Both Buddhism and Taoism had been arguing for thousands of years, forming a huge quagmire. Generations of experts from both sects were unable to avoid this custom. They either argued fiercely in the imperial court or wrote books to slander each other. Each and every one of them had to crawl and roll in this quagmire several times. Very few could be recognized by later generations as someone who could emerge from the quagmire without being tainted. In the past hundred years, there was a white-robed monk who traveled to the west in search of scriptures. Only then did the awkwardness of the three sects of the current dynasty, with Confucianism first, Taoism second, and Buddhism last. Unfortunately, when the concept of epiphany appeared in the world, it was a huge blow to the white-robed monk and the Two Zen Temples. This tall monk once jokingly said that the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism was like two old farmers in a village fighting for water to irrigate their fields. The water source was the same, but the amount of water was limited. Whoever stole more water and swindled more water into their fields would have a better harvest. Since it was a fight for water, naturally there would be conflict. First, they would use their words. If they could not convince the other side, then they would use their fists and feet. If that did not work, then the one who had a good relationship with the Village Constable would ask the armed officials to kill.
Naturally, the white-robed monk was mocking himself. He also secretly mocked Taoism's Longhu Mountain's closeness to the imperial court and how they were favored by the emperor. From the imperial court down to the marketplace, they had launched as many as six campaigns to exterminate Buddhism in history. The white-robed monk had previously single-handedly fought against more than ten great Zhenrens on the Golden Peak of Taoism's ancestral court twice. Both times, he had won by the same method. Speaking of which, it was strange. In the past, when Buddhism and Taoism fought once every ten years, even if one side won by a large margin, it would be subjected to countless criticisms afterwards. Only this white-robed monk, who never finished talking, had won by stumbling. Even the extremely arrogant old immortals of Longhu Mountain could only smile bitterly and did not hold much grudge against him. In recent years, there were often some Zhenrens outside of Longhu Mountain who quoted Buddhism's doctrines and wrote all kinds of books to criticize and oppose Buddhism. They carried their book boxes and went to the Two Zen Temples to find the white-robed monk to debate. Without exception, after they left the mountain, they did not speak a word.
Outside the thatched hut on the mountain behind the Two Zen Temples, two bald monks, one big and one small, were basking in the sun. This place was too close to the forbidden area, the Forest of Steles, so there were very few visitors. Therefore, there was no smell of incense that was so thick that one couldn't cover their nose. Behind the thatched hut was a vegetable garden and chicken coop. In front of the hut were two peach trees, both young. One of the peach trees was planted when the middle-aged monk's daughter was born. Later on, he abducted a little fool, Wu Nanbei, from who knows where, and planted another Weeping Green Peach Tree. The back of the mountain was shady, so the peach trees grew slowly. The branches were well-spaced, and the branches were dark green.
Every year, on the two children's birthdays, the foolish Nanbei's master's wife would carry a kitchen knife and drag the two children, who were born on the same year, month, and day, to the peach tree. She would carve a mark according to their height. Previously, as a girl, Li Shishi developed early and grew quickly. Every birthday, she would be as happy as an oriole, chattering non-stop. She would also constantly touch the foolish Nanbei's little bald head, making fun of him for being a short winter melon. Unfortunately, the wheel of fortune had turned. When she became a young girl and he became a teenager, Li Shishi was unhappy. Now that Wu Nanbei was taller than her, this made Li Shishi somewhat depressed. In the future, if the foolish Nanbei grew as tall as her father, wouldn't she have to stand on tiptoe to touch his head?
The little monk didn't need to explain the scriptures today, and tomorrow he would replace his master to go to the Lotus Golden Peak of Mount Longhu. The little monk was a young preaching monk who could convince people with reason at the Two Zen Temples, so he didn't seem to have stage fright. He only asked gloomily, "Master, tomorrow I'm going to Mount Longhu to quarrel with them. Why is there a Taoist priest coming up the mountain to talk to you?"
The white-robed monk was lying on a rattan chair, stroking his bald head. He caught a glimpse of his wife walking out of the thatched hut to wash clothes. He said firmly, "Everyone on the mountain knows that your master's wife is good at cooking, so they're here to freeload."
