Chapter 278
Chapter 278
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Xieshou Pavilion
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Western Capital Inner City, Xieshou Pavilion.
Rumor has it that this pavilion was the residence where the top scholar, the third placer, the second placer, and others awaited the True King's summons during the True King era. It was also known as the Top Scholar Mansion and was one of the most elegant and serene gardens in the inner city. After the True King era fell into decline, it became the Grand Preceptor's Mansion. When the imperial examinations were reinstated, it once again became the Top Scholar Mansion.
The two words "Xie Xiu" carry the meaning of plucking the world's spiritual essences and handsome talents. Thus, Young Master Xiao resides in Xieshou Pavilion.
Although the metropolitan examination has yet to begin, everyone knows that Young Master Xiao is certain to rank among the top three. Therefore, it is only natural for him to stay in Xieshou Pavilion.
Inside Xieshou Pavilion, a middle-aged man wearing a tall hat and wide belt sat on a grand preceptor chair. Behind his head floated a vast void realm, adorned with a brilliant sun and moon amid a sea of stars.
Young Master Xiao sat beneath the sun and moon, surrounded by the cluster of stars. The middle-aged man in the tall hat and wide belt used his own void great realm to nourish and temper Young Master Xiao's fleshly body and primal soul, helping him elevate his cultivation and refine his qi and blood.
For others, even catching a glimpse of a Void Returning Realm Great Completion existence would be a tremendous opportunity. But for Young Master Xiao, having a Great Completion Realm powerhouse temper his fleshly body and primal soul every day was already commonplace.
People's backgrounds differ, and so do their circumstances. Though under the same sun and moon, they cannot be spoken of in the same breath.
At this moment, an incense master from the Matchmaker Society hurried over but was stopped by staff officer Cao Yunning.
"What has happened?"
The newcomer hurriedly recounted the events outside the Vast Accumulation Granary. Cao Yunning's expression turned grave. He hastened to the void great realm and stood quietly beside Young Master Xiao.
Young Master Xiao noticed him and opened his eyes.
"Yunning, speak freely."
Cao Yunning promptly described how Madam Shen and the others had set an ambush to assassinate Chen Shi.
"Now, Madam Shen and seven hall masters of the Matchmaker Society have all died at Chen Shi's hand. Please decide, Young Master."
"Madam Shen is a fool."
Young Master Xiao frowned slightly. He ceased his cultivation and rose to his feet.
"She actually took it upon herself to ambush and kill Chen Shi. Who gave her the nerve?"
He had handsome features and a rather tall stature. His attire was simple—a plain cyan-blue juren daoist robe, just like that of an ordinary provincial graduate rushing to the capital for the exams.
He let out a sigh and shook his head.
"With so many experts in the Western Capital, who could Madam Shen's little schemes fool? Not Chen Shi, not Chen Tang, and certainly not the East Factory or the Thirteen Families! All her actions were as clear as day to others. It seems someone wanted to use Chen Shi's hand to eliminate Madam Shen. She knew too much."
He paced as he spoke.
"Madam Shen's death is the result of the Thirteen Families' indulgence. Otherwise, how could it have been hidden from me until now? Clearly, they don't want to be held by the throat either. Her death is also a warning to me."
Cao Yunning bowed.
"Young Master, what of Madam Shen's vengeance?"
Young Master Xiao replied,
"Set aside the matter of vengeance for Madam Shen for now. Yunning, rein in your subordinates. Tell them not to act on their own and ruin my great plans."
Cao Yunning assented.
"I'm only afraid that too tight a rein might hurt morale."
"I know my limits. Chen Shi is no real threat. Fighting him to the death would only lower my status and elevate him. Lifting him to the same level as me—what I've done before would only end up paving the way for him?"
Young Master Xiao spoke unhurriedly.
"Moreover, Chen Tang is a capable minister who can govern in peacetime. I need the support of the Thirteen Families, but I also need such able ministers working for me."
Cao Yunning shook his head.
"Chen Tang is Chen Shi's father. I'm afraid he won't submit easily."
Young Master Xiao smiled.
"I don't need his submission. I only need that, after I achieve my long-cherished wish, he continues serving the court."
