Under One Person: Starting with the Dual Cultivation of Body and Soul.

Li Chang'an explained to Lu Linglong how to use this thing.

"Okay, I will definitely work hard to improve myself!" Lu Linglong said earnestly on the other end of the phone.

"When you're using it, have Master Fang watch over you. Don't practice alone," Li Chang'an reminded him.

"Okay, okay, I won't take any risks, but don't forget to send me some food from my hometown!"

"Row!"

After hanging up the phone, Li Chang'an took the packaged gloves, walked out of the meditation room, went to the nearby food street, bought some representative delicacies, and then went to a nearby Nationwide Express outlet, filled out the form, and sent the items to Baiyun Temple in Beijing.

After finishing this task, Li Chang'an returned to the Lu family compound and continued his steady cultivation. He meditated every day, entered a state of being in the living dead to temper his life force, refined his magic sword, practiced the "Yuyang Sword Technique," and went to the high-voltage electric field to temper his body every now and then.

As the days went by, his cultivation of life force became increasingly profound.

During this period, the most lively person in the Lu family compound was none other than Wang Zhenqiu. This kid was indeed a rare cultivation prodigy. After taking the pills from the Three Ones Sect and cultivating step by step for a period of time, he successfully broke through the barrier and entered the first level of Reverse Life.

Because he thought white hair looked cool and ethereal, Wang Zhenqiu, like Li Chang'an, maintained a reverse-aging state for a long time, wandering around with waist-length white hair. He even went to some comic conventions to cosplay white-haired characters, which made him a minor internet sensation.

Lu Jin, a very fashionable old man, couldn't quite accept Wang Zhenqiu's unreliability, so he sent him back to the southwest region, telling him to focus on his cultivation and to inform his master to supervise him if he needed to break through any barriers.

In the past, Lu Jin, like her master Zuo Ruotong, paid excessive attention to every step her disciple took, worrying that something might go wrong with them.

But now, he put aside these worries, because if the practice of reversing life is only about tempering one's life force and does not excessively pursue breakthroughs, the danger is actually not that great.

Moreover, Wang Zhenqiu is indeed a very talented person. For talented people, they should be allowed to give full play to their talents, and too much interference is not good.

Not long after Wang Zhenqiu left, the various approval procedures for developing the former site of Sanyimen into a scenic area were finally completed.

On the day he received the approval, Lu Jin was so happy that he drank a few more glasses of wine. Wang Ai and Lü Ci called to congratulate him when they heard the news, and even offered to lend a hand with their funds. However, Lu Jin refused outright. The Lu family was not short of money, and developing the ancestral land did not require financing. Moreover, he would not allow other forces to interfere with the foundation of his sect.

The construction team quickly moved into the deep mountains to build roads, reinforce ancient buildings, and install cable cars... all projects were progressing in an orderly manner.

It is worth mentioning that just a few days after the project started, an unexpected person came to the Lu family.

It was the same Mr. Li who had led the surveying team to camp in front of Sany Group and witnessed Li Chang'an and Lu Lin's "flying fairy under the moon".

Upon learning that the Sanyimen project had been snatched away, Boss Li made inquiries from various sources and finally found the Lu family.

When Mr. Li met Lu Jin, he adopted an extremely humble attitude. He was not angry at having his development rights taken away. Instead, he sincerely asked to participate in the investment of the Sanyimen Scenic Area, even if it was just a very small share, or to be allowed to undertake part of the construction.

Lu Jin looked at the other party and said with some surprise, "Mr. Li, this tourism project is definitely not a hot investment that can make a lot of money. Why do you insist on investing in it? In recent years, the real estate market has been so hot. Wouldn't it be better to use the money to build houses?"

Chapter 155 Reading and Learning the Way [Revised]

Mr. Li said, "Mr. Lu, to be honest with you, I've been in the development business for half my life and have done a lot of profitable projects, but this time is different. I'm not doing this for the money."

"Not for making money?" Lu Jin asked. "Why?"

"Old Master Lu, before I came to see you, I did some research and learned about your relationship with the Sanyi Sect, as well as your recent acceptance of disciples and announcement of the reopening of the Sanyi Sect!"

