Chapter 547: Master Shichan

As a disciple of the Hanging Temple, Shi Chan commanded prices for conducting a single ritual abroad that could truly ascend to the heavens.

In the Central Continent, the Hanging Temple stood as one of the five great immortal sects, the most potent lineage of the Buddhist path—veritably the sovereign of all temples across the realm, bearing both practical and spiritual leadership.

Consequently, any lone soul from the Hanging Temple enjoyed immense repute in the outside world; though Shi Chan referred to himself as a humble monk, outsiders universally addressed him as a grandmaster.

Furthermore, a cultivation at the late Golden Core stage was more than enough to earn him the veneration of ordinary mortals.

Yet, since the three alluring ghosts had rejected his benevolence, it was not his place to say more.

Pressing his palms together in a gesture of profound compassion for all living things, he walked up to an ox and spoke with utmost gravity.

"We cultivators often say that our destiny is ours to forge, not the heavens' to decree, disbelieving in fate and rising in rebellion—and indeed, there is no shortage of those who carve out broad paths of greatness, though they remain a minority in the end, and whether their successful rebellion against fate was merely another cog in fate's machine remains unknown."

"It may well be that all of humanity is bound by fate without ever realizing it; fate is like a shackle that none can defy, and a humble monk is no exception, nor are the three female patrons, nor indeed are you."

Shi Chan held one hand vertically before his chest while using the other to stroke the ox's nape.

An ox reared within the Dao Sect could hardly be an ordinary creature; its lineage was extraordinary, and the grass and water it consumed daily were likewise remarkable, making its hide smooth and sleek, far superior in touch to the oxen Shi Chan had handled in his previous ranch.

"You were born to be slaughtered, to satisfy the culinary desires of mankind; you offer your flesh as charity to sate human avarice—a deed seemingly grand, yet in truth, merely the result of a fate beyond your own control."

"This humble monk shall grant you a single chance: if you are unwilling to be bound by fate and wish to escape the destiny of the blade, cry out once; if you are willing to sacrifice yourself for the human race, cry out twice."

The ox remained motionless, uttering not a single sound.

Shi Chan sighed: "As expected, you were born in ignorance, lacking innate wisdom, unversed in human tongue, and blind to the Buddhist teachings."

Thereupon, Shi Chan softly began to chant an obscure and difficult scripture.

"Of old in the Primal Azure Heaven, amidst the empty songs of the jasper sky, upon the vast earth of Great Fuli..."

The ox still offered no response.

Helplessly shaking his head, Shi Chan bent to retrieve the butcher's knife resting on the ground; the blade fell swiftly with his hand, and the ox breathed its last.

"Amitabha, amitabha."

The three alluring ghosts watched this spectacle in absolute bewilderment.

"Dare I ask, young friend, what exactly are you doing?" A genial voice rang out, deep and resonant with an infectious charm.

Shi Chan turned around, not recognizing the newcomer.

"And you are, patron...?"

"You may call me Boss Bu; this ranch belongs to me."

The Immortal of Eternity had observed Shi Chan from afar, acting all mystical and chanting at the ox for the longest time, only to end it by chopping the beast down with a single stroke, leaving him utterly perplexed.

"So it is Patron Bu. This humble monk is a disciple of the Hanging Temple, dharma name Shi Chan; my actions just now were intended to enlighten the soul, allowing the ox to make its own choice."

"The scripture this humble monk chanted just now is called the *Sutra of Deliverance for Oxen*."

"The *Sutra of Deliverance for Oxen*?" The Immortal of Eternity murmured to himself, having never heard of such a thing.

"It is a scripture written by this humble monk himself, along with the *Sutra of Deliverance for Pigs* and the *Sutra of Deliverance for Sheep*; in my previous slaughterhouse, this humble monk would always chant these scriptures before the slaughter to let the livestock choose their own destiny, though thus far, not a single case has succeeded."

"After the slaughter, this humble monk also chants the *Rebirth Mantra* to dispel the resentment of the livestock, ensuring they depart in peace."

The previous ox had been slaughtered by the Cult Leader, with Shi Chan only responsible for the butchering; this one was the first to undergo the entire process under his hand.

The Immortal of Eternity found Shi Chan's words exceedingly reasonable; their ranch was essentially a slaughterhouse, which easily evoked bloody imagery and did nothing to aid the positive image of their successful reformation and return to society; if they all acted like Shi Chan—explaining first, slaughtering second, and performing rites of deliverance at last—Yun Zhi, the Grand Chief, and the Second Chief would surely look upon them with far greater favor.

