Indeed, the true meaning of the Four Symbols should be recognized universally.
However, while people worship imagined gods and deities appointed by kings, rarely does anyone worship the Four Symbols.
They are too abstract and mystical.
It is said that Tai Chi gives birth to Yin and Yang, and Yin and Yang give birth to the Four Symbols, representing the evolution of the world, from the inception to the acknowledgment of Yin and Yang contradictions, and then to the foundational worldview of the four seasons and directions... Yet no one worships Tai Chi or even the Four Symbols.
The Four Symbols are slightly better, with the existence of the four divine beasts allowing for worship, and some people do regard them as deities; Tai Chi and Yin and Yang have completely become mere concepts, amounting to nothing.
Even the Four Symbols Sect itself does not treat the worship of the Four Symbols as this foundational world concept.
In their eyes, they are simply four powerful gods, who represent the incarnations of the nocturnal stars, rulers of the sky.
Thus, Wan Dongliu once said, if the Four Symbols Sect had a Hierarch, it would be Emperor Ye... but he didn’t say it was Tai Chi or Yin and Yang.
Fundamentally, similar to the Blood God Sect, it’s still just a dominion belief derived from the worship of power, not a religion recognizing an "all-powerful god" or a "creator of mankind." Though an established sect, its doctrine naturally incorporates creationism; followers might believe it while leaders like Vermilion Bird Venerable might not truly embrace it, otherwise how could they dare to name themselves after Vermilion Bird, isn’t that blasphemous?
It’s merely comparing themselves to star incarnates, representatives of the gods, to receive worship from their followers...
Of course, this is not to say that their faith is false. Their faith is genuine and fervent. Vermilion Bird, Xuanwu, and even Xia Chichi sincerely believe in a deity representing the night sky from the previous epoch, awaiting and calling for its return to lead people beyond this confined space into the expansive sky.
Whether one believes in this is quite apparent. Even if Xia Chichi’s relationships might not be entirely true, her faith in the Four Symbols is beyond doubt; Vermilion Bird turns a blind eye and isn’t too strict about her affairs, hoping time might resolve things.
This is the desire of the power-constrained mighty of this epoch to "ascend to heaven," developing into various sects through different legacies they received, be it Blood God, or Maitreya, or Four Symbols, each directed toward different paths depending on their leaders’ personal desires.
Although the teachings of the Four Symbols Sect aren’t extreme or malicious, they ultimately don’t regard the human world highly, nor do they consider ordinary people, and lack the virtues of Buddhist and Taoist teachings that encourage kindness and facilitate governance. Instead, they are energetic disruptors, so becoming labeled as a Demon Sect is not surprising.
Yet the man before me finds it amusing, showing a distressed look as if to say, "How could you turn something as noble as the Four Symbols into a Demon Sect?"
I’m not even as distressed as you are.
Vermilion Bird found this quite amusing and purposely asked again, "Do you believe in gods?"
Zhao Changhe replied, "That depends on the definition of gods."
"If you mean extremely powerful beings with divine skills beyond my imagination, I believe. The Chaotic World Book is there, and the relics from the previous epoch prove it, why wouldn’t I believe? But if you say I was created from molded clay, made from a rib, and that deities directly control weather, fortunes, and fates, and that my life and death are preordained, then I just listen and let it be."
Zhao Changhe, knowing what "Winged Fire Snake" meant by asking these questions, then said, "Trying to assess me? It’s hard for me to adhere to any sect’s beliefs due to differing thoughts. But, I’m relieved that you even consider this—I never intended to oppose the Four Symbols Sect, okay? If we’re destined, originally Vermilion Bird Venerable simply didn’t regard me highly. Otherwise, why not just bring me into the Four Symbols Sect right away? It’s only because of that that you ended up attacking me; when have I ever wronged the Four Symbols Sect..."
