The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 150 A Brief Separation and a Reunion

In front of the ruins of the Reclining Buddha Temple.

Shen Cangming found Su Hexuan's remains. He collected his comrade's bones and reburied them in the woods next to the Wofo Temple. The one-armed warrior used a flat piece of wood to carve Su Hexuan's tombstone and silently prayed.

But what should we pray for?

If one is a general, one would still hope to serve one's country in the next life. But in the present Tang Dynasty, the imperial army uses the people of the two capitals as payment to invite foreign tribes to become mercenary groups; while the Tang Dynasty's own elite troops are swept up in the torrent of rebels.

So, is it unnecessary to pray for the next life in this way?

If one practices Buddhism and is a monk who has broken free from ego, why would one still seek a better afterlife?

Shen Cangming took out a pot of wine and poured it onto the tombstone.

"Let's have one last drink."

"So what if I broke the rule?"

Setting down the wine jug, Shen Cangming remained silent for a long time. He then took out the letter from his pocket, and the image of that lively, cheerful, and always energetic girl seemed to reappear before his eyes once again. However, that was many years ago.

We made a promise when we were young.

After Wang Zhongsi's incident, Shen Cangming was ostracized in the army. Due to his personality, he clashed with many people and directly rebuked the then military governor, resulting in his demotion to a ninth-rank military officer.

After leaving Shibao City, he became even more disheartened, and at that time he lost contact with Su Xiaoshuang.

Shen Cangming read the letter. Su Xiaoshuang had written to Su Hexuan, inquiring about his condition and saying that she was currently staying in Shu and that Su Hexuan should take care of his health, as everything was fine.

But in the end, Shen Cangming saw the last words written on the letter:

"Brother, do you have any news of Brother Shen? I heard that trouble has broken out in Anren Army. With the Central Plains war raging and bandits rising up everywhere, I worry about what will happen if he gets caught up in it. The commander-in-chief has passed away, and his brothers in Anren Army have also died. I fear he might do something desperate..."

"Recently, a village unearthed a special type of bronze artifact with a very ancient style. It's a pity I can't show it to my older brother."

If my elder brother has any news of Brother Shen, he will surely write to his younger sister.

Even if there's no news, keep in touch.

Shen Cangming stared at the letter for a long time without saying a word.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of Buddhist light rising from the ruins of the Reclining Buddha Temple.

Shen Cangming put the letter away, and a moment later, he saw the monk Kongkong, dressed in a gray robe, holding a white lotus flower, with an exaggeratedly large water-polished staff on his shoulder, and a simple and honest face.

A fine Zen staff, as thick as a wrist, is not a single, perfectly round piece, but rather made of nine sections of rough, robust black iron rings locked together, each ring inscribed with the intricate Sanskrit mantra of the Heart Sutra.

The large, octagonal head of the Zen staff is dark red in color and has distinct edges and corners.

The other section is a three-foot-long crescent-shaped shovel blade.

Shen Cangming looked at the thing, then at the monk Kongkong, whose face was flushed and who was dragging it out with a series of heavy thrusts. The monk loosened his staff and it fell to the ground with a loud thud, shaking the ground slightly.

Shen Cangming said, "This is..."

With a simple smile on his face, the monk Kongkong said with great joy, "It is the weapon used by the great monk Xuanzang when he traveled to various countries, a water-polished Zen staff weighing eight hundred catties."

800 jin...

Only 800 jin? You're kidding me.

Looking at the staff, Shen Cangming knew from its design that it was not something an ordinary person could handle. Moreover, the more he looked at the eight edges of the staff, the more it resembled the edges of a hammer.

The image of the monk Xuanzang, who traveled to 180 countries with his staff more than a hundred years ago, is something to aspire to.

Shen Cangming asked, "Is this item also at the Reclining Buddha Temple?"

The monk Kongkong said, "Yes, yes."

He scratched his head and said:

"I originally came here to take stock of the situation at the Reclining Buddha Temple, but I didn't expect to find a strong Buddhist aura in the northwest corner. I knew it was something special, so I borrowed a shovel from the locals and finally dug it out. That's when I found this Zen staff."

"May Buddha have mercy, this staff cannot be left here."

“Alas… cough cough, this humble monk says that it is because the Buddhist teachings are too heavy that they easily interfere with the earth's veins.”

