Prodigal System in the Flourishing City

The monks, upon hearing the vague explanations of the abbot, couldn't help but admire Lu Xiaobu immensely.

"Mage truly has great talent!"

"I often hear that there are three realms of life: see the mountain as the mountain, see the water as water, see the mountain not as the mountain, see the water not as water, and once again, see the mountain as the mountain, see the water as water. Mage must surely be at the second realm!"

"Mage is a person with great wisdom roots, if you wholeheartedly devote yourself to Buddha, your future will be boundless!"

"Why not stay, Mage!"

...

Not to mention them, even Master Xu Yun was looking at Lu Xiaobu with anticipation.

With such profound Buddhist Law comprehension and still so young, if he were to stay, it would indeed be a great blessing for the Buddhist order!

"Cut it out!" Lu Xiaobu rolled his eyes: "I can't stand the strict rules of the Buddhist order. If I stayed, aside from breaking every one of your precepts, I might turn you all into demons!"

"Mage is joking, with such a high level of Buddhist Law comprehension, how could you possibly turn people into demons?" Master Xu Yun shook his head in disbelief.

Buddha and demon are opposites, how could it be possible to turn people into demons?

"You don't believe me?" Lu Xiaobu rolled his eyes.

"I don't believe." Master Xu Yun shook his head.

"Alright then! In that case, I..." Lu Xiaobu was about to speak.

At that moment!

Lu Hongbin hurriedly took a step forward and grabbed Lu Xiaobu's right arm!

Almost simultaneously, Lu Wenhao rushed over and grabbed Lu Xiaobu's left arm!

In the end, Lu Father covered Lu Xiaobu's mouth with his hand!

The three of them were completely covered in cold sweat!

Master Xu Yun was unaware of Lu Xiaobu's capabilities.

But they knew!

Lu Xiaobu's toxic advice, Lu Xiaobu's disruption, Lu Xiaobu's swearing!

Goodness, if all of that came out, not only would it ruin the atmosphere of the monastery, but if it really turned people into demons, they would be committing a great sin!

"Benefactor Lu, what are you doing?!"

Master Xu Yun was bewildered!

Why did these three Benefactor Lu seem as if they were dealing with an explosive ready to detonate?

So vigilant!

"Abbott, my Xiaobu really isn't suited for the Buddhist order."

Lu Father said with a forced smile, forced to say so.

He couldn't very well express his worry about Lu Xiaobu turning people into demons!

Wouldn't that be like looking down on their determination?!

"No! Benefactor Lu, if such a wise individual does not join our Buddhist order, it would be a great loss to us!"

Master Xu Yun said earnestly: "I know you love your child and don't wish for Mage to retreat into monastic life, but please consider the overall situation!"

"Abbot Master, I..."

Lu Father now found himself at a loss for words.

Although he indeed did not wish for Lu Xiaobu to retreat into monastic life, because then one must purify the six senses!

But that wasn't his real concern right now!

He hesitated, unsure how to speak without causing offense.

And at this time.

"Abbot Master, please really don't let him stay, otherwise within a month, the whole temple will surely descend into chaos!"

Lu Wenhao spoke out in persuasion.

Upon hearing these words, Lu Father internally exclaimed in worry!

This Wenhao, I know your emotional intelligence isn't very high, and I know you're trying to explain as tactfully as possible!

But who is the other party?!

The other party is a long-famed high monk!

How could he not understand the implication in your words?!

As expected!

"Amitabha! So all the benefactors are worried about my determination! That's alright, why not let Mage speak and have a Chan debate with me? Although I'm lacking in wisdom, I have studied Buddhist Law for many years and I have some confidence in my determination!"

Master Xu Yun understood the meaning immediately.

But he was not annoyed at all but instead voiced a Buddha chant with a smile!

Upon hearing this, Lu Father knew that the matter was not over, and the debate was set.

