Abbot Juefei showed the members of the Kushan Sect the highest courtesy. He sighed and got off the bed, unexpectedly deciding to personally lead the way.
The chubby monk adjusted his robe, covering his trembling flesh. Then he turned to Yan Qing, who was pretending to be blind, and said, “The Yan boy, no need to keep your eyes closed. The scenery outside is beautiful. Don’t miss it.”
Yan Qing opened his ghost eyes, looking incredulous.
Abbot Juefei laughed heartily. “Amitabha! Our temple has always had a good relationship with Taiheng. Your Senior Shi knew that the Kushan Sect was coming up the mountain, so she specially sent a letter asking me not to make things too difficult for you. After all, even in our temple, Martial Uncle Kongshi’s wisdom is rarely surpassed. If it weren’t for him being killed by Yan Budu, he would undoubtedly be the youngest Abbot in the history of the Jianchen Temple.”
Yan Qing stood still, not knowing how to respond. Su Si was nervously watching Juefei, his back tensed, ready to act.
However, Abbot Juefei just casually approached and patted Yan Qing’s shoulder.
“As the saying goes, everyone has their own karma. Since Yan Budu can bring the stone sword up the mountain, this karma has been resolved. When you go out later, if any monk violates the precept of hatred, I will throw them into the Buddhist Heart Formation for reflection.”
With that, he winked at Yan Qing.
“The little kid from the small town has grown up so much. By the way, is the apricot pit that I taught you still being used as a toy?”
Su Si: “It was you old bald… Venerable who taught him?”
“Amitabha! I’m not stuck on Huilian Mountain. Every ten or twenty years, I still go down the mountain to travel.”
Yan Qing stood quietly for a while, giving a sincere bow to Juefei. “Thank you, Venerable Juefei, for your guidance.”
“It’s nothing, nothing.” Juefei waved his hand, then turned to Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci. “Both of you don’t need to cover your faces. Make sure to hold your heads up high. When I grab a stick, see which one dares to let go. If any of those little brats dare to violate the precept of lust later… Hmph.”
Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci: “…”
The sutra cleansing was held in the courtyard. Buddhist banners fluttered, and sutras were hung under the warm winter sun. The scent of medicinal incense filled the entire Jianchen Temple, exuding a bitter and soothing aroma.
The gentle breeze rustled the pages of the sutras, creating a mysterious and unique atmosphere.
Juefei led the group of people through the courtyard, deliberately strolling around the yard a few times.
It turned out that the concentration of the monks in the Jianchen Temple was quite impressive. Most people looked at the master and disciple with admiration, while only a few young monks avoided eye contact and continued reciting sutras, not crossing the line.
Compared to beauty, Yan Qing’s ghost eyes had a stronger impact. Two monks couldn’t help but glare angrily at Yan Qing. They were then picked up by Juefei as if they were chicks and thrown out of the cleansing ceremony. “Go, go, go meditate on the peak. You must stay for four hours, no less.”
It wasn’t until all the monks in the courtyard focused on their own practice, treating the members of the Kushan Sect as if they were just four bonsai trees, that Abbot Juefei finally nodded in satisfaction, clasped his hands together, and led the group towards the Pagoda Forest.
The sunlight was warm, and the sky was clear. Although the Pagoda Forest was the resting place for numerous monks’ remains, it appeared tranquil and devoid of any eerie atmosphere.
Monk Juehui, who looked thin, resembling a pole, was waiting in front of the Pagoda Forest. He was accompanied by a young monk who often espoused the philosophy of “form is emptiness”. When they saw Yin Ci, both of their expressions turned serious.
“Don’t mind my junior brother. He’s always overly concerned. Besides the stone sword, there are many other treasures in the underground palace… If your sect’s master and disciple separate, I can barely manage, but if they were to cooperate, I, as an opponent, would surely be no match.”
Abbot Juefei glanced at Yin Ci, speaking openly and frankly.
“Amitabha! Please ignore my junior brother. Consider it giving me face.”
Juefei had few wrinkles on his round face, while Juehui’s face was filled with lines of suffering. Even though Juehui was younger than Juefei, the term “junior brother” seemed out of place when used in reference to him.
