Chapter 162: Buddhism is Taoism!

"Well, Senior Brother, please go on. I find your narration far more riveting than mine."

Yuan Tiangang's face darkened. "You brat, what the Daoist master here is stating are facts, not some street storytelling!"

"Cough, cough, cough. Well, whatever you say is right, please go on."

"Humph! You rascal, and to think you are still a disciple of the Dao."

Li Yi muttered under his breath, "I suppose I am a secular Daoist disciple by now."

Yuan Tiangang glared at him. "A Daoist disciple is a Daoist disciple nonetheless!"

Li Yi hurriedly put on a fawning smile. "Yes, yes! A Daoist disciple indeed, which is why I keep calling you Senior Brother! Rest assured, Senior Brother, your junior brother here shall remain a Daoist disciple for all his life!"

Yuan Tiangang's expression softened slightly. "That's more like it."

After a brief pause, Yuan Tiangang continued, "Ever since Tantan, the leader of the Thirteen Cudgel Monks, was appointed as a Grand General, Buddhism has risen completely. Especially with Master Xuanzang's pilgrimage to the West for scriptures in the first year of Zhenguan, it has only added fuel to this rising momentum. Although Xuanzang's journey was unauthorized by His Majesty, falling under the category of 'violating imperial laws and traveling to Tianzhu in private,' the indomitable spirit he left behind for Buddhism is terrifying. Buddhist disciples everywhere are now influenced by him, uniting with one heart to devote their entire lives to the development of Buddhism. Look at our Daoism instead—it is simply a scattered sheet of sand, with various schools fighting and harming one another, completely incapable of forming an effective resistance. If this continues, the moment Xuanzang returns, Daoism will truly be in grave danger!"

Li Yi frowned. "In that case, why doesn't Senior Brother step forward to unite all the Daoist sects and resist Buddhism with all our might, instead of listening to *The Investiture of the Gods* here? Surely Senior Brother doesn't believe a single book can save Daoism, do you?"

Yuan Tiangang let out a bitter laugh. "Sigh! Do you think I wouldn't want to? But Daoism has far too many branches, and their doctrines vary greatly, with deep divisions among them. How can they possibly be brought together? The reason I came to you is twofold: first, to hear what makes this *Investiture of the Gods* different, and second, to ask my junior brother to help me find a solution!"

Frowning in deep thought, Li Yi stood up and began to pace back and forth, pondering slowly. Before long, an idea came to him. "I've got it."

"What is it? Tell me quickly!"

"Senior Brother, the reason Daoism has so many branches is simply because there are too many immortals and deities in the Daoist pantheon, making it impossible to form a unified system. There are even conflicting accounts regarding the origins of these Daoist immortals and Buddhas. Why don't you contact the leaders of various sects to draft a unified doctrine? Consolidate and organize the origins and beliefs of the various sects' immortals and deities, taking the essence and discarding the dross. Just as I told Daoist Priest Sun, to develop, one must systematize. Only through systematization can one achieve orderly and regulated development."

Yuan Tiangang slapped his thigh. "That's it! Systematization can be applied to Buddhism as well! This old Daoist was truly muddle-headed. Such a divine tool was almost missed by me just like that. Had it not been for my junior brother's words today, I would have nearly let this golden opportunity slip away. I shall return right now to compile the doctrines!"

"Wait! Senior Brother, hold on a moment!"

Yuan Tiangang turned around in confusion and asked, "What is it?"

"Haha, Senior Brother, don't rush off just yet. You'd better listen to *The Investiture of the Gods* first. I believe it will be of great help to you."

Yuan Tiangang thought for a moment. "Very well, I shall defer to my junior brother's arrangement."

Li Yi wore a sinister smile. Buddhism? Well, you can't blame me for this. Actually, Li Yi's impression of Buddhism was neither particularly bad nor particularly good. Although he came from a later era and was well aware of Buddhism's moral failings—such as deceiving the common people, producing nothing, aggressively seizing land, swindling people, and even harboring doctrines that exerted a heavily passive influence on the populace—he could not deny that certain aspects of Buddhist spirituality were still worth learning. After all, existence is truth, and furthermore, Buddhism had survived for over a millennium. Besides, throughout history, Buddhism had indeed produced many heroic figures like the Thirteen Cudgel Monks. Therefore, Li Yi could not be said to loathe Buddhism, but he certainly didn't like it either; he belonged to the camp of keeping it at a respectful distance.