Although the "Outcasts" are a special circle, they are not independent of the secular world. If one is willing, it is still possible to come into contact with some of them, especially for big businessmen like Boss Li, it is not difficult to find them.

Ever since he discovered that Lu Jin was a former member of the Sanyi Sect, Boss Li felt that his encounter with Yuexia Feixian last time might be related to Lu Jin. After all, the long-abandoned Sanyi Sect was going to be redeveloped after that, and what a coincidence! So he came looking for him.

Upon hearing Mr. Li mention the Sanyi Gate, Lu Jin narrowed his eyes: "Mr. Li, just say what you want to say!"

“Some time ago, I went to the mountain of Sanyimen for research and saw two white-haired immortals walking under the moon. I’m not afraid to tell you this, but I’m over forty years old and I couldn’t sleep a wink that night.”

Lu Jin tilted her head slightly. There were only a few people in the Sanyi Sect. Without even thinking, the two white-haired immortals that Boss Li mentioned must be Li Chang'an and Lu Lin.

Mr. Li took out his family genealogy book and placed it in front of Lu Jin. He opened one of the pages and said excitedly, "Mr. Lu, my ancestors had a long-standing relationship with the Sanyi Sect. The immortals of the Sanyi Sect took good care of my family, and my family also contributed money to help the Sanyi Sect repair its temple."

He took out the survey drawing of Sanyimen that he had made during his previous inspection, and pointed to several somewhat dilapidated buildings on it, saying:

"These two rooms must have been built with funds from our ancestors. It's written in the family genealogy, you see!"

Lu Jin took his family tree and looked at it for a while. After a long recollection, he realized that the two buildings Boss Li mentioned already existed when he joined the Sanyi Sect, although they were still quite new at that time.

He remembered that the big-mouthed senior brother Zhuge in the sect had said that this was built by Boss Li, the big spender of the Sanyi Sect, in the name of their master. He also said that Boss Li's youngest son wanted to join the Sanyi Sect and was currently undergoing the assessment in the lower courtyard.

Nearly a hundred years have passed since this incident, but he still remembers it vividly because the son of that Boss Li was Li Muxuan, who was also one of the reasons that led to the destruction of the Sanyi Sect. Therefore, he has always remembered it.

Could this Mr. Li be a descendant of Li Muxuan?

Thinking of this, Lu Jin looked at Boss Li with a complicated expression.

Mr. Li, oblivious to this, held up the family genealogy and said, "My desire to participate in this development is not for profit. I simply wish to fulfill a vow made by my ancestors and, in a way, renew a good relationship. I hope Mr. Lu will grant my request!"

Lu Jin lowered his eyes. After thinking about his relationship with Li Muxuan, he honestly didn't like the Boss Li in front of him.

But then he thought of the contents of the family genealogy.

Li Muxuan is Li Muxuan, and the Li family is the Li family. He shouldn't confuse them. Li Muxuan's father gave a lot of help to the Sanyi Sect back then, and even his master regarded him as a friend. He can't deny the entire Li family because of Li Muxuan alone.

Moreover, almost a century has passed, and the world has changed dramatically, yet the descendants of the Li family still cherish the friendship they shared back then, which is quite remarkable.

After a moment's thought, Lu Jin finally agreed to Mr. Li's request. However, he did not let Mr. Li invest in the project. Instead, he handed over the construction rights of the supporting hotels around the scenic area to Mr. Li's company to manage, which could be considered as fulfilling this century-old bond.

Mr. Li was very pleased with this. In fact, what he valued was not the so-called hotel, but the opportunity to reconnect with the Sanyi Sect. Although we live in a society governed by law, it is easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Befriending a powerful force of supernatural beings would be entirely beneficial.

After finalizing the details of the cooperation, Lu Jin asked casually, "Mr. Li, since we've brought up what happened back then, what became of your grandfather, Li Muxuan? Has he contacted his family since then?"

Mr. Li sighed and told the truth: "No. My great-grandfather completely lost contact with his family after my great-grandfather passed away. He has been missing for so many years, and we don't know if he is dead or alive."