After hearing Juefei’s words, the wrinkled Juehui and Yin Ci both lowered their heads and bowed in respect.
The members of the Kushan Sect had no ulterior motives to begin with, so Shi Jingzhi courteously returned the gesture. When they entered the underground palace, as a friendly gesture, he specifically asked Abbot Juehui to follow behind the group.
Upon arrival, Abbot Juefei used the immensely profound Buddhist true qi to strike the door, causing the stone door of the underground palace to slowly open.
The underground palace of the Jianchen Temple was spacious and clean, without a trace of decay. It was cool and well-ventilated, with a faint scent of incense. Large ceramic jars containing the remains of monks were arranged neatly, displaying a sense of solemnity.
At the innermost part of the underground palace, a perpetual lamp was burning, and the implements used by the eminent monks during their lifetime were placed on stone platforms. They were all untouched by dust, exuding a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
The stone sword of Kongshi was placed in the center, leaning against the wall.
The passage of a hundred years hadn’t left any marks on the sword’s blade; it remained in the same state as when it was crafted. The stone sword had a simple and ancient design, with a grayish-blue color and an unsharpened edge. Upon closer inspection, one could see the intricate engravings of Buddhist scriptures on the blade.
From the appearance of the stone sword alone, the group couldn’t discern anything unusual.
The ease on Shi Jingzhi’s face gradually disappeared, and he furrowed his brows. He carefully examined the blade, and his expression turned slightly bitter.
“Troublesome,” he whispered to Yin Ci. “Given Yan Budu’s maliciousness, he most likely employed some sinister means to hide the clue.”
Yin Ci nodded calmly. The implication of Shi Jingzhi’s words was clear—based on Yan Bubu’s usual methods, regardless of the “solution” he had set up, it would definitely not be something that could be tested in a sacred place of Buddhism.
If they didn’t want to cause trouble at the gravesites of the eminent masters and offend the Jianchen Temple, they had to find a way to take the sword away.
“This sword is called ‘Compassion’, made of muyan stone and crafted by Venerable Kongshi himself. The scriptures on it were also carved by him personally.”
Juefei suppressed his smile, and his round face showed a hint of reverence.
“Perhaps you have heard that muyan stone is the hardest stone in the world, inherently extremely heavy and difficult to cut. Apart from Martial Uncle Kongshi, no one has used it to make a weapon… Well, feel free to take a look. Even if you want to damage this sword, it will require considerable skill.”
Shi Jingzhi: “Can Abbot Juefei lift it?”
“Nowadays, I can lift it, but with this old monk’s body size, I wouldn’t have the strength to carry it. It’s a pity, a pity.” Juefei patted his belly with regret.
Shi Jingzhi took a deep breath: “Alright, Su Si. You give it a try.”
Su Si: “Oh.”
But in the next moment, Su Si snapped back to reality. “Wait, why me first?”
Shi Jingzhi had a serious expression. “First strength, then courtesy. First heavy, followed by light*. Perhaps after the sword sees your obsession, it will be more accommodating to all of us.”
*Saying referring to prioritizing strength and force before considering etiquette or politeness.
Su Si looked like he wanted to shout, “If Yan Budu can do it, why can’t I?” Considering that Abbot Juefei was watching, he held back those words, took a deep breath, and obediently grabbed the sword.
He had spent ten years repeatedly evading because of an obsession. In terms of “obsession*”, he might be the most excessive one.
*The term being used is [wozhi] (我执) which means holding onto one’s ego. In Buddhism, it is believed this is the fundamental cause of suffering and the root of ignorance.
Clearly, the stone sword agreed with his assessment.
Just as Su Si grabbed the hilt, he let out a miserable cry. A radiant light flashed, and he was actually sent flying two or three zhang away.
On the stone platform, the sword’s presence instantly became imposing. If it had arms and legs, based on its aura alone, it seemed like it would step down from the platform and give Su Si a good beating.
Abbot Juefei exclaimed, “Amitabha! Young Patron, you’re impressive.”
Yin Ci: “…” After Kongshi, does the strange and whimsical atmosphere become a fine tradition of the Jianchen Temple?
