Chapter 55: The Buddhist Path

Chapter 55: The Buddhist Path

"Four bowls of mutton soup, extra meat and extra soup. And four pancakes, two plates of cold cuts!"

Zhang Guinian found a roadside stall and sat down, ordering food and drinks.

"Brother Zhang, Brother Gong," Meng Yuan greeted the two young men who followed Zhang Guinian.

One of them was Zhang Lingfeng, a relative of Zhang Guinian, and the other was Gong Zihua, whom they had met at the ranch.

Zhang Lingfeng and Gong Zihua smiled and returned the greeting. The three of them sat down with Zhang Guinian.

"So, what's the deal with this Luo Sect?" Meng Yuan knew a fight was coming, but he still wanted to understand the whole situation.

Zhang Guinian slurped his soup as he spoke, "Gong, you tell him. He's been trained by Old Nie, so he's trustworthy."

"We only found out a few days ago," Gong Zihua said with a gentlemanly demeanor, pausing from his soup and meat to explain, "We've almost figured out the whole story behind Luo Mu and the Luo Sect. It seems to be a branch of the Buddhist Sect, using this poor land to attract people and gain followers."

"By offering medical treatment and preaching?" Meng Yuan asked.

"Exactly," Gong Zihua smiled slightly, "In early February, many people here fell ill one after another, all due to Luo Mu's schemes. Then, Luo Mu saved them, gaining a following of foolish believers, and thus, the Luo Sect was established."

"I see," Meng Yuan recalled his conversation with Hua Jie about Luo Mu, and indeed, there was something strange about it. As expected, Luo Mu had poisoned and then cured them.

Meng Yuan, having dealt with Buddhist disciples before, asked, "What rank is Luo Mu? Are there any high-ranking followers among them?"

Gong Zihua didn't answer but looked at Zhang Guinian.

"They're like a cunning wolf, all of the seventh rank. But their abilities are far superior to a wolf's. I suspect they have some grand ambition," Zhang Guinian laughed.

"The seventh rank?" Meng Yuan, being a country bumpkin, was curious, "Does achieving the seventh rank require all seven orifices to be damaged?"

"Of course not. The seven orifices are just a representation. Not all of them need to be damaged. Luo Mu has taken the wrong path," Zhang Guinian explained with a smile.

Meng Yuan understood.

"So, what's the plan?" Meng Yuan asked.

"Luo Mu has just started the Luo Sect, and their influence hasn't fully taken root. The followers are all ordinary people," Zhang Guinian said, "There are about seven or eight monks. When the time comes, I'll deal with Luo Mu, and you and Gong will listen to his commands. Capture any followers you can, and if not, kill them."

He nodded at Meng Yuan and added, "Remember, your safety is the priority. Don't take unnecessary risks. There are others besides us."

"Yes," Meng Yuan agreed immediately and asked, "When do we depart?"

"Wait until evening," Zhang Guinian chuckled, "The old woman hides deep, but we know her lair. She only comes out in the evening."

It was still early, so Meng Yuan took the opportunity to inquire more about the Buddhist cultivation path, thinking it was better to be well-informed.

"Didn't Old Nie tell you?" Zhang Guinian was a bit surprised.

"He's been very busy these past few days," Meng Yuan replied honestly.

"All for a few coins! He's good for nothing!" Zhang Guinian cursed, "I'll tell you, so you'll be prepared if you encounter them."

"We usually refer to the nine ranks of the Buddhist path as the Clear Mind Realm. Achieving a rank isn't too difficult. You don't need to recite countless sutras or deeply understand Buddhist scriptures. The most crucial part is planting the Bodhi seed in your heart and cultivating the Buddha's heart."

"What is the Buddha's heart? Is it truth, goodness, and beauty? Don't Buddhists worship idols?" Meng Yuan asked.

"Gradual Cultivation sects believe that reading sutras, following precepts, and being obedient will plant the Bodhi seed and cultivate the Buddha's heart. Sudden Enlightenment sects believe that the Buddha's heart is one's true self. By experiencing this thought, one can achieve the Buddha's heart and plant the Bodhi seed."

"Planting the Bodhi seed and cultivating the Buddha's heart leads to perfection."

"The eighth level of Buddhist cultivation is known as the Pure Mind Realm. The Buddhist philosophy believes that having too many distracting thoughts and external disturbances can hinder one's progress in cultivating the Dharma."