Lu Jin nodded, not surprised. He had been searching for Li Muxuan for over sixty years, using all sorts of resources. If Li Muxuan were truly in the country, or still alive, he would have found out.

Those were such chaotic years, and the Quanxing sect was universally condemned. He might have died somewhere... Lu Jin wondered to himself.

It wasn't that Lu Jin was trying to comfort himself, but rather that this kind of thing was all too common. Back then, during the battle at the Sky-Piercing Cave, the Demon Eita was seriously injured and fled. The Tang Clan, the Lü Family, the Ma Family of Northeast China, and even the Fish Dragon Society of Japan had been investigating for decades, but they still couldn't find him.

After seeing off the overjoyed Boss Li, the Lu family compound returned to its usual tranquility.

Time flies like an arrow.

A few months later, summer arrived.

Lu Lin was admitted to Capital University with outstanding grades.

When the school year began, Lu Lin packed her bags, bid farewell to Lu Jin and Li Chang'an, and embarked on her journey to the capital to pursue her studies.

It just so happens that Lu Linglong is also practicing at Baiyun Temple in the capital. Since the brother and sister are in the same city, they can take care of each other.

With Lu Lin gone, the Lu family compound became even quieter.

Li Chang'an's life remained peaceful, with him practicing his cultivation routine every day and occasionally undergoing a high-voltage electric body tempering session.

That afternoon, the sunlight slanted into the study.

Li Chang'an was sitting at his desk, flipping through a thread-bound copy of the Analects.

When he turned to the "Li Ren" chapter, his gaze lingered on an extremely short sentence:

Confucius said, “If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening.”

This phrase has been overused by later generations. In various films, television dramas, and novels, people frequently use it to appear profound.

Li Chang'an had heard this phrase more than a hundred times in his two lifetimes combined. But he had rarely thought carefully about the true meaning behind it before.

Today, after experiencing the profound process of cultivating both mind and body, he seems to have suddenly understood the state of mind Confucius had when he uttered those words, by combining the context with his own understanding.

The core of Confucius's true scholarship lies in the concept of "benevolence" (仁). However, the foundation supporting this "benevolence" is "the Way" (道).

The so-called "aspire to the Way, abide by virtue, rely on benevolence, and roam in the arts" are the four unwavering principles of Confucianism.

So, what exactly is this most fundamental "Tao"?

Chapter 156 The Way Is Under Your Feet

Li Chang'an felt that it was difficult to describe this clearly and precisely in words.

Because the word "Tao" represents so many things, and it is so complex.

Sometimes, "Tao" refers to the original source of all things in life and the universe.

Lao Tzu said at the beginning of the Tao Te Ching: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."

The first "Tao" here refers to the metaphysical essence of the universe, the highest pursuit of spiritual cultivation.

The second "that which can be told" means that you can use a method, a concept, or a principle to try to hypothesize and explain it.

The third "unconventional way" emphasizes that this essence cannot be expressed using ordinary language and assumptions.

In just these two short sentences, the three identical characters for "Tao" represent completely different meanings.

In Chinese characters, there are too many instances of borrowing and interchangeability. When encountering these issues, delving into the literal meaning of the characters can become quite tedious.

For example, "Tao" sometimes refers to the laws of the physical world, such as the way to govern a country, the way to be a minister, and the way of military strategy.

Sometimes, "Tao" simply refers to a road for people to walk on.

Sometimes, the Tao is the essence of the mind and nature, the highest state that can be achieved through cultivation.

So, what kind of "Way" does Confucius refer to when he says, "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening"?

Li Chang'an also found it difficult to explain, but he felt that the Dao is the essence of the mind, and the mind is the function of the Dao. The two are two sides of the same coin and cannot be separated.

That's why Confucius exclaimed: If a person can truly understand the "Dao" of the unity of mind and nature in the morning, then even if he dies immediately in the evening, he will have absolutely no regrets in this life.

Thinking of this, Li Chang'an closed the Analects in his hand and took out a copy of Zhuangzi from the bookshelf to read. He read an article in the "Heavenly Way" chapter.

