Records of Mysterious Things in the Southern Dynasties

Chapter 484 Three Dreams of a Fleeting Life
Upon hearing Bodhidharma's request, Wu Yang couldn't help but sneer, "You old monk, you're overdoing your act of being a good person. What does Chen Qingzhi's life or death have to do with you?"

"Do you know him?" Wu Gu asked with a smile.

"I don't know him." Bodhidharma shook his head and said, "It's just that his name has become so famous lately that it's hard not to know him."

"That's none of your business, mind your own business." Wu Gu spat and said, "Mind your own business."

"Normally it shouldn't matter, but since Lord Dream God intervened, it does," Damo said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" the witch asked.

“Since the Dream God is using the Buddha's name, if He kills Chen Qingzhi, the world will hold the Buddha responsible. As the saying goes, ‘Many voices can melt metal, and accumulated slander can destroy bones.’ In just a few years, this person will truly be considered the Buddha’s killer,” Bodhidharma said solemnly.

"If it were an ordinary person, it would be fine, but Chen Qingzhi successfully led seven thousand white-robed soldiers on a northern expedition, defeating all opponents in the Northern Dynasty. He is destined to be remembered in history, and this debt is too heavy. As a disciple of the Buddha, I have no choice but to bite the bullet and ask you for this favor on behalf of my ancestor."

"Asking for favors?" Wu Yang snorted. "If it were Buddha saying such a thing, fine, but you're not worthy to do so."

“I don’t have the ability, understand?” the witch said, playing the straight man.

"What constitutes strength?" Bodhidharma was not annoyed and continued to ask, "If strength is defined as being able to defeat Your Excellency, then this humble monk is also somewhat skilled in martial arts."

As he spoke, he drew a sword covered in flames from his sleeve and said calmly, "This Nanming Lihuo Sword was forged by this old monk during his nine years of seclusion. I have not yet tested its edge. I wonder if I am qualified to have it appraised by you, sir."

Wu Yang's eyes narrowed; he hadn't expected Bodhidharma to have such a fiery temper. He had thought Bodhidharma had crossed the river on a reed and escaped in time, a seasoned veteran.

“You’re 150 years old, why are you still acting like a young boy?” Wu Gu laughed. “Becoming a god isn’t easy, don’t risk your life so easily.”

“In front of you two, I am still a young man.” Bodhidharma smiled, his curled beard swaying. “It’s normal for a young man to be impulsive.”

He then twirled his sword and assumed a fighting stance, saying, "Please enlighten me."

"..." Wu Yang hesitated to make a move. Although he was confident in defeating his opponent, he would need to fight for at least a thousand moves, until the heavens and earth collapsed and the mountains and rivers were shattered.

This is contrary to His original intention of keeping a low profile.

No matter how you look at it, as the guardian deity of the Southern Dynasty, his actions to sabotage the Northern Expedition and kill its soldiers were truly appalling...

Moreover, his opponent was Bodhidharma. If he fought this battle, he would be unable to wear the mask of Buddha at all, and how could he continue to use Buddhism to "save all sentient beings" in the Southern Dynasty?
For the sake of the greater good, He really didn't want to fight Bodhidharma.

After a moment's thought, He said calmly to Bodhidharma, "What you said makes some sense. Since I've used your grandmaster's name, I should at least consider his reputation after death."

"So?" Bodhidharma asked.

"I can let Chen Qingzhi and his party cross the river..."

After Wu Yang finished speaking, Bodhidharma did not respond, but waited quietly for what he would say next.

Sure enough, Wu Yang continued, "So what price will you pay?"

“This humble monk will sculpt a golden statue for Your Excellency and offer prayers and incense day and night,” Bodhidharma said. “I do not need it,” Wu Yang shook his head decisively.

“That’s true.” Bodhidharma said with a wry smile, “Your Excellency is the god who governs dreams. People dream whenever they sleep. Whether you believe it or not is not important.”

"It's good that you know." Wu Yang nodded slightly.

"What does Your Excellency desire?" Bodhidharma asked.

“My dream world is missing a monk who chants scriptures, and I think you’re quite suitable,” Wu Yang said.

Bodhidharma couldn't help but smile wryly: "You jest, Your Excellency. The one thing you have in abundance is monks."

“I’ve set my sights on you,” Wu Yang said willfully. His goal was simple: to take this scourge to his dreams and imprison him forever.

Bodhidharma dared not agree, shaking his head repeatedly and saying, "Let's change the request. This humble monk still needs to spread Buddhism in the Northern Dynasty, and I am unable to be in two places at once."

“Then take three of my blows.” Wu Yang raised her slender hand and said, “After three blows, whether you live or die, I will leave immediately.”

"Sister, are you trying to kill him? No one in the world can withstand three slaps from you." Upon hearing this, the witch shook her head: "Try another one, he won't agree."

“Yes, Master, please don’t agree. With your old arms and legs, one slap from him would break them.” Fa Xiu quickly advised.

"Are you going to buy scraps of cloth in a store? And keep exchanging them?" Wu Yang said, no longer willing to compromise. "This is the condition. If you don't accept it, then forget it."

“Alright.” Bodhidharma nodded, sheathed the Nanming Fire Sword, untied his monk’s robe, revealing his bony chest, and said, “Come on, don’t be shy.”

"Then let's savor this 'Three Dreams of Floating Life'!" Wu Yang snorted lightly, and the world transformed into a scene of fleeting moments, with day and night alternating. Just moments ago, the sky was a clear blue, with a bright, sunny day, but in the blink of an eye, the night was as dark as ink, and the stars and moon filled the sky.

The first palm strike, imbued with the gentle warmth of a summer night, came crashing down.

With a flick of his finger, Wu Yang caused thousands of fireflies to converge into a silken ribbon of light, which seemed to gently entwine around Bodhidharma. Within the ribbon of light, alluring illusions appeared—the magnificent Western Paradise, the supreme position to which all beings bow in reverence… These highest pursuits of Buddhists appeared vividly before Bodhidharma's eyes.

If he is even slightly tempted, he will be dragged into an eternal dream from which he can never wake up.

"All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows..." Bodhidharma lowered his eyes and chanted the sutra. The golden threads on his robe shimmered with seven-colored light, and those alluring rays of light turned to dust the moment they touched his golden body.

"You're completely unmoved by temptation; it seems you're a true monk." Wu Yang praised, then changed his strategy for his second strike!
A galaxy surged from his palm, its dazzling light concealing the power to destroy stars. As the galaxy swirled, countless stars veered off course, trailing burning comet tails as they plummeted to Earth, as if the entire universe were collapsing!

Bodhidharma was the first to bear the brunt of the force, and the space around him crumbled inch by inch, even the air was torn into sharp vortexes. Bodhidharma's body shone with golden light, forming a golden bell shield to protect him, but the falling stars pierced through the golden light like a hot knife through butter, exploding countless terrifying wounds on his body.

"Shatter!" Wu Yang roared, and the last star shattered into countless fragments, each carrying a world-destroying force. Bodhidharma's robe was torn apart by the shockwave, revealing his blood-stained body. Blood dripped from his robes, staining the white clouds beneath him crimson. Yet he remained seated as steadfast as a mountain, only the white hair between his brows shining ever brighter, upholding his final Zen amidst the falling stars.

"Alright, alright, those three moves are over." Fa Xiu rushed over, tears streaming down her face. "Master, are you alright!"

"Get out of the way!" But then the Dream God said coldly, "One more blow!"

(End of this chapter)