Chapter 225: Chapter 220: Daoist Heart Breaks Defense, Hui Neng of Buddha Country
The moon was high in the sky, atop the Middle Finger Peak of the Five Finger Mountain, where two sect members of similar age confronted each other.
"A fourth-grade Dao Fruit, to be obtained by the worthy, fighting for it on behalf of the Sect is also a matter within one’s duty." Facing Zhang Daoyi’s questioning gaze, Yuan Zhen calmly replied.
Previously, the Daode Sect had assisted the court in praying for rain, but this did not mean that the Daode Sect stood on the same side as the court.
To put it accurately, the Daode Sect intended to oppose those trying to provoke a major disaster, not to ally with the side of the court.
Although there was a vast difference in scale, in terms of power, the Daode Sect was on the same level as the court, not unequal like the Taiping Sect. The Daode Sect had the qualification to remain transcendent and be the third party.
Therefore, after Lu King detonated the Dao Fruit, Yuan Zhen and Zhang Daoyi immediately went to contend for it.
But even for contending for the Dao Fruit, Yuan Zhen’s actions were somewhat excessive.
"Seeing an opportunity after a defeat, seizing the chance to snatch it, even allying with Yang Ji to confront Zhong Shenxiu. Even so, does this still count as within one’s duty?" Zhang Daoyi’s eyebrows rose, displaying a sharp expression.
If the subsequent triple confrontation was coincidental, then Yuan Zhen and Yang Ji’s earlier confrontation against Zhong Shenxiu was a pre-arranged cooperation.
Yuan Zhen propelled the Thunder and Fire using the Taiching Divine Light, converging it to one point, and Yang Ji seized the opportunity, decisively choosing to ally and counter Zhong Shenxiu’s Sword Light. Although there was no verbal communication, their actions were highly coordinated, nearly defeating Zhong Shenxiu.
Just barely.
’If it weren’t for that scoundrel Jiang Li...’
Thinking of this, Yuan Zhen felt as if his years of cultivation in the Daoist Heart were about to shatter.
It was so close, yet because of that scream, all ended in failure.
’Wait!’
Yuan Zhen suddenly sensed something amiss.
He realized that Zhang Daoyi’s anger did not seem feigned and his own alliance with Yang Ji was unexpected. Moreover, had Jiang Li not used disgraceful means to ambush, Zhang Daoyi might have stopped him.
Even so, Zhang Daoyi’s objective was to prevent Jiang Li from obtaining the Ghost Gate, not to agree with Yuan Zhen’s methods.
That being said...
’He doesn’t know!’
’I was deceived?’
Yuan Zhen suddenly realized that he might have been tricked by Jiang Li.
It seemed Jiang Li had betrayed them, and Zhang Daoyi appeared to believe it; since then, he had been cautious of Yuan Zhen, leading to a misunderstanding that Yuan Zhen gradually believed through probing.
It was precisely because of this misunderstanding that Yuan Zhen decisively acted after Yang Ji’s sabotage, competing for the Ghost Gate to test Zhang Daoyi’s inclinations.
Facing Yuan Zhen’s actions, whether Zhang Daoyi cooperated for the sake of the Sect or risked the Sect’s stability to investigate further—these inclinations determined Yuan Zhen’s subsequent reactions.
But now it seemed, there was no betrayal; Zhang Daoyi was simply unaware.
If he had known, he wouldn’t have asked such questions.
Yuan Zhen felt somewhat dizzy, probably because his injuries had worsened, or perhaps due to anger and heartbreak.
"Jiang Li... ha, Jiang Li!"
Yuan Zhen, with a strangely amused expression, felt his repressed injuries flare up, and a mouthful of reverse blood surged up his throat.
"Regardless, my conscience is clear, if my senior uncle is discontent, he can certainly go back and confront our master or even our grandmaster."
Having realized the key point, Yuan Zhen no longer conceded but directly steered the conversation towards the conflict between him and Zhang Daoyi. After finishing his words, he summoned the Sword Light and swept away.
The more words exchanged, the more doubts surfaced; rather than continuing the debate with Zhang Daoyi, it was better to turn hostile and define the dispute as a personal conflict.
Yet Yuan Zhen did not realize, or perhaps his chaotic mind could not detect, that a thoughtful expression emerged on Zhang Daoyi’s face.
Earlier, Zhang Daoyi indeed lacked knowledge; even if Jiang Li had spoken, he would not have believed. But now...
After this ordeal, if Zhang Daoyi still had not sensed something amiss, it would be an underestimation of this Daoist Lord Disciple.
’Yuan Zhen, my junior nephew, was this your idea? Or was it the senior brother’s intention?’
Zhang Daoyi, watching the departing Sword Light, contemplated deeply.
He already had a rough answer.
’Senior brother, are you also dissatisfied like the Upper Pure Sect with the current suppressed situation of the Mystic Sect Sanqing Sect? Or is it for the purpose of promotion?’
Thinking of the way his Sect Master senior brother conducted himself, Zhang Daoyi’s worries grew heavier.
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The White Dragon crossed the sky, traveling thousands of miles at night.
At the break of dawn, Hui Lun arrived at a desolate spring on the western side of Yong Province.
The location was close to Buddha Country; the terrain grew increasingly barren, with visible loess and sand dust everywhere, and the temperature difference between day and night was extreme.
However, in such a place, just past a frigid night, stood a monk in thin monastic robes, barefooted, standing still.
Upon seeing the White Dragon descend with Hui Lun, the monk shook slightly, dispelling the chill as if his vitality was the radiant sun, golden light gathering on his weathered face like a Buddha’s statue, giving his otherwise ordinary features a subtle air of serene profundity.
In the terms of Buddha Country, this was "Zen."
Seeing Hui Lun arrive, the monk showed a look of concern, "Has elder brother been injured?"