The story goes that during the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a carpenter named Lun Bian in the State of Qi. One day, while he was working in the hall, he saw Duke Huan of Qi reading in the hall. So he put down his work and went up to ask, "Your Majesty, what book are you reading?"

Duke Huan of Qi didn't even look up: "These are the words of a sage."

Lun Bian then asked, "Are these sages still alive?"

Duke Huan of Qi said, "He died long ago."

Lun Bian then said, "What you've been reading is nothing but the dregs of the ancients."

Duke Huan of Qi flew into a rage and slammed the book on the table: "You are just a wheelwright, what right do you have to criticize the book of the sages? If you can explain this clearly today, then fine. If you can't, I will sentence you to death."

Faced with the king's death threat, Lun Bian calmly explained, "Your Majesty, I am a wheel maker, and I only know how to use wheel making as a metaphor. The work of mortise and tenon joints requires the utmost care and precision."

"If you work too slowly, you'll shave too much wood, and the wheels will be loose and flimsy. If you work too hastily, you'll shave too little wood, and the wheels won't fit at all. Only when your hands and mind work in harmony, and your speed is just right, can the mortise and tenon joints fit perfectly, and the wheels will be the most durable."

“But I know the limits. I can do it with my hands, but I can’t explain it clearly in words, let alone write it down. I’m getting old now and I want to pass this skill on to my son, but I can’t explain the key points clearly, so he can’t learn it.”

“I’m seventy years old, and I still have to make wheels myself. My wheel-making skills will be buried with me in the earth. The true wisdom of the ancient sages, which cannot be fully expressed in words, has also been buried with them in the earth long ago.”

"What can be written down and left behind is nothing but superficial knowledge, isn't it just dross?"

Li Chang'an looked at this passage and fell into deep thought. Many people felt that Zhuangzi was telling them not to read books blindly after reading them, but this was actually a very superficial understanding. The title of Zhuangzi's article is "The Way of Heaven". What he really wanted to explain was the essence of "the Way".

The truths that truly guide people to the right path all come from profound personal experience. And this kind of experience completely transcends words and language.

Nothing that is recorded in writing or spoken in language can truly reveal the "Tao" that has been comprehended.

Language has inherent limitations.

The Way cannot be spoken, and words cannot fully express its meaning.

All of humanity's classics, theories, and famous quotes are merely approximate descriptions of the real world, never the reality itself.

The essence of language is that it operates on the principle of opposites. As long as we utter a word, there must be its opposite in order for the word to be understood.

You use the word "stillness" because there is "movement" present.

You say "there is" because there is a contrast between "there is" and "there is no".

The true Tao is neither moving nor still, neither existent nor nonexistent, and has no opposites, so language cannot grasp it at all.

As long as language is grasped, it will inevitably create conflict.

Once you create opposition, what you grasp is merely a certain "state," no longer the Tao itself.

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao!"

Li Chang'an muttered to himself and closed the book. Over the years, he had read many books, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was well-read. However, the more he read, the more he understood, and the more confused he became.

“Reading the words of sages and the teachings of the wise men is like standing on the shoulders of giants. It is like following the guidance of sages to move towards the great path. But it is just a guide and should not be taken too seriously.”

"If one is fixated on the words of sages and the doctrines of the ancients, or the secret manuals of a sect... in essence, it is just staring intently at the finger that points to the Great Way, and one will never see the true Great Way that the finger points to."

Li Chang'an sighed, "From now on, I'll have to differentiate between the knowledge I'm learning when I read books."

In his view, there are two kinds of knowledge.

One type is explicit knowledge, such as written language, etiquette, rules, procedures, dogmas, formulas, and systems—knowledge that can be edited, written, disseminated, and copied, and that everyone can learn. These are merely tools for carrying knowledge.

Another type of tacit knowledge, such as intuition, insight, physical sensation, judgment, and creativity, is characterized by being uneditable, incompletely expressible, and only intuitively understood, making it difficult to convey in words.

And spiritual practice is precisely this.