From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 319 Proving the Dao
The wind stopped in the afternoon.

The sun is shining warmly, and all things are coming back to life.

The monk Jin Hai was decapitated, his body still sitting cross-legged in the sea of ​​fire, his bald head carrying the image of a red lotus fire, piercing the sky.

The head, like a shooting star, eventually drifted and fell, rolling endlessly on the dilapidated stone slabs of the Zen-Questioning Platform.

Soon, the head rolled to the front of Master Jiujie and Abbot Zhiguan.

These two individuals hold the most unique positions in today's Zen Master competition: one is the host, and the other is a distinguished guest.

Their cultivation level is also at the fourth rank in Buddhism, with the backing of a third-rank Arhat.

The head of Monk Jinhai stopped five steps in front of Master Jiujie, his ordination scars facing all living beings, and his seven orifices facing Master Jiujie.

Master Jiujie remained silent, but his disciples and grand-disciples behind him displayed a variety of expressions. Some showed resentment and hatred, some secretly gloated, and most were as bewildered as the other spectators.

Abbot Zhiguan, with a compassionate expression, joined his palms and chanted the Buddha's name.

The monk Jin Hai opened his eyes wide, as if he could support the heavens and the earth, and still had some spirit. He opened his mouth and left behind a verse.

"When fate ends and I am lost in the mortal world, the flames of calamity ignite my heart to prove my true nature. I wish to transform into Bodhi to save suffering people, and today all my sins will be returned to me."

After the monk Jin Hai finished reciting his death verse, the red lotus flames that had been flying above his head disappeared, and then he closed his eyes and died.

The distant body was no longer bathed in raging flames; all was calm. The endless crimson lotus fire vanished completely, as if it had never been there.

Master Jiujie remained silent, his face devoid of joy or sorrow, gazing intently at the head before him.

The meditation platform fell silent, and no one spoke.

Most of the spectators were seasoned veterans at the seventh and sixth rank of cultivation, along with some young talents. Regardless, they all gained a great deal of experience from this experience.

Everyone thought that with the combination of Jin Hai and his three powers, his demonic body and Buddhist heart would surely be able to suppress everything. However, Meng Yuan blocked the worship of ten thousand Buddhas and was not affected by the karmic fire.

Then, Monk Jinhai displayed his divine power, making a grand vow to bring all sins upon himself, and sought to be consumed by the Red Lotus Karmic Fire to attain enlightenment, thus breaking through his cultivation realm in the face of battle.

Among the Confucian, Buddhist, Taoist, and martial arts practitioners watching the battle, many were knowledgeable. They were amazed that the monk Jin Hai was already so terrifying even before breaking through to the next level. If he did break through, he would surely be able to control the Red Lotus Karmic Fire within his heart. With this fire alone, he would be considered invincible among his peers.

If he succeeds in breaking through to the next realm, his power will increase even further. Even if Meng Feiyuan can block him again, he will likely be seriously injured.

This was a difficult situation to resolve, but Meng Feiyuan disregarded martial ethics and stepped forward directly. Taking advantage of the moment when Monk Jinhai broke through, he decisively swung his sword.

This strike was unremarkable, lacking any divine power, yet it was a single, decisive blow, instantly separating the monk Jin Hai from his head.

When the monk Jin Hai broke through in the face of battle, he gathered fire from all directions and scattered thousands of red lotus karmic fires. For a time, the sea of ​​fire was so vast that it was almost tangible. The fire was like a deep pool of water, and a single glance could fill people with great terror, as if it would burn away endless sins.

But even amidst such raging flames, Meng Feiyuan walked through them as if on flat ground, unaffected by the torment of being burned by the flames.

Those watching the battle wondered if they could act like Meng Feiyuan, advancing instead of retreating before Monk Jinhai broke through his cultivation level, and decisively draw their swords; or if they would dare to step into the sea of ​​fire and endure the burning of countless red lotus karmic flames.

At this moment, Meng Yuan held a knife in his hand, feeling no pain, only his clothes were covered in dust.

