Chapter 324 - 212: Boring, I Want to See Blood Flow Like a River_2
Chapter 324 - 212: Boring, I Want to See Blood Flow Like a River_2
Chapter 324: Chapter 212: Boring, I Want to See Blood Flow Like a River_2
Translator: 549690339
Among practitioners, assessing a person’s age by their appearance or skeletal structure is merely a trifle, even a single breath can be used to gauge their age. As for the Zen Master of Yinghai before them, regardless of how one judged, he seemed to be quite young.
However, it was unexpected that the other party would be so young. Not only that, his cultivation strength, which could dominate spirits and deities in the city, made him terrifying and formidable, granting more awe to the Heavenly Dragon Zen Temple he hailed from.
“My senior fellow Fayuan, whether in debating sutras or practicing Buddhism, far surpasses me, how could I merit being a Buddha’s disciple?”
This excessively youthful and handsome monk spoke in a serene tone, but Feng Qing’an found it a little peculiar. Did those words harbor a sense of unwilling acceptance?
From the monk’s words, it seemed that whether in debates or fights, he couldn’t surpass his senior fellow, thus capitulating his position. This monk couldn’t possibly have been thoroughly overwhelmed by his senior fellow, causing him to seek solace in the Nan Hua Continent?
“Amitabha, the Buddhist practices in West Xi Lan Continent have reached such a stage? In my lifetime, I must make a distant trip to the West Xi Lan to debate sutras with the high monks.”
A glimpse would reveal what lies under the surface. Although the monk present had such power, he couldn’t even be considered a Buddha’s disciple in the West Xi Lan Continent, evidence of the thriving state of Buddhism there. This assertion stirred admiration and longing among the monks present. An old monk, clad in a bright red kasaya, immediately voiced his sentiment.
“Master Sentuo, I suggest you should stay in Nan Hua. This young monk, at his tender age, has explored no fewer than ten demonic caves. With your level of cultivation, I worry you would be stripped and devoured by the demons before you even reach there!”
As soon as the monk had finished speaking, an old farmer who had led an old ox in, laughed cheerfully and advised, his tone more polite than the old beggar but was equally sharp.
If this had taken place elsewhere, or even a few years earlier, Dharmic practitioners and Buddhists, at the very least, could maintain surface level cordiality when they met.
However, in Da Jin, any Taoist would show no courtesy when encountering a monk. The fact that they didn’t summon their spiritual artifact on the spot to strike a monk’s face, already showed significant restraint on the part of the Taoists.
After all, the Taoists were well aware of the monk’s intentions. They were trying to dig at the roots of Taoism, a grievance they wouldn’t tolerate especially when it included the reincarnated fairy monarch.
“Amitabha, thank you, cattle herder, for your concern. When the day comes for me to depart for West Xi Lan, I will have divine powers capable of slaying demons.”
The old monk who made the vow responded calmly, neither angry nor annoyed. They also knew they were trying to undermine Taoism, naturally, they did not expect the Taoist cultivators to wear kind expressions towards them.
Even long-time Taoist friends could at least exchange a few words upon meeting, instead of immediately summoning divine power, which meant they were being quite considerate.
“Master, I believe there’s no better time than now. Why not set off today? Considering your profound Buddhist teachings, a few demonic dens are nothing, I’m sure you can easily eradicate them. It would also save those lost souls from suffering and help them escape from disaster sooner!”
In the last seat of the main hall, a handsome White Jade Young Master was fanning himself, smiling warmly.
“Amitabha, I still have unfinished tasks. When I complete my tasks and achieve enlightenment, only then can I cross the sea.”
An old monk, you won’t complete your tasks, just give up early. Even if you did, I would smash it to pieces!”
The moment the monk finished speaking, an old Taoist Priest who resembled a swindler spoke. He was leaning on the table, his head propped on one hand, while the other continuously threw spirit fruits prepared by the Underworld into his mouth. His bearing was lascivious, in stark contrast with his appearance.
“Amitabha, fellow Daoist, you are truly obsessed. Our temple’s Mingwang has issued a decree…”
“A mere Mingwang dares to give orders and commands? My palace initially thought it was the Buddha. If it were the Buddha issuing a decree, my palace carries several incenses to invite the celestial ancestors to show themselves!”
