Two Questions and the Transformation of the Sixth Patriarch

Lin Pingzhi stood respectfully with his hands folded, stepped forward, and asked, "Master, how long do we plan to stay here this time? I have already arranged all our daily affairs."

He was now fully devoted to cultivating under Tai Yuan, trying to be thorough in everything so his master would not have to worry about daily trifles.

Tai Yuan looked into the distance, his expression gentle as he said slowly, "Our stay this time will not be too long. I am only here to verify a speculation in my heart, not to read scriptures or contemplate Chan."

Lin Pingzhi looked puzzled: "Master, but isn't our purpose in coming here to read the temple's scriptures?"

In his understanding, if his master came to this Buddhist holy land, reading the scriptures would be a matter of course.

Tai Yuan smiled and asked, "Pingzhi, do you know the core of the Chan Sect?"

Lin Pingzhi thought for a moment and replied cautiously, "Lay down the butcher's blade and become a Buddha on the spot?"

Tai Yuan smiled without commenting directly, but turned to Himura Kenshin and asked, "Kenshin, what do you think?"

Himura Kenshin pondered. Although there were some temples in Japan, his understanding of these matters was not very deep. He tried to answer, "Slay bandits and eliminate evil?"

Tai Yuan did not evaluate either of their answers, but only nodded gently, his tone calm: "Your different experiences lead to different thoughts. This is very normal."

He paused, then continued: "Although the Chan Sect has 'one flower with five petals,' its most unique core philosophy is: Do not establish words, transmit outside the scriptures, point directly to the human heart, and see one's true nature to achieve Buddhahood. Therefore, before I go, I will leave each of you with a question. When I return, I want to hear your answers. You may discuss it with each other, or ask others for their opinions."

Lin Pingzhi and Himura Kenshin quickly folded their hands, standing straight and listening with absolute concentration.

Tai Yuan said: "The Buddhist scriptures say: In the mortal world, all living beings are equal. Yet a good person must accumulate ten lifetimes of good karma to become a Buddha, while an evil person only needs to lay down their butcher's blade to become a Buddha on the spot. How do you explain this?"

Lin Pingzhi froze. What kind of question was this? But thinking about it carefully, it seemed that this was indeed the common saying among the people. Why did it spread so widely? Judging by his current knowledge, this was of course wrong, but why was such a flawed concept so deeply ingrained in people's hearts?

Tai Yuan looked at Himura Kenshin again and said slowly, "Kenshin, you have always believed that the sword is a weapon of destruction, and swordsmanship is meant for killing. But have you ever thought that a sword can be used to save people? You speak of slaying bandits and eliminating evil, but must 'bandits' only refer to people?"

Himura Kenshin was stunned, as if a great bell had rung in his mind. He felt as if he could see the path ahead, though it was shrouded in a layer of mist.

Tai Yuan looked at the two of them, his voice encouraging: "You do not need to rush to answer these questions. Think about them slowly; perhaps you will gain unexpected insights."

Tai Yuan turned and walked away.

"Pingzhi, if you can understand this, your perspective on people and events will change; and Kenshin, if you can comprehend this, your sword will transition from 'swordsmanship' to the realm of 'the Way of the Sword.'"

As his voice faded, his figure dissolved like blue smoke, drifting over the high walls.

Tai Yuan stood atop a tree, observing the layout of the entire temple.

The temple's palaces had sweeping eaves and bracket sets, dominated by double-eaved hip roofs, with most featuring one bracket and three dou. The walls were built of blue bricks, and the roofs were covered in green glazed tiles. The ridges were decorated with glazed figures, and wild grass grew on the old ridges.

The ridges of the main halls featured glazed fish ornaments, and the two ends of the main ridge were decorated with dragon-head designs. Large wooden pillars were used as support, dividing the halls into sections, with stone bases shaped like inverted bowls. The windows mostly used lattice patterns to ensure sufficient light.

The Great Hero Hall stood about five zhang high and stretched twelve or thirteen zhang wide, looking exceptionally magnificent.

Behind it lay the destination of Tai Yuan's trip—the Lingzhao Pagoda.

The Lingzhao Pagoda was a five-story brick pagoda with overhanging eaves and corridors. The pagoda stood nearly ten zhang high, with a diameter of approximately four zhang. The top of the pagoda was cast in iron, and the spire featured a bronze bottle.

It was a typical brick pagoda of the Ming Dynasty and the tallest structure in the entire Nanhua Chan Temple. The entrance to the pagoda was sealed, forbidding entry.

However, this did not deter Tai Yuan. He leaped up from the ground, riding the wind, and quickly reached the top of the pagoda.

Pushing open a window at the top to enter, Tai Yuan scanned his surroundings and quickly found the true body of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng enshrined within the Patriarch Hall.

Stepping forward slowly, Tai Yuan respectfully offered incense to the Sixth Patriarch's true body, his expression devout yet not subservient. He was devout out of respect for the Sixth Patriarch's virtue, honoring him as a trailblazer on the path of seeking the Dao who had left behind a guiding light for future generations; he was not subservient because he firmly believed that one day, he too would reach the summit.

After offering incense, Tai Yuan carefully examined the Sixth Patriarch's true body, his brows furrowing slightly.

Although the Sixth Patriarch's body was right before his eyes, with well-proportioned limbs, confirming it was indeed his true body, his face was painted gold, looking quite glossy, and he wore newly made red silk robes. But having remained undecayed and serene for nearly eight hundred years, it should have been incredibly miraculous.

But herein lay the problem. If the Sixth Patriarch had truly achieved the Unity of Heaven and Man and reached the Outer Realm, then even if he had not refined his physical body, under the influence of his Primordial Spirit, his body would have naturally evolved to a flawless state.

Yet the Sixth Patriarch's true body before him was not only withered, but his entire body exuded an aura of decay. His flesh lacked essence, making it fundamentally an unrefined body.

Could this not be the Sixth Patriarch's true body?

But the Sixth Patriarch's true body had been sculpted by his disciple, a famous sculptor of the Tang Dynasty, so there could be no mistake.

Could it be...?

Tai Yuan suddenly closed his eyes, his spiritual mind extending toward the Sixth Patriarch's true body, searching inch by inch like a small snake.

*Boom!*—Tai Yuan felt his mind explode, leaving him in a dazed state.

In the vastness, Tai Yuan seemed to see a small sun, which also resembled a holy lamp illuminating the minds of all living beings. Across the long passage of time, despite the howling wind, torrential rain, and fierce thunder, this holy lamp burned eternally bright, guiding all living beings, shining forever, and remaining indestructible through ten thousand tribulations!

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Tai Yuan's spiritual mind was forcefully repelled by a mysterious force.

"Ugh..."

Tai Yuan groaned, as if struck by a heavy blow, his face turning as pale as yellow paper. This was the first time he had experienced a spiritual backlash, and it was indeed incredibly dangerous.

Along the way, because his spiritual mind was so miraculous, allowing him to defeat enemies and accomplish tasks effortlessly, even Tai Yuan himself had not realized that a hint of arrogance had grown deep within his heart.

However, this blow completely extinguished the deeply hidden arrogance within him. As the saying goes, there is always a heaven beyond heaven, and there are always people beyond people!

But Tai Yuan cast a deep glance at the Sixth Patriarch's true body. This time was not without gain; at least his doubts had been confirmed. Amidst his lingering fear lay a sudden realization—so that was how it was...