Chapter 32: Knowing There Are Tigers in the Mountain
Zhang Huaiyi was stunned for a moment, and asked subconsciously:
"Then why don't I go?"
Qiao Yuan said as a matter of course:
"Of course it's me. You're a sociologist and a psychologist. If you were observing me, I'm sure you'd be much more objective. We need to determine whether those feelings are subjective or objective."
"Besides, I'm more resolute than you. I've always believed that Daoxian is wrong and that people can only rely on themselves. Because of this stance, I don't seem neutral enough. Only you can make a better judgment."
Qiao Yuan paused, a bitterness in his voice:
"Do you know? When I was advocating a boycott of Taoist immortals, too many people rushed out to stop me. They weren't all motivated by evolution, but mostly by healing. Cancer patients could be given a life extension, and the dying elderly could be given a new lease on life. But when they asked me why I stopped, I could only palely say that there were still risks involved. They said, 'Please wait, please wait.' I was always stared at with malicious and questioning eyes, which made me panic. Even someone like me, who was on the sidelines, wondered if I should continue."
"Not everyone can wait. Too many people desperately need hope. We shouldn't hesitate any longer. Whether it's acceptance or resistance, I can't wait any longer. I urgently need an answer."
"I'm also curious. No matter how determined a person is, will they change after practicing Taoism? Even me?"
"You're an excellent leader... and cultivating immortality isn't about dying, so what does it matter?"
"That's all I have to say, brother. This is a risky move. I really don't know what will happen after practicing. But it doesn't matter to me. I'm confused as long as I am confused."
"You must make the distinction, you must make the distinction."
Zhang Huaiyi did not respond for a long time.
He felt there would be a better way, but he could no longer deceive himself. He covered his face, feeling ashamed of himself.
"Don't worry, brother. I will definitely tell the difference."
"I feel relieved with your words."
Qiao Yuan's voice always had a hint of cheerfulness. Zhang Huaiyi felt that he should not exist in the court. He should be a knight in the rivers and lakes, doing justice, because his eyes always had a carefree and unruly look.
The phone was hung up.
Zhang Huaiyi calmed himself down and began to prepare everything needed for the test.
He took out a camera that had not been used for a long time and bought a lot of hidden cameras. He wanted to step down from the position of command and decision-making and actually observe the entire incident in person.
All previous observation data were handled by subordinates who were neither familiar with the experimenters nor trustworthy themselves.
Only now can I truly observe the entire process of Taoist cultivation from the perspective of an observer.
Zhang Huaiyi ran to Qiao Yuan's home, first hung a camera in the open, and then secretly set up several hidden cameras to record the most real side .
During this time, Qiao Yuan sat quietly on the bed, looking at Zhang Huaiyi with a smile.
"Sure enough, I feel much more at ease with your arrangements."
"Stop joking. You are a test subject now. Please pay attention to your own safety."
"If you feel something is wrong, you must stop practicing and then call for help in front of the camera. I will observe all your actions in real time. If you have any problems, I will do everything I can to save you!"
"good!"
Qiao Yuan agreed and looked at the Taoist Scripture on the table which had not been opened yet. A hint of nervousness flashed through his leisurely eyes.
Everything was ready, and after giving a few final instructions, Zhang Huaiyi returned home.
After looking at the computer and telling Qiao Yuan that he was in place, Qiao Yuan picked up the blue and white scripture on the table and opened the first page.
The Tao can be told...
Qiao Yuan silently recited the contents of the book. For safety reasons, he did not reveal it to Zhang Huaiyi, but the more he read, the more wrong his eyes seemed. When he opened the middle door, he was surprised for a moment, then closed the book and shook his head at the camera with an extremely serious look.
"This practice is very evil."
Qiao Yuan could only say this much, and he could see the following content through the screen.
Qiao Yuan put down the scripture in his hand, and began to boil water repeatedly until the hot water filled the bucket that could hold a person. Then he put down the kettle, stretched out his foot, and lightly touched the water surface.
The scalding hot water made Qiao Yuan jump up as if he had been electrocuted. He blew heavily and stroked his red toes.
Zhang Huaiyi had learned from previous cases that all practitioners must go through this stage, but his heart was still beating fast and he was terrified.
Qiao Yuan continued, gritting his teeth, his face flushed red, and he muttered to himself, but it still couldn't reduce his fear in the slightest.
I don’t know how long it took, maybe because the water temperature was a little cooler, he suddenly stretched out his foot, and his mouth became deformed because of the pain.
Because it was too hot, he pulled his foot back and tried again, going back and forth several times. The last time, he kept his foot in for thirty seconds, but he finally pulled his foot back in pain because of the heat, gasping for air.
His feet were now burned, red and emitting hot flames.
"No, no, I can't continue practicing. It's too hot. How can I persist?"
"I can only give up for now."
Although Qiao Yuan said this, neither of them actually gave up this idea in their hearts, because according to the practitioners' explanation, these pains are necessary for cultivation, and if they cannot bear it, the Taoist immortals will help them in their cultivation.
Qiao Yuan was bored and started playing with his mobile phone. Zhang Huaiyi, who was sitting in front of the computer, leaned back in his chair, watching the surveillance camera, quietly waiting for that moment to come.
"Well, I think it's quite strange to live like this while being monitored by you."
"Stop talking nonsense."
The two fell silent again until late at night. Zhang Huaiyi kept staring at the screen and was almost sleepy. Finally, the change came.
"Zhang Huaiyi..."
"What's wrong?"
“It’s so hot, so hot!!!”
"Cough cough cough."
Qiao Yuan began to cough violently, and couldn't stop. Then, he kept wailing in pain. Blisters and wounds began to appear on his body out of thin air, rising and falling, constantly tormenting Qiao Yuan.
This is... a Taoist immortal forcing people to cultivate immortality!!!
Seeing Qiao Yuan in so much pain, Zhang Huaiyi couldn't stand it anymore and immediately drove to Qiao Yuan's home.
Regardless of whether he would recover or not, Zhang Huaiyi could not sit idly by.
But before Zhang Huaiyi arrived at Qiao Yuan's house, Qiao Yuan's pain had stopped. His body was twitching and he looked like he was about to die, but soon, his body began to recover visibly.
New granulations grew from the rotten flesh, and the ulcerated skin gradually healed. Qiao Yuan's unconscious body was like a fish out of water, jumping from time to time, but the fish was jumping because of lack of oxygen, while Qiao Yuan was jumping because of vitality.
This is the power of Taoist immortals.
By the time we arrived at Qiao Yuan's home, Qiao Yuan had fully recovered, but his eyes were still blurry and he looked unconscious.
After Qiao Yuan woke up, he held Zhang Huaiyi's hand and the first thing he asked was:
"Did you record it?"
"Don't worry, everything has been recorded..."
Zhang Huaiyi agreed, and the first day of training ended in such a ridiculous way. Although Zhang Huaiyi was very unwilling, the scene like Qiao Yuan was enough to illustrate the problem of the Taoist Immortal Scripture, but it did not prove that the Taoist Immortal was wrong.
On the contrary, in the Taoist concept promoted today, the pain of cultivation is inevitable, and recovery after the pain is a gift from the Taoist.
The experiment has to continue.
They need more convincing evidence.