Actually, at that time, he dared not to join the Four Symbols Sect since Xia Longyuan’s Jade Pendant was given to him by Xia Chichi, also fearing that carrying it while joining the sect would be inconvenient, as they conflicted. Since he had accepted Xia Longyuan’s legacy, he naturally dared not enter the Four Symbols Sect.
Of course, saying this now, Vermilion Bird had no choice but to agree; at that time, she indeed hadn’t regarded this man seriously, otherwise she should have brought him back to the Four Symbols Sect right from the start; how could he end up in the Blood God Sect?
Vermilion Bird coughed lightly twice, "The Venerable has clear foresight; she has her considerations, what would a young fellow from the Mystical Gate Five Layer understand?"
Zhao Changhe said lazily, "Clear foresight might not be certain, but being possibly very beautiful is indeed true."
Zhao Changhe continued, "So, it’s her who sent you to evaluate me? What position are you planning to offer me? How can it be , conducting an assessment before showing any benefits and still assuming such a superior attitude as if you’re something special? Am I supposed to be begging to join your Sect? By the way, she’s worried about me getting involved with Chichi, and yet she dares to let me join the Sect? Could it be that she personally... Never mind, don’t take it to heart, I’m a straightforward person, and my words aren’t always measured."
Vermilion Bird held it in for quite a while before finally saying, "I don’t know what the Venerable is thinking. I’m just here to ask you a few questions and then leave. If you want to be stubborn, feel free not to answer; it has nothing to do with me. Why vent your anger on me?"
Zhao Changhe: "So, what else do you want to ask? Just ask, what’s the big deal about these little questions that I would have to stubbornly refuse to answer?"
Vermilion Bird stared intently into his eyes and asked word by word, "What is your purpose in practicing martial arts?"
"To keep others from bullying me, to do what I want to do, and to intervene where I see fit."
"And in the long run?"
"To grasp the truth of the epoch, to peer into the capabilities of gods and Buddhas, to break the limits of this world, and to go where I belong."
A sharp gleam suddenly burst in Vermilion Bird’s eyes.
At that moment, sounds of energy colliding and shouts erupted from the direction of the Taiyi Sect’s main hall, with Taiyi Sect members raising cries of battle, as if an ambush had sprung to engage with incoming enemies.
Gui Chen’s aged voice slowly spread, "I wondered who was so persistent. Despite being forewarned and prepared, they still insist on forcing their way through... Turn out it’s the barbarians."
Vermilion Bird quickly figured it out.
Regardless of how many others had originally had the same thought as her, they had to admit that this method was indeed crude, and its potential effect on causing discord between the Imperial and the Wang Family was still unknown. If it were easy to handle, then so be it, but with the preparations in place, there was no need to force it, specifically when there was no dire necessity. Chapters first released on NoveI~Fire.net
Only barbarians would have even crazier ideas than hers, insisting on taking a hard approach... Of course, the barbarians might not have picked up on the hints Gui Chen released to the public.
The soldiers at Yanmen might not know how many were aligned with the Wang Family; once the Wang Family undergoes turmoil, the battle at Yanmen today would be without suspense, and the barbarians are the ones who most want to incite change in the Wang Family.
Then, Zhao Changhe, who had been sitting there chatting calmly, suddenly stood up and grabbed his sword to head out.
Vermilion Bird asked reflexively, "What are you doing? The barbarians who arrived must be Earth List experts, are you going to throw your life away?"
Zhao Changhe turned back and looked at her oddly, "Gui Chen is also on the Earth List, and it’s his home ground improvised with preparations; the opponent might not gain an upper hand. Adding one more person’s strength gives an extra chance, am I supposed to just stand by and watch? As a Winged Fire Snake, you must have considerable cultivation skills, don’t tell me you plan to watch the barbarians wreak havoc and lose my respect for the Four Symbols Sect."
"..." Vermilion Bird had a bellyful of ellipses.
I originally also intended to kill Gui Chen. After all this, am I here to protect him now?