Dense fog rolled and churned, leaving nothing but void all around.
Li Yan surveyed left and right, his brows slightly furrowed.
He hadn’t expected a simple warning to trigger the Hook Paper, could it be that within this Buddhist Sacred Land lay a "Rejuvenator"?
Of course, even if there were, it wouldn’t be surprising.
The world is fickle, life and death unpredictable.
What so-called orthodox doctrines of the three religions, heavenly mandates, are nothing but human fabrications. Before the face of Yin and Yang, life and death, everyone is the sa.
Of course, Li Yan couldn’t afford to think too much at the mont.
There was a large monk outside; he couldn’t afford to linger here for too long.
He quickened his pace and moved forward, breaking through the dense fog.
Soon, the surrounding fog dissipated, and a gigantic Buddha statue appeared before his eyes. It was about the height of a three-story building, with a dignified appearance, a cranial bump on top, earlobes hanging to the shoulders, skin bluish like glaze, seated upon a lotus pedestal.
Its entire body radiated golden light, illuminating the darkness around it.
At the sa ti, magnificent Buddhist chants filled his ears, sounding like a great bell, "Thus have I heard, at one ti the Buddha was in the Shewei country, at Jeta Grove, in the Garden of Anathapindika, with a great gathering of bhikkhus..."
The Diamond Sutra?
Li Yan paused for a mont. He knew of this scripture.
But what puzzled him more was,
why was there a Buddha statue?
This should have been communication with God, but this was the first ti a building had appeared.
As he wondered, the Buddha statue’s body emitted blinding golden light along with the chanting, swelling rapidly and lighting up the surrounding darkness.
In the darkness, so things also started to appear.
A giant turtle with its head held high, a reeling massive snake, a White Tiger lying on the ground, and a large bird flapping fiery wings...
The Four Symbols?
Li Yan’s mind beca more clouded with questions.
The Buddha statue before him should be counted as one of the Earth Spirits ford by the worship of Baotong Zen Temple over many years, and like other Earth Spirits, it couldn’t communicate using language.
These things were all hints...
But what did the Four Symbols signify?
Before he could see clearly, the Four Symbols Divine Beasts around him swiftly turned pitch black, and their eyes shot out red light, giving off an evil aura.
And that towering Buddha statue suddenly wept bloody tears...
What had happened?
Li Yan was shocked, but before he could react, the illusions around him rapidly vanished.
All of this happened in an instant.
The monk guarding the temple had his hands pressed together, staring intently at Li Yan, still waiting for his response, his eyes filled with vigilance.
Li Yan cald his mind and made a courteous gesture, "May I inquire if the Monk Cheng Jue is present in the temple? I have an urgent matter to report, hence my visit in the late hours."
Without waiting for the old monk to ask further, he continued, "This is a sensitive matter; just report my na, and Master Cheng Jue will be aware."
The old monk nodded slightly and, without turning his head, said, "Hui Qing, enter the temple and inform them of this matter."
"Yes, Master."
From the darkness, a martial monk holding a long staff erged, shouldered his weapon backwards, and after a quick single-handed salute, swiftly left.
Only then did the old monk speak, "There have been disturbances in the temple recently; the abbot has instructed us to guard carefully. We hope that the patron will understand."
"As it should be."
Li Yan nodded slightly, his expression as usual.
He could already be certain that sothing major had occurred within Baotong Zen Temple; otherwise, the monks from the Law Enforcent Hall wouldn’t be so cautious.
Before long, the martial monk hurried back accompanied by a massive figure, tall and sturdy like a tower—it was Cheng Jue.
On seeing Li Yan, there was a hint of surprise in his eyes, "Young Hero Li, I am not sure why you have co so late at night, what important matter do you have with this humble monk?"
Li Yan frowned, "This is confidential, I cannot speak carelessly."
These monks don’t even know the basic etiquette, blocking the doorway to ask questions, as if they were afraid he would enter.
Detecting his displeasure, Cheng Jue pondered for a mont, then pressed his palms together, "I have been rude, Young Hero Li, please follow ."
With that, he led Li Yan through the temple gate.
The monks guarding the temple once again rged into the darkness.
Baotong Zen Temple had an ancient heritage, established during the Southern Dynasty Song period and later rebuilt by Prince Wuchang after being destroyed in the wars.
This was a Royal temple, so the temple walls were imperial yellow, while the temple gates, adorned with red lacquer and studded with copper nails, were firmly shut.
The two entered through a side door to the left.
As soon as they entered, the sounds of reciting scriptures and striking the wooden fish from deep within the temple could be heard, as if a ritual was underway, with the rich incense scent engulfing the senses.
Li Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, "Is your temple conducting a ritual?"
Cheng Jue shook his head very directly, "I cannot say; please excuse , young hero."
After speaking, he led Li Yan across a stone bridge, bypassing the location of the Great Hall, to a quiet room in a Zen chamber.
A young novice had already poured tea in the room.
After the novice left, Cheng Jue finally spoke, "There have been many affairs in the temple recently, if there has been any neglect, we hope for Young Hero Li’s forgiveness. May I know what business you have with this humble monk?"
"There has been progress with the matter regarding the Tian Family..."
Li Yan didn’t beat around the bush and recounted the situation.
However, to his surprise, Cheng Jue seed unperturbed after hearing this, "I am already aware of this; thank you, Young Hero Li, for the warning."
Well, well!
Li Yan imdiately understood and said coldly, "It seems, Master, that you had already investigated the matter but feigned ignorance, allowing the Tian family to be victimized... Isn’t your Buddhist order all about compassion?"
Cheng Jue replied with a calm deanor, "Vast kindness without preconditions, boundless compassion for all beings. But if a great disaster descends, we must make choices. All karma, this monk will bear."
This ant that even if Landlord Tian and his family were to die, they wouldn’t act rashly, for there was a greater disaster impending.
Li Yan had co in the dead of night and would not be fobbed off with a few words.
He pondered for a mont then said, "Master must already be aware of my other identity since you’ve investigated my information."
Cheng Jue nodded, "A living Yin ssenger upholding the balance of the Yin Yang and the six paths, your rits are boundless. I hold great admiration."
"There’s no need for admiration."
Li Yan took a slow sip of tea, "As a living Yin ssenger, I have the ability of communication with God. Just now, outside the temple, I saw so things..."
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