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

Poetry:

Ginkgo leaves carpet the quiet garden in gold, while sandalwood incense wafts around the desk, whispering tales of turbulent times.

The black lotus secretly weaves a thousand calamities, yet a single strategy can bring peace to ten thousand miles of land.

Longjing West Suburb Villa.

Ginkgo leaves fell like golden rain. Su Qingxuan, stepping on the golden carpet, was led by two Xuan Guards.

After passing through several hidden sentries, we entered a quiet courtyard with blue bricks and gray tiles.

This is the residence where that esteemed person occasionally takes refuge in seclusion.

Inside the study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense, and the adult was bending over to examine a map depicting the five continents and their surroundings.

Hearing the voice, he looked up and smiled gently: "Qingxuan has arrived. Please sit down."

This man, over sixty years old, had graying temples, but his gaze remained as sharp as an eagle's.

He exuded a calm and composed demeanor.

"My lord." Su Qingxuan bowed respectfully, his manner devoid of flattery, displaying only heartfelt reverence.

"Don't be shy." The adult gestured for him to sit in the rattan chair opposite him and personally poured him a cup of Wuyi rock tea.

"During your three months of travel to the west, I read each of the seven secret reports you sent me more than three times."

Tell me, what is your deepest feeling?

Su Qingxuan took the teacup. In the rising steam, the twisted, malevolent aura of Herren Academy appeared before his eyes.

The magic array beneath Yingzhou, and the face that has lived for hundreds of years in the Euro Castle.

He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "The Western lands are fundamentally flawed."

"Where is it crooked?"

"The problem lies in being obsessed with material things and losing one's mind, in having a scattered and insatiable desire."

Su Qingxuan's words were clear and distinct.

"I visited eight countries and twelve cities, witnessing the absurdity that came after magic had been distorted to its extreme—"

Technology is advanced, but the spirit is like a desert; material possessions are abundant, but the mind is like a prison.

Even more terrifying is that an evil force is deliberately guiding this alienation.

Feeding on malice and fed on hatred, they seek to drag the entire world into the abyss.

He received the invitation from the "Gate of Truth," the demon servant's words,

The details of the underground karma transformation array are described one by one.

Finally, he took out three items from his handbag:

A black crystal engraved with strange runes, from the depths of Heron;

A secret scroll made of ancient animal hide, obtained from a secret chamber in an ancient castle;

There was also a glass bottle filled with gray mist, within which countless phantom figures seemed to wail.

"These are fragments of memories I extracted from my demon servant's body when I was refining the demon seed at Euro Castle."

Su Qingxuan pointed to the glass bottle, "Please take a look, my lord."

He silently circulated his true energy, and the gray mist inside the bottle surged, projecting a shattered image into the air:

—The expeditionary fleet sailed towards the New World, its decks filled with captured indigenous people.

The ship owner wore a black lotus emblem on his chest;

—On the battlefields of the two continental wars, there were black-robed figures walking through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, collecting the resentment of the dead.

Behind the equipment disputes among the nations, wealthy merchants and powerful ministers were in secret...

Kneeling before a statue of a demon god with three heads and six arms;

—The collapse of spiritual veins, national turmoil, plague and panic…

Behind every human catastrophe, the shadowy Black Lotus Society looms.

The image finally settled on a map of mountains and seas.

The map marks twelve nodes in blood red: the Arctic Ice Plains, the Lost Sands,

Pyramid ruins, ancient altars, Thousand Buddha Caves, somewhere in the capital of the Eastern Continent...

In addition, there are three places within the territory of Daxia: Kunlun Ruins, Zhongnan Mountain Range, and Tongren Ridge.

"They are extracting the earth's dragon energy, converting it into demonic energy, and nourishing the Demon Lord's true form deep within the Ruins of Return."

Su Qingxuan's voice was solemn, "And these three places in the Great Xia are the demon-suppressing nodes left by the ancient sages of the three religions."

We have destroyed the key nodes of Tongrenling, but the Kunlunxu and Qinling mountain ranges are probably...

The adult stared at the map for a long time, his knuckles tapping lightly on the table.

Only wisps of smoke from burning sandalwood remained in the study.

Outside the window, dusk was falling, and the red leaves swayed like flames in the evening breeze.

"Can your proposed path of moral civilization correct this fundamental problem?" After a long silence, the adult asked.

"It can cure the root cause, but it will take time," Su Qingxuan said frankly.

"Demon thoughts are like weeds; if the fertile soil of the human heart does not change, they will grow back after being cut down."

I have been promoting academies, mind-body centers, and spiritual retreats, which is to improve the environment.

Mingde Academy has tens of thousands of students learning both online and offline, and its Mental and Physical Health Center has benefited tens of thousands of people.

This is the accumulation of genuine good intentions.

The more people who turn to good, the weaker the evil influence becomes.

"But the evil spirits won't give us time." The adult stood up and walked to the huge landscape painting.

His fingers slowly traced the border between Usbon and Xiongting.

