Everyone present, including Liang Xiao and Yue Hongxiu, was thunderstruck.
The twelve who died defending the Emperor were all family descendants of Jian Fuzi?
"They were unknown during their lives because they disliked being burdened by fame and fortune, nor did they wish to exploit my reputation. They only wanted to forge their own path of the sword. If they were alive, they could surely have become true sword masters."
Jian Fuzi spoke as if to himself, his gaze profound, then he sighed and shook his head.
"But what truly impressed them was your father, the once invincible sword of the Dynasty. They once took the invincible sword of the Dynasty as their role model, doing good deeds and leaving no trace.
Hearing this, Liang Xiao wore a ashamed expression.
"After they retired from service, they discussed swordsmanship with the State of An, erasing their past, and all used codenames. It was only later that they accidentally discovered that the invincible sword of the Dynasty was An Guo himself. This made them genuinely admire him and become sworn brothers. At that time, even An Guo did not know their relationship with me."
"On that day, I was traveling abroad. When I returned, all I faced was this tomb of the twelve righteous warriors. I learned that at that time, the situation was critical. An Guo rushed to rescue the Emperor without hesitation, and these twelve men also firmly believed that this Emperor could bring fortune to the people of Liang. Thus, they followed him resolutely. Due to the urgency, they could only devise a hasty plan: your father had to kill Xiu Ping amidst the chaos for there to be any hope of resolving the crisis, otherwise, there was no hope."
"They used a market stall to protect the Emperor, and were eventually cut to pieces by Xiu Ping's henchmen. An Guo, true to expectations, struck true... Later, under An Guo's questioning, he understood their relationship with me, and was filled with remorse. But in the blink of an eye, the Xiu family colluded with the southern barbarians to attack the capital. You should know what happened afterwards."
Everyone bowed their heads in silent mourning.
After a long while, Zhuo Zifang couldn't help but sigh, "Such a moving and tragic event, and yet the details of that year are not spread across two nations. Do these noble clans not even respect fallen heroes!"
"While the noble clans were indeed wary, there were also my own requests. Because I knew very well that they never cared about posthumous fame. Moreover, at that time, the Emperor was in distress, and his authority was undermined. The Emperor had not yet consolidated his throne, and it was not appropriate to announce it to the entire nation. The people needed an emperor who had eliminated rebels, not a tarnished emperor who could only turn the tide with the help of common swordsmen."
As Jian Fuzi spoke, he let out a long sigh, "This Emperor of Liang was also grateful. After consolidating his throne, he built the Tomb of the Twelve Righteous Warriors for them. In recent years, he has also used newspapers to publicize the heroic deeds of the twelve righteous warriors back then, showing that he endured hardship rather than forgetting favors."
Everyone looked at Mu Cheng with newfound respect.
Of all the cold-hearted imperial families, Mu Cheng had achieved this much, proving himself a benevolent ruler with a conscience.
Yue Wenxin asked softly, "Teacher, then why did you always conceal the identities of these twelve, and even His Majesty did not know..."
Jian Fuzi looked at Yue Wenxin and smiled, "You are still young and do not understand human affairs. Regarding An Guo and these twelve, the teacher and His Majesty each have secrets they are unwilling to share with the other."
"Because it would only make the other more heartbroken, guilty, and regretful. After all, if Grandfather knew the identities of those twelve righteous warriors, he would likely live his entire life with guilt towards the Master." Luo Qingxue said with a sigh.
"Well said!" Jian Fuzi spoke his mind, took a sip of wine, and then looked at Liang Xiao.
"Seeing you, I see the An Guo of those years. Do you know what is most alike between you and your father?"
As Liang Xiao was pondering, Yue Hongxiu suddenly said, "Father and son, their eyes are firm, their gazes sharp, they are carved from the same mold."
Everyone suddenly understood.
Jian Qinwan, Luo Qingxue, and Zhuo Xun gazed at Liang Xiao with adoration.
One was the King of Bei of Liang, the other a Heavenly General of Gan.
It turned out to be a paternal legacy of will, stepping forward to turn the tide, simply because they could not bear to see the common people suffer!
The old man bowed deeply to Jian Fuzi: "Thank you, Master, for your understanding and help to my father!"
Jian Fuzi simply gazed at Liang Xiao, his face filled with relief, "Your achievements now are unprecedented, benefiting both nations. But I am still curious..."
"Please guide me, Master." Liang Xiao cupped his fists.
Jian Fuzi looked at the inscriptionless tombstone of the King of Bei, his eyes gradually lighting up.
"I recall when we first met your father, and we discussed with the Buddhist temple..." As he spoke, Jian Fuzi looked at Liang Xiao again, "Do you know the story of the Buddha and Angulimala?"
Liang Xiao shook his head.
"Angulimala was originally named Vimalakirti, the son of Queen Prasenajit's prime minister, Kasyapa. He was a devout follower of Brahmanism. His teacher taught him a secret method to ascend to Brahma Heaven, which required him to kill a thousand people and make necklaces from their fingers. Later, he was taught by the Buddha, repented his past, joined the Sangha, and became a monk, eventually attaining Arhatship."
"But before the Buddha enlightened him, he had already killed over a hundred people. When the Buddha learned that he had killed people, he decided to convert him and intended to go to the village to beg for alms. The villagers were afraid of Angulimala and hid in their homes, not daring to come out. Only the Buddha walked alone on the road."
"Angulimala noticed someone unafraid and chased after the Buddha, shouting at him to stop.
The Buddha continued to walk at a steady pace. At this moment, Angulimala felt that the Buddha was different from ordinary people. He ran up to block the Buddha's path, forcing him to stop.
Angulimala asked the Buddha: 'Monk, I command you to stop, why do you not stop?'
The Buddha replied: 'Angulimala, I stopped a long time ago. It is you who have not stopped.'
This strange reply shocked Angulimala. He saw compassionate eyes in the Buddha's gaze, unlike the panic he usually saw in people's eyes. It was a pure light of equality, happiness, and peace."
"The Buddha explained: 'I have long ceased the evil deeds of harming sentient beings, because I have learned how to protect life, not just human life. Angulimala, all sentient beings wish to survive, and they all fear death. We should cultivate compassion and protect the lives of all sentient beings.'"
"In the Buddha's eyes, Angulimala was not without good qualities. If he vowed to abandon his anger and diligently cultivate the Great Way, the Buddha promised to protect him. He vowed to start anew and save all beings. Angulimala was undoubtedly wise, and the Buddha affirmed that he would surely achieve enlightenment on the Great Way."
"Angulimala did not disappoint. He diligently practiced precepts and meditation. After only half a month, his entire body exuded a peaceful and stable aura, and a rare gentleness. No bhikkhu had a more benevolent gaze than his. Even the Buddha was surprised by his transformation."
The crowd understood that Jian Fuzi was knowledgeable in the three religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and listened intently as Jian Fuzi expounded Buddhist teachings, deeply touched.
"The transformation of the murderer Angulimala proves the boundless nature of Buddhist teachings. This greatness stems from supreme understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and love, as well as trust and respect. All of these prerequisites are based on the Buddha's love for sentient beings. Love is the panacea that resolves everything." As Jian Fuzi spoke, his expression gradually turned solemn, "My connection with your father was also forged through this discussion. Liang Xiao, what do you think of Angulimala?"
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment and said seriously, "If it were me, I would never have enlightened him. Instead, I would bring him to justice to console the deceased."
This unexpected answer, contrary to the boundless nature of Buddhist teachings, plunged the surrounding crowd into a brief silence.