The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 567 Identification
It is highly likely that Jianzhen's body is in Ji Tianrui's hands. Although there is no direct evidence, it can be basically confirmed by indirect evidence such as Nianliu's madness, the traces at Tōshōdai-ji Temple, and the dialogue and reactions between Enryaku-ji Temple and Minamoto no Chōryō.

Therefore, Li Miao did not expect to meet Jianzhen.

He carefully examined the figure sitting on the corpse lotus and discovered that not only the face, but also the exposed chest, the skin color, limb shape, and even skin age on the left and right sides were completely different, with the heart meridian as the boundary.

"It's like splitting two people in half and then sticking them back together."

Li Miao raised his hand and pointed.

He had only asked a question tentatively, but in reality, if the other party was truly Jianzhen, as a high-ranking monk who practiced the true Dharma of Buddhism, he would never have made this place into such a mess.

If they're friends, it's okay to hit them.

If they are the enemy, then that's perfect!
A sharp burst of true energy shot towards his forehead.

Faced with Li Miao's Xuan Tian Finger at half its strength, the figure on the Corpse Lotus finally made a move. His right hand, which had been hanging on his knee, suddenly rose, and his long, slender claws swiftly grasped the true energy.

puff.

Even with only half his strength, Li Miao's attack was not easy to withstand. His true energy pierced through his palm and struck the man's forehead, piercing through him.

Wow.

His head exploded, and red and white fluids splattered on the wall.

"That's it?"

Li Miao raised an eyebrow.

The figure hadn't even opened his eyes yet, but he was able to accurately catch Li Miao's Xuan Tian Finger. In terms of speed and reaction alone, he was no less than Li Miao.

However, his physical body was strangely fragile, probably only at the level of an ordinary celestial being, unable to even withstand Li Miao's probing attack.

Of course, this is not the end.

The figure had its head pierced, but its raised right hand did not fall down. Instead, it slowly returned to its right knee and resumed its original sitting posture.

Then, his chest suddenly began to rise and fall.

Thump, thump, thump, thump—

A powerful heartbeat came from my chest.

As the heart pumped blood plasma into the body, the muscles on the right side of the man's body slowly expanded, becoming extremely muscular in the blink of an eye, almost comparable to those of the Yang family. The left side of his body, however, remained unchanged, still extremely thin.

But while the right side of his body remained completely still, something strange happened on the left side—his left eyelid twitched for a moment, then suddenly opened! His gaze instantly focused and swept towards Li Miao.

Li Miao's feet moved slightly.

"call--"

A long sigh came from the corpse lotus.

"Greetings, benefactor."

His voice was hoarse and calm.

Li Miao frowned.

"Master Jianzhen?"

The person on the corpse lotus bowed his left hand towards Li Miao, making a Buddhist greeting gesture.

"Yes."

Upon hearing his answer, Li Miao closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then let out a long sigh.

"This is the technique you left in the Enryaku-ji Temple back then, isn't it?"

"Your body isn't here, so this body isn't your own. It must have been created by the Shinto sect using the bodies of monks. But it's precisely because they used the bodies of monks as materials that you were able to revive using the techniques hidden within their cultivation methods, right?"

The man's right cheek was ashen and menacing, but his left cheek revealed a kind smile to Li Miao.

“Your guess is correct.”

He looked at Li Miao with delight in his eyes.

Li Miao narrowed his eyes uncomfortably.

He could sense the emotions in Jianzhen's eyes, not just joy, but also appreciation, happiness, care, and even expectation, like an elder seeing an outstanding junior, which made him very uncomfortable.

"Oh...is that his personality?"

Seeing Li Miao's reaction, Jianzhen immediately concealed the emotions in his eyes and bowed to Li Miao in apology. Li Miao waved his hand.

"Master Jianzhen, are you the real person, or like Bodhidharma, merely a remnant of sexuality?"

Jianzhen replied with a smile.

"the latter."

"Moreover, this humble monk is naturally far inferior to Bodhidharma, and this method is not my own work. I merely borrowed a secret technique that Bodhidharma left in his cultivation method before his passing away—he had foreseen all of this long ago."

Jianzhen spoke eloquently.

“Back then, I came to Japan following the instructions of Bodhidharma and investigated the discord within Buddhism there. I wanted to guide it onto the right path, so I began to modify the practices using the methods left by Bodhidharma.”

“Each time they practice the technique, a trace of their nature is altered to resemble that of this humble monk. The amount is so small that it does not affect their progress or their original intention. Over time, this will be enough to guide them toward goodness.”

"pity……"

Jianzhen shook his head.

"This humble monk was too pedantic and slow to act, which led to the Shinto sect discovering my secrets and killing me. But this method has been passed down to this day."

"They wanted to use the flesh and blood of the monks of Enryakuji Temple to create an opponent for the benefactor, but they also happened to gather up the modified traces of sexuality within the monks, turning them into this poor monk."

"This is my current state."

Li Miao nodded.

"I see."

“Since you are so clear-headed, and I only have a vague understanding of what happened in Japan, I will not ask—just tell me what you think I should know.”

Jianzhen smiled and nodded.

“Benefactor, you are truly wise.”

"But there's no rush. This humble monk has plenty of time and would also like to have a conversation with outstanding descendants eight hundred years from now."

"Moreover, aside from the problems that our ancestors have not been able to solve, this humble monk also wishes to do his bit to help you with your predicament."

Li Miao frowned.

"Dilemma? Master, you might as well speak frankly."

Jianzhen looked at Li Miao, and the appreciation and joy he felt when seeing an outstanding junior resurfaced in his eyes.

"Benefactor, if this humble monk is not mistaken, you possess two paths of profound insight and three paths of life cultivation simultaneously?"

Li Miao nodded.

Jianzhen exclaimed in admiration.

"Truly a peerless hero!"

"To be able to cultivate two paths to the Profound Realm simultaneously, if one can reach the pinnacle in the future, one might even achieve a realm stronger than that of Bodhidharma!"

"Your innate talent surpasses that of Bodhidharma, and your natural aptitude and understanding are comparable to his! It is truly a blessing for all living beings that such a talent as you exists in the world! May the Buddha protect you!"

Upon hearing the words "natural talent and comprehension," Li Miao pursed his lips and forced himself to remain silent.

Jianzhen suddenly changed the subject.

"But you must be quite troubled, benefactor?"

Li Miao frowned.

“Master, you may speak frankly. I come from a government background and am not used to the sharp and witty exchanges of your Buddhist sect.”

Jianzhen smiled apologetically.

"It is this humble monk's fault."

"What I'd like to ask is whether you have any doubts about your own level of understanding or natural talent?"

"For example, does the benefactor not understand why he/she is able to avoid the five signs of decay in a celestial being?"

Jianzhen looked at Li Miao and smiled.

"For example, do you feel that your comprehension is far inferior to that of ordinary people?"

(End of this chapter)