Sword of Coming

(I wish everyone a happy Lantern Festival and good luck in the Year of the Dragon~)

Chen Ping'an in the vast world and Luolu Mountain in Aquarius Continent have become a battleground for military strategists.

Just like that majestic city and town known as the waist of the world, no matter how great the trend is, you still can't get around it.

If you want to know the answer to the riddle, you have to ask this person on this mountain.

The old scholar was worried and worried. He twitched his nose slightly and took a sniff, as if he were opening a military book and smelled the strong smell of gunpowder smoke. What to do?

The matter was so important that Xiao Mo and Xie Gou rushed to the yard immediately and heard the old scholar remind him in a low voice: "Xian Yang, please remember not to act impulsively."

Liu Xianyang deliberately said with a straight face: "Don't worry, the swordsman and axe-hand will first wait for the sign of throwing a cup before chopping someone."

Xie Gou somewhat admired Liu Xianyang's determination. This guy was really big-hearted and tolerant.

Jiang She's guy comes whenever he wants, and his mountain master fights whenever he wants. He's not a polite person.

It's already offensive to show up empty-handed, but it would be better if you didn't take the opportunity to get a relative. Instead, you'll look like a debt collector. How should this matter end? Xie Gou was suffocating and couldn't help but cast a sidelong glance at Wu Yan. The latter smiled apologetically as a good friend, saying, "I'm sorry, I've caused my fellow Taoist to suffer."

The old scholar laughed dumbly and patted Liu Xianyang's arm, "Don't always feel that you owe Chen Pingan anything."

In the private courtyard of the acting lord of Lingxi City, the female cultivator Wu Yan was in the most embarrassing situation at the moment. When she first boarded the ship, she might have been considered half an outsider, but now she was half an enemy. The woman looked at Pei Qian several times, all with wishful thinking, and could not get any response from him. But Wu Yan was already satisfied with being able to look at Pei Qian a few more times. He was not the kind of appearance that makes people feel stunning at first sight. His hair was tied into a bun, revealing his high forehead, slender eyebrows, and cold expression. Even if Qian encountered such an unprepared change, his eyes were still firm and there was no trace of despair or dejection.

Probably in Wu Yan's eyes, such an outstanding woman is not only the most outstanding woman in the past century, not only in the world, but also in the entire human world in history.

The more "promising" Pei Qian was, the more guilty Wu Yan felt, and he stood in front of him, speechless.

Liu Xianyang was silent for a moment and said: "Mr. It's not necessary. It's Chen Ping'an's fault for having such an obscure friend like me. Liu Xianyang has always known what to say, what to do, and how to get along with friends, and it hasn't changed. But over the years, I feel bad when I think about how he went around begging for help, begging shopkeeper Yang of the medicine shop to save people, begging his neighbor Wang Zhu for locust leaves, and begging the supervisor Song Changjing for justice."

The old scholar hummed, raised his arms and clenched his fists, with a dazed look on his face, and tapped his heart lightly, "I feel the same way. For example, it was only later that I learned that such a proud student just wanted to help my husband sell hundreds of more books. Just bowing my head and toasting with others at the wine table. Every time I think about it, I feel uncomfortable."

Wearing and changing pairs of straw sandals during those bleak years, Liu Xianyang's existence, to Chen Ping'an in Mubo Alley, seemed to have been living in the severe cold of winter, but even if the sky was gray, the future was always unclear. It's true, but in the end I know in my heart that there is a sun in the sky.

Not only Chen Ping'an, but many people with similar backgrounds and similar circumstances have bleak lives, just like walking in a narrow and dark alley for a long time. Occasionally looking up at the sky, there is always a glimmer of light, like a... way out.

Liu Xianyang asked directly: "What exactly does Jiang She think?"

After all, he is not the ancient Taoist priests like Xiao Mo and Bai Jing who wrote the old almanac in their own hand. Only by personally experiencing the character of the characters can we make a final conclusion.

In fact, if you really want to recognize Pei Qian, why should you deliberately become enemies with Chen Ping'an.

The old scholar's face was full of confusion: "If you want to ask why you are a good person and do good things, in the final analysis, it is always a matter of thought. If you ask why it is unreasonable and the branches and leaves are unruly, there are various reasons."

Even though Jiang She's Taoist companion was still present, Xiao Mo was not very polite when he spoke, "I guess Jiang She just takes the title of the first military ancestor very seriously and takes Pei Qian very lightly."

