Chapter 1381: Training

Chapter 1382: Morning Hear the Way, Die Contentedly by Evening

Hearing Jiang Fan's sorrowful words, the little Qilin's clear black and white eyes welled up with tears.

It rubbed its eyes and said with a thick nasal voice, "I don't want Master to die."

Jiang Fan looked at it, wanting to cry but daring not to, and felt a wave of guilt.

His emotions had already affected the little Qilin.

In the future, they would also affect Yunshang and the others.

Since fate was already sealed, why indulge in self-pity and make those around him sad as well?

What was meant to come would eventually come; it wouldn't be delayed by his fear and despair.

Why not, in his remaining time, leave them a few more beautiful sunsets and gentle spring breezes?

He gradually cast off his sorrowful mindset, wiped away the moisture from the little Qilin's eyes, and smiled, "Silly, Master isn't dead yet."

"Old Man Tianji said to seize the day."

"The Bodhisattva said to give life meaning."

"The Venerable Six Paths said to do meaningful things."

"And I say, if one hears the Way in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret."

"If I can complete everything I wish to do before I die, then death will hold no regrets."

"So..."

He stood up, a full smile returning to his face:

"From now on, I'll do what I want to do."

"Protect the homeland that once nurtured my growth."

"Love those who once loved me deeply."

"See the world I once longed to see."

The little Qilin wiped its tears and nodded vigorously:

"I'll go with Master!"

Clap, clap, clap, clap—

A round of applause suddenly rang out.

The space above their heads warped, and a young man and woman emerged.

The girl wore a long red dress, her beautiful hair swaying in the breeze, which also stirred the hem of her skirt.

Her skin was very fair, and her face was exquisitely beautiful, with features as perfectly sculpted as if carved.

However, she appeared somewhat frail and sickly, leaning gently against the young man beside her.

The young man, on the other hand, had bright red lips and white teeth, wore a jade crown, and his long hair cascaded like a waterfall, making him extraordinarily handsome.

The young man clapped his hands and smiled, "What a profound saying, 'If one hears the Way in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret.'"

"No wonder even the Bodhisattva wished to guide you into Buddhism."

"It seems my initial judgment was not mistaken."

Jiang Fan stared for a moment before recognizing him, nearly dropping his jaw. "Fa Yin Vajra?"

The young monk smiled slightly, descending with the girl, and said:

"Brother Jiang, it's been a long time."

Jiang Fan could hardly believe his eyes.

Was the person standing before him truly that incredibly devout young monk?

After a long moment, he recovered and asked, "Did you really abandon your monastic life?"

Fa Yin Vajra smiled, holding the girl's hand beside him, and said, "Is there such a thing as a false return to secular life?"

Jiang Fan felt a sense of unreality.

Would someone like Fa Yin Vajra, who was so devoted to Buddhism, abandon his monastic vows for a woman?

He couldn't help but look at the girl in the red dress beside him.

Her beauty was indeed striking, giving an impression of astonishment.

But it shouldn't be enough to make a Vajra, who had practiced Buddhism for eighteen years, suddenly leave the monastic order.

Could it be that this young Asura girl used some secret technique to disturb Fa Yin Vajra's Buddhist heart?

He couldn't help but ask, "Fa Yin, is this the residual Asura soul you met in the Celestial Realm?"

Fa Yin Vajra nodded and said, "Her name is Yu Wei, and she has already reformed her body."

Jiang Fan frowned.

"Reformed her body," what did that mean?

Shouldn't it be body possession?

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Miss Yu Wei, may I ask which branch of the Asura tribe you belong to?"

Yu Wei's crystal-like eyes glanced at Jiang Fan, then looked away, without answering him.

Fa Yin Vajra smoothed things over, saying, "Yu Wei doesn't like to talk to people, Brother Jiang, please don't take it amiss."

"I sensed the Bodhisattva's aura and originally intended to come and assist you. I never expected to find Old Man Tianji divining the heavenly secrets for the three of you."

"And I never imagined, Brother Jiang, that you would have such a fate."

His expression grew dim.

Jiang Fan said calmly, "Life and death are decreed by fate; there's no need to dwell on it."

"As long as I live the rest of my life without regret, that's enough."

"Since you cannot return to Buddhism, what are your plans for the future?"

Fa Yin Vajra put his arm around Yu Wei and chuckled softly:

"I want to accompany Yu Wei and travel throughout the Nine Provinces, observing the heavens and earth, exploring mountains and rivers, and seeing all living beings."

Jiang Fan suddenly felt a touch of envy.

Fa Yin could travel the world with the one he loved, doing everything he wished.

Yet he was busy with numerous affairs and had no such opportunity.

Even the little time he had left in his life was difficult to dedicate to his loved ones.

He patted Fa Yin's shoulder and said:

"Go, be free for me."

Fa Yin Vajra said, "Take care, Brother Jiang."

"When I return one day, I will fight the ancient giants alongside you!"

Jiang Fan cupped his hands and replied, "You too."

The two bid farewell, and Jiang Fan watched them walk away.

Only when they vanished from sight did Jiang Fan withdraw his gaze and murmur:

"What a formidable Asura woman; she was actually able to simultaneously block the perceptions of Old Man Tianji and the Bodhisattva."

Since Fa Yin witnessed Old Man Tianji's divination, it meant he was present at the scene.

But no one had detected his presence.

Fa Yin's strength couldn't achieve this.

It could only have been that sickly-looking Asura woman who acted to conceal them.

What level of cultivation would it take to do that?

Thinking of this, he took out his Moon Mirror and wrote in infernal script:

"Give a good name: Hong Xiu, is there a type of Asura that can make people fall in love at first sight, to the extent that even monks would abandon their vows for them?"

A moment later, a message appeared in the Moon Mirror.

"Spectacles: Yes, the You Mei Asura lineage."

You Mei?

Similar to human women who have cultivated charm techniques?

Recalling Yu Wei's cool and reserved demeanor, he wrote again:

"Give a good name: But the person doesn't appear enchanting; on the contrary, she seems very pure."

The Jade Mirror was silent for a moment before Hong Xiu replied:

"Spectacles: Are you certain that monk abandoned his vows because of her?"

"Give a good name: Not certain, just a guess."

"Spectacles: Then you'd best pray she isn't from the You Mei Asura lineage. Asuras of this lineage are naturally enchanting and full of allure, but if they cultivate to the Emperor realm, they will return to their true nature, shedding their seductive charm."

Emperor realm?

Jiang Fan's pupils contracted.

Was that Asura named Yu Wei a terrifying existence of that level?

The Moon Mirror chimed again.

"Spectacles: Anything else?"

"Give a good name: Does the 'Scripture for Suppressing Prisons and Restoring Souls' have any special use for your Asura tribe?"

"Spectacles: Never heard of it, but it sounds like a good thing. If you don't want it, you can give it to me."

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched, and he silently closed the Moon Mirror.

Hong Xiu had always been in the Celestial Realm; she likely wasn't aware of things in the Buddhist domain of the Infernal Realm.

Glancing deeply in the direction Fa Yin had gone, Jiang Fan murmured:

"An Asura Emperor?"

"Surely not?"