However, since heaven had now arranged for him to be part of Daoism, and Wang Yuanzhi had raised him with paternal grace, on those grounds alone, Li Yi could only say "I'm sorry" to Buddhism!

Originally, Li Yi had planned to switch to something else after finishing *The Investiture of the Gods*, but now he had changed his mind. Not only would he not switch, but he would also explain *The Investiture of the Gods* thoroughly and in depth—for instance, explaining what the Primordial Wasteland was, what the Heavenly Court was, and above all... what it meant when it was said that the Buddha was originally of Daoist origin!

Li Yi smiled sinisterly, sending chills straight down Yuan Tiangang's spine. He knew his junior brother was up to scheming against someone again!

"Hiccup! Blast it, this wine really packs a punch. Senior Brother, please make yourself at home! I'm going back to my room to lie down for a while!"

"Very well! Do as you please, Junior Brother!"

...

By dusk, Li Yi commenced his daily storytelling right on schedule.

This time, Li Yi did not merely talk about *The Investiture of the Gods*; using the investiture as a blueprint, he gradually unveiled the deepest secrets of the primordial era: Hongjun attaining sagehood, the Great War of the Three Clans, the tribulation of the Lich, the establishment of the Heavenly Court, and above all, the most crucial revelation—the Buddha is originally of Daoist origin! That is to say, Zhunti and Jieyin, the founders of Buddhism, were merely registered disciples of the Dao Ancestor Hongjun! Li Yi believed that once this perspective gained public acceptance, it would become exceedingly difficult for Buddhism to develop further!

It was Yuan Tiangang's first time listening to Li Yi's storytelling, but after just a single session, he was deeply captivated by the narrative. Although there were many parts he failed to fully comprehend, it could not diminish the brilliance of Li Yi's delivery. In the end, when Li Yi concluded, Yuan Tiangang even borrowed his manuscript. Judging by his demeanor, he intended to recite it throughout the entire night!

...

Early the next morning, Li Yi sought out Uncle Tie to inquire about cement production. Since he was about to take real power into his own hands, he needed to know both himself and his adversary.

Uncle Tie was still his usual self: a thick, bushy beard, a robust physique, an honest appearance, possessing the face of a blacksmith while doing the work of a carpenter.

"Uncle Tie, how many workers can currently manufacture cement?"

Uncle Tie counted on his fingers for a long time before replying, " Replying to the young master, including the workers from various estates, there are a total of 103 men!"

"Good! Here is what you do: over the next two days, train another batch of workers to make cement, the more the better. Go to Fatty Luo to requisition the workers, and just tell him I said so. I'll be needing them in a couple of days!"

"Understood! Consider it done! The young master can rest assured!"

"Very good!"

...

In the morning, Li Yi stayed at home to prepare various documents. During this period, his strides had remained exceedingly large; from now on, he needed to pull back and consolidate. The blueprint had been drafted, and going forward, it was simply a matter of stepping-by-step construction according to the plan!

As the old saying goes, it is easier said than done. When Li Yi actually set his hands to the work, he discovered that every single step was fraught with difficulties! He needed to plan meticulously. Only now did Li Yi realize that these tasks truly could not be accomplished by one person alone. To reiterate that old saying: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak when facing this mountain of chores!

Li Yi laid down his writing brush, stretched lazily, and prepared to rest, looking forward to a delightful afternoon nap. Suddenly, Bingyu barged in!

"Young master, hurry and tidy up! Another imperial edict has arrived, and you're getting another promotion!"

"A promotion? How do you know?"

"Hehe! I saw the master get the reward silver ready, so it must mean the young master is being promoted again!"

"Damn it! Is that so? The old man didn't even give me a heads-up. By the way, who is delivering the edict?"

"I don't know, they haven't arrived yet! The master just told you to get ready!"

"......"