What an Easily Satisfied Fellow — The Identity of Jin Chan, the Chosen Monk
What an Easily Satisfied Fellow — The Identity of Jin Chan, the Chosen Monk
The Floating Buddhist Temple was solemn and majestic, divine light faintly shimmering, exuding an indescribable aura of righteousness, as if it could suppress all evil and wickedness.
Faintly, one could hear the gentle trembling of bells within, waves of Buddhist chanting containing profound truths.
Here, it could even cleanse a Cultivator’s mind and spirit, making one peaceful and serene, free of strife and restlessness.
Many monks sat cross-legged in various places, comprehending the Buddhist dharma, Buddhist light flickering over their bodies with a hazy golden glow, truly extraordinary.
Toward the group walking in from beyond the mountain gate, they paid little mind, merely glancing over before withdrawing their gazes, their hearts seemingly holding only the Buddhist dharma.
Gu Changge and Jiang Chuchu walked side by side, sleeves fluttering, like a pair of immortal lovers, with many experts following behind them — some were Gu Changge’s subordinates, others were Cultivators from the Mortal Palace.
Jin Chan, the Chosen Monk, walked in front, leading the way for everyone. His eyes were calm, but in his heart he couldn’t help but give rise to some strange thoughts.
Regarding this turmoil at the Demon-Burying Abyss, he had never expected that Gu Changge would actually come.
He knew Gu Changge was not the type to care about the life or death of others. Even if the calamity of the Demon-Burying Abyss swept across all directions and threw the world into chaos, he probably wouldn’t care in the slightest.
Someone like Gu Changge was even more selfish and cold than himself — unless something truly touched his own interests, he would never act.
So in his heart, Jin Chan grew somewhat wary, keeping an extra eye on Gu Changge.
As for Jiang Chuchu, he still trusted her quite a bit.
Though they hadn’t interacted much, back at the True Immortal Academy, Jiang Chuchu’s upright character had earned his considerable admiration.
For the two of them to come together — if one claimed Gu Changge was merely accompanying Jiang Chuchu, he didn’t quite believe it.
Soon, Jin Chan led everyone through the area before them, arriving at the depths of the Floating Buddhist Temple. Here, precious vapors rose in billows, Buddhist light wreathed the mountains, and all was incomparably holy and tranquil.
Ahead were dome-topped pagodas, and one could even see many fierce beasts coiled upon them — yet none bore any ferocity; they were even gentler than humans, possessing a certain Buddhist nature.
Nurtured by the Buddhist aura of this place, even creatures of great ferocity had reined in their usual vicious gleam, becoming mild and peaceful.
“It is said that the Buddhist Mountain possesses a Deliverance Sutra, capable of delivering all things — even fierce beasts and raptors, divine weapons and sharp blades.”
“Before the gates of the Buddhist Mountain lies a black mountain, beneath which was once suppressed a monkey demon known as the Heavenly Chaos Saint. Later, Buddhas chanted sutras day and night for a full ten thousand years, finally causing it to shed its ferocity and convert to Buddhism. It was titled the Heavenly Chaos Buddha, and is now the guardian beast before the gates of the Buddhist Mountain. I wonder whether this tale is true or false?”
Gu Changge’s gaze swept over the fierce beasts coiled upon the Buddhist pagodas as he asked with some interest.
As for the origins of the Deliverance Sutra, he actually had some understanding — it was a fragmentary chapter of the Demonic Manipulation Urn.
In later ages, it was deduced and perfected by eminent monks of the Buddhist Mountain, forming a new divine ability said to be capable of delivering all things, impossible to guard against.
In the past, many Cultivators of great cults had been delivered into the Buddhist fold precisely because of this.
Because of this, a war to exterminate Buddhism had even once erupted in the Beyond.
Unfortunately, the divine abilities of the Buddhist Mountain were exceedingly strange, not something ordinary divine abilities or heavenly arts could rival, leaving people unable to cope.
