Chapter Sixty-Three: When the candles extinguish and the sun
've come to Qinghe County, how can we not visit our elders at Qingjiang"After Ziyouguo left, Jiang Wang continued to head in the direction of Qi.For him, the Heavenly Protected Country was just a stop...Random Recommendation:
The country of Yang has already been destroyed!
The history books have already been flipped through.
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Even the "Nine Nations of Sunrise" that once rose from the bones in Yang Kingdom, dividing and devouring it, are now reduced to just three nations: "Xù", "Zhāo", and "Chāng". They all bow their heads before Qi, eager to submit with letters of surrender.
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The year that the state of Yang officially declared its demise was in the 2813th year of the Dao calendar.
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To this day, after three thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight years on the Dao calendar, over a thousand years have passed, and no one remembers anymore.
There is no permanent ruler in the world.
The sea borders still exist, but they no longer dwell on the past. They bear the responsibility of guarding the coast, not the status of the country of Yang.
The so-called "heart of the homeland" ended after the leader who led Yánggǔ to independence committed suicide.
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As far as Jiang Wang knew, there was only this old Confucian named Yan Sheng before him. He still called it "Old Country", still claimed to be "the remnant of the perished country", and still yearned for the glorious East Palace of yore.
Perhaps the fire in the East Palace of Dayang Nation all those years ago is still burning in this old man's heart.
Yán Sheng remained silent for a long time.
For a moment, there was only wisps of blue smoke, never coalescing into any shape.
Though he offered incense and read the scriptures with unwavering devotion, his efforts couldn't bring him back to the dreamland.
In the past, the country of Yang flourished rapidly. In a very short time, it rose to dominance and became renowned throughout the east.
Tang Taizu Ji Yanqiu also became Jing Taizu Ji Yusu's obstacle, turning his great achievement of becoming the Emperor of Six Harmonies into a fleeting dream.
As the younger sister of Ji Yanqiu, she also inherited the Eight Immortals Legacy and the bloodline of the Azure Emperor. While Ji Yanqiu was still in hiding, Ji Yanru followed her east and west, traveling the world for her.
In the process of establishing the country of Yang, she made an indelible contribution and became a first-class meritorious minister. Her reputation as the founding princess of Yang is, as one of the founders of the Yang Kingdom, passed down along with the history of the Yang Kingdom by the people of Yang.
As a veteran of the old country, Yan Sheng perhaps had many imaginations about this founding princess. He might imagine her lamenting the unfilial descendants, or grieving over the collapse of the great undertaking, or reminiscing about the initial brilliance... Whatever it was, it was all a kind of entanglement with him.
But Ji Yan didn't say anything.
The demise of the State of Yang had burdened Yan Sheng's life. He spent his life poring over mountains of books, dreaming for thousands of years, yet he could never forget the sword that cleaved through the neck of the last prince of Yang.
He was his student and the object of his hopes. He had dedicated himself wholeheartedly, striving to cultivate an emperor of virtue who could save the world from disaster and heal the suffering of all people.
The prince was indeed wise and ambitious, shouldering the weight of the nation. But under the vast heavens, he could only sigh in helpless frustration.
Ideals turned into illusions, emotions flowed eastward, how many times he gazed at the ruins of his homeland, longing to see another swaying figure standing up, even if he could hear a cry or two. But this world was so quiet, only the sound of drums at dusk and bells at dawn echoed through it.
Yansheng looked at Jiang Wang and said softly, "There are traces of the orthodox Dayang royal family's martial arts on your body."
Jiang Wangdao: "Elder Ji transmitted the Dharma to me, but she did not transmit the Dao. She made no demands of me and did not mention Guo Yang."
A strand of silver hair had run to Yansheng's forehead, parting his wrinkles. The old man merely said: "She doesn't want to restrict you."
"I think so." Jiang Wang said.
In the past, the Red Painted Mirror had helped him greatly, saving him many times. The only thing he had done was to bring the Red Painted Mirror before Fúhǎi and ask him to look into the mirror.
Yan Sheng fell silent for a moment, then said: "In ancient times, there were four realms of Dongzhen, called Zhu Ming, Yue Ming, Qing Ming, and Ming Shi. No one mentions them anymore. The path of cultivation has been renewed since ancient times. The words of the past cannot define the present. But this old man feels that they still have some things worth observing - Master Jiang, how do you understand these four realms"
As for other things, Jiang Wang wasn't really interested. Whether it was Nian Sheng reminiscing about the country of Yang or chasing after Luo Sha Ming Yue Jing, to put it plainly, it had nothing to do with him, Jiang someone. But when it came to cultivation, he became much more lively.
