Chapter 842: Method

Chapter 842: A Solution

“What about your Five Wisdom Buddhas? Didn’t they claim to guard the five realms? When Great Qi was on the verge of collapse, why didn’t your Five Wisdom Buddhas appear?”

Li Huowang’s tone toward the Buddha revered by the Zhengde Temple was nothing short of sacrilegious. Yet Chan Du, as the abbot of the Zhengde Temple, showed no anger, not even the slightest flicker of emotion.

He clasped his hands in reverence before the five great statues inside the hall and bowed respectfully. “Namo Amitabha Buddha, good, good. What the Buddha has in mind, I, as a disciple, dare not speculate.”

“But Master Li, all things have their cause and effect; did the Five Wisdom Buddhas truly do nothing? If they really did nothing, then why did Master Li come to aid Great Qi?”

“Perhaps the very idea that Master Li should come to help Great Qi is already part of the Buddha’s karma.”

Hearing this, Li Huowang’s fury flared like three flames at once. “What are you implying? So all my hard work here, the credit belongs to the Five Wisdom Buddhas now?”

Chan Du shook his head. “No, the merit naturally belongs to Master Li. But the Five Wisdom Buddhas are the Great Buddha, the five realms of Buddhism lie within His pure wisdom. Therefore, the merit is Master Li's, but the virtue belongs to the Buddha.”

This explanation, which was essentially no explanation at all, left Li Huowang thoroughly unsatisfied.

“Come on, let’s talk this through properly. Let’s go over everything from one to ten until we get it straight! Why should the merit belong to the Five Wisdom Buddhas?! What is this so-called 'Pure Wisdom' anyway!”

“If your Five Wisdom Buddhas are supposed to be in charge, aren’t they meant to protect the five realms? Now that other worlds are planning to attack Great Qi, why hasn’t the Five Wisdom Buddhas stepped forward?”

“If you don’t give me a clear answer today, I won’t transport any more grain!”

Seeing that Li Huowang had taken offense and was now arguing with him, Chan Du felt a sharp pain in his head. He didn’t want to engage in a philosophical debate with this immortal outsider who was clearly not of the Buddhist faith. No matter the outcome, it would be bad for him.

Moreover, he had the impression that the man hadn’t read a single scripture. Explaining further to him would be like playing music to a cow.

After some thought, Chan Du came up with a plan. “Master Li, I am foolish and spoke wrongly. Since the deed was done by Master Li, the merit belongs to Master Li, and the virtue also belongs to Master Li—no one can take it away.”

This attitude only darkened Li Huowang’s expression further. If not for this old monk being an ally, he would have killed him on the spot.

“Stop stretching this out. Let’s figure out which world they’re from.”

“It’s more important to find out who they are and what their purpose is. I think after this setback, they won’t give up easily—they’ll only grow more ruthless.” Li Huowang clenched his fist tightly.

For any force that sought to kill him, regardless of who they were, he must repay them tenfold, a hundredfold!

The abbot of the Zhengde Temple nodded in agreement with Li Huowang’s words.

“Don’t just nod. Say something useful!”

Chan Du shook his head. “I don’t know, but I’m certain one among them must possess a Heart-Root. Otherwise, they couldn’t have come to Great Qi.”

“Heart-Root, Heart-Root,” Li Huowang murmured to himself, recalling everything that had happened earlier.

That grove that grew from the grassland—he had always believed it was created by the opponent using the power of the Spine Sword. But now, it seemed to be the result of a deep historical Heart-Root’s influence. It appeared different from Zhu Ge Yuan—he could freely manipulate two overlapping histories.

Li Huowang pondered for a long time, eventually deciding what to do next based on his understanding of Bei Feng.

“Thinking further won’t help. If we want to know who they are and which history they come from, the best way is to capture one alive.”

“They might come again—it’s quite possible. Since they dared to come to Great Qi, we have the advantage of home territory. We should set a trap for them.”

“Get everyone else here. Let’s all brainstorm together. If they dare to return, let Great Qi swallow them all! Let them never return!”

Chan Du nodded. With a slight lift of his hand, the thin-faced young monk at the entrance of the Five-Buddha Hall bowed deeply and walked away.

It would take some time for everyone to arrive, and Li Huowang had no patience to waste waiting. “Wait here for now. I have some business in Daliang—I’ll be back shortly.”

His previous conversation with Gao Zhijian probably left that man confused. He needed to clarify things.

Crossing the rift, Li Huowang immediately turned and rushed toward the imperial city. But soon, he was blocked by someone—Xuan.

“Father, where are you going?” Li Sui’s head, wrapped in red Daoist robes, tilted slightly as she asked.

Li Huowang didn’t know how to explain to Li Sui. How could he say he misunderstood Gao Zhijian? That he thought Gao had sent people to kill him?

Seeing that Li Huowang said nothing, Li Sui didn’t ask either. She brought a red package wrapped in tentacles and offered it to Li Huowang. “Father, this is what I made for you.”

Li Huowang took it and looked—it was a red Daoist robe.

Clearly, the craftsmanship was exquisite. The collar and cuffs were adorned with intricate cloud patterns. The fabric felt like no ordinary material.

“What is this...?” Li Huowang tried it on and found it fit perfectly.

“I made it. It’s fireproof, and look, these parts can be opened,” Li Sui’s tentacles reached out and pulled at his belly. “It will make using the Great Thousand Records much easier.”

Li Huowang gave it a quick feel and instantly liked it. More than that, it was a gift from his own daughter.

“You like it?” Li Sui asked.

Seeing Li Huowang nod, her youthful face emerged from the robe, smiling happily.

“Good, I’m glad.”

Just as she was about to leave, Li Huowang stopped her.

“Since you’re the Astronomical Officer of Daliang, there are some things I think you should know—even though this matter doesn’t concern Daliang directly.”

Li Huowang sat down with Li Sui at a tea stall and recounted the entire incident from beginning to end.

“I misunderstood Gao Zhijian. Please tell him I’m sorry,” Li Huowang said awkwardly.

Li Sui sat silently, seemingly thinking deeply about everything that had happened.

After a long while, she finally spoke. “Alright, I understand.”

“Thanks. I originally planned to go myself, but I think everyone in Great Qi is already assembled. So I’ll have you handle it instead.” Li Huowang took a sip of bitter tea from a large bowl, the taste sending a shiver through him.

“Wait,” Li Huowang suddenly remembered something and looked at Li Sui. “As the Astronomical Officer, you must already know about the five histories, right?”

Li Sui nodded naturally. “It’s not a secret.”