My brother is so cunning

Chapter 1122 The Second Battle of the Investiture of the Gods

"More importantly, the Chan teacher was born without a name."

Laozi abruptly changed the subject, his gaze suddenly sharpening: "In the past, during the Investiture of the Gods, the Chan Sect supported the Zhou in destroying the Shang because King Zhou of Shang had lost his virtue and the people's hearts had turned away. This action was in accordance with the Way of Heaven. But what about now? You keep saying you're 'supporting the human race,' but the people of the mortal world yearn for the Free City led by the Jie Sect. What is the purpose of your so-called 'pacification of chaos'? Only you yourselves know the answer. It is definitely not for the well-being of all living beings."

Upon hearing this, Guang Chengzi's face paled, and he hurriedly retorted, "Laojun, you are mistaken! The Chan Sect upholds the 'Heavenly Order' and the 'Orthodoxy of the Race.' What else could it be for?"

What is the order of Heaven?

Lao Tzu picked up the *Tao Te Ching* and slowly recited: “‘The Tao is always inactive, yet nothing is left undone. If rulers and kings could abide by it, all things would transform themselves.’ The true Tao is never based on the ‘order’ imposed by gods and Buddhas, but rather on allowing all beings to develop autonomously and become self-sufficient. So, Wen Rui’s dissemination of scientific knowledge, enabling mortals to explore the laws of nature, is it not also a manifestation of ‘all things transforming themselves’?”

He put down his book, his tone tinged with melancholy: “You always say that mortals are foolish and need the guidance of immortals and Buddhas, but you forget the ancient teaching that ‘the people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important.’ If the Chan Sect truly cares about all living beings, it should respect the choices of the millions of people in the mortal world, instead of resorting to force in the name of ‘heresy’ at every turn. If we forcibly suppress them, we will be going against the will of Heaven. At that time, not only will we fail to quell the chaos, but we will also bring trouble upon ourselves and shake the very foundation of the Chan Sect.”

At this point, Laozi said meaningfully, "This is the secret of heaven that I have come to understand. Go back and tell your master that times have changed. If the Chan Sect really wants to besiege us, I will not stop them, but I will never participate either. After all, 'those who follow the will of Heaven prosper, and those who defy the will of Heaven perish.' I advise you to go back and tell Yuanshi Tianzun to think twice before acting, and not to destroy the ten-thousand-year-old lineage because of a momentary obsession."

Guang Chengzi was speechless after being refuted, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He could only stand up and bow, his tone no longer showing the urgency he had when he arrived, but only a hint of bewilderment: "Thank you for your guidance, Master Uncle. This disciple... this disciple will report Laozi's words to my master."

……

With mixed feelings, Guang Chengzi returned to Yuxu Palace. The palace was shrouded in mist, and Yuanshi Tianzun sat regally on his nine-dragon throne, radiating a majestic golden light, clearly having waited for some time. Upon Guang Chengzi's entrance, he spoke slowly, his voice tinged with anticipation: "During your trip to Doushuai Palace, did Laozi agree to lend a hand?"

Guang Chengzi bowed deeply, his tone filled with shame: "Reporting to Master, I have failed to persuade Laozi. My senior brother Laozi said that the Way of Heaven is the choice of all living beings, and also pointed out that our Chan Sect has no official name. In the past, supporting Zhou and destroying Shang was in accordance with the will of the people. Now, the people yearn for the teachings of the Jie Sect. Our actions of encircling and suppressing them are probably going against the will of Heaven."

He paused, then added, "When I went to Nuwa Palace before, Nuwa did not explicitly refuse, but only said that she would send the Azure Phoenix female official to investigate and not express her opinion for the time being. However, I felt that the possibility of her helping in the battle was not high, and it seemed that she had some doubts about the argument of 'legitimate bloodline' of my Chan Sect."

snort! "

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun let out a heavy snort, and the auspicious clouds beside the Nine-Dragon Throne instantly surged. "Laojun is obsessed with alchemy and believes in the Way of Non-Action, so he can't be relied on; Nuwa is shallow and ignorant, and was actually deceived by the little tricks of that Creation Tianzun! How can an outsider who disrupts the bloodline of the race and spreads heresies be considered 'following the will of Heaven'? It is clearly defying Heaven and violating morality!"

Guang Chengzi lowered his head, not daring to speak, and the atmosphere in the hall became heavy for a moment.

