Was it that man became god, or god became man, or was it that the strange white-faced martial artist was the future image of the noble, robed Daoist before him?
Xu Hongru was seeing this for the first time and could understand why the people of Li Shanhe paid so much attention to Ji Xiang.
He felt that Ji Xiang was only in the Sixth Divine Ability Realm, and when they entered the East Great Accomplishment Temple, they had actually entered two East Great Accomplishment Temples. Ji Xiang was in the Yang Temple, while those two entered the Yin Temple.
The East Great Accomplishment Temple was a temple with two sides, yin and yang united. The Yin Temple was like the shadow of the Yang Temple. Those with heavy yin energy would enter the Yin Temple, while those with heavy yang energy would come to the Yang Temple.
That Yin Temple was the lair of the disciples and grandchildren of the Nine Lotus Fox Demon. It was located in the Earth Realm. The so-called Earth Realm was a small world created by earth gods and monsters. Its scope was limited, and it was closely connected to the mortal world. The method was also simple: to cut off a part of the space in the mortal world and then hide it, thus forming this Earth Realm.
In terms of behavior, it was similar to "fencing off territory for self-amusement."
If there were no formations to conceal it, it would be easily exposed. Therefore, it was also called a "secret place" in the cultivation world, which was essentially like a small secret realm or a secret base.
Ji Xiang looked at the bronze mirror. It reflected his own white-faced True Martial form and spirit. He couldn't help but squint his eyes. This bronze mirror was indeed a treasure, but he hadn't seen future events.
"Fellow Daoist, the actual use of your item does not match its promotion. How can a monastic speak falsehoods?"
Xu Hongru was startled. "This... this poor Daoist does not know... Let me take a good look. Perhaps there is something wrong with the mirror."
He took the mirror and rubbed it in his hands, thinking that this Ji Xiang was indeed somewhat extraordinary, no wonder the people of Li Shanhe valued him so much. He didn't seem to have profound cultivation, and he didn't even understand the situation of the Yin and Yang temples being two sides of the same coin. However, if one were to speak of abnormality, Ji Xiang also gave Xu Hongru a feeling of being someone not to be trifled with.
He always felt that the person before him was here to pick a fight.
But they were meeting for the first time, so there was no need to start trouble right away, was there?
"How is it, Fellow Daoist, is there something wrong with the mirror?"
Ji Xiang asked. How could Xu Hongru know what was wrong? This mirror was also a magic artifact he had found. Now, his cultivation was weak, and it was difficult for him to unlock the full potential of this Great Tang Treasure Mirror. Reflecting on past and present lives and manifesting wealth and status was already the limit of what he could do.
The East Great Accomplishment Sect was a sub-sect of the Fragrant Incense Sect. Xu Hongru had started his career with this bronze mirror, along with some unorthodox methods of summoning spirits and commanding ghosts, and cutting paper into soldiers. It was precisely because of this bronze mirror that he was able to rise from a nobody to the current position of the leader of the East Great Accomplishment Sect, gaining a formidable reputation among various folk religious sects and the White Lotus Dao.
"This poor Daoist does not know... Perhaps it is because Daoist Brother will always serve True Martial in the future, hence the white-faced divine form. Does this signify that Daoist Brother will achieve success? If so, that is truly to be congratulated..."
"May Daoist Brother's cultivation advance, and may he achieve success in his future practice, propagate his teachings, and save all sentient beings..."
Xu Hongru's words were very sincere. Ji Xiang couldn't find any fault with him for the time being and didn't have a reason to smash the temple.
As for the little fox and Feng Shusheng, their sudden disappearance made Ji Xiang certain that it was the temple's problem, not the crowd.
The Daoist in front of him suddenly came forward to chat with him. The root of all these problems might be their actions.
Ji Xiang immediately thought of the people of Li Shanhe. His journey from Shuntian might be like Tang Monk, experiencing eighty-one tribulations.
But this was just speculation, still without concrete evidence.
"Fellow Daoist, may I see your sect's scriptures and texts? To be honest, I am a Grandmaster of the Daoist sect personally appointed by His Majesty the current Emperor in Shuntian Prefecture. As for my rank, it is not my boasting, but it is indeed very high."
"If your sect's teachings are correct and beneficial to the ruler and the people, I will present the scriptures to the court. Even folk religious sects can become one of the orthodox Daoist lineages, just like the Lüshan Sect."