The dried blood stains on Hui Lun’s pristine white monastic robes were striking, making it easy to infer his condition.
"It’s nothing," Hui Lun dismissed, "I am blessed by the Heavenly Beings without sickness or disaster. As long as I haven’t fallen into evil ways or died, other injuries will stabilize and gradually heal. I have traveled through the night to request you, younger brother, to return to Mount Sumeru to inform the Great Masters and Bodhisattvas of an important matter."
The Great Zhou Court had Divine Travel Grand Protector, Taiping Sect had Law Order, and Buddha Country had designated messengers.
Hui Lun’s younger brother, Hui Neng, was such a messenger who had taken on the Daoist Fruit of a messenger and was now serving in Buddha Country among the Sha Men, overseeing a region.
Hui Lun relayed his findings accurately, then lightly tapped his brow, pulling out a wisp of white vapor-like breath, which he then stored in a tiny Jade Buddha.
"This is my memory, you should pass this to Manjusri Bodhisattva. He has clashed with the Fire House Buddha Hell for many years. If anyone is familiar with the individuals in Buddha Hell, aside from our master, it would be Manjusri Bodhisattva."
Hui Lun instructed, "Previously, Karma Tathagata alone bore the burden of Fire House Buddha Hell. Since the agreement sealed by our master and Karma Tathagata years ago — ’Awakened do not come into the world, Tathagata do not leave the gate’ — the Fire House Buddha Hell has been in decline. But if a third grade emerges again from Fire House Buddha Hell, the situation will change."
Fire House Buddha Hell’s third grade is not as strong as Buddha Country, but its fourth grade surpasses. Over the years, Fire House Buddha Hell has been guerilla fighting Buddha Country, tying down the economically and socially significant Buddha Country, causing much trouble.
But if a third grade were to emerge again from Fire House Buddha Hell, this would be more than just trouble. It might even cause Karma Tathagata to break his vow and restart a great war.
The Mongolian Monk, Hui Neng, took the Jade Buddha and, upon hearing this, expressed a thoughtful look, "Elder brother believes this individual is from Fire House Buddha Hell?"
"Do you have a different thought?" Hui Lun asked, surprised.
His younger brother was generally reticent, often silent in front of outsiders, even having practiced Mute Zen for three years, appearing somewhat wooden. However, as an elder brother, Hui Lun knew that although Hui Neng spoke little, his words would always strike at the heart of the matter.
Even the Awakened Master had once said that Hui Neng possessed great wisdom, no less than what he himself was forecasted to be in the future of Buddha Country.
Now that Hui Neng suggested something different, Hui Lun was naturally concerned.
Hui Neng carefully chose his words, replying, "Elder brother believes this person comes from Fire House Buddha Hell because all the Great Masters and Bodhisattvas are widely known for spreading Dharma; their ways are known throughout the nation. But elder brother, you’ve overlooked someone."
"Who?" Hui Lun asked.
Hui Neng clasped his hands together respectfully, "The Awakened Master."
"Impudent!" Hui Lun’s voice sharpened, "You dare suspect our master?"
"It is not suspicion, but stating a possibility."
Hui Neng calmly responded, "Within Buddha Country, only our master spreads Buddhist law without advocating the Dao, does not establish Buddha statues, nor requires followers, hence nobody knows of our master’s Dao. Moreover, given his profound Buddhist skills, being the foremost in Buddha Country, even as his disciples, you and I cannot grasp his full realm. If there is one from Buddha Country whose moves we might not recognize, it would only be our master."
In Buddha Country, the powerful spread beliefs to demonstrate Dao Fruit, which requires the explicit understanding of one’s characteristics to avoid misdirected faith.
For example, if a believer seeks a child, he would turn to Guanyin the Grantor of Children and not Weituo Bodhisattva, who protects Buddhist law, unless he may wish for a child from Weituo Bodhisattva...
Such characteristics define a Divine Position, reflecting the paths taken by potent forces in Buddha Country. Experts in Buddhism and cultivation can use this to deduce their foundational essence.
But the Awakened is different.
He spreads only Dharma, not Dao, profoundly meaningful Buddhist teachings that if one can discern his foundational essence at all, it would be partial and challenging to see in entirety.
The Awakened’s presence is indeed unique within Buddha Country.
Having understood this, Hui Lun slightly relaxed his stern expression, though he remained serious, "You suggest it might be our master. Our master, due to his agreement with Karma Tathagata, has been in seclusion at No Buddha Temple for many years. How could he possibly have given Jiang Li the Great Brightness Mantra? Moreover, why would our master act against White Lotus Saint Mother Bodhisattva?"
It should be noted that back on that day, it wasn’t Lu King but the Giant Snake Baqi and White Lotus Saint Mother who bore the brunt.
The Giant Snake Baqi had it the worst, being directly suppressed, and White Lotus Saint Mother had all her White Lotus eradicated, likely suffering greatly from it.
"Younger brother only feels that it is possible," Hui Neng maintained peace, his hands still clasped, "For our master, creating an external embodiment is not difficult. As for acting against White Lotus Saint Mother Bodhisattva... Weituo Bodhisattva once mentioned, the origins of White Lotus Saint Mother Bodhisattva are mysterious, and her Cultivation Body is unusual."
Among Buddha Country’s six Bodhisattvas, only White Lotus Saint Mother became a nun halfway, and her origins were unknown to anyone.
Hui Lun, having heard this, was somewhat convinced, but he still cautioned, "Speak with care! Let this matter be heard only between you and me, not to be informed to others. Our master could easily have conveyed any messages to us, there is no need for such roundabout ways. You relay the details back to Mount Sumeru, but do not share your thoughts with anyone."
"Yes, elder brother." Hui Neng complied.