Chapter 23: Transcendence

  First update, recommended, various tickets.

  Next week, two updates will start, asking everyone for support!

  Wei Zhao smiled and helped Fu Rong up, although he wasn't clear what the latter wanted to learn from him. However, this young man had a pure heart, was warm, gentle and kind, making him worth cultivating.

  Wei Zhao took on an apprentice in such a muddled way and couldn't help but sigh, thinking that he too would have a day when he would mislead his students.

  Xiao Yatou Xiangxiang saw that Fu Rong had become her younger brother's student, and suddenly changed his expression. He stood up straight like an elder, speaking to Fu Rong with a stiff face and precise movements.

  Fu Jiong couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, but seeing that the teacher was ignoring Xiang Qiang, he had no choice but to hold his head down and endure it, occasionally nodding in agreement, otherwise Xiang Qiang would pester him relentlessly, leaving him unable to get a word in edgewise.

  Xiangliang originally carried a large pile of miscellaneous items that Weizhuo wanted, but now she had dumped them all on Fuyang. With her small head held high and her small chest puffed out, she followed closely behind Weizhuo with an air of self-satisfaction. Fuyang wore a bitter smile as he carried the miscellaneous items in his arms, following behind Xiangliang. He thought to himself that he was also a young master from an official family, how had he ended up doing this kind of thing? Every now and then, something would fall or get lost, and the little girl seemed to think she was above this kind of work. She would occasionally turn her head back to look at Fuyang with a stern expression, making him feel anxious and unsure of what to do.

  Wei Zhao smiled and shook his head, not stopping her, Xiangxiang's little adult-like appearance was still extremely cute.

  The three of them walked for a while, then had someone deliver their belongings to the Wei residence. After eating something, they headed in the direction of Yunfo Temple.

  Although the discussion of Buddha actually started after noon, the grand gathering often gathered very early, from dawn, people all over Jinling City rushed towards Yunfo Temple, and now, pedestrians on Nanjiao Road can't even be counted with one hand.

  All the way, Xiangliang's face was stern, but every time Weizao turned his head back, she would giggle and make a silly face, sticking out her tongue. When Weizao glared at her and turned his head away, she would again put on a serious face and glare at Fuyan.

  Fu Yan's face was filled with bitter smiles, and he didn't know what to do. He originally followed Wei Zhao on the right side, but Xiang Qiang kept walking in front of him, and her slow pace made him fall behind. He then moved to the left side, but Xiang Qiang followed him again. After a while, he probably understood the little girl's mischievous intentions. Seeing Teacher Wei observing the scenery along the way, he sighed and resignedly followed behind Xiang Qiang. The three of them walked in a row towards Yunfo Temple.

  The Buddhist conference is not open to everyone, first of all, you need to have 'academic qualifications', having a title is best, ordinary scholars are also acceptable, but street vendors belong to idle people and are not allowed to enter.

  The venue of the Buddhist conference is located on the southwest side of Yunfo Temple, where there used to be bald rocks all over the ground, cold and desolate. Now, however, the houses are majestic, the roads are clear, and although the walls cannot be described as intricately carved or resplendent with gold and jade, they are also grand and majestic, awe-inspiring and solemn. All around, various Buddha statues stand tall, the sound of chanting floats in the air, filling the entire courtyard.

  In the distance, people were gathered in twos and threes, engaged in lively discussions and laughter. But what struck Wei Zhao as particularly strange was that all around, clean lotus flowers stood upright, covering every inch of ground for miles around. As for Buddha, he didn't know much about him and wasn't aware of the relationship between lotus flowers and Buddha.

  "Hey, have you heard? Wei Jia's Wei Qiao is a fake. He was exposed in public at the tea house with great fanfare, you know?"

  "Right, I've also heard that Wei Xiao made a very childish poem in the tea house, haha, and ended up admitting defeat on the spot and slinking away..."

  "That's right, I've also heard that Chen Zhuo has recovered completely after hearing the news and is even planning to attend the Buddhist conference..."

  "Haha, this is going to be interesting..."

  Wei Zhao, Xiang Liang and Fu Yang strolled over, and were immediately hit with the chatter of gossip. Wei Zhao once again marveled at the speed of rumors, shook his head, and walked past the three people.

