Chapter 65: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Martial Arts

Chapter 65: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Martial Arts

The mountain breeze blew across the mountain, bringing a refreshing coolness.

Meng Yuan noticed Xiang Ling's words and asked, "Why can't you go back to your hometown?"

Xiang Ling smiled triumphantly, hugging her short arms together and assuming a wise demeanor, she said, "I heard from Zhu Da Sis that someone was looking for the old matchmaker, so I ran off quickly. I'm so clever!"

Meng Yuan laughed, "You're still so happy even though you can't go home?"

"My wet nurse said that when you can smile, you don't cry!" Xiang Ling spoke with great reason.

"Your wet nurse is truly wise," Meng Yuan smiled, "Since you can't go home, where will you stay?"

"I'll go down to the village. They have a family school. I'll attend classes during the day and sleep in the horse stable at night. It's great!" Xiang Ling spoke solemnly, but her habit of teaching others was hard to break. She furrowed her brows as she looked at Meng Yuan and said, "If I don't study for three days, Xiang Ling will chase me away. You should study too!"

"I study every day," Meng Yuan nodded with a smile, then added, "But today we can't burn paper money here. You should go back and study first."

"Why? If my wet nurse can come here and stick her butt out, why can't I burn paper money?" Xiang Ling stood up straight, her claws forming a canopy over her head, and curiously looked into the distance. His head slowly turned, appearing both clever and silly.

"There's a noble person here, so we shouldn't disturb them," Meng Yuan pinched her ear and said seriously, "Wait until this matter is resolved, and I'll take you to burn paper money specially."

"Okay." Xiang Ling listened to the advice, but she felt a little disappointed. She whispered, "It's a pity I didn't bring my headscarf today, otherwise, I could compare with the noble person to see who was more fashionable."

Shouldn't we compare now? Meng Yuan thought she was disappointed because she couldn't burn paper money. Indeed, Hu Qian and Xiang Ling, this mother and daughter, couldn't be judged by common sense.

"Next time, you tell me about the noble person." Xiang Ling reminded him, as if she remembered something, she chuckled and untied a little more of the bundle, reaching in with her claws to pull out a few mulberries, "I picked these on the way, try them."

Mulberries usually ripen at the end of March, but it was only the beginning of March, and they hadn't matured yet.

Meng Yuan took the mulberries, and Xiang Ling tightened her small bundle, then jumped twice, appearing very experienced, clearly checking if the bundle would come undone.

"Then I'll be off, don't forget to study!" Xiang Ling was very efficient, full of energy.

"Don't rush off, let me finish speaking," Meng Yuan held her neck and said, "Go back and continue your classes, or go to the Mu Manor to find Zhao Da Tou, "I...I...what do you mean?"

"Don't go back to your old turtle pit for now. Wait until I'm done with my matters, then I'll come find you." Meng Yuan spoke with a serious expression.

"Then remember to bring the poetry collection! I'll write a poem for you!" Xiang Ling reminded him solemnly.

"I've already bought it, and I'll bring it to you when the time comes," Meng Yuan smiled.

"Little Castrator, you're so nice!" Xiang Ling happily jumped, "Then I'll be off!"

After saying this, she headed downhill, but after a few steps, she turned back, and with both hands clasped in a bow, she said, "You should return the courtesy!"

Meng Yuan had no choice but to stand up and return the courtesy.

As Xiang Ling disappeared into the grass-covered path, Meng Yuan finally withdrew his gaze.

Meng Yuan wiped the mulberries and swallowed them in one mouthful. Just as he was about to turn back, he raised his eyes and saw someone in the distance.

It was none other than the Empress Dowager and the old Daoist Master Xuan Ji.

The Empress Dowager had changed into a skirt and jacket, but she was wearing a dark Daoist robe.

Daoist Master Xuan Ji still wore his washed-out, white Daoist robe, holding a Daoist fan in one hand.

"Third Miss, Old Immortal Master," Meng Yuan stepped forward and bowed.

Meeting Xiang Ling secretly wasn't a big deal, after all, Nie Shi knew that he had saved Xiang Ling before. But now, following the Empress Dowager, he had to see what she would say.