Cao Yunning praised sincerely,
"Young Master possesses the magnanimity to embrace all talents. Then how shall we handle Chen Shi? He is wildly ambitious and has targeted you time and again..."
Young Master Xiao smiled faintly and said leisurely,
"I need not lift a finger. Someone will warn him, and he will naturally become much more obedient."
In the Western Capital, many others had also learned of Madam Shen's death and breathed a collective sigh of relief. Western Capital, Little Jinhua Temple.
This was the meeting hall for Buddhist disciples. All Buddhist disciples coming to take the metropolitan exam had to register here. Xuan Saintess had also registered here, getting to know many monks from other temples in the Western Ox New Continent.
As a disciple of the Bodhi Dojo, one of Buddhism's three great sacred sites, she held high status and resided in the Bodhi Garden. The abbess of Little Jinhua Temple, Zen Moon Abbess, often came to chat with her. Zen Moon Abbess was originally a nun from the Bodhi Dojo, junior sister to Miaoyin Abbess, and thus Xuan Saintess's martial aunt. Later, she left the dojo to become the abbess of Little Jinhua Temple.
The two sat cross-legged on the floor. Zen Moon Abbess gazed at the water droplets falling from the eaves corner outside.
"Madam Shen held the secrets of many powerful nobles. If those matters leaked out and were exploited, it would often lead to ruin and disgrace. Many people wished for Madam Shen's death. But since she was Young Master Xiao's person, touching her meant touching his people. Thus, many dared not act, allowing her to live carefreely until now. Yet Madam Shen grew arrogant in her favor, thinking she truly had an unshakeable backer."
The teapot whistled, steam puffing from its spout.
Xuan Saintess covered the charcoal fire and lifted the teapot to rinse the tea wares.
"The Western Capital harbors so many sordid affairs of men and women entangled. It truly is the place thickest with worldly desires. Can one truly sever the mundane distractions and attain Buddhist enlightenment here?"
Zen Moon Abbess gave her a deep look.
"Xuan'er, you must be affectionate yet detached, stirred yet desireless, to achieve emptiness of the four elements."
Xuan Saintess assented respectfully. Yet in her mind surfaced the figure of Chen Shi. Startled, fearing Zen Moon Abbess might notice, she quickly said,
"Madam Shen knew these sordid matters, but Young Master Xiao also knows them. Why must they kill Madam Shen while remaining utterly compliant to Young Master Xiao?"
She tossed tea leaves into the tea bowl, scalded them with hot water, and filtered out impurities. Every movement exuded grace, clearly the result of diligent practice.
Zen Moon Abbess said,
"Before, they slept uneasily. Now with Madam Shen dead, the only one who knows these secrets is Young Master Xiao. He is a man of great ambitions and won't casually use those secrets. If he did, the others wouldn't support him. What Young Master Xiao needs is merely to hold their handles and make them serve him.
Xuan Saintess poured the tea and divided it.
"Madam Shen is different. As a procuress who pulls strings for men and women, she lacks integrity and is hard to trust."
Zen Moon Abbess nodded.
"In comparison, the secrets are safe in Young Master Xiao's hands, but Madam Shen had to die."
Xuan Saintess finished dividing the tea and respectfully offered a cup to Zen Moon Abbess.
"Martial Aunt, do you think Young Master Xiao knew of Madam Shen's ambush on Chen Shi?"
Zen Moon Abbess frowned slightly and did not answer.
At that moment, a woman's laughter came from outside the meditation room.
"He knew. He must have known long ago."
Zen Moon Abbess and Xuan Saintess rose hastily.
A stunningly beautiful young woman entered from outside, exuding an otherworldly transcendence. Buddhist dharma seemed to have permeated her flesh and soul, every gesture carrying the dustless detachment of a bodhisattva.
She wore plain gray monastic robes and a gray monk's hat. Without any adornments, she still appeared radiant and sunny, evoking a sense of youthful vibrancy.
A young monk followed behind her, bowing respectfully to Zen Moon Abbess and Xuan Saintess before remaining outside the meditation room.
"Zen Master Like Dream."
Zen Moon Abbess and Xuan Saintess both paid their respects.
Zen Master Like Dream entered the meditation room. Xuan Saintess fetched a rush cushion, and Zen Master Like Dream sat down.