However, Shi Jingzhi’s deduction was correct. Su Si’s obsession outweighed that of an ordinary person, and he truly couldn’t wield the large sword.
Su Si crawled up with a disheveled appearance, and his beautiful face was twisted. He clenched his own cleaver, gritting his teeth. “Tsk, I have my own blade anyway.”
Yin Ci sighed and glanced at Juehui, who had been staring at him. “Let me go next.”
With Su Si in front and Shi Jingzhi behind, even if the sword’s reaction to him was excessive, it wouldn’t attract too much attention.
…He didn’t indulge in greed, hatred, or ignorance. Perhaps his “obsession” wasn’t that strong.
Yin Ci calmed his mind, emptied his thoughts, and took a few steps forward, gripping the hilt of the sword.
This time, the sword’s reaction wasn’t as sharp. It didn’t send Yin Ci flying, but the hilt of the sword was ice-cold, as if it were a thousand-year-old ice. Yin Ci had no doubt that if he continued to hold it like this, his palm would be severely frostbitten in no time.
The stone sword vehemently rejected him.
Before releasing his grip, Yin Ci stubbornly tugged at it. Sure enough, the stone sword was as heavy as a thousand jin*, immovable.
*1 jin = 500 grams = about 1.1 lbs
It was indeed futile to hope for a stroke of luck. His own “obsession” wasn’t as assertive as Su Si’s, and while it could be considered a century-old obsession, it ultimately couldn’t pass the test.
“If I can’t lift it, it seems my enlightenment is lacking.” Yin Ci clenched his fist, concealing the frostbite, and showed no sign of discomfort on his face.
Abbot Juefei looked at him with a smiling expression, not saying a word.
“It’s this junior’s turn.”
Shi Jingzhi handed the “Medicine Cures Illness” flag to Yin Ci, rubbing his hands with a serious expression. With both Su Si and Yin Ci having failed, the situation wasn’t optimistic. If this path didn’t work, they would have to rack their brains to find another way to deal with the Jianchen Temple.
…In other words, they would waste a significant amount of unnecessary time.
Shi Jingzhi held his breath and carefully gripped the hilt of the sword, as if touching a sleeping beast.
However, as soon as his fingertips touched the hilt, Shi Jingzhi immediately vomited a mouthful of black blood. A flash of brilliance from the ban illuminated everything.
The stone sword had its own introspection, and desire was also an attachment.
Shi Jingzhi gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. His expression was filled with excruciating pain. He stubbornly held onto the hilt, almost masochistically persisting.
Gradually, he not only vomited black blood but also a faint smell of burnt flesh emanated from the hilt. Shi Jingzhi’s whole body tensed up, exerting all his inner force. The pressure was like the collapse of the heavens and the earth, yet the stone sword remained immovable.
There was a moment that Yin Ci didn’t know whether Shi Jingzhi’s determination was a good or a bad thing—compared to his previous chaotic state, Shi Jingzhi was now consciously controlling his desires. His craving and determination had merged into a single thread, and his madness had reached a new level.
Half an incense stick’s worth of time passed, and the oppressive feeling emanating from Shi Jingzhi reached its limit.
Before the stone sword, Shi Jingzhi’s headband cracked, his long hair scattered, and his robe sleeves moved without any wind. Shi Jingzhi’s lips were stained with black-red blood, but his eyes were fixed on the hilt without any intention of retreating.
It was an almost foolish persistence.
This time, Yin Ci didn’t intend to laugh at him.
At this moment, Yin Ci wondered whether this person saw the stone sword in his eyes or his unshakeable destiny.
Shi Jingzhi was undoubtedly holding onto his own vitality. However, the stone sword was merciless. It was like a mirror, reflecting back every burning thought.
“Kid, let go!” Abbot Juefei’s smiling expression vanished as he shouted on the spot.
This shout contained a profound amount of true qi, causing a buzzing sound in everyone’s ears. Shi Jingzhi’s eyes turned dull, and his strength dissipated. Just as Yin Ci thought he was going to let go of the hilt, Shi Jingzhi clenched his teeth and held onto it again.
