Seeking Truth with the Sword, First Learning Woodcraft

The gentle, melancholic autumn, at this moment, danced its aesthetic beauty freely in the night wind.

A cool, soft breath of late autumn gently permeated, causing Lin Ping Zhi's body, vibrant with qi and blood, to shiver, feeling a slight chill, from heart to body. He was worried about Himura Shinta; the two were already friends.

Under Tai Yuan's gaze, which seemed to understand everything, Himura Shinta felt his entire body enveloped by an invisible force, fundamentally unable to give rise to any distracting thoughts. His heart, under Tai Yuan's continuous questioning, gradually sank.

"Right and wrong should be decided by history. What I can do is believe what I deem right, and then fight for it..." Himura Shinta's voice was low but firm. "However, I believe that the era where the big fish eat the small, the strong survive, and the weak perish, is absolutely wrong! Absolutely wrong!"

By the end, his tone suddenly rose, his voice carrying an undeniable conviction.

He had encountered many Ronin warriors who adhered to the philosophy of "Live by the sword, die by the sword," indulging in wanton slaughter. In his view, this was utterly absurd, a blasphemy against life. The sword should not merely be a tool of killing, but rather a power to protect.

"The true answer cannot be found in battle, but in the process of my... atoning for past sins... found in my life."

Himura Shinta's expression gradually relaxed, as if he had shed a heavy burden from his heart. He bowed deeply to Tai Yuan, his voice sincere and grateful. "Thank you very much for your care during this time. This humble one is a Ronin, and wishes to... depart once more."

Lin Ping Zhi stood to the side, watching Himura Shinta's blue figure slowly walk away, his mouth open, wanting to speak to make him stay, but the words did not come out, and he didn't know why.

He clearly understood that his Master had not driven Himura Shinta away; it was Himura Shinta himself who felt unable to meet his Master's expectations and chose to leave voluntarily. But watching his friend depart like this, his heart was filled with reluctance and helplessness.

Tai Yuan watched the blue figure slowly recede. Just as Himura Shinta was about to disappear at the edge of his vision, he suddenly spoke, "Do you know medical arts?"

Himura Shinta suddenly turned around, his mouth slightly awkward, and after a long moment, he managed to utter a few words: "I don't know."

Tai Yuan frowned, continuing to ask, "What about playing chess?"

Himura Shinta scratched his head awkwardly. "That... I don't know either."

Tai Yuan's questions came like a barrage of cannon fire: "Painting? Calligraphy? Music?"

Himura Shinta lowered his head, his voice growing softer and softer, explaining with some embarrassment, "I've always studied sword arts, so..."

A hint of loss flashed in his eyes. At this moment, he felt even more that he had no other specialty besides sword arts.

Tai Yuan shook his head, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness. "You see, you won't stay long in one place, so you don't need to farm. You also disdain robbery, and you don't have any life skills. How will you live?"

Himura Shinta's eyes lit up. "I... I can learn."

The corner of Tai Yuan's mouth curved slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. "Then you shall follow me and learn carving."

Himura Shinta: "..."

Lin Ping Zhi smirked from the side.

Himura Shinta's mouth twitched a few times before he slowly opened it. "Then how should I address Daoist priest from now on? Should I call you Master?"

His voice carried a hint of careful anticipation, his eyes filled with expectation.

Tai Yuan thought for a moment. "For now, call me Teacher! This humble Daoist will temporarily take you as a student."

Himura Shinta immediately replied, "Yes, Teacher."

His voice was resonant and filled with reverence. To be acknowledged by Tai Yuan, even if only as a student, made him incredibly excited.

Tai Yuan said solemnly, "Since this humble Daoist has taken you as a student, let me tell you a principle."

Himura Shinta stood respectfully, listening attentively.

Tai Yuan: "Grandmaster Pu Sheng once said: The Buddha heart forever aches, because it cannot save all sentient beings."

Just the first sentence gave Himura Shinta a shock.

"Our Hua Xia Confucian school has two figures, Mencius and Xun Zi. Mencius believed human nature is inherently good, while Xun Zi said human nature is inherently evil. Both good and evil natures have their merits, but it's difficult to fully encompass the myriad facets of human nature. From ancient times, this has been debated ceaselessly, and it remains so today. But regardless of good or evil nature, the understanding of complex human nature and the inscrutability of human hearts likely don't differ much. The difference lies merely in the attitude one takes towards others."

"If human nature is indeterminate and formless, then any action that benefits society and sentient beings, unrestrained by fairness and justice, possesses a certain rationality, whether active or passive. Yang Zhu would not pluck a single hair to benefit the world, while Mo Zi advocated universal love, even grinding his body to dust without regret. This is not about immortals or mortals, sages or fools, noble or humble, gain or loss; it is only about life's choices, life's position. To be angry at its choice, to love its choice, to persevere to the end, not letting it stray midway, that is a true hero."

Speaking to this point, Tai Yuan himself had an epiphany. He had hesitated because of Himura Shinta's Japanese identity, yet he had forgotten his own path was "All things flourish together, and I observe their return."

Heaven and earth and all creation, each has its own Dao. Whether human or beast, flower or grass, all have their meaning and value in existence.

Moreover, Tai Yuan vaguely had a premonition that accepting Himura Shinta might be a precursor, an opportunity for advancement. This young man, though from a foreign land and burdened by a heavy past, possessed a resolute character and lofty aspirations. Perhaps in the future, he could bring unexpected joy.

Heaven and Earth are impartial, treating all beings as straw dogs; the Sages are impartial, treating the common people as straw dogs.

Within heaven and earth, is there still a medicine for death? Empty yet unyielding, moving yet emerging. Many words lead to poverty, better to guard the inner.

This Hua Xia nation has endured many calamities, yet its resilience is extremely strong, allowing it to overcome difficulties and advance. Tai Yuan felt he wanted to believe that this great nation was not inferior to any other.

One can have affection, but not prejudice.

As this thought came to him, Tai Yuan suddenly felt his own mind and spirit become even clearer and more vibrant.

"The Buddha heart should originally be compassionate, but absolute compassion may not necessarily be able to suppress evil and promote good, or save all sentient beings. Sentient beings, the Buddha saves those with affinity. Good karma is easy, evil karma is used for evil."

"The compassionate Buddha, the pure sword, a rare combination in this vast world. The Buddha-sword distinguishes truth, embodies Buddha's dignity, and saves from the calamities of the mortal realm. The heart is beyond the dust, yet within the dust. The Buddha descends to man, slaying to save from suffering. Danger is sweet as nectar, blood-stained wheels secure peace. Slaying to protect life, saving the world by severing karmic bonds. Unwavering and unregretting in the martial world. Reaching the cloud heavens without shame, breaking through delusion to achieve profound virtue."

"Your sword is sharp enough, but your heart still wavers. Lest you become lost, today, this Teacher will take charge and give you a new name."

Himura Shinta respectfully said, "Please, Teacher, bestow a name upon me."

Tai Yuan said, "Remove the two characters 'Shinta' and change them to 'Kenshin'. To seek the Dao with the sword, to question the heart with the sword, to observe things with the heart, to transform form with the heart. From today onwards, you shall be called 'Himura Kenshin'."

"Kenshin, Fei Cun... Kenshin... Himura Kenshin!"

A sharp aura rose...