Chapter 201: Begging for Alms
The Right Protector, hands on her hips, threw her head back and let out a cold laugh: "You bald donkeys, if you have the guts, don't leave! I can curse you for three days and three nights without repeating myself!"
A Bodhisattva sneered: "Xue Bi'e, you're all talk now!"
"There's no need to pay them any mind."
The Ancient Tathagata on Mount Sumeru said: "If we were to trade insults with them, it could go on for half a year. We've fought for centuries and cursed for centuries; there's no need to rush this. Let's first go and stop this conflict."
The monks covering the mountain didn't linger. The phantom image of Mount Sumeru drifted toward the battlefield.
The Imperial Preceptor of Yankang was still locked in a fierce battle with Poor Master and the others, trying to eliminate these powerful figures before the phantom of Mount Sumeru arrived. Just then, the voice of the Ancient Tathagata rang out, unhurried: "Imperial Preceptor, fellow Daoists, could you grant me a favor?"
The Imperial Preceptor dispersed his sword aura, evading the pursuit of Poor Master and the bronze-masked man, and said with a smile: "Tathagata, please speak."
"Excellent. Fellow Daoists, please cease your attacks." The Ancient Tathagata said solemnly.
Poor Master and the others were about to strike again, but upon hearing this, they hesitated and each halted.
Tian Zhenjun coughed up blood incessantly, his heart and lungs wounded by the Imperial Preceptor's sword aura. He shrieked: "Ancient Tathagata, do you intend to join forces with us to eliminate this beast?"
The Ancient Tathagata shook his head.
Li Sanren's expression shifted, and he sneered: "Could it be that the Great Thunderclap Monastery has become a lackey of Yankang, just like the Demon Sect?"
The Ancient Tathagata shook his head again.
Poor Master said flatly: "Elder Daoist brother, stop being cryptic. Speak plainly."
The Ancient Tathagata chuckled: "I have come to forge a good karmic bond with you all and settle this dispute. You are all cultivators. If this fighting continues, who knows how many heroes will be lost and how many traditions will be broken. Why not turn swords into plowshares today, settle your karmic debts peacefully, and part on good terms?"
The Imperial Preceptor's eyes flickered, but he remained silent.
The Ancient Tathagata looked toward him and smiled: "Imperial Preceptor, you are a virtuous man. You once came to my Great Thunderclap Monastery, and I discussed the Dharma with you, spoke of the Greater Vehicle, and formed a good karmic bond. Would the Imperial Preceptor be willing to repay this good karmic bond to this old monk?"
The Imperial Preceptor said solemnly: "In my youth, I traveled far and wide to study. When I arrived at the Great Thunderclap Monastery, the Tathagata, without any sectarian bias, guided my cultivation. I am considered half a disciple of the Great Thunderclap Monastery, so it is only right that I repay this good karmic bond. However, how do I know this isn't releasing a tiger back to the mountain? These men are the leaders of the realm's outlaws. Would they truly be willing to stop here? If they rebel again in the future, it will bring more suffering to the people. The Tathagata, with your compassion, should understand my concerns."
The Ancient Tathagata smiled: "This old monk will have them take refuge in the Great Thunderclap Monastery and no longer meddle in worldly affairs. What does the Imperial Preceptor think?"
The Imperial Preceptor made no comment.
The Ancient Tathagata smiled and looked toward Poor Master and the others, saying: "You were all heroes in your time, peerless in your prime, glorious for a lifetime. Are you now willing to lay down your arms and take refuge in Buddhism?"
Tian Zhenjun sneered: "Ancient Tathagata, if we join forces with your Great Thunderclap Monastery, eliminating this beast would be easy! Do you think that by letting this opportunity pass, your Great Thunderclap Monastery will be spared? Once the Imperial Preceptor destroys us, he will surely destroy Buddhism! Why not strike now and use your demon-subduing methods?"
The Ancient Tathagata smiled: "No matter how the Imperial Preceptor treats my Buddhist school, there will always be those in this world who believe in and revere the Buddha. Regardless of whether gods or buddhas exist in this world, faith remains. It will not be destroyed because the Imperial Preceptor destroys my Buddhist school, nor will it be glorified because he promotes it. If you are willing to let go of your grudges and conflicts, then come with me. If not, this old monk can only say that our karmic bond is lacking and take my leave."