At the same time, the stone sword emitted a deep humming sound, reminiscent of a temple bell. Despite the pressure from Shi Jingzhi’s imposing aura, it remained in its original position without the slightest movement.
Yin Ci resisted the pressure and took a few steps forward, gently covering Shi Jingzhi’s hand with his palm.
“Shizun, that’s enough.”
Rarely, his voice lacked any playfulness and carried only seriousness.
“Things have come to this point. I will help you find a solution. Do you remember? Excessive pursuit is as bad as insufficient pursuit*.”
*AKA Too much is as bad as too little.
Shi Jingzhi finally averted his gaze. Hesitant, he looked at Yin Ci, and the pain in his eyes gradually settled into ordinary disappointment.
He slowly loosened his grip and replied with a hoarse voice. “Mm, I remember.”
“It’s good that you remember.” Yin Ci held his wrist. Shi Jingzhi’s palm was severely burned, bloody, and mangled, causing Yin Ci to frown.
Seeing Yin Ci’s uneasy expression, Shi Jingzhi emphasized, “I remember to hold back. We agreed that we would continue the sand table battle tonight…”
Yin Ci interrupted him directly. “You didn’t hold back enough, so no sand table tonight. When we get back, I’ll treat your injuries. Since Shizun is enduring so much, you should endure it as well.”
After a moment of silence, Shi Jingzhi hesitated and said uncertainly, “You’re really angry.”
“That’s right.”
“You’re angry because of me.”
Yin Ci glanced at him. “So what?”
“This is the first time I’ve seen you so seriously angry.” Shi Jingzhi continued seriously and awkwardly, “You’re right, we can find another way when we go back… I won’t do this again.”
Looking at Shi Jingzhi’s pale face, Yin Ci couldn’t hold onto his anger after all. “Shizun should rest for a day and seriously consider your ‘extent’.”
“Patron, since Sect Master Shi has been injured by the Buddhist scriptures, let me take over.” Observing the two people talking as if no one else were present, Juehui coughed.
“Thank you, Venerable.” Yin Ci finally let go of Shi Jingzhi’s hand.
A few steps away, Abbot Juefei’s face no longer wore the smiling expression of Maitreya. His brows furrowed as he carefully observed Shi Jingzhi.
Shi Jingzhi sat down on the ground, and Juehui settled behind him. He then focused his concentration, channeling several streams of true qi into Shi Jingzhi’s acupoints. The latter spat out several mouthfuls of black blood, and his complexion, as delicate as gold paper, improved slightly.
After a while, Abbot Juefei sighed. “Sect Master Shi, our scriptures are not so easy to deal with. The scriptures are inanimate objects, and there is no concept of killing. Even if Patron Yin hadn’t intervened just now, I would have had to intervene—if you continue to persist without understanding, your injuries won’t be limited to just superficial ones.”
“It’s my misjudgment.” Shi Jingzhi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and turned his head to glance at Yin Ci, honestly admitting.
“Of the two matters you wanted to ask me, is one of them related to the ban set by the Immortal Assembly?”
“Yes.”
“When the matter with the stone sword is resolved, I can take a look for you. Alright, next.” This time, Juefei didn’t wait for Shi Jingzhi to speak and spoke up directly.
Yan Qing instinctively took a step back. “This junior doesn’t need to try. Even without Senior Shi and Senior Yin, A’Si is much stronger than me.”
Shi Jingzhi’s tone was calm, clearly not holding much hope. “There’s no harm in giving it a try. Yan Qing, you’re the last one from our sect… Lord Bai, with its petite build, can’t possibly lift the sword, no matter how you think about it.”
“After all, this is Venerable Kongshi’s sword. Even if it’s me…”
“Yan Qing, are you attached to fame and fortune, indulgence in alcohol, wealth, and desires? Are you attached to the past, love, hatred, and emotional entanglements?” Abbot Juefei suddenly asked in a stern voice.
“This Junior—”
“Answer!”
“Not attached.”
“Then are you attached to life, old age, sickness, death, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness?”
“Not attached, but…”
“Since you’re not attached to this and not attached to that, not blaming others, and keeping anger within yourself, why don’t you pluck out those ghost eyes and go with the flow?”
