My brother is so cunning

Chapter 1110 Speaking Up for Justice
"Only after hearing the Buddha's teachings reveal the truth did we realize that we were almost deceived by this evil demon!"

Guang Chengzi stood up, his tone impassioned, "Previously we thought it was just the revival of the Jie Sect, vying with the Chan Sect for the Daoist lineage, but now it seems that it was actually the Heavenly Demon using this as a pretext!"

At this point, Guang Chengzi seemed to have realized something and took out a projection pearl from his bosom.

"While we were waiting for our master to emerge from seclusion, my fellow disciples and I collected information about Wen Rui's actions in the mortal realm over the past two hundred years in order to investigate his background and how he was able to revive the declining Jie Sect to its current state in such a short time."

"This fellow makes no attempt to conceal his activities, leaving many traces in the mortal realm. He even deliberately filmed some so-called lecture videos explaining the 'Secret Techniques of Heaven' and spread them widely. They are not difficult to collect."

As he spoke, Guang Chengzi used his magic to activate the projection pearl, which was the finest among projection pearls. It projected dozens of images, lighting up many screens in the Jade Void Palace and displaying them to the immortals of the Chan Sect inside.

One of the images shows Wen Rui lecturing at Liberty City University.

He stood on the high platform, with complex blueprints laid out before him. The blueprints were filled with countless interwoven lines and rotating spheres. He spoke eloquently to the group of top students from the Demon Alliance in the lecture hall:

"You think the Way of Heaven is the manifestation of the will of gods and Buddhas? You're wrong! The so-called Way of Heaven is essentially the fundamental law governing the operation of the universe, which existed long before the birth of gods and Buddhas!"

"What exactly is the Way of Heaven? Even the gods and Buddhas and a few sages could not give an accurate explanation. However, through continuous in-depth deduction using the Secret Method of Intercepting Heaven, and through mathematical and physical analysis, I have proposed several hypotheses."

"At the beginning of the universe, there was an extreme energy burst, also known as the 'Big Bang,' from which time, space, and elementary particles were born, which evolved into stars, planets, and even the earth beneath our feet... This is the 'Big Bang theory' hypothesis of the birth of the universe, and this hypothesis coincides with the myth of Pangu creating the world."

The students below the stage listened intently, and the Creator then pointed to another drawing with tiny string lines:
"Looking at this 'string theory' hypothesis, everything in the world, from the smallest dust to the largest star, is essentially a vibrating 'string.' Different vibration frequencies create different forms and properties of matter. The so-called 'magic' and 'supernatural powers' of gods and Buddhas are nothing more than some people accidentally mastering the vibration laws of 'strings' and being able to temporarily mobilize energy. How can they be considered 'divinely bestowed opportunities' or 'blessings from a previous life'?"

Finally, he unfurled a scroll filled with formulas, his tone resolute:

"The 'unified field theory' tells us that gravity, electromagnetism, and even the 'pressure of heaven' you perceive are all different manifestations of the same force. As long as we grasp the laws of this unified force, mortals can fly and transform nature like gods and Buddhas, and even do better than them, because gods and Buddhas rely on 'insight', while we rely on 'empirical evidence' and 'calculation'!"

……

"Listen to this, everyone!"

Standing beside Guang Chengzi, Master Yu Ding pointed sharply at the projected image, his voice filled with indignation, "He actually used these 'nonsense' to distort the Dao! 'Big Bang,' 'string,' 'unified field'—these have never appeared in any Daoist scriptures; they are clearly fabricated heresies!" "He even teaches mortals to manipulate those 'strange skills and tricks,' telling them not to believe in gods and Buddhas, and bewitching them by saying that as long as they comprehend certain strings or fields, they can wield the supreme power of gods and Buddhas at will. Isn't this severing the foundation of our lineage? How dare ordinary cultivators be so rebellious? It must be an evil spirit from beyond the realm possessing him to dare to desecrate the Dao!"

