Tao and Heaven

Chapter 256: Sentenced to Death
That year, the Taoist was fifty-five years old, a fairy, and well versed in Taoism.

The jujube tree was laden with fruits. A Taoist priest wrote the word "Buddha" and golden lotus sprang up from the ground.

"There is a saying in Buddhism that one who can make golden lotuses spring up from the ground can be called a Buddha."

The nun leaned over and touched a bit of the golden light, and it immediately turned into mud when her fingertips touched it.

"You are just a Taoist priest, why do you practice Buddhism?"

"Buddha is originally Tao, Tao is originally Buddha, and devil can also be Buddha's Tao. Buddha, Tao and devil are originally one, just like the yin and yang of heaven and earth, and all living things have different paths but the same destination."

The Taoist answered expressionlessly, and every word he said contained the ultimate truth.

"I entered Taoism first, followed by Buddha Sword, and finally Demon Sword. But Buddha Sword is the most handy and my understanding is the most profound. Now I am unprecedented."

"Unprecedented?" The nun was surprised. "This Buddha sword has gone through tens of millions of years, and I don't know how many generations of Buddhas have repaired it. Moreover, there was an immortal sword before, and you are now better than the immortal sword?"

"nature."

The Taoist nodded, and in an instant palaces rose from the ground around the bamboo courtyard, then turned into flying snow, and then fell to the ground to form mountains.

With one thought, the mountains rise.

With one thought, ten thousand palaces are established.

The nun couldn't tell whether it was an illusion or reality, and guessed that it was the result of sword intent, which was tangible and looked like a real object.

She asked, "What kind of realm is this?"

“There is no realm, it’s just what I understand.”

"Why not take a name as a nickname? This is what one who has reached the pinnacle deserves, so that future generations can know your path."

"If you cultivate the Dao and cultivate yourself, what does it matter if future generations know about it? It is all nothing but delusion."

"I want to know the name."

"Then it is called the Ten Thousand Appearances, which can be compared to the Buddha. I have never seen the Buddha, so I don't know how it compares to him."

"You still want to compare yourself with the Buddha. In the beginning, Buddhism was not cultivated by humans, but was some kind of innate sacredness. The Buddhist scriptures record the existence of the Twelve Buddhas, but in fact, very few people have seen the Buddha's true body."

The nun changed the subject and said, "The Buddha on the Jade Sword Buddha is the True Buddha. I asked my master to take a look. She has to deal with the demons, so she can't deal with the True Buddha for the time being."

The Taoist frowned slightly, and his cold expression changed a little.

"At that time, I had not yet become an immortal, so I did not know her problem."

"Master said that she and the Buddha and the devil are like an egg. The devil is the egg white, the Buddha is the egg yolk, and she is just the eggshell."

"Why?"

"One is to kill the Buddha and the demon, and the other is to support her empty shell with the same avenue. There are many other ways to compromise, but it is not certain whether they will succeed or not."

"for example?"

"The master of the Jade Sword Buddha, the previous generation of Buddha Sword had a method that could kill the Buddha. The master said there is a glimmer of hope, but it is only a one in a thousand chance. If you get out, you will have a chance, after all, you are already an immortal now."

"Troublesome little nun."

The Taoist commented like this, and the nun smiled.

"I remember you followed her around every day wanting to learn sword skills, but she ignored you. Now you can just slap her on the forehead."

Hit her forehead hard.

The Taoist was somewhat moved.

"Can I rub it?"

"If you are stronger than her, then of course you can do it."

--------------

In the blink of an eye, spring goes and winter comes.

There is no snow in Xuanhuangzhou in winter and it is like spring all year round.

It is said that the immortal Qingcang was afraid that winter would affect farming, so he set up a large formation on Sanqing Mountain and built a mountain range in the north to block the cold wind from the extreme west and allow heat to surge through the ground in winter.

The annual grain production in Xuanhuang Province alone is enough to feed half of the human race.

Gu Wen has just approved a grant of 5 million Dou Lingshi to carry out additional repairs on the geothermal array.

He met alone with the powerful person in charge of the formation.

The geothermal array is an internal affair and is under the jurisdiction of Shifang City, and is managed by the Earth and Fire Palace. Its current palace master is a True Lord of the Yin-Yang Sect, and his term of office is thirty years.

In a side hall ten feet wide, Gu Wen and the True Lord of Yin Yang Sect sat opposite each other, the latter looking calm and composed.

