Chapter 51 Today, Senior Brother Will Teach You
Dong—
As the bell of the Chanlin Temple resounded through the monastery.
The Water Forest Dharma Assembly of this year officially began.
In the center of the temple, Yuan Kong, clad in a yellow kasaya and holding a vajra, was the first to step out from the main hall, followed by a group of monks.
Two white-bearded monks flanked Yuan Kong. The white-bearded monk on Yuan Kong's left held a jade purification vase, which was obviously not a magic treasure, but likely a mere prop for the ceremony.
The white-bearded monk on his right held an Eight Treasures Heavenly Canopy—shaped like a large umbrella, with a golden silk edge and eight glass beads of different colors hanging from its rim.
Yuan Kong held the vajra, his steps steady, chanting Buddhist scriptures.
The monks behind him also chanted the scriptures in unison.
The two white-bearded monks flanking Yuan Kong both had Foundation Establishment cultivation. The scriptures they chanted seemed to carry a peculiar technique.
It quickly quieted the originally noisy and boisterous atmosphere.
Chu Xingchen frowned slightly and asked, "The Buddhist sect is really putting on a show?"
Yao Qin sneered, "And why else is the Central Continent so unwelcoming to the Buddhist sect."
Seeing the puzzled look on her junior martial sister's face, Li Xingtian stepped forward to explain:
"Those two white-bearded monks used a Buddhist technique that has the effect of shaking one's mind and spirit."
Li Yingling nodded in sudden realization.
The ceremony continued.
At this moment, Yuan Kong's small face was solemn as he walked toward the prepared meditation cushions.
The cushions were placed directly in front of the memorial tablets. Yuan Kong took his seat first, then raised his eyes to see his own senior brother.
Standing in the middle of a pile of flowers and memorial tablets, with a kind smile on his face, he looked as if he were holding a funeral for him.
And the plaque he held high—Don't Fight This Old Monk for the Abbess.
No matter how many times he saw it, seeing it again, Yuan Kong always felt he was about to lose his composure.
Abbot! You have completely disgraced the face of our Chanlin Temple!
Yuan Kong took a deep breath and decisively closed his eyes.
As Yuan Kong sat down, all the monks quieted down, finding their respective positions to sit or stand again.
The two Foundation Establishment monks also sat down on either side of Yuan Kong.
Everyone was waiting for Yuan Kong to speak.
Under the gaze of everyone, Yuan Kong was not in a hurry to speak. He first calmed his mind.
A long while later, Yuan Kong finally spoke with his eyes closed, his voice clear:
"Thus I have heard!"
As Yuan Kong spoke, the other monks instantly joined in, their voices united like the ringing of a bell:
"Thus I have heard!"
In the side hall, Yao Qin, who heard the content of the scripture, suddenly stood up. Her gaze was uncertain as she looked toward Yuan Kong, who was chanting the Buddhist scripture.
Seeing Yao Qin's intense reaction, Chu Xingchen also quickly looked at Yuan Kong but still found nothing unusual, so he asked in confusion:
"What's wrong? Is something amiss?"
"What Yuan Kong is chanting is not a salvation sutra at all, but a Buddhist secret art!"
"You understand Buddhist scriptures?"
"Nonsense, it's not like I've never heard the Buddhist Salvation Heart Sutra!"
After speaking, Yao Qin got up and walked toward the door, her gaze grave as she looked at Yuan Jing, who was standing amidst the wreaths.
Some Buddhist methods have a strange similarity to those of heretical cultivators. Could this be an ambush?
Is the target us? Do they have some other plan?
As if sensing Yao Qin's gaze, the abbot of the Chanlin Temple also looked toward her, the smile on his face unchanged as he softly murmured "Amitabha."
At this moment, in the other side rooms, several figures also emerged, standing with Yao Qin on the same corridor. Presumably, they were the other distinguished guests invited by the Chanlin Temple.
One of them, a middle-aged man in a daoist robe, abruptly spoke up: "Which of you understands what this bunch of bald donkeys is trying to do?"
