Chapter 202: Chapter 144: Planning_2

Translator: 549690339

“This…”

Several Taoist men looked at each other in dismay, unsure how to respond to these words.

The two monks smiled bitterly, pressed their palms together in a salute and said, “Heavenly Master, although there is a conflict of ideologies with the Abbot, it is merely a philosophical disagreement. Why must you slander so? Wasn’t everything clear on Kunlun Mountain two years ago?”

Xu Yang glanced at them with a calm expression, not minding their words, “Whether this matter is true or false, time will tell. I don’t insist that you all believe me, I only ask that you keep these words in mind. In case of adversity, you will not be caught off guard, not to mention the danger of Taoism perishing and bringing disaster to the innocent.”

“Amitabha!”

Upon hearing this, both monks fell silent, then sighed in unison, turned around, and left, leaving behind two bottles of Spirit Pills.

Their attitude was quite clear.

Seeing this, the several True Monarchs could only feel helpless.

In the past few years, the world has seen great changes, with heroes appearing in both south and north.

In the south, there is no need to say much. The Guo Bei Academy has developed swiftly, rising like a dragon, and the master of the Mingxiao Taoist Temple, the Thunder Lightning Mana King, has been recognized as the foremost person in Taoism in the past thousand years. With the help of the Luotian Dajiao ritual, he has entered the Seventh Realm of Taoism and, as a living Heavenly Master, has swept through the seven provinces of the south, leaving demons and evil spirits of all sorts trembling at the sound of his name.

As for the north, although the Chen Dynasty has been established for more than three hundred years, the state apparatus is bloated and gradually decaying. However, since Emperor Xian Zong passed away four years ago, the Great Virtuous Monk returned from his travels, leading Buddhism, and assisting the new emperor, there have also been reforms inaugurating a new era, overhauling the bureaucracy, and reorganizing the court.

Besides that, with the Guo Bei Academy’s expansion, conflicting ideologies, and clashing interests prompting a migration of southern forces to the north, the situation in the north has gradually stabilized. The new emperor’s policies have greatly enhanced the national strength, and the itinerant monk has been conferred the title of “National Guardian Abbot” by the new emperor, with the honorific “Pudu Cihang”, also a most distinguished figure in Buddhism in the past thousand years.

One as the master of Mingxiao, one as the National Guardian Abbot.

One as a Taoist Heavenly Master, one as a Holy Buddhist Monk.

The north and the south stand in opposition, each holding sway over their side, both striving for supremacy.

Such situations have occurred several times throughout history.

But the conflicts between Buddhism and Taoism in history often stopped at a certain point. After all, they both belong to the Righteous Path and were faced with the threat of demons. Settling their differences was generally enough; there really was no need to fight to the death or destroy mountains and temples, and eliminate each other’s lineages.

But this time…

The tension between the two sides was very, very thick.

First, the master of Mingxiao made a move, proclaiming to cultivators all over the world and the ten directions of Taoism that Pudu Cihang was a Demon in disguise, holding an ancient artifact in hand and planning to devour the world’s living beings for cultivation resources.

Then the National Guardian Abbot struck back, also proclaiming to the world and the ten directions of Taoism that he was the true Demon in disguise, the so-called “Three Cultivations” of Guo Bei were actually all one Demon, with unknown origins and grand schemes.

Besides, within the Guo Bei Academy, what they call “Kind Spirit Monsters” are all demonic, and these so-called Spirit Pills and miraculous medicines are refined from flesh and blood. Even the provisions produced by the academy are made by coercing human cultivators to farm using their Cultural Qi and Mana.

In short, both sides accused the other of being a Demon, both claimed the other had unknown origins and sinister intentions, and neither would rest until the other was dead.

If they were both lone individuals, that would be one thing; if they truly fought each other, even if they perished together, only two lives would be lost.

But they are not. Each represents their respective lineage, their respective power.

Moreover, their personal charisma is incredibly strong.

The master of Mingxiao is righteous and detests evil, and is quick to help the needy.

The National Guardian Abbot is a Great Virtuous Monk, compassionate in the Buddhist Law.

Both sides have their own supporters, even pulling the Taoist and Buddhist circles of the south and north onto their chariots of war.

For instance, at the White Cloud Taoist Temple, True Monarch Changrong is utterly devoted to the master of Mingxiao, firmly believing the National Guardian Abbot to be a Demon in disguise. To this end, he travels far and wide, inviting companions from all quarters, requesting the loan of the Kunlun Mirror from Kunlun Mountain to uncover the true form of Pudu Cihang.

In the seven provinces of the south, many Taoist sects and numerous True Monarchs stand firmly with the master of Mingxiao, just as Changrong does.

In the northern six provinces, the situation is similar. As a once-in-a-millennium Great Virtuous Monk, the Buddhist Law of Pudu Cihang is truly profound. All major Buddhist sects admire and follow him, likewise boarding his chariot of war.

Therefore, this matter is no longer just about the life and death of two individuals; it is about the survival of the Buddhist and Taoist sects of the north and south.

If a conflict erupts, it will certainly shake the heavens and the earth and cause countless casualties.

The consequences are so severe that all the major Taoist sects are somewhat frightened, afraid the situation might spiral out of control.

