Chapter 425: Chapter 382, Arriving at the Mo School
Bai Jin sought out Xin Wenzi, establishing the first Taoist Temple of the Primordial World, the Three Pure Ones Temple, with Bai Jin serving as the inaugural temple master. Originally intending to teach Xin Wenzi the insights of managing the temple, unexpectedly, Xin Wenzi showed no interest in management, preferring instead to dally amidst the mountains and rivers, and practice cultivation away from the worldly dust.
His carefree nature was exactly like that of Laozi: going with the flow. Ultimately, Bai Jin had no choice but to take on three more registered disciples on Li Er’s behalf: Xuan Tai Zi, the Master of Taiching; Xuanyu Zi, the Master of Yuqing; and Xuan Shangzi, the Master of Shangqing. They collectively took charge of the Three Pure Ones Temple, overseeing the Taoist affairs of the Three Realms. The task of passing on the teachings was also entrusted to them.
After entrusting the Three Pure Ones Temple to Xuan Tai Zi, Xuanyu Zi, and Xuan Shangzi, Bai Jin immediately left to set his own strategies into motion, starting with a visit to the Mechanical City of the Mo Family.
Bai Jin, riding on a cloud, descended outside the Mechanical City and stepped towards it.
"Halt!" a booming voice called out above the Mechanical City.
Several figures emerged on the city tower. Click, click, click—the stone slabs on the city wall split open in four directions, revealing four large holes, each emitting a beam of bright light.
Bai Jin stopped beneath the Mechanical City and with a bow, said loudly, "Vice Sect Leader of the Taoist, Confucian, and Legalist Schools, Bai Jin, requests an audience with the Mo Family Master."
A young man in black on the city tower frowned and said, "Vice Sect Leader of the Taoist, Confucian, and Legalist Schools? I’ve never heard of such a person."
A big man beside him laughed heartily and said, "Boy, you’ve got to make your lies more convincing! Since when does one person serve as the Vice Sect Leader of all three schools? I’m guessing you’re a spy sent by the Yin Yang School."
Suddenly, a vast voice echoed between Heaven and Earth: "Please admit the Vice Sect Leader of the Taoist, Confucian, and Legalist Schools into the city!"
Everyone looked up at the sky, surprised by the Mo Family Master’s command, and began murmuring among themselves.
The big man’s laugh froze on his face. Could it be that this Vice Sect Leader really was one person?
The young man in black waved his hand and ordered, "Open the city gates!"
The unified Mechanical City clicked and split open from the middle. The city walls rumbled and slid aside, creating a massive gateway.
Numerous Mo Followers dressed in uniform formed two lines, bowed together, and shouted warmly, "Welcome the Vice Sect Leader of the Taoist, Confucian, and Legalist Schools."
Bai Jin returned the bow and said as he rose, "Fellow Daoists, no need for such formalities."
All Mo Followers shouted in unison, "Please, Vice Sect Leader of the Taoist, Confucian, and Legalist Schools, enter the city!"
Bai Jin passed between the two lines of people and entered the Mechanical City.
A young man in grey clothes stood at the back, and upon seeing Bai Jin approach, he bowed and said, "Qin Huali pays respect to the Vice Sect Leader of the three schools."
Bai Jin examined the young man and said, "So, you are Qin Huali? I’ve heard of you, the first disciple of Mozi, deeply versed in the teachings of Mo Dao."
Qin Huali revealed a slight smile and humbly said, "Mozi thoroughly explored the connection between humanity and the celestial, but I can hardly claim to have understood even a fraction of Mo’s theory. I’m merely a humble learner of the Mo School."
"Free from arrogance and rashness, and without vain or pride; this is the proper attitude for scholarship."
Qin Huali gestured with an invitation and said respectfully, "Vice Sect Leader, please come this way~"
Bai Jin followed Qin Huali through the city until they eventually arrived at a grand hall in the center of the Mechanical City.
A majestic middle-aged man in a long robe stood in front of the hall, hands clasped behind his back, smiling at Bai Jin as he approached.