"Senior brother, you are the most kind-hearted. Meng Feiyuan is not afraid of karmic fire, and neither are you, senior brother!" Mo Tingyu glanced at Meng Yuan in the arena, then stared intently at Ning Qufei.

“No.” Ning Qufei shook his head and said, “If it were me, I would have been burned to ashes by the karmic fire long ago.”

"Senior brother, you are too modest!" Mo Tingyu blinked, then tugged at the sleeve of the old Taoist Mo Wenshan and asked, "Ancestor, why is Meng Feiyuan not afraid of karmic fire?"

Mo Wenshan stroked his beard and pondered, unable to find an answer. He asked in bewilderment, "Is he free from sin? Or is it that he cultivates various Buddhist secrets and supernatural powers, and the fire he seeks is a kind of karmic fire, which is why he is not afraid?"

“If he had no criminal record, the whole world would be full of good people!” Mo Tingyu immediately shook her head and whispered, “I already found out, he’s a womanizer!”

As she spoke, Mo Tingyu pouted at the distant bright moon, "Look how worried the swordswoman princess is, she's practically grinning from ear to ear right now. I bet they've already slept together. But it's nothing really, martial artists aren't bound by formalities, not everyone is as virtuous as our senior brother!"

"Say less," Mo Wenshan immediately reprimanded. "You may dislike the Dugu family, but you don't need to do anything to that child. Besides, those two sisters are extraordinary and must not have lost their primordial yin. Don't talk nonsense."

Mo Tingyu snorted twice and, as expected, said nothing more, only staring intently at Ning Qufei.

Meng Yuan didn't pay attention to his surroundings at this moment. He simply took a breath and stepped forward.

This battle was truly perilous; Monk Jinhai was the strongest opponent he had ever encountered in his life.

If it weren't for his own essence fire being able to restrain the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, or any other kind of fire, Meng Yuan's battle would have been much more perilous, perhaps even like when he fought to the death with Xi Yisheng, burning away his flesh and bones, and even having to risk his life fire.

Regardless, the battle was finally won. Moreover, there were no major injuries. Although both dantian were empty and showed signs of tearing, these injuries were rapidly healing.

Meng Yuan stepped forward, past the mutilated body of Monk Jin Hai, and then stood before Jin Hai's head, looking at the ordination scars on the bald head.

Then he bent down, placed his hands on the head, and lifted it up.

Meng Yuan stood ramrod straight, looking at Master Jiu Jie.

Abbot Zhiguan sat cross-legged to the side, his eyes focused on his nose, his nose on his heart, as if nothing had happened.

Those watching the battle all turned to look, but remained silent.

With his hands behind his back, Wang Er's worried expression disappeared, and he looked at Lin Yan with a smile, seemingly lost in thought.

Master Jiujie remained silent, but his many disciples and grand-disciples from the west glared angrily at Meng Yuan.

Two old monks stood behind Master Jiujie, their eyes wide open, clearly displaying the fierce demeanor of Vajras.

“Master, this child is arrogant and reckless!” An old monk stepped forward, bowed to Master Jiujie, then pointed at Meng Yuan, his body radiating Buddhist light, and loudly proclaimed, “Disciple requests salvation for this person!”

The old monk had dark, piercing eyebrows and an imposing aura; he was clearly a high-ranking Buddhist monk of the fifth rank.

"Amitabha." A bald man stepped out from behind Abbot Zhiguan and said, "Brother Jishang's temper is a bit too much."

Upon hearing this, the old monk immediately became furious and was about to speak again when he saw Master Jiujie slowly raise his hand.

"Amitabha." Master Jiujie sat cross-legged, speaking in a gentle voice, his hands making a gesture as if holding up a flower, and said, "Young friend Meng has just finished a battle and is in a weakened state. Why take advantage of someone in their weakness? Besides, fighting and killing are not the actions of Buddhist disciples. We should be peaceful and harmonious."

"Disciple obeys." The old monk, Ji Shang, immediately bowed down, his Buddhist aura vanished, his anger subsided, and he became unusually obedient.

