Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 1017 The Zen Master's Blessing

"I can tell you this with full responsibility: the 'divine punishment' that Linji Temple suffered some time ago was... well-deserved!"

!!!

These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing an instant uproar!

Even monks who spend their days meditating and strive for a state of perfect tranquility can no longer remain calm in the face of such direct and serious accusations.

Whispers of astonishment, anger, and confusion mingled together.

Standing in front, Abbot Huiren closed his eyes in pain, clasped his hands together, and kept chanting "Amitabha Buddha," his figure seemingly hunched over.

Before taking action, he did hesitate about whether to conceal this ugly truth.

After all, the trip to the Prince's Palace to preach and pray for blessings, as well as some of the unclear cooperation that followed, were mostly carried out by a few high-ranking members of the temple, and most of the ordinary monks were unaware of it... He originally wanted to take full responsibility and protect the reputation of the temple.

But Xu Xuan's merciless "You're confused!" completely woke him up.

At that moment, the Zen Master Fahai stared intently at him, his words striking his heart like a vajra:
"Abbot! Does your Buddhist heart seek truth or falsehood? If you truly wish for your disciples to have the opportunity to ascend to the Pure Land in the future, then don't think about bearing this sin alone now!"

"Concealing the truth and letting them unknowingly become tainted by karma is truly pushing them into the deepest hell! Only by facing their sins head-on, repenting deeply, and striving to make amends can they have a glimmer of hope for liberation!"

Therefore, at this moment, Abbot Huiren took a deep breath and resolutely stepped forward.

Instead of Xu Xuan, he explained how Linji Temple was used by the Liang Prince's Mansion, and how it unknowingly provided some convenience and cover for the evil magic that steals the fate of the stars, revealing the root of the "sin" in all of this.

The monks were struck dumb, as if by lightning.

The Liang Prince's Mansion! It has been the biggest benefactor of Linji Temple for many years, with extremely generous offerings of incense and prayers. People from the mansion often come to the temple to burn incense or invite eminent monks back to the mansion to preach and expound the Dharma.

In the hearts of the monks, this was originally a virtuous act by the prince, who was devoutly believing in Buddhism and sowing seeds of good fortune, and a manifestation of the temple's influence.

Who could have imagined that beneath this glamorous facade lay such a shocking truth! They had unwittingly become accomplices in acts of defiance and evil!
In an instant, panic and chaos spread among the monks.

Some people turned pale, feeling a chill run down their spines at the ruthless methods of the powerful and wealthy; some had unfocused eyes, deeply shaken by the meaning of the scriptures they recited and the Buddhist teachings they practiced; and some trembled all over, overwhelmed by the heavy feeling of "shared karma," as if they could see the gates of hell opening before their eyes.

At this critical moment when his Buddhist heart wavered and his faith was about to crumble, Xu Xuan suddenly took a step forward!
"Bastard!"

A sharp shout containing the secret techniques of the Buddhist Great Thunder Sound resounded like a thunderclap from a clear sky, making the ears of the three hundred monks ring and their minds tremble. It even managed to dispel some of the pervasive panic and dejection.

"What do you think Buddhism is? What is the Buddhist path? What is Buddha?!"

Xu Xuan's voice was booming, and his gaze was sharp as he swept over the terrified faces.

"Our Pure Land School has also suffered from the White Lotus Rebellion, which led to branching paths and left a deep and lasting poison that has persisted for over a century!"

He spoke of the sect's most disgraceful past without any hesitation, his voice carrying a heavy weight.

"Then what……?"

The tone shifted, becoming high-pitched and full of power:
"Then, my Pure Land Sect spent three hundred years traveling the world to quell the turbulent Yin Sha ley lines caused by the White Lotus evil magic, and to purify and deliver the countless demons that arose from it! With this boundless merit, we will follow the path of redemption!"

"Even today, although our sect dares not claim to be perfect, it is still revered by the world as the foremost Buddhist sect! What is the reason for this? It is not that we never make mistakes, but that after making mistakes, we have the courage to face them, the perseverance to make amends, and the determination to redeem ourselves!"

The words struck the hearts of every monk like a heavy hammer.

"There are two kinds of wise people in the world: one who never does evil; and the other who, after doing evil, can sincerely repent and courageously correct their mistakes!"

"Even the Buddha had times when he repented for his mistakes! How much more so us ordinary monks?!"

"Everyone! Do not dwell on the karmic obstacles of the past! Raise your heads and see the path beneath your feet! Today's protection of the Dharma is the beginning of your atonement, the opportunity for you to rebuild your Buddha-heart!"

Xu Xuan's move, using the "White Lotus Disaster," the most shameful event in his own sect, as a pretext, can be described as a personal account, which is extremely persuasive.

Furthermore, the subtle guiding power of the White Lotus Dharma was subtly incorporated into the words, mixed with the powerful and righteous thunderous sound, resulting in an excellent effect.

At this moment, Zen Master Fahai appeared solemn and dignified, truly possessing some of the magnanimous spirit of the Buddha enlightening the ignorant masses.

The Zen monks in the audience were from a school that emphasized "directly pointing to the mind" and "sudden enlightenment to Buddhahood."

