64: A sharp blade hides in an ancient temple, a tongue like a sword moves a lotus throne.
Li Muchen remained silent for a moment; one could have heard a pin drop in the hall.
"The Master's question touches upon the very Foundation," he finally spoke, his voice steady. "Karma and its consequences are indeed the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth. However, the Great Dao has fifty paths, Heaven's evolution encompasses forty-nine, and humanity escapes with one. This sliver of a chance is the variable, and also a form of mercy."
His gaze slowly swept across the crowd: "If you see someone falling into water and about to drown, do you stand by with folded arms and say, 'This is their Karma,' or do you reach out to save them, giving them that 'sliver of a chance'? If you see a plague running rampant, do you close your doors and practice in isolation, saying, 'This is the collective Karma of all living beings,' or do you find a way to provide medicine and do everything in your power? Daoist Spells follow nature, but they are not indifferent or heartless. Following nature also includes following the inherent nature of the human heart toward goodness and helping those in peril."
"As for whether it creates Karma..." Li Muchen paused slightly, "the intention is paramount. If one performs a Spell to seek fame, fish for reputation, amass wealth, or delude the public, it is naturally negative Karma. If one acts to relieve suffering, right wrongs, and guide people toward goodness, even if there is intervention, it is also Karma. At their ultimate point, both the Buddhist and Daoist paths are nothing more than the words 'mercy' and 'nature.' They are different paths leading to the same destination."
These words were neither hurried nor slow, yet they were logically rigorous, placing Spells within the framework of 'mercy for the world' and 'conforming to the innate goodness of the human heart.' It both responded to the skepticism and elevated the underlying premise.
The two representatives from the Daoist Association nodded inwardly, and the old professors from the Academy of Social Sciences also showed expressions of deep thought.
Master Huiming had been listening quietly, and at this moment, the prayer beads he was slowly thumbing through paused slightly. He lifted his eyelids and looked at Li Muchen with a profound gaze: "The Abbot's high-minded discourse is thought-provoking. However, This old monk still has one question regarding 'orthodoxy.'"
As soon as this word came out, the atmosphere in the hall became subtle once again.
"The Yuntai Mountain area has had Buddhist temples built here since the Tang Dynasty, with incense offerings continuing for a thousand years. Qingfeng Temple has been established for barely over a hundred years, though its reputation has risen recently for good reason. However, Buddhism has operated here for a millennium, educating the region with deep-rooted connections.
Although Daoism is also an important traditional religion in our country, in this specific region, should there be... some yielding, as a show of respect for historical Legacy? This would avoid confusing the believers and prevent disputes from gradually arising." Master Huiming's tone remained peaceful, but the sharp edge in his words was faintly visible.
This was the true core of today's "seminar"—the struggle for regional "orthodoxy" and the conflict over the interests of incense offerings.
Everyone's gaze focused on Li Muchen once more, watching how he would respond to this almost blunt questioning of "territory."
Li Muchen gently set down the teacup he hadn't touched, looking up to meet Master Huiming's eyes directly, his gaze as calm as still water:
"I wonder what standard the Master uses for 'orthodoxy'? If it is by chronological order, then regarding Huaxia, the Daoist Ancestor wrote the scriptures long before the Buddha came to the East. As for this location, Yuntai Mountain and even all the mountains and rivers of the world belonged to nature itself before any temples or monasteries were built. How can there be any talk of ownership?"
His voice was not high, but it echoed clearly in the silent hall:
"Buddhism says all living beings are equal; the Dao says Heaven and Earth are impartial. Since all beings are equal, then believing in Buddhism, Daoism, or even nothing at all is a matter of personal Karma; how can there be high or low? Since Heaven and Earth are impartial, then the mountains, rivers, and earth have no labels; how can there be a distinction between Buddhist land and Daoist grounds?"
"The fundamental of so-called Legacy and education lies in whether it guides people toward goodness, purifies the heart, and benefits the peace of the living beings in this region. If one is obsessed with sectarianism, calculates over incense offerings, and argues over who came first or who is the master... forgive this Junior for being blunt, but that is no longer the heart of cultivation; it is falling into the trap of secular fame and fortune."
