128: Chapter 128 Enraged

Jingxin was blind. If he were in a familiar environment, he could get around without a bamboo staff or a guide, but this was Guoqing Temple, a place he did not know at all. Therefore, Li Xiuyuan still led him onto the platform.

Under the gaze of the crowd, the two figures arrived at the front.

At first, everyone wanted to see how Jingxin, having accepted the invitation, would deal with this Ding Zhen who was deliberately making things difficult for him.

But later, some noticed that the person leading Jingxin forward had an ethereal and refined temperament, with a handsome and dashing appearance, not as simple as an ordinary pilgrim.

This could not help but lead people to speculate about his background.

Song Yuanting, sitting in the VIP section in the front row, silently watched the two figures, then withdrew his gaze from Li Xiuyuan.

Although the feeling Li Xiuyuan gave him was also very special, his target was not Li Xiuyuan, but Jingxin.

...

This Ding Zhen had been specifically invited by Song Yuanting. The original intention was to show his face and, by the way, invite a treasure from Guoqing Temple to take home to perform rites for the deceased Song Cijing.

The Song family had never thought of letting go of Song Cijing's death. For these ancient families, in order to make the family more united, they used various means. But for the sake of family cohesion, when encountering grievances, they would certainly not let it rest.

Although Song Cijing's death could be said to be self-inflicted, the root of all this had to have an explanation, and the Song family still counted it on Li Xiuyuan's head.

It was just that Li Xiuyuan was becoming stronger and his status was rising, so the Song family was unable to confront him directly and could only look for other opportunities for revenge.

Today, Song Yuanting happened to see Jingxin at Guoqing Temple. He knew the relationship between this monk from Phoenix Mountain and Li Xiuyuan, so he secretly contacted Ding Zhen, thinking to let Jingxin make a fool of himself in public and ruin his Zen heart.

Although there was no conflict between the Song family and Jingxin, who told Jingxin to be friends with Li Xiuyuan?

Moreover, in order to find an opportunity for revenge, the Song family had conducted an extremely in-depth investigation into Li Xiuyuan. They knew that Gu Xiao, who was a supervisor on the surface but actually had a life-and-death friendship with Li Xiuyuan as an old employee of the Jiantian Bureau, and they also knew that Lu Xingyun, Jingxin, and others had a deep relationship with Li Xiuyuan.

As the saying goes, every debt has a debtor, but the debtor had a strong background and deep strength. They could not get revenge or pay the debt for a while, and now that there was an opportunity to vent their anger, Song Yuanting would certainly not miss it.

As for the bottom line, Song Yuanting did not care.

When Jingxin walked onto the debating platform, the monk Ding Zhen seemed to be looking around, but was actually taking the opportunity to exchange glances with Song Yuanting.

Jingxin arrived at the center of the platform, his bamboo staff tapping at his side. Li Xiuyuan let go of his hand and retreated to the side of the platform, standing there, his moon-white robe gently fluttering in the breeze, his long, waterfall-like hair hanging down to his waist.

"Buddhism speaks of karma being real, and good and evil having their rewards. This monk asks, if a person has done countless good deeds in their life, but makes a grave mistake due to a momentary lapse in judgment, where should they go after death? Does the good fruit ripen first, or the evil fruit?" Ding Zhen asked directly.

This question was quite tricky. Although Buddhism speaks of karma, the sequence and weight all involve karmic force, which cannot be explained in a few words.

If one had read few scriptures and had a shallow understanding, one would be afraid of not being able to answer.

The eyes of the monks off the stage fell on Jingxin. The latter's face was calm, and he spoke slowly: "Uncle, this question involves the sequence of the ripening of karmic force. This monk believes that the rewards of good and evil are like seeds."

"If the good seed ripens first, the good fruit arrives first; if the evil seed ripens first, the evil fruit arrives first. It is not that good goes unrewarded, nor that evil goes unpunished, it is merely a matter of time and conditions."

Ding Zhen continued to press: "How to determine which ripens first?"

"The ripening of karmic force depends on the weight of the thought and the persistence of the action," Jingxin said.

Ding Zhen thought for a moment and continued to ask: "However, Buddhism also has the saying 'Lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot.' If an evil person has a moment of awakening, they can offset the evil karma of accumulated lifetimes. Is this not a sign that karma is not real?"

"Laying down the butcher's knife is not offsetting evil karma; it is not creating new karma. The karma already created is like an arrow that has left the bow and cannot be taken back. But an awakened person can use good methods such as repentance, cultivation, and saving sentient beings to reduce the evil fruit."

"Like a cup of saltwater, if you keep adding clear water, although the saltiness remains, it becomes lighter and lighter."

"Becoming a Buddha is not the disappearance of evil karma, but a transformation of the mind. Uncle equates 'karma' with 'mind,' which I fear is inappropriate."