Suddenly, dozens of figures descended rapidly from the sky, landing behind the Imperial Preceptor. They were over a hundred generals of Yankang, clad in armor and drenched in blood, their battle intent soaring to the heavens.
Duke Wei boomed: "What's this? Has the Tathagata come to join the fun? Begging for alms, are we? Imperial Preceptor, let's take care of this old monk and all these bald..."
The Imperial Preceptor raised his hand to stop him from continuing and said quietly: "It's not good for both sides to suffer losses. The Ancient Tathagata has come to mediate; this is a good thing."
Duke Wei was puzzled, not understanding his meaning, and said: "They've come precisely to beg for alms, to take these rebel leaders into his Great Thunderclap Monastery and strengthen its power. These rebel leaders are all formidable figures. Letting them go is like releasing a tiger back to the mountain—endless trouble! Imperial Preceptor, think twice!"
The Imperial Preceptor smiled faintly: "The Ancient Tathagata said that once they take refuge in Buddhism, they will no longer meddle in worldly affairs. I trust the Ancient Tathagata."
"You really trust him?"
Duke Wei's eyes widened: "No hair on the head, no reliability in the deed..."
He was about to continue, but the Imperial Preceptor raised his hand and said calmly: "The Ancient Tathagata is the head of the Buddhist school. For him to come and resolve this conflict, ending the strife and bringing peace to the world, is a great act of merit. Besides, I am also injured."
On Mount Sumeru, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats turned their heads to look upon hearing this.
The Ancient Tathagata chanted a Buddha's name to alert the Bodhisattvas and Arhats, then smiled: "The Imperial Preceptor is willing to resolve the conflict. Poor Master, what about you?"
Poor Master and the others exchanged glances and nodded silently.
If they refused to take refuge in Buddhism, the Ancient Tathagata would stand by and do nothing, leading the many powerful figures of the Great Thunderclap Monastery away, and they would surely die at the hands of the Imperial Preceptor.
The Ancient Tathagata had brought almost all the powerful figures of the Great Thunderclap Monastery this time, showing his determination. If they agreed to take refuge in the Great Thunderclap Monastery, even the Imperial Preceptor would not dare to pursue the matter.
The Ancient Tathagata smiled: "Fellow senior brothers and sisters, let go of your grudges and karmic debts, take refuge in Buddhism, and achieve emptiness in all four elements. You will surely attain the Dao. Imperial Preceptor..."
The Imperial Preceptor raised his hand and pointed at the bronze-masked man, saying: "Tathagata, he must stay."
The bronze-masked man's heart tightened. The Ancient Tathagata frowned slightly, and the Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Venerables on the phantom of Mount Sumeru chanted the Buddha's name in unison.
The Imperial Preceptor smiled faintly: "He must stay."
Though his voice was light, his tone carried an air of no room for argument or negotiation.
The Ancient Tathagata sighed: "This virtuous man, your karmic bond with my Buddhist school is lacking. Poor Master, fellow senior brothers and sisters, please ascend the mountain."
Poor Master and the others hesitated, looking at the bronze-masked man. Suddenly, they gritted their teeth, rose, and landed on Mount Sumeru, saying in unison to the bronze-masked man: "Old... we're sorry!"
"Say no more, everyone. I understand."
The bronze-masked man laughed heartily: "Imperial Preceptor, how do you plan to deal with me?"
The Imperial Preceptor said expressionlessly: "I will capture you and escort you to the capital to face the Emperor."
"Escort me to the capital to see the Emperor?"
The bronze-masked man's tone was strange, and he chuckled softly: "Then we'll have to see if your sword is fast enough..."
He slowly raised his hand, then suddenly slammed it heavily onto the bronze mask. The bronze mask shattered into pieces, and the face beneath the mask was also crushed to pulp!
"Imperial Preceptor, the Ling family's empire will sooner or later be ruined by your hands..."
His skull split open, and he soon breathed his last, but his body stood firmly in place, never falling.