"What Qingfeng Temple seeks is nothing more than a corner of tranquility, allowing those who climb the mountain to temporarily leave the Mortal World's clamor and find a moment of peace. Lotus Temple is a thousand-year-old ancient temple with a deep Foundation; it should naturally embrace all directions with a broad mind. Why is there a need to squabble over an inch of land or a stick of incense with a tiny mountain temple?"
Speaking to this point, Li Muchen paused, his gaze sweeping over the various expressions of the crowd before landing back on Master Huiming's face, his tone turning indifferent:
"If the Master and all the other eminent monks are truly here today to discuss 'promoting traditional culture' and 'serving society,' then this Junior is willing to exchange thoughts sincerely. If it is only to debate the 'ownership' and 'orthodoxy' of a mountain and a temple..."
He shook his head slightly and spoke no more, but the unspoken meaning already made many present look embarrassed, especially the two representatives from the Daoist Association, whose expressions were quite unnatural.
Master Huiming's fingers thumbing the prayer beads tightened almost imperceptibly. He took a deep look at Li Muchen; the young man still sat there calmly, his gaze clear as a mountain spring, as if the words that had just practically pointed at their noses and said, 'You are narrow-minded and greedy for fame,' had not come from his mouth.
The hall fell into a period of difficult silence. Only the curling smoke of sandalwood incense slowly changed shape in the slightly stagnant air.
After a long time, Master Huiming slowly exhaled, the wrinkles on his face appearing a bit deeper. He pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha. Daoist Master Li... your insights are profound; This old monk has been enlightened. The main purpose of today's meeting was originally for exchange. What I said just now was indeed clinging to forms."
These words seemed like a concession, but they were actually a tactical retreat, lightly brushing aside the previous confrontation.
Elder Yuanjue and Master Huijing exchanged a look, and each pressed their palms together, speaking no more.
Seeing this, the old professors from the Academy of Social Sciences quickly smoothed things over, steering the conversation toward broader fields such as the adaptation of religion to modern society and public welfare charities.
The subsequent discussion, though still involving questions and answers, no longer had the tension and probing of the beginning. Li Muchen either answered every question concisely or sat quietly listening with a profound and steady presence. He no longer took the initiative to elaborate on anything, but his imposing composure made no one dare to easily provoke him again.
In terms of debating the Dao, his Foundation was deep, and he could cite scriptures with ease; in terms of the heart, he was clear and transparent, untainted by dust. Facing such a person, any verbal sparring for the sake of 'winning an argument' appeared pale and ridiculous.
An hour and a half later, the "seminar" ended hastily in an atmosphere that was harmonious on the surface but subtle underneath.
When Release Void led Li Muchen out of the Prajna Hall, his expression was clearly quite unpleasant. Outside the Mountain Gate, Zhao Xiaowen had been waiting anxiously; seeing Li Muchen come out safely, she quickly hurried forward.
"Abbot, how was it?" she asked urgently in a low voice.
"It was nothing," Li Muchen shook his head, his gaze calmly looking back at the magnificent Mountain Gate of Lotus Temple behind him, where the gilded plaque reading "Ancient Lotus Temple" shone brightly in the sunlight. "Let's return to the mountain."
On the drive back, Driver Wang looked at Li Muchen several times through the rearview mirror, appearing as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. Zhao Xiaowen was full of questions, but seeing Li Muchen closing his eyes to rest again, she had no choice but to keep them to herself.
The car drove away from Green Lotus Peak, leaving behind that cluster of buildings with their lingering Buddhist chants and shining golden tiles. Li Muchen slowly opened his eyes and looked out at the fields and mountains retreating rapidly outside the window.
He knew that although he had temporarily repelled the other party's edge with his words today, the true storm was likely just beginning.
That final deep look from Master Huiming, the suppressed resentment in his Disciple Release Void's eyes, and the anxiety and reluctance over the loss of incense offerings faintly emanating from everyone in Lotus Temple... none of these could be resolved by a single "seminar."
The wind fills the building, foretelling the coming mountain storm.
And this storm arising from "incense offerings" might be even more complicated than expected.
He lightly stroked the earth vein suppression talisman at his waist, feeling the warm aura within it that was faintly connected to the earth veins of Yuntai Mountain.
In any case, where the temple stood was the "One" he had to protect.
Amidst the disturbances of the Mortal World, I remain at peace.
If there truly are those who lack discernment and insist on testing me... a faint, cold light like a mountain spring flickered through Li Muchen's eyes.