Is it not evident that the so-called postnatal education is actually innate? In that case, if people can be taught to be good, it is because they inherently possess goodness, a good root, a good starting point. Isn’t this then human nature?
Wan Yan Wu Hai’s remarks once again plunged the crowd into contemplation.
Those who initially supported Jiang Shouzhong’s view unconsciously acknowledged Wan Yan Wu Hai.
Facing the counterargunt, Jiang Shouzhong was not in the least bit flustered and smiled, saying,
"You previously said, ’Lay down the butcher’s knife, and instantly beco a Buddha,’ but if everyone is inherently good, who would pick up the butcher’s knife in the first place?"
Wan Yan Wu Hai’s expression drastically changed.
Jiang Shouzhong continued, "The cultivation that you and I speak of requires teaching and restraint to learn, and only then cos goodness. But let ask you, does doing evil require teaching? Does it need to be learned?
If I bully soone, covet a woman, or eye soone’s treasure... are these evils sothing I learned?
The court bans certain romantic novels from circulating in the marketplace, yet many people still eagerly pursue them. Is this taught?
You say that if everyone is evil, then everyone is selfish. I agree. But precisely because of this, no one can afford to be selfish. From this restraint and balance, moderation arises, and this is the earliest source of goodness..."
Wan Yan Wu Hai’s face gradually turned pale, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
The verbal battle between the two continued.
Under Jiang Shouzhong’s relentless attack, Wan Yan Wu Hai finally began to falter, his speech becoming incoherent.
It wasn’t until he stared with wide eyes, speechless, that Jiang Shouzhong ceased his offensive, his lips smacking with a sense of incomplete satisfaction.
He casually sipped the tea in front of Dugu Luoxue, smiling and saying,
"Only by recognizing the inherent evil in human nature can we use the ans of cultivation to promote good and avoid evil. Just like the night gives black eyes, yet I must use them to seek the light!"
The hall was dead silent.
Everyone was shocked by Jiang Shouzhong’s final statent, their scalps tingling.
"The night gives black eyes, yet I must use them to seek the light..." Dugu Luoxue, hearing this, her eyes imdiately sparkled, constantly mulling over these words.
Even powerless, she unconsciously leaned on his shoulder without realizing it.
Her gaze returned and gently fell on the man beside her.
At that mont, Jiang Shouzhong seed to be enveloped by a faint aura, like the first radiance of the morning sun, giving his outline an extraordinary charm.
The beauty’s heart fluttered, unable to resist.
In the pristine white of snow, a ripple finally appeared.
...
At that mont, atop a Buddha statue in a dark corner of the hall,
Luo Wanqing, dressed in a long golden robe, watched the scene with great interest, chuckling,
"This young man would be wasted not going to Wanshou Mountains and Rivers. He might take up the position of mountain master soday, his bending of reason insurmountable by anyone."
Beside her, Jiang Yi’s cheeks were like rouged silk, her eyes sultry.
She slightly curled up her legs clad in black silk stockings, gently biting her red lips, whispering, "This is too exciting..."
Drip by drip, water stains trickled down from the Buddha statue.
——
Wanshou Mountains and Rivers.
Inside a dilapidated schoolhouse,
a portrait hung in the corner, obscured by cobwebs and dust, swayed gently in the still air.
The damaged portrait vaguely revealed an emaciated old man.
Suddenly, the image burst into a brilliant white glow.
The old man in the painting seed to co alive, his gaze directed toward the location of Qingzhou Ancient Brahma Temple, lightly stroking his beard and smiling, "The child... is teachable."
He waved his sleeve,
A drop of ink flew out of the painting, crossed several mountains, and fell into a pond, diffusing outward.
The master of Wanshou Mountains and Rivers, who was fishing, paused and sighed softly.
He turned to the disciple beside him and said,
"Tell the elder at Wenge Hall to add another candidate for the position of mountain master—his na is Jiang Mo."
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