Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 629 Can’t
Xu Lai remained silent for a long time.

Because of what Madam Xie said, he couldn't refute it.

Who can we blame for the Holy Church's current state? From killing court officials at the beginning to slaughtering innocent civilians later on.

They came together to survive, but later they ended up controlling the lives and deaths of others.

When the old leader was alive, money was used for food. Later, he used it to bribe court officials, just to profit himself. He recruited bandits and fugitives. Anyone who dared to take up a knife and fight against the court was taken under his command, without any distinction between good and evil.

When Lü Shi was alive, he had advised the leader many times, but some people claimed that he "had ulterior motives." Lü Shi was a monk and didn't care, but he felt uncomfortable watching from the sidelines.

To investigate the truth behind the surrender of the emperor, Lü Shi took Zhang Ming away. The reason it wasn't him was because he still had an elderly mother to support.

His elderly mother passed away this spring, leaving him with no more worries, which allowed him to resume his investigation into Lü Shi's affairs. This investigation uncovered even more suspicious details.

Seven days before his death, Lü Shi began to feel unwell. The sect said they had called a doctor for him, but Lü Shi resolutely refused to take the medicine, which made his condition worse. In reality, Lü Shi was left in a boat house, and none of the people who were close to him saw him during those seven days.

After Lü Shi passed away, his body was carried out by several followers. The leader personally went to see it and said in front of the followers that Lü Shi's face was peaceful and that he had achieved all virtues. He then burned Lü Shi's body completely.

Xu Lai found a follower who had carried Lü Shi's body back then...

Xu Lai told Xie Yuyan all this, as if he were sorting out his own thoughts.

“That believer had received kindness from Lü Shi, and because he saw Lü Shi’s miserable state, he was always uneasy. I didn’t have to spend much effort to find out some of the truth.”

“Lu Shi’s body was black, with bloodstains at the corners of his mouth, and his monk’s robe was covered in filth. To cover it up, they put another monk’s robe over his body,” Xu said, his eyes reddening. “They said he died peacefully, but Lu Shi’s eyes were open and his mouth was agape, which shows how painful his death was.”

"Lu Shi was probably poisoned, but the poison didn't kill him immediately. Instead, it delayed his death for seven days. Or perhaps... they wanted to extract something from Lu Shi and interrogated him until he died."

“Lu Shi often said that we are all people who have gone astray. Many people, like him, have long lost their Buddhist heart and no longer believe in Mani Buddha. They are just abandoned people who have found the abandoned Buddha and want to prove to the world that we are still useful.”

"But in the end, we turned Mani Buddha into a demon Buddha, and we became followers of the demon cult. That was not our original intention. We lost everything for the sake of pride, and it was only right that we were punished in the end."

Xie Yuyan remained silent, listening as Xu Lai continued.

Xu Lai said, "But I'm just not reconciled. Lü Shi shouldn't have ended up like this."

After saying this, Xu Lai took a deep breath and looked at Xie Yuyan: "I want to avenge Lü Shi, but this matter is extremely dangerous and may cost many lives... So, I also need to find out what we can gain if we do as Madam Xie says?"

"If we don't seek amnesty from the imperial court, can our punishment be reduced?"

When Xu Lai walked over, Master Wu followed behind him. Xie Yuyan did not stop him, so he did not leave. Upon hearing Xu Lai's words, Master Wu immediately held his breath. What Madam Xie said next would determine whether Xu Lai could stand with them.

Xie Yuyan looked at Xu Lai: "No."

Mr. Wu's heart sank immediately.

Xu Lai's face, however, revealed no emotion.

Xie Yuyan said, "The imperial court once wanted to offer you amnesty, but you killed imperial officials and surrounded and killed imperial troops. In order to escape, you burned, killed, looted and created chaos along the way, taking countless lives in the process." "Your crimes are beyond heinous. Moreover, more than ten years have passed, and you have been inciting the people everywhere, openly and secretly opposing the imperial court. Even if the emperor grants a general amnesty, you will not be included in the amnesty."

Xu Lai pursed his lips: "Many people in the sect did not take action back then."

“That’s the same,” Xie Yuyan said. “Even though they didn’t kill anyone, they did other things to pave the way for your escape. Even someone like Lü Shi must have given you some advice back then, right?”

"Back then, the government troops and the local militia chased after you all, and you managed to escape. If you hadn't worked together, how could you have achieved this result? Who can say they are completely innocent?"

"At this point, no one, no matter who it is, would agree to your request or exonerate you. If it were the government, they would rather wipe you all out together."

"Although I will use you to deal with the Supreme Leader, I have no benefits to offer you, nor will I make any trade with you."

Xu Lai's tone was curt: "Since there's no benefit to it, why should I risk my life to help Madam?"

Xie Yuyan looked into the distance and said, "Maybe you'll feel a little better that way."

Master Wu's eyes widened. Was this how Madam Xie was trying to persuade Xu Lai? Wouldn't that mean things wouldn't work out? Even if she could just deceive Xu Lai a little, it would be fine.

As expected, Xu Lai remained silent for a long time. After a while, just when Master Wu had given up all hope, Xu Lai suddenly burst into laughter.

It seemed as if they wanted to vent all their emotions.

He stopped after a long while.

Xu Lai's eyes reddened even more: "I've been deceived so many times, but this time I've finally heard the truth."

“I’m not doing this for anything else now. Lü Shi is already dead, and the past cannot be made up for, but doing this can at least offset some of the sins. So many people died back then, and there was such a great injustice involved.”

Xu Lai seemed to recall the past, and took a deep breath: "Even Lu Shi couldn't find peace in the end, let alone me. I'm afraid that at the moment of my death, I will be terrified, fearing that I will be punished for my evil deeds in the next life and be reborn as an animal."

Master Wu looked surprised and stared at Xu Lai in disbelief. Had Xu Lai agreed?

Xu Lai straightened his robe, calming the emotions in his eyes, before looking at Xie Yuyan: "Madam Xie, tell me, what do you intend to do?"

Apart from Mr. Wu, everyone else accepted the result without question.

Xie Yuyan didn't waste any time and went straight to the point: "Do you still remember the commander of the Xiang Army who attacked you back then?"

Xu Lai nodded and said, "Ma Yue, but he has already passed away."

Xie Yuyan said, "Ma Yue is dead. Now he has a confidant here who has told the truth of what happened back then. Xie Yisong did not order Ma Yue to deal with the Holy Sect. The amnesty was real from the beginning. Someone conspired with Ma Yue to sow discord and deliberately sabotage the amnesty in order to seize control of the Holy Sect. Lü Shi was poisoned because he found out the truth."

"The Holy Church and its followers are no longer what they used to be. They have long become stepping stones for others to fight for fame and fortune. Members of the church cannot decide matters within the church, and the lives of its followers are as insignificant as ants. Once they are no longer useful, they will be kicked aside. Those who truly benefit have already paved their way out and can change their ways at any time to become noble ladies."

Xu Lai listened... Wasn't this referring to the Supreme Leader and Xie Yizhi?
(End of this chapter)