Liaozhai: A scholar should draw a sword

Chapter 247 Tang Seng's Mantra
Although the guards were terrified, they had undergone strict training, and they did not flee in panic.

Protecting Tang Seng is their mission.

If something happened to Tang Seng, even if they escaped, they would have to die if they returned to the capital.

Even if he didn't return to the capital, he could escape with his life, but his family would be implicated.

Therefore, there is no way out except to fight to the death.

On the other side, the captain of the guards couldn't help being speechless when he saw Tang Seng's panicked look.

Originally, I was counting on this eminent monk to subdue demons, but now it seems...

"Elder, the situation is not good, hurry up, let's leave quickly."

"Amitabha, I'm here to help General."

So, the captain of the guard and a dozen of his men escorted Tang Seng to flee in another direction.

As for the remaining guards, they have no choice but to help block them.

Unexpectedly, after fleeing for less than two miles, three figures appeared in front of them, and they were clearly not human.

"It's over..."

The captain of the guard looked desperate.

"Elder, hurry up, you run up the hillside, we block the monster."

The captain of the guard was also responsible, knowing that their group would not survive, but he still took care of Tang Seng first and let him escape.

Tang Seng hesitated for a while, and finally ran towards the hillside.

He also knew that it would be useless even if he stayed, as he would not be able to help at all, but would actually drag the guards down.

Only when he left, these guards could let go, maybe there was still a glimmer of life.

"The evildoer is rampant!"

At this moment, a loud shout came.

Tang Seng was stunned for a moment, then turned his head and found a figure descending from the sky, with a wave of the sword, a ray of light flashed, and with one stroke of the sword, the three little monsters were beheaded by the sword.

The captain of the guard was overjoyed and hurried forward to thank him.

"Thank you Shangxian for saving me, thank you Shangxian for saving me."

"You don't have to be polite, general, get up."

The person who came was Zhou Yu.

In fact, he knew that Tang Monk's journey to the west was a major event in the heavenly court and the Buddhist circle of the western heaven, and there were secret duty officers taking turns to take care of him.

On-duty meritorious officers generally don't show up, unless there are some unexpected events that endanger Tang Seng's life.

On this journey, he has to go through ninety-nine and eighty-one difficulties before he can complete his merits and virtues.

In the current situation, these monsters were obviously coming for Tang Seng, but the meritorious service officer on duty still didn't show up.

Either, this is a doomed catastrophe, or they know that Tang Seng's life will not be in danger.

As for the people who protect him... life and death have nothing to do with them, so they won't show up at all.

However, although Zhou Yu's coming here will not hinder the plan of traveling westward to learn Buddhist scriptures, he will not do nothing and watch secretly like a man on duty.

If that was the case, there would be no point in his trip.

He came here to change all of this, so that the trip to the Western Paradise to learn from the scriptures would no longer leave any hidden dangers.

"Master Commander..."

After a while, the previous guards also ran over.

The commander was very pleasantly surprised. After questioning, more than a dozen brothers were killed or injured.Fortunately, most people are fine.

"Thank you for your life-saving grace."

The group thanked Zhou Yu again.

Zhou Yu said: "As you have seen, there are not only bandits and bandits on this road, but also demons and ghosts.

You are no match for demons and goblins at all, you can only die in vain, go back..."

"But Shangxian, this is an imperial decree from the emperor, if we don't escort Elder Tang, it will be against the decree."

"It's okay, I know, after you go back, you will say that this is what the gods mean..."

While speaking, Zhou Yu waved his hand, and a piece of paper fluttered into the hands of the commander of the guards.

There are words on the paper, which are written to the king of Tang.The important thing is that the words on it are all shining with golden light.

Tang Seng also hurried forward to persuade him for a while, saying that he would also write a personal letter to Tang Wang and explain the situation.

Having said that, the commander of the guards was relieved.

After the guards left, Tang Seng stepped forward to thank him again: "Thank you, Shangxian, for saving my life."

Zhou Yu smiled: "Elder Tang's spirit is commendable. Knowing that the west sky is far away and there are many monsters, he still has no hesitation, which is admirable."

"Amitabha!"

"Okay, since I sent these guards away, I should also escort Elder Tang for a ride, so as not to encounter demons again."

Tang Seng was overjoyed, and hurriedly thanked again: "Thank you, Shangxian, and thank you, Shangxian."

"Elder Tang doesn't need to be too polite."

For Tang Seng, Zhou Yu actually didn't have much affection for him.

On the surface, Tang Seng is a merciful person, but in fact, he is also very selfish and stubborn in his bones.

But there is no way, he has a special status, he is the reincarnation of a disciple of the Tathagata, and he is also the person appointed by the Tathagata to learn the scriptures.

Even if Zhou Yu wants to change something, he can only start from other places. In terms of candidates, he must not change.

Because, the five people who learned from the Western Paradise were carefully selected, and each had a fruit, corresponding to the relationship between the five elements.

