Chapter 622: Chapter 360: I Want to Open 3 Palaces and 6 Courtyards
“Venerable Master, may I know why you’re seeking me out?”
Looking at the monk clad in a traditional robe with a pair of white eyebrows, who seemed more ordinary than the previous white-browed, stoutly-built old monk, Feng Qing’an couldn’t help but feel tense within.
He was no longer caught up in the special state fostered by reciting the scriptures, having embarked on a path of indulgence, gobbling up anything that he came across, so long as it was edible.
As this time, the Scripture Library was to blame for the white-browed old monk who had intercepted him, Feng Qing’an saw no reason to be polite and was even more audacious than when his elder brother indulged him.
In less than half a day, he made a breakthrough in two Star Acupoints, a feat made possible by the many thousand-year-old spiritual objects he’d devoured. Swallowing them down in their raw form might be wasteful, but it didn’t matter as he had not cultivated them himself.
With such a rapid increase in vital energy, his five senses and even his inherent sixth sense were greatly enhanced.
At this moment, Feng Qing’an resembled a fierce beast in the wilderness that suddenly encounters an even more terrifying beast, his body involuntarily tightening, readying himself for a fight or escape.
“Amitabha, Benefactor truly has excellent wisdom and understanding.”
The venerable Cien gave a measuring look at Feng Qing’an who was a direct cause leading to his disciple’s fall into the cycle of reincarnation and subsequent rebirth. The venerable monk opened his drooping eyes slowly, and appreciative surprise seeped into his voice.
The novice monk could see that Feng Qing’an was practicing the Golden Body technique of the Buddhist Gate. The old venerable monk who had developed the Divine Eye power could naturally spot it as well.
Feng Qing’an showed traces of the Immortal Way and martial arts cultivation methods mixed with the True Purpose of their Buddhist Golden Body technique.
Being capable of integrating three different body refining systems was enough to win high praises from the old monk who had attained the Fruit Position.
This level of comprehension was way more terrifying than his disciples, and with such abilities, his disciple’s defeat at this young man’s hands wasn’t unjust.
“Master’s praise is too generous. May I ask if you’ve particularly sought me out?”
“Benefactor, your perceptiveness is like a blazing torch. Indeed, it is so.”
The venerable Cien kept a calm demeanor, his initial commotion upon seeing Feng Qing’an’s unique physique having already subsided.
“Have you planned how to deal with me?”
Feng Qing’an took the dripping Jade Pure Lotus Root in his hand to his mouth, biting off a large chunk. The crisp chewing sounds filled the air, followed by a refreshing, pleasant fragrance.
“Amitabha, Benefactor, you have misunderstood. We have no intentions of dealing with you.”
“If you aren’t planning to deal with me, then why obstruct me? I haven’t had enough yet!”
Feng Qing’an waved the lotus root in his hand, taking another bite with a mouthful of fragrance.
“Do you ever think about practicing the Buddhist way?”
The old monk spoke tersely without beating around the bush. Feng Qing’an was equally straightforward, answering directly without a second thought.
“No interest.”
Upon hearing Feng Qing’an’s reply, the old monk was silent. He could vaguely perceive Feng Qing’an’s thoughts, which matched his words.
The young man didn’t harbor any thoughts of becoming a monk or entering the Buddhist Gate. This was expected, as few people in the world are willing to live by the rigorous rules of Buddhism, especially someone as extraordinary as him.
“If Benefactor is reluctant to follow the Buddhist path, why bother reading the scriptures in the Scripture Library?”
The venerable Cien wondered aloud. From what he had seen, if the boy focused on the Buddhist teachings, he could surely achieve enlightenment and attain the Fruit Position, becoming at least a Bodhisattva or even Buddha himself.
“I don’t wish to enter the Buddhist path, but I wish to read the scriptures!”
“But do you know the rule that scriptures must not be passed on to deaf ears? Benefactor, you’ve read our temple’s secret scripture but won’t join our Zen institute. It places us in a tough position.”
The venerable Cien tried to reason with Feng Qing’an. They were clearly the wronged ones here; they had already been very polite—there was nothing they could do when their own monk had led the intruder in.
“Difficult? Sigh, if the old monk had turned a blind eye and pretended not to see me, I would’ve left by now. That way, everyone would be happy, and you wouldn’t have to feel troubled.”
Feng Qing’an sighed softly. He really couldn’t fathom what his elder brother was up to or what arrangements he had made. Had he minimized his existence to maintain the Divine Power until he left the temple, he wouldn’t have been discovered by the monks and forced to stay here, restricted to a vegetarian diet.
“…”
Upon hearing Feng Qing’an’s words, even the disciplined venerable Cien fell into silence and began to contemplate. Perhaps his disciple was wrongly accused. Considering this young man’s deplorable behavior, how they had initially met was a mystery worth contemplation.
