......
Lu Ding's "compassion" led him to respond to Zhide's earlier question.
He answered the monk's doubts while gesturing to the scattered corpses around them.
"Your movent technique is indeed impressive, but that's all it is - just movent technique. In terms of speed, you're still lacking."
Looking up at the sky, Lu Ding called out:
"Elder Monk Kudou, since you've co all this way as a guest, would you like to taste the special dish I prepared for you?"
Kudou, who had been observing the scene without any intention to intervene, forced a smile: "No need, no need. We monks abstain from at."
Thank goodness I didn't act! Thank goodness!
Zhide dared to speak of killing Lu Ding because Moon Toad Temple was already beyond saving - like smashing a broken pot.
But could Kudou dare say such things?
No, because he still had Great Compassion Temple to consider.
Since he didn't dare, taking action would only create enmity.
With Lu Ding's murderous nature and talent...
It wouldn't be long before Great Compassion Temple faced similar destruction.
And...
Kudou discreetly glanced at the terrifying slash mark that had split the mountain peak.
If he wasn't mistaken, that must have been Lu Ding's charged Slash Attack...
Truly his signature technique!!!
The power was actually this imnse.
If Lu Ding went to Great Compassion Temple and used that blade technique...
As these complex thoughts swirled in his mind,
Lu Ding's cold voice rang out again: "No need!? Then why did you co here? Senile old fool!!!"
The wind stirred as Lu Ding appeared right before Kudou.
Staring directly at the elder monk, he demanded: "Do you also want to test how sharp my blade is!?"
"Investigator Lu, there seems to be so misunderstanding, I-"
Lu Ding raised his hand, silencing Kudou.
His gaze shifted to the young monk Wuzhen standing beside Elder Monk Kudou.
"What's with that look in your eyes?!"
Following his words, all eyes turned to Wuzhen,
whose expression was filled with indignation.
Though he had witnessed the earlier battle and acknowledged Lu Ding's strength,
knowing he himself could never achieve such feats,
he still burned with anger at how Lu Ding was speaking to his temple's abbot!!!!
"Do I displease you?"
"Do you think I'm humiliating Elder Monk Kudou?"
Wuzhen raised his hands in a ceremonial gesture, speaking boldly: "Amitabha. This humble monk is indeed displeased. If Investigator Lu insults my elder, how can I not feel discontent?"
Elder Monk Kudou's heart nearly stopped.
Oh heavens above!!!!
Of all tis to act foolish, why now?!
What does it matter if he scolds a little?
I'm not even protesting, yet you're getting angry.
This is just asking for trouble for our Great Compassion Temple!
Lu Ding's aura erupted, ready to strike instantly.
Elder Monk Kudou reacted imdiately, swinging his arm to send Wuzhen flying from his lotus platform, smashing him into the mountainside.
"Outrageous!!!" Kudou roared in reprimand.
"Investigator Lu represents the 749 Bureau, answering directly to higher authorities with law enforcent powers! How dare you question and provoke him!!"
"I only brought you here to broaden your horizons and witness Investigator Lu's prowess, yet you behave so disgracefully! Amitabha, you've infuriated !"
"If this old monk doesn't teach you a lesson today, I don't deserve to be Great Compassion Temple's abbot!!"
"Disobedient wretch!!"
With a wave of his hand, Kudou summoned an entire mountain peak and hurled it at Wuzhen's buried form.
BOOM!!!
The impact completely buried and suppressed the young monk.
No trace of him remained visible.
Lu Ding watched this scene unfold.
He found it rather amusing.
This old monk shouldn't be called Elder Monk Kudou - he should be called Master of Face-Changing.
But Lu Ding didn't intend to press the matter further with this odd pair.
Because this was Lingshun, not Yunhai.
The circumstances were different.
Had this been Yunhai, Lu Ding would have demanded the old monk arrest the boy so he could personally administer punishnt.
Yunhai didn't need the Buddhist sects' cooperation.
Nor did it require other factions' flattery.
But Lingshun was different - Lingshun's stability required Buddhist support.
Now that Elder Monk Kudou was voluntarily showing deference - whether out of fear of death or impending disaster -
as long as the Buddhist community made their position clear,
Lingshun would stabilize.
This was another way to stabilize the situation.
Among all the Buddhist temples, if one remained uncooperative,
the hostility from other temples would shift from Lingshun 749 to Great Compassion Temple.
At that point, if Lingshun 749 simply offered slight support to Great Compassion Temple,
the infighting among Buddhist sects would begin.
This was inevitable.
Yet,
it was also an opportunity - one belonging to Great Compassion Temple.
Though Lingshun might seem insignificant now,
once the 749 Bureau's na was attached, its status would rise considerably.
When things got serious, that's when the real show would begin.
But if things did turn serious, Deputy Director Ji would certainly face punishnt from above.
Failing to manage one's own jurisdiction...
That was dereliction of duty.
Six thousand contribution points was no small amount, so Lu Ding needed to handle matters properly.
"That's enough. He shows filial piety by refusing to submit to might."
"Investigator Lu, please don't stop . This young monk is utterly disgraceful! As his teacher and elder, responsible for his education, I must properly teach him what it ans to-"
"Well, since you're so determined, let help you."
These words sent cold sweat running down Elder Monk Kudou's back.
He imdiately ceased his actions: "Amitabha! Investigator Lu, there's no need to trouble yourself! I'll take this young monk back shortly and have him hold an incense stick as thick as a pillar and ten ters tall, so he may properly reflect on his mistakes."
Lu Ding: ?????
Hearing this, Lu Ding imdiately visualized the scene.
Damn.
That would probably kill soone from kneeling so long.
Young monk, your days of suffering are coming.
"Investigator Lu, please don't misunderstand this old monk and Great Compassion Temple. My purpose in coming was mainly to contribute to maintaining peace in Lingshun."
"If any major conflicts were to break out, that would be quite troubleso. Look at this mountain - it would be difficult to explain to outsiders."
As he spoke,
the elder monk waved his hand, sending golden light to the ground.
The mountain's grievous wounds slowly closed.
This demonstrated the power of Heavenly Perception.
Playing along, Lu Ding said: "Then I should thank you, Elder Monk Kudou."
"Don't ntion it, don't ntion it."
"Investigator Lu, there's one more matter. Our Great Compassion Temple has had an exceptionally good harvest of Jade Bodhi fruits recently. Deputy Director Ji of Lingshun hasn't sent anyone to collect them, and this old monk has many responsibilities."
"Not a single person in the temple gives peace of mind. Might Investigator Lu trouble himself to deliver them to Deputy Director Ji?"
Lu Ding gave him a look.
He understood the implied bribe, but had no intention of accepting it.
Petty gains lead to great losses.
One shouldn't open the door to moral compromise.
Besides, Lu Ding didn't need such trivial things.
Six thousand contribution points was no small amount!!!
What couldn't he buy with that?
No need to dirty his hands.
"Elder Monk Kudou, I'm from out of town. Deputy Director Ji should collect these himself. But since Great Compassion Temple has cultivated such excellent Jade Bodhi fruits,"
"I believe your allocation could be increased. After all, the capable should bear greater responsibility."
User Comments
0 comments from readers