Specifically, Tang Monk belongs to water, Drifting Monk belongs to soil, Monkey King belongs to gold, Pig Bajie belongs to wood, and Bailong horse belongs to fire.

The five elements, cause and effect, and the relationship between the five people are indispensable.

Therefore, Zhou Yu will not disturb this combination, but he must prevent one thing, that is the six-eared macaque.

According to Zhou Yu's speculation, the six-eared macaque is not free, it has been secretly controlled.

Once the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist world find that Sun Wukong does not obey the command, which may affect the plan of learning scriptures from the west, then the six-eared macaque will appear to replace Monkey King and complete the plan of stealing the sky and changing the sun.

After a night's rest, Zhou Yu accompanied Tang Seng to continue westward the next day.

But at this time, the meritorious service officer on duty was a little strange, because the development of the situation was a bit off course.

According to the normal situation, most of these guards would die, and only a few people remained to escort Tang Seng to continue westward.

Although the result has not changed now, Tang Seng is still traveling westward, but a Shangxian appears inexplicably, and he doesn't even know the two on-duty meritorious service officers, and he doesn't know where he came from.

Therefore, they must report.

There are two meritorious service officers on duty, one belongs to the Western Heaven Buddhist Realm, and the other belongs to the Heavenly Court.

Since Zhou Yu was called the Supreme Immortal, it was natural for a meritorious person from the Heavenly Court to report back to the Heavenly Court.

"Is there such a thing?"

Jade Emperor was a little surprised.

"Reporting to the Jade Emperor, that person's attire looks like a mortal scholar, but his strength is very high, and it is difficult for the ministers to see his realm.

It stands to reason that such a great immortal and humble minister should know him, but he has no impression at all..."

At this time, Taibai Jinxing stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, according to the old minister's opinion, this person may be an earth immortal.

Since ancient times, in addition to the Heavenly Court, there are also many Earth Immortals in the mortal world who cultivated in a low-key manner, and did not enter the Heavenly Court's immortality..."

Having said that, the Jade Emperor couldn't help nodding his beard.

There are indeed many earth immortals in the world, and some of them have supernatural powers, comparable to great immortals.

For example, the Great Immortal Zhenyuan was an example, even the Golden Immortal Taiyi would not dare to do anything wrong in front of him.

"This way..." Jade Emperor thought for a while, then said to Taibai Jinxing: "Aiqing is going down to earth to find out who this person is. In short, it must not affect the plan."

Seeking Buddhist scriptures in the Western Paradise seems to be a matter of the Buddhist world in the Western Paradise.

However, this is an exchange of interests.Therefore, Heavenly Court also attaches great importance to it.

"Sir, obey the order!"

Taibai Jinxing led the way and left.

Heavenly Court, honored by the Jade Emperor, its full name is: Taishang Kaitian Holding Talisman Yuli Contains True Body Dao Jinque Cloud Palace Nine Vaults Yuli Ten Thousand Dao Wuwei Dao Ming Palace Haotian Jinque Supreme Jade Emperor Forgiveness Great Heavenly Venerable Xuanqiong High God.

Although the Buddhist world of the Western Heaven is independent of the Heavenly Court, relatively speaking, the Tathagata's status is still inferior to that of the Jade Emperor, and he has to go forward and salute when he sees the Jade Emperor.

Of course, the Jade Emperor is not really able to command all the gods in the sky.

For example, Taoist ancestors and saints have very special identities, and the Jade Emperor had to stand up to greet them when they saw them.

Closer to home.

In the afternoon, Zhou Yu and Tang Seng walked together into a valley.

This way, Zhou Yu was not used to Tang Seng.

On the way west, Tang Seng would either ride a horse, sit on the ground to rest, or chant scriptures.Drinking water, asking for money, fighting monsters, these things have nothing to do with him.

Now, there are no guards around him, and Monkey King and others have not become his disciples.

Therefore, he can only ask for alms by himself, fetch water and drink by himself.

There is a small stream in the valley, Tang Seng went to the stream to wash his face, poured another pot of water, took out a pancake from his sleeve and gnawed on it.

Suddenly, a tiger roared, and Tang Seng was so scared that he almost choked.

There is a mountain forest not far from the stream. In the forest, a colorful tiger sprang out and rushed towards Tang Seng.

"Shangxian save me..."

On the way west, Tang Seng’s favorite words are roughly as follows:
1. The poor monk came from the Eastern Tang Dynasty and went to the Western Paradise to learn Buddhist scriptures. Seeing that it was getting late, could you stay here for a night?

2. Wukong, I wrongly blamed you for my teacher.

3. Don't be afraid, benefactor, my disciples are ugly in appearance, but kind-hearted.

4. Amitabha, goodness is goodness, monks are compassionate.

5. Wukong, don't be rude.

Then there is Wukong saving lives and the like.

In short, if there is danger, call for help first.After the danger is over, he began to preach again, what kind of compassion is in his heart.