A white-robed youth holding a book scroll casually speculated:
"I don't know... Is this how a Buddhist secret art is chanted? Are they planning to kill us to silence us?"
Chu Xingchen also walked out, his tone serious as he said: "Fellow Daoists, I have something to say."
A beautiful, young woman in a yellow dress glanced over. Upon seeing Chu Xingchen's outstanding figure, her eyes instantly lit up, and she said with deep feeling:
"Fellow Daoist, please speak."
After cupping his hands to both sides, Chu Xingchen firmly suggested: "We should strike first to gain the advantage!"
Hearing this, the Daoist nodded in deep agreement: "Those words are very much to my liking!"
Thus, everyone else turned their gaze to the Daoist, seemingly expecting him to make a move.
But how could the Daoist possibly act? Although he truly disliked the Buddhist sect, it was still a widely recognized orthodox sect.
He couldn't just go up and beat them up because the monks chanted the sutra incorrectly, could he?
Yao Qin spoke to ease the Daoist's awkwardness: "There's no need for that. Let's observe the situation first."
The Daoist coughed lightly: "Very well, I'll listen to you. I'll give that bald donkey a little face."
At this moment, Li Xingtian and Li Yingling also walked out of the side hall room.
Li Xingtian observed for a moment then said: "It doesn't seem like a secret art... it appears to be a Buddhist Heart Sutra?"
The white-robed scholar looked over: "Brother, you understand this?"
Li Xingtian nodded lightly: "I've had some dealings with the Buddhist sect. If it were a secret art, with so many people initiating it together, there should be a Buddhist lotus by now."
The white-robed scholar nodded lightly: "In that case, let's see what tricks this bunch of bald donkeys has up their sleeves."
After speaking, the scholar turned and went back into his room.
The Daoist followed closely behind, and the others also returned to their rooms.
Only the beautiful woman in the yellow dress gazed at Chu Xingchen with tender feelings and said:
"I have some fine wine here. I wonder if you, young master, would share a drink with me?"
Hearing this, Yao Qin shot a cold, sidelong glance at the beautiful woman in the yellow dress.
"Uh... perhaps another time, young master." Faced with Yao Qin's icy gaze, the beautiful woman gave a resentful smile and also turned to leave.
Yao Qin snorted coldly and turned to walk back into the room.
Chu Xingchen shrugged helplessly and followed Yao Qin's steps.
Inside the room, everyone retook their original seats, waiting to see what grand spectacle the Chanlin Temple was planning.
It seemed, however, that the time was not yet ripe.
Li Yingling looked at her junior martial brother and asked curiously:
"What kind of dealings could you have with the Buddhist sect?"
Li Xingtian answered calmly: "The way of weapons and fists."
"...Isn't that just fighting with monks?"
"Otherwise, should I listen to them chant sutras?"
Li Yingling nodded in satisfaction: "...Truly worthy of my junior martial brother!"
Chu Xchen ignored his eldest disciple's antics and used his system to check the entry for the Chanlin Temple's abbot.
[Target: Yuan Jing]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Late-Stage]
[Blue Entry: My Heart is Like His Heart]
[White Entry: Compassion]
[White Entry: Kind-Hearted]
[Black Entry: Withered with Age]
Judging by the entries alone, this abbot seemed to be a good person.
And he probably didn't have much time left.
As the sutra was chanted, the sound grew louder and louder.
Suddenly, the abbot standing in the center shouted loudly: "My Buddha is compassionate!"
As if receiving a command, the two white-bearded monks flanking Yuan Kong suddenly flashed with a golden Buddhist light. They reached out and grabbed Yuan Kong's left and right arms.
The captured Yuan Kong felt a hot flow of energy surge madly up his arms, but it dissipated completely after advancing just an inch.
It felt good, but it seemed it wasn't quite enough.
Yuan Kong continuously chanted the Heart Sutra. Just as he was planning to open his eyes to see what was happening.
A familiar hand covered Yuan Kong's eyes, which were about to open.
This hand had caressed his head countless times; he had long memorized its lines and warmth.
"Have you not always wanted to learn a technique? Today, senior brother will teach you."
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