And the Buddhist Mountain’s believers were numerous, scattered across the Beyond and even many lower worlds, no fewer than the believers of the Mortal Palace.
Some leaders of great cults had even joined the Buddhist Mountain in their youth, converting to the Buddha. Today, many orthodoxies of the Beyond were inextricably tied to the Buddhist Mountain in countless ways.
Within the Buddhist Mountain, there were further many handed-down divine artifacts suppressing its fortunes — its foundation was imperishable.
Once, a Buddha emerged into the world wielding the Demon-Killing Staff, and in a battle that shook the world, slew a member of the Absolute Yin Heaven’s royal family — his might was not even inferior to the Mortal One of that era.
In short, the mysteriousness of the Buddhist Mountain, in the Beyond, far exceeded powers like the Mortal Palace and Sky Emperor Mountain.
“Oh, what Gu-xiong speaks of actually happened many years ago. Today, before the gates of the Buddhist Mountain, that Senior no longer stands guard — though its monkeys and descendants are there, generation after generation watching the gate for our Buddhist Mountain.”
“As for the Deliverance Sutra, that is merely what the outside world calls it. In our Buddhist Mountain, it is a supreme scripture, one that very few can ever come into contact with.”
Walking in front, Jin Chan heard this and smiled faintly as he answered.
Gu Changge was not surprised by this. The Buddhist Mountain’s sanctimoniousness was, compared to his own, at most six of one and half a dozen of the other — nothing worth remarking on.
He was merely somewhat curious about how much connection the current Deliverance Sutra had with his Demonic Manipulation Urn — whether he could use the Demonic Manipulation Urn to alter and evolve the Deliverance Sutra, so that the beings delivered by the Buddhist Mountain would fall under his control.
Of course, this idea was just a thought. If he truly wanted to realize it, he would still need to find Cultivators or beings who had been delivered by the Deliverance Sutra.
He had no time for that now; the matter could only be raised again later.
“That Heavenly Chaos Saint back then was said to have been delivered because he disrespected the Buddhist dharma and scorned the Buddhist Mountain. A great divine ability wielder of the Buddhist Mountain struck, turning a palm into a black mountain, suppressing him before the mountain, where he was steeped in Buddhist dharma day and night...”
Thinking Gu Changge was interested in the matter, Jiang Chuchu couldn’t help but share the ancient records she knew of with him.
“Saintess Chuchu is actually mistaken. It was not disrespect of the Buddhist dharma — rather, that Senior was unruly and untamed back then, heedless of propriety. Our Buddhist Mountain was moved by this and enlightened him. Afterwards, out of gratitude, he decided to stand guard before our Buddhist Mountain’s gate, to repay that kindness.”
Hearing this, Jin Chan couldn’t help but turn his head back, shaking his head as he corrected her.
Jiang Chuchu glanced at him and, hearing this, said no more. She knew that on the Buddhist Mountain’s own territory, saying anything further was pointless.
Even though she knew this was merely the Buddhist Mountain’s one-sided account — the truth of the matter was recorded in many orthodoxies.
Gu Changge, for his part, was not surprised by the Buddhist Mountain’s shamelessness. Of course, were it him, he would do the same.
After all, it was a gate-guarding demon beast of terrifying power — any orthodoxy would value it.
Soon, the group arrived at a Zen courtyard. After bringing them here, Jin Chan gave instructions to the other monks, then rose and took his leave.
Gu Changge and the others would rest here for the day; tomorrow they would set out for the Demon-Burying Abyss, to deal with the great demonic calamity that had emerged within.
The Buddhist Mountain would also intervene in this matter, dispatching quite a few Buddhas of profound dharma.
“Jin Chan gives me a feeling of crooked intentions. I don’t know if it’s just my imagination.”
After seeing all the monks withdraw, Jiang Chuchu couldn’t help but say to Gu Changge, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.
She possessed the Nine Immortal Souls Talent, granting her an especially powerful perception of all manner of auras.