Jingxin answered fluently, showing no signs of nervousness at all.

Ding Zhen was stunned, feeling slightly surprised in his heart. Jingxin quoted the salt analogy from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra. If he were not well-versed in Buddhist scriptures, it would be impossible to answer so calmly.

He secretly gritted his teeth, changed his angle, and asked about the differences in the translation of the word "karma" by a translator during the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

That translation was not widely circulated, had very few commentaries, and was very obscure. Almost few monks had time to read such scriptures.

But unexpectedly, when most monks were at a loss, Jingxin was able to recount all the annotations of the scripture.

At this moment, the whole audience was silent.

An elderly abbot stood up slowly and said: "This old monk has practiced for more than sixty years and has never seen anyone so familiar with the scriptures. Some scriptures are so obscure that even this old monk has not read them. Today, I have truly opened my eyes."

The monks present returned to their senses, all casting surprised looks at Jingxin.

Ding Zhen stood on the platform, unable to speak. He had even brought out some obscure scriptures, yet Jingxin still answered fluently.

After all, reading scriptures is like reading and writing for ordinary people. The more books you read, the more knowledge you have in your stomach. This requires time to accumulate. Asking a young Jingxin about obscure scriptures was already an inferior move.

He took a deep breath and squeezed a smile on his face: "Jingxin is indeed profound in Buddhist law. This monk is convinced."

Ding Zhen put his hands together and bowed deeply to Jingxin. The posture was very full, and the tone was sincere enough to find no fault.

But everyone could hear that the four words "convinced" were said through gritted teeth.

Some old monks present shook their heads and sighed when they looked at Ding Zhen. It was one thing to deliberately make things difficult for others, but now even saying that he was convinced was so against his heart. With such a state of mind, he had really lived for more than forty years in vain.

Jingxin put his palms together to return the salute: "Uncle is over-praising."

Ding Zhen straightened up and should have stepped down from the platform.

But he was still standing on the platform, his eyes flickering, as if hesitating about something. A moment later, he took a deep breath, and the smile on his face became a little sinister.

"Jingxin, this monk has one more question. This question has nothing to do with karma, but is a personal confusion of this monk. I wonder if you can give me some advice?"

Most monks present frowned. Ding Zhen had already lost, but he still wanted to ask, which was a bit tactless. But the rules of debating scriptures were such that as long as the questioner was respectful, the answerer had no reason to refuse.

Jingxin's face remained unchanged and said: "Uncle, please speak."

Seeming to have decided that the other party had fallen into a trap, Ding Zhen straightened up and raised his voice a little: "Nowadays, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is recovering, all things are competing, and Rising Beingss share this world with the human race. Spiritual energy is limited, and competition is inevitable."

"Buddhism speaks of compassion, abstaining from killing, and abstaining from anger."

"This monk wants to ask, should those Rising Beingss die at the hands of humans because of the needs of the human race?"

As soon as these words came out, the audience was in an uproar.

...

The topic of the coexistence of Rising Beingss and humans was really sensitive.

Nowadays, in this world, all things are struggling to survive, and humans and demons are on different paths, each striving for the future of their own ethnic group. There is no right or wrong in this.

Ding Zhen threw this question to a Buddhist, especially to Jingxin, who had a close relationship with Li Xiuyuan. His intention was self-evident.

If Jingxin's answer was that they should be killed, it would be contrary to the compassion spoken of by Buddhism. But if he answered that they should not be killed, how should human cultivators handle themselves when competing for spiritual energy with Rising Beingss?

Several old abbots off the stage frowned tightly.

The old monk who helped Jingxin out of the siege stood up again, his tone heavier than before: "Ding Zhen! Today's debate topic is 'Karma,' your question has nothing to do with it. Moreover, humans and demons are on different paths, and each is struggling for survival. It should not be discussed together."

Ding Zhen did not take this, but faced Jingxin, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "This monk also knows that this question is a bit off-topic, but Jingxin has a close relationship with that White Dragon on Yunfeng Mountain, so he must have a deeper understanding of Rising Beingss. This monk just wants to use the Master's mouth to clarify the confusion for everyone here. Jingxin wouldn't refuse, would he?"

He deliberately bit the words "close relationship with the White Dragon" very hard, which made the whispering sound off the stage even louder. Many people felt that Ding Zhen was unable to accept defeat, which was why he brought up this question, but some people were very curious about how Jingxin would answer.

Song Yuanting sat in the VIP seat, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Li Xiuyuan off the stage looked at Ding Zhen with a calm gaze. He was already a little impatient. This Ding Zhen was obviously asking on purpose, with the goal of destroying Jingxin's Zen heart.

Just when he was about to interrupt Jingxin and bring him down,

The bamboo staff tapped on the bluestone ground with a "clack," instantly silencing the whole audience.

