Chapter 133: Chechi Kingdom Dharma Battle
Now speaking of Ao Tu discussing Dao with the three National Preceptors of Che Chi Kingdom.
Great Immortal Hu Li invited Ao Tu to the guest hall to take a seat, and his disciples served fragrant tea and fresh fruits. Great Immortal Hu Li was the first to ask:
“I wonder from which immortal mountain the True Person has come?”
Ao Tu said: “This poor Daoist is a rogue cultivator, traveling a thousand mountains and experiencing ten thousand waters, with no fixed abode.”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “The True Person cultivates in the mortal world; we admire that. I heard my young disciple say that the True Person has come to discuss Dao with us?”
Ao Tu said: “This is Western Ox Continent, where many people revere monks and love Buddha. I heard people say there is a place here that reveres Dao and destroys monks, so I came specifically to check it out.”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “What the True Person said is exactly this place. To tell the truth, in this Western Ox Continent, who knows how many countries there are, but only in Che Chi Kingdom do they revere Dao and destroy monks.”
Ao Tu said: “Great National Preceptor, monks and Daoists are all cultivators; why must you destroy monks?”
Upon hearing this, Great Immortal Hu Li frowned and said: “True Person, have you come here to plead for those monks? If so, please take back your plea and say no more.”
Seeing that Great Immortal Hu Li was slightly displeased in his words, Ao Tu smiled faintly and said:
“No, this poor Daoist has come only to discuss Dao with the three National Preceptors, not to plead for monks. Now that I see the three National Preceptors, I have three crude poems to present.”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “Please speak.”
Ao Tu recited:
“Wang character mystic spots, imperial edict from heaven seals the mountain-suppressing stamp; black patterns crisscross, ink brush strokes intimidate the mountain forest.”
Great Immortal Hu Li was shocked in his heart upon hearing this.
Ao Tu did not stop and continued reciting: “Snow-covered with vermilion cinnabar dots, coral newly bloomed, branches and twigs exquisite; mountain forest clear and elegant aura, eyes like autumn water, feeding on wild greens.”
The second National Preceptor, Great Immortal Lu Li, was greatly shocked.
Ao Tu continued reciting:
“Mountain wild solitary and lofty, flowing wind passes the ravine, stepping on stones silently; dark jade carved, curved and straight with measure, edges and corners distinct.”
The third National Preceptor, Great Immortal Yang Li, was greatly shocked.
The three exchanged a glance and together bowed in courtesy: “We juniors meet the senior True Person; please forgive our rudeness!”
Ao Tu laughed: “No need for that. My name is True Person Tai Xi; I am just a rogue cultivator, not some senior. I came only to discuss Dao. Get up quickly.”
Upon hearing this, the three got up and sat down properly.
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “Please instruct us, True Person: what is wrong with destroying monks?”
Ao Tu said: “I heard that the Great National Preceptor and the two National Preceptors came to Che Chi Kingdom, protecting the country and pacifying the people, enduring over twenty years of hardship. What do you seek?”
Upon hearing this, Great Immortal Hu Li was momentarily at a loss for words.
The second National Preceptor, Great Immortal Lu Li, said: “We seek nothing.”
Ao Tu laughed: “Seek nothing? If you seek nothing, why not retire to the mountain forest? Why come to this mortal world? The second National Preceptor is not sincerely discussing Dao!”
Great Immortal Lu Li could not help but feel guilty.
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “To tell the truth, True Person, we came here to promote our Daoist Sect, destroy the vulgar monks, and seek the immortal path.”
Ao Tu said: “Great National Preceptor, since you wish to promote the teachings and seek the immortal path, why must you destroy monks?”
Great Immortal Hu Li frowned: “If we do not destroy monks, how can we promote the teachings?”
Ao Tu said: “When I came to this country, I saw the common people praising the three National Preceptors greatly. I wonder why that is?”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “This is because we three brothers have protected the country and pacified the people for many years, so the common people praise us.”
Ao Tu continued: “I heard that the king of this country treats the three National Preceptors like brothers and respects them greatly. I wonder why that is?”
Great Immortal Lu Li said: “This is also due to our protecting the country and pacifying the people over the past twenty years.”