"Qingxuan, do you know what has happened to the spiritual veins and trade routes of the Five Continents in these past three months?"

Without waiting for Su Qingxuan's reply, he continued speaking to himself:

"The Eagle Alliance's general index plummeted by 7%, and the national credit bond market collapsed."

The market value of the three major trading companies evaporated by hundreds of millions in a single month.

Meanwhile, the number of caravans flowing into Great Xia increased by 30% during the same period. Why?

Because the whole world has sensed the approaching threat of war.

"The conflict between the Wuhuan city-state and the Xiong tribe was ostensibly a territorial dispute and tribal conflict."

In reality, someone wants to suck the blood of the entire world to prolong their own life.

The adult turned around, his gaze sharp and piercing.

"The Eagle Alliance's financial deficit has reached unprecedented levels, with debt interest accounting for 30% of its annual revenue."

If a large enough war is not ignited to turn the Western Lands into scorched earth...

Let money and talent flow back to Yingsa.

Within a few years, their continental hegemony will collapse.

Su Qingxuan's heart skipped a beat: "So they're willing to summon demons?"

"For the Demon Lord, war is excellent nourishment."

For the Black Lotus Sect, chaotic times are the perfect breeding ground for spreading heresies.

For those wealthy and powerful families hiding behind the scenes…

The adult sneered, "War is an opportunity to reshuffle the cards and start afresh."

They don't care how many people die or how much heritage is destroyed.

He walked back to his desk, opened a drawer, took out a top-secret file, and handed it to Su Qingxuan:

"Take a look at this."

The cover of the file was printed with the words "Top Secret" in scarlet.

Su Qingxuan opened it, her pupils shrinking sharply.

Inside are twelve photos taken over the past three months, in locations spanning five continents:

Photo 1: On the eastern border of the Bear Tribe, in what was once a barren Gobi Desert.

Suddenly, a camp covering tens of square kilometers appeared.

Hundreds of chariots bearing the eagle emblem were parked in the camp.

Photo 2: Western workshop district of Wuhuan City, where a giant airship lands late at night.

The unloaded containers bear the logo of a renowned craftsmanship family in Dongzhou.

Photo 3: At a port on the Black Sea, a cargo ship is unloading its cargo; inside the open wooden crates...

It is a brand new individual launcher;

Photo four, photo five... but the last few are even more shocking—

Deep within the Kunlun Ruins and the Qinling Mountains, psionic detection indicates that...

There is a huge cavity underground, and there are regular fluctuations of demonic energy within the cavity.

The readings were identical to those of the ancient tomb at Tongrenling before it was unsealed.

"The demon-suppressing nodes of Kunlun Xu and the Qinling Mountains have loosened." The adult's voice was deep.

"A month ago, herders at the foot of Kunlun Mountain reported that they heard the sound of drums coming from underground at night, and their livestock died suddenly for no apparent reason."

The Xuanmen investigation team conducted a thorough investigation and found that seven people were missing, but only the body of one disciple was recovered.

The body was completely drained of life, with a fist-sized hole in its chest.

But his expression was serene, as if he were having a sweet dream.

Su Qingxuan clenched his fist.

This is a typical characteristic of a demonic host—demonic thoughts invading the human body.

By devouring the essence, blood, and soul, the host dies in an extreme and illusory pleasure.

"The Qinling Mountains are in even worse shape." The adult pulled out another report.

"Deep in the Zhongnan Mountains, three natural villages with more than two hundred people disappeared overnight."

There were no signs of a fight in the village, and the food on the stove was still warm, but the people were nowhere to be found.

Only under the old locust tree at the village entrance was this pattern drawn in blood found…

The photo shows a black lotus with a vertical pupil opening at its heart.

"The Black Lotus Society..." Su Qingxuan slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

"They were testing the limits of the nodes' capacity, while simultaneously sacrificing living souls."

Accelerate the Demon Lord's resurrection.

"So, time is running out." The adult looked directly into Su Qingxuan's eyes.

"You need to work on your mindset; this is the fundamental solution."

But addressing the root cause takes time; the immediate priority is to treat the symptoms.

To stop the spread of war, reinforce the Demon-Suppressing Nodes, and sever the tentacles of the Black Lotus Society.

"Qingxuan, I trust you, but I need you to do three things within ten years."

"Please give your orders, sir."

"First, in my capacity as the chief of Xuan Pavilion, I will form a special response team, codenamed 'Torch'."

You have the authority to mobilize all resources within the Xuanmen system, and you personally select the members.

They report directly to the Xuan Pavilion.

"Second, when the time is right, go to Kunlun Ruins and the Qinling Mountains to reinforce the demon-suppressing nodes."

You are the most righteous Xuanmen cultivator I have ever met.

Only you can invoke the power of the ancient seal.

"Third..." The head of the group paused, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"When necessary, going to the front lines of the battle between the Wuhuan city-state and the Bear tribe is not to participate in the war, but to 'put out fires'—"

In your own way, prevent war from breaking out, or... at least,

We must prevent it from spreading into a raging fire.