Duke Wei and the others cried out in alarm and rushed forward, but the Imperial Preceptor stood motionless. He had not moved to stop the bronze-masked man from taking his own life, nor had he even shown any intention of doing so.
On the distant mountain, Qin Mu saw this scene and his eyelids twitched.
The Imperial Preceptor's words were actually meant to force the bronze-masked man to commit suicide. No matter whose face lay beneath that mask, he was bound to be a high-ranking member of the royal family, a person of great importance to the Emperor.
If the Imperial Preceptor captured him alive and escorted him to the capital to face the Emperor, it would not only embarrass the Emperor but also drive a wedge between the ruler and his ministers.
Whether the Emperor killed him or not would be a problem. If his true identity was exposed, the Emperor's prestige would suffer a severe blow, and the court and the public would whisper among themselves, speculating whether he had intended to rebel or had been acting on the Emperor's orders.
At that point, the Imperial Preceptor's prestige would surpass the Emperor's, drawing more civil and military officials to his side, while the Emperor would become wary of him. If the Emperor and the Imperial Preceptor fought, the nation would be in danger, and the Ling family would be in danger.
As a high-ranking member of the royal family, he had to commit suicide to avoid putting the Ling family in a passive position and to prevent the Ling family from losing face.
Therefore, he had to destroy his own face so that no one could ever know his true identity.
And the Imperial Preceptor, by not stopping him, also wanted him to commit suicide. He had no intention of escorting him to the capital to face the Emperor. Even if the bronze-masked man hadn't destroyed his own face, the Imperial Preceptor would have done it for him.
The Imperial Preceptor did not want to undermine the Emperor's dignity, nor did he want to undermine the Ling family's dignity. This was the best outcome.
If the Imperial Preceptor had truly escorted the bronze-masked man to the capital, that would have shown that he truly intended to rebel and seize the throne. From the current situation, the Imperial Preceptor had no interest in the throne. He only wanted to use Yankang to realize his ambitions, to achieve the Three Establishments and Three Immortalities.
He wanted to become a sage.
On Mount Sumeru, the Tathagata bowed to the Imperial Preceptor and said: "Imperial Preceptor, this matter is settled. This old monk takes his leave."
"Tathagata, go slowly." The Imperial Preceptor returned the bow.
The phantom of Mount Sumeru drifted westward. Poor Master, Tian Zhenjun, and the others looked back and saw the Imperial Preceptor ordering his men to cut off the bronze-masked man's head and bury it on the spot, while the headless body was placed in a coffin to be transported to the capital.
Li Sanren sighed: "Elder Tathagata, if it weren't for you this time..."
The Ancient Tathagata shook his head: "No need to say more. The Imperial Preceptor is already dissatisfied with my Great Thunderclap Monastery. Let's go, back to the mountain. I suspect that my wayward disciple has already taken the opportunity to return to the Great Thunderclap Monastery and reclaim his arm. If we return in time, we might still encounter him."
The monks on the mountain felt a chill in their hearts.
The phantom of Mount Sumeru drifted to the mountain where Qin Mu and the others were, and from below came another cold laugh: "Thief baldies!"
The Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Venerables on the mountain shouted in unison: "Demonic heretics!"
The Ancient Tathagata shook his head, halted Mount Sumeru, and looked down. Suddenly, he pressed his palms together and said: "Senior brother."
The various hall masters and protectors on the mountain felt a chill in their hearts. The Sword Hall Master gently shook his head at Qin Mu. Qin Mu waved his hand, made a bowing gesture, and said: "Senior brother."
The Ancient Tathagata showed a hint of surprise, nodded, and led his followers away.
"Leader, why did you bother returning his greeting?"
The Right Protector, Xue Bi'e, complained: "Now your true identity is exposed, seen by that old thief bald. It will surely cause trouble!"
"As the Sacred Leader, since he greeted me as an equal, I had to return the courtesy."
Qin Mu smiled: "I can't hide my identity as the Sacred Leader forever. Besides, I couldn't let you all lose face, nor could I let the Sacred Sect lose face."
Everyone said in unison: "We'd rather not have this face!"
——Well, today there will still be three chapters released. This is the first chapter. The second chapter will be at six in the evening.