Chapter 336
Chapter 336
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 336
>Chapter Title: Buddha Bone Temple
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Chapter 336: Buddha Bone Temple
Chapter 336: Buddha Bone Temple
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> With a creaking sound, the massive figure in the cell stepped out from the prison chamber.
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> Li Huowang looked up at the monk before him.
This emaciated monk, his expression devoid of joy or sorrow, had an unusually large frame.
He stood as tall as the headless Peng Longteng nearby.
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> The monk’s hands were bound in wooden shackles, and his feet in iron chains, yet he paid them no mind.
He simply clasped his hands together and sat cross-legged on the ground, showing no desire to remove his restraints.
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> “Alright~ Now that everyone’s here, let this old servant explain what this mission is about.”
Hearing this, everyone present grew serious, and the surrounding jailers climbed down the ladders one after another, departing.
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> Ji Xiang cleared his throat lightly and spoke slowly.
“This time~ it’s the Buddha Bone Temple that’s in trouble. Word from there says it was Fa Cai of Sitting Oblivion Dao behind it. No idea what those knife-stabbing bastards are scheming now.”
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> Fa Cai! One of Sitting Oblivion Dao’s Three Essentials.
Li Huowang clenched his fists tight.
No wonder even Ji Xiang, stationed in the capital, had come.
This was no ordinary matter.
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> “Hold on. During this, can I try to pry some intel on Bei Feng from Fa Cai?”
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> As Li Huowang pondered the odds of that working, Ji Xiang kept talking.
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> “Since it’s Fa Cai of Sitting Oblivion Dao, you all know the weight of this mission without me saying.
That’s why I’ve invited Zen Master Xinchi to assist.”
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> The other three turned toward the towering monk in unison.
Under their gazes, the monk remained utterly silent.
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> “Zen Master Xinchi cultivates Closed-Mouth Zen.
Fa Cai’s deceptions can’t fool him.
So once you reach Buddha Bone Temple, remember: whatever Zen Master Xinchi says is the absolute truth.”
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> “Secondly, once inside the temple, no one leaves anyone else’s sight—not even for the time to drink a cup of tea.
Be wary of anyone who returns; Sitting Oblivion Dao might’ve tampered with them.”
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> “Thirdly, ten years ago, I crossed paths with Fa Cai.
That woman’s a handful.
Don’t take her words straight, don’t take them backward either, but don’t ignore them completely.”
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> “Oh? Can’t ignore them?”
Tuoba Danqing played along perfectly, leaning back as his eyes widened in exaggerated surprise.
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> “Yep. Sometimes tuning her out entirely still lands you in her trap.
The best approach? Believe one-third of what she says, doubt one-third, and keep one-third for yourself.”
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> “Wow, such a formidable rebel—and ten years ago, Lord Ji Xiang forced her to retreat.
The rest of us can’t hold a candle to that.”
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> “Formidable? Heh~ So the best method is to kill her before she opens her mouth.
Erjiu, you’re the quickest to act among us.
So when Zen Master Xinchi tells you to strike, you strike—no hesitation.”
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> “Understood, Lord Ji Xiang.
But doesn’t Zen Master Xinchi cultivate Closed-Mouth Zen?
How will he tell me?”
Li Huowang had been wondering this.
The monk couldn’t speak, so even if Fa Cai couldn’t fool him, what good was that?
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> No sooner had Li Huowang spoken than an Amitabha boomed in his mind.
“This poor monk possesses mind-reading. Donor Er needn’t worry.”
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> The voice reminded Li Huowang of the nuns at An Ci Nunnery and their similar ability.
By extension, his impression of the monk improved considerably.
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> “Alright, we’ll cover the other details on the road.”
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> Li Huowang stood and followed the others out of the prison.
They boarded the waiting four-horse carriage.
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> No one asked what this so-called Fa Cai looked like.
Being of Sitting Oblivion Dao, her appearance was whatever she wanted it to be.
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> Da Liang’s relay system was clearly efficient.
With Ji Xiang flashing his token at every station, they swapped to fresh carriages without delay.
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> Such speed far outpaced Li Huowang’s old days of traveling on foot.
In just two days and a night, they reached Langzhong City, home of Buddha Bone Temple.
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> Night had fallen.
Li Huowang lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down.
Before he could stretch his numb limbs, his eyes caught the striking temple looming above the surrounding buildings in the distance.
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> “Remember what this old servant said. Let’s go.”
Ji Xiang strode toward the distant temple.
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> As they drew nearer to the temple complex, everyone’s expressions grew grave.
At some point, the golden abacus in Ji Xiang’s hand had begun clicking away.
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> So late at night, yet the entire Buddha Bone Temple stood open.
Devout men and women clutching incense streamed in and out ceaselessly.
It seemed as prosperous in worship as Zhengde Temple had been.
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> The instant Li Huowang’s foot crossed the threshold, his heart leaped into his throat.
Despite the crowds and clamor all around, he knew Sitting Oblivion Dao had tainted this place.
Aside from the three beside him, anyone could turn enemy at a moment’s notice.
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> The others clearly knew it too.
They gripped their weapons in unison.
Ji Xiang’s abacus clicked on, its crisp clacks muting the surrounding din somewhat.
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> Their group’s bizarre attire drew pointing fingers and whispers from all sides, but they ignored it completely.
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> “Come, follow me—to the front hall first.”
Under Ji Xiang’s lead, the other three entered.
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> The hall held no Bodhisattva or Buddha statue.
In the center, receiving pilgrims’ worship, stood a dark-red mummy with twisted features.
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> “Sitting Oblivion Dao’s handiwork? Making these people bow to a mummy as their Buddha?”
Li Huowang, clutching his purple-tasseled sword, couldn’t help asking.
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> “No, no. This is a Corporeal Bodhisattva—the living Buddha Buddha Bone Temple has always enshrined.”
Zen Master Xinchi offered the timely reminder.
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> Corporeal Bodhisattva?
Li Huowang eyed the horrifying remains and suddenly understood the temple’s name.
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> Just then, Xinchi’s voice turned harshly stern.
“Strike now, Donor! The pilgrim kneeling three steps left! Kill!”
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> “Clang~!”
Li Huowang’s right arm surged with force.
His sword, cloaked in soaring killing aura, rushed forward and cleaved down heavily upon the man.
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> The iron-cutting blade sliced through flesh like thin paper.
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> Scarlet blood, mingled with entrails, erupted from the gash.
The bisected man wailed in despair a few times before going still.
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> The gruesome sight sent the surrounding pilgrims screaming in all directions.
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> Zen Master Xinchi, yoke and all, approached.
He knelt before the corpse, clasped his hands, and chanted briefly before pinching up the severed head from the ground for close inspection.
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> “What say you, Master? Fa Cai? Or another Sitting Oblivion Daoist?”
Li Huowang knelt on one knee beside him, scrutinizing the fresh corpse.
He didn’t believe Fa Cai would fall so easily.
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> “Amitabha, sin upon sin. This poor monk mistook him. Donor Er, let’s go.”
Zen Master Xinchi tossed the head aside, rose, and turned away.
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>(End of chapter)