In the water towns of Jiangnan, a light drizzle falls like silk threads.
Lin Yu stood outside the Xu residence, surrounded by picturesque scenery, but even the most beautiful moments are never perfect.
"Snake demon!" A loud shout rang out in the rain.
A monk wearing a kasaya and holding a staff walked in the rain; it was Fahai from Jinshan Temple.
"Brother Xu, does Fahai come here every day?"
Lin Yu was a little surprised as he looked at the monk who was walking in the rain. He had only been there for less than a day, and he had already encountered the plot.
"Sigh, Xiao Yu, you don't know, ever since I learned the plot, I've been deliberately avoiding Fahai, but it's like it's destined. The more I avoid him, the closer he gets."
"My wife and I went up the mountain to gather herbs one day, and we were unlucky enough to run into him. From then on, he kept an eye on us."
"He comes to persuade me every few days, saying that my wife is a snake demon and that being with me is bewitching me. He also comes to our door to cause trouble from time to time. It's so annoying!"
Xu Xian found the Fahai monk Fahai annoying; did he not know his wife was a snake demon?
He was indeed frightened when he first learned the truth and couldn't sleep all night.
But when he saw Bai Suzhen working tirelessly to save the people, brewing medicine and washing clothes for him, his fear was replaced by heartache and love.
All he knew was that this was his wife!
"Fahai! Let me tell you, my wife is not some snake demon!"
Xu Xian stood at the door, his chest heaving with rage. "She's my wife, and more importantly, a living Bodhisattva who saves lives! Go ask how many people Qiantang River have been healed by my wife. If this is the snake demon you call a bewitching monster, then are there any good people left in the world?!"
Fahai raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Xu Xian, you've been blinded by sorcery! Her true form is a thousand-year-old snake spirit; she'll harm you sooner or later!"
Clearly, given Fahai's stubbornness, he would not let any of the monsters he saw go unpunished.
Lin Yu stepped forward, looked directly at Fahai, and said in a deep voice, "Master, isn't your statement a bit too absolute? Are all demons in the world harmful?"
"Does this mean all the monsters in the world must be subdued? Aren't there any good monsters?"
"A demon is a demon; it tempts sentient beings and deserves punishment!"
Fahai, Fahai slammed his staff on the ground, causing the entire Xu residence to shake as if an earthquake had struck.
"Damn, Fahai's cultivation is really outrageous. Even with Sister Bai's help, the two of us probably couldn't beat him. We have to think of a way to persuade him to back down," Lin Yu thought to himself.
Seeing that Fahai could cause the earth to shake with a mere gesture, Lin Yu instantly realized that Fahai was truly powerful and could not be defeated by force. He decisively changed his strategy and knew he could not provoke him any further.
"Master, you can't argue with me, are you thinking of resorting to violence? Why don't we share our opinions and see who's right and who's wrong?"
Lin Yu steadied himself and bowed to Fahai.
"Master, why are you so fixated on Sister Bai? Even in the most complex of Heavenly Dao, one can escape, leaving a glimmer of hope for humanity. Master, if that's the Heavenly Dao, why are you still so stubbornly clinging to your delusions?"
Before Fahai could refuse, Lin Yu took the initiative to ask a question.
A golden light flashed in Fahai's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "The Dao is the principle of Heaven, clearly distinguishing between purity and impurity. Humans and demons are on different paths, each should find its place. If demons do not abide by their duty, they are going against Heaven and should be punished!"
Lin Yu smiled slightly and calmly retorted, "Master, are you referring to the Heavenly Dao or the Way of Man?"
He pointed a finger at Bai Suzhen: "Sister Bai practices medicine and saves lives; her kindness endures, this is the way of benevolence. She and Xu Xian share joys and sorrows, never abandoning each other, this is the way of humanity. If Heavenly Dao does not tolerate this way, then the principles of Heaven are far too narrow!"
