Chapter 674: Solemn and Auspicious Appearance

The words struck Fuxia's ears like a lightning bolt. A flood of memories surged through him, and all his previous doubts suddenly became clear. Fuxia's voice was deep as he asked, "Then why are you so stubborn!"

"Stubborn?" Kongheng smiled, shaking his head, and said softly, "The next day, I returned to the temple. The words of the few Mahas from that day were completely forgotten. I picked up the sutras to read, but every single one of them blurred before my eyes. The characters leaped out of the books, one after another, flying off towards Zhao and Yan."

"I turned back to look and saw the entire courtyard filled with countless characters, like refugees fleeing famine, running frantically hand in hand. A sea of characters flowed down the mountain, vanishing into the endless horizon."

"That night, all the scriptures of my Liaohe Temple turned into blank paper."

His words slowly echoed in the air. Only then did Li Ximing show a look of understanding. Kongheng let out two self-deprecating laughs and replied, "That is why I am least skilled in debating the Dharma."

Fuxia finally fell silent, sitting quietly. Kongheng then said gently, "That year, I was only eighteen. I had just finished studying cultivation techniques and amusing ancient tales and was about to begin studying the sutras, but from that moment on, I had no books left to read."

"Esteemed Elder, all cultivators of the Seven Paths yearn for the ancient methods of Dharma interpretation, often able to reach the esteemed position of the World-Honored One. They want to find the true scriptures from me, but I can give you nothing. This humble one has not read any of these. My cultivation to this day has relied solely on enlightenment from my own true heart."

"There are also accomplished individuals within the Pure Land, such as Dù-En's Six-Motion practitioners... You..."

"Have you seen them?"

"But the esteemed path uses the suffering of the mundane world and the joy of the Pure Land to enlighten the populace, to make them forget material possessions, in pursuit of various solemn, peaceful, and empty realms. But have they truly reached it? Has a being of great divine power ever emerged from the Mahas' Pure Land? Is the Pure Land truly the private magical domain of the Mahas, or is it liberation unaffected by suffering and joy?"

"Neither... Old Senior, neither."

For the first time, Kongheng became solemn. He showed no anger, nor did he reprimand. Only deep contemplation and worry remained. His pale face shone with infinite light, enveloped by the five-colored glow.

Kongheng shook his head, saying softly, "The ancient scriptures are fundamentally unsuitable for today's path!"

"Old Senior, it's not that I don't understand the fundamental Dharma. I have also entered the Pure Land. Whether the joy of the populace is real or not, let's not discuss it for now."

Fuxia's eyes lit up; he seized on Kongheng's words and said in a deep voice, "Does my not having seen it mean it doesn't exist?"

Kongheng said softly, "You all attract people into the Pure Land."

Fuxia's face showed a flicker of understanding. He finally understood why Kongheng often remained silent when faced with his rebuttals. His voice was slightly lower.

Fuxia stared at him in disbelief. It was the first time this old monk had shown an expression of contemplation. The moment this contemplative look appeared, Fuxia's entire aura weakened for a moment. He said coldly, "You've seen it."

"That's right."

"Harsh discipline and recognition of the sea of suffering lead to the boat that ferries one to goodness and clear-mindedness. Joy, anger, greed, and delusion—they are used to seek emptiness from existence. With compassion within, nurturing all beings, and in turn being nurtured by them, one focuses on emptiness, letting go of self-attachment, to attain liberation..."

Kongheng didn't give him a chance, answering softly. Seeing Fuxia stunned, he gently pointed to the sky and smiled, "The Six-Armed are right up there."

Kongheng said gently, "I have read all the scriptures of the Seven Paths: boundless desire, first gain then loss, to achieve solemnity; manifesting wrath, transforming evil into good, and forging a revered image; longing for the Dharma and seeking realms, releasing lands in the present world, to universally ferry all beings across."

Fuxia had forgotten all arguments by now. Slowly, his head trembling, he raised his gaze. The Six-Armed Vajra, solemn and revered, stood above Huangyuan Pass. Its six arms firmly held down Ming Pass.

"You... How is that possible! Don't even think of deceiving me with such demonic talk!"

Kongheng slowly shook his head, his voice very soft, "This is the revered image, this is the pure realm, this is the one in the Pure Land who has forgotten both self and the world. When I was eighteen, he appeared from the manifestation of wrath to aid me, and has not uttered a word since."

Fuxia didn't know how to respond, lost and bewildered. Kongheng said softly, "I understand what my senior brother means. The Four Wrathful Demon Emperors have fallen, and the lineage of the Wrathful Path is waning. He wants me to cultivate wrath in my heart, to fully embrace the Wrathful Manifestation, so I can become a Maha and re-establish the lineage."

"Is that not so!"

Fuxia was silent for a moment, then replied, "Yes."

Kongheng's expression was gentle, and the light on his face grew increasingly intense. He said kindly and patiently, "This is the problem. You believe the Wrathful Manifestation is good, so you want me to become one, and that's why you came for me."

"You believe all sentient beings suffer, so you want to universally save them. You want to create a Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. You first let them endure endless suffering, then you gather all of them into it, so they become eternally grateful."

He asked, "You condescendingly want to universally save all beings, but have these beings ever desired to be saved by you?"

"Why wouldn't they want to!" Fuxia's expression changed; he said in a deep voice, "How much suffering there is in the world, and how much joy in the Pure Land! In the lands of Yan and Zhao, any common person you pick will yearn to enter the Pure Land!"

Kongheng said softly, "That is because the present world is too bitter, and they seek only pleasure. As for boundless peace, boundless purity, and a boundless, stable, revered image—that is not what the common people seek. They suffer from the seven emotions, but also enjoy the seven emotions. A boundless revered image is a boundless form of death. Only when suffering drives them to wish for death, and they forsake all joy, will they truly desire to enter the Pure Land."

"You think everyone wants to enter the Pure Land. In reality, everyone is so tormented that they feel forced to enter the Pure Land."

Fuxia retorted, "Nonsense! Who wouldn't desire a revered image? They only claim not to because their spiritual realm is insufficient!"

Kongheng stood up, and said in a gentle, quiet voice, "The revered image, with its boundless and ultimate tranquility, is a singular form. It reacts to everything in the same way, becoming the same person. If ten thousand people achieve it, it is essentially one entity occupying ten thousand bodies. Old Senior Fuxia, the World-Honored One does not cultivate in this way."

"You, in the name of cultivating the World-Honored One, deceive millions with vast joyful lands, hoping to use puppets of the revered image to fully possess their souls! While you yourselves retain the seven emotions and six desires, sitting high above, laughing at the world and calling it foolish!"

"Even more foolishly, some end up possessing themselves with the revered image! Millions of people merge into one boundless, tranquil, pure, and stable form of death!"

Fuxia stared at him profoundly, his voice hoarse, saying, "Is that what the ancient Buddhist teachings claim?"

Kongheng looked at him quietly, and said gently, "That is what I am saying."

As Kongheng's voice faded, the scorching Lihuo fire was already engulfing his body. Li Ximing's urging voice rang out again and again. Fuxia suddenly put away all expressions and looked at him quietly. "If that's the case, why wouldn't Kongheng become a Maha?"

His aged face was filled with sincerity, and clear tears even streamed down. "Since all Seven Paths are mistaken, Kongheng should ascend to become a Maha, self-proclaim a Pure Land, teach the world the method of infinite liberation, turn this filthy world upside down, and achieve the First Pure Land!"

"My Lord, let us return to the Northern Demon-Subduing Temple! We are willing to be at your command!"