Su Qingxuan stood up solemnly: "Qingxuan obeys the order."

"Sit down, I haven't finished yet." The adult gestured for him to relax, and then took out another sealed letter with sealing wax from under the tea tray.

"This is the transfer order from the Xuanmen 'Candle Dragon' Demon Suppression Camp."

The entire Zhulong Demon Suppression Camp consisted of 343 members, all of whom were cultivators.

The lowest cultivation level... according to your classification, is equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage, while the captain is already at the Golden Core stage.

They had been stationed at Kunlun Ruins for many years, were familiar with the terrain, and... had seen those things.

Su Qingxuan took the secret letter; the sealing wax was imprinted with a black dragon pattern and felt warm to the touch.

"Finally, Kiyogen..." The adult's tone suddenly softened.

Like an elder giving instructions to a younger generation,

"You are a national hero of the Great Xia Dynasty, and a guardian of hundreds of millions of compatriots."

But first and foremost, you are a human being with flesh and blood.

Over the years, you have devoted yourself to education, and I have watched you grow up.

He stood up, walked to Su Qingxuan's side, and patted him on the shoulder:

"Those four girls are all good children."

Lin's Wanqing helped you organize the classics, and in three months she compiled an eight-volume "Modern Reader of the Great Xia Classics";

Lingxi of the Xiao family, is the scar from the knife wound on her arm that she sustained while saving people in Wuxing that night still there?

Xiao Lingyue, that child, worked so hard to build the spiritual shelter that she was hospitalized three times for stomach bleeding.

And Chi Ying, even during her suspension and investigation, was secretly protecting you…

The adult's eyes gleamed with emotion: "In life and death, in separation and reunion, we made a vow."

Such affection is more precious than anything else.

Your mission is extremely dangerous; I will not order you to take them with you.

But if they're willing to go with you... then take them along.

More people means more support. Also…”

The adult paused, then continued,

"They are all trustworthy and good comrades, so you don't need to deliberately hide anything from them anymore."

When the time is right, tell them your identity; this will also benefit your operation.

Su Qingxuan choked up and bowed deeply: "Thank you for your consideration, sir."

"Go on," the adult said, sitting back in his chair and waving his hand.

"Remember, the culture of the Great Xia Dynasty emphasizes being prepared for danger in times of peace and taking precautions before problems arise."

We have kept a low profile for so many years, not to remain silent forever.

When the fate of the nation and the destiny of the people are at stake, when the fate of all humanity requires someone to take responsibility—

There's an old saying that goes, "One should not shirk responsibility when it comes to something."

"Without hesitation," Su Qingxuan repeated these four words.

I felt a surge of righteous energy welling up inside me.

When we left the villa in the western suburbs, the sky was already full of stars.

The autumn night wind carried a chill, but Su Qingxuan felt burning hot all over.

He looked back and saw that the study light was still on, and the old man's figure was reflected on the window, still bent over in front of the map.

In this country and among this people, there are countless people carrying heavy burdens, and I am one of them.

Five years later...

The lights were still on in classroom 308 on the third floor of Wenhua Building.

Lin Wanqing was leaning over the podium, marking and revising a stack of manuscripts.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, a smile appearing in her eyes behind her glasses: "You're here?"

"Some things... cannot be delayed and must be done."

Su Qingxuan sat down beside her and looked at the stack of manuscripts—

It is the last volume of "New Theories on the Three Schools," titled "On Knowledge and Action," and the ink is still fresh.

"Finished writing?"

"The first draft has just been finalized." Lin Wanqing rubbed her temples, unable to hide her weariness.

"In the past five years, Mingde Academy has opened 36 branches around the world."

However, the teaching materials have been using the lecture notes you wrote five years ago.

While the greatest truths are the simplest, times are changing, and so are the students' problems.

Last month, a student asked me:

Mr. Su said, "The benevolent love others," but what if the person you love is your enemy?

What should I do? I was speechless for a moment.

Su Qingxuan took the manuscript and turned to one of the pages.

The text above was written in neat, small regular script:

Someone asked: If you repay evil with good, how will you repay good? Confucius said: Repay evil with justice, and repay good with good.

However, this "straightforwardness" is not the kind of straightforwardness that seeks revenge for every little thing, but rather the kind of straightforwardness that comes from having one's own sense of justice.

Do not lose justice because of resentment or hatred, and do not overstep the law because of anger.

To love others as oneself is the constant principle of benevolence; to punish evil and promote good is also a flexible approach to benevolence.

The benevolent are not indiscriminately kind, nor are the wise unkind; only those who can clearly distinguish right from wrong and know what comes first and what comes last truly understand the difference.

Only then can one practice benevolence throughout the world.

"Well done," Su Qingxuan praised sincerely. "You've worked hard these past five years."

It is:

Three new theories compete to uphold the original aspiration; five years of spring breeze and rain have deepened its influence.

Now, the drums of war resound across the land, and we bravely face danger with swords drawn.