Fahai shouted sternly, "That's sophistry! Demons are inherently evil; they may do good today, but they can do evil tomorrow!"
"Then how can the master guarantee that people's hearts won't change?" Lin Yu pressed on, "If people do evil, would you condemn everyone and say that all people deserve to die?"
Fahai paused for a moment, then said coldly, "Humans are bound by their own mental disciplines, but what about demons?"
"Sister Bai has feelings in her heart, and the demon race is bound by heavenly rules," Lin Yu said decisively. "Bai Suzhen has feelings in her heart, and for Xu Xian, she can stand by them."
"Love is her guiding principle!"
"The laws and order of heaven also restrain them, making it difficult for them to do evil."
"Haha, the snake demon has an endless lifespan, while Xu Xian is merely a mortal. How can you guarantee that she won't do evil because of love a hundred years from now!"
Fahai scoffed at the word "love," for love could save or destroy people; he was standing on the edge of a precipice.
Lin Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "What you say is absolutely right, Master. The word 'love' can indeed save people, but it can also destroy them."
"But Master, you only see the dangers of love, but you overlook its preciousness."
"Brother Xu saved Sister Bai hundreds of years ago, and Sister Bai still remembers this kindness. It can be seen that Sister Bai has her own inner strength. Now she and her husband are deeply in love. She knows that the road ahead is difficult, but she still chose this thorny path."
Lin Yu looked at Fahai, his gaze intense. "Isn't this courage to do what you know is impossible more valuable than the cold, hard principles of heaven you speak of?"
Fahai's expression froze for a moment, and a hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes, but it quickly hardened again. Clearly, with his Dao heart, he would not be easily swayed.
Lin Yu pressed his advantage. "Master, in discussing the Dao, the key lies in reason."
"You just mentioned the principles of Heaven, the clear distinction between purity and impurity. I have a different opinion on these two words, 'purity' and 'impurity'."
Fahai sneered, "Oh? Then tell me."
He had made up his mind, and no matter what this young man said, he wouldn't waver.
Lin Yu said calmly, "If there were truly a clear distinction between purity and impurity, then there would be no distinction between good and evil in this world."
"Water that is too clear has no fish, and a person who is too discerning has no followers. In your eyes, demons are turbid and people are pure. But have you ever considered that this purity and turbidity are not predetermined, but rather determined by one's actions?"
Lin Yu turned to look at Bai Suzhen, his eyes filled with respect. "Sister Bai practices medicine and saves lives without asking for anything in return. This kindness is far purer than that of many hypocrites who wear human skin."
"Conversely, how are the corrupt hearts of those who do evil any different from the 'demons' you speak of?"
Fahai frowned, but was speechless for a moment.
Lin Yu continued, "Therefore, I believe it's not about one's background, but about one's inner self."
"If one's heart is set on good, even a demon can become an immortal; if one's heart is set on evil, even a human can become a monster."
"Master, your insistence on the distinction between humans and demons is itself an obsession."
"Obsession?" Fahai murmured to himself, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. "What this old monk upholds is the Heavenly Dao Way and its principles; how can there be any such thing as obsession!"
"Master, let me ask you a question. Suppose there was once a snake catcher who made his living by catching snakes. One day he caught a white snake, and just as he was about to extract its gall bladder, the white snake was saved by a shepherd boy."
Centuries later, the snake catcher was reincarnated as a highly accomplished monk. Heaven, mindful of the difficulty of his cultivation, sent an envoy with six Golden Core pills to help him achieve enlightenment six hundred years ahead of schedule.
"But then the little white snake reappeared and stole the elixir, enraging the high monk who vowed to be her mortal enemy for all eternity."
After Lin Yu finished telling the story, he began to question Fahai:
"Master, look, it was because the snake catcher killed the white snake first that the white snake ate his Golden Core. Monks believe in cause and effect. The cause is because of him. As a monk, why should he seek retribution? Revenge is not something monks do. So, can you be the judge?"