“However, we’re already aware of your antics, Benefactor. It’d be hard for us to look the other way. If you truly don’t wish to join the Buddhist path, we have to seek another solution.”
The venerable Cien spoke in measured tones.
“Must you deal with me? Aren’t you letting me go?”
Feng Qing’an’s expression was playful.
“Benefactor, you’ve read too many scriptures of our temple and all of them are fundamental secrets.”
The venerable Cien could glimpse at the scriptures fluttering in Feng Qing’an’s mind. Despite conversing with him, the young man was still studying the scriptures.
He was amazed to see that the young man could really comprehend the True Purpose hidden in the scriptures. Such a person not joining the Buddhist path was indeed pitiful, but what’s even more regrettable was they couldn’t use any forceful measures.
“Do I need to provide an explanation acceptable to you?”
Feng Qing’an stroked his chin, contemplating whether to cultivate another technique. Within a few days’ time, he could make it presentable. Once the performance of self-dissolving technique was debuted later, it would be like a tacit reprimand, who could be dissatisfied?
“Benefactor, will the same ploy be effective if it’s used a second time?”
After the old monk calmly voiced his opinion, Feng Qing’an widened his eyes in surprise before an intense realization hit him. His brows furrowed, and in an instant, his entire body radiated with a pure, crystalline, golden light.
The man who previously appeared as a cultured gentleman transformed into a banished Bodhisattva. With a flash of golden light, he projected an imposing figure twelve feet tall, looking down at the amazed monk.
“Can you still pry into my thoughts?”
If Feng Qing’an couldn’t figure out the monk’s means of probing his thoughts after browsing the full set of scriptures in the Scripture Library, his years of diligent study would be wasted.
“…”
Looking at Feng Qing’an, who was emanating the likeness of a Bodhisattva, the Venerable Cien became silent. Although he had genuinely developed the Mind Reading Power, he wasn’t the Buddha. Seeing into other’s minds was already unfathomable, let alone probing without any restraint.
“It seems you can no longer do it.”
Feng Qing’an, who now looked majestic and profound, revealed a smile.
Leaving martial arts aside, whether it’s the Buddhist or immortal way of cultivation, far more than simple physical strength is sought after. Longevity untouched by time, mystic arts such as witchcraft, divination, all of these aspects are target areas of enhancement.
“Benefactor, after revealing such a profound technique, do you think it’s appropriate to leave this temple with ease? If we let you go, how could we justify our actions to our venerable ancestors?”
“Doesn’t the Buddhist Gate preach the equality of all beings? If all beings are equal, why should we be concerned about the Buddhist Scriptures?”
“Are you intending to debate with this humble monk?”
The venerable’s question was posed calmly, despite his facial appearance’s elderly features.
“…”
Feng Qing’an stalled momentarily.
Despite years of studying scripture, he did not feel ready to debate scripture with such a seasoned monk. The world’s commonly known truths would be disassembled under such scrutiny, turning black to white, and white to gray, creating a battle of sense and nonsense.
“Are you truly disinclined to enter our Buddhist Temple?”
“Do you understand my ambition, Master?”
“This monk does not.”
“The journey of cultivation is long and lonesome. I wish to emulate a worldly emperor, establishing three palaces and six courtyards, espousing seventy-two concubines.”
Glowing with Buddha light, presenting the true essence of the crystalline nature, Feng Qing’an’s declaration stunned the gathering. His startling words caused a ripple of incredulity and anger among the venerable masters, leaving them unable to remain calm.
“If I were to join the Buddhist Gate, I wonder if this temple could accept my small aspiration.”
“Amitabha, this temple has no lineage of the Joyful Zen, I’m afraid we cannot fulfill your wish, Benefactor.”
Venerable Cien spoke the name of Buddha to calm his mind.
“No Joyful Zen! Well, there is no other way then!”
Feng Qing’an regretfully remarked,
“I could not possibly abandon my wife and child to join the Buddhist Gate!”
“Given this, this humble monk has a solution that could resolve the matter. Would the Benefactor be willing to accept?”
Venerable Cien did not reveal any signs of anger, instead, he calmly presented his proposition.
“What resolution?”
Feng Qing’an queried curiously.
“To make you disappear from here.”
The moment his words fell, Venerable Cien reached out. On seeing Feng Qing’an’s stupefied reaction, the world spun, everything turned black, and he lost consciousness.
“Cien, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Don’t make a mistake!”
“Stop this immediately!”
Several angry roars echoed in the sky over the Dragon Zen Temple, golden palms radiating with crystalline essence descended from the sky towards the old monk.
Right after capturing Feng Qing’an along with the exotic creatures fluttering around him, Venerable Cien glanced casually at the descending hands above him. With a single step, he vanished instantly, leaving no trace of even a breath.
“Inform the Buddha’s Son about this!”