Chapter 644: Butterfly Flutters, One Thought Changes Heaven

"Lord Bo, we've arrived."

In front of Ganlu Hall, Wushe whispered, "Today's guest is a bit unusual, Lord Bo… you take it easy."

Chen Yan squinted and stared at him, "Father‑in‑law, we've known each other so long; could you reveal what kind of guest this is?"

"And also, what do you mean by 'take it easy'?"

Wushe hesitated briefly, lowered his voice, and said, "It's the Zhishou Lawyer."

"Zhishou Lawyer?" Chen Yan was stunned, "What is that?"

Wushe: "......"

He hurriedly explained, "The Zhishou Lawyer is a master of the Buddhist Establishment, the preceptor who transmitted precepts to Dao Xuan, the founder of the Southern Mountain Vinaya School."

"Our 'Four‑Part Vinaya' has been promoted as the orthodox Vinaya study, exerting great influence in the Tang Dynasty."

"More importantly, His Majesty personally visited the Zhishou Lawyer's monastery and issued an edict for him to teach precepts to Her Imperial Highness, the Empress."

"The Zhishou Lawyer is a pivotal figure in the Buddhist Establishment......."

"Oh~" Chen Yan realized, "So it's the Buddhist Establishment after all."

After speaking, he sighed, "I told you the aftermath hasn't ceased; now they've come knocking again."

"My fate is truly wretched—what began as a good deed led to imprisonment, flogging, loss of title; not to mention no benefits, and now troubles keep piling up one after another."

"Truly a sin."

Wushe moved his lips, speaking softly, "Lord Bo, this time the Zhishou Lawyer came specially from a distant place, and he is elderly; you… take it easy, okay."

Chen Yan rolled his eyes, "You speak as if I'm some irredeemable villain who beats people with boards and bricks at the slightest provocation."

"I'm just trying to reason, okay?"

"Unless the other side doesn't heed my reasoning, I won't resort to force."

After that, he sighed and said indifferently, "Fine, we're already here, and you invited me, so today's meeting must happen."

"Let's go in and see what this Zhishou Lawyer is about."

After reporting, Chen Yan stepped into the hall.

The first thing he saw was Li Shimin seated at the head.

At the lower right sat a lean old monk, exuding an inexplicable aura of authority, clutching a string of Buddhist prayer beads.

"Zi An, you're here? Have a seat," Li Shimin said as he saw him enter, pointing to the spot on his left.

Hearing that, the Zhishou Lawyer opened his eyes, his gaze deep as he looked at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan ignored his stare, sat down without ceremony, and then said, "His Majesty, you mentioned that a important guest sought me today—where is the guest?"

"Where?"

Li Shimin: "......."

"Someone that tall, can't you see him?"

"Hehe… I've long heard of Minister Chen's unparalleled talent, a youthful man in his prime; now seeing you, the reputation is indeed well‑deserved," the Zhishou Lawyer said without anger, his tone admiring.

"It's hard to believe you are the one who declares to set the heart for heaven and earth, to determine the fate of the people—a spirit so soaring."

"However, meeting you today, I suddenly understand… a youthful ambition higher than the heavens!"

Chen Yan did not expect the old monk to remain so composed, genuinely praising him even though he was about to destroy the Buddhist Establishment and slaughter countless monks.

He immediately realized this was a hard opponent; his mindset was likely lofty and would not anger easily.

Thus Chen Yan swiftly changed his attitude, smiling, "May I ask who you are?"

"I am the old monk Zhishou."

"So you're Master Zhishou," Chen Yan feigned realization, then said directly, "Did you come today to champion the Buddhist Establishment?"

His words made the Zhishou Lawyer fall silent.

He hadn't expected Chen Yan to be so direct.

Li Shimin listened to their conversation with interest, showing no intention to interject.

Zhishou shook his head slightly, "As for the Buddhist Establishment, temples, and most monks, I fear I know their nature better than you in some aspects."

"I do not oppose your approach; my coming today is not to defend the Buddhist Establishment."

"From my perspective, the Buddhist Establishment appears prosperous, yet few truly grasp its true meaning."

"Such prosperity will eventually bring a flood of bloodshed."

Chen Yan asked in surprise, "If not to defend the Buddhist Establishment, why did the master seek me?"

Zhishou twirled his prayer beads, pondered briefly, and asked a question that surprised both, "Minister Chen, do you believe in cause and effect?"

"Cause and effect?" Chen Yan chuckled low, "I've heard that everything in the world follows a set order—each action yields its result; sow a cause, reap its fruit."

"At a superficial level, it means good and evil receive their retribution."

"However, I've heard that within your Buddhist Establishment there is much debate over cause and effect; Master Zhishou, you yourself differ from many Buddhist masters in your understanding."

"Your insight on this must far exceed mine; why do you wish to ask me?"

"Or perhaps… you intend to use cause and effect to tell me something?"

Zhishou shook his head gently, "I have no other intent; as Minister Chen said, our Buddhist Establishment also has great disputes over cause and effect."

"As a researcher of Vinaya, I constantly stress to my students that during precept‑taking one must form a 'precept body' in the heart, planting the cause to prevent wrongdoing."

"However, this 'precept body' itself is a kind of 'non‑action cause and effect.'"

Chen Yan nodded, "I understand, Master—by keeping precepts you sow the cause of liberation now and in the future, not merely seeking future blessings?"

"Minister Chen, insightful; that is precisely my meaning."

"So… what is your purpose in asking me about cause and effect? I am not one of your Buddhist Establishment, and I do not believe in Buddhism or the Dao."

Zhishou fell silent for a moment, closed his eyes, and said, "To be frank, I bear no resentment for the measures you've taken against the Buddhist Establishment; on the contrary, I am grateful."

"Privileges may be pleasant, but for the Buddhist Establishment they are like shackles and temptations, constantly luring others to join, yet trapping all disciples inside."

Nowadays, your proposal is like a blade, helping the Buddhist Establishment cut away these shackles and temptations.

This old monk sincerely thanks you!

But I must also remind you that your actions have sown a great cause; not only are you deeply entangled with the Buddhist Establishment, but you are also implicated with all sentient beings in the world—what fruit you will reap in the future is hard to say.

Upon hearing these words, Chen Yan and Li Shimin's expressions both sank.

Chen Yan carefully pondered the words of Master Zhi Shou, believed he was not lying, and suddenly laughed:

Master Zhi Shou, the causal theory I just mentioned is actually what your Buddhist Establishment teaches; I have my own understanding of causality—would you like to hear it?

I would like to hear the details.

Do you think causality is just you punch me, I punch you? Little do you know true causality is a butterfly's wingbeat, a single thought can change the heavens!!