Seeing a monk daring to have a say, a dignified-looking woman cultivator spoke pointedly. The monk from a certain grand temple instantly flushed, looking extremely angry but not daring to retaliate.
“My dear, big sister, you even brought this kind of treasure. Hey, that bald monk over there, stop hiding. Didn’t you say your Mingwang issued a decree? Bring out your Mingwang’s decree, I want to admire the grace of the fairy maiden, give me a chance!”
The words spoken by the elegant woman, pristine like a newly bloomed jade flower, excited the old beggar, who still had oil dripping from the corners of his mouth. He eagerly rubbed his hands together and then began shouting impatiently at the group of monks. He seemed to enjoy the commotion, always trying to fuel the fire.
“Fellow daoists, could you give some respect to me, the official here? This is the Fengtian Underworld!”
Upon seeing the tumultuous environment where the Buddhists and Taoists seemed to be on the brink of a battle, the classy yet commanding voice of the Fengtian City God, the host of the locale, bellowed out. Despite being self-assured enough to subdue the atmosphere, he realized the anticipation hinged on the fact that these Buddhists and Taoists did not invoke their ancestors.
If the monks invoke Mingwang’s decree and the others burn incense invoking their masters, the Fengtian Underworld could possibly collapse at any moment. Only then did the City God realize that inviting Buddhists and Taoists into the underworld was an oversight on his part.
Such an act could have been feasible two years ago, when the Buddhists and Taoists, despite their past grudges, would show restraint in public. Nowadays, however, on the soil of Da Jin, the relationship between the Buddhist and Taoist sects, though not exactly like fire and water, is not far off either.
Quite a number of Taoist sages and virtuous monks have already clashed, each having their fair share of victories and defeats. Some monks or sages, due to severe injuries, had to step aside and shut themselves off to heal.
But not a single report could measure up to the shock of witnessing such conflict unfold right under his nose. Just a few short exchanges, and both Buddhist and Taoist sides were ready to fight. And without a doubt, they were not pulling any punches.
“The City God’s dignity must be respected. We have no intention of causing a major commotion here. It’s just that some monks don’t know how to behave, insisting on unrealistic actions!”
The old farmer who had even led in a bull laughed as he spoke.
“Amitabha Buddha, this poor monk …”
“Does the Master doubt my point about demonic brutality? If so, feel free to speak your mind. If it is irrelevant, could I kindly ask the Master not to speak?”
The monk’s words were interrupted by the frowning Yinghai, who had no idea what kind of conflict these Buddhists and Taoists from the Nan Hua Continent were tangled up in, nor was he inclined to get involved.
All he wanted to do was to discuss with the local deities about the issue of handling demonic species, but these fellows were inexplicably on the verge of a fight, disrupting his debate with the deities.
Under the pressure of Yinghai’s gaze, the already somewhat weak-looking monk immediately fell silent.
But the other two monks exchanged glances as they communicated telepathically. They knew that this monk, who had traveled a long way from the Xi Lan Continent, had no intention to intervene in the conflict between the Buddhists and Taoists of the Nan Hua Continent. But as matters pertain to the prosperity of Buddhism, they naturally had to stand united.
“Zen Master, the Xi Lan Continent is infested with demons, and demon dens are everywhere. But you are currently in the Nan Hua Continent. As an official, I have been worshipping the deity for a thousand years, and the human world is flourishing. Demons hide, and spirit beasts in the mountains and forests are influenced by the spiritual energy, developing kind thoughts, and protecting the woodcutters and hunters…”
The debate between the City God and the Heavenly Dragon Monk continues, as both the deity who has been worshiped by incense for a thousand years and the monk who has seen the sea of blood on the mountain of corpses use their own observations and experiences as proof, defending their own viewpoints or attacking the other.
The Heavenly Dragon Monk has seen too many cruel and treacherous faces of demons during his travels on the Xi Lan Continent. He is convinced that for anything outside the human race, the principle of “better kill a thousand by mistake, than let one go” should be upheld.
However, the City God believes that all things in heaven and earth have spirits, and if one suppresses, rejects, or even slaughters all beings that are different from humans, wouldn’t one be making enemies with all living beings?
Regardless of humans or demons, one should differentiate between good and evil. Rewards will be given to the good, and the evil will be punished!