Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage
Chapter 119: The Intricacy of Buddha and Tao’s Gamble

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: The Intricacy of Buddha and Tao’s Gamble

Now, the Heaven-Defying Taoist approached Chang’an City, and Li Zhi welcomed him into the Imperial Secretariat.

Li Zhi asked, "What brings the Taoist Master here?"

After Wukong had helped to defeat Peacock City, the Tianzhu forces started a frenzied counterattack, wanting to recapture Peacock City. A clash of two million strong armies at Peacock City ensued, raising an indescribable tumult! Li Zhi, seeing the arrival of the Heaven-Defying Taoist, was naturally overjoyed. With this powerful figure here, he suspected the million-strong Tianzhu forces would soon be taken care of.

"I’ve come to ask for Your Majesty’s help," laughed the Heaven-Defying Taoist.

"Oh, and what assistance do you need?" asked Li Zhi.

"Your Majesty, I need your help to establish a Taoist arena within Chang’an City; I wish to recruit a large number of disciples," replied the Heaven-Defying Taoist.

"Oh! A good deed indeed, I shall decree it immediately, and have someone carry it out," laughed Li Zhi grandly.

"Hmm... I will first collect the Incense Willpower, then go find Taoist Yuan to join me in this endeavor," declared the Heaven-Defying Taoist.

"Very well, very well! The Taoist Master should attend to his priorities; I shall arrange this matter," said Li Zhi. Following this, he began drafting a decree for the Ministry of Works.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist then took his leave from Li Zhi and headed to his own shrine. Using his Invisibility Technique, he slipped inside, and then entered into the sculpture itself.

Over the days, a significant amount of Incense Willpower had been accumulated, and because he had shown his divine presence, the thoughts within this Incense Willpower were much purified, not requiring further refinement. The Heaven-Defying Taoist thus collected this Incense Willpower, feeling a rush of satisfaction in his Primordial Spirit, with his mana significantly increased.

After absorbing the Incense Willpower, he sprinkled a handful of ash into the emptied incense burner and cast several talismans into it. Those who were ill and took it back to consume would certainly be cured.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist left the Imperial Palace and went to find Yuan Tiangang at Qingyang Temple.

He was a man unconcerned with formalities, and already acquainted with Yuan Tiangang, he did not bother with the usual protocols, somersaulting right in. There he saw Yuan Tiangang sitting cross-legged in the arena, meditating on the scriptures.

Truly a prodigy blessed by the heavens, Yuan Tiangang possessed a remarkable insight into Taoist texts. Over these days, he had nearly approached the realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal. His mana was brimming, needing only the promotion of his cultivation to ascend. Yuan Tiangang naturally sensed the Heaven-Defying Taoist’s arrival, and opening his eyes, he greeted with a smile, "A joy to have a friend come from afar!"

The Heaven-Defying Taoist laughed, "Haha, pardon the intrusion, Taoist brother!"

Yuan Tiangang asked, "What brings Taoist brother here?"

"There is a matter to discuss," replied the Heaven-Defying Taoist.

Yuan Tiangang inquired, "Oh? What matter?"

The Heaven-Defying Taoist explained, "Tianzhu Country and the Great Tang are at war, both sides currently deadlocked at Peacock City. Tianzhu is by no means weak, with the support of the Buddhas from the Western Heaven. Meanwhile, most in the Taoist Sect of our Great Tang are ineffective and indolent. I fear that in time, Great Tang might suffer a great loss against Tianzhu. Therefore, I have come to consult with Taoist brother."

Yuan Tiangang nodded and said, "In the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism, the Taoist sects are indeed at a disadvantage in every respect."

The Heaven-Defying Taoist stated, "I have decided to set up a Taoist arena here in Chang’an City and widely recruit disciples to aid the Great Tang!"

Yuan Tiangang gasped, "Not advisable, not at all advisable!"

The Heaven-Defying Taoist frowned, "And why not?"

