Ultimate Realization - About Friendship

Author: Gu Yue Xuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Once, there was a righteous warrior who traveled the world and made friends like fish in a river. Before his death, he told his son, "Don't think that despite my life in the martial world and the countless friends I've made, I've only had one and a half true friends in my entire life." His son was puzzled. His father then leaned close to his ear and whispered something, before saying, "Follow what I tell you to do to meet my one and a half friends. You will understand the essence of friendship through this."
The son first went to the "one friend" his father had in mind. He said, "I am the son of so-and-so, and I am now being chased by the imperial court. In desperation, I have sought refuge with you, hoping you will rescue me!" The man heard this and, without hesitation, quickly called his son, ordering him to take off his clothes and put them on the "imperial fugitive" (whom he didn’t know), while making his own son wear the "imperial fugitive's" clothes. The son understood: In your moment of life or death, the person who stands by you with all their heart, even at the cost of sacrificing their own flesh and blood to save you, can be called a true friend.
Next, the son went to the "half friend" his father had mentioned. He bowed and pleaded, repeating the same request. The "half friend" listened and said to the "imperial fugitive" before him, "Child, I cannot save you in this matter. I will give you enough money to leave far and fast. I promise I won’t expose you." The son understood: In your time of hardship, the person who protects themselves, avoids kicking you when you're down, and does no harm to you, can be called a half friend.
The stories collected in this book are touching tales of friendship. There are no more moving stories of friendship in the world than these!