Back then, it was by relying on this talent that she had guessed Gu Changge’s true identity. This time, she sensed something amiss about Jin Chan — his trip to the Demon-Burying Abyss perhaps had another purpose.
Gu Changge nodded in some agreement. “So on this trip to the Demon-Burying Abyss, we’ll need to keep a close watch on him. Who knows what disaster he might stir up. If things go wrong and he releases some peerless demon sealed within, that would be bad.”
He hadn’t expected Jiang Chuchu to say such a thing — it had handed him a rather good excuse.
Since suspicion hung over Jin Chan, then so long as that suspicion was confirmed, the matter would naturally have nothing to do with him.
“The Demon-Burying Abyss has indeed sealed away many peerless demons since ancient times. I heard Jin Chan once went down into it as well. Could there be some connection in that?”
Jiang Chuchu didn’t doubt Gu Changge’s words, but she also didn’t believe Jin Chan would dare do such a thing.
Once those peerless demons of the Demon-Burying Abyss emerged, they would surely become existences that threw the Beyond into chaos — there might even be beings surpassing the Emperor Realm among them.
As a Buddhist disciple, could Jin Chan truly be so outrageously bold? Or did he simply not care about the Buddhist Mountain’s rules and precepts at all?
“Who knows?”
Gu Changge smiled. “You’ve said it yourself — a person’s heart is hidden behind their belly. In any case, being careful is never wrong.”
Jiang Chuchu nodded, humming in agreement, lost in thought.
“Let’s leave that matter at that for now. But right now there’s still a difficult problem before us. Tonight — do we rest together, or separately?”
Then Gu Changge changed the subject, looking at her with a somewhat teasing expression.
Jiang Chuchu glanced at him, rosy clouds rising on her face. This was the Floating Buddhist Temple, a holy Buddhist site — what was he thinking?
“We... how about we rest separately?”
Still, she didn’t quite dare refuse Gu Changge’s request outright, and could only ask in a negotiating tone, her gaze somewhat probing as she looked at him.
Back at the Mortal Palace, Gu Changge hadn’t demanded anything of her, but she still felt somewhat uneasy about it in her heart. After all, she had personally given her word to Gu Changge.
“Alright then.”
Gu Changge had only intended to tease her a little, with no other designs.
But seeing her expression, he still put on a somewhat regretful, disappointed look and shook his head.
Jiang Chuchu’s heart grew conflicted, and at this moment she inexplicably felt a trace of guilt toward Gu Changge.
In her view, since she was Gu Changge’s woman, she should naturally comply with him — things like attending his bed and warming it were all quite normal.
Yet she had an innate resistance to such matters, and found them hard to accept for the time being.
However, Gu Changge had helped her a great deal, resolving many troubles for her, while she had given him no substantial repayment — and Gu Changge had never truly forced her.
Her temperament was just like this. Thinking it over, she felt she rather owed Gu Changge.
“How about... I compensate you?”
Jiang Chuchu’s delicate brows knotted together in conflict. She hesitated, then asked tentatively.
This was the compromise she could think of.
“Compensate me how?” Gu Changge looked at her with interest.
The next moment, Jiang Chuchu’s face flushed with rosy clouds. She stepped forward and suddenly leaned in close to him.
Cool and smooth as jade, yet carrying a soft, faintly crisp sweetness.
And after doing this, Jiang Chuchu hurriedly fled the place as if escaping, her skirt fluttering, her face burning hot.
Today, she felt she had been bolder than ever before in her life.
Gu Changge touched his own lips, upon which her scent from moments ago seemed to still linger.
“Truly an easily satisfied fellow...”
After Jiang Chuchu’s figure disappeared, he shook his head, and the gentle expression in his eyes gradually faded away.
Finally, it transformed once more into an unfathomable calm, still as deep water.
Afterwards, Gu Changge returned to his own courtyard. He sent several talismans streaking into the surrounding void to prevent anyone from spying, and only then sat down cross-legged.