Yuan Tiangang explained, "The sects of the Eastern Divine Region have been passed down from the Middle Ages, generation after generation, including this Qingyang Temple of mine. Within the Eastern Divine Region, it is not permitted to privately establish Taoist arenas or temples. Otherwise, it would provoke an attack from the Eastern Land Taoist sects."

The Heaven-Defying Taoist asked, "Oh? And why is that?"

Yuan Tiangang continued, "Back then, the Buddhist Sect constantly sought loopholes, even going so far as to write the ’Laozi Converts the Barbarians’ scripture, and naturally, there were Buddhist disciples masquerading as Taoists here, establishing their own Sects... Consequently, the Eastern Land Taoist sects banded together and made an pact, absolutely forbidding the private establishment of Taoist arenas and sects. Initially, it was to prevent the Buddhist Sect from taking advantage of the situation, but the latter’s tactics were so cunning that they eventually infiltrated and set up numerous temples. As a result, the Incense Willpower of the Eastern Land Taoist sects was divided away; the higher-ups no longer allowed the establishment of new arenas, regardless of whether they belonged to the Buddhist or Taoist Sects."

Upon hearing this, the Heaven-Defying Taoist furrowed his brow. It seemed that the sects within the Eastern Land Taoist community were truly self-sabotaging—they actually prohibited the establishment of new Taoist arenas out of fear that others would divide their Incense Willpower. Evidently, this must have been a decision made by the major sects, and the others naturally complied. Those major sects would love nothing more than a decrease in the number of Eastern Land Taoist sects. After all, this would ensure their hold on the Incense Willpower was unchallenged.

"How about I ask the current Emperor for help?" inquired the Heaven-Defying Taoist.

"I fear the Great Tang imperial authority might become unstable," said Li Shimin, who had walked over unnoticed.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist turned to Li Shimin, "Does the Taoist Sect intend to meddle in the mortal world’s affairs?"

Li Shimin slightly nodded and said, "Taoist Master is aware of the Investiture of the Gods war, back then those deities all pledged allegiance to King Wu of Zhou, becoming the founding contributors of the Great Zhou Dynasty. When the Tang Dynasty waged war against the Sui Dynasty, generals like Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong, who emerged from the Taoist Sect, were following the Heavenly Dao’s command to establish the Great Tang. When the Great Tang’s predestined fortune nears its end, they will naturally achieve Merit and Perfection, ascending to the Heavenly Court to become deities."

The Heaven-Defying Taoist had not anticipated such a perspective and upon reflection, saw the truth in it. Likely, such a rule was set by the Three Pure Ones at the time of the Investiture of the Gods.

During King Wu’s campaign against King Zhou, Nezha, Li Jing, Yang Jian, among others, assisted and, once the Zhou Dynasty rose, they ascended to the Deification Platform, becoming deities.

When the Sui Dynasty’s allotted time came to an end, there were Taoist disciples who followed the decrees of heaven, aiding the King of Tang. When the Tang Dynasty’s time was about to expire, they had already accumulated enough merit to ascend to the heavens and become immortals. Such regulations were indeed decreed by the Three Pure Ones, stating that if one desired to become a god and receive incense and prayers, one must follow the heavenly Dao and accumulate merit.

Actually, being a god is not as carefree as being an immortal.

Gods must wait for orders and report for roll call every day... while immortals, roam freely all day long, drinking and enjoying themselves, with no one to govern them.

The only advantage of being a god is that they enjoy much more incense and prayers compared to immortals.

"Why didn’t Li Zhi tell me this?" Heaven-Defying Taoist asked.

"The succession back then was too hasty, I forgot to tell him," Li Shimin said with a helpless wry smile.

He had once believed himself to be a supreme emperor above ten thousand people, only to find himself played by the Buddhist Sect, almost ruining the foundation of the Great Tang. He was incredibly angry that he, the grand emperor, was being manipulated, and he even helped implement various policies that were advantageous to the Buddhist Sect. If it weren’t for the higher-ups in the Taoist Sect knowing some insider information, realizing that this was a game played by saints, and with Emperor Gou Chen from heaven keeping a watch, preventing any rash military actions under the pretense of "Purifying the Emperor’s Side," someone would have already come out with the banner of following the Heavenly Dao.