All the powerful people in important positions that Gu Wen had met were very good at acting. With their cultivation level, they could control their emotions freely, and on the surface, there was no problem at all.

"I am an old acquaintance of your Yin Yang Sect's headmaster."

Gu Wen poured a glass of wine and pushed it towards him. The True Lord of Yin Yang Sect was flattered and drank it repeatedly. He smiled and said, "When I heard about the matter between Your Excellency and the headmaster, I fully supported Dao Sect. It was just that I was weak at that time and could not influence the will of the sect."

In the past, the Yin Yang Sect was divided into the Yin and Yang factions. The Yin faction's Tianzun became the enemy of the Tiannv at Tianquan Mountain.

If He Huan from another faction and Gu Wen were not good friends, a first-rate sect like the Yin-Yang Sect might have become second-rate.

The Dao Sect would not directly massacre a sect. It would only need to take away most of their spiritual veins and spiritual fields to cause it to decline quickly within a few hundred years.

"How is Brother He now?"

"The headmaster sought a breakthrough many years ago and has not appeared since."

Gu Wen heard a trace of thoughts, and the rhythm of Taiyin Dao seemed to peel off the smiling face of the True Lord.

[The headmaster's temperament has changed drastically, and I don't know if his celestial body can ever change back to a male body.]

"I heard that he transformed into a celestial being, so he should be fine, right?"

"It's okay. Master, your power is in harmony with nature. This is a symbol of the unity of yin and yang."

[Breakthrough through the roots, self-cultivation, neither male nor female. Fortunately, the women in the headmaster's family are not promiscuous, otherwise I don't know how many scandals would have been caused. ]

"..."

Gu Wen looked strange and changed the subject, "This is my first time in the Jade Emperor Palace, so I don't know much about the world. Today, my master asked me to ask about the Earth Fire Palace. How is the repair of the Nine Revolutions Earth Fire Array going?"

The True Lord of Yin Yang Sect immediately replied, "Your Excellency, the Earth Fire Palace has spent ten years to restore the formation to its original state. With annual inspections and monthly minor inspections, it is certain to be correct."

[I have been practicing for seven years, and I don’t know if there will be any problems with the spirit stones. I have been in seclusion for seven years, and I have to go back and check them to prevent any real problems.]

This is very Taoist.

However, a utilization rate of 70% is considered very good, which shows that Dao Zong is extremely strict in controlling corruption. Based on Gu Wen's experience in Longqiao, at least 80% of the government's funding would be used.

For example, when providing disaster relief, they either just lie to get funding, and the officials take some money, and the people just get through it. When the situation is really serious, the only thing the government wants is to drag the people to death.

On the contrary, if there is a civil unrest, the army will still kill people if they suppress it.

Dao Zong was able to implement policies at the local level, which meant he had already left the scope of feudal society, but it was also different from the modern society he knew.

Because many powerful people can easily become 'monarchs offline'.

But if we don't use great powers, but use mortals to manage, then the execution cost and corruption rate will be too fast. It is possible that when Dao Zong, the great power, goes into seclusion, the dynasty will have changed when he comes out.

At the same time, problems are likely to arise if the great monks who possess military power are not allowed to take power.

After seeing off the True Lord of Yin Yang Sect, Gu Wen looked a little strange, and a playboy in fluttering white clothes appeared in his mind.

Then, as if by some mysterious induction, he saw another beautiful and gentle face.

The graceful figure lies prone beside the jade pool, with her jade arms falling into the clear spring water.

A chill came over me.

Akabane asked, "Are you worried about He Huan?"

"Yes. From my impression, he is a womanizer. Now he has become neither male nor female. I don't know if he will have a demon in his heart. I don't think I can cure it for now. This is not a disease."

Gu Wen's strange expression showed a hint of worry.

He is not omnipotent. Repairing Lan Yongning and Lu Chan's foundation is just like Kintsugi, he just fills it with the Great Dao.

"I hope he doesn't mind the current situation."

Akabane was a little jealous: "Are you close to him?" [I didn't see you care about me so much before. ]

Gu Wen smiled and said, "We met when we were young, and have been through thick and thin together. We can be considered close friends because we share similar interests."

"How do you compare with me?"

"How can this be compared? How can a latecomer like you compare with Brother He?"

Akabane was furious and made a fuss, but was still suppressed by Gu Wen with a palm on his head.