Meng Yuan felt that this Empress Dowager was extremely intelligent and couldn't be fooled. However, he was loyal to the core, and he was sure that his only sun wouldn't say anything.

The Empress Consort's sleeves were wide, and she didn't speak.

Instead, Xuanji Zi and Xu smiled, saying, "Your friend, her wet nurse, is the same Reindeer who often comes here to listen to the Dao?"

"Yes," Meng Yuan replied honestly.

"She's indeed pure and innocent," Xuanji Zi smiled upon hearing this, then said, "Jingxu, my senior disciple, carries a sword and descends the mountain. If you meet him, tell him to return early."

This Jingxu was Xuanji Zi's senior disciple, and Meng Yuan had heard Zhao Jingsheng mention him.

"Yes," Meng Yuan immediately agreed.

"Since you have a connection with the Reindeer's daughter, you also have some affinity with Jingxu. He's a humble person; if you truly have the chance to meet, you can discuss martial arts with him, and perhaps gain some insights." Xuanji Zi said with a smile.

"Does Jingxu Senior Brother follow the path of martial arts?" Meng Yuan was curious. The senior brother of Tranquil Void Temple didn't follow the Daoist path but instead embarked on the path of a warrior?

"Exactly."

Xuanji Zi was very amiable, without the awkwardness of forcing people to tell fortunes. He explained with a gentle smile, "Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism each have their teachings. Some seek to establish themselves in life, some seek the concept of nothingness, and some seek the freedom of a free spirit. Therefore, those who walk these three paths, to a greater or lesser extent, must follow the teachings of each school."

He tapped Meng Yuan with his Daoist fan and continued, "But warriors only cultivate themselves, discovering their own abilities, unlocking the secrets of the heavenly principle, without being bound by various teachings and concepts, like a blank sheet of paper."

Meng Yuan understood and said, "Therefore, those who walk the path of a warrior can freely study the teachings of other schools for their own use?"

"Not wrong," Xuanji Zi smiled and nodded. "Entering the Buddhist path becomes a warrior monk, following the Confucian sage becomes a scholar warrior, and studying the Daoist teachings can also make one a free spirit. Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism are divided by concepts and teachings. As long as one respects the corresponding concepts, they are considered their disciples. Therefore, there are many who walk the path of martial arts within these three teachings, and it's no longer unusual."

"If various teachings and concepts enter the heart, won't they become shackles for warriors?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"This child is willing to use his brain," Xuanji Zi said, smiling at the Empress Consort, then looking at Meng Yuan. "The path of a warrior is a path of advancement, of unyielding, and of resistance. The concepts of nothingness and non-struggle from Buddhism and Daoism somewhat contradict this. It depends on whether you cultivate martial arts for the sake of learning or for the sake of battle magic."

"You needn't worry too much. There are many in this world who bear the martial path and also study the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism," the Empress Consort suddenly spoke up. "At the lower and middle ranks, some teachings and concepts won't hinder progress much and may even provide considerable benefits."

The Empress Consort turned to Meng Yuan and continued, "Remember, it's not that the teachings and concepts of a particular school shackle people, but that people shackle themselves. Buddhism has the concept of breaking free from shackles, which is roughly the same idea."

"Thank you, Third Miss, for your guidance," Meng Yuan felt he had gained much.

"Since you agreed to discuss poetry with someone, I wonder about your poetic talent?" The Empress Consort's face blossomed like spring flowers. "Go find Du Gu Kang; he's skilled in the path of poetry and can offer some guidance."

"..." Meng Yuan had thought the Empress Consort would personally teach him how to write poetry, but she was referring to Du Gu Kang.

However, the matter with Xiang Ling seemed to be over, or perhaps she didn't care at all.

After bidding farewell with a bow, Meng Yuan walked away and only after a few steps did he realize the meaning behind the Empress Consort's words. Du Gu Kang only knew how to write folk rhymes; what poetic talent did he have? The Empress Consort asking him to seek guidance from Du Gu Kang was clearly making fun of him, a bit mischievous.

"Who do you look down on? If Xiang Ling can write poetry, who's to say I, Meng Bachelor, can't?" Meng Yuan was most ashamed and determined to prove himself, making the Third Miss look at him with newfound respect!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end