Chapter 333: Buddha Bone Temple

Chapter 333: The Temple of the Buddha's Bone

With a creaking groan, the towering figure within the prison cell stepped out into the open.

Li Huowang looked up at the monk before him—a lean man whose expression was devoid of joy or sorrow, yet his stature was extraordinarily tall, standing nearly as high as Peng Longteng, who had no head beside him.

The monk’s hands were bound with wooden shackles, and his feet were chained, but he paid no attention to these restraints. He simply clasped his palms together and sat cross-legged on the ground, showing no desire to remove the bonds that held him.

"Alright then—everyone's here now. Let's talk about what this mission entails," said Ji Xiang, and instantly all present assumed serious expressions. The guards around them climbed down from their ladders one by one.

Ji Xiang cleared his throat lightly and began slowly: "This time... it's the Temple of the Buddha's Bone that's been troubled. News came in that the Wealthy One of the Way of Forgetfulness has moved. No one knows what those damned scoundrels are up to."

Wealthy One! One of the Three Elements of the Way of Forgetfulness. Li Huowang clenched his fists tightly. No wonder even Ji Xiang, who had remained in Shangjing, had come along. This matter was clearly not ordinary.

"Hold on—when we're doing this job, can I try to extract information about Beifeng from the Wealthy One?"

As Li Huowang pondered how likely such a strategy might be to succeed, Ji Xiang continued speaking:

"Since it's the Wealthy One of the Way of Forgetfulness, you all know well enough what kind of weight this task carries. That's why we've enlisted Master Xinchi's help."

All three others instinctively turned toward the tall monk. Under their gaze, he remained silent.

"Master Xinchi practices the Silent Meditation. The tricks of the Wealthy One won't fool him. So once we reach the Temple of the Buddha's Bone, remember this one thing: whatever Master Xinchi says is the truth."

"And secondly, once inside the temple, no one must lose sight of anyone else—even for the duration of a cup of tea. If someone returns after being separated, they may have already been tampered with by the Way of Forgetfulness."

"There's also the third point—ten years ago, I had dealings with the Wealthy One. She's a difficult woman to deal with. Don’t take her words at face value, nor should you interpret them in reverse. But still, you must listen."

"Oh? Not listening isn’t an option?" Tuoba Danqing leaned back playfully, eyes wide with surprise.

"Yes indeed. Sometimes, if you don’t listen at all, you’ll fall into her trap anyway. The best approach is to believe three parts, doubt three parts, and keep three parts for yourself."

"Oh my, such a formidable enemy—the Wealthy One! Back then, Master Ji Xiang managed to drive her away—something none of us could do."

"Difficult, yes? Ha ha… so the best way is to kill her before she opens her mouth. Ejiu, among us, you’re the quickest with your hands. When Master Xinchi tells you to act, you must act."

"As you command, Master Ji Xiang. But isn’t Master Xinchi supposed to practice the Silent Meditation? How will he tell me?" Li Huowang had long wanted to ask—this monk couldn’t speak, and even if he wasn’t fooled by the Wealthy One, it wouldn’t help much.

As soon as Li Huowang finished speaking, a voice of “Amitabha” echoed in his mind. "I possess the ability of mind-reading, dear disciple. You need not worry."

That voice reminded Li Huowang of the nuns from An Ci Nunnery, who also possessed such abilities. Love for the person extended to loving the things associated with them—he now held a better impression of this monk.

"Alright, let’s discuss other matters on the road."

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

None of those present asked what the infamous Wealthy One looked like. After all, since she belonged to the Way of Forgetfulness, her appearance depended entirely upon what she wished to appear as.

The postal stations of Great Li were remarkably well-developed. With Ji Xiang constantly displaying his credentials, every stop brought fresh carriages waiting.

Such speed was far beyond anything Li Huowang could achieve by walking. In just two days and one night, they arrived in Langzhong City, where the Temple of the Buddha's Bone stood.

Night fell. As Li Huowang lifted the curtain and stepped off the carriage, before he could loosen his numb limbs, he saw a prominent temple rising above the surrounding buildings.

"Remember what I told you earlier—we’re going," said Ji Xiang, stepping forward toward the distant temple.

As they approached the temple complex, everyone’s expressions grew grave. At some point, Ji Xiang had begun tapping his golden abacus.

It was late, yet the entire Temple of the Buddha's Bone remained open. Men and women carrying incense entered and exited continuously, giving the impression that this place enjoyed the same flourishing spiritual life as the former Zhengde Temple.

The moment their feet crossed the threshold, Li Huowang felt his heart tighten. Though the area was filled with people and bustling with activity, he knew this place had been tainted by the Way of Forgetfulness. Except for the three people beside him, everyone else could turn into enemies at any moment.

Others clearly understood this too—they all instinctively gripped their weapons. Ji Xiang’s golden abacus kept clicking rhythmically, its crisp sounds reducing the surrounding chaos.

Their unusual attire drew pointed stares from everyone around them, but they pretended not to see.

"Come, follow me. Enter the front hall first," instructed Ji Xiang, leading the others inside.

There was no statue of a Bodhisattva or Buddha in the main hall. Instead, a desiccated corpse, entirely dark red with twisted features, sat at the center, receiving offerings from pilgrims.

"This work of the Way of Forgetfulness? Are these people actually worshipping a corpse like a Buddha?" Li Huowang, sword clutched tightly in hand, couldn't help asking.

"No, no. This is a Living Bodhisattva. It is the living Buddha enshrined in this Temple of the Buddha's Bone," the monk Xinchi explained appropriately.

Living Bodhisattva? Li Huowang studied the horrifying remains before him. Suddenly, he understood why the temple bore such a name.

At that moment, Master Xinchi's voice suddenly became stern: "Quickly, disciple! The worshipper kneeling three steps to the left! Kill!"

"Clang!" Li Huowang’s right arm surged with force, slicing through the air filled with killing intent, striking the man before him with a heavy blow.

The blade, sharp enough to cut through iron, sliced through the body as easily as cutting paper.

Blood and organs spewed from the wound. The man, severed in half, screamed in despair for only a few seconds before falling motionless.

The shocking scene sent the surrounding pilgrims screaming in terror, scattering in all directions.

The monk with the wooden shackles walked over, knelt before the corpse, placed his palms together in prayer, then picked up the head with two fingers for careful examination.

"Master, is this the Wealthy One? Or another member of the Way of Forgetfulness?" Li Huowang also knelt on one knee, scrutinizing the fresh corpse closely. He didn’t believe the Wealthy One would be so easily slain.

"Amitabha, sin upon sin. I misjudged. Dear disciple, let us go," said Master Xinchi, tossing the head aside, rising, and turning away.

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