Just then, a young Taoist announced from outside the hall: "Reporting to the Heavenly Venerable, the Heavenly Court's special envoy, Venus, requests an audience, saying that he has important matters to convey on the Jade Emperor's orders."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yuanshi Tianzun's eyes, then he said, "Summon him in." A moment later, Taibai Jinxing, holding a whisk and dressed in a brocade robe, slowly walked into the hall and respectfully bowed: "This humble immortal greets Yuanshi Tianzun. By order of the Jade Emperor, I have come to inform you that the wolfish ambitions of the Jie Sect demon Wen Rui are common knowledge. The Jade Emperor has long been wary of him, but has not dared to act rashly due to the villain's power."

Venus took out a jade belt from his robes and presented it to the Primordial Heavenly Venerable with trembling hands: "I have heard that Ruo has spies everywhere in the Heavenly Court. His Majesty the Jade Emperor has been oppressed by him for years, daring not to speak out for fear that this treacherous villain who disregards the Heavenly Way will commit regicide. This time, I sent this humble immortal on a mission, fearing that I would not be able to gain the trust of the Sage without a token. Therefore, I wrote a secret edict on this jade belt, which is called the 'Edict in the Belt,' which affirms that the Sage will take action to uphold the orthodoxy of Heaven and Earth and eliminate this tyrannical and treacherous ruler!"

This scene saddened the immortals of the Chan Sect in the Jade Void Palace. The Jade Emperor was the nominal King of All Immortals and the ruler of the Three Realms, yet when his ministers were stronger than him, he had to write a secret edict in his belt when sending envoys to seek external assistance, fearing that it would be discovered by powerful and treacherous officials and that he would be killed.

That's horrible!
Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun's eyes lit up instantly, and most of his anger dissipated: "Does the Jade Emperor truly intend this?"

"It's true."

Taibai Jinxing nodded and said, "The Jade Emperor said that the Chan Sect is the orthodox lineage of the primordial world, and it has an inescapable responsibility to maintain the order of Heaven. The actions of the Jie Sect's demons may seem to benefit the people, but in reality they are shaking the foundation of immortals and Buddhas. If they are allowed to develop, the majesty of Heaven will also be damaged, and all living beings will lose their reverence for Heaven and no longer offer incense and prayers. Heaven is willing to join hands with the Chan Sect to protect the orthodox lineage of the primordial world and restore a bright and clear world to the Three Realms."

At this point, Venus said somewhat awkwardly, "However, the Heavenly Court's Jie Sect is too powerful now, and the Jade Emperor can only provide all support except for sending troops."

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun was unconcerned and instead laughed heartily. The auspicious clouds beside the Nine-Dragon Throne returned to their peaceful state: "Good! Good! The Jade Emperor can distinguish right from wrong and knows what is orthodox! With the support of the Heavenly Court, my Chan Sect has the legitimacy of the orthodox laws of Heaven and Earth. Let's see who dares to say that my Chan Sect has no legitimate origin!"

This statement was clearly made in response to Guang Chengzi relaying Laozi's words.

He looked at Guang Chengzi and the group of Chan Sect immortals, his tone filled with unprecedented confidence: "Listen to me, the Heavenly Court is the ruler of the Three Realms. The Jade Emperor's support is the recognition of the orthodox Heavenly Way! Even if some people yearn for the Jie Sect, it is ultimately going against the will of Heaven and will hardly amount to anything!"

Guang Chengzi was overjoyed and quickly said, "Master is wise! With the help of the Heavenly Court, our Chan Sect will surely be able to quell the chaos and eliminate the heretics!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than another disciple of the Chan Sect rushed into the hall, his face beaming with joy: "Reporting to Master! News has come from the Western Sect that the two saints, Jieyin and Zhunti, have emerged from seclusion in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Hearing of the chaos in the primordial world, they have decided to come to assist the Chan Sect in their fight against the Creator Heavenly Venerable and the Jie Sect, saying that they will 'purify the heavenly demons and protect the Buddha's teachings'!"

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun laughed heartily, his golden light shining even brighter: "Good! Good! Good! With the support of the Heavenly Court and the assistance of the Western Sages, plus the disciples of my Chan Sect, how can we worry about the Creation Heavenly Venerable not being destroyed, or the Jie Sect not perishing!"

(End of this chapter)