[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday":3,"chapter-the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-514":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Imperial Hound on an Eight-Hour Shift",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2225572,4113,"Chapter 514: The Truth","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-514",514,"\u003Cp>Ever since he regained consciousness, Jianzhen had worn a smile whenever he saw Li Miao, maintaining the appearance of an enlightened high monk. But in this instant, his defenses were finally breached, and his expression spiraled completely out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Benefactor... you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was dumbstruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao appeared puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? What is it, Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down at himself and chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... heh, just a little effort and talent. I hope I haven't embarrassed myself before you, Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianzhen was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, he let out a long sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems my earlier remark that your comprehension could rival Bodhidharma’s was a sign of my own shallow insight. Your natural aptitude for comprehension even surpasses that of Master Zhang Sanfeng!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can tell that you must have obtained a manual for the Silence-Illumination technique previously and gained some insight into it, which is why I thought you would be able to master it within three years...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never expected it to take only a single instant!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianzhen no longer had the heart to maintain his high-monk persona; he slapped his own thigh with his left hand, the sound ringing out sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only a single instant!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this hadn't happened right before my eyes, I would have dismissed it as a joke. Even having seen it with my own eyes, I can hardly believe it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Compared to you, my own comprehension is like mere moss on a dog's urine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao had been enjoying Jianzhen’s flattery, but upon hearing the phrase \"moss on a dog's urine,\" his expression stiffened. He thought to himself, *What did that moss ever do to you people?* He had no interest in listening further and simply smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You flatter me, Master. Let's set that aside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I originally thought you had the manual for the True Constant realm in your possession, which is why I said I had two questions. But since you don't have it... could you explain it to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, I previously thought the key points you left in the Four Intentions Sword Art inheritance combined to form the True Constant manual. Since you don't have it, what exactly is that stuff?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianzhen shook his head slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let us speak of the True Constant realm first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Between the Daoist and Buddhist schools, which are you more familiar with?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao gave a mocking smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it's convenient, it would be better to explain it using Daoist terms... After all, the Emperor of my generation is quite fond of Daoism, and since I come from an official background, I have some understanding of Daoist concepts. I know very little about Buddhism.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can understand it better if you use Daoist terminology.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianzhen nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, let us speak from the Daoist perspective.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True Constant responds to things; True Constant attains nature.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In Daoist concepts, 'True Constant' refers to the original state of being without delusion or thought, pure and natural. In the context of Daoist alchemy, it is the constant state where Essence, Qi, and Spirit are unified.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I had to describe it in one phrase, it would be 'the manifestation of essence'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like the Venerated Deity Sword Art of Shintoism?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianzhen’s face showed disdain, and he let out a cold laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, Benefactor, you must be joking!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cultivating nature, body, and heart is all about cultivating oneself. As Shakyamuni said: 'In heaven and on earth, I alone am the honored one.' That so-called Venerated Deity Sword Art puts a beastly monster inside one's heart; it is utter nonsense—Amitabha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianzhen accidentally broke his vow of speech; he quickly stopped and recited a Buddhist chant to show his repentance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao calmly glanced at Jianzhen’s right side, narrowed his eyes, and clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianzhen was an enlightened high monk whose cultivation of Buddhist law was likely even higher than Xing Chi’s. Every action of his should have reached the realm of \"following one's heart without overstepping the rules.\" How could he accidentally break his vow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment Jianzhen woke up until now, he had never mentioned his own right side, and he turned a blind eye to the bizarre and cruel Corpse Lotus beneath him. This completely contradicted the compassion of Buddhist law! He was originally betrayed and killed by the monks of Enryaku-ji precisely because he was too compassionate; how could he ignore these corpses covering the ground?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this lotus throne made of corpses was itself a Buddhist image, and it likely originated from Jianzhen’s own hand... Although this Master Jianzhen spoke with clear logic, truth be told, he might not be entirely lucid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed this heart-to-heart talk, spanning eight hundred years, would soon come to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold glint flashed in Li Miao’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianzhen’s voice continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In short, the essence of the True Constant realm is to manifest one's own nature, integrating it into every move and stance, using one's own heart to influence external objects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Venerated Deity Sword Art, heh, although it is an evil path, it is somewhat close. But if one follows the righteous path, one should manifest one's own imagery when striking!\" \u003C\u002Fp>",861,"2026-06-17T21:41:17.211Z","2026-06-18T03:13:38.468Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","8874a3725cf3cc936ec9b633ddd135264f32b73b1b10c190c22f29e48173845f","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-515","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-513",647,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-imperial-hound-on-an-eight-hour-shift-cover.jpg"]