Xuan Saintess also knew this Zen Master Like Dream was a visiting nun of unknown origins, yet her Buddhist attainments were truly astonishing.
After arriving at Little Jinhua Temple, she debated dharma with the assembled monks for a day and night until they were all speechless. Even Zen Moon Abbess was thoroughly defeated before her, shocking the court and the public. Now, Zen Master Like Dream was renowned in the Western Capital, praised as eloquent and unhindered in debate, with wisdom profound and comprehensive—a rare enlightened high monk in Buddhism over the past century.
Xuan Saintess poured tea for Zen Master Like Dream.
"Zen Master, why did you just say Young Master Xiao knew of Madam Shen's ambush on Chen Shi?"
Wisdom gleamed in Zen Master Like Dream's eyes as she smiled.
"Madam Shen was Young Master Xiao's person. He needed her intelligence to control the officials and noblewomen ensnared by desires in the Western Capital. But once the intelligence was in his hands, Madam Shen became superfluous. Everyone worried she might lose control. Fearing her loss of control made them uneasy about Young Master Xiao as well. Thus, he must reassure them. Eliminating Madam Shen is currently his most pressing task."
Zen Moon Abbess shook her head.
"Zen Master, you paint Young Master Xiao too villainously. I see no such intent in him."
Zen Master Like Dream sipped her tea and smiled.
"Young Master Xiao wouldn't tell Madam Shen to do it outright. A mere hint, and she would think she grasped his intent and go ambush Chen Shi. Little does she know, he merely borrowed Chen Shi's hand to remove this superfluous person."
Xuan Saintess frowned slightly, somewhat indignant.
"Young Master Xiao is absolutely not that sort of person!"
Zen Master Like Dream peered closely into her eyes and chuckled.
"The Saintess is someone whose words betray her heart."
Xuan Saintess's heart pounded wildly.
Zen Master Like Dream continued,
"Now, Young Master Xiao has done something that satisfies everyone. The various powers should repay him in kind. Junior Sister Zen Moon, shouldn't our Bodhi Dojo take some action as well?"
Xuan Saintess was quite puzzled, thinking, "Our Bodhi Dojo has no sordid handles gripped by Young Master Xiao. Why repay him?"
Zen Moon Abbess said indifferently,
"Bodhi Dojo and Little Jinhua Temple are sacred Buddhist sites, pure and dustless. Young Master Xiao holds no compromising matters over us."
Zen Master Like Dream refilled the teapot, smiling ambiguously.
"Is that so? When I first arrived here, I saw the Western Capital shrouded in demonic qi, desires rampant. Especially our Little Jinhua Temple—desires intertwined, flesh and spirit in turmoil. As abbess here, Junior Sister, are you cultivating the Bright Consort Meditation?"
Xuan Saintess asked in confusion,
"Martial Aunt Like Dream, what is Bright Consort Meditation?"
"In the moment of spiritual and physical climax, achieve emptiness of the four elements and enter meditative stabilization, thereby advancing your cultivation."
Zen Master Like Dream said calmly,
"This is a secret art of the Huaxia Divine Continent's Esoteric School, Buddhism's sacred dual cultivation method. Unfortunately, it often causes monks to plunge into the sea of desire, tumbling and sinking within. In our Jinhua Temple, are there not many cultivating the Bright Consort Meditation? With whom do they dual cultivate?"
Zen Moon Abbess said sternly,
"Bodhi Dojo has no such method."
Zen Master Like Dream rose.
"Since your heart is not sincere, there is no need to speak further."
And with that, she left.
Zen Moon Abbess's expression was somewhat unsightly.
"This Zen Master Like Dream has dubious origins. I've never heard of such a figure in Buddhism before! Xuan'er, stay away from her!"
Xuan Saintess assented.
Zen Moon Abbess continued,
"But some of what she said is not wrong. Since Young Master Xiao has bestowed jade upon us, we must repay with a peach. Xuan'er, go pay a visit to Chen Shi. Tell him not to compete for the top scholar position."
Xuan Saintess's heart skipped a beat.
"Chen Shi's dao heart is resolute. I'm afraid he won't heed advice."
Zen Moon Abbess said,
"Make him see the pros and cons, and he will listen. If not, use Buddhist methods to subdue demons and he will obey."
