After hearing what Hui Ming had to say, Emperor Xuande steadied his heart and immediately issued a royal decree. The first order of business was to calm the frightened people, followed by a nationwide proclamation that esteemed monks of the Buddhist order would enter the secular world to subdue the rampaging beasts.
The royal announcement further promised rewards for those who reported sightings of beasts in a timely manner. This managed to pacify most of the population. However, there were still some voices of discontent, since it was Emperor Xuande who had allowed the visitors from Yingzhou to enter the capital in the first place.
But complaints changed nothing. The common folk could only act on what they understood. They purchased Buddhist artifacts to place in their homes, hoping to ward off the beasts. It was mostly a way to ease their anxieties.
The Shadow Guard commander, in coordination with the inner palace guards, carried out the emperor's orders and began rounding up the warriors from Yingzhou at the harbor.
When the tower ship had been surrounded, the Yingzhou warriors on board already sensed something was wrong. But without their leaders Matsushita and Ampei, they were like a headless snake.
Ultimately, they chose to fight back. Waiting for death was not the samurai way. Blades clashed in the narrow port.
The Shadow Guards and inner palace guards were no pushovers either. They relied on sheer numbers, surrounding one opponent with three men. In less than half an hour, they captured many of the hundred or so remaining enemies. Those who resisted were executed on the spot.
Of the thirty trusted warriors under Matsushita, some were slain, some captured, and five managed to escape.
Those caught were publicly executed as the main culprits of the disaster, their heads displayed to appease public anger.
The five escapees who jumped into the water had no place left in the capital. They could only retreat deep into the mountains, waiting for their master's return.
Back at Mingfa Temple, Matsushita and Honda were not as fortunate. They had their heads shaved by Ming Jing and were assigned to the rear mountain to replant red maple trees and restore the damaged terrain.
Matsushita tried to resist, but Ming Jing simply looped a ring of Buddha's light around his neck. The holy light seared the karma of his sins, making him scream in agony, nearly losing his soul.
After that brutal warning, the ten men quietly began their labor, planting trees and moving soil.
As for Ampei, Ming Jing found him difficult to handle. Jian Dan had already punished him, and although she hadn't prevented Ming Jing from pursuing damages, it was clear he could not kill Ampei outright. Ming Jing, for the first time, felt his cultivation was insufficient and his experience too shallow.
So he brought Ampei to a meditation chamber and did not assign anyone to guard him.
Just as Ming Jing was debating how to demand reparations, Lotus, the young monk, came running into the Great Buddha Hall and bowed respectfully.
"Amitabha. Master Ancestor, there is a monk outside claiming to be from Yunzong Temple. He requests to see you."
Ming Jing looked up at the unfamiliar young monk and asked, "Why isn't Fa Qing on duty outside the hall?"
"Master Ancestor, the other senior brothers are busy preparing items for subduing beasts. I was assigned to guard the hall today. I'm newly ordained, and my lay name is He Hua. I haven't been given a Buddhist name yet."
He gave Ming Jing a pitiful look, and Ming Jing could only sigh inwardly. So much had happened in recent days that even his usual calm had been disturbed.
Looking at He Hua's clear features, Ming Jing noticed a faint glow of Buddhist light and merit around him. This meant that the boy had great karmic merit from a past life. It was auspicious that he had joined the temple again in this life.
After a pause, Ming Jing said, "Things have indeed been chaotic lately. You shall enter the 'Fa' generation. Your Buddhist name will be Fa Hua. I'll have one of your senior brothers add you to the Mingfa Temple registry. Come with me to meet the esteemed guests from Yunzong Temple."
"Amitabha. Thank you for the name, Master Ancestor."
Lotus was overjoyed. He finally had an official Buddhist name.
Ming Jing straightened his robes, paid respects to the Buddha, and led Lotus out of the Great Buddha Hall.
Due to recent turmoil, Mingfa Temple had remained closed to worshippers. Its defensive formation had been repaired and expanded to protect the surrounding villagers.
The delegation from Yunzong Temple saw the barrier but did not force their way in. After announcing themselves, they waited patiently outside.
"Amitabha. This humble monk Ming Jing greets the venerable masters."
"Amitabha. There is no need to call us masters. Just call me Qing Yong."
Ming Jing understood their purpose well and led the monks into the temple, offering them plain tea. He then recounted the events of recent days in full.
Qing Yong, a Void Refinement monk, was an expert in refining tools. He had been entrusted by the Buddhist son to repair the Suo Yao Pagoda. He also carried another mission, to work with Hui Ming in finding the next generation of the Buddhist heir.
After hearing the story, Qing Yong became very interested in the cultivator who had acted at the crucial moment.
From Ming Jing's account, he formed an image in his mind. A woman, powerful in cultivation and terrifying in battle, yet also deeply knowledgeable in Buddhist teachings. One line she spoke had made the Buddhist son ponder for days, even loosening his own bottleneck.
Now, virtuous monks from every temple across the Diling Kingdom had already departed to hunt beasts. Qing Yong was at Mingfa Temple for the Suo Yao Pagoda.
Ming Jing led him to the rear mountain. Seeing the damaged pagoda, Qing Yong frowned, then sent a stream of Buddhist seals into it. The tower trembled, shrank slowly, then lifted into the air and fell into his palm.
"Amitabha. I have already consulted the Buddhist son. The pagoda must be brought back to Yunzong Temple for repairs. Once restored, it will be returned."
What could Ming Jing say? If someone had the skill to store the pagoda, they certainly had the power to fix it. This was good news for Mingfa Temple, so he nodded in agreement.
Nearby, Matsushita and his group toiled silently like quails. The presence of these monks was even more intimidating than Ampei.
Qing Yong ignored them and, after collecting the pagoda, brought his junior to meet Ampei.
Ampei had spent the past few days kneeling and meditating inside a meditation chamber, reflecting on his actions.
When Qing Yong entered, Ampei immediately rose and saluted him.
"You are the priest from Yingzhou, Ampei?"
"I am."
"The crime you committed would normally be punished with karmic fire in our Buddhist order."
"My cultivation was lacking and led to calamity. I am willing to accept punishment and ask only for a chance to make amends."
He knelt and kowtowed with utmost sincerity.
"Amitabha. Buddha is compassionate. Since you were misled by a beast and have already been judged by a senior cultivator, our order will not pursue this too harshly."
He turned to Ming Jing.
"That sword you took. Seal it away. You need not return it."
"Understood."
Qing Yong turned back to Ampei.
"Consider the sword your compensation. Now, take your shikigami and begin your penance."
Ampei bowed deeply and left Mingfa Temple to begin his long journey across the lands of Diling Kingdom.
Within the shikigami seal, Yamata no Orochi lay coiled. All eight heads were deep in thought. He had escaped the pagoda with the priest, dreaming of raising chaos, only to be beaten into doubt by a frail-looking woman.
Each of his heads could feel it clearly. With every punch she landed, the centuries of resentment within him were scattered.
He now understood. That woman had, in a twisted way, saved him. She even gave him a path to return home.
The next day, Jian Dan received her own unexpected visitors at Lotus Lake.