"Therefore, one must cultivate the physical body, making it strong and healthy, and have a clear and calm mind. Only then can one better pursue spiritual practice and eliminate desire, anger, and ignorance. One needs to transform the sinews and dispel impurities, strengthening the body."

"At this point, the physical strength of a bald donkey is no less than that of a martial artist. But we have the secret method of opening the heavenly principle, and they are no match for us."

"The first major hurdle in the Buddhist path is the transition from the eighth to the seventh level, which involves the Three Refuges and Five Precepts."

"However, the Three Refuges and Five Precepts are just the surface. Whether one follows them or not is up to the individual. The true essence lies in restraining one's behavior, overcoming desire, anger, and ignorance, clarifying one's cultivation goals and direction, and attaining the Buddha form."

"The gradual cultivation sect believes in strictly adhering to the precepts, even the Eight Precepts and Ten Precepts, and refining one's sinews and bones daily."

"But the sudden enlightenment sect is different. They consider the precepts as nonsense and follow them or not as they please."

"Once the Buddha form is achieved, one reaches the seventh level. From here, one can cultivate the supernatural powers of Buddhism, such as the Six Supernatural Abilities, Elephant Buddha Aura, and Salvation Method."

"This seventh level is called the Precept Realm. It emphasizes the elimination of desire, anger, and ignorance, suppressing emotions and thoughts, and illuminating the mind!"

Zhang Guinian finished speaking and gulped down the mutton soup, smacking his lips in satisfaction.

"Can desire, anger, and ignorance truly be suppressed?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"Let me ask you, what do you think about the most when you're at the Imperial Mansion?" Zhang Guinian countered.

"Guarding the Empress Dowager." Meng Yuan replied.

"Tell me the truth." Zhang Guinian smiled.

"Practicing martial arts." Meng Yuan said.

"There's no outsider here, so speak honestly." Zhang Guinian rubbed his hands encouragingly.

"Thinking about women." Meng Yuan admitted.

Zhang Guinian laughed, and Zhang Lingfeng joined in, while Gong Zihua shook his head with a smile.

"That's the right attitude. If you didn't think about women at your age, you'd be sick!" Zhang Guinian chuckled, "Desire, anger, and ignorance are suppressed. Suppressing emotions and thoughts, illuminating the mind, why bother coming to preach? Isn't this an obsession? Do you really think you're here to save people? It's just a game of deceiving the foolish."

He pointed at Meng Yuan, Zhang Lingfeng, and Gong Zihua, speaking seriously, "So, this doesn't make them venerable monks. True venerable monks are not judged by their cultivation levels but by their virtues. They don't hold favors over others or persuade people to leave home. However, monks with great compassion are rare these days; it's all about those in power taking advantage!"

"Uncle Zhang, what precautions should I take when fighting monks?" Meng Yuan's mind was filled with thoughts of fighting.

"In terms of combat, even with the Six Supernatural Abilities, they may not be a match for us martial artists." Zhang Guinian was very familiar with this, "We must be cautious of their Salvation Method and Thought Planting Method, which can make people have thoughts of becoming monks. As long as one's will is firm, there's nothing to fear. Of course, if there's a significant difference in cultivation levels, even a firm will may not be enough."

After Zhang Guinian finished speaking, he patted his belly, "Oh, I'm full."

Seeing that Zhang Guinian had no intention of paying, Meng Yuan looked at Zhang Lingfeng, who had also finished eating and was wiping his sword sheath, as if wiping away endless loneliness.

Gong Zihua, meanwhile, was focused on slowly sipping the now-cold mutton soup, and despite his gentlemanly demeanor, he couldn't help but slurp.

Huh? You three, and me, one person, are you bullying the honest guy? Meng Yuan obediently went to settle the bill.

After settling the bill, Zhang Lingfeng stopped wiping his sword, and Gong Zihua also stopped sipping the leftover soup.

"Little Meng, I have to tell you, you're too eager to take the lead!" Zhang Guinian criticized sternly, "I'm your senior; it's not right for a junior to pay. Don't do this again!"

"I'm the junior, and Uncle Zhang brought me to see the world. It's only right that I pay." Meng Yuan realized that those close to Nie Shi were particularly good at being hypocritical, and he was no exception.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end