Master Huanglong clenched his fist, pointed at another projected image, and said with disdain, "What's even more absurd is that he also said, 'There are no gods or immortals to save the world; we must rely on the wisdom and labor of all living beings to create our own good life!' We have cultivated immortality for thousands of years, protecting the mortal world and bringing down sweet rain. When have we not been the reliance of all living beings? How could living beings survive without us? He actually incited mortals to question gods and Buddhas and instigated them to disrespect the immortal sect. How is such talk any different from that of a demon who bewitches people?"

Guang Chengzi picked up the conversation, his brow furrowed: "And there's his distorted interpretation of the 'Intercepting Sect'! He says that the Intercepting Sect's 'intercepting the Heavenly Dao' means 'mortals learning and mastering the laws of nature, intercepting the power of nature for their own use,' rather than what we understand as 'seizing the fortune of heaven and earth.' This is clearly a distortion of the sect's doctrines and a misunderstanding! If, as he says, mortals can 'intercept the Heavenly Dao,' then what is the point of our existence as cultivators?"

The immortals echoed their agreement, finding it increasingly "abnormal" as they discussed it. The more they talked, the more they felt that Tathagata's knowledge of past lives had finally unearthed the deep-seated evil roots of Wen Rui, which corresponded perfectly with his past words and deeds.

Yuanshi Tianzun stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "This boy's ideas completely violate the Heavenly Dao order of 'divine protection and the reverence of all beings.' By allowing mortals to be autonomous, he weakens the authority of the gods and Buddhas; by saying that the laws are controllable, he desecrates the sacredness of the Heavenly Dao. Such 'heretical' behavior, even if he is not a Heavenly Demon, is no different from one. Keeping him will surely bring chaos to the Three Realms!"

Venerable Kasyapa clasped his hands together, his tone filled with compassion: "He says 'rely on sentient beings themselves,' but sentient beings are ignorant, and without the guidance of gods and Buddhas, they will only fall into chaos. It is our duty, bestowed upon us by the Heavenly Dao, to protect the mortal realm and enlighten sentient beings, yet he asks mortals to reject our compassion, undoubtedly leaving them to fend for themselves. He clearly wants to return the Three Realms to barbaric chaos; how malicious his intentions are! It is pitiful and lamentable that those foolish sentient beings actually believe his deception, truly thinking that they can stand between heaven and earth on their own."

Only Yun Zhongzi, standing in the corner, looked increasingly hesitant. Finally, he couldn't help but step forward, his voice soft yet clear: "Fellow Daoists, perhaps... perhaps there is another hidden story behind this matter. Some time ago, I traveled to the mortal realm under an assumed name, and what I saw and heard was completely different from what you all have said."

These words silenced the hall instantly. Guang Chengzi frowned and said, "Yun Zhongzi, what do you mean by that? Wasn't it you who was seriously injured and came to the Kunlun sect for help, which indirectly led to Chi Jingzi's death? You even fought with Wen Rui, haven't you seen through his demonic nature yet?"

"One yard owned by a yard."

Yun Zhongzi's eyes were firm, and he said resolutely, "Let's not even talk about whether Wen Rui is a demon incarnate or not. Let's just talk about those ordinary people who follow his teachings. I see that the city of the Jie Sect is not the 'foolish and chaotic place' that you all think. On the contrary, it is a rare city of rationality and clarity in the mortal world."

"The most crucial factor is the people in the city."

Yun Zhongzi's gaze swept over the immortals, his tone tinged with emotion: "I heard that Rui has set up an 'academy' in the city, implemented nine years of compulsory education with no tuition fees, and also established a scholarship system to help poor students."

"All children who are six years old or older must attend school to learn what he calls 'science,' 'writing,' and 'law.' The people in the city must at least have a 'secondary school diploma,' be able to read and write, understand the legal provisions, and distinguish right from wrong."

“When I talked with them, I found that they knew the laws governing the universe and how to improve their lives through labor. They neither blindly believed in gods and Buddhas nor deliberately slandered them. They only said, ‘Thank you to the gods and Buddhas for protecting the mortal world, but we prefer to rely on ourselves.’ Compared with those ignorant people in history who were illiterate and could only rely on the guidance of gods and Buddhas, these knowledgeable and sensible people are precisely the least ignorant and least superstitious!”

(End of this chapter)