Yan Qing’s expression changed. He was no longer cautious, but his tone grew heavier, as if he had considered this question long ago. “I was born with these eyes and have no other choice. Fate is innocent; it’s other people’s business if they don’t like it. I have not done any wrong, so why harm myself unnecessarily?”
“Neither arrogant nor servile, not bad. Then, let me ask you again, why are you angry?”
Yan Qing let out a long breath and quickly glanced at Su Si. “Because of being ‘powerless’.”
“You’re neither attached to yourself nor blindly trusting sentient beings. Even if you become angry, it is for the sake of others’ thoughts and concerns. Why not give it a try?”
Abbot Juefei’s voice became stronger, containing a hint of a reprimand.
“Just now, you said fate is innocent, but you acknowledge that your bloodline is filthy, which is why you can’t touch this sword?”
Yan Qing fell silent. He looked deeply at Juefei and respectfully performed another serious salute. “This junior has learned from your teachings.”
With that said, before Shi Jingzhi could urge him, Yan Qing took the initiative to walk toward the stone platform.
His breathing became rapid, and his outstretched hand trembled. After a moment of hesitation, he finally grabbed the hilt.
The stone sword remained silent; nothing happened. All eyes were fixed on him. Yan Qing’s palm was sweaty, and his fingers tingled. It took him a while to exert force.
Once he firmly grasped the hilt, he took a deep breath and pulled with all his strength.
A slight cracking sounded.
The sword tip slid across the stone floor—the sound wasn’t loud or pleasant—but it was enough to awaken a dormant karma—traveling through a hundred years of time, it once again came alive in this moment.
Fine dust hidden in the gaps rose, adding a hint of astringency to the air.
Yan Qing never expected to actually be able to lift it. He was startled for a moment and almost lost his grip. The stone sword tilted and struck his instep hard.
Yan Qing cried out in pain, tears almost welling up from the intense pain.
Juefei was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. “You kid, even if you’re not bound by the scriptures, it’s still a stone sword. If you try to lift it with the strength you use for ordinary heavy objects, won’t it slip?”
Reality left Yan Qing a bit dumbfounded. “I…”
“A few days ago, I had an old friend do a divination, and I knew that there would be a destined person on this journey, but I never thought it would be you… Ah, fate is unpredictable, truly unpredictable.”
After laughing enough, Abbot Juefei clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist mantra.
“Sect Master Shi, take the Sword of Compassion and leave. It’s not peaceful outside, and I don’t want to leave any visible traces in the temple.”
Juehui also sighed in relief. “Amitabha.”
Only the young monk stood there dumbfounded, staring at Yan Qing’s strange eyes for a while, then looking at the stone sword. “Venerable, after all, that’s Venerable Kongshi’s…”
Juehui gave him a pat on the back of his head, emphasizing his words, “Amitabha—”
The young monk reluctantly clasped his hands together, muttering to himself, “Perhaps he just moved it slightly.”
“Smack!” “Ouch!”
Juefei regained his smiling expression. “Take it easy, junior brother. Don’t knock the poor child out. It’s good to talk about it, so Friend Yan can rest assured. If it had been just a fluke earlier, Friend Yan’s foot would have turned into minced meat by now. It seems like there’s only a minor bone fracture—a small matter, a small matter.”
Yan Qing: “…”
This abbot was undoubtedly a genius at comforting people. Yan Qing was comforted to the point of almost losing his soul. He painfully pulled his foot out and found that it was already swollen.
On the other side, after confirming that he had obtained the stone sword, Shi Jingzhi’s entire body relaxed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. “Yan Qing, well done. Your monthly allowance will double this month.”
Su Si looked at Yan Qing blankly, with no excitement visible in his eyes. “…San Zi, I told you that you don’t need to worry about these things.”
“I can’t help but worry.”
Yan Qing stared at his injured foot, not looking at Su Si.
“Every time I encounter a crisis, someone with a kind heart helps me out. It was like this when I was a child, it was like this with Taiheng, and it’s still like this with the Kushan Sect. I don’t want to continue like this. Besides, I’m Yan Budu’s descendant after all. I shouldn’t be completely lacking in martial talent… right?”
