Starting from a peasant family, he mastered the profound art of martial arts.

Chapter 31 Mystic Cultivation

Meng Chen had long heard Du Ren say that there were many eccentric people in the martial arts world who liked to do things differently, and today he had witnessed it firsthand.

Qingyu was also quite frightened. She had spoken ill of the monk on the shore earlier, and now she didn't dare to utter a sound, only rubbing against Meng Chen's shoulder.

Seeing that she was scared, Meng Chen put his arm around her shoulder.

The ferry traveled for about half an hour before stopping at a ferry crossing on the east bank.

No one dared to move. They waited until the monk got off the boat and walked away before scrambling to get off as well and then scattering in all directions.

Meng Chen finally felt at ease as his feet touched the ground.

It was still early, so the two decided to rest at the ferry for a while before setting off again.

"How did that monk cross the river on his feet? He's like a god!" Qingyu, who had been holding back all the way, finally couldn't help but ask.

"I don't know either." Meng Chen had only seen the steps of martial arts, but hadn't even glimpsed the path to martial arts.

Therefore, we only know that the monk is very tall, but we don't really know how tall he is.

The two traveled along the waterway for another half an hour, and then they saw a small hill in the distance, only about ten feet high, with nothing on it.

This mountain doesn't have a proper name; because it resembles a steamed bun, the fishermen in the area call it Steamed Bun Mountain.

Following the path forward, after passing a section of gravel road, you arrive at the foot of Mantou Mountain, where you see a blue stone tablet with haphazardly carved characters on it. Scattered beneath the tablet are many wine jars and paper money ashes.

But not far from that stone tablet, a monk in black robes was sitting cross-legged, seemingly chanting some scriptures.

That monk was the same person who had ridden with me earlier!

"Since you two are here to worship your ancestors, this humble monk dares not disturb you," the monk said.

Upon hearing this, Meng Chen stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute to the monk, and the monk did not stand up, but simply smiled and nodded in return.

The monk's clothes were filthy and his face was not very clean. He did not look like a high monk at all, yet he liked to put on a kind and peaceful smile, which was really incongruous.

If Meng Chen hadn't seen this monk display his abilities, he would never have imagined that this person possessed extraordinary skills.

"Go on." Meng Chen pulled Qingyu to the monument and stood between Qingyu and the monk.

Qingyu immediately knelt down in front of the monument, untied the bundle, first took out two pieces of yellow paper and put dates and snacks on them, and then picked up a stone to weigh down the paper money.

"Father, Mother, Qingyu has come to see you!" Qingyu blew on the tinderbox, lit the paper money, kowtowed a few times, and mumbled something incoherently.

"Amitabha." The monk, who had been watching Qingyu busy himself, stood up when he saw the paper money burning. He put his hands together and showed a compassionate expression.

The morning was already halfway over, and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of reeds from afar, but it also made the paper offerings for the ancestors flicker and waver.

After a while, seeing that the paper money was almost burned out, Qingyu waved to Meng Chen, "Brother, come and kowtow too."

"This person is not related to me at all." Meng Chen was unwilling to go, but seeing that Qingyu was looking forward to it, he didn't want to spoil her mood, so he stepped forward and kowtowed.

The bluefish was very satisfied, and knelt down in front of the monument again, muttering to itself.

"All people suffer." The monk no longer had the composure he had when treading water; instead, his face showed some sorrow, and he chanted scriptures again.

Meng Chen listened carefully and could discern that the scriptures mentioned removing all karmic obstacles and all evil deeds were for the purpose of deliverance.

After a moment, seeing that the monk had finished chanting, Meng Chen clasped his hands in a salute and said, "I didn't know that you, Master, had come here to pray for the souls of the dead. My apologies."

"It is difficult to find vengeful spirits; this humble monk is merely doing some insignificant things," the monk said calmly.

This monument was erected for those who were swept away by the flood two years ago; they are the wronged souls under the might of heaven and earth.

"May I ask your esteemed title, Master?" Meng Chen asked.

"This humble monk is not celibate and dares not claim to be revered." The monk revealed his name, but he did not have the air of self-importance that Buddhists have.

"Where does the master meditate in seclusion?" Meng Chen inquired about the man's background.

"This humble monk comes from beyond the borders and has not stayed here before." The monk tilted his bald head and looked at Meng Chen, saying, "Benefactor, just ask whatever you want to ask. There's no need for all this polite formalities."

"..." Meng Chen did have some questions, especially after witnessing the monk's ability to walk on water, he was even more eager to ask for his guidance.

Ever since Meng Chen entered the martial arts world, the Yang fish has been lit up, but he has been unable to figure out how to light up the Yin fish.

Meng Chen thought that besides martial arts, there might be another path of cultivation.

Because there are indeed legends of gods and monsters in this world, we just haven't seen them.

Moreover, there are few masters in Qingshui County, and Meng Chen has never associated with any masters. Master Du rarely talks about anything other than martial arts, and as for Du Ren, he is even less likely to be mentioned; he only talks about women at night.

Seeing that there was an expert by his side, Meng Chen wanted to find a solution.

"Master, I have been learning martial arts in Qingshui County. I know I am not even a fraction as good as you, but my resolve to pursue the Dao is fairly firm." Meng Chen immediately introduced himself as a devout follower, and he humbly clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, asking, "May I ask, besides martial arts, are there other paths of cultivation?"