"Do you not see how Patriarch Jingyang slew the dragon and controlled the floods, erected nine great bronze pillars, and was conferred the title of True Lord of Wonderful Aid in Conferring Gods?"
The Lüshan Sect was not originally part of the Daoist sect; it was a shamanistic sect. However, it later became a Daoist lineage, and it claimed to be "the most overbearing of all magical arts!"
Of course, it was overbearing. If they disagreed, they would stick knives into heads, then conjure mountains of knives, tread on seas of fire, and carry firearms to shoot at you. Their magical arts were almost entirely defensive. Their principle was that offense was defense. Who could withstand that?
Ji Xiang couldn't get any information out of him directly, so he had to find a way to look at their scriptures and teachings. Xu Hongru, upon hearing this, was also a little tempted. He had learned of Ji Xiang's identity from the people of Li Shanhe and understood that as long as he could establish a connection with Ji Xiang, even if he betrayed Prince Lu, he would not be left with nowhere to go. He could even transform into a legitimate Daoist lineage.
Moreover, he was stalling for time. Those two people had not yet been sent to the casino. So, he took out the scriptures and texts. As soon as Ji Xiang got his hands on the texts, he felt a sense of familiarity.
This feel... wasn't this the feel of the paper talismans from the Shuntian Han Jing Factory?
"Where did you get the paper for these printed scriptures? I'm just asking."
Xu Hongru was startled. Of course, he said it was printed locally at random. He couldn't possibly say he bought it from the Shuntian Han Jing Factory. Anyway, the people at the Han Jing Factory would print anything as long as they were paid.
Ji Xiang snorted twice. Then he looked at the scripture, "The Imperial Ultimate Golden Elixir Nine Lotus True Faith Returning to the Origin Treasure Scroll."
The name was indeed very long. Ji Xiang flipped through the entire book. There were cultivation methods, but some of them did not reach the crucial points. This book did not contain any wishes; it was a purely printed item.
"The entire book speaks of the three epochs of the end of the Dharma, the Epoch of Formlessness, the Epoch of Glorification, and the Epoch of the Constellations. This world is currently encountering a change... the end of the world... Believing in this religion can bring liberation, but the method of liberation is qi circulation and guidance, which is a type of inner elixir technique. This is genuine skill..."
Ji Xiang frowned. This indeed fit the situation of some folk religious sects, but it still had the shadow of the White Lotus Sect.
Because normal folk religious sects valued magical arts over scriptures and focused on practicality. Therefore, folk religious sects generally passed down their teachings from master to disciple and did not gather large amounts of incense. Those who did so must have components of the White Lotus Sect within them.
This kind of scripture that began with talk of great calamities had a strong White Lotus Sect flavor, almost overflowing.
Xu Hongru saw Ji Xiang frowning and knew it was the belief in the calamities in the scriptures that displeased him. But he still had some hope, so he explained:
"The matters of calamities are also mostly illusory, but this is all to save the world! People are born into suffering. If we don't fabricate illusory calamities and make them believe that their suffering originates from calamities rather than fate, then they will have the motivation to continue living... For the court, stable public sentiment, isn't this a good thing?"
"Some people are born humble. Even if they look up to the heavens several times, how will the heavens respond to the inquiries of mortals? The common people are like tough grass. No matter how strong the wind blows, they will still survive tenaciously..."
At this time, the two had already arrived at a secluded spot, avoiding some of the incense-burning pilgrims.
As soon as Ji Xiang heard this argument, he laughed twice, closed the scripture, and threw it back to Xu Hongru.
"Have you heard of Mafeisan?"
Xu Hongru said, "I know a little. Is it the Mafeisan mentioned in the 'Qing Nang Shu,' used by the divine physician Hua Tuo?"
Ji Xiang: "As mentioned in the 'Qing Nang Shu,' taking this medicine can make people numb and unconscious, allowing them to be cut open without feeling pain or itching!"
"Then do you know what was recorded in the 'Vimalakirti Sutra of Vinaya' brought by Master Xuanzang during the Tang Dynasty? I'll tell you, there is a strange flower, originally from Tianzhu. It is a medicinal herb that can treat dysentery. However, ancient Tianzhu people made it into pills. When lit and its fragrance inhaled, this fragrance is addictive."
