Buddhism has always spoken of "letting go of the butcher's knife and immediately becoming a Buddha," a saying widely accepted by believers.
Liang Xiao's response clearly went against Buddhist compassion.
Only Jian Qinwan looked at Liang Xiao with affection, understanding in her heart.
That day, when he answered Hong Ren's three questions at Bodhi Temple, he had already declared his resolve.
"What do you mean by that?" Sword Master showed no displeasure, merely watching Liang Xiao with a smile.
Liang Xiao said sternly, "Although Buddha is benevolent, this method is not applicable to the present world. Yang Jumo Luo massacred so many innocent people. If merely by Buddha's words, he could let go of the butcher's knife and become a Buddha, to whom should the dead innocents appeal for justice? Were they destined to be slaughtered? After being slaughtered, should they simply forgive by others chanting scriptures for them?"
"There is no Buddha in the world anymore. Buddha's deeds are mere legends. I do not possess Buddha's immense power to convert murderers. However, for the safety of the common people, I must establish laws and enforce them. Without law, a nation cannot stand; without law, the people cannot be pacified; without law, the wicked cannot be deterred! A life for a life is only natural and right. What I, Liang Xiao, can do is to send them to repent before Buddha, thereby showing fairness to the unjustly deceased. Fair laws maintain the bottom line of humanity and morality."
Everyone pondered deeply.
Sword Master then smiled, "These deceased are indeed tragic, but Buddhism speaks of reincarnation. Those who suffer in this life will enjoy blessings in the next. How do you view this?"
Liang Xiao shook his head, his attitude firm. "Reincarnation is merely the talk of a few families; whether it truly exists is yet unknown. Should we allow these people to die tragically and not seek justice for them simply because they believe in reincarnation? Even if enforcing the law goes against Buddhist compassion, I will not hesitate. Even if I suffer in my next life, repaying the karma of killing, I will still uphold this principle."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhuo Zifang and others nodded one after another.
Compared to letting go of the butcher's knife and becoming a Buddha, or the concept of sin, they believed more in fair enforcement of the law.
Yue Hongxiu suddenly drooped her head, while Yue Wenxin's eyes shone brightly.
Sword Master was not angry at all, but applauded.
"Like father, like son! That White-browed Chan Master back then also lectured in the Buddhist temple. I and those twelve people were in the audience. An Guo happened to come to listen then and publicly questioned, debating with that White-browed Chan Master. He was just like you, firm in his stance, and even his words were very similar."
"An Guo always kept a respectful distance from gods and Buddhas. He had only one belief: everything was for the people, even if it meant being crushed to pieces. At that time, I was astonished by this young man's words, which led to our acquaintance, and later our exchange of sword techniques. That White-browed Chan Master, whose Dharma name was Long Yue, disappeared with the entire monastery. Later, he was forced to go to Da Gan and became a honored guest of Da Gan's Southern King."
Upon hearing this, Liang Xiao frowned, "This man is an accomplice of the Spring Revival Sect, and is now missing. My father and my uncle's deaths at Helan Mountain must have been due to his schemes. I will not let him escape justice."
Sword Master nodded repeatedly.
"I harbored doubts at the time. This man used Buddhism as a guise, appearing to be an enlightened monk on the surface, but in reality, he interspersed his personal interpretations into key Buddhist teachings, as if plotting something. Yet, his followers believed him implicitly. Thus, His Majesty ordered him and the entire monastery to renounce their monastic vows, and His Majesty was widely criticized for it."
After speaking, Sword Master took out a manual from his robe and handed it to Liang Xiao.
"You and An Guo have not disappointed me. This is the culmination of my lifelong research into sword techniques and sword principles. Your father also contributed to it. From now on, it will be entrusted to you and your father-in-law, Jian Nanfeng. How you dispose of it is up to you."
Liang Xiao took the blank manual, flipped through a few pages, and nodded solemnly. "After I finish reading it, I will give it to my father-in-law. Your insights will be of great benefit to the Sky Mountain Swordsmen."
This contained, of course, not some peerless martial art, but theories on sword practice and some methods of practicing the sword.
Since even the sword world's grandmasters like Jian Nanfeng and Jian Master had no "true qi" or "internal energy," Liang Xiao was now certain that such things could not exist in this world.
After entrusting the manual, Sword Master finally felt a sense of relief. He talked at length with Liang Xiao and his group, and in between, he did not forget to burn joss paper for Liang Anguo and the Twelve Righteous Warriors.
Yue Wenxin kept her head down throughout, occasionally stealing glances at Liang Xiao, not daring to speak.
Luo Qingxue had noticed long ago, and seeing her timidness, so different from her usual arrogance, she couldn't help but sigh and nudge Liang Xiao's arm.
Liang Xiao followed Luo Qingxue's gaze, understood her meaning, and walked towards Yue Wenxin and Yue Hongxiu.
"Little sister-in-law."
Upon hearing Liang Xiao's call, Yue Wenxin flinched. "Ah? Are you calling me?"
Liang Xiao said with a serious expression, "Actually, I heard everything you said at my father's grave."
"What??"
Yue Wenxin's face instantly turned red, while Yue Hongxiu narrowed her eyes slightly.
Even Sword Master looked at Liang Xiao with confusion.
When Liang Xiao arrived earlier, they had already confirmed there was no one else around, not even a tomb keeper.
Under Yue Wenxin's nervous gaze, Liang Xiao placed the hilt of the Northern King's sword into her palm, and then pressed her fingers, making her grip it tightly.
"What gives you confidence has never been the Northern King, but yourself. As long as you have confidence in yourself, you can still be fearless as before."
"Is that so?" Yue Wenxin lowered her head, responding weakly.
"Yes! Until you regain your confidence, I will not let anyone bully you again, not even your father. Secretly, I'm even planning to find an opportunity to beat up your father." Liang Xiao maintained his serious expression.
Yue Wenxin's heart trembled, and she looked at Liang Xiao timidly. "Will you really... protect me?"
Liang Xiao nodded. "You care so much about your sister, so of course, you are a sister-in-law I approve of. Moreover, you have always respected my father. Whether for your sister or for my father, I have an obligation to protect you, don't I?"
Yue Wenxin pursed her lips, holding back tears, and nodded repeatedly. "Thank you, brother-in-law..."
Beside them, Yue Hongxiu's fists trembled slightly hidden in her sleeves, her heart filled with sorrow, wanting to speak but refraining.
He dared to face her father for his own sake back then, ultimately making her father back down and apologize.
Liang Xiao then approached Yue Hongxiu, bowed, and spoke sincerely.
"Before I came to Da Liang, my grandfather told me about the past. After my father returned to Da Liang, he still missed you endlessly. However, my father also said that he feared he would never be able to go to Da Liang again in this lifetime. My mother had suggested that my father try his best to marry you and my second mother, Lu Xue, but my father, considering various reasons, had to give up."
Yue Hongxiu stared blankly at Liang Xiao. "What did you say??"
Liang Xiao explained, "It's not that my father didn't want to marry you, but he couldn't. He came from the Liang family of generals, and my second mother was from a scholarly family. And you were the daughter of the Yue family of Da Liang. Your father had no other children, and he certainly couldn't marry into the Yue family. Before I return, I will communicate with the Emperor of Da Liang to seek a balance between you and the relations between the two countries. If you do not mind, the Liang family will grant you the status of Liang Anguo's legitimate wife."
Yue Hongxiu suddenly looked dejected, took several steps back, and leaned against the Northern King's tombstone, grief overwhelming her.
"He actually wanted to marry me all along..."
The court assembly had not yet ended when Qin Feng returned to the hall.