"Yes, there are some, benefactors." Monk Bujie nodded, pointed to the sky, and said, "Besides martial arts, there is the path of mystical cultivation."

"Mystic cultivation..." Meng Chen frowned in thought, then asked, "The path of immortality?"

"Where is there any immortal path?" Monk Bujie shook his bald head. "Mystical cultivation can only make you live a few more years; it can't be called the immortal path."

"Why are there so few people practicing metaphysics?" Meng Chen asked again.

"The world today is the age of the end of Dharma, and there are far fewer people who cultivate the mystical arts than before. The Yu Kingdom reveres martial arts, so there are even fewer people who openly cultivate the mystical arts," said Monk Bujie.

After pondering for a moment, seeing that Monk Bujie showed no impatience, Meng Chen asked, "Master, which is stronger, martial arts or mystical cultivation?"

"That's not a fair comparison. The Dao is divided into Yin and Yang, which are mutually generating and mutually restraining." Monk Bujie casually replied, "In fact, whether one cultivates martial arts or the mystical arts, the further one goes, the more similar they become."

Meng Chen didn't quite understand, but his desire to seek the Dao was unwavering, so he asked, "Master, are there any highly virtuous cultivators in your temple?"

"Of course there is," Bujie said.

"Master, does your temple need more monks?" Meng Chen asked again.

"..." Monk Bujie paused for a moment, then stroked his chin, tilted his body slightly, looked at Qingyu, and said, "Female benefactor, your good brother wants to become a monk! A monk of the Buddhist order!"

Qingyu, who had been kneeling devoutly chanting before the monument, immediately stood up upon hearing this. She quickly grabbed Meng Chen's sleeve and said anxiously, "Brother, are you possessed? If you become a monk, your family will have no descendants!"

How could this monk be so wicked? Meng Chen was caught off guard by the other party's scheme of using one tiger to devour another.

"Don't worry, I won't become a monk." Meng Chen rubbed his temples and then asked, "Master, if a believer wishes to study the mysteries of the universe, where should he seek out a renowned teacher?"

"The place where the Dao Ancestor plucked stars and preached the Dao is now called Taiyi Temple." Bujie smiled slightly and said, "Of course, there are other places as well, but it depends on fate. If you are destined, you can get it easily; if you are not, it's like having a priceless treasure in front of you, but ordinary people don't recognize it, and there's nothing you can do about it."

So what exactly is karma? What is the ultimate treasure? Meng Chen made up his mind that if he ever had the ability, he would beat up any monks who spoke in such a cryptic way.

"Teach me, Master," Meng Chen said sincerely.

The monk Bujie shook his head and said, "You have already entered the path of martial arts, but you cannot learn the profound techniques. Whether you know them or not makes no difference. If you achieve success in your martial arts training in the future, someone will naturally explain it to you."

"Why is that?" Meng Chen asked, puzzled.

"Cultivating martial arts is about seeking within, while cultivating metaphysics is about seeking without. You can't have both at the same time." After saying this, Monk Bujie added, "It used to be possible to cultivate both, but after the Dao Ancestor separated Yin and Yang, it became impossible to cultivate them simultaneously. Even if you wanted to cultivate both, it would be extremely difficult, and probably impossible."

Hearing these words about dividing Yin and Yang, Meng Chen became even more convinced that if he wanted to light up the Yin Fish, he had to cultivate Xuan!

The monk said that the two cannot be cultivated at the same time, but he himself had a yin-yang diagram and wondered if he could harmonize yin and yang and cultivate both magic and martial arts.

"Master, how can I learn to walk across rivers like you?" Qingyu was relieved that Meng Chen was no longer a monk. Seeing that Monk Bujie was a kind person, she revealed her lively nature and asked again, "Do I have to go to the prefectural city? Do I have to go to the capital?"

"No need for that. There are fragrant herbs within five steps. Why go to such lengths?" Monk Bujie laughed.

Does this mean there are highly skilled people in Qingshui County? Are they referring to Yan Long? Or is there someone even more skilled than Yan Long?

Meng Chen didn't understand either and wanted to ask again, but the monk Bujie raised his hand.

"Autumn has arrived, and the reeds are rustling in the breeze." Monk Bujie put his hands together and said, "Now that you two have comforted your ancestors, please leave for a while. This humble monk is going to perform a ritual to help the wronged souls find peace."

Meng Chen then realized that the monk had been willing to chat with him for so long because he was waiting for the bluefish.

"If you wish to ask further, that is permissible. However—" Monk Bujie's face was compassionate. He then looked Meng Chen and Qingyu over and said, "Esteemed benefactors, money can move mountains, but do you possess such a thing?"

He was just a moment ago so dignified and amiable, and now he's talking about money? With your skills, where can't you get money? Meng Chen and Qingyu were dumbfounded.

"No." Meng Chen had given all his money to the bandits.

"If you don't have money, what are you praying to Buddha for?!" Bu Jie stopped putting his hands together in prayer, waving them impatiently. "Go, go, go! Hurry up and go!"

Meng Chen didn't dare to linger. He clasped his hands in a salute, grabbed Qingyu, and ran away quickly.