"'Vimalakirti Sutra of Vinaya' records that the King of Tianzhu suffered from a painful illness. To alleviate his suffering, the Buddha instructed him to inhale the medicinal smoke. This medicinal smoke is this flower."
The Han Dynasty already had the name of opium poppy, but Ji Xiang used the term "strange flower" to represent it to prevent the White Lotus Sect from creating drugs, so as not to tell Xu Hongru the true name of this flower.
Moreover, the description in this Buddhist scripture translated by Master Xuanzang was very clear, even including the method of preparation.
The Buddha himself was a mortal in the beginning and did not understand pharmacology. However, the toxicity of opium poppy could indeed relieve pain. This was in the BC era. One could not expect people of that era to have a very high understanding of medicine. After all, Shen Nong tasted a hundred herbs and died. If he didn't eat them, how would he know what they were used for?
Xu Hongru already understood what Ji Xiang was going to say, and Ji Xiang also said to him:
"Believing in illusory things, not ascending to the high halls, making the spirit lazy and the body indolent, only knowing to indulge in illusions and forget oneself, hoping for future pleasures while neglecting one's present destiny – if this is not an evil art, what is an evil art!"
"Fellow Daoist, you must hold onto your true heart and not deceive the people with illusory calamities. While you seem to relieve their pain and give them spiritual solace, in reality, you are leading them into another spiritual abyss."
"Fellow Daoist, remember, according to the 'Great Ming Law,' anyone who fabricates prophecies, seditious books, seditious words, or spreads them to deceive the masses shall be beheaded."
Xu Hongru was unconvinced and momentarily forgot to guide Ji Xiang. He also knew that Ji Xiang's words were a warning, but a surge of anger rose from his chest. He widened his eyes and argued with Ji Xiang unconvinced:
"Fellow Daoist, your words are wrong! Are we saving the world with scriptures also considered seditious words to deceive the masses! The government has already acknowledged it! If we follow your words, then outside of the Three Mountains Orthodox teachings and the Eight Realms of Buddhism, there are no orthodox arts, and all are evil ways!"
"You yourself said that even the Buddha once instructed the King of Tianzhu to inhale medicinal smoke, which was only to relieve his pain! If my teachings are like medicinal smoke, then you are not demeaning me, but praising me. Doesn't this mean that I am doing exactly what the Buddha did?"
"If a king can use medicinal smoke to relieve pain, then to whom should these common people seek relief for their pain? Doesn't this indicate that I am doing the right thing!"
"All people in the world will be saved. In this era of poverty and hardship, without spiritual support, what will they do!"
Of course, Xu Hongru himself also colluded with the government, colluded with Prince Lu, and colluded with Li Shanhe. However, the bottom line in his heart retreated further and further. He always told himself that he was doing this purely for the sake of the common people, and to achieve great things, he had to rely on external forces.
It was just a roundabout way to save the people! As long as he held onto his true heart and didn't make mistakes at crucial points, wouldn't that be enough?
Xu Hongru also knew that in clearing out other sects, the Daoist sect was like an old ancestor, drawing its sword to slay the six heavens' ancient ghosts. But Xu Hongru thought even more that since you want to use the Buddha's principles to admonish the world, then I will use the Buddha's principles to refute you. Let's see how you can bring up some ancestors of Daoism and Buddhism to speak your shoddy reasoning, and see whether the believers believe you or me.
You say people shouldn't seek spiritual solace, and I say you are out of touch with the people. You say people shouldn't numb themselves, but the people prefer my ways and don't worship your orthodox gods and celestial beings.
I just want to see your impatience, see you scratching your ears and cheeks, and finally leaving in a huff. If you have some grace, you'll probably just laugh at yourself, inflate your own price, and then slink away with your tail between your legs.
If you are truly capable and can rectify all the believers in this temple and make them stop believing in your teachings, then you will have true ability!
Ji Xiang listened to his argument and laughed again:
"There are those who do evil, only then will the outline of goodness be known; there are those who are mad, only then can the sober be contrasted; there are nobles and officials, only then is there high and low status; there are harmful deeds, only then is the distinction between right and wrong known."
"Moreover, the effect of that medicinal smoke ends, and it makes people addicted. If they don't get the medicinal smoke for a day, they will become mentally deranged, like madmen..."
Xu Hongru's heart gave a loud thud!