Ao Tu said: “Since that is the case, the three National Preceptors have achieved today’s prominent status because of destroying Buddha, or because of protecting the country and pacifying the people?”
Upon hearing this, Great Immortal Lu Li and Great Immortal Yang Li thought for a moment, looked at Great Immortal Hu Li, and said: “Big Brother, the True Person makes sense!”
Great Immortal Hu Li thought for a moment and also felt that Ao Tu made sense, so he nodded and said:
“I understand the True Person’s meaning. Actually, this is not entirely our fault. It was because those monks took the grain tribute but could not pray for rain, angering His Majesty, who then punished them to serve us. Now that we have the True Person’s words, next time in court, I will petition His Majesty to release those monks.”
Ao Tu said: “That would be excellent. You have labored for over twenty years, protecting the country and pacifying the people; this is your merit. However, many monks have died because of you. Though they had faults, their sins did not warrant death; this is your sin. Release those monks, give them some silver money, rice, and grain, and send them back to their monasteries to live.”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “True Person, rest assured; we understand. But True Person, if we directly release those monks, I’m afraid it would still be improper.”
Ao Tu said: “What would be improper?”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “True Person, Che Chi Kingdom has revered Dao and destroyed monks for over twenty years. The common people revere our Daoist Sect, every household offers to the Three Pure Ones, and no one offers to Buddha Ancestor or Arhats. Even if we release those monks to return to their monasteries and give them some silver money, I’m afraid they will exhaust their resources and be unable to continue. It would be better to keep them in our Taoist Temple to do odd jobs and maintain their livelihood.”
Ao Tu said: “Since you wish to promote the Daoist Sect and seek the immortal path, why act so foolishly?”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “Please instruct us, True Person.”
Ao Tu said: “Why not teach some Daoist magic to those monks? Once they learn magic, they can maintain their livelihood, right?”
Great Immortal Hu Li, Great Immortal Lu Li, and Great Immortal Yang Li exclaimed in unison: “This! This! Is this appropriate?”
Ao Tu said: “Why not?”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “To teach the orthodox Daoist Sect methods to those vulgar monks—I’m afraid the Three Pure Ones will punish us!”
Great Immortal Lu Li and Great Immortal Yang Li also said: “Yes! Yes! If the Three Pure Ones find out, they will surely blame us!”
Ao Tu said: “What do you know? If the Three Pure Ones knew you were acting this way, they would reward you before anything else!”
Upon hearing this, the three naturally did not believe it.
Ao Tu said: “If you don’t believe it, in a moment I will personally burn incense and pray to the Three Pure Ones, asking for a decree to resolve your doubts.”
The three said: “True Person, will the Three Pure Ones pay attention to us?”
Ao Tu said: “If you three pray, they probably won’t pay attention, but if I pray, there will surely be a response. If truly no response comes, I will take you to heaven to seek them.”
Upon hearing this, the three saw Ao Tu’s extreme confidence and could not help but believe a little.
Ao Tu said: “If the Three Pure Ones agree, will you be willing to teach those monks Daoist magic?”
The three hurriedly said: “If the Three Pure Ones agree, we will naturally be willing.”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “But…”
Ao Tu said: “But what?”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “Those monks using our Daoist Sect magic—wouldn’t it be improper? If they go to exorcise evil for some household, wearing kassaya but reciting our Daoist spells, that…”
Ao Tu laughed: “Great National Preceptor, you are too straightforwardly foolish!”
Great Immortal Hu Li said: “I am naturally dull and straightforward; please do not hesitate to teach us, True Person.”
Ao Tu laughed: “No need for me to teach; just watch. Once those monks learn the magic and, for livelihood, perform rites for people, they will naturally glue on hair, change into Daoist robes, and dress as Taoist priests. When they return to the monastery, they will change back to kassaya and sincerely recite Buddha.”
Upon hearing this, Great Immortal Hu Li thought about it and felt Ao Tu made sense.
Great Immortal Yang Li at the side said: “True Person, I’m afraid some old monks, desiring nothing, would rather starve to death than learn our Daoist Sect techniques.”
Ao Tu said: “These people do not starve to death but sit and transmute; they are going to the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. Letting them sit and transmute early is also your merit!”
