The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 230 - 221: Establishing Louguan Sect on Master’s Orders

Chapter 230: Chapter 221: Establishing Louguan Sect on Master’s Orders

It is said that the Daoist Equal to Heaven had slain Flying Liann in the desert of Uttara Kuru Kingdom, where the Green-robed Ancestor and Blood Demon Ancestor were initially helping for their own benefits. Seeing Flying Liann dead, they realized the circumstance was unfavorable and continued to fight with the Turtle and Snake Generals was unwise. Thus, they feinted an attack, leapt out of the battle ring, transformed into an escaping light, and entered the Earth.

Daoist Equal to Heaven brought the Heavenly Demon King back within the Buddha Kingdom inside his body, and led a million Heavenly Demons to continue chanting Buddhist scriptures to accumulate Incense Power and Wishes.

The Turtle General nodded and said, "Fellow Daoist, since this matter is concluded, we should take our leave now."

Daoist Equal to Heaven bowed and replied, "Thank you for your assistance, Generals. I also owe my thanks to Great Emperor Zhenwu."

The Turtle General said, "It’s no trouble, no trouble. The Uttara Kuru Kingdom was supposed to be governed by our True Martial Lineage, so if anything, we should be the ones thanking you."

Daoist Equal to Heaven chuckled, "Alright, then I won’t stand on ceremony with you Generals."

The Turtle and Snake Generals drove their clouds upwards to the sky, while Daoist Equal to Heaven, in his heart resenting Flying Liann, felt unsatisfied though he had annihilated him both physically and spiritually. He didn’t think turning him into ash would quench his anger! Now that luck had divided five ways, it probably had already found its inheritors, providing the Barbarian Tribes with the Imperial Qi to contend for the Central Plains. Even he dared not intervene to kill, as the karmic consequences were too profound and not tolerated by the Heavenly Dao.

With his heart cold, Daoist Equal to Heaven ceased to intervene in the situation of the Three Kingdoms and returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain. Hereafter not recorded.

Meanwhile, in the Great Pure Sky of the Thirty-Three Skies, Laozi sat before the Bagua Oven with the Banana Leaf Fan idly fanning the flames, his eyes slightly closed.

Beside him sat Zhuangzi, cross-legged, watching Laozi perform alchemy.

Zhuangzi inquired, "Teacher, with Buddhism coming so fiercely, why is there no movement from our Daoist Sect?"

Laozi smiled and replied, "No hurry, no hurry!"

Calculating with his fingers, he called for the Golden Horned Boy, "Go bring Xuandu over."

The Golden Horned Boy responded, hurried off to Xuandu Grand Master’s Cave Abode, saw Xuandu, and bowed, "Xuandu Grand Master, the master has sent me to summon you to ascend to heaven."

Xuandu Grand Master quickly rose from his meditation cushion, saying, "Let’s go, let’s ascend together."

After Xuandu Grand Master ascended, he entered Doulu Palace, first bowed to Laozi, then said to Zhuangzi, "Zhuangzi Daoist friend, greetings!"

Zhuangzi also rose to bow, saying, "I have long heard of Grand Master Xuandu’s renowned name, it is my great fortune to meet you today."

Laozi set aside his Banana Leaf Fan, leaving the pill furnace to the Golden and Silver Horns, and moved into the inner chambers.

"Do you know why I have called you here?" Laozi asked.

"Disciple does not know," Xuandu Grand Master replied.

Laozi slightly smiled, then suddenly heard the Golden Horn from outside calling, "Master, a Daoist claiming to be your disciple has come to pay homage!"

Laozi calculated again and said, "Let him in."

Suddenly, an old Daoist entered from outside, saw Laozi, and knelt to pay respects, loudly proclaiming, "Disciple Yin Xi, greets Teacher!"

In the past, Laozi, to spread The Way of the Dao, traveled west through Hangu Pass where the Purple Qi came from the east. Yin Xi hosted Laozi at Hangu Pass, whereby Laozi then transmitted the "Tao Te Ching", and thus the mortal world came to have the "Tao Te Ching". Otherwise, this scripture might have remained only within the Dao of Immortals. Yin Xi’s contributions to Taoism were significant and undeniable.

"So it is Yin Xi, very good, very good! Now that those who augment our Taoist Sect’s fortune have finally gathered," Laozi couldn’t help but smile.

Zhuangzi and Xuandu Grand Master were also surprised, commenting, "So it is Daoist friend Yin Xi, we did not recognize, please do not take offense."

"Teacher, what plans do you have now?" Xuandu Grand Master asked.

Stroking his beard, Laozi nodded slightly and said, "I have calculated that in the Southern Toad Continent, there is a place near Hangu Pass named Louguan, a highly auspicious site for our Taoism, where you from the lower realm can establish a sect, and elevate our Taoist Sect’s prestige! Xuandu, you will start this sect, and Yin Xi will also go. You must outshine Buddhism in the coming days."

Laozi governs without effort, but that does not mean he allows others to take advantage of him. This move was significant, sending Yin Xi and Xuandu Grand Master to the northwest Louguan to establish the sect. Yin Xi, already familiar with the place, had once lived in temporary grass hut there during his cultivation of Taoist Arts, observing stars and atmosphere, hence the place later came to be known as Louguan.

During the time of the Two Jin Dynasties, both Buddhism and Taoism developed rapidly, and inevitably clashed. Laozi preemptively occupied the Guanlong Region, thus having an advantage as being near to the water tower to get the moon first. After all, Chang’an was an eternal capital, and many future dynasties would have their capitals there.

Xuandu Grand Master asked, "Shall we go now?"

Laozi replied, "Yes, go now. After establishing the sect, send out invitations widely, let’s see how Buddhism dares to challenge our sign!"

Yin Xi asked, "Under what name shall we establish this sect?"

"Just call it the Louguan Sect," Laozi said casually, his disposition carefree, whether too lazy to think of the name, or simply following the name of the location.

Xuandu Grand Master and Yin Xi descended from the Great Pure Sky to Southern Toad Continent’s Guanlong Region. With Yin Xi leading the way, they landed their clouds at Louguan.

During the chaotic era of the Three Kingdoms, neither Buddhism nor Taoism gained much advantage, as the division returned to Confucianism, acceptable to both sides as Confucianism was upright and peaceful, not participating in Buddhism and Daoism conflicts. Of course, they also couldn’t intervene, as Confucianism, despite having Human Sages, lacked powerful experts. How many in the world could cultivate Confucianism and Taoism to become a saint? Moreover, as Confucius said, "He who speaks not of strange forces and gods." If Confucius intervened in human affairs, wouldn’t it be self-contradictory? Moreover, if Confucius stepped into the Buddhism and Daoism conflict, he would likely trigger an outright war between the two sides.