Within the Dao Sect, those aware of the Immortal of Eternity's true identity were limited to Yun Zhi and her two companions.

Those who knew the identity of the Cult Leader and his cohort were slightly more numerous, including Senior Brother Dai and the Grand Elder.

In terms of action, the Immortal of Eternity was much like his superior, the Fairy of Eternity—both were decisive souls who acted upon a thought without the slightest hesitation.

He immediately dispatched notices to the Cult Leader and Vice Cult Leader Jin who tended the ranch, as well as Master Liu, Master Gao, and several former elders of the Eternal Cult at the barbecue shop.

That very night.

After the barbecue shop closed, Master Liu and the others arrived at the ranch.

"Is everyone accounted for?"

"Everyone is here," spoke Xiao Wu and her two companions.

Though the three of them did not belong to the Eternal Cult, they currently served as the right-hand maidens to the Cult Leader and were naturally included in the meeting.

The Immortal of Eternity nodded and recounted Shi Chan's deeds from during the day, leaving the Cult Leader and his men steeped in contemplation upon hearing it.

"The Immortal's meaning is..."

"Everyone gathered here is one of our own, so I shall not beat around the bush and speak openly: we are all prisoners of the Dao Sect, and there may come a day when the Dao Sect turns its face against us and puts us to death."

"I believe we must make a change, not merely by running a barbecue shop and a ranch, but by giving people a completely renewed impression of ourselves; Shi Chan's arrival is precisely that turning point."

"The greatest taboo in studying Buddhist teachings is to stray from the path; Shi Chan hails from the Hanging Temple, representing the orthodox Buddhist lineage, and his teachings are bound to be refined and authentic; we ought to learn from him, cultivate our minds, and foster a Buddhist nature, so that we may truly appear thoroughly reformed."

The Cult Leader and his men nodded repeatedly; as expected of an Immortal, his depth of thought far exceeded their own; while they were still content with the status quo, the Immortal had already plotted the next move.

"Since no one objects, then the matter is settled."

"Um..."

Xiao Wu timidly raised her hand; the three of them were merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, and holding a meeting alongside the Cult Leader and the others brought immense pressure.

"Speak freely if you have a question."

"Can ghosts like us learn Buddhist teachings as well?"

The Immortal of Eternity stroked his chin with a hiss: "That is indeed a question; I shall ask Shi Chan about it tomorrow."

Early the next morning, the entire assembly of the Eternal Cult sought out Shi Chan to explain their intent.

After a moment of reflection, Shi Chan felt that these individuals possessed an extraordinary Buddhist affinity and were destined for the path.

"The Buddha delivers those with whom he shares an affinity; since you wish to learn from this humble monk, I shall certainly not withhold my knowledge."

"As for the three female patrons, there is no need to worry; there are precedents of ghosts learning Buddhist teachings, and there are even legends of ghosts who, upon mastering the dharma, erected temples and reshaped their true forms through the power of faith; it is of no hindrance."

Only then did the three ghosts breathe a sigh of relief, ensuring they would not accidentally deliver themselves unto the afterlife while studying.

Thus, they went about their separate businesses by day and gathered to study Buddhist teachings and debate scriptures by night in an exceptionally orderly routine, through which Shi Chan himself gained new insights during his teaching and discussions.

Dai Bufan stared at the intelligence report his disciple had just handed him, utterly stupefied.

Why was Shi Chan working at a ranch?

Why had the people of the Eternal Cult begun studying Buddhist teachings?

How would the Hanging Temple react if they ever caught wind of this?

Dai Bufan could not fathom Shi Chan's calculations; with his master's fate unknown and beyond reliance, he could only seek out Yun Zhi.

"Eldest Senior Sister..."

Dai Bufan detailed exactly what Shi Chan was doing, requesting guidance on how their Dao Sect should handle the matter.

Yun Zhi fell into a brief silence before speaking measuredly: "When Junior Brother Shi Chan first arrived, he came to challenge me."

Hearing this, Dai Bufan's pupils shrunk in sheer shock; was the man tired of living?

A newborn calf not fearing the tiger was one thing, but this crossed all boundaries of recklessness.

Never mind a newborn calf; even an old calf like Grandmaster Jie Sha would never dare attempt such a feat.

"What do you mean, Senior Sister...?"

"He even had the audacity to challenge me, so nothing he does should come as a surprise."

"That makes sense."

The second update will be at eleven o'clock.

(End of this chapter)