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Chapter 145 Conspiracy
However, to Zhaba's surprise, the old monk refused him.

"No need. You've already searched six times in a big way. Even if that person is in this city, they would have run away long ago. I'm just reminding you not to be so hesitant in the future. When it's time to act, act decisively."

This time, Zaba didn't ask any questions and simply put his palms together in prayer.

“I will heed the Guru’s teachings. Now, Guru, what should Zhaba do next?”

The old monk paused for a moment, then spoke.

"You don't need to worry about that. Someone from Sama came to tell me that they can take over the rest of the business."

Who would have expected.

Zaba, who had always been respectful, immediately became anxious upon hearing this.

He suddenly straightened up and said angrily.

"The Sama faction? I think they just want to steal the credit! We've worked so hard for so many days, and we were about to drive that person to the brink of death, and now they actually want to take over? Don't they have any shame? They're just a mere offering."

Before Zhaba could finish speaking, the old monk suddenly picked out a joint from the person on the table. In the midst of the seemingly frenzied yet silent trembling, it landed perfectly on a porcelain plate, making a crisp 'clink' sound.

Zaba's voice stopped abruptly.

Then, the old monk slowly spoke.

"Whether it's the Sama sect or our Ningge sect, we both came down from the high mountains and are the same lineage that those people call 'Tibetan Tantra.' The only difference is that we worship the Lord of the charnel ground, while they worship Red Tara. There has never been any difference in their status. Don't say such things again, understand?"

Zaba swallowed his words bitterly.

"Yes, Master."

The old monk didn't try to persuade him, and his knife continued to cut off the joints one by one, while he casually remarked.

“Zhaba, I know you’re not convinced, but the situation in Lizhou is in complete chaos right now. You know, the Zen sect is always thinking about counterattacking Lizhou. As for the imperial court… although we have the Empress Dowager’s support, those high-ranking officials don’t like us at all. It’s said that even a few of the ‘Daoist Cavalry’ from the Zhenxie Division have been sent here.”

At this point, the man on the stage suddenly began to struggle violently. He opened his mouth wide as if trying to say something, but all his struggles were suppressed by the old monk's blade.

Then the old monk continued speaking.

"Now, the waters of Lizhou are too murky. We should unite all forces that can be united to ensure the smooth commencement of the Three Altars Dharma Assembly. So, we don't need to mention any merits or achievements anymore, understand?"

But Zaba didn't say that.

After hesitating for a moment, he spoke somewhat reluctantly.

“Master, I also don’t understand this. Why are we so attached to that Three Altars Dharma Assembly? You know the background of this Dharma King; he’s corrupt from the root. Why should we be so obedient to him, even at the cost of sacrificing the foundation of Lizhou for this Three Altars Dharma Assembly?”

“Zhaba”.

His tone remained calm, but for some reason, Zaba felt his whole body begin to tremble.

"What punishment should be given to those who criticize those above them?"

“His tongue should be cut off as a form of verbal discipline.”

"I still have work for you to do. It's quite troublesome that you can't speak. As a second choice, you can take off one of your ears."

"...Master?!"

The old monk did not respond, so Nazaba could only take a deep breath and then grab his right ear.

Then, gritting his teeth, he tore it open with all his might—

Along with the splattering blood, he had actually ripped his own ear off!
Suppressing the scream that was about to escape his lips, Zaba held his blood-soaked right ear in his hands, knelt down, and raised it high above his head.

“Zhaba has already taken the precepts himself; please review them, Master.” The old monk simply waved his hand casually.

"understood."

After everything was over, the old monk slowly explained.

"Although the current Dharma King did not come down from the high mountain, everyone has witnessed all his achievements. He was the one who integrated all the sects, and he was the one who entered the palace to preach the Dharma. Moreover, since the failure in Wuzhou, he has become the only hope to guide the Lord of the charnel ground to descend into the world. Now, the only way is to believe in him."

"But what we did to him before..."

"—The Dharma King repays evil with kindness, which shows great wisdom and the heart of a Buddha. From now on, you must not gossip. —By the way, I am also going to Bodhi Monastery in a few days. The Three Platforms Dharma Assembly is about to begin, and all the masters need to go there to oversee it. At that time... you will be the only one left from our Ningge sect outside."

Only now did Zaba show a look of panic.

"Master, if you leave, what should I do?"

"Don't worry, I've made arrangements for both of us."

The old monk spoke slowly.

"Aren't you upset that the Sama sect stole your credit? Well, I'll give you another chance. I just used the lives of this magistrate's entire family to perform a divination. Although I didn't get accurate information, thanks to the Venerable One's protection, I vaguely saw a place that person would pass through later. Try to 'invite' him here. If you succeed, bring him to Bodhi Temple to find me. If not..."

Zaba received it immediately.

"If that doesn't work, Zhaba will offer his body to Buddha."

“Very good.” The old monk nodded. “You may take the concubine I left here, and you may also take the magistrate’s position—remember, this is your only chance, so take good care of yourself.”

Zaba nodded in agreement, but then he suddenly remembered something and spoke again.

"There is one more thing I feel I need to tell you, Master."

"explain."

“When I was using the Ghost Sense Technique, I unexpectedly discovered a strange person. Although he was very young, his whole body was filled with murderous aura, as if he had committed countless killings. Judging from the traces, he should be the one who killed the Ugly Gu Woman.”

"Oh?"

The old monk's usually calm and even voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"Is he the guy we spread false information about and then used as a target? How did he survive being surrounded and attacked by so many people?"

Zaba nodded.

"Yes, not only are they alive, they even seem to be living a very comfortable life."

The old monk pondered for a moment.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"Forget it, although I don't really want to cause any trouble, the Five Immortals Sect is, after all, a stronghold that we and the Sama Sect have planted in Miao territory. It is of the same lineage, so if there is a chance, let's convert them along the way."

"I will follow the instructions of my guru."

Zaba clasped his hands together and bowed again.

Then the old monk continued.

"—Based on what I've reviewed, that person should be in a place about seventy li from Jianhu County, almost outside the territory of our Ningge faction, and their name is..."

"Mang Village".

(End of this chapter)