Master Jiujie then looked at Meng Yuan and said, "Young friend Meng, you truly live up to your reputation as a member of the Ying family, possessing astonishing skills. Jin Hai's skills are lacking, hence his current predicament."

"All sins fall upon my body, and I will return to my true self upon the lotus throne." Meng Yuan held a knife in one hand and pinched the head of Monk Jin Hai in the other. He nodded slightly to Master Jiu Jie and said, "Master, you are mistaken. In my opinion, Jin Hai has already attained enlightenment in the physical body."

“Amitabha, the physical body is weak and suffering; Jin Hai was unable to bear the myriad sins of all.” Master Jiu Jie said expressionlessly, “Young friend, you have been punished by Heaven, but the sins remain. I wonder how you will absolve them in the future?” “I am ashamed, Master, you are a high-ranking Buddhist monk, while I am a crude martial artist.” Meng Yuan shook his head slightly and said directly, “Buddhism teaches the method of saving people and seeking to absolve sins. I only have a knife in my hand, and I love killing and arson; I only create karma.”

Upon hearing this, Master Jiujie's expression, which had remained expressionless throughout, finally showed a change.

Abbot Zhiguan, who had his eyes closed, couldn't help but open them after hearing Meng Yuan's words.

The two eminent monks looked at Meng Yuan, gazing at him for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.

"Is he really born of the Ying family?" Xiao Taotao muttered to Wang Er.

"He's a castrator by trade, much more assertive than the Ying family," Wang Er said with a smile, shaking his head. "The Ying family enjoys the world's support, but Miss Ying is living a life of widowhood, with no one to carry on her legacy..."

Lin Yan, who had been dumbfounded, looked at Wang Er after hearing his words and scratched his head.

"What kind of veiled meaning are they playing?" Zhou Ying nudged Lin Yan.

"You don't even understand this? How can you go far on the path of martial arts?" Lin Yan frowned. "That bald monk said my junior brother will have to pay off his debts in the future, and told him to be careful when he goes out! My junior brother means that once I'm powerful enough, I'll destroy your entire stronghold!"

"Oh." Zhou Ying nodded blankly. "I see."

As expected, Master Jiujie stared at Meng Yuan for a long time, as if he had a lot to say, but then stopped himself and said only, "Young friend Meng is indeed a martial artist. He has not been influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, and is not like the people of the Ying family."

"I am a castrator by trade," Meng Yuan said.

"Now that the situation has been resolved, young friend, you have achieved perfection." Master Jiujie smiled and said, "If Jin Hai has been of any benefit to your path of enlightenment today, then Jin Hai can also be considered to have achieved perfection."

Master Jiujie raised his hand, pointed to the east, and said, "Jin Hai was Qing Guangzi's disciple who was entrusted to this humble monk. Originally, after Qing Guangzi attained the status of the Holy King of Light, Jin Hai was to serve as the Arhat who subdues dragons and tigers. Today, Jin Hai is dead. Since you have lofty aspirations, I hope you will behave yourself in the future."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master." Meng Yuan replied, carrying Jin Hai's head back to the mangled body.

When the head was placed on the mangled body, Jin Hai's face was lifelike, as if he were still alive.

For a moment, everyone was bewildered by Meng Yuan's actions and had no idea what he was up to.

“I heard that Meng Feiyuan has a lot of contact with monks. This is because he saw that Monk Jinhai was a rare talent. Although he won the battle, he developed a mutual respect for him!” Mo Tingyu immediately made a judgment upon seeing this.

“Although Jin Hai is dead, and his path was not the right one, he was indeed a rare talent. His character and ambition were by no means ordinary.” Mo Wenshan nodded in agreement.

Just when everyone thought that Meng Yuan would surely offer a sacrifice after returning the head of the monk Jin Hai to its rightful place, they saw Meng Feiyuan's fingertips ignite, and he was about to burn Jin Hai to ashes.

The fire quickly covered the monk Jin Hai, and within moments, he had been reduced to dust.

Seeing Meng Yuan bow his head and remain silent, the others assumed that he was searching for the relics.