If they forcefully take Lu Xiaobu away now, that would be an admission of underestimating Abbott Xu Yun's determination!

It would be a blatant sizing up!

So, he sighed and let go of Lu Xiaobu: "Hong Bin, Wenhao, let Xiaobu go!"

"Amitabha!"

Abbott Xu Yun once again chanted the Buddhist invocation, expressing his gratitude.

"However, Abbott, I must remind you, do not take this young pup too seriously, otherwise you may fall into a trap!" Lu's father earnestly advised.

"Dad? Why are you helping others to oppress your son?"

Lu Xiaobu rolled his eyes and said speechlessly.

Lu's father remained silent.

Helping Abbott Xu Yun and hoping to outsmart you would be good enough!

If you really managed to convert Abbott Xu Yun into a demon, who knows how many people would be desperate to fight you!

Lu Hongbin and Lu Wenhuo also hurriedly gestured, urging Lu Xiaobu to be somewhat more restrained.

Lu Xiaobu shrugged his shoulders, indicating agreement.

"Mage, after you!"

Abbott Xu Yun seated himself cross-legged and gestured for Lu Xiaobu to begin.

Lu Xiaobu also took a seat casually.

However, his sitting posture was wide open, full of a carefree spirit.

He knew that this talk about Zen was actually a battle of wits!

What is a battle of wits?

In modern language, it's debate!

However, debate pales in comparison; battles of wits are sharper and more mystical, often leaving people confused!

Or you might think of it as a duel between two martial arts masters, with every slash drawing blood, every punch landing solidly. Except they are using their mouths and brains, not fists or weapons!

Since it's a fight, Lu Xiaobu is naturally all fired up — Right, a billion, intelligence maxed out temporarily!

Abbott Xu Yun struck first: "Every word and action should cultivate Buddhism!"

Lu Xiaobu: "I am not a Buddha; how can I resemble a Buddha?"

Monks around instantly gasped in shock.

This Lu Mage is truly formidable!

So ruthless!

The Abbott said Lu Xiaobu's seated manner was too unrestrained and did not fit the Buddhist Law!

And yet, Lu Xiaobu immediately retorted: I am originally not a Buddha, so why should I emulate the Buddha; moreover, if you have emulated the Buddha, does that make you a Buddha?

This is too cutthroat!

Xu Yun: "Buddha is in the heart; all beings can be Buddha."

The Buddha in my heart dictates that all beings can cultivate Buddhism; why can't I resemble the Buddha?

Lu Xiaobu: "If all beings can be Buddha, why fear the cycle of reincarnation among humans?"

If it sounds so noble, why do we need Hell then?

Xu Yun: "Those who can cultivate but don't are the ones who fall into Hell."

That's because they don't cultivate Buddhism, don't purify themselves, so they need Hell!

Lu Xiaobu: "Disregarding Buddha is to be the devil, then what's the meaning of 'Buddha and devil'?"

Oh, so not cultivating Buddhism means one should go to Hell, then what's the difference between Buddha and devil?!

The surrounding monks were scared stiff!

Could it be that this Mr. Lu genuinely intends to convert others into demons?!

In front of Buddha, right under Buddha's watchful eyes.

First questioning the existence of Buddha, then equating Buddha and demon on the same level!

Every statement was a direct stab at the heart!

Abbott Xu Yun's eyebrows furrowed: "If you have no intention, are you willing to descend into Hell?!"

Lu Xiaobu: "If I don't go to Hell, who will?"

Xu Yun, with a wrathful Vajra expression: "Hell is suffering, no one wishes for it; why do you so eagerly resemble the devil?!"

He was furious, Lu Xiaobu wasn't just battling wits anymore, he was being senselessly argumentative!

Even Lu's father covered his face with his hand, Xiaobu had started playing the fool again!

Yet!

Lu Xiaobu: "Without Hell being empty, one cannot become a Buddha! Amitabha!"

This statement, like a sudden shout, startled everyone in the hall!