The true path can only be found through self-discovery. On this journey, he has spent a long time in deep contemplation and is willing to "speak and discuss". Especially when facing such an experienced and learned elder gentleman.
“As a junior, I humbly speak my mind, senior, please lend an ear.” Jiang Wang pondered for a moment before speaking, “The cultivation of seeing through the truth is like a long journey of understanding the world.”
“I think that illumination by candlelight is the first level of understanding truth. Whatever a candle illuminates, it can make clear. But often people are confined within their own limited rooms and bound by their own perceptions. This is because the light of a candle itself is not very bright or far-reaching, and its power is insufficient.”
"When the moon shines, it is the second level of the True Cave. Everything illuminated by the moon is made bright. The full moon reaches the farthest shores, so you know that you have reached the farthest shores. Riding on the winds of heaven and earth, roaming freely throughout the four seasons in all directions, one can be said to know the world!"
"To be clear-minded is to attain the third level of true understanding. In this state, one sees through all things in heaven and earth with a single heart. There is no need for external illumination, as one's own inner light shines brightly. Whatever one wishes to know or see can be readily perceived. This is the ultimate realm of freedom."
As for Ming Shi...
Jiang Wang’s eyes were clear and bright, his face wearing a smile: “This is indeed the fourth layer of the cave. It is ‘My Heart Illuminates, Thus Illuminating the World’. Even if the candle goes out and the sun and moon are hidden, the principles we cultivators have learned remain suspended forever, called eternal enlightenment, never returning to darkness.”
“Good!” Yansheng couldn’t help but clap his hands in approval: “Your argument is indeed insightful! In the future, your students might even compile a scripture based on this.”
"Sir, your praise is too much. These are just superficial thoughts, not a systematic theory at all. How could I possibly dare to use the name 'Master of Classics' If this were to spread, people would laugh." Jiang Wang said repeatedly, "I respect your virtue and prestige, please don't slander me!"
Yan Sheng said leisurely, "You are young and haven't seen arrogance yet."
"I simply have self-awareness," Jiang Wang stood very upright.
Yan Sheng slightly lifted his chin: “Master Jiang, observing yourself, where would you place yourself among these four realms”
“I am in every realm,” Jiang Wang said earnestly. “When I exist in the world, I also understand the world. Just as I am illuminated by the candlelight and moonlight, so too do I illuminate them.”
Yan Sheng couldn't help but sigh: "The discourse of the Four Layers of Ancient Cave is indeed out of date. It's not only lacking in argumentative strength but also in scope. Truly, a contemporary person surpasses the ancients! Mr. Jiang, I now believe that you can achieve the peak of True Cave Master, with no obstacles ahead!"
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Jiang Wang only said: “That depends on whether I can reach there. Only then will I know for sure if I’ve arrived.”
"Sighing again, Yan Sheng said: “I am an old man of a fallen nation, while you are the pride of this era. History is already outdated, but you are opening a new chapter. I sit here today, remembering my homeland, hoping to teach you something, but I find myself unable to. This is the sorrow of an old man and the regret of an ancient scholar!”
Jiang Wang thought to himself, "Martial arts and esoteric techniques could still be taught. But he didn't say it like that. He only said: 'Sir is a great scholar, just a few words can point out the way in my life's confusion. If I can learn something from your practice, I would be most willing.'"
“In my long life, I have immersed myself in classic texts and wasted my time talking about state affairs! ” The aged scholar lamented. “Seeing such a vigorous and talented young man like you, I am ashamed of my meager existence. Though I want to speak, I fear I will only hold you back.”
Yan Sheng, what kind of old Confucian is he He's much younger than Chen Pu. He just refuses to accept the reality of Yang Guo's destruction and stubbornly lives in the past.
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“How could this be a delay! Although one has the root of enlightenment, without the passage of time, wisdom cannot blossom. I stand before you like a stream facing the vast river.” Jiang Wang comforted earnestly, then said, “Since you have free time today, perhaps we can discuss something meaningful. Speaking of which, regarding the application of this Shen Zhao Dong Huang Yi, sir, what do you think…”
“Is there a deeper connection between the Dry Yang Scarlet Eyes and the Sun Palace I've been pondering this here, wondering if it has something to do with this cursed seal mark...”
"Have a look at this sword manual..."y eyes. "Zheng Xuanchu smiled: "It's Tian Anping's idea, isn't it"Tian Aantae dared not admit, nor deny, he just said: "I am deeply humble and terrified!""Clever scheme, Tian Anping! If I were to whip...