novelraw Chapter 36, 7 Buddhas!
Chapter 36, 7 Buddhas!
Upon hearing this, a hint of helplessness flashed across Ma Ruoyan's face.
"So you're one of the brothers from Qingxi Altar!"
"What a stroke of luck amidst misfortune!"
"If it weren't for my brothers' rescue tonight, I, Ma, would probably be in dire straits!"
Zhong Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"You are the leader of the Yiwu branch of the Ming Cult, so why would the people from Lingjiu Palace surround and kill you like this?"
Ma Ruoyan shook his head and sighed, a hint of hatred flashing in his eyes.
"It's all my fault for making bad friends."
"Ever since the Ming Cult's headquarters was destroyed by the imperial court, and the whereabouts of the cult leader and the Dharma Kings have been unknown."
"Some people have started plotting against my Ming Cult!"
"Xun Siyan of Tianmu Mountain was my friend of many years."
"Six months ago, when he learned that the Ming Cult's headquarters had been destroyed, he actually advised me to abandon the Ming Cult and join the Lingjiu Palace."
"I refused outright; I didn't agree."
Seven days ago, he came again and persuaded me to go with him to Lingjiu Mountain in Quzhou to visit the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny.
I still haven't agreed.
"He then threatened me, saying that the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny had taken a liking to me and wanted me to become one of the thirty-six cave masters under the Lingjiu Palace."
"I firmly refused, and Xun Siyan left dejectedly."
"As a result, last night, Xun Siyan stole the Diamond Sutra from my coffin shop!"
"That Diamond Sutra is a handwritten copy by Master Fu, and it is my most cherished possession."
"I have been chasing Xun Siyan all the way here."
"But then those three witches from Lingjiu Palace suddenly appeared and threatened me."
"You want to take me to Lingjiu Mountain to see that Heavenly Child Granny!"
"When I refused, those three vixens attacked me."
Zhong Yuan frowned.
Where is Xun Siyan now?
Ma Ruoyan shook her head.
"I don't know either."
"He disappeared as soon as he passed the ancient town of Fotang."
Zhong Yuan nodded slightly.
"It seems that Lingjiu Palace has been keeping an eye on you for a long time."
Ma Ruoyan sighed softly.
"Sigh~~~"
"My two brothers are unaware."
"That Heavenly Child Granny of Lingjiu Palace is a complete demon."
"This person is eccentric and ruthless."
"I've heard about her methods before. Anyone she targets will have a hidden weapon called the Life and Death Talisman implanted in their body!"
"Under the command of Lingjiu Palace, there are thirty-six cave masters and seventy-two island masters, all of whom have been given the Life and Death Talisman by Tianshan Child Granny."
"When the Life and Death Talisman activates, the pain is like being pricked by needles, or bitten by a thousand ants, making one wish for death but unable to live!"
"I have known Xun Siyan for twenty years. I'm afraid he couldn't withstand the torment of the Life and Death Talisman, which is why he was driven by Tianshan Tonglao."
"Although Lingjiu Palace is far away on Misty Peak of Tianshan, for some reason, Tianshan Child Granny is very interested in the Jianghu forces in the Jiangnan area, especially in Zhejiang and Fujian."
"Xun Siyan once said that he would let me control the martial arts forces in the Ruoyan Mountain area and make them submit to Lingjiu Palace."
Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Zhong Yuan's eyes.
What Ma Ruoyan said is indeed a problem.
Lingjiu Palace is located far away on Misty Peak of Tianshan Mountain, yet Tianshan Tonglao (the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny) goes to great lengths to use the Life and Death Talisman to control the various island lords and cave masters, extending her reach so far to infiltrate and control the martial arts forces in Zhejiang and Fujian.
That's definitely not quite right.
after all.
Most martial arts factions operate within the sphere of influence of their own sects.
At most, it will only affect a radius of 500 li.
After all, the distance is too great, and it's beyond our reach.
The Heavenly Child Granny did not hesitate to use the Life and Death Talisman to control these island lords and cave masters, and also placed people in the Zhejiang and Fujian areas.
There must be a purpose behind it.
Moreover, Ma Ruoyan just mentioned Lingjiu Mountain.
Lingjiu Mountain is located in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province. Perhaps there is some connection between Lingjiu Palace and Lingjiu Mountain.
but.
Now is not the time to worry about these things.
The reason why Tianshan Tonglao was so rampant was that she knew Ma Ruoyan was a member of the Ming Cult, yet she still tried to seize him by force.
It's because the Heavenly Child Granny didn't take the Ming Cult seriously at all.
Right.
Lingjiu Palace is the successor of the Xiaoyao Sect.
The martial arts of the Free and Unfettered School can be said to be unparalleled in the martial arts world.
The Ming Cult is currently in disarray, with even its headquarters being destroyed by the imperial court.
