When Chen Kuang first presented this plan, so crude it could barely be called a plan at all, Xiuzhu's first reaction was a scornful sneer, mocking him for underestimating the intelligence of the Heavenly Demons.
To be able to possess the Three Great Chan Masters, whether through their own cunning or wisdom inherited from the possessed bodies, these three demon lords were definitely no fools.
But Chen Kuang had only smiled in response and explained his reasoning.
It was precisely because he held the Heavenly Demons in such high regard that he chose to go against conventional thinking.
In their current circumstances, the more intricate and flawless a plan was, the more time it would require to execute, and the more likely it would be to reveal flaws under the watchful eyes of the three demon masters.
They simply didn't have the time to formulate a foolproof strategy.
On the contrary, the simplicity of Chen Kuang's method, so unembellished it bordered on foolish, was precisely what made it the most effective.
Because this was a complete and utter open conspiracy.
It was an open fact that Chen Kuang was the root cause of the recent chaos in the Pure Land, and it was also true that his six senses were impure and that he was a dubious, half-baked monk at best.
Given Xiuxin's upright nature, it was inevitable that she would oppose someone like Chen Kuang.
At that point, Xiuxin would naturally look for a trusted ally, someone she had grown up with, Xiuzhu.
However, because it was Xiuzhu who had brought Chen Kuang into the Pure Land, Xiuxin would naturally harbor doubts.
Thus, Chen Kuang had orchestrated that public debate on cultivation and the nature of the mind, letting Xiuxin witness firsthand that Xiuzhu supported his views and stood on his side.
Then, seeing signs of corruption in the Pure Land, Xiuxin would instinctively turn to Xiuzhu, the one peer she believed she could trust.
And precisely in that moment of trust's peak, Chen Kuang would shatter it.
Only then could Xiuxin begin to question even the highest authority in the Pure Land.
Otherwise, at most, she might suspect the Chan Masters had been misled or deceived.
Never in her wildest thoughts would she imagine that the Three Great Chan Masters had already been possessed by Heavenly Demons.
That notion was simply too heretical for any monk of the Pure Land to conceive.
And it was here that the true nature of the open conspiracy lay:
Xiuzhu's identity was so murky that even Chen Kuang himself didn't know who, or what, he really was. As long as Xiuzhu "played himself," it was enough to set Xiuxin's suspicions ablaze.
Chen Kuang had not anticipated, however, that Xiuzhu's performance would be so effective it would directly provoke Xiuxin into making a move against him.
"He embedded something strange in that palm strike..."
Standing at a high vantage point, Chen Kuang watched as Xiuzhu burst through a broken door. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"The moment Xiuxin was dazed, I caught a flicker of fear in her eyes. That sort of reaction, especially from a Profound Realm cultivator of the Pure Land, is basically impossible."
"Unless... in that instant, she was confronted by her inner demons."
So-called heart-demons or inner demons referred broadly to anything that could obstruct enlightenment or destabilize one's Dao-heart.
Even saints of the Daoist Shore Realm were not immune to them.
Just as Mu Zhao had had his Dao-heart shattered by a single remark from Chen Kuang, though in truth, it had been the culmination of a deep inner obsession with the celestial vastness realm, not the words themselves.
Xiuxin's reaction had unmistakably mirrored the signs of heart-demon manifestation.
Which meant Xiuzhu possessed the ability to draw out others' inner demons with frightening ease.
Chen Kuang mentally filed that away.
Xiuzhu's unknown identity and unclear allegiance had always troubled him. Drawing out a bit more information about the former had been part of this operation's goals.
He didn't want to be stabbed in the back someday without knowing why.
Not that Chen Kuang feared backstabbing, if anyone was going to backstab, he'd much prefer to do it first.
Now that Xiuzhu had succeeded in triggering Xiuxin's doubts, and even reversed the accusation by claiming Xiuxin was the one possessed, half the plan was already a success.
There were only two key goals to this strategy:
1. Make Xiuxin, the Pure Land's Buddha-child, begin to doubt the Three Great Chan Masters.
2. Help Xiuxin escape.
The first part was relatively easy. The hard part was the second.
To have the Three Great Chan Masters themselves judge Xiuxin, they would first have to let her appear before them, which meant she'd have to be brought before the Chan Masters alive and conscious.
Part one had now been handled by Xiuzhu. The second part was Chen Kuang's responsibility.
Down below, the fight between the two Buddha-children was drawing increasing attention. The commotion had alarmed all of Garan Temple.
Upon hearing Xiuzhu and Xiuxin's startling exchange, the crowd of monks was in an uproar.
But even as they rushed over, no one dared to intervene.
These were two officially recognized Buddha-children!
Now that they were accusing each other, and no one knew who was right or wrong, who could possibly act without orders?
Fortunately, the newest Buddha-child stepped forward to calm the chaos, Chen Kuang raised his hand, his face stern, blocking the crowd.
"Restrain them both, but under no circumstances may either leave this place. I shall go summon the Three Great Chan Masters!"
"Yes, sir!"
Though Chen Kuang had mixed reviews among the True Pearl Disciples of Garan Temple, in the broader Pure Land, he was widely admired.
Many of the nearly one thousand monks who had attended his official return had benefited from the Dao resonance he had bestowed and held him in high regard.
His words during the public debates on cultivation had deeply impressed many, and some even welcomed the increasingly "humanized" reforms of the formerly rigid Pure Land.
Most importantly, he had the Three Great Chan Masters' public endorsement, which was more than enough to garner fanatical support from many monks.
Thus, even within Garan Temple, support for him was now divided.
At his command, many monks immediately moved to carry it out.
Below, when Xiuxin heard this, how could she not realize, Xiuzhu and Chen Kuang were working together all along.
They clearly had no fear of exposure.
On the contrary, they seemed eager to bring in the Three Great Chan Masters...
At this point, even if Xiuxin still found it difficult to believe, she had no choice but to believe.
Something was very wrong with the Three Great Chan Masters!
No, she must not wait for them to arrive!
If even the Three Great Chan Masters had been compromised, then regardless of whether she was innocent or not, she would be guilty the moment she stood before them!
If she was branded as "possessed by a Demon," death would be the only fate awaiting her.
At this point, fleeing was the only viable path.
Even if it damaged her reputation temporarily, it would not provoke full suspicion, she had many supporters in the Pure Land, cultivated over years of service.
Her face grim, Xiuxin steeled herself.
Feigning a move, she suddenly leapt high, clearing Garan Temple's towering wall and fleeing toward the outer reaches.
Behind her, Xiuzhu staggered, pale-faced, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, and shouted:
"Senior Sister Xiuxin has been possessed by a Heavenly Demon! Stop her! She mustn't be allowed to escape and endanger the world!"
A few monks, previously hesitant, now saw two Buddha-children in agreement and instantly sided with them. They began encircling to block Xiuxin's escape.
Chen Kuang ignored all this, walking calmly to the meditation hall door.
Taking a deep breath, he knocked.
There was one extremely niche passive ability he possessed, one with unclear conditions but enormous potential if used properly.
To act unnoticed under the gaze of the Heavenly Demons, only this passive would do.
His gaze swept across his status panel.
[Refusal Stands: If you refuse to allow something to happen, then that thing will become impossible.]