Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 620 The Four Noble Truths
"Mahayana Buddhism, Mahayana..."

The bald-headed monk murmured under his breath, his mind racing with a myriad of emotions.

He suddenly looked up at Lu Zheng, his bright eyes gleaming with golden light.

"You must have studied the essence of Buddhism. Where did you learn all this? And that Buddhist saying from before..."

Lu Zheng smiled faintly upon hearing this, "I do know a little about Buddhism, but what does that have to do with you, Master?"

Lu Zheng was too lazy to argue with this monk about Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism.

He went over to the children and examined them.

The bald-headed monk scratched his head anxiously, walked to Lu Zheng's side, put his hands together and said, "Benefactor, you have a compassionate heart. Since you can save these mortals, why not save this poor monk as well?"

Lu Zheng didn't even look up and said, "I see that you are a master who is not hiding your true abilities. You seem to be a person of profound cultivation. Why would you need a junior to guide you?"

The bald-headed monk couldn't help but say, "Oh dear, we practitioners don't judge people by age. Benefactor, you are so kind; please share more Buddhist teachings with this humble monk..."

He was quite certain that Lu Zheng possessed Buddhist teachings he had never studied before, and if he could gain even a little insight into them, he could avoid many detours.

Lu Zheng said slowly, "Master, you are cultivating the Four Noble Truths. Further discussion is of no benefit and may even hinder your cultivation."

The bald-headed monk quickly replied, "What are you saying? Since it is Buddhist teaching, the more you know and verify it, the more you can understand the Great Way..."

Lu Zheng said calmly, "I'm not a very generous person. If you have a request, Master, what can you give me?"

The bald-headed monk raised an eyebrow. "What does the benefactor desire?"

Lu Zheng asked, "May I ask about your background, Master?"

The bald-headed monk couldn't help but touch his head, and in an instant, his whole body shone with golden light.

In the blink of an eye, the bald monk's bald head disappeared, and he was bathed in golden light, wearing a clean and exquisite monk's robe.

"May the Buddha have mercy, and may this humble monk, through his painstaking efforts, grant me the opportunity to become a disciple of the Four Noble Truths school of the Great Wei Dynasty, who has already attained Arhatship..."

The Arhat realm in Buddhism is what practitioners refer to as the six realms of profound understanding.

Xu Ying, standing to the side, looked surprised. The Four Noble Truths School was one of the most prominent Buddhist schools in the Great Wei Dynasty.

Moreover, this master is at the Arhat realm, so his status in his sect must be quite high.

Lu Zheng was not surprised at all upon hearing this; he had seen many strong people and was already used to it.

He carefully observed Lu Zheng's expressionless face and thought to himself, "How could this young man, with his status, not react at all?"
Lu Zheng simply nodded and said, "Lu Zheng, a native of Anguo, studies Confucianism, Taoism, and the teachings of various schools of thought..."

It was only now that Ku Xin learned Lu Zheng's full name, but having spent so many years in the Northern Region, he had never heard of Lu Zheng's deeds.

As for Lu Zheng's mention of studying the methods of various schools of thought, it made Ku Xin's mind wander.

You wouldn't say something like that unless you have real knowledge.

I have painstakingly considered myself to have read quite a few books from other disciplines, but I would not dare to say that I have mastered the methods of all schools of thought.

At this moment, Lu Zheng said again, "If you do my work for me for three years, I will discuss Mahayana Buddhism with you, how about it?"

"What?"

He had already revealed his identity with a glare, but the young man still wanted to use him as a laborer.
Seeing this, Lu Zheng said indifferently, "Unwilling? Then forget it. Master, please leave, I'm very busy here."

"Hey, hey, hey, I didn't say I didn't want to!"

Ku Xin hurriedly said, "Isn't three years a bit too long? Why don't you talk to this humble monk about it first?"

Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "Master, you've endured so much hardship for so many years, and now you're complaining that three years is too long?"

Ku Xin couldn't help but retort, "I have endured hardship, and my cultivation has improved."

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Then how does the master know that working for me for three years will not improve one's cultivation?"

Lu Zheng paused, then murmured softly.

A gentle Buddhist chant echoed in Kuxin's ears, like a thunderclap in a clear sky. "When Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was practicing the profound Prajnaparamita, he perceived that the five aggregates are empty, and thus transcended all suffering and distress."

His heart was shaken, and his eyes showed surprise.

However, the profound Buddhist chanting abruptly stopped.

His pained expression suddenly changed, and he felt a tightness in his chest, which was quite distressing.

Lu Zheng remained calm and said, "Five years, Master can consider five breaths."

"Done!"

Ku Xin said without hesitation, feeling that if he tried to bargain any further, he might not have another chance.

With a painstaking gaze, he added, "This humble monk can do things for you, but I will not do anything that violates my principles!"

Lu Zheng didn't ask what principles Ku Xin had, and directly instructed, "I just went to the city lord's mansion and discussed some matters with them..."

"Since the master has so much free time, why don't you go and supervise their work?"

Was all this effort really about such a small matter? However, Lu Zheng's idea to improve the living conditions of the locals and demons was quite surprising to him.

He couldn't help but remind him, "This is the Northern Region, and this place is under the jurisdiction of a powerful demon. What you're doing probably won't be very effective..."

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Doing nothing will have no effect whatsoever. Master, you don't need to worry about anything; I know what I'm doing."

This place is currently under the control of a powerful demon, but what about the future? That remains to be seen.

Upon hearing this, Ku Xin thought to himself that young people these days are so opinionated, which saved him a lot of trouble.

Seeing this, he painstakingly left the courtyard.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the city lord's mansion.

At home, Wang Shou was frowning and pondering how to arrange things.

Even after being threatened with his life by Lu Zheng, he still didn't dare to gamble with his own.

As for reporting this matter, Wang Shou thought about it again and again but dared not do it.

After all, Lu Zheng came with an invitation, and Huai Jun is currently busy preparing for the birthday banquet. If he went to submit such a report, what if he really offended someone...?

"This money is really hard to get!"

Wang Shou muttered to himself, thinking that he should have firmly refused the money earlier. His greed had led him into a trap.

"Are you demons always so slow and inefficient in your work?"

Suddenly, a voice echoed in Wang Shou's ears.

Wang Shou was startled and saw a monk standing in front of him, whose aura was so oppressive that he almost suffocated.

Buddhist Arhat!

Wang Shou, having seen some of the world, quickly realized the strength of the monk before him.

He slipped and knelt on the ground, trembling as he said, "I don't know where I have offended you, Master. Please forgive me!"

Such a high-ranking monk is no different from crushing an ant if you kill him.

Even if Huai Jun found out, he probably wouldn't stand up for him.

Furthermore, if you're already dead, it won't matter if someone steps in to help you.

He said calmly, "Why haven't you done the thing that Benefactor Lu asked you to do before?"

Wang Shou was struck dumb. He thought to himself that the young man was no ordinary person, as he was accompanied by such a high-ranking monk.
"There are quite a few things to do, I'm making arrangements now, I'll send someone over immediately..."

Wang Shou's back was drenched in cold sweat, and he hurriedly tried to remedy the situation.

(End of this chapter)