Chapter 776 - 234: [Nangong Sheng]
Chapter Two Hundred Thirty-Four: [Nangong Sheng]
"Looking for him?"
Zhao Wuji was taken aback, inadvertently glancing back at Chen Yan, thinking to himself this person is involved in the case; although appearing to be innocently caught up in it, he was half under soft confinement in the outer court, so how did he get involved with this Inner Sect disciple?
But among cultivators in the Domain Realm, the hierarchy is very strict.
Especially in such sects with the heritage of a Saint, while outer and Inner Sect disciples are of the same sect and Zhao Wuji could call them "Senior Brother," their status is vastly different!
Seeing that Senior Brother Nangong only replied lightly without offering further explanation, Zhao Wuji dared not inquire further and could only muster an awkward smile.
He thought, should I leave?
He hesitated for a moment and sheepishly said, "Since Senior Brother Nangong has business with this Fellow Daoist, I’ll take my leave as well."
Senior Brother Nangong didn’t even bother to spare him another glance, merely waving his sleeve as if swatting a fly away.
Zhao Wuji felt downtrodden, but could only swallow his pride, humbly taking his leave. As he departed, he couldn’t resist another look at Chen Yan, wondering what was so special about this guy that made even the famously eccentric Senior Brother from the Inner Sect take notice personally. Hmm... If this person is indeed extraordinary, then in the future, I should try to curry favor when interacting with him?
Once Zhao Wuji left, Senior Brother Nangong approached Chen Yan, and before Chen Yan could bow, grabbed his arm and pulled him up.
"No need to be formal, Fellow Daoist possesses a wise heart," Senior Brother Nangong shook his head and said. "In recent days, during my cultivation sessions, I kept reflecting on the four words you mentioned that day, ’unity of knowledge and action’. The more I thought about it, the deeper it touched me. It felt so profound that I finally couldn’t resist coming to see you today, hoping to discuss some thoughts with you."
Chen Yan blinked, his face showing a plain and somewhat bewildered expression like an honest farmer: "Uh... my cultivation is shallow, how dare I receive the favor of a Saint’s disciple."
"What Saint’s disciple? Our sect emphasizes being true to one’s thoughts in cultivating the Dao heart. You heard me speak that day, the so-called Heavenly Principle and Heart Demon should be acknowledged and faced.
Hmm, using your words ’unity of knowledge and action’, this process is called [knowledge].
And when these are integrated into thoughts and actions, that is action.
Your insightful heart earns my respect! As for the title of a Saint’s disciple, it is just the vanity in people’s hearts; I do not care for it."
Saying so, this fellow actually pulled Chen Yan a few steps down the corridor, where they stood to the side.
Senior Brother Nangong looked at Chen Yan and laughed, "That day, we didn’t exchange names; I already know your surname is Zhao and you are called Zhao Shanhe.
My surname is Nangong, and my single name is Sheng."
Chen Yan nodded, "Nice to meet you, Fellow Daoist Nangong Sheng."
"From a young age, I’ve liked to compete and win. Although after cultivating, I lost interest in competing with people, I couldn’t shake my obsession with cultivation matters; thus, my master named me ’Sheng’, which aligns with my mindset.
In recent days during cultivation, while questioning my Dao heart, some unclear thoughts emerged, and I wish to seek your guidance, Fellow Daoist."
Chen Yan had to force a wry smile and said, "Though my cultivation is weak, since Fellow Daoist Nangong thinks so highly of me, feel free to speak."
Nangong Sheng gazed intently at Chen Yan and suddenly asked, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist, what is goodness?"
Goodness?
That’s a rather big question. How the heck do I know where to start explaining?
Chen Yan was somewhat bewildered.
Nangong Sheng, however, was moved, speaking to himself, "My main focus is the art of Artifact Refining, and first, I need to understand the materials used in refining artifacts, whether they are plants, minerals, or Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.
Years ago, I once thought all things in the world possess spirituality, yet couldn’t find the key after many years of pondering.
Recently, I recalled when I first began learning, my master speaking of yin and yang in the world, and naturally about good and evil.
This reasoning made me wonder if the materials of the world, their spirituality, also have good and evil?
Thinking along these lines led to even more thoughts.
For instance, if facing a good object, should we use benevolent methods to refine it? If facing an evil object, should we use malevolent methods? Tailored methods yield twice the results with half the effort?"
Chen Yan pondered for a moment and asked, "May I inquire, Fellow Daoist Nangong, how do you distinguish the good from the evil in materials?"
Things can be good or evil? Chen Yan was a bit perplexed.
How could a rock be classified as good or evil? Could it have read the Tao Te Ching?
Nangong Sheng thought for a moment and slowly said, "What’s considered a good object should be that which is born in accordance with the Heavenly Principle.
For instance, a tree that takes ten or a hundred years to grow from a seed to usable timber—this is a material nurtured in line with the Heavenly Principle, thus a good object.
If a method is used to contravene the Heavenly Principle’s rules, causing a tree that normally takes decades to mature in just years or months, though materially identical, it defies the Heavenly Principle and should be viewed as an evil object."
Chen Yan, hearing this, felt a stirring in his heart!
This logic seemed intriguing.
So does the good or evil of all things depend on adhering to or defying the Heavenly Principle?
In this case...
Genetic modification would be considered evil, wouldn’t it?
Seeing Chen Yan deep in thought, Nangong Sheng smiled slightly, extended a finger, and a beam of light flew from his sleeve, landing in the dirt outside the corridor.