This was because Pei Qian was on the spot and Xiao Mo couldn't bear to say harsh words. In ancient times, the Taoist monks had firm thoughts and pure Taoist hearts. This is by no means a flattering word. They are far less troubled by good and evil, good and bad than those in later generations. Whether it is Buddhism's mind-subduing ape surrendering its mind to a horse, Taoism's method of killing three corpses, or Qi refiners' generalization, in a word, the "inner demon" is a big bandit on the path of cultivation, seeking immortality. The "thief in the mountain" on the way to the truth, since Pei Qian is the only "evil thought" left in the life of Jiang She's only daughter in the past, it must be the opportunity for enlightenment in this life. Cut it off when it is necessary, and there must be no mental state. Not the slightest bit sloppy.

The big bandits are in my heart, and the thieves are within myself.

"After finally waiting for the founders of the three religions to disperse, Jiang She took it for granted and felt that he had an opportunity. He was about to do another ground-breaking feat and write a preface to a new chapter. He always felt that Jiang She would be better than him. Kill my family. Young Master, tell the world immediately, just like a beheaded general seizing the flag on the battlefield, Jiang She will have a reputation, which will make it easier for him to gather troops and horses to overthrow the old world with one go."

At this point, Xiao Mo sneered, "Jiang She, this military strategist. He's still the same after ten thousand years."

After five words of hesitation, he finally stopped talking. She was still worried about adding fuel to the fire.

Xiao Mo said: "I just have to admit that those who have achieved great things throughout the ages have often been ruthless heroes like Jiang She, who are best at killing heroes."

The old scholar changed the topic intentionally or unintentionally, and said with a smile: "Generally speaking, when you are in a situation of death or in danger, those who love and follow you may have one or two, and you don't dare to expect more. I, a student, have all of you." Being willing to go out of his way for him, regardless of the cost, shows that he is fair in his actions and desirable in his conduct. With such a close disciple, I, as a teacher, have a good vision and am proud of myself."

While talking to himself, the old scholar began to pace in the courtyard, stretching his arms and twisting his neck from time to time, just like an old man who returned to his hometown after returning to his official career. He walked slowly and thought on the spur of the moment, "I am in a hurry anyway." If you don't come, you might as well talk about it. Do you have any experts? Can you help me get a good fortune? Ha, when a guest asked about the interests of the Huai River, the answer was, "Children have been able to defeat thieves." Isn't that wonderful?"

It's a pity that no one agreed to play a game of chess with the old scholar. Xie Gou saw that it was a bit cold, and she couldn't bear the embarrassing situation of talking all the time, so she volunteered: "I'll do it, I'll do it!"

The old scholar thought for a while and looked at the young girl in the mink hat who was eager to try. She was probably a bad chess player who liked to say "make me regret a move", but waved his hand and said: "Forget it, playing chess requires the most energy, so there is no need to waste your energy. .”

The old scholar twisted his beard and pondered for a long time, and said for no reason: "One of the five thousand words of Taoist ancestors said that if there is more than is lost, there is more to make up for. This is the way of heaven. In the way of man, there is more than enough to give to the world. Only the Taoist can have more than enough to serve the world."

Liu Xianyang nodded and said: "This is the basis for the saying that the immortal family on the mountain is 'enshrined' today."

The earth is naturally nourished for supply. Those who climb mountains to practice Taoism should pay back what they need. This kind of debt repayment is a matter of course.

The old scholar said sadly: "Those who have surplus in the world have too much to spare, and those who have insufficient have no place to stand. The smallest number of people who have the most things is a kind of top-heavy, like a person who is sick and groggy. The movement of the road will not stop. , so the sky will change, and there will be many omens and visions. The fields of the noble families at the foot of the mountain, the ownership of the spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers, the worldly gold and silver treasures, the fairy money on the mountain, etc., will all be scattered and rearranged. Ichiban. So the founders of the three religions started to spread their religion, trying to calm the heaven and the earth, and reconcile the yin and yang. Everything is difficult at the beginning. They wanted to bring an end to an old book that has been written for thousands of years, and then start a new chapter for the world. Good start, write a pretty good wedge."

Wu Yan finally spoke. This sentence was very important, "We need someone more to do justice for heaven."

Back then, Manhuang Zhoumi had such thoughts, and now the Zhang Fenghai of Qingming World must have the same mentality. The methods are different and the paths are different, but they have the same great ambition.

Liu Xianyang found a place, leaned against the pillar, crossed his arms across his chest, and began to close his eyes and meditate.

Xie Gou coquettishly said something fair that seemed to exaggerate other people's ambitions and undermine his own prestige, "No matter what, Jiang She is the fourth person after the battle to ascend to the sky and before we were defeated together."

After all, Jiang She was the fourth person recognized by all Taoist priests in ancient times.

So her implication couldn't be simpler. Jiang She, the founder of the military strategist, is really good at fighting. You, the mountain master, must take it easy.