It would be strange if the Heavenly Child Granny took the Ming Cult seriously.
If you fall behind, you will be bullied.
If your fists aren't strong, you'll be bullied.
Zhong Yuan's desire to become stronger is growing ever more urgent.
Zhong Yuan glanced at Fang Liu beside him and said directly, "Fang Liu, just to be on the safe side, you should shave your head too."
"After we enter the temple, I will give you a monk's robe to change into."
Fang Liu opened his mouth wide, somewhat unwilling, and muttered something.
"Young Master, our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents..."
Zhong Yuan raised his hand and tapped him on the head.
Don't give me that!
"Turn around!"
Fang Liu had no choice but to turn around and let Zhong Yuan shave his head.
Before long, Fang Liu also became bald.
He touched his head and said something to Zhong Yuan.
"Young Master, it's actually quite cool here."
"Young Master, aren't you going to shave your head?"
Zhong Yuan said calmly, "I won't enter through the main gate."
Fang Liu said "Oh," took out his water bag, and gulped down two mouthfuls.
Then he asked Zhong Yuan, "Young Master, his name is Monk Shuobude."
"Then what's my name?"
Zhong Yuan glanced at the sky; it wasn't completely dark yet.
He sat cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing.
"Just think of one yourself."
Fang Liu touched his bald head, rolled his eyes a couple of times, but couldn't think of a Buddhist name that he could come up with.
Forget it.
At worst, I'll just be a silent monk and not say a word.
At this time.
Ma Ruoyan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but ask the two men, "May I ask your esteemed names, brothers?"
Fang Liu moved closer to Ma Ruoyan, handing her a water bag as he said, "My surname is Fang, and I'm the sixth child in my family. Just call me Fang Liu."
Ma Ruoyan glanced at Zhong Yuan, who was already sitting cross-legged and meditating, and asked Fang Liu in a low voice, "Brother Fang, I just heard you call this brother 'Young Master'."
"Could it be him?"
Fang Liu whispered, "The young master is naturally the young sect leader!"
"Currently, the young master is in charge of many affairs within the sect!"
"Master Zhong has been in seclusion for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Ma Ruoyan was startled. He immediately stood up, cupped his hands towards Zhong Yuan, and said, "This subordinate was unaware that it was the young master in person. Please punish me, young master!"
Zhong Yuan didn't open his eyes and said directly, "It's alright. We are all members of the Ming Cult and brothers from all over the world."
"You and Fang Liu wait here for a while. I'll sneak into the temple first and find out what's going on."
Ma Ruoyan readily agreed and sat down to begin regulating his breathing and internal energy to recover from his injuries.
Two incense sticks later.
It got completely dark.
Zhong Yuan stood up and gestured for the two of them to wait there.
He crossed the woods and climbed over the temple's outer wall.
under night.
Inside Shuanglin Temple, there were still quite a few people moving around.
Zhong Yuan climbed over the wall to enter the temple with light steps; Shuanglin Temple is quite large.
Not long after Zhongyuan climbed over the wall, he saw rows of monks' quarters.
Groups of three or five young monks passed by the corridor ahead.
Zhong Yuan hid behind a pillar, listened intently, and made sure no one was nearby.
He sneaked into an empty monk's quarters, searched for a while, found a monk's robe, returned the way he came, and climbed over the courtyard wall.
Back in the woods, he handed the monk's robe to Fang Liu, gesturing for Fang Liu to change into it.
Fang Liu was quite decisive. He changed into monk's robes, carried his bundle on his back, and the three of them swaggered towards the main gate of Shuanglin Temple.
Not long after.
The three arrived at the temple gate.
There were middle-aged monks greeting them at the temple gate, after seeing the three people's attire.
He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and asked, "May I ask who you three are?"
Zhong Yuan was wearing a scholar's robe, which made him look like a scholar traveling for study.
He stepped forward and shook hands with the middle-aged monk, saying, "I am Fangzheng. I have admired Buddhism since childhood. While passing through your esteemed place, I heard about the grand Nirvana ceremony of Shuanglin Temple and longed to attend it."
"I am fond of studying Buddhist doctrines, especially the Heart Sutra. I have written a commentary on the Heart Sutra, which I wish to present to the abbot of your esteemed temple, hoping to receive some guidance."
"These two are Master Shuobude and Master Qifo."
"One practices silent meditation."
"One cultivates the Zen of the word 'one'."
Upon seeing this, Ma Ruoyan and Fang Liu, who were standing nearby, hurriedly bowed to the middle-aged monk.
Upon seeing this, the middle-aged monk glanced at Ma Ruoyan and Fang Liu.
Then, he raised his hand and said, "Fakong, please invite the three of you into the temple and arrange for you to stay in the guest rooms."