Strand after strand of golden radiance flashed between his brows, and then a small golden figure stepped out, hazy with light, its features identical to his own — yet appearing exceptionally cold and indifferent.
Within the little figure’s sleeves, faint golden light also flickered — that was a Primeval True Feather refined to a peerless sharpness.
Weng!!
Soon, this small golden figure stepped into the void and vanished with a turn. Only then did Gu Changge open his eyes, his gaze somewhat contemplative.
He wasn’t worried that anyone would discover his Primordial Spirit — after all, he was proficient in the power of space.
So long as the Floating Buddhist Temple had no monks skilled in this art, naturally no one could detect his traces.
Still, just in case, he used a secret technique to further conceal his aura.
When stepping into the Floating Buddhist Temple today, Gu Changge had felt someone watching him — though when his gaze swept over, the other party withdrew their gaze.
This was an existence of profound cultivation and powerful Buddhist dharma, so he still had to be on guard.
Gu Changge wanted to know Jin Chan’s purpose in going to the Demon-Burying Abyss this time. If the other’s goal was the same as his...
He wasn’t interested.
His descent into the Demon-Burying Abyss was very likely to search for some item.
Many years ago, Jin Chan had also gone down once, and was said to have nearly perished within.
Now, after all these years, with the seal loosening and chaos erupting within the Demon-Burying Abyss, it was a fine opportunity to fish in troubled waters.
If that were the case, Gu Changge could conveniently find a scapegoat — when the Demon-Burying Abyss’s seal broke, having Jin Chan carry that black pot would be quite fitting.
At the same time, in a side hall not far from this Zen courtyard.
Lamps burned brightly, Buddhist light reflecting off the four walls, strings of Buddhist prayer beads gleaming brilliantly under the lamplight.
An elderly monk with eyebrows white as snow, hanging down to the ground, was striking a wooden fish here. The Buddhist sound carried an indescribable rhythm, unhurried, as if falling between heaven and earth.
Jin Chan stood behind him, his expression rather calm.
“Your heart is in disarray.”
The elderly monk spoke, his back to Jin Chan, his tone even and unhurried.
“Uncle Ancestor Master...” Jin Chan shook his head. “My mind is indeed unsettled.”
“Because of Gu Changge and the others who arrived today?”
The elderly monk asked. Though it had been a long time since he had taken half a step out of this side hall,
he still knew much of the news from the outside world, and naturally knew who had come to the Floating Buddhist Temple today.
Jin Chan nodded, not denying it. “Yes. I don’t know his intentions in going to the Demon-Burying Abyss this time, but my Buddha Heart keeps telling me to stay far away from him. He is very dangerous.”
The elderly monk sighed. “He is indeed very strong. Even if you used every means at your disposal, you would not be his match. When he stepped into the Floating Buddhist Temple today, I took notice.”
“However, he likely noticed me as well, so I withdrew my gaze.”
Hearing this, Jin Chan’s heart shook, somewhat incredulous.
The elderly monk saying he was no match for Gu Changge — that he could not refute. But that even the elderly monk dared not continue probing Gu Changge struck him as utterly unbelievable.
One must know, his Uncle Ancestor Master was an existence who had delved deeply into the Six Techniques of the Buddhist Mountain.
The Six Techniques of the Buddhist Mountain were six extremely terrifying divine abilities of the Buddhist Mountain, including the Heaven Peering Eye, the All-Hearing Heavenly Ear, the Mind-Reading Technique, the Karmic Technique, the God’s Boundary Technique, and the Omniscience Technique.
Among them, having mastered the Heaven Peering Eye and the All-Hearing Heavenly Ear, one could see all tangible forms in the world and hear all sounds in the world.
Even he had only just begun to glimpse the doorway of the All-Hearing Heavenly Ear.
The Uncle Ancestor Master before him had attained insights in this path that left him far behind in the dust — it could be said that so long as he wished it, within a radius of a million miles, there was no one he could not see, no sound he could not hear.