Finally, after some intermediaries made arrangements, a major Buddhist and Taoist convention was called two years ago. Both the master of Mingxiao and the National Guardian Abbot were invited, and the Kunlun Mirror was borrowed from Kunlun Mountain to verify their identities and prove their claims.

The result… was inconclusive.

These two individuals, one a Daoist Celestial Master and the other a Buddha’s Way spell king, had both cultivated methods to conceal their fates, such that even the Kunlun Mirror could not reveal their roots.

Even so, neither side was willing to give in. They stood by their previous statements, and it all devolved into a war of words, nearly causing the situation to spin out of control and nearly turning the great Buddhist and Taoist convention into an all-out battle.

Since the Kunlun Mirror could not uncover their true nature, the argument naturally came to no resolution.

Both sides remained steadfast in their claims, unwilling to back down, and the northerly and southerly battles of Buddhism and Taoism seemed inevitable, with no chance of turning conflict into harmony.

In regard to this, the Northern Territory Taoist Gate and the southern Buddhists had no choice but to remain neutral for the time being.

The assembly of True Monarchs who came today were all individuals from the Northern Territory Taoist lineage, because the southern, regardless of Buddhism or Taoism, had all been integrated into the Guo Bei Academy system, and naturally would not come to watch.

Since it is the orthodoxy of the Northern Taoism, those from Buddhism will surely favor Pudu Cihang.

Therefore, the two monks acted very decisively, not arguing with Xu Yang; they left the Spirit Pills behind and departed.

The remaining True Monarchs of Taoism had no choice but to accept this.

As part of the Northern Territory’s Taoist orthodoxy and True Monarchs of Taoism, they naturally leaned towards Xu Yang’s side.

However, Cihang Pudu, the National Guardian Abbot, was impeccable in his actions. Though a Holy Monk of Buddhism, he held exceedingly high prestige among the Northern Territory’s Taoist Gates.

They, too, did not wish to take sides with their orthodoxy and could only choose neutrality.

Under these circumstances, it seemed inappropriate to accept the Spirit Pills.

But to refuse would be to slight the host of Mingxiao Taoist Temple.

The True Monarchs felt somewhat helpless.

Xu Yang shook his head too, “Those involved are often confused; the bystanders see things clearly. Esteemed Taoist friends, do as you see fit!”

With these words, there was an implied suggestion for the guests to leave.

A few True Monarchs exchanged glances and were also inclined to leave.

But no sooner had they turned to go, than one of them looked back, curiosity prompting him to ask, “Heavenly Master, with this demon slaying, have you opened another Luotian Dajiao?”

Sitting upon the clouds, Xu Yang nodded, “Indeed.”

“This…”

Hearing this, they were all taken aback.

The Luotian Dajiao, a grand Taoist ceremonial rite, is extraordinarily potent but vastly consuming. Even with the full support of a nation, it cannot be performed many times.

Look at the Chen Dynasty; despite over three hundred years since its founding, it has only held five such grand rites of Taoism and Buddhism.

Five years ago, for the Demon of Mount Mang, a Luotian Dajiao was held in North City’s territory.

Now, five years later, facing the Black Mountain Old Demon, with North City occupying the South, another Luotian Dajiao was held.

How… Could Guo Bei Academy’s resources be so abundant?

To hold two great rites within a five-year span?

The implication was alarming.

By contrast, even with a new emperor ascending the throne in the North, Buddhism’s aid, and the enactment of new policies, could the effects of a decaying resurgence truly compare to that of a burgeoning advance?

Let alone two great rituals, the Chen Dynasty might now struggle to afford even one.

Advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses, were gradually becoming clear.

But still…

That person gazed at Xu Yang, hesitating, but ultimately his curiosity could not be restrained, “Heavenly Master, with your current cultivation, ascension is easy. Why must you relentlessly oppose Buddhism to the bitter end?”

“Indeed, why not let go of the dispute and seek the Way together?”

“Both North and South are involved, involving Buddha’s Way; should war break out, countless lives will surely be devastated.”

“Heavenly Master, is there truly no room for reconciliation?”

Upon hearing this, several True Monarchs of Taoism also began to voice their persuasion.

As people of the Northern Territory Taoist Gate, they still preferred neutrality, hoping both sides could convert hostilities into friendship.

However…

Xu Yang shook his head and calmly said, “I have said all I can. There is nothing more to say. Remember my words, and time will tell.”

Having said that, he paid no mind to how the others responded, swept away the dust with his Buddha’s broom, and rode the clouds away.

Good advice is wasted on the damned!

But for years, he had been persuading the major Taoist Gates, and even Buddhism, to beware of Pudu Cihang.

It felt like putting a warm face to a cold posterior.

It was not that he stooped low, but that it would cause trouble for Pudu Cihang.

Besides, it also laid a groundwork that could assist him in gathering the various Taoist orthodoxy’s right teachings for the future.

Having been a human for several lifetimes, and nearly a thousand years as a mortal emperor, he was used to being misunderstood and even maligned in such matters.

Whether the world understood or was grateful was not important.

What mattered was whether he could achieve his goals and reap the results.