But she remembered He Huan. If she couldn't beat Gu Wen, could she beat He Huan?
A streak of light flew over, Gu Wen raised his head slightly, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Akabane, let's go to Shangqing Sect."

"What are you doing there?"

"Shangqing sent Huayang Tianzun to offend me. Come with me to arrest him."

"it is good!"

Chiyuzi agreed without any hesitation, not caring what would happen if he captured the Three Pure Ones.
-
Shangqing Mountain.

The headmaster came out of retreat, and the elders from inside and outside the Shangqing Sect gathered at the main Taoist temple of Shangqing. Everyone was worried, and many of them whispered to each other.

"Why doesn't the headmaster remain in seclusion, at least until that Jade Purity Celestial Venerable steps down?"

"Nowadays, it is inevitable that we will be caught and given a reason to cause trouble when we leave the country."

"Could it be that someone is interfering and not informing the headmaster that Jade Purity Heavenly Venerable has returned?"

"How about letting the headmaster go back to seclusion and avoid the danger now?"

Suddenly, a steady sound of footsteps came closer and closer, and the many elders in the Taoist temple suddenly quieted down.

A tall figure walked over with square steps, and the lights in the hall dimmed slightly.

The Taoist robe is embroidered with yin and yang, with three flowers gathered between the eyebrows. His face is like a god and his power is as abysmal as the deep ocean.

When he walked into the Taoist temple, no one dared to look him in the eye.

The Supreme Lord of Heaven, Huayang.

He was the ruler of the Dao Sect in the past, and the founder of the Tianzun system for human cultivators today. If Qingcang Immortal was the one who made mortals well-fed, then Huayang Tianzun was the one who made cultivators know the "Dao power".

The immortal is thinking about the entire human race, while Huayang just wants the authority of Dao Zong to cover everyone equally.

Mortals, cultivators, powerful beings, semi-immortals, etc. should all abide by the Taoist laws and agree with the Taoist views on good and evil.

Today, the thirty-six states of the human race, the Zhenwu Dao soldiers and the internal affairs of the Ten Directions City, as well as the Lord of the Tianzun Fali State, were all created by Huayang.

In terms of prestige, Huayang is second only to the Immortal Qingcang and far superior to other Heavenly Lords.

Hua Yang looked around and asked slowly, "Why are you all gathered here?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Oh no, could it be that no one informed Huayang Tianzun?
After hesitating for a long time, a Mahayana elder stood up and whispered, "Your Majesty, Jade Purity Heavenly Venerable has returned."

Hearing this, Huayang said without changing his expression: "I know."

Not only did he know that Gu Wen had come out of the immortal land, he also knew that he had become a minor saint.

Outside of Dao Sect, only Zhenjun knew that Yuqing Tianzun had returned. Some people who went deeper knew that Yuqing Tianzun was the number one on the three lists eight hundred years ago. The disciples in Dao Sect knew Yuqing Tianzun, but didn't know who he was. The elders knew Gu Wen but not Xiaosheng.

They probably don't know that above the immortals, there are saints.

But Huayang gave too much authority to the Three Pure Ones, so it would be easy for an ordinary person to target a Heavenly Lord. This was also the effect Huayang wanted to achieve, authority did not come from great power, but from order and rules.

What’s more, Jade Purity Heavenly Venerable was personally taught by the Immortal Qingcang. What’s the difference between him and the prince?
As a Huayang faction, Shangqing Sect knows best how powerful Dao Zong's authority is now. To put it in a big way, it only takes one word to dispatch thirty-six Heavenly Lords without any cost, including some semi-immortals.

This is an authority that has never existed in any previous era. Only Jianmu in the world can drive the strong in this way.

"You know, then why did you come out of retreat?" A hint of joy flashed in the elder's eyes, "Have you already informed Jade Purity Heavenly Venerable?"

Hua Yang said: "Why should I inform him when I come out of retreat?"

"."

So there was no communication at all?
Many elders of the Shangqing Sect were speechless.

Hua Yang glanced at the expressions of the crowd and said calmly: "The Dao Sect's laws are clear and bright. Even if Yuqing Tianzun wants to settle the cause and effect, he will come alone. So there is no difference between hiding and not hiding."

He advocates laws, but does not deny the influence of individual power. If there is no great power to support it, then any law is a joke.

Even Master Qingcang's vision of world peace is ultimately built on the shoulders of one immortal.

