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Chapter 244 - 245: 7 Years and Another 7 Years, Black Hair Turns to White Snow
Chapter 244 - 245: 7 Years and Another 7 Years, Black Hair Turns to White Snow
Chapter 244: Chapter 245: 7 Years and Another 7 Years, Black Hair Turns to White Snow
"This monk has sinned, failing to persuade my fellow Daoists to turn back to the right path. Now the karmic obstacles have deepened even further."
Monk Liaowang looked at the young man nailed to the cliff, slowly speaking.
The young man felt somewhat familiar; Monk Liaowang felt a haze over his spirit, sensing something amiss but unable to pinpoint it immediately.
"Liaowang, during these seven years, the Demonic Woman has vanished as if evaporating from the world, beyond our search. If you can lure her here, you could make amends for your deeds."
The Abbot slowly said.
Over the years, he too had enjoyed plenty of women, but the image of Su Mei'er had always haunted him; he was determined to possess her. As the saying goes, one who lives near the water gets the moon first. If only Liaowang would help with this favor, the virginity of that Demonic Woman would undoubtedly be his.
"Abbot, you are already obsessed. Your heart is filled with desires, and you can no longer discern what's right or wrong, what's black or white."
Monk Liaowang shook his head and said flatly, no longer as expressive as he once was.
"Hmph, a disgrace to the Buddhist Sect, prideful and ungrateful!"
The Abbot, enraged, gestured, and several young novices roughly carried Monk Liaowang away, throwing him into a decrepit room within the temple, and rechained him.
As the monks left, dust flew around in the room, leaving Monk Liaowang immobilized.
...
The scene changes.
Another seven years passed.
In the ruined temple, a monk was pierced and restrained by dozens of chains, kneeling on the ground.
Today marked the seventh year of Monk Liaowang's imprisonment.
She came again.
"Little Monk, it's time to eat."
The old lady placed the bamboo basket on the ground, filled with steamed buns, Monk Liaowang's favorite, for their whiteness.
"Benefactor, you have aged."
Monk Liaowang stated, noting that she had been delivering food every year since he was trapped here.
First year: Brimming with youth and vitality, just as when they first met.
Second year: More crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, more white hairs at her temples.
Third year: ...
...
Seventh year: Now old beyond recognition.
"It's just a shell; do you like to look at shells, Monk?"
The old lady asked.
"This monk seeks only the Buddha with a pure heart, unmoved by emotions, sees only good and evil, not the shell."
"That's it, I too don't care for the shell, I only follow my heart. Monk, for the injustice you've suffered for my sake, I will surely free you. Seventy years of lifespan has afforded me enough cultivation level to level the Thousand Buddha Temple."
A brief flicker of killing intent appeared in the old lady's eyes.
"Benefactor, it is said that man thinks of happiness and misery alike, both are but a thought away. How one views the world depends on the heart, and it colors everything. You think I am being punished, yet I do not see it this way; this is my opportunity to understand the Buddhist Law with my heart."
"The Thousand Buddha Temple is a holy ground of the Buddhist Sect. It would be best for you to leave quickly, Benefactor."
Monk Liaowang spoke.
"Monk, you are still as heartless as before, thick-headed as elm wood. Seventy years of life, to vindicate you, I declare it's worth it, so it is!"
The old lady turned and left, differently than before, not waiting for the monk to finish the steamed buns and take away the basket.
This would be her last time delivering food.
"This monk is going to become a Buddha."
"From now on, there will be no more steamed buns."
Monk Liaowang's eyes were clear and tranquil; after fourteen years, he had changed in some ways.
...
In front of the Thousand Buddha Temple, a figure flashed and stood at the entrance.
Today, the heavy snowfall meant no pilgrims—it was perfect weather for murder, the old lady thought as she took out a bamboo pole engraved with the word "Liaowang."
With age, her clarity of mind was fading, and she was beginning to forget things. She needed to constantly remind herself that there was still unfinished business.
"Monk, you are too foolish, which is why you have fallen to such a state."
"In this temple, everyone eats meat, drinks wine, and lusts after pleasures. Why do you alone abstain from meat and wine, avoid women?"
"Old Lady Ghost has taken all of my lifespan away. I'm too old now; otherwise, I could've watched over you longer."
The character for Buddha on the signage was covered by the wind and snow, leaving no trace behind.
Leaning on her bamboo pole, the elderly woman slowly walked into the Thousand Buddha Temple.
"Old lady, with today's heavy snow, the Thousand Buddha Temple is not offering incense."
When a monk saw the old lady coming in, he rudely tried to drive her away. They were familiar with this old lady, who, in recent years, frequently came to deliver food to the Demon Monk, causing them much annoyance.
Getting closer, the old lady could smell the scent of meat on him; it seemed she had interrupted something good.
"It's alright. I'm not here to burn incense."
"Then what for?"
"To kill!"
With those words, a cold gleam flashed, and the monk's eyes widened as he slowly collapsed to the ground.
Blossoms of blood spread, throwing the temple into chaos.
"Who's there? How dare you kill in the Pure Land of the Buddhist Sect?"
Countless monks converged from all around, faces twisted with rage, staring intently at the old woman before them. In all these years, this was the first time someone had openly challenged them.
"Pure Land?"
The old lady sneered, "Eating meat, drinking wine, bullying men and women—is this what you call 'Pure Land'? Who gave you such confidence?"
"Who exactly are you? If our Thousand Buddha Temple has failed in its hospitality, this old monk offers an apology first!"
From behind the crowd, the Abbot slowly spoke.
The old lady's eyebrows furrowed slightly. This old monk, brimming with worldly desires, had completely fallen into carnal temptations. He was a wholly different person from the one he'd been in the past.
"I am the saintess of the Hehuan Sect. I heard that the master has been searching for me?"
The old lady said, her eyes flashing with mockery.
The Abbot's expression changed drastically, his face instantly contorted with fury, "It's you, you whore! You must've encountered Old Lady Ghost, turning your lifespan into cultivation level. You've got nerve, but what of it? I no longer crave your beauty, I merely wish to see you humiliated under me!"
"Once I catch you, I will make sure you taste the delicacies of this mortal realm!"
"After all these years, you're still as disgusting. Not just you, your entire temple is filled with beasts in human guise. How many innocent girls have been buried by your hands? The Thousand Buddha Temple has long been stained red with blood!"
"The only true Monk in the temple is locked up by you. You have no Buddha in your hearts. Today, I will execute you in front of the Buddha to redress the grievances suffered over the years!"
Killing intent raged in the old lady's eyes as cold lights flashed.
The monk erupted in anger, swinging his long staff with a whooshing sound.
The old lady didn't hesitate and met the attack with her bamboo pole.
Under the Abbot's signal, the surrounding monks formed the Eighteen Arhats Array, encircling the old lady. Clearly, they had no intention of directly confronting her.
At this moment, the Abbot only wanted to capture her and give her a thorough beating, and the rest of the monks shared the same idea. Years of harmony had made them quite familiar with the Abbot's temperament; their own thoughts aligned with his as well.
They had already thought about how they would torment the old lady in bed later.
As for this once Demon Sect's Demonic Woman, they had long yearned for her. Even though the Demonic Woman had turned into a withered old lady, they didn't intend to let her go.
To have her whimpers of pleasure beneath them would be to fulfill their long-held fantasies.
"Seize her!"