There is no need to seek victory, as long as you survive, you will win.

If Jiang She had not done well in Taoism, how would Taozu himself have ended up in the end? He had to fight Jiang She in a one-on-one battle.

Sword cultivator Bai Jing has always thought highly of himself, but he doesn't think he has the qualifications to compete with Dao Zu. No idea at all.

Xie Gou frequently hinted with his eyes, "Old scholar, why don't you just move out of the house again?" Trouble once is trouble, but a favor twice is not a debt. We, the children of the world, only care about grudges and grudges, so why should we cherish our face too much?

The old scholar didn't seem to notice Xie Gou's reminder. He just straightened his clothes subconsciously and said to himself: "The most valuable and respectable thing is that before ascending to heaven, those martyrs, those sages, those Taoist priests and scholars. They didn’t think they could survive, and they didn’t care whether future generations would remember their names or Dao numbers. The most important thing is that they didn’t even think they could win!”

After a pause, the old scholar looked at the girl in the mink hat and asked with a smile: "Miss Xie, when you were the first woman to ascend to heaven, what did you think when you sheathed your sword?"

Xie Gou grinned, "The idea is simple, just four words, 'really win?'"

At that time, Bai Jing was covered in blood, and her robe was soaked with two colors of blood, both scarlet and golden. The exhausted woman had drooped eyelids. Her second thought was that this time I decided to Get a good night's sleep and forget about everything else.

The old scholar continued: "How many ancient heroes have become earthly immortals. Their status and situation are like the righteous gods of mountains and rivers who are now canonized by heaven and earth, the Confucian Temple and the imperial court. They have gained a free body that can no longer be suppressed by heaven. They are still the same. It’s just generous to sacrifice one’s life and forget about death.”

"Why?"

"We must pave a broad road for all sentient beings in future generations."

"This road is called freedom."

After hearing this, Wu Yan's eyes were extremely bright. Even though he was in a hostile relationship, he still sincerely admired the old scholar's magnanimity.

Those who are my enemies are not all villains. There may be flaws, omissions, and mistakes, but you can still be an "adult" with your own magnanimity, vision, and actions.

If the young and rickety old man in front of me had lived in those turbulent years, he would have fought side by side with them, and he would have performed extremely youthful and energetic feats.

Wuyan thought about it for a while and asked something. She had already prepared it, "Ask the Literary Sage, Taoist ancestors talk about morality, the benevolence of the most sage teacher, the etiquette of the young master, the righteousness of the inferior sage, the rules that Yu Dou abides by, Chen Shan There is nothing wrong with what we are pursuing so hard, and our respective knowledge bases are not utilitarian in nature?"

The woman didn't have any aggressive attitude at all, it was more like asking for advice sincerely, or even asking humbly.

The old scholar said: "If you want to really clarify this matter, you actually have to ask my disciple."

"If you want to explain a great truth well, you must not only say it in a few calm sentences or dozens of 'words', but also in the thousands of 'things' that wear down your patience. If you are impatient, you will not be able to explain the truth well. "

The old scholar smiled and said, "Whether it is called utilitarianism or it is called merit, it is nothing more than maximizing the common interests of all sentient beings without compromising personal interests. This is the heart of heaven, which is close to Tao. 1 If you don’t understand the truth, you will be ignorant of everything.”

The old scholar said slowly: "The most important thing in the country is to sacrifice and fight. The three religions are one family. The three religions have never looked down on military strategists. They respect and fear your Legalists. When it comes to conquering the country and conquering the world, of course, military strategists are indispensable. , in troubled times, all schools of thought would be successful without anyone, but you, the military masters, cannot be left out. Although I am a scholar who likes to write harsh words, I dare to recognize this truth. I wear strong swords, hold sharp swords, and open the world with my fists. To cut off the thorns, we must carve out a way out of a lifeless, bleak world surrounded by walls. We must turn that troubled world, where life is as cheap as grass, into a peaceful and prosperous age where people talk about mulberry and hemp. If military strategists don't have Powerful, who dares to say that he is powerful? But, when the overall situation is decided, the emperor sits on the throne, and the civil and military guards the world, it will never be easy. No matter how you set up thousands of laws and punish tens of millions of people, it will never be enough, far away Not enough. Friends of Wuyan Taoism, do you know the root cause of why it is difficult for military strategists to establish a religion and call themselves ancestors? On the other hand, the three religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are much more compliant? It was definitely not just Jiang She's "intent to conspire" back then and made a big mistake that led to It’s so simple for a military strategist to lose this easily obtained title. Of course you can say that there are too many disciples of the three religions in later generations who have read their minds incorrectly, recited scriptures incorrectly, and practiced Taoism incorrectly. But you should be clear about one fact, the most holy master , Taoist Patriarch, Buddha, they all have magnanimity, mind, vision, Taoism and skills. They are not stingy enough to deliberately target your military strategists. You can also say that one day, with Taoist companion Jiang She's talents and skills, we can seriously The military strategist is respected, and the family is the only one that has unified the world. The three religions and the various schools of thought can also be used as supplements to mend people's hearts and the world together. It is just a matter of prioritizing. How can it not be achieved? You are not the old man. Scholars, just because they sit in the Confucian Temple and have close relationships, do they have to go against each other? No, in my opinion, if we trace the origin, it lies in the tenets of the three religions. Different paths lead to the same goal. Their fundamental knowledge is how to suppress desires. When it comes to matters, be cautious about being alone, be restrained in desires, guard your heart, etc.”