"No, right?" Lin Yan stepped forward and kicked away the ashes. "There aren't even any relics, yet you claim all the sins are on your shoulders!"

"Amitabha." Seeing that Meng Yuan and Lin Yan were truly unworthy of respect, Master Zhiguan quickly sent someone to collect their ashes.

Regardless of how the fight went, Abbot Zhiguan was particular about etiquette.

The wooden box containing the ashes was delivered to the wounded old monk behind Master Jiujie.

"Where is your esteemed brother Juesheng?" Ji Shang asked, holding a wooden box in his hands.

"They've gone out to search for Kong Que, a disciple of Qing Guangzi," someone replied.

"I see." The old monk Ji Shang nodded and asked no further questions.

Master Jiujie seemed unconcerned about Meng Yuan and Lin Yan's actions. He looked back at the sky and then stood up.

Seeing that Master Jiujie was about to leave, Abbot Zhiguan got up to see him off.

"Let's stop here for today. When we discuss the Dao tomorrow, I hope that my senior brother can invite some outstanding talents so that we can witness the grandeur of this great nation." Master Jiujie said with a smile, his voice gentle, as if no one had died.

"I wouldn't dare disappoint my junior brother," Abbot Zhiguan replied with a smile.

Master Jiujie said no more and immediately turned and left, followed by his disciples and grand-disciples.

The bald man from the west disappeared in the blink of an eye, and Abbot Zhiguan gently waved to Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan stepped forward and asked, "What are your instructions, Abbot?"

“Young friend, you are a highly skilled person from the Demon Suppression Division. This old monk would not dare to order you around.” Abbot Zhiguan immediately put his palms together and said with a smile, “I only hope that you can rest and recover from your injuries and wait for the future. I also ask you to restrain yourself and not wander around outside. There will be a time when I need your help.”

This means that Zhihe's affair has been discovered, but they don't intend to pursue the matter!
"Thank you for your guidance, Master!" Meng Yuan didn't know how Master Zhiguan knew, but he quickly bowed.

Abbot Zhiguan said no more and then drifted away.

"Come here." Lin Yan pulled Meng Yuan, who was still lost in thought. "The Grand Supervisor wants to see you. She said you did a great job this time. She seemed very happy. Take this opportunity to put in extra effort. If you succeed, we brothers will be set for life!"

At this moment, the great battle ended, and the Confucian, Buddhist, Taoist, and martial arts spectators on the Zen Platform slowly dispersed, but some people kept staring at Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan looked around, but Mingyue was nowhere to be seen, and the petite and lovely woman in the red cloak had also vanished.

The battle raged on, and Meng Yuan was still wounded, unaware of where his beloved had gone. As for Wang Er's ramblings at Lin Yan, Meng Yuan had no interest in him.

"Brother Meng!" Lord Cangshan immediately came over, grabbed Meng Yuan, and exclaimed with delight, "Brother Meng, what skill you have!"

"Speak your mind!" Lin Yan looked at Cangshan Jun warily.

"Elder Miaoyin wishes to meet Brother Meng." Cangshan Jun was very kind, with a sincere smile on his face.

“Alright!” Lin Yan immediately agreed on Meng Yuan’s behalf, and asked happily, “When and where? I wonder what Elder Miaoyin has to say? And Elder Hua?”

"That's beyond my knowledge." Cangshan Jun waved his hand and said solemnly, "Brother Lin, Brother Meng, Elder Miaoyin loves to mentor younger generations and is very kind in her dealings! Brother Meng's trip will surely be of great benefit to you!"

Meng Yuan always felt that Cangshan Jun was not a good person, as if he had some bad intentions, so he asked warily, "Where do we go to see Elder Miaoyin?"

"The elder is discussing the Dao with Xuanjizi. You may go at any time, my brother." Cangshan Jun seemed to have guessed what Meng Yuan was thinking and directly suggested a place that Meng Yuan could not refuse.

Seeing this, Meng Yuan agreed, but he needed to see Wang Er first.

But Meng Yuan had a vague feeling that he might meet Elder Hua Suzhi on this trip.

(End of this chapter)