As he said the last part, he became uncertain.
Abbot Juefei frowned. “Patron, do you look down on our Temple’s Sword of Compassion?”
Yan Qing immediately shook his head vigorously, like a drum. “I dare not. I dare not.”
After making up his mind, he steadied himself and lifted the stone sword. Unfortunately, due to his injured foot, Yan Qing couldn’t gracefully carry the sword on his back like Kongshi did. He had to use it as a crutch as he limped away from the underground palace.
Entering the scripture cleansing hall inside the temple, the expressions of the monks were particularly interesting. Abbot Juefei happily pulled and threw them out one after another—about a dozen monks were sent to meditate outside the temple’s main gate.
After settling the temple disciples, Abbot Juefei felt refreshed. When they reached the room, he drank three bowls of vegetarian wine in a row. “Ah, satisfying!”
Juehui shook his head helplessly. “Amitabha.”
“Sect Master Shi and Junior Yan have injuries, so I’ll make it short. The ban on Sect Master Shi’s body is a technique of the Mishan Sect. The cultivator must be at least an Elder or higher.”
“This technique is extremely complex, and I am powerless to help. It involves the mind and consciousness, and the process of unraveling it requires meticulous precision. A slight mistake could result in mental confusion or even death. If you are not in a hurry to find a remedy, I suggest you go to the Mishan Sect first.”
Su Si furrowed his brow. “Isn’t that walking into a trap?”
Abbot Juefei let out a belch. “Young friend, you are mistaken. The members of the Mishan Sect are scattered and dedicated to metallurgy. They usually stay away from worldly affairs and conflicts. I have a senior brother who is deeply committed to the art of the sect and specifically left the secular world to join the Mishan Sect… Today, I will write a letter of introduction for you. With that, he will most likely be willing to meet you.”
The Abbot looked in a good mood and poured himself another bowl of wine.
Shi Jingzhi: “Why does Venerable want us to go to the Mishan Sect first?”
“Patron’s ban has been alarmed, and it will only become more troublesome. You might suffer from unbearable headaches, and it isn’t considered rare to lose your ability to walk.”
“…” The relaxed expression on Shi Jingzhi’s face instantly tensed up again.
On the other hand, Yin Ci calmly nodded. “Thank you, Venerable, for your guidance.”
“You should return first to tend to your injuries and rest well. There are other trivial matters to discuss tomorrow. Oh, and Friend Yin, please stay for a moment. As a disciple, you should take care of the Sect Master, right? Regarding the response to the ban, I need to discuss it thoroughly with you… Oh, you injured patients should not linger here. Hurry back.”
Juefei waved his plump hands in a disorderly manner, and Juehui immediately understood, escorting the remaining three members of the Kushan Sect out of the room. Shi Jingzhi saw Yin Ci’s calm demeanor and reluctantly followed him out.
Once the door was closed, Abbot Juefei’s previous laziness disappeared. He put down the wine bowl and sat up straight.
Yin Ci remained composed, sitting upright.
“After the Buddha Heart Formation was opened, I arranged hidden monks on various mountain peaks. This old monk is aware of everyone’s inner demons. Juehui has told me everything about the Ghost Tomb.”
Juefei’s voice lost its benevolence and became extremely serious.
“Amitabha, I don’t know the origin of Patron. However, Patron’s inner demon is undoubtedly the most terrifying I have ever seen, resembling the rumored signs of falling into madness.”
Yin Ci stared directly into the Abbot’s eyes and responded in a calm voice. “What is your plan, Venerable?”
He remained seated, showing no sign of hostility. Of all the martial sects, the Jianchen Temple was known for its understanding and accommodating nature, never engaging in rash violence. Juefei even helped him find an excuse, showing no intention of causing trouble for himself.
To rashly show hostility would only tarnish the impression of the monks.
Indeed, Abbot Juefei shook his head. “Those who possess demonic characteristics should, in theory, be confined to the underground prison and isolated from all living beings. However, Patron’s inner demon is quite peculiar, and I cannot discern the cause at the moment. I cannot make hasty judgments… Haa, I feel ashamed that my skills are lacking.”
A hint of desolation appeared on Juefei’s round face for the first time.
