The white-browed old monk walked out of the main hall and just happened to see Chen Chao who was waiting in the distance.
Chen Chao took the initiative to approach and said, "Master, please follow me."
In the mountains, there were wailing cries of tormented souls. With the white-browed old monk's profound buddhist dharma and profound cultivation realm, others could not discern where those tormented souls were. However, Chen Chao knew, because he had dug many graves that year.
Among those people, many were young refugees who had fled with him from Wei Prefecture. They had all been deceived into coming to this mountain. In the end, apart from him, they had all died.
Walking along the familiar path toward the rear of the mountain, Chen Chao's mood grew rather heavy.
Back then, after escaping from here, Chen Chao's thoughts and actions were all about returning here someday to do something.
At the very least, he wanted to do something for those deceased companions.
The white-browed old monk followed behind Chen Chao. Looking at this young man's silhouette. he could not help but feel that the young man in front of him was remarkably similar to that young prince he had met in the Divine Capital all those years ago.
He did not know what kind of person this young man would become in the future, but he was very clear that the young prince he had encountered many years ago had later become a remarkable emperor.
That was the current Great Liang Emperor.
No matter how long a road was, there would eventually come a day when you reach the end. Moreover, this road here was not particularly long to begin with. The white-browed old monk did not speak, and the two of them remained silent.
"Master, we've arrived."
Chen Chao stood in front of an open area. This was the rear of the Sublime Bright Mountain, and the seemingly ordinary ground before them was barren, with blackened soil.
The white-browed old monk suddenly let out a sigh.
Chen Chao also understood why.
For plants to grow, they naturally require fertile soil. To some extent, it could be said that corpses act as a kind of fertilizer. With corpses buried deep underground, plants should thrive even more. However, if there were too many corpses buried in this soil, there was a point of diminishing returns. Naturally, the vegetation would not be able to grow, and this place would appear barren. When plants did not grow, it meant that there were many corpses buried underground.
The white-browed old monk stood there, his palms pressed together, and he softly recited a buddhist chant rather sorrowfully, "Amitabha."
Then, he slowly sat down, crossed his legs, and his monk's robe draped down. He began to recite scriptures related to the transference of spirits to the afterlife.
As the white-browed old monk began reciting the scriptures, complex characters with radiant buddhist light emanated from his mouth. These intricate characters were no longer recognized by many today. They were originally brought back from a distant buddhist land by a monk who returned with scriptures on a white horse. That was just a legend and the exact location of this buddhist land was now unknowable.[1. Fun fact, this somewhat hints at the monk on a white horse to be Tang Sanzang, from Journey to the West, who is the master of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong.]
Today, only a few monks could fully comprehend and read these characters from the distant buddhist land. But without a doubt, any monk capable of understanding these scriptures from a distant buddhist land was destined to be a high-ranking monk in Buddhism
As those intricate characters shimmering with buddhist light appeared one by one in the world, Chen Chao also heard some moans. These sounds were quite strange, like that of someone who had been trapped for a long time and had finally found relief, emitting a contented moan.
After a moment, moans filled the air everywhere, one after another, right next to Chen Chao's ears.
The white-browed old monk quietly recited the scriptures, and at this moment, his entire being radiated with buddhist light, resembling a true Buddha.
A monk like him might indeed be a true Buddha.
It was unknown how long had passed, the buddhist light dissipated entirely, and those sounds vanished. The white-browed old monk opened his eyes and looked at Chen Chao as he said with some pity, "In truth, the so-called transference to the afterlife isn't of much use here. The resentment in this place is too heavy. After people die, their spirits find it difficult to depart. Once they linger for too long, they lose even the chance for reincarnation. While the three calamities and six tribulations are indeed dreadful, what's even more terrifying is that they now lack the opportunity to even experience them. That is the truly frightening aspect. We only disperse the resentment to prevent their lingering spirits from being trapped here, and to avoid the birth of vengeful spirits many years later."
Although the white-browed old monk seemed to be addressing Chen Chao, his words appeared to be more for his own benefit.
Chen Chao did not reply because he felt that the white-browed old monk was not talking to him.
However, the white-browed old monk's gaze landed on him in the end. After a moment of silence, the old monk said, "An acquaintance of mine has a high opinion of you."
Chen Chao did not know the identity of the white-browed old monk. He only knew that he came from Deercry Monastery and possessed high buddhist skills and cultivation realm. Apart from this, he had no other knowledge. However, since the white-browed old monk was from Deercry Monastery and had a connection with the Great Liang Dynasty, Chen Chao had no choice but to respond to the question, "You're too kind, Master."
The white-browed old monk shook his head. "That acquaintance of mine stands very high, even higher than this old monk, so this old monk believe in what he says."
He could naturally discern that Chen Chao was being appreciative.
But as he said this, Chen Chao did not know what else to say.
The white-browed old monk smiled and said, "This old monk can know someone by reading their palm. I wonder if you can let this old monk take a look?"