Xuan Saintess's expression remained unchanged, but her lower abdomen and the back of her head throbbed faintly. She thought, "These days, my cultivation has advanced, and with Martial Aunt's guidance, I've stepped into the Soul Transformation Realm. He is still at Nascent Soul; I shouldn't be defeated before I can even make a move."
Zen Moon Abbess said,
"If even demon-subduing methods fail to make him listen, have him come to my Little Jinhua Temple. I will persuade him personally. Xuan'er, I entrust this matter to you."
Xuan Saintess assented and left Little Jinhua Temple.
From afar, Xuan Saintess heard intermittent muffled booms from the Vast Accumulation Granary, like thunder rumbling as it rolled from the left side to the right. She wondered in surprise, "Could Chen Shi be cultivating thunder arts?"
As she drew near, the thunderous vibrations intensified.
"This thunder sound is not from thunder arts! It's the thunderclap from fists, feet, and body movements breaking the sound barrier!"
Xuan Saintess was utterly astonished, discerning the profundity within.
The Daoist school's five great thunder methods—heaven, earth, water, dragon, public order—all draw upon the natural forces of heaven and earth or the powers of deities to unleash thunder techniques, borrowing from heaven, earth, ghosts, and gods. Only one thunder method relies not on borrowing, but on one's own power.
This thunder method comes from the fleshly body's speed being too swift, fists shattering the sound barrier, producing the roar of thunder storms! Such sounds can crack a cultivator's golden core, slay Nascent Souls, and wound primal souls!
Buddhism has similar methods. In Bodhi Dojo, comparable Buddhist arts are called Vajra Techniques, including Fearless Seal, Skillful Great Method, Vajra Elevated Seal, Vajra Wrathful One, and others, all aiming toward becoming the Vajra Tathagata as the ultimate goal.
However, cultivating such methods requires first forging a vajra body. Could Chen Shi be secretly cultivating Buddhism's vajra body?
Xuan Saintess approached. The thunder grew louder. The clerks and deputy envoys of the Vast Accumulation Granary were pale-faced, some sitting in chairs, others squatting on the ground or leaning against walls. Clearly, the thunderous blasts had shaken their souls, causing them great discomfort!
"Brother clerks, where is Assistant Minister Xiao Chen?"
She inquired. The deputy envoy recognized her and bowed hastily, leading her toward the back.
Xuan Saintess followed him through the front warehouses to the rear courtyard of the Vast Accumulation Granary. This area was farther from the gunpowder stores. A large courtyard spanned over thirty mu, hammered flat and paved with green bricks.
"Xuan Saintess, my cultivation is shallow; I cannot proceed further. Forgive me."
The deputy envoy left her there and hurried away. Xuan Saintess thanked him and entered the rear courtyard.
The rear courtyard blazed with light. The first thing to catch her eye was a sixfold Nascent Soul force field. Within the force field hovered eight golden gate towers, divine light gathering into orbs within them, floating in the air and radiating godly radiance.
Each layer of the sixfold Nascent Soul force field was stronger than the last. The topmost layer spanned about one mu and four fen. Divine powers interwove within the six layers, with imperial seals infusing and refining, channeling into the body of a youth below.
Chen Shi was shirtless, clad only in white straight-leg pants. His upper body was lean and robust, without an ounce of excess fat. The muscles and the fascia between them had been completely connected, with no superfluous muscular lines.
He wore no golden crown on his head, just a red silk band binding his hair for ease of movement.
As his figure shifted, the sixfold force field moved with him. In motion and stillness, it was swift as galloping thunder! Not a vajra body, yet surpassing one!
Seeing him bare-chested, Xuan Saintess's heart raced. At that moment, Chen Shi noticed her and immediately stopped.
Xuan Saintess grew alert at once. She activated the Great Vehicle's Three Proofs Great Dharma King Heart Sutra, secretly forming the Lion Seal to guard against being felled in one move.
However, contrary to her expectations, Chen Shi did not attack. Instead, he walked toward her, dispersing the astonishing aura from moments ago. Layer after layer of force fields dropped behind his head, successively refining into his body. With each layer's descent, a ring of divine light emanated from within him.
Once the sixfold force field had descended, Chen Shi had already arrived before her.