“I cannot see the cause and effect of Patron, so I can only rely on sincerity and ask Patron for a guarantee.”
Yin Ci understood in his heart. “No wonder Abbot Juefei readily agreed to the introduction letter. May I ask what kind of guarantee you seek, Venerable?”
“Senior Uncle Kongshi was able to make Yan Budu carry the burden of the stone sword up the mountain, which must have resulted in perfect completion of his merit before his parinirvana*, rather than dying in vain. Yan Budu killed countless people but could ultimately let go of his attachments. As for Patron, being young, there must be a destined cause and effect. It is unlikely that there is no possibility for salvation.”
*Occurs upon the death of someone who has attained nirvana (basically no longer attached to greed, hatred, and ignorance) during their lifetime.
“But from what I’ve seen along the way, Patron’s only thread of karmic entanglement is connected to Sect Master Shi. Sect Master Shi is in poor health and burdened by the ban. Patron must assure me—if Sect Master Shi should unfortunately perish—Patron will still preserve that thread of karmic entanglement and refrain from harming sentient beings.”
As he spoke, Abbot Juefei infused his voice with increasing intensity, each word carrying more weight than the previous.
Yin Ci smiled, and the smile grew increasingly profound. Though his beauty was undeniable, it carried a hint of distortion.
Juehui’s face tightened, and he was about to step forward when Juefei stopped him with a gesture. Abbot Juefei raised his plump hand and frowned at Yin Ci “Why isn’t Patron answering this old monk?”
Yin Ci stood up with the smile still on his face. “Because whether I answer or not, you will still help Shi Jingzhi. The eminent monks of the Jianchen Temple would never resort to threatening innocent lives.”
Rather than an exchange of sincerity, it was more of a test. The Abbot was testing whether he would be willing to follow along, reciprocating goodwill with goodwill. Unfortunately…
“My goodwill can only go as far as ‘not telling lies’. Venerable, I cannot promise you something I may not be able to fulfill.”
Yin Ci walked toward the door, and his tone remained calm.
It was too late.
Juefei’s request was a step too late. If Shi Jingzhi were a boring and mediocre person, or even just as he was when they first met, there would still be time for Yin Ci to withdraw from the situation and calmly fulfill his promise.
But the world was never easy to escape from, nor was it easy to enter.
That person’s vitality burned too purely, shedding layer after layer of his defenses on his own accord. Apart from once again being drawn into danger like a moth to a flame, he seemed to have no other choice.
Twenty-four years ago, he was left in the world by a little mute, gaining a glimmer of clarity by chance but burdening that child in return, ultimately failing it. Now, he made the same promise again—if Shi Jingzhi were to “perish” in front of him…
For him, going mad was easier than death and more dangerous.
“If the situation truly reaches an irreparable point, remember to construct a top-quality dungeon for me, sealing it with muyan stone to isolate me from all living beings, never to see the light of day again… That would be fine.”
Abbot Juefei fell silent for a moment and clasped his hands together. “For ‘Patron’?”
“For the ‘sake of all beings’.”
The author has something to say:
Sect Master Shi: Thankfully, thankfully. I almost made Lord Bai take action. (×
Demonic Lord Yin: I can’t blame Yan Budu. Monks are indeed troublesome…
Speaking of which, if Yan Qing harbored deep resentment and went to the Ling Sect with his sword, it would surely be satisfying (…)
Provoking Yan Budu √
But if he harbored deep resentment, he wouldn’t be able to lift the sword.
————
By the way, I looked up the term “meat wine” yesterday. I read somewhere that meat-infused alcohol is called “meat wine [hunjiu] (荤酒)” (there is indeed a method of infusing alcohol with fatty meat). I also found another explanation that grain-based alcohol carries karmic consequences, and that’s what “meat wine” refers to… Anyway, “vegetarian wine” should just be fruit wine, so let’s go with that! ε-(°ω° ; )
Kinky Thoughts:
I mean… 3 out of 4 of the Kushan Sect, especially Shi Jingzhi who suffers from object addiction, have strong obsessions and attachments… They were bound to fail!
Not sure what Shi Jingzhi was thinking lol.