If Gu Wen wanted to seek revenge, then a secluded retreat would not be able to stop him.

As soon as these words were spoken, the elders breathed a sigh of relief.

"If that's the case, then it's not too long since Jade Purity Celestial Venerable left the Immortal Realm. Even if he was able to kill the twelve Demon Ancestor clones in succession, he still needed some accumulation."

"If we delay it for a few hundred years, there will always be a chance for relief."

"If they really come to our door, just be on guard against Chi Tianzun."

hum!
The mysterious sound of a flying sword breaking through the air was transmitted into the Taoist temple.

Outside, five black-clad monks from the Zhenwu Palace landed outside the Shangqing main Taoist temple, and the main sect's formation disappeared.

The five men rushed into the Taoist temple recklessly. Along the way, they ignored the obstruction of the Shangqing Sect's true disciples, and instead pushed them away and shouted at them loudly.

The highest among them was only at the Return to Void Stage, but with the help of his Zhenwu Jade Dragon Robe, many True Lords dared not stop him, and he came unimpeded to Huayang and a group of Shangqing True Lords.

The inspector of Zhenwu Palace said coldly: "Zhenwu Palace Inspection Office, Jade Purity Heavenly Lord has ordered Huayang to come to the Inspection Office for investigation."

"How dare you address the Heavenly Lord by his name!"

One of the elders shouted angrily, pressing his aura towards the five people, but was stopped by Huayang the next moment.

Hua Yang raised his hand slightly, his eyes indifferent, without any anger, and asked: "Is there an imperial decree?"

The inspector of Zhenwu Palace took out a piece of jade brocade. Huayang took it, took a look at it, nodded and said, "I will go with you."

Huayang breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart. At least he was still willing to use his power for personal gain.

The elders of Shangqing Sect were horrified. This Jade Purity Heavenly Venerable had no shame at all and actually abused his power for personal gain!

"Your Majesty, no! The Zhenwu Palace is a dangerous place where even semi-immortals can be imprisoned. If you go in, you will be in great danger."

All the elders tried to stop him, but Huayang pressed his palm in the air and walked into the middle of the five Zhenwu Palace monks with his hands behind his back.

But the Zhenwu Inspector did not leave. He looked at the elder who had just released his aura and said, "If you are obstructing law enforcement, please go too."

The elder was so angry that his eyes turned blue, and he wanted to turn hostile, but the Zhenwu Palace had accumulated power for a long time, and its laws had been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people for hundreds of years.

At least in Sanqing Mountain and Xuanhuangzhou, it still has some effect.

A Heavenly Master and an elder were taken away by the Zhenwu Palace Inspection Office, causing an uproar inside and outside the Dao Sect.

Shangqing sent a group of elders to kneel outside the Jade Emperor Palace and beg the immortals to seek justice. Some people also went to Taiqing Mountain to ask Yunmiao Tianzun for help, causing a turmoil in the whole mountain and a commotion throughout the miles.

When the news spread to all parts of the human race, all the powerful people felt that the world was about to change.

When Li Yunshang received the news, she just cursed: "Traitor, you really can't have a day of peace."
-
Zhenwu Palace is located in the Jade Emperor Palace, eight hundred feet deep into the earth, directly reaching the earth veins and containing a cave heaven.

Taoist soldiers, as cold as iron, stood with weapons in hand. From time to time, a True Lord flying on a sword would patrol the area. In the center was a hole with a diameter of a hundred feet, and in all directions there were countless prisons.

When Huayang walked in, the Taoist soldiers on duty around him all looked surprised. They were all disciples of various sects of the Taoist sect, and they entered the Zhenwu Palace just to find a good future.

Some will stay in Dao Sect, and some will be sent to various places to serve as commanders of Taoist troops.

He arrived at the Inspection Office. The solemn hall was filled with inspectors and spies from all sides, and of course, there were also people who came to join in the fun.

Huayang walked in and was immediately scolded by a spoiled voice.

"You are so brave! Enter the palace with your right foot! Death penalty! Death penalty!"

Akabane straightened his ill-fitting official hat and kept banging on the gavel.

Jade Purity Lord, dressed in a simple Taoist robe, stood behind her, smiling like a devil.

Can this also be convicted?

Everyone was shocked. Could it be that Dao Zong's eight hundred years of laws were going to be destroyed in an instant?
(End of this chapter)