The monk Xuanzang traveled the world during that era, crossing countless small countries. At that time, the chaos in the Central Plains had just been quelled, and there were definitely not a few monsters from all directions. But he managed to go out and then came back.

The dark red marks on this staff are the weight of Buddhist teachings.

Mahayana Deva is the Buddha of Mahayana Buddhism.

How can a punch or a kick be considered outside the realm of Buddhist teachings?!

The monk Kongkong explained how he found the treasure, then scratched his bald head, finally realizing what it meant. He looked puzzled and said, "But this is a Buddhist treasure left behind by the monk Xuanzang, which is of extraordinary significance to Buddhism."

"This monk's staff should be kept inside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Chang'an, not with the Chen family. How did those monsters get it? How strange! It's impossible that there are people in Chang'an who are secretly colluding with these monsters, right?"

On the other side, Yuan Danqiu had also found the blue lotus flower and breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon hearing this, he said:
"It's not impossible, given the current state of the world, it's hard to say."

After chatting for a while, everyone returned to Guhuai Village. Shen Cangming carried Su Hexuan's belongings, Yuan Danqiu held two lotus flowers, but the monk Kongkong carried the huge staff, his face flushed with exhaustion, yet he still groaned as he returned.

Xuan Zhuzi was healing Zhou Yan. This Daoist physician, who came from the lineage of the Medicine King and was considered one of the top practitioners of Daoist medicine in the contemporary era, stared at Zhou Yan with wide eyes as if he had seen a ghost. When he felt Zhou Yan's pulse, he began to doubt his own knowledge.

"This...isn't something wrong?"

"His pulse is strong and his aura is powerful. Not only has the blood and qi in his internal organs been restored, but his magical power is also more than twice as strong as when he was unconscious. This, this..."

Xuanzhuzi felt that the only thing he didn't have was a beard.

Otherwise, I'm afraid I'd have to pull the beard off.

I am the supreme one!

This Taoist priest is too strange, isn't he? Where in the world is there a person who was suffering from exhaustion and was on the verge of death just one day, and then after a couple of drinks, he's back to being lively and energetic?

What kind of Taoist magic has this ability?
Xuan Zhuzi even sensed that Zhou Yan's body actually contained a vast amount of primordial energy, but his body was temporarily 'full' and the medicinal properties had accumulated, preventing him from digesting it immediately.

Otherwise, the magic power would probably increase a bit more.

But this shouldn't be happening...

Xuan Zhuzi was puzzled and began to reflect on whether she had not mastered the medical skills properly; Zhou Yan looked at the several figures in the courtyard and remained silent. He looked at Li Zhenyue, who was as tall and strong as a mountain.

The former general of the Shuofang Army obtained half a set of mountain-patterned armor through his military merits.

Zhanglei Xuanguan, a peak seventh-rank official, is skilled in defense and military martial arts, and can skillfully use various weapons.

And there's that arrogant young man over there.

Pei Xuanniao, a military strategist of the eighth rank, was skilled in both civil and military affairs.

Zhou Yan said, "Why are you two still here?" Li Zhenyue glanced at Shen Cangming and said in a calm voice, "I have left the Shuofang Army and am currently a wandering knight. After Shen Cangming's arms recover, I want to fight you again."

"Until then, I will stay with you for the time being."

Li Zhenyue arrived carrying a Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword), and together with Zhou Yan, they were responsible for covering the retreat at Wofo Temple.

Zhou Yan could accept Li Zhenyue's reasons. He looked at Pei Xuanniao, who was sitting cross-legged, looking somewhat troubled. He simply said, "Me? Both of my cousins ​​are dead. The other branch brothers can go back, but I can't."

“If we go back now, we will be punished by our family.”

"It will involve the vortex between the retired emperor and the sage."

Pei Xuanniao was not someone who was completely devoid of political wisdom.

He whispered, "Punishment isn't important, even death isn't important..."

All the other members of the Pei family returned with the retired emperor.

Regardless, they were ultimately meritorious in protecting the emperor. When faced with the disaster at the Reclining Buddha Temple, they dared to draw their swords and fight against the demons. As young Xuan officials, they would still be recognized at a time when the court needed capable people.

But Pei Xuan Niao never turned back.