"Uncle asks whether Rising Beingss should die at the hands of humans because of the needs of the human race. This monk cannot give an answer."

The corners of Ding Zhen's mouth just curled up, and he was secretly happy. Jingxin had indeed fallen into the trap.

But Jingxin said again: "It is not that I cannot answer, but that you, Uncle, should not ask this way."

"Buddhism speaks of compassion. Compassion is for all sentient beings, without distinction of high or low, noble or mean, and is by no means partial to any side. Uncle asks whether they should be killed, which has already divided sentient beings into two categories: those who should be killed and those who should not be killed. It is too extreme."

As soon as these words came out, the monks off the stage who supported Jingxin suddenly lit up!

If Jingxin had answered directly, he would have fallen into Ding Zhen's trap. There is no such thing as an answer to this question. But from the human side, anyone who blocks the development of the human race is an enemy, and anyone who is an enemy of the Xia Kingdom is an obstacle that should be cleared.

Buddhism has to distinguish itself from these, but it is full of contradictions. Once trapped in it, it is very likely to lead to inner demons.

Ding Zhen's smile stiffened slightly, and he was about to refute.

Who knew that Jingxin would not give him a chance to speak: "Whether it is humans or Rising Beingss, conflict is inevitable. We cannot stop it."

"If Uncle asks for this monk's personal stance, then my answer is, no matter what, he and I will always be friends."

After hearing this, Ding Zhen immediately understood that the trap he had worked so hard to design could not work.

Not only did Jingxin not fall into it, but he himself had made a fool of himself in front of so many people.

Having lost the debate and lost face, he stood on the platform like a fish left on the shore, his mouth opening and closing, but he couldn't spit out a decent word anymore.

Hundreds of eyes off the stage stared at him, with sympathy, disdain, and schadenfreude.

Ding Zhen took a deep breath and tore off the last bit of decency.

"Jingxin, this monk has one last question!"

His voice was no longer respectful: "You are friends with the White Dragon, and you even healed his wounds back then. And that White Dragon killed the Lord River God. Although it was to eliminate harm for the people, before that, his hands were stained with countless human lives. Those people also had wives, daughters, and children, as well as parents and brothers. Their children lost their fathers, and their wives lost their husbands."

"Do you not have any responsibility for the evil karma created by that White Dragon?"

He spoke faster and faster, his voice getting louder and louder, almost roaring.

The audience exploded.

"Ding Zhen, you've gone too far!"

The old monk from before stood up abruptly: "Discussing Buddhism on the debating platform, why are you bringing this up?"

Off the stage, a young monk also stood up, his face flushed red: "Ding Zhen! If you can't afford to lose, just say it. You are a senior in your forties. After losing the debate, you are digging up old scores. Don't you have any shame?"

Several others stood up to echo, and they all wanted to drive Ding Zhen off.

Ding Zhen turned a deaf ear, his eyes bloodshot, staring fixedly at Jingxin.

Jingxin slowly turned his head and looked at him: "Uncle, the debate is over, please step down."

This sentence was not heavy, and even carried a bit of gentleness.

Ding Zhen's face turned from flushed to purple, the veins on his forehead bulged, his lips trembled, and he couldn't say a word.

I don't know what happened, whether it was inner demons at work, or rage and shame, or perhaps he suddenly went crazy.

Ding Zhen's voice suddenly rose, with a kind of almost crazy sharpness: "You associate with monsters and dare to speak so boldly here! A disgrace to Buddhism! Today, this monk will clean up the sect for the Buddha!"

Before the words fell, he suddenly raised his right hand, his five fingers forming a claw, and grabbed fiercely at Jingxin's face.

The claw was fierce, with the sound of breaking through the air, and the sleeves of his monk's robe billowed like sails. Although Ding Zhen was a monk, he also practiced martial arts and had deep internal strength. With this claw, he could even gouge five holes in bluestone.

Jingxin was blind, could not see, and could not dodge in time.

The audience exploded.

Some exclaimed, some shouted in anger, and some stood up, wanting to rush onto the platform.

But everything happened too fast, too fast to stop.

Just as Ding Zhen was about to attack Jingxin's face, a slender, fair hand reached out from the side, its fingers like iron pliers, firmly locking his wrist.

The hand was not big, but the strength was ridiculously great. Ding Zhen felt as if his wrist bone was being gripped by a pair of pliers, creaking, making him break out in cold sweat from the pain.

Ding Zhen turned his head abruptly. Li Xiuyuan was standing by his side, not knowing when he had arrived.

His moon-white robe was motionless, his long, waterfall-like hair hung down, and his eyes watched him calmly, without any extra emotion, as if looking at a dead person.

"You..."

Ding Zhen only had time to say this one word.

Li Xiuyuan clenched his fist, loosened it slightly, and punched directly through Ding Zhen's chest!