Seeking Truth with a Sword-Chapter 482 - 433: Choice

Chapter 482: Chapter 433: Choice
Li Ang and Sui Yi exchanged a glance quietly, not understanding the reason behind Jianquan’s disappointment. Li Ang was indeed born in the first month of the fourth year of Changle. His accomplishments had already spread throughout Yu Country when he was first accepted into the Academic Palace, so there was no need for him to hide or deceive.
Still, delaying things further would be to their advantage.
Sui Yi cleared her throat and asked, "What about the timing doesn’t add up?"
"In the Sarnath Notes, there are obscure records of some prophecies left by the Buddha," Jianquan murmured. "For instance, in the future world, one who is born with innate knowledge will descend with a falling star, destined to bring universal salvation to all sentient beings. And the accomplishment of the Six Paths of Reincarnation will be key to saving humanity. I originally thought that the one born to universally save sentient beings referred to Mahalekhituo, who brought Zen into the Central Plains. And the Six Paths of Reincarnation referred to me."
Li Ang and Sui Yi exchanged glances. This prophecy, as vague as the oracle bone script divination found in the Yin Ruins, was hard to discern as true or false.
Who knows what these vague prophecies mean in terms of time, place, or person.
Anyway, if enough time passed, something would eventually seem to fit.
During the silence, an ever-increasing light radiated from the old monk’s body, causing his kasaya to glow dazzlingly.
"Amitabha Buddha," Jianquan said as he came to, sighing deeply. "The prophecy says that the Six Paths of Reincarnation will inevitably be accomplished, and now I see what it means."
He looked at Li Ang and Sui Yi, who were tense and serious, and smiled. "Do not panic, you two. I have already found the person for the Human Path."
"Who?" Sui Yi asked instinctively, the hair on her shoulders slightly curling, ready to reignite.
"Me." Jianquan raised his finger, pointing to himself. "Daoists have their path, deities have theirs. I myself shall seek out the Human Path. Born a mortal, I practiced Zen, entered the Demon path, vainly sought to become a god, only to fall back into the mundane—am I not the ideal candidate for the Human Path? The final sacrifice for the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique will be myself."
The old monk smiled faintly and clasped his hands together, his body radiating intense light.
Alarm bells rang in Sui Yi’s mind. The Yinghuo Sword in her hand immediately slashed out, generating a nearly ten-meter continuous streak of Sword Qi.
However, the old monk simply flicked the Red Sword Energy away, sending it crashing into the eaves of a tall building on the street corner.
BOOM!
The eaves crumbled on impact, sending a mass of bricks, stones, and wood tumbling down toward the crowd.
Li Ang released his Telekinesis, suspending the debris in midair before casting it toward an open space in the courtyard.
"Stop him!" Sui Yi shouted, the hair on her shoulders reigniting, flames flickering in her eyes anew.
However, Li Ang pressed down on her shoulder, shaking his head seriously, preventing Sui Yi’s pointless combustion.
It was too late.
The light surrounding Jianquan grew brighter. His kasaya disintegrated into dust and scattered in the wind, followed by his limbs and torso. Jianquan intended to destroy himself. As mere minor cultivators, they simply couldn’t prevent it.
"Mr. Li." Jianquan, his body steadily turning to dust but a faint smile still on his lips, said, "I still stand by my view. The three realms are unsafe, like a house on fire. They are filled with suffering, truly a frightful sight. Even hundreds or thousands of years from now, the great harmonious world you speak of will be hard to achieve. Even if the advanced technology you mentioned could theoretically ensure that everyone has enough food and clothing, it’s unlikely to truly happen. Such is human nature; some people will always want more, merely to feel superior, and thus would be unwilling to let others have enough. In such times, technology is merely a means and a tool to exploit the common people. I will still initiate the Six Paths of Reincarnation, even if I’m the only one in it."
"But that’s meaningless." Li Ang watched the fading Jianquan, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, "If you are the only one in that cycle of reincarnation, you will be tormented by eternal loneliness and solitude, and it will have no impact on the outside world."
"No, it has meaning." Jianquan smiled. "I’ve already left letters, instructing my disciples to leave the borders of Yu Country ahead of time and go to Jing Country, Zhou Kingdom, and even farther places to spread the teachings. They will teach about the Six Paths of Reincarnation in other places, telling those struggling at the bottom, unable to live or die, that they have another choice. Whenever the Chaotic Wind arises, it signifies my arrival. I will carry the Six Paths of Reincarnation Illusion with the Chaotic Wind, roaming the world to take away those who despairingly volunteer."
Li Ang’s eyes suddenly widened as he abruptly realized Jianquan’s intention.
Jianquan had failed, yet he had also succeeded.
He hadn’t managed to take away the 800,000 residents of Xingzhou City, meaning the initial scale of the Chaotic Wind was limited to just him. However, his disciples, whom he had strategically positioned, would spread his philosophy all over the world. Thus, those living without hope, mired in despair, could choose, upon encountering the Chaotic Wind, to end their lives and voluntarily join the Six Paths of Reincarnation Illusion created by Jianquan. Bit by bit, they would strengthen the Chaotic Wind.
"This is rather intriguing, isn’t it?" Only his head and shoulders remaining, Jianquan smiled. "As long as I exist, as long as the Chaotic Wind exists, the common people will still have a last chance to pursue happiness. Those high above, exploiting the common people, will have to face a choice—if they oppress too much, squeeze too hard, then those common people with no way out will collectively enter the Chaotic Wind, leaving the higher-ups with no one to rule. That’s like a sword hanging over their necks, constantly cautioning them to watch their actions, reminding them whether they are qualified rulers. After I’m gone, they will build bridges and pave roads for the people, punish corrupt officials, not because their conscience has awakened or because they’ve suddenly become good people, but because I once existed..."
The annihilation continued, and Jianquan’s neck had already vanished.
"..." Li Ang gazed at the last fading traces of Jianquan, unsure of what to say.
"Our goals are the same: for the common people. We just choose different paths. You believe that technology can change fate and enhance welfare, whereas I believe that as long as humans rule over humans, there is no future to speak of. This struggle has just begun."
Jianquan’s chin was disappearing, his expression gentle and calm, whispering with his last half of a mouth, "Well, it’s about time. Go now. The Chaotic Wind is here."