Chapter 427: Chapter 384, Li Er Westward
Gongsun Long led Bai Jin towards the inside, laughing loudly, "I heard from Aoguang before that Emperor Gouchen is extraordinary and friendly towards our Dragon Clan, a renowned figure yet seldom seen. Today, with Emperor Gouchen visiting us, it’s truly a delightful and celebratory occasion!"
Bai Jin respectfully said, "Saint Venerable jests, who dares to claim to be extraordinary in your presence?"
Gongsun Long led Bai Jin into a grand hall and they took their seats as host and guest.
Bai Jin, with his hands clasped, said, "This sudden visit..."
Gongsun Long waved his hand grandly, interrupting, "Understand, I understand!"
Bai Jin was utterly confused, what do you understand?
Gongsun Long said loudly, "From today onwards, Bai Jin will be the Vice Family Head of our School, in charge of the School’s reform."
All the disciples inside the courtyard paid their respects and said loudly, "Greetings, Vice Family Head!"
Bai Jin suddenly looked up, shocked at Gongsun Long.
Gongsun Long stroked his beautiful beard, laughing heartily, "Don’t worry, I understand the rules. I’ll make you the Vice Family Head, and then you’ll help me reform our School. Just like the Taoist, Legalist, Confucian, and Mo Schools, come, quickly share your plans with me."
Bai Jin was speechless. I really didn’t intend to be a Vice Family Head, I just wanted to earn some Merit!
Bai Jin explained, "Mr. Gongsun, there seems to be a misunderstanding; they made me Vice Family Head purely out of personal regard, which has nothing to do with the rest."
Gongsun Long laughed heartily, "You and our Dragon Clan also share a deep bond, why not become a Vice Family Head for me too?"
His expression darkened as he said, "Fellow Daoist, you delay repeatedly, could it be that you look down upon our School?"
Bai Jin opened his mouth, how could I say that? Immediately, he smiled broadly and said, "Being valued by the Saint Venerable is an honor for your disciple!"
"Ha ha~ That’s more like it~
Now that you are already a Vice Family Head of our School, come and provide some ideas for our School, help it to thrive. I am already eager," Gongsun Long looked forward to Bai Jin expectantly.
Bai Jin pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "Saint Venerable, how about we collaborate with the Legalist and venture into law practice?"
...
Afterward, Bai Jin also visited the Mixed School, guiding them towards the path of invention and creation, and was honored as Vice Family Head.
He went to the Agricultural Family to lead the establishment of an agricultural science institute, researching hybrid grafting technology, and was revered as Vice Family Head.
He visited the Medical Family, guiding them to establish hospitals, and was honored as Vice Family Head.
...
Now, Bai Jin had gotten used to it; what’s the big deal with being a Vice Family Head? An old saying goes well, having many Vice Family Head titles doesn’t weigh one down.
Time slowly passed, and the Spring and Autumn Hundred Schools had become fundamentally different. Bai Jin introduced one innovative concept after another, leading to the rise of new industries, bringing the entire Spring and Autumn period into a flourishing state. More legendary than a Family Head was the fact that, inconspicuously, there was a Vice Family Head of the Hundred Schools. Everyone who had heard of the Vice Family Head respected him greatly, leading the Hundred Schools towards transformation, putting into practice the great thoughts of the Hundred Schools. Although he didn’t establish a doctrine of his own, he was well-versed in the thoughts of the Hundred Schools, even more legendary than a Family Head himself.
...
In a bustling city, an old ox pulled a slow-moving ox cart, with a chubby young man leading the ox.
Inside the cart, Bai Jin and the elderly Li Er sat.
Outside, a series of urgent shouts rang out, "It’s open, the Court doors are open. The case where the physician treated a patient to death is to be concluded."
"Finally, the court is in session."
"Let’s go, let’s go see!"
"They say the physician hired a lawyer from our School, very impressive!"
People on the street buzzed with discussion, flocking towards the distance.
Inside the horse carriage, Li Er stroked his beard and said with a chuckle, "The descent of the Hundred Schools into the Lower Realm has, after all, brought something different to this world."
Bai Jin concurred, "Except for a very few, the rest are indeed Saints."
Li Er chuckled and said, "Vice Family Head of the Hundred Schools, you are the one with great merits. The Hundred Schools proposed their thoughts, and you implemented these ideas in practice and achieved success, which is quite remarkable."
Bai Jin said modestly, "Master, please don’t make fun of me."
In admiration, he spoke, "Speaking of formidable, it is still you, Master. I heard that Xu Puti has entered the Tao and transformed into Ancestor Master Puti. Master, you have even converted a Saint’s mortal form into the Taoist path. Such a grand gesture—who in Primordial World can compare?"
Li Er smiled and said, "I just made a bet with him."
Bai Jin curiously asked, "A bet on what?"
"I asked him if the Zen School could last forever?"
"Xu Puti surely said it could."
"Correct, Xu Puti said that the Zen School would prosper in the Eastern, while I claimed it would be extinguished. Then we set a bet."
Bai Jin laughed and said, "Surely, Master, you won."
Li Er smiled and said, "I lost."
Bai Jin was startled and said in surprise, "Master, how could you lose?"
"I used the power of Confucianism to suppress the Zen School, and with Legalism, I drained the Qi Fortune of the Zen School. However, at the crucial moment, Xu Puti entered the Tao, declaring that Zen is essentially Tao. He momentarily borrowed the Qi Fortune of the Taoist path to overcome this calamity and established the Zen School’s foundation in the Eastern."
"Buddha is originally the Tao!"
Li Er nodded slightly with a smile.
"So because of this, Xu Puti entered the Tao."
"Correct! That’s why I say I lost."
Bai Jin laughed heartily and said, "But, Master, you have also won.
Xu Puti probably thinks he has outwitted your strategy by resolving your plans and winning this bet, but he doesn’t know that from beginning to end, he was caught in your calculations, ultimately leading him to the Taoist path.
Master, you are truly formidable, your disciple admires you to the fullest."
Li Er shook his head slightly, saying, "Don’t talk nonsense, I don’t know anything about calculations; it was clearly Xu Puti who won against me."
Bai Jin gave a thumbs up, admiringly said, "Indeed, Master, you know nothing about calculations. The way of the Tao is natural; everything is the will of Heaven."
"Hehe~" Li Er also laughed twice.
Outside, Duobao was leading the old ox, chuckling to himself, "Neither the old nor the young are anything decent."
The ox cart slowly exited the city, traveling along the vast ancient road outward.
Suddenly, Li Er spoke, "Duobao, I will recite scriptures for you, listen carefully."
Duobao immediately replied respectfully, "Thank you, Master!"
"The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name. The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the named is the mother of all things. ..."
The sounds of chanting the scriptures softly arose.
Duobao led the ox cart, listening to the scriptures while heading toward the Western.
After a long while, the scripture recitation ended, and Li Er slowly said, "Duobao, you practice the path of self-domination. Now that Jie Sect is gone, your path has been severed. What are your plans from now on?"
Outside, a trace of melancholy appeared in Duobao’s eyes as he said, "I will follow whatever Master instructs."
"The rise of Mahayana Buddhism in the Western is due to converting the worldly guests of Jie Sect, merging Jie Sect’s Destiny. As the Senior Disciple of Jie Sect, if you establish Small Mahayana Buddhism in the Western, it can attract the Qi Fortune of Buddhism.
When you devour Mahayana Buddhism and become the sole Buddha of Buddhism, your foundation for the Grand Path will also be established. Would you be willing to give it a try?"