Chapter 620
Chapter 620
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 620
>Chapter Title: The Arrival
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Chapter 620: The Arrival
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> In the dim woods, Li Huowang's conversation with the abbot of Zhengde Temple continued, though the atmosphere had eased considerably compared to before.
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> "Whose Siting do you follow?" Li Huowang stared at the old monk in front of him and asked.
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> "Siting? We Buddhist monks who have left home believe in the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas—we alone do not believe in fate."
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> Li Huowang immediately rephrased. "Oh, then which Buddha do you believe in?"
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> "Amitabha Buddha, Vairocana in the Central Diamond World, Akshobhya in the Eastern Fragrant Land World, Ratnasambhava in the Southern Joyful World, Amitabha in the Western Paradise World, Amoghasiddhi in the Northern Lotus World—these together are the Five Wisdom Tathagatas."
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> "Five Wisdom Tathagatas? Is that the Siting that governs flesh and blood? Or the one that governs fertility?" Li Huowang pondered inwardly.
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> Seeing Li Huowang's terrifying appearance, the abbot of Zhengde Temple clasped his hands together solemnly and bowed deeply to him. "Benefactor, saving a life is better than building a seven-story stupa. Please, spare some grain."
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> "Even if you've had grudges with Buddhist disciples in the past, ordinary folk have no quarrel with you, right? Can you bear to watch them starve to death?"
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> Hearing this, Li Huowang looked back at the abbot before him. "I can give you grain, but once I do, you must leave—no matter where to, just stay away from Niuxin Village!"
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> At the mention of grain, the old abbot's face broke into a beaming smile. "What great benevolence, benefactor! My disciples and I will chant sutras and invoke the Buddha for you, accumulating great merit on your behalf before the Buddha!"
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> "No need. I can't afford your Buddha's great merit."
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> Li Huowang didn't fully trust these monks from Great Qi and Zhengde Temple. He just wanted to use the grain to send these people of unknown origin packing.
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> With Li Huowang's order, sack after heavy sack of grain was wheeled to the door on handbarrows. Though the monks tried to feign composure, their furtive stuffing of raw rice into their mouths betrayed them.
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> Watching their actions, Li Huowang believed a bit more of what the abbot of Zhengde Temple had just said.
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> Li Huowang turned to the old monk beside him, thought for a moment, then spoke. "You should know by now that this is no longer Great Qi, right?"
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> The abbot of Zhengde Temple showed no surprise at all. "Amitabha Buddha, this poor monk knows that full well. But in any corner of the vast thousand worlds, the Buddha is everywhere, every place is Buddha-land, every place is the Heaven of Freedom."
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> Li Huowang truly couldn't make sense of what the man was saying. He continued, "I don't care about any heavens or lands—just a heads-up: the Dharma Sect that caused the heavenly disaster has come over too."
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> "If you monks truly embrace compassion, then when you have time, go find those culprits who brought ruin to the beings of Great Qi."
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> The abbot's eyes widened slightly, his white beard stirring without wind, but it settled in an instant. "Amitabha Buddha, this poor monk understands."
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> "If one day you encounter other sects that have crossed over from Great Qi, pass this message on to them too. Surely you don't want this vast world to end up like Great Qi?"
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> "Quite right, benefactor." As the abbot of Zhengde Temple nodded gently, both men looked up simultaneously toward the left side of Niuxin Village. The arrival had come.
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> When the arrival stepped into the moonlight, Li Huowang slowly lowered his sword-gripping hand. He knew the newcomer—barely an acquaintance.
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> It was the woman from whom he'd seized the spinebone sword back then: Fo Yulu.
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> Seeing Liu Zongyuan and Hong Da and the other familiar faces from the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance behind her, Li Huowang relaxed completely. The Bureau of Celestial Surveillance's response was quicker than expected, sometimes.
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> "No problem. The arrivals are from the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance. Explain things clearly to them, and they shouldn't give you trouble." Li Huowang said to the abbot of Zhengde Temple.
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> Yet as Fo Yulu led her group over, she had no intention of speaking to the abbot. She went straight to Li Huowang. "Erjiu, what's going on here? Where did you bring these monks from?"
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> Li Huowang had originally sent Xiaoman to deliver a message to the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance, but now he could explain face-to-face—no more hassle.
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> After Li Huowang concisely recounted the causes and events, he expected questions, but they accepted it all quite naturally.
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> "You already knew? That people from Great Qi were coming over?" Li Huowang asked, puzzled.
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> "The Director of Celestial Surveillance issued orders in advance." After Fo Yulu spoke, her group stepped aside and began murmuring among themselves while eyeing the monks from Zhengde Temple.
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> Hearing this, Li Huowang understood. The Director of Celestial Surveillance had known this would happen all along and simply hadn't told him.
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> With that in mind, Li Huowang approached Fo Yulu and her group. "Has the Bureau been making any big moves lately? If you need help, my people and I are available."
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> Great Qi was a lesson learned—Li Huowang couldn't stay out of it. Helping the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance was helping himself.
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> "You?" Fo Yulu looked at Li Huowang with a hint of displeasure. "Haven't you climbed onto His Majesty's branch now? Why bother with Bureau business?"
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> Li Huowang had no patience to explain to this woman and brushed it off with an excuse. "By His Majesty's decree, I'm to assist the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance."
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> Though Fo Yulu still harbored resentment over Li Huowang stealing her weapon, as a Keeper of Resemblances, she knew Bureau assignments from the capital took precedence over personal grudges.
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> "The Director of Celestial Surveillance's personal order: kill any Dharma Sect followers from Great Qi on sight—no mercy. Three heads for one Yangshou Pill. If you encounter disciples from sects that crossed over from Great Qi, make contact where possible, offer aid, and befriend them."
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> "What about the disaster refugees from Great Qi? Did the Director say anything?"
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> "Disaster relief is a matter for the court, not under the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance."
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> Hearing this, Li Huowang nodded in understanding. The Director of Celestial Surveillance had indeed foreseen what would happen when Great Qi's emperor linked to Great Liang's dragon vein and prepared contingency plans long ago.
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> This was good news, at least. They weren't derelict in their duties and were deploying the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance to minimize the impact.
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> "Amitabha Buddha, this female benefactor—are you truly from the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance?" The abbot of Zhengde Temple stepped forward to ask.
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> Seeing her addressed, Fo Yulu's expression turned far more respectful. She first flashed her badge, then performed a Buddhist salute. "Greetings, Master. This humble woman has not taken vows, but she counts herself among the Buddha's disciples."
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> "Since the lady benefactor is from the Bureau of Celestial Surveillance, this poor monk has a matter to report: some of the Dharma Sect's leaders didn't die—they've likely crossed over as well. Find Taishan Stone quickly; he's the key."
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> "This man is exceptionally skilled at bewitching hearts. If left alone, it won't be long before he gathers a horde of Stone Blasphemy followers."
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> "Stone Blasphemy?" A trace of confusion crossed Fo Yulu's face.
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> Li Huowang, brows furrowed tightly, said in a low voice: "Stone Blasphemy is another name for the Yu'er God. This man's a huge problem—we need to deal with him fast."
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