Pei Xuan Niao gripped his sword, took a deep breath, and said, "However, we cannot be like weeds, slandered by scoundrels from some families, and die bearing a stigma!"

"The Pei family's reputation was earned through the struggles of generations of ancestors."

"I must find the list of those in the clan who colluded with the Qingming Sect Master, then return to wipe out these traitors and wash away this disgrace from my Pei family. Pei Xuan Niao, I swear—"

"Slay the Lord of the Azure Netherworld!"

The boy was arrogant, but remained calm and spirited.

Zhou Yan clapped his hands and said, "Very good, very good, excellent."

"But what does that have to do with me?"

"Don't sit here and get in my way. I don't get along with the Pei family."

Pei Xuan Niao silently put down his weapon, took out a pouch, and opened it.

Zhou Daoren looked at him lazily. Pei Xuanniao held the contract for the [Flying Coin] in his hand. Zhou Daoren laughed and said, "It's just this little bit..."

wow-

Pei Xuan Niao released his grip, causing the contract for the money shop "Flying Money" to come together in a knot.

There are about seventeen or eighteen of them.

Zhou Yan paused for a moment:

"Just, just a little bit..."

Pei Xuan Niao also took out a package with his left hand, shook it, and a bunch of money notes flew out.

There were probably thirty or forty flying money notes, enough for Zhou Yan to live on for several lifetimes.

As a scion of a prominent family, he was very intelligent.

Before the other clan brothers returned, they beat them up with fists and feet, then made friendly conversation, taking away all their flying money notes. These were the money that the various branches of the clan had given to their offspring to help them go out and make a living; it was definitely not a small amount.

"I'll pay for it."

Pei Xuan Niao looked at the Taoist priest in front of him and said, "I have come to make offerings to you all."

"【Food】and clothing"

"All-you-can-eat, all-you-can-eat!"

Zhou Yan looked at his teammate, with whom he had fought side by side, and after a moment of silence, patted him on the shoulder: "You're in charge of washing the dishes."

Pei Xuan Niao smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

The young nobleman, who was still unaware of how much the young Taoist priest could eat or how many dishes he would have to wash, breathed a sigh of relief, simply clasped his hands in a salute, and said with a smug smile, "Of course."

Just washing dishes.

This is such a trivial matter, how could it possibly stump me?

Zhou Yan glanced at the people around him; they were about to head to Louguandao.

Their group currently includes Li Zhenyue, who excels in heavy shield defense; Pei Xuanniao, a walking wallet; Shen Cangming; Bihen; Huiniang; and Yin Zichuan; not to mention the monk Kongkong and Yuan Danqiu, who may or may not be traveling with them.

From the current perspective, it's already a complete team, with quite a few people.

Zhou Yan considered that the most urgent task at hand was to go to Louguandao to improve his strength and help Shen Cangming recover from his severed arm injury. On the other hand, he also needed to conceal his identity and meet his ally from the capital.

Zhou Yan has not yet taken the initiative to contact Li Zhiwei.

They agreed that Li Zhiwei would provide assistance to Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan, on the other hand, needs to help Li Zhiwei find her mother, Consort Shen, who has disappeared in Dongdu.

Zhou Yan had already seen Consort Shen.

Unfortunately, it was a demon from the calamity at the Reclining Buddha Temple.

Even Zhou Yan couldn't be sure whether it was Shen Fei herself, or whether she was being manipulated, or, in the worst case, whether she had become the molted skin of a cicada. Regardless of the answer, it would be a huge shock to that young girl.

Even Zhou Yan, who was wielding a knife and fighting demons, hadn't figured out how to start the conversation.

This is much harder than killing monsters.

"It's difficult..."

Zhou Yan sighed, feeling a headache coming on. How should he face her? Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Zhou Yan saw that everyone was busy with their own things. Bihen was nowhere to be seen, and Xiao Huiniang was watching ants moving house.

Zhou Yan stood up and leisurely went to open the door.

"Who?"

Zhou Yan's voice faltered.

Upon opening the door, I saw a petite girl standing outside.

With fair skin and a demure, quiet demeanor, and arched eyebrows, her smile made Zhou Yan's heart skip a beat.

The petite Miss Li said:
"Long time no see, Zhou Yan!"

Zhou Yan said, "...Li Zhiwei?!"

"Why are you here?!"

(End of this chapter)