He heard Ji Xiang's voice like a thunderous blow, like a great bell!
"Does relieving pain solve pain? You don't know, do you? The scripture also has the following passage, which roughly means that the king asked the Buddha if taking medicinal smoke could relieve his illness, and the Buddha 'did not permit it'!"
"'Did not permit' means to hear and permit. The Buddha did not make such a promise."
"Suffering comes from external paths, and illness arises from the change of qi. But to be too indulged in illusions and ignore real pain and illness, those who should die will die, and those who should perish will perish!"
"Liezi once said: All living qi and all forms are illusions! If you keep staring at illusory things, you still want to see the truth, and even realize your true wishes? Absurd!"
"Good deeds are not bestowed by heaven, and evil consequences are also man-made! If one wishes to observe the marvelous and achieve the true, one must first abandon crooked and perverse conduct!"
"Everyone has weaknesses and hardships, which is why they are exploited by you. Even if I save one person or ten people, perhaps some of them will return to worshiping you. With laziness and ignorance as factors, there are indeed incurable people in this world!"
"But I have come to the world not to debate doctrines with you. Of course, even if we debate, you are not my opponent. Your reasoning is difficult to justify, and you can only quote out of context, destined to be unable to win in arguments. But you have a great number of believers and incense in the populace, because the populace only sees their immediate lives, which is most important to them."
"Do you dare to take a heavenly oath and say that you have always been working wholeheartedly for the people without seeking reward?"
Xu Hongru did not answer, nor did he know how to answer. In this world, there were indeed heavenly oaths, and they would indeed come true. He certainly could not be guiltless. Rather, it was precisely because saving people and doing good deeds was also profitable that he firmly believed that after the Fragrant Incense Sect spread, he and others could live good lives. If he could profit, then how could others not profit?
Therefore, he did not answer.
Ji Xiang also said, "Therefore, your actions are destined to fail. There is no need to hide it anymore. I hope you will pull back from the brink, lest the divine sword descends upon you, and you are cast into the酆都 hell, never to be reborn."
Through the previous conversation, Ji Xiang had already understood the nature of the opponent's doctrine. Xu Hongru's heart was in a mess. At this moment, he received a message, and saw a paper-cut figure emerge from the ground. Xu Hongru then told Ji Xiang:
"Those two companions of Daoist Brother... are now at the Maze Dragon Casino. As for their location and how to enter..."
Xu Hongru told Ji Xiang the method to enter the Maze Dragon Casino and began to guide him. Ji Xiang gave him a deep look and left the temple.
Xu Hongru watched Ji Xiang's retreating back, his spirit in a daze, as if he had lost an important spiritual pillar. But gradually, his expression became ferocious:
"You say it's destined to fail, but I'll win for you to see. Then I'll make the whole world worship the Fragrant Incense Sect, and all Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism will have to bow down and call themselves subjects. They will be lost in it every day, and I will make this world, with its thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, fall into fragrant illusion, focus on the illusory realm, cultivate in madness, and be unable to extricate themselves from confusion!"
————
Ji Xiang left the temple, his heart growing colder. He secretly thought that if he hadn't found any leverage, he would have torn down this temple on the spot and beaten that Daoist to death with a single punch.
"The government actually considers such a sect as orthodox? I must go and question the government!"
When destroying temples, one fears that the government will also become an accomplice. This makes things very difficult. The national prestige covers the government. Unfortunately, national prestige can defend against physical demons and monsters, but it cannot defend against the illusory greed of the human heart and corruption.
Therefore, when the government colludes with demons, such a situation is very serious, and the government often becomes a shelter for demons.
Ji Xiang was heading to the casino according to the location given by Xu Hongru. Unexpectedly, halfway there, a great demonic wind suddenly blew. The sky darkened as if it were midnight, and fiery red-black energy floated like flames, trapping Ji Xiang within a piece of land.
In these demonic winds, there was also divine energy. Ji Xiang actually saw the local land god, looking sallow and emaciated, with a possessed expression. He stepped forward from the crowd and said to Ji Xiang politely and fawningly:
"King Maze Dragon invites Daoist Master to a meeting at the casino! Daoist Master, this is a joyous occasion! This minor deity congratulates Daoist Master first, may you prosper!"
Ji Xiang chuckled and his gaze sharpened:
"You land god, how dare you worship some evil deity? I have never heard of King Maze Dragon!"
