Fang Shiwen raised his brows and was quite surprised to hear Zhang Yan's answer, and then asked: "So, Master Zhang throws out the overt and dark narrations in "Journey to the West", but allows the disciples to understand on their own? What if? What should they do if their understanding goes awry? For example, they pursue the Buddha’s light and despise the laws of heaven?”
They are all telling "stories", but Fang Shiwen's words have nothing to do with the "story".
And Fang Shiwen is not worried at all whether Zhang Yan will understand. In his opinion, the so-called "Journey to the West" must be a warning work passed down from the ancient world, but it was disguised by Zhang Yan as a "story" Showing people, avoids the embarrassing problem of the great world disappearing from its peak to now.
But Fang Shiwen didn't care. He was sure that he had an insight into Duoyashan's tricks. The great world of prehistoric times has long disappeared. He understood what Duoyashan was doing, but he couldn't just take it as a story. Otherwise, wouldn't it seem that Da Hongtian is too closed-minded and can't even guess these things?
Zhang Yan leaned back in the chair behind him with complicated eyes.
"It seems that Elder Fang has not read "Journey to the West" thoroughly enough. Whether it is Heaven or Xitian. They are all in the book, so what does it have to do with reality? Heaven is only superficial, Xitian is hypocritical and selfish, and even Xuanzang can do it from beginning to end. It is difficult to conquer the world by being alone. Even Sun Dasheng could only act like a fool and wallow in the world, and finally got trapped by Lei Yin.
With such an ending and such a style, how could the disciples of Duoya Mountain be attracted to it? They are just summarizing the gloom and hardships, keeping them in mind, and warning them beforehand. "
These questions raised by Fang Shiwen were all based on the fact that "Journey to the West" was initially regarded by Zhang Yan as a "fun" story to coax his disciples. Although with the improvement of spiritual practice, the things in "Journey to the West" are no longer as "false" as they were at the beginning, but have become "realistic". But Fang Shiwen's perspective of understanding still caught Zhang Yan off guard.
However, Zhang Yan's own understanding of "Journey to the West" aside, he doesn't know much about the various versions he has heard. It's more than enough to deal with Fang Shiwen.
It's just that Zhang Yan needs a way of thinking that can follow Fang Shiwen's words to answer.
Heavenly Court and Xitian are actually the two major forces in "Journey to the West". The former is an "institution" introduced by Taoism to manage the three realms. The latter represents Buddhism and is the base of the latter.
But in Zhang Yan's understanding, Heaven is an institution introduced by Taoism to govern the three realms on his behalf. But it does not represent the entire Taoism, or even just the tip of the iceberg of Taoism.
When watching "Journey to the West", for disciples with relatively little experience, what they see is Sun Dasheng's rebelliousness and the fantasy and interest of Nine Nine-Nine and Eighty-one Difficulties, and what they appreciate is the mountain-moving and sea-reclamation and the difficult and dangerous journey in spiritual practice.
After having a little experience, what I saw in "Journey to the West" was the game and innuendo. Understand that the world is not black and white, let alone good and evil.
Later, when you have made great achievements in your Taoist heart and cultivation, you will look back at "Journey to the West" and you will find that, oh, it turned out to be just a show for the world. All the participants inside are like fighting dogs in a fighting ring. They bite or attack without any control. They are just tools for the game between the two sides who watch coldly from the outside.
Zhang Yan practiced Taoism, so he was not interested in Buddhism. He didn't even take a closer look. I won’t take that road anyway, so why do I understand it?
So when Fang Shiwen stood on an issue completely based on "Journey to the West", he did not stand on either side of Heaven or West.
Facing Zhang Yan's answer, Fang Shiwen was stunned for a moment. Then he said curiously: "So, Clan Master Zhang thinks that Heavenly Court and Xitian are not worth mentioning?"
"Elder Fang, how can spiritual practice be so either good or bad? For reference, use the good ones and throw away the bad ones. You have to piece together a path that suits you. Otherwise, you will be forced to follow the old path of others. It’s not suitable for you. Over time, obsession will arise. How will you be able to resist the invasion of the heavenly calamity? Let alone resist the demons outside the territory to maintain your Taoist heart.”
Fang Shiwen understood this time. Then he smiled and said: "So it turns out that the inheritance of Sect Master Zhang is to take the essence of Heavenly Court and Western Heaven and remove the dross? Is it considered that the strengths of all the families are gathered together to form a new sect?"
Zhang Yan did not answer questions honestly this time. Instead, he asked: "Isn't Haoxue Sect's cultivation path based on the strengths of other schools?"
Fang Shiwen laughed and did not continue the topic. Because he felt he had gotten the answer he wanted. That is, what is the origin of the inheritance in Zhang Yan's hands in the great world.
After that, Fang Shiwen shifted the focus from "Journey to the West" to the business negotiations that had been stalemate in the past few days. Although he ignored Li Yan's request, Fang Shiwen also knew about the difficulties encountered in the following negotiations. He understood that the solution actually depends on the attitudes of himself and Zhang Yan.
"I heard from Li Yan that there have been a lot of disagreements over business matters recently, mainly focusing on the laying of trade roads and the issue of fixing an intermediate token. Generally speaking, Guizong still does not agree with free trade, and is more inclined to control it.
Clan Master Zhang, to be honest, we all understand your sect’s concerns, but from now on we are in the same alliance and belong to our own people. It is not appropriate to be so cautious. It will make it easier to create barriers for yourself and add obstacles to the future of the Desolate Heaven Territory. It plays a very bad role in hindering the evolution of
Fang Shiwen's words gave Zhang Yan a sense of déjà vu.
But no matter how sweet he talks, you only need to keep an eye on the benefits you can get and the price you will pay. If you believe the pie someone else drew for you, then the pickles in your hand will have to be taken away.
"Elder Fang, the freedom we understand is freedom that is established without causing any impact on the Desolate Sky Territory. If we do nothing and ignore the impact, the Desolate Heaven Territory will only be overwhelmed by the impact of commodities and trade from more than ten worlds at the same time. The destruction will be overwhelming. Not to mention the resource circulation system of the Wild Sky Territory itself, it will also cause the worlds in the alliance to not enjoy the same high-quality treatment in the Wild Sky Territory. Isn't this a big problem?
In fact, I feel that there is no need to be so serious about the views I have been struggling with these days. Besides, just because it’s been done that way in the past doesn’t mean it’s the best and most appropriate. The Wild Sky Territory is new to the alliance and trying new methods to be in harmony with the times. It is just a matter of demarcating a special trade place and then fixing an intermediate token. Doesn't this mean that it is not "free"? "
"Haha, what Master Zhang said is exactly the same as that of the disciples of your sect. Let's talk openly. If Master Zhang really does this, Da Hongtian will not be able to explain it to the remaining allies."
"Explain? Elder Fang was joking. Da Hongtian doesn't need to explain to anyone at all. Because the Wild Sky Territory deserves this preferential treatment. Isn't it?"