The little monk was really stupid. He said honestly, "Ah? Then master, why did you say behind your master's wife's back that you put too much salt in that plate of spring garlic chives and asked me for water to drink? I thought the saltiness was just right. However, these Taoist priests are too insatiable. Although they are guests, master and master's wife have already cooked a table full of food, and they've already eaten. They still want to quarrel with you, master. When they can't win the argument, they make a scene. Fine, master, you're too noisy, so you lead them to the back of the hut and let them use their fists to reason with you. After that, they scolded master and even hit master. In the end, master's wife still has to put on a smiling face and say that we're in the wrong.
What a pity. "The white-robed monk's shoulder was fiercely pinched by the woman." Invincible Vajra? "The bald uncle frowned with a pitiful expression. When his wife walked away with a cold snort, he gently patted his stupid disciple's head and glared at him. He didn't reprimand the little monk for not having good eyesight.
The stupid Nanbei scratched his head. Just like what Dongfang Nian said, he was very slippery, like a wooden fish. The little monk sighed and said, "Master, can I do it or not? When we lose the argument, what if the old abbot doesn't even give us the copper coins? Master's wife will definitely blame me. "
The most mischievous middle-aged monk said irresponsibly, "If the old abbot says you can do it, what do you say?"
The little monk was a little hesitant, "This, I don't think I can do it? Half a year ago, the foreign monk who came from India said that he wanted to build a temple and preach. The old abbot agreed without hesitation. This made Abbot Hui Xian and the others who had been eyeing that piece of land for many years very angry. Also, a month ago, Master's Uncle Falin said that she wanted to renounce the secular world and stop being a monk. She wanted to go down the mountain to be a butcher who drinks wine and eats meat. The old abbot just smiled and said that he could do it. Also, two days ago, Junior Brother Yongfa, who was only eight years old, ran to the old abbot's meditation room and said that if he didn't give him any candy, he would pee there. The old abbot still agreed. "
The white-robed monk said lightly and asked, "Dongfang Nian said you can do it, then can you do it?"
Kuai Nanbei's eyes suddenly lit up. He grinned and said, "I think I can."
The white-robed monk said unhappily, "Then why are you nagging? Go and see how Dongfang Nian is doing. I've helped you pack your luggage. Even my daughter has never treated me like this. Seeing you makes me annoyed. Go, go, go."
The little monk muttered, "Master, you're not going down the mountain for a long journey."
Seeing his master's glare, the stupid Nan Bei hurriedly got up from the small stool and ran towards the simple and crude thatched cottage. As he ran, the two wide sleeves of his kasaya, which had been cleaned by his master's wife, fluttered slowly, not stirring up any dust.
The white-robed monk closed his eyes and said lazily, "Master has walked tens of thousands of miles in one trip. He has walked all the way for a lifetime."
There were three rooms in the thatched cottage. Kuai Nanbei's room was right next to Li Dongfang Nian's. In the cottage, there was only a bed, a table, a stool, and a lamp. There were also a few Buddhist scriptures on the table. There was not much else. This was in stark contrast to the messy pots and pans in the master's and the master's wife's rooms. Li Dongfang Nian sat on the narrow wooden bed where Kuai Nanbei's quilt was neatly folded. She was tossing and turning a simple hemp woven bag. In fact, there were only a few changes of clothes, but she stuffed some copper coins and broken silver coins that she had asked from her mother. Half of it was for Kuai Nanbei to buy Buddhist scriptures, and the rest was for him to go down the mountain to buy some cheap rouge, face powder, novels, and small carved makeup boxes. She was worried that the silver coins were not enough to spend. She frowned and her expression was exactly the same as her father's. Wu Nanbei saw this and did not say anything. He was just secretly happy.
"Kuai Nanbei, this red sandalwood prayer beads was given to me by Hsu Fengnian. Take it. He said that in Jianghu, you have to pay attention to style. Otherwise, many people will look down on you. I already said that I'm lending it to you, not giving it to you. "
"Master will not be happy if he sees it. You usually don't even let him touch it. Because of this, Master has already charged His Royal Highness several hundred times in the account book. "
"Kuai Nanbei, do you want it or not?!"
"Yes!"
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