  Xiao Yatou Xiangqiang was indignant, her beautiful eyes wide open. If she didn't have to maintain the demeanor of a senior to teach the "juniors" behind her, she would have already rushed over and recited Wei Zhao's poem to them, making them die of shame!

  Fu Yan's mouth twitched slightly, and he looked at the few people who were still speaking loudly with a sympathetic expression on his face, hoping that they would not be unable to withstand the blow like Chen Zhuo later.

  Wei Zuo walked slowly towards the extremely eye-catching temple gate, occasionally glancing around. At this time of grand gathering, he felt very curious, looking at the men and women gathered together, speaking in low voices, laughing and chatting, making him feel that it was all somewhat unreal, as if it were a dreamland.

  The little girl's eyes were wide open, curiously looking around, and several times almost bumped into Wei Zao.

  Fu Yan's weak face suddenly looked like he was back home, with a smile on his face, imitating Wei Zhao in a calm and composed manner, one step at a time, with a confident demeanor.

  At the gate, there is no couplet, no plaque. On top of the head, a small Buddha holds a lotus flower with his finger, smiling and compassionate, facing the crowd coming and going, with a distant gaze, saying nothing.

  Wei Zhuo stood below, also smiling as he looked at him, his expression serene and calm.

  Xiangliang followed Weizao, looking up at the Buddha with a puzzled expression and asked, "Young master, why is this Buddha always smiling?"

  "I know this," said Fu Xiang, not waiting for Wei Xiao to answer. "The Buddha said: 'At the assembly on Spirit Mountain, I picked up a flower and showed it to the crowd. At that time, everyone was silent, only Mahakasyapa broke into a smile. The Buddha said: 'I have the true Dharma-eye treasury, the wonderful heart of Nirvana, the reality without form, the subtle Dharma gate, not established in words, transmitted outside of scripture, entrusted to Mahakasyapa.'"

  Xiang Liang stared at Fu Yang with big eyes, full of confusion, clearly not understanding a word. Wei Xiao smiled slightly, if he hadn't already known the story behind it, he probably wouldn't have understood either.

  Holding the rosary in his hand, he looked up at the Buddha statue and smiled: "All people are suffering, the Buddha ferries all beings, now it's bitter cultivation, next life is clear fortune. The reason why this Buddha is smiling is because he knows how to transcend others."

  "How can we help them?" The little girl frowned and asked. It's been so long since the birth of Buddha, but why are there still so many people suffering?

  Fu Jiong also listened attentively, perking up his ears. He was always paying attention to Wei Zhao, and every move he made was under his scrutiny. He was also imitating Wei Zhao's calmness and composure at every moment, learning from his tranquil demeanor.

  Wei Zhuo swept a glance at the two of them and smiled, saying "It's very simple, seven words: transcend, transcend, and then transcend again."

  Xiang Liang and Fu Yan exchanged a glance, both of them even more bewildered.

  Wei Zhao ignored the two of them and walked inside. Xiang Qiang, however, became anxious, pulling on Wei Zhao's arm and speaking in a soft, endearing tone. Wei Zhao felt a chill run down his back and quickly pressed her small hand, saying: "Let's put it this way, if everyone is enlightened and becomes a Buddha, then what can the Buddha do? Is the Buddha still a Buddha at that time? Where does the incense money come from, and who will burn incense for them? Who will gild their bodies and build temples for them? Can they just spend all day reciting scriptures and waiting to die? Everyone has desires, whether they are ordinary people or Buddhas. Desire is the foundation of human survival. If everyone becomes a Buddha, then the Buddha is no longer a Buddha."

  The two were stunned by Wei Zuo's words, and he turned around and left, continuing to say: "Children, this world is not what you see. The truth is that ugly women create beautiful people, fools bring out wise men, cowards set off heroes, and all living beings transform the Buddha."

  Fu Yan's small face turned slightly red, his eyebrows furrowed together. His intuition told him that the teacher was wrong, but he couldn't find a reason to refute it. Xiang Qiang, as usual, blindly believed her young master's words without thinking, and followed behind him, flattering: "Young Master is absolutely right."