Heaven-Defying Taoist pondered for a moment, then said, "Then I might as well recruit those royal guards as disciples. In this way, the Eastern Divine Region’s Taoist Sect would have nothing to say."

The number of royal guards is neither too many nor too few, about three to five thousand people. Besides, since I am serving the royal family, I won’t be showing off or competing for Incense Willpower, the Taoist Sect should not interfere.

The contention between Buddhism and Taoism is in utter chaos, completely muddled.

The Jade Emperor suddenly showed his might, toppling Emperor Gou Chen, and managed to insert Wen Zhong and Lv Dongbin into the ranks of the Great Emperor’s camp. In the Heavenly Court, his authority was unmatched for a time. This move disrupted the plans of the Three Pure Ones, and also those of the Buddhist Sect.

Now, Wukong has vaguely grasped the bottom line of the Buddhist and Taoist conflict.

That is, the Buddhist Sect will not easily deploy the Buddha, at most only the Bodhisattvas, and the Taoist Sect will not mobilize too many figures at the Great Luo Golden Immortal level... Wukong has not seen the Taoist Sect take action to help, both the conflicts at the realm gates and Peacock City were resolved by him ordering Heaven-Defying Taoist and Sun Wukong to act.

Perhaps, the Taoist Sect had already calculated that Water Curtain Cave would be an enemy to the Buddhist Sect, which is why they refrained from taking action. But with the Three Pure Ones presiding overhead, the Buddhist Sect also had their reservations, reaching a tacit agreement with the Taoist Sect not to deploy the Buddha. Even if they did, it would be in secret scheming, not daring to let others discover.

The Jade Emperor now controls the Heavenly Court, and although he has gained strength, he would not dare to challenge the Three Pure Ones, so he can only swallow his pride and accumulate his power.

The strife between Buddhism and Taoism seems to revolve around making use of the Demon Tribe.

Heaven-Defying Taoist carefully considered all that Wukong had told him and decided it was best not to provoke the Eastern Divine Region’s Taoist Sect, which was home to hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

Yuan Tiangang said, "Since it’s just training the royal guards, it is feasible. Taoist brother, just name the time, and I will surely come to assist!"

Heaven-Defying Taoist gave a bow of thanks and said, "If that’s the case, then I’ll trouble you! That young Emperor Li Zhi acts with too much haste, I’ll go to him first to settle the matter of building the Taoist temple."

Yuan Tiangang said, "Please do!"

Heaven-Defying Taoist, not one for idle chatter, performed a somersault and headed to the Imperial Palace to find Li Zhi.

When he found Li Zhi, the emperor was drafting a decree and had yet to issue an edict.

Heaven-Defying Taoist then said, "Your Majesty, there’s no need to help me build a Taoist temple, it’s not feasible!"

Li Zhi asked, "Why is it not feasible?"

Heaven-Defying Taoist then explained the cause and effects of the matter, after which Li Zhi exhaled a sigh and gave up the idea.

Heaven-Defying Taoist asked, "How many people are in the royal guards?"

Li Zhi said, "There should be five thousand."

Heaven-Defying Taoist nodded and said, "Good, then find me a training ground, and I will be the instructor for these five thousand guards!"

Li Zhi said with great joy, "Is that feasible?"

Heaven-Defying Taoist replied, "Of course, it’s feasible."

Li Zhi clapped his hands and laughed, "Great, then I will find a training ground for the Taoist Master, and you help me train these five thousand guards!"

Heaven-Defying Taoist nodded and said, "Your Majesty, go arrange it quickly, and I shall begin my training. Once it’s arranged, come find me at my shrine."

Li Zhi hurriedly said, "Good, Taoist Master, take care."

After Heaven-Defying Taoist had left, Li Zhi began to arrange the matter.