"The art of war, military strategists and legalists cannot be separated. Military strategists are too obedient to the desires of the people, blindly adding fuel to the flames, and are good at taking advantage of the situation and stirring up people's hearts. The divisions of tigers and wolves, with iron armor, are as powerful as floods. They behead generals and seize flags, and judge their merits by their heads. To be victorious in every battle, to be invincible, to break the formation and destroy the country, everyone wants to achieve unparalleled achievements. Just rely on Legalism to control the water blockage and not let it go. When people's minds are rough, it will be even more difficult to suppress their desires. "

Wuyan's face was full of surprise. This was the first time someone told her this truth.

Pei Qian was about to speak but stopped, Liu Xianyang shook his head gently, indicating that she didn't need to say anything, and just leave it for now.

The old scholar laughed at himself: "So it's not that I can't trust your military strategists. In the final analysis, I can't trust human nature and desires."

"The flood is surging, the sea of ​​desire is rising, the invisible water level of the world, the height is here..."

Having said this, the old scholar stretched out a hand with his palm facing down, placed it flat on his heart, and raised it slightly, "Since it can't be pressed down, the water level will get higher and higher."

Liu Xianyang opened his eyes and said: "There is no way to avoid it, there is no way to hide, the weak will be the first to drown."

Liu Xianyang has said, ridiculed, and even scolded Chen Pingan in person that he was a bad person. Many difficult things happened to him, Chen Pingan, and he was the one who deserved it.

But there is one thing, Liu Xianyang can't even joke a few words, probably because they all come from hard backgrounds, so in their respective future life paths, they all firmly believe that they must do their best to provide all the people like Liu Xianyang and Chen Pingan, even if It's a little... light. The market says it's hope, and the book says it's hope.

Because to be kind to them is to be kind to yourself, and to be kind to your childhood and youth.

What does it mean to be a young man? He still believes that some truths make sense. What is twilight? I no longer believe in any truth.

As the old saying goes, no matter how hard it is to be a teenager, the world seems not good enough, so many teenagers never survive.

The old scholar put his hands in his sleeves and murmured: "I came here in a hurry this time because I wanted to support the students. You are the parents, and I am also the teacher. I thought there was such a relationship. , there is no reason why I can't open the skylight and say a few words, so I also want to hear what you and Jiang She are thinking now and see if you can convince me. I am very much looking forward to it. After ten thousand years of long thinking, will Jiang She have any ideas? If a better imagined path is really feasible, then you might as well take a walk and see. If you have any doubts for a while, just chat a few more words. Reasoning is not a quarrel. The more we talk, the clearer it will become."

It seemed that he had talked too much, and the old man's face became a little tired. He no longer talked about those sincere roads, thousands of words, and summarized them into one truth, a simple human nature.

The old man looked at the woman and asked softly, "How can you let go of such a good daughter?"

Without waiting for an answer, the thin old man looked at Pei Qian and Liu Xianyang, Xiaomo and Miss Xie, stretched out his sleeves, rubbed his palms, murmured, his eyebrows softened slightly, and his head gradually lifted up to look into the distance. It seems that the spring breeze and warm light that remain year after year are put to use at this moment.

The road is the high blue sky and the thick loess, which allows people to cross the sea of ​​suffering. I have a fragrant heart, and I am not afraid that God will know, earth will know, and people will know.

I have no skills, I can only teach and educate people.

The old scholar is not poor, and his life is good. He is not bitter and is patient with everyone he talks to.

Thank you for loving me because you love my students. The old scholar is very grateful.

No matter they are the elders and juniors of a family, or teachers and students within the same cultural lineage.

If there is a full moon, a cup full of wine, a crowd of friends, lights, and generations in the same room, with laughter and laughter, then what day is not the Lantern Festival?