The land god saw Ji Xiang's cold smile and change of expression, but he did not seem afraid. Instead, he acted shamelessly: "Daoist Master, you are new here and do not know the power of King Maze Dragon. If Daoist Master is unwilling to follow, you will inevitably suffer some hardship."
Ji Xiang raised his eyebrows: "This is interesting. I, this poor Daoist, want to see what kind of character this King Maze Dragon is, to make you, a minor deity, dare to be so arrogant in front of a robed Daoist! Then lead the way!"
"No need to lead the way!"
The land god retreated into the red-black demonic wind. In the sky, a giant demon used its magical power, instantly turning day into night. A gust of blood-red wind swept up and took Ji Xiang away. At this moment, Ji Xiang stood in the blood-red wind. The surrounding demonic energy was dense, but it also carried a large amount of incense. The giant demon in the blood-red wind was over ten feet tall, shaped like a bat, with a donkey's head and wings like mats. Its eyes shone like fire.
The Inner Scene Divine Tablet provided the answer:
[Flying Yaksha: This cloud is brave and flies in the air; it roams the four heavens without obstruction!]
[Reciting "All lands in the ten directions are pure and bright; like glazed glass, with the bright moon suspended within" from the "Leng Yan Sutra," the Flying Yaksha's magical powers will be sealed for a moment, unable to fly or roam the earth. If a practitioner of Buddhism recites it, there is a certain chance to awaken the Flying Yaksha's good heart.]
[Reciting "Seeing the consequences of past actions, this seeing and karma interact, then at the time of death, one will first see fierce fire filling the ten directions of the world, and the consciousness of the deceased will fall into the Avici Hell" will stir up all the karmic forces of the Flying Yaksha, turning them into karmic fire to burn it!]
[This monster fears firearms the most!]
The blood-red wind swirled, and soon arrived at the Maze Dragon Casino. At this moment, the Yin realm manifested, and Ji Xiang finally understood the situation.
It was clearly a scene in the mortal world, but the surroundings flickered illusorily, and then changed into another world, as if there were two worlds in the mortal world. It turned out to be another "secret place"!
The giant demons brought Ji Xiang without using force. They had expected a fierce battle, and now they were whispering to each other, all preparing to watch Ji Xiang's predicament, as the following events were the main focus.
As soon as Ji Xiang entered the Maze Dragon Casino, gods, humans, demons, and ghosts were all gambling, and he immediately saw Yan Yingcai!
This local Daoist official was now completely engrossed in gambling, with cards pasted all over his face. Ji Xiang walked over and reprimanded him:
"Did you deliver the talisman I asked you to send?"
"What talisman! Don't bother me, I just want to make money now!"
Yan Yingcai looked ferocious and possessed, as if he had taken drugs. He pushed Ji Xiang's hand away. Ji Xiang grabbed him by the collar and cursed, "You are a Daoist official of the Daoist Affairs Department, yet you dare to gamble in this casino opened by demons!"
"What demon? You dare to scold me? Aren't you also brought here? If you're not making money, go aside. And you're asking me for talismans. Let me finish gambling first!"
Yan Yingcai was completely possessed, his personality seemed to have changed.
The next moment, Ji Xiang let go, and then he flipped the gambling table with one hand!
"You dare to touch my cards!"
Yan Yingcai was furious. He pounced like a fierce ghost. Ji Xiang counterattacked with a punch to his face, killing him on the spot!
In an instant, his head exploded. His headless body was blasted out of the door by the force of the punch. The humans playing cards around were all startled. They saw that Yan Yingcai, who had been gambling just now, was dismembered by his own fellow Daoist!
The surrounding demons and ghosts, thinking that Ji Xiang was going to teach this human a lesson by flipping the table, had smiles on their faces, expecting to see internal strife among humans. They didn't expect Ji Xiang to start fighting and directly kill his fellow Daoist on the spot!
The ruthlessness and decisiveness of his actions suddenly made the demons unable to laugh.
Ji Xiang clenched his fist, blood dripping from it. He looked around and saw several Daoists with pale faces.
"According to the heavenly rules!"
"All Dharma masters who go to perform their duties, acting in the Yang and receiving retribution in the Yin, those who are lazy in the orthodox Dharma..."
"Annihilation of the body!"