Yet even he dared not casually spy on Gu Changge.
“It seems the rumors from the Boundary Marker Sea hold hidden truths after all.”
Jin Chan sighed, his gaze somewhat heavy.
Gu Changge’s manifestation of sanctity at the Boundary Marker Sea could be said to have shaken many of the younger generation — naturally including him.
However, he knew the Mortal Palace possessed secret techniques that could borrow the Power of Faith to manifest a Dharma Body across endlessly vast distances.
Such secret techniques had little to do with the caster’s own cultivation.
But now it seemed Gu Changge had not accomplished all that by relying on a secret technique.
“The secrets of our Buddhist Mountain — he should not know of them. You need not worry, truly.”
“As for the matter of the Zen Robe, the fortune lies with you; no one can take it away. After all, it was you who brought it down there back then — only you can bring it back up.”
The White-Browed Elderly Monk continued. But at that moment, his eyes, which had remained closed all along, suddenly snapped open. He turned his head to look in a certain direction, strands of divine light flashing and interweaving, reflecting into the void.
They were a pair of pure white eyes without a trace of impurity, looking rather horrifying. Their gaze seemed able to pierce through past and present, seeing through the Three Realms and Six Paths.
“What is it, Uncle Ancestor Master?”
Jin Chan asked, somewhat startled.
“The seal at the Demon-Burying Abyss can hold for half a year at most. After you retrieve the Zen Robe, you must suppress it with your Buddhist Bone — otherwise, the Floating Buddhist Temple will surely be destroyed in an instant.”
The White-Browed Elderly Monk’s expression grew heavier than ever before.
Jin Chan nodded, understanding what the White-Browed Elderly Monk meant.
The Buddhist Mountain had a special method of guidance, ensuring that monks of profound Buddhist dharma in their previous lives could, after passing away in meditation, reincarnate carrying the wisdom of their past lives.
For instance, his previous life had been the monk who founded the Floating Buddhist Temple.
Yet even now, he had not awakened the memories of his past life. According to the Buddhist Mountain, he still lacked a catalyst.
And that catalyst was the Zen Robe he had once brought into the Demon-Burying Abyss.
That Zen Robe was a supreme treasure of the Buddhist Mountain, imbued with all manner of profound Buddhist dharma. Countless monks of profound dharma had chanted sutras over it day after day, and it had absorbed a deep Buddhist nature, capable of suppressing all evil and ferocity.
As for why that Zen Robe had fallen into the Demon-Burying Abyss — speaking of it, that was a disgrace of the Buddhist Mountain.
To this day, no one mentioned it.
“I understand, Uncle Ancestor Master.” At this moment, Jin Chan’s heart also calmed. The Zen Robe was his catalyst — that was his karmic destiny.
If anyone else took it, that would defy the Buddhist Mountain’s karmic destiny, and they would encounter unimaginable calamity.
“Then I shall take my leave first.”
With that, he respectfully withdrew and left the side hall.
“Hm?”
But at that moment, the White-Browed Elderly Monk’s brows suddenly furrowed. He looked somewhat puzzled toward a certain patch of void, feeling as if a pair of eyes had been watching them from there — but when he looked, he found nothing there at all.
This gave rise to bewilderment in his heart.
With his mastery of the Dao, could his perception truly be wrong? Yet in the entire vast Floating Buddhist Temple, who could spy on him right before his eyes?
He did not believe Gu Changge had such ability.
“Could it be that my tribulation is approaching...”
Then, the White-Browed Elderly Monk shook his head and unhurriedly resumed striking the wooden fish, sighing softly.
If the seal of the Demon-Burying Abyss broke, he did not know whether he could survive.
This too was his karmic destiny, unavoidable — he had to face this tribulation.
Toward life and death, he looked upon them lightly, for the Buddhist Mountain’s reincarnation method could protect the wisdom of their past lives.
So-called death was, after all, nothing more than a long slumber.