Bai Jin quickly came forward and bowed, saying, "Disciple pays respect to Master!"
Qin Huali also bowed and said, "Disciple pays respect to the Mo Family Master!"
Mozi smiled and said, "Everyone, please rise! Qin Huali, you may step back."
"Yes!" Qin Huali respectfully replied, turning and walking back the way he came.
Mozi chuckled and said, "Emperor Gouchen’s arrival truly graces the Mo School with honor, it’s indeed an extraordinary privilege."
Bai Jin shook his head, a bitter smile on his face, and said, "Master, as an elder, is it appropriate to joke with a junior like this?
What does a mere Emperor Gouchen amount to in front of the Ancestor of Earth Immortals?
Who else in the entire Heavenly Court, apart from Senior Hao Tian, could possibly catch your eye?"
"Ha ha~ I am certainly not the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, I’m merely an ordinary person."
Mozi stepped aside, gestured with his hand, and said, "Great Emperor, please come inside!"
Bai Jin bowed and said, "Master, after you, please."
Mozi nodded slightly, turned, and walked into the great hall. Bai Jin quickly followed into the hall, and they took their seats, host and guest.
Mozi stroked his beard and said, "I hear that the Great Emperor has proposed the establishment of the Confucian Academy within the Confucian School, with academies everywhere and thousands of disciples enlightening beings, amounting to boundless merit.
I’ve also heard that the Great Emperor proposed the creation of Courts within the Legalist School, establishing inspection and judicial departments, separating law and politics, henceforth ensuring the fair, just, and transparent enforcement of law, deterring evil spirits, and advocating for the beings, also adding to boundless merit.
Moreover, I’ve heard that the Great Emperor has established Taoist Temples in the Taoist School, honoring The Three Pure Ones, spreading faith, and governing cultivators, all of which amount to boundless merit."
"Master is too kind with his praise; these achievements, I dare not take credit for. They are all due to the Master and the first disciples’ strategies and efforts to benefit the Primordial World.
Master, please do not call me Emperor Gouchen any longer; I am truly humbled. Perhaps you could call me your disciple’s nephew, or simply by my name, Bai Jin."
"Ha ha~ I’ve heard that Emperor Gouchen is always humble; it is indeed true. Very well, I shall call you Bai Jin!"
"Now that sounds much more comfortable," Bai Jin laughed.
Mozi smiled faintly and asked, "Bai Jin, on behalf of which school have you come this time?"
Instantly, Bai Jin’s smile faded, and he said solemnly, "I have come on behalf of the Mo School."
"The Mo School?" Mozi asked in surprise.
"Yes! Ever since Master established the Mo School, I have been studying Mo’s teachings - universal love, non-aggression, economy in expenditure, respecting ghosts and spirits, destiny decreed by Heaven, and frugal funerals - these are all thoughts beneficial to the state and its people. The Mo School’s mastery in mechanical techniques stands unparalleled in the world, even among the Hundred Schools, the Mo School is a leader.
Unfortunately, the never-ending struggles between the Mo School and the Yin Yang School have hindered the progress of the Mo School, a fact I deeply regret. I have come all this way to have a few words with Master about it."
Mozi frowned and said, "Have you come to plead the case for the Yin Yang School?"
"Not at all; having only begun to grasp the Mo’s theories, I consider myself a humble follower of the Mo School. Hence, I’ve come to offer my suggestions for the future of the Mo School, and I hope Master will not fault me for my brashness."
"Ha ha~" Mozi laughed and replied, "Bai Jin, your understanding of Mo’s doctrine is an acknowledgment of our Mo School. How could I possibly blame you? Tell me, what do you see as the shortcomings of our Mo School’s future? I shall take it very seriously."
"Master, from my point of view, Mo’s theory is too perfect; so perfect that it transcends the times, destined to be grasped by only a very few."
Mozi nodded subconsciously; this was also a source of his concern, as finding disciples was indeed very difficult.