waiting for the start of this class.

They were complete strangers, their eyes occasionally glancing at each other.

I just felt that the other person had a special temperament, and didn't think much of it.

However, there is an invisible force pulling us together.

They chose this time and this place.

"Ring ring—"

The school bell rang crisply...

……

The noise in the classroom gradually subsided.

All eyes turned to the front door of the classroom.

The door was gently pushed open, and a tall, upright figure walked in.

The person who arrived was wearing a well-fitting light gray Zhongshan suit; the fabric was crisp and crisp.

The well-tailored cut accentuated her broad shoulders and narrow waist, giving her a graceful and elegant figure.

He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and had a handsome appearance.

Her skin was a warm, ivory white, and her eyes and brows were as clear as a still autumn pool.

He has a high, straight nose, light-colored lips, and a naturally slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.

Even when she's not smiling, she appears gentle and approachable.

Her hair was neatly combed, with a few wisps of hair falling casually across her forehead, adding a touch of refined elegance and nonchalance.

It was Su Qingxuan.

He walked calmly to the podium.

He put down the dark brown leather briefcase he was holding.

Take out the laptop and a thread-bound notebook.

The movements were unhurried, natural, and fluid.

It was as if every step was on some kind of rhythm.

"Hello, students." He raised his head, his gentle gaze sweeping over the audience.

The sound came through a small lavalier microphone, clear and calm.

Like jade stones striking each other, it instantly captured everyone's attention.

"Stand up! Good morning, teacher!" The students spontaneously stood up and greeted the teacher.

The shouts were unified, filled with heartfelt respect.

Su Qingxuan smiled and nodded, raising his hand in a gesture of invitation: "Please sit."

Only after the students were seated did he leisurely turn on his computer.

I connected the projector, but the PowerPoint presentation didn't start playing immediately.

Instead, he picked up the chalk and turned to work on the blackboard.

With a neat and clear hand, he wrote two large characters on the blackboard:

Tradition--

It is:

The city of Tiecheng is bustling with traffic every day, yet the tradition of refined conversation continues.

Regardless of past lives or origins, a lamp in the heart illuminates the returning wild geese.