Chen Chao hesitated for a moment, still half-dubious.
The white-browed old monk just smiled at him.
Perhaps out of curiosity, or maybe because of the white-browed old monk's previous act of praying for the salvation of souls, giving Chen Chao a greatly favorable impression, after hesitating for a moment, Chen Chao walked up and extended his right hand.
The white-browed old monk gently reminded, "It's the left hand."
Chen Chao took his hand back rather awkwardly, then extended his other hand.
The white-browed old monk smiled without saying much. He just extended his finger, and a drop of golden blood dripped from his fingertip, landing in Chen Chao's palm.
Chen Chao was momentarily stunned and lost in thought. During his time in the academy, he had read numerous books with Xie Nandu. The books mentioned daoist sages and buddhist eminent monks, they were titles attainable only when one's cultivation reached the Nepenthe Realm. In Daoism, there was also a term of address called "Great Sage". To earn this title of great sage, one had to possess not only profound cultivation and mastery of daoist techniques, but also be an existence with substantial prestige in the Dao society. For example, the great sage from the Myriad Heaven Palace, who was also Saintess Zhu Xia's master, was a genuine great sage.
The titles within Buddhism were simpler, all lumped together as "Eminent Monk." However, the transformation of one's blood into this golden hue made a significant difference between eminent monks. The blood inside the white-browed old monk's body had already transformed into this golden color. Although traces of crimson remained faintly visible, it was evident that the white-browed old monk had advanced far into the Nepenthe Realm; with just half a step away from true Great Creation.
Chen Chao silently watched this scene, internalizing all of his shock. He watched the drop of golden blood land in his palm and then slowly travel along the lines on his hand in all directions, resembling flood dragons.
The white-browed old monk smiled and said, "Don't worry, this might be beneficial for you."
Although there was only a single drop, an eminent monk's blood could not be considered ordinary either.
As he watched the blood penetrate into his body, Chen Chao's expression changed slightly. It was because at this moment, the white mist within his body reacted violently and began expelling the blood back out along the lines on his hand.
Looking at the blood that reappeared on Chen Chao's palm, the white-browed old monk naturally knew that something was amiss. But he just shook his head and said. "It seems our fate hasn't arrived yet. What a pity."
He had specially extracted that drop of blood. But in the end, it was still wasted.
Chen Chao was silent. He could sense the strange occurrence was due to the white mist within him, but he could not say it.
The white-browed old monk observed Chen Chao's still-extended hand, feeling somewhat emotional as he said "This old monk's cultivation is insufficient and can't see these things clearly. If Benefactor is interested, you could make a trip to Deercry Monastery. There's a senior in the monastery who might be able to provide answers."
Chen Chao asked, “May I ask, Master, what answers do I want?”
Previously, the white-browed old monk had mentioned "reading the palm to know someone," and Chen Chao did not know what he wanted to see. Now that the monk said this, Chen Chao was naturally very confused.
The white-browed old monk looked at Chen Chao and asked, “Doesn't Benefactor have something you want to know?”
Chen Chao fell into silence, his eyes complicated as he looked at the old monk.
"Will there be answers to everything?" Chen Chao thought about it and asked softly.
The white-browed old monk shook his head and said with a smile, “Perhaps there are things that Benefactor won't need to ask because your heart already holds the answers.”
Chen Chao smiled and did not reply.
The white-browed old monk said, “In any case, I would like to invite Benefactor to visit Deercry Monastery.”
Deercry Monastery, as the buddhist leader of Buddhism, it had actually maintained a low profile for many years. They seemed indifferent to worldly affairs and rarely invited outsiders into the monastery.
Chen Chao was silent for a long time before nodding his head.
Since there was no specific time frame, there was nothing to worry about. He could visit whenever he wanted.
The white-browed old monk looked at him, as if he had discerned Chen Chao's thoughts. But he did not say anything. He just walked toward the main hall.
Chen Chao followed behind him, looking at his own palm.
……
……
Inside the main hall, discussions did not cease with the departure of the white-browed old monk. After all, the real authority lied with the daoist in green robes and the Warden.
The Warden looked around and said calmly, “The Sublime Bright Mountain should no longer exist, this is the imperial court's request. The remaining disciples can be thoroughly investigated. Those with minor transgressions will be crippled of their cultivation and be expelled from the mountain. Those with major offenses will be sent to the Divine Capital for a proper trial.”
Hearing this, several Sublime Bright Sect disciples who had been listening in a corner wore grim expressions. After Daoist Master Ironcloud's death, they had initially thought all pursuit of their wrongdoings would cease. However, to their dismay, the Warden had now mentioned that the entire Sublime Bright Sect would be implicated.
This filled them with fear, leaving them no choice but to look at the few daoists around, hoping that these fellow daoists would help them.
But, no one paid them any attention.
This made them feel utter despair.
