Chapter 335: Buddha Bone Temple

With a creak, the giant figure in the cell emerged from his confinement.

Li Huowang looked up at the monk before him. The gaunt monk, whose expression betrayed neither sorrow nor joy, was exceptionally tall. Standing there, he was as high as the headless Peng Longteng beside him.

The monk’s hands were bound by a wooden yoke, and his feet were shackled, yet he seemed entirely unconcerned. He simply clasped his hands together and sat cross-legged on the ground, showing no desire to remove his restraints.

“Alright, everyone’s here. So, let’s discuss the details of this assignment,” Jixiang said. Hearing this, everyone present became serious, and the surrounding jailers quietly climbed down the ladders and left.

Jixiang cleared his throat and slowly began, “This time, something happened at the Buddha Bone Temple. The message we received indicates that Fa Cai of the Zuwang Dao is responsible. We don’t know what those despicable scoundrels are planning now.”

Fa Cai! One of the Three Primes of the Zuwang Dao. Li Huowang immediately clenched his fists. No wonder even Jixiang, who stayed in the capital, had come. This mission was clearly extraordinary.

"Wait, when we do this, can I try to get information about Beifeng from Fa Cai?"

As Li Huowang pondered the chances of such a possibility, Jixiang continued speaking.

“Since it’s Fa Cai of the Zuwang Dao, you all know the significance of this assignment without me telling you. That’s why we invited Zen Master Xinci to assist us.”

The other three simultaneously looked at the tall monk, who remained silent under their gaze.

“Zen Master Xinci practices 'closed-mouth Zen.' Fa Cai’s诡术 (deceptive techniques) cannot trick Zen Master Xinci. So, once you arrive at the Buddha Bone Temple, remember one thing: what Zen Master Xinci says is absolutely true.”

“Secondly, once inside the temple, no one is to leave another’s sight. Even if someone leaves for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, be wary of their return, as they might have been tampered with by the Zuwang Dao.”

“And thirdly, I dealt with Fa Cai ten years ago. That woman is extremely difficult to handle. Don’t listen to her words straightforwardly, don’t listen to them in reverse, but also don’t ignore them entirely.”

“Oh? Not listening isn’t an option either?” Tuoba Danqing leaned back, eyes wide in surprise, playing along.

“Indeed. Sometimes, if you completely ignore her, you'll still fall into her trap. The best approach is to believe three parts, doubt three parts, and reserve three parts for yourself from what that woman says.”

“Alas, such a formidable rebel. To think that Sir Jixiang was able to repel her ten years ago. We are truly incomparable.”

“Difficult, isn’t she? Heh heh… So, the best method is to kill her directly before she even speaks. Er Jiu, among us, your actions are the most decisive. Therefore, when Zen Master Xinci tells you to act, you must act.”

“Understood, Sir Jixiang. But doesn't Zen Master Xinci practice closed-mouth Zen? How will he tell me?” Li Huowang had wanted to ask this for a while. This monk clearly couldn't speak, so even if he couldn't be deceived by Fa Cai, it wouldn't be much help.

No sooner had Li Huowang finished speaking than an "Amitabha" boomed in his mind. "This humble monk possesses mind-reading. Donor Er, there is no need to worry."

This voice reminded Li Huowang of the abbesses from Anzi Convent, who also possessed this ability. Out of fondness, Li Huowang's impression of the monk improved significantly.

“Alright, we’ll discuss other minor matters on the way.”

Li Huowang stood up and followed the others out of the prison. They boarded the four-horse carriage that had already been prepared.

No one present asked what Fa Cai looked like. Since she belonged to the Zuwang Dao, her appearance was entirely dependent on how she wished to appear.

The post stations of Great Liang were clearly well-established. With Jixiang continuously displaying his token, a special carriage exchange was arranged at every station.

Such speed was incomparable to Li Huowang’s previous journey on foot. In just two days and one night, they had already arrived in Langzhong City, where the Buddha Bone Temple was located.

Night fell. Li Huowang lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down. Before he could stretch his numb limbs, he saw the conspicuous temple in the distance, towering above the surrounding buildings.

“Remember what I told you earlier. Let’s go.” Jixiang said, stepping towards the distant temple.

As they approached the temple complex, everyone’s expression grew solemn. At some point, Jixiang’s golden abacus in his hand had begun to click.

Despite the late hour, the entire Buddha Bone Temple was surprisingly open. Devout men and women, holding incense, constantly moved in and out. It appeared that this Buddha Bone Temple, like the Zhengde Temple of old, enjoyed a very flourishing incense offering.

The moment Li Huowang stepped over the threshold, his heart sank. Although the surroundings were crowded and bustling, Li Huowang understood that this place had been corrupted by the Zuwang Dao. Aside from the three people beside them, anyone else could become an enemy at any moment.

The others clearly understood this as well, and all instinctively gripped their weapons. The golden abacus in Jixiang's hand continued to click, its crisp sounds significantly dampening the surrounding noise.

Their peculiar attire clearly drew stares and whispers from everyone around them, but they acted as if they didn't notice.

"Come, follow me. Let's enter the front hall first." Led by Jixiang, the other three walked inside.

The hall did not contain bodhisattvas or buddhas. Instead, a dark red mummified corpse with twisted features stood in the center of the main hall, receiving worship from the pilgrims.

"Did the Zuwang Dao do this? Making these people worship a dried corpse as a Buddha?" Li Huowang, clutching his purple-tasseled sword, couldn't help but ask.

“No, no, this is a flesh-body Bodhisattva. It was originally the living Buddha worshipped by the Buddha Bone Temple,” Zen Master Xinci reminded him at just the right moment.

Flesh-body Bodhisattva? Li Huowang scrutinized the extraordinarily terrifying corpse before him. He suddenly understood why this temple was called the Buddha Bone Temple.

Just then, Xinci's voice suddenly became extraordinarily stern, "Donor, act quickly! The pilgrim kneeling three steps to your left! Kill!"

“Clang!” Li Huowang's right arm suddenly exerted force, enveloped in surging malevolent energy. He rushed in front of the man, raised his sword, and brought it down heavily.

The weapon, which could cut iron like mud, sliced through the man as easily as if it were a thin sheet of paper.

Crimson blood, mixed with internal organs, spurted from the gaping wound. The man, severed into two halves, screamed in despair a few times before falling still.

This horrifying scene instantly sent the surrounding pilgrims screaming and scattering.

Zen Master Xinci, still bound by his wooden yoke, walked over. After kneeling before the corpse and clasping his hands in prayer, he picked up the severed head from the ground with two fingers and meticulously examined it.

“Master, what do you see? Is this Fa Cai? Or another Zuwang Dao member?” Li Huowang also knelt on one knee, carefully examining the fresh corpse. He didn't believe Fa Cai would be so easily cut down by him.

“Amitabha, a sin indeed, this humble monk was mistaken. Donor Er, let us go.” Zen Master Xinci tossed the head he was holding, stood up, and turned to leave.