Therefore, Tang Seng is actually very unpleasant.

"Beast!"

Zhou Yu stepped forward, and with a palm wind, the tiger was killed.

"Amitabha……"

Tang Seng saved his life and started chanting sutras again.

If it were someone else, he might have to start preaching again, why can't kill and so on.

Zhou Yu deliberately asked, "Is Elder Tang sympathizing with this fierce tiger?"

Tang Seng sighed: "Buddha said, all living beings are equal, it is also hungry, so it will prey on human beings."

"So, Elder Tang believes that this tiger should not prey on humans, but should prey on other animals?"

"This……"

"Elder Tang, don't misunderstand, I just have some questions that I can't understand, and I want to discuss with Elder Tang.

Buddhism advocates the equality of all living beings, not to kill, and even cuts the meat to feed the eagle, sacrifices the body to feed the tiger.

So here comes the problem, which shows from the side that Buddhism does not object to tigers and eagles eating meat.

Because they don't eat meat, they will starve to death, which is their natural instinct.

But why did it change when it came to humans?Humans don't kill, where does meat come from?Could it be that sheep and wild boars will deliver meat to their door? "

"This one……"

Tang Seng was always eloquent, but he didn't know how to answer Zhou Yu's question.

"Also, didn't you say that all living beings are equal? ​​Then animals like tigers, sheep, and rabbits should also be equal. Why can they eat sheep and rabbits? Just for the tiger to survive?"

Tang Seng was in a cold sweat.

Because he had never seen these questions raised by Zhou Yu in Buddhist scriptures, so he naturally had no way to answer them.

"Aside from carnivorous animals, grass, flowers and fruits are also alive.

It will also grow with the four seasons, blossom and bear fruit, just like human beings, enter the cycle of life and death.

According to your theory, flowers and plants are also life, and all living beings are equal, so why let cattle and sheep eat them at will? "

Tang Seng: "..."

"Elder Tang, all things in the world have their own rules and laws for their growth. Natural selection, this is the law of the Dao, regardless of any faction.

The law of nature is actually a complete food chain.

Heaven and earth provide water, sunlight, air, soil, and grow grass and trees.

Some small animals live on grass and trees, while others live on herbivorous animals.

All things, mutual generation and mutual restraint, endless life...

If human intervention, it is likely to lead to a disruption of balance.

If there are no carnivores, then mice, hares and the like will lose their natural enemies, and their fecundity will make their populations expand wildly.

At that time, I am afraid that the flowers and plants in the world will be eaten up by them until they become a desert...

I say that, can Elder Tang understand? "

Tang Seng didn't speak, he fell into deep thought.

Because what Zhou Yu said completely subverted his ideas for him.

Of course, Zhou Yu didn't expect to change Tang Seng with just a few words, after all, his deep-rooted ideas are not so easy to change.

But Zhou Yu firmly believes that as long as it is subtly influenced, it will have an effect after a long time, just like boiling a frog in warm water.

Why did Sun Wukong rebel and run back to Huaguo Mountain on the way?

It's not because the philosophy is too different from Tang Seng's. Tang Seng is too pedantic, likes to preach, and sticks to stereotypes, which makes Monkey King quite unhappy.

But Zhu Bajie is different from Drifting Monk.

These two people are scheming.

Especially Drifting, who was taciturn along the way, keeping things hidden in his heart.

Zhu Bajie looks stupid, but in fact he has a bright heart and pretends to be crazy.

Only Sun Wukong is straight-tempered, works the most, and receives the most training, and he will rebel against anyone else.

Not long after, Tang Seng sat cross-legged on one side, not knowing whether he was meditating or chanting scriptures.

Zhou Yu deliberately lit a fire and roasted the meat until it sizzled.

"Help……"

Suddenly, a cry for help came.

Zhou Yu raised his eyes and saw that it was a woodcutter being chased by a wild boar.

Tang Seng was startled, and hurried to Zhou Yu's side. Seeing that Zhou Yu was still roasting meat, he couldn't help but said, "Shangxian, can you save that old man?"

Zhou Yu said unhurriedly: "It's not that I won't save it, but if I save that old man, that wild boar will either be beaten to death by me or starved to death.

I saved a life, but hurt another life, Elder Tang, tell me, how should I choose? "

Having said that, Tang Seng couldn't help being speechless.

He suddenly felt that his philosophy was a little shaken.On weekdays, he often talks about the equality of all beings.

But just now, he only wanted to save the old man's life, but he didn't think about the consequences of the wild boar.

This shows what?
It shows that he himself is still on the side of human beings, and has not achieved the equality of all beings.

"Don't worry, the old man is in good health, he runs fast, and he will be fine."

Sure enough, the woodcutter ran over while calling for help.

As for the wild boar, perhaps seeing that there were still people there, and it was afraid of fire, so it hesitated for a while, and finally turned around and ran away.

……

(End of this chapter)