He understands perfectly what it means to "lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot," and what it means to "be a mortal when one is deluded in the past, and a Buddha when one is enlightened in the future."

This intense discourse on "repentance," "redemption," and "present-day enlightenment" strikes precisely at the heart of the Zen Buddhist teachings!
In an instant, the confusion and fear in the eyes of many monks gradually faded, replaced by a sense of determination and enlightenment.

After its heart was broken, the Buddha's heart began to be rebuilt, and it became more steadfast than ever before.

Immediately afterwards, Xu Xuan began to list out all the crimes of the Liang Prince's Mansion, ruthlessly smearing it with every conceivable stain, whether black or gray.

In any case, compared to stealing the destiny of the stars and causing chaos in the world, all other crimes seem "insignificant".

"At the very least, the actions of the Liang Prince's Mansion are an act of blaming our Buddhist community for being devoid of talent, treating us as nothing, and using our sacred monastery as a fig leaf to cover up their despicable deeds!"

Xu Xuan's voice was impassioned, filled with inflammatory anger.

"To put it bluntly, this is an act of deceiving the people of our Nine Provinces, disregarding the well-being of all living beings, and for the sake of selfish desires, even going so far as to incite war and calamities, plunging the common people into misery!"

His gaze swept over the monks, and his tone became deep and highly persuasive:

"Dear members of Linji Temple! Do not forget the path you took to become monks, and do not forget how fortunate and fortunate you are to be born as human beings and to hear the Dharma!"

"Today, I will tell you!" He raised his arm and began to swing it with great force!
"Compassion is not weakness! The true Dharma is the sharp edge!"

He suddenly took a step forward, his voice echoing across the surrounding area:

"I, Fahai, will today emulate the Arhat who subdues dragons, and act with the fierce wrath of Vajra to subdue this evil dragon that plagues the Liang Prince's Mansion, and restore peace to the world!"

His gaze flashed like lightning as he abruptly turned to Abbot Huiren beside him, his voice booming like a bell:
"Hui Ren! Are you willing to follow his example?!"

Snapped!
Before he could finish speaking, Xu Xuan slammed his palm heavily onto Hui Ren's broad shoulder!
This palm strike seemed to be more than just a physical contact; it carried a strange, scorching power, like some kind of recognition and blessing, instantly penetrating the body and reaching straight to the heart!
A surge of indomitable will, originating from the ancient sages of humanity, seemed to pour into him through this palm strike!

Hui Ren trembled violently, feeling an unprecedentedly fierce and scorching power burst forth from his heart and flow through his limbs and bones!
On his burly, imposing body, golden light flashed. His Arhat Dharma body, which had been cultivated for many years, began to roar and expand involuntarily, his thick muscles bulging, stretching his wide monk's robes so tightly they seemed about to burst!

He looked up, his eyes devoid of any hesitation or pain, only filled with an iron will. He gritted his teeth and growled, his voice like the clash of iron and stone:

"Huiren...will naturally follow the Zen Master!"

The roaring sound carried an unwavering vow.

With Hui Ren here today, even a thousand troops and ten thousand horses cannot get close to Ebotai!
Snapped!
Without hesitation, Xu Xuan unleashed a powerful palm strike that landed on the shoulder of Chief Huixin.

"Huixin! Do you have the determination to subdue dragons and tigers?!"

The chief, Huixin, felt a weight on his shoulders as a scorching current instantly flowed through his meridians, causing his muscles and bones to hum like iron being forged!

His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his vision seemed to be filled only with Xu Xuan's figure, which was like a wise king descending to earth, and nothing else.

His fists were clenched, and his voice was resolute:

"A wise heart can sacrifice itself to attain enlightenment!"

Snapped!
"Huiming!"

Snapped!
"Wisdom and Awareness!"

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!
In an instant, this "wake-up call - pre-battle mobilization version" resounded throughout the mountains and forests!
Xu Xuan was like a tireless Dharma King, infusing a monk with a burning faith and power with every shout and every strike.

Every monk who was photographed shuddered, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit, and his aura visibly became more solid and fierce!
In a short period of time, he forcibly strengthened the three hundred monks in such an almost domineering way, turning them into an iron torrent of people who were united in hatred against the enemy and vowed to protect the Dharma to the death!

When Xu Xuan returned to Ebotai, still brimming with excitement, he was greeted by Bai Suzhen's bright, inquisitive eyes.

Her tone was tinged with disbelief and a hint of mockery: "Xu Hanwen, did you just... organize a group of monk soldiers to attack the Liang Prince's Mansion directly?"

"Huh?" Xu Xuan was taken aback by the question, her face full of innocence.

"What are you saying? I have no such plan."

He really only did a "small" pre-battle mobilization.

Bai Suzhen didn't say much, but simply raised her hand and pointed to the surrounding mountains and forests.

Following the direction she pointed, I belatedly realized that the surging blood and high morale of the three hundred monks, which had been collectively aroused, had already had a substantial impact!

A fiery, masculine aura, imbued with the true spirit of Buddhist combat, rose like smoke, scattering the clouds in the sky and clearing the area.

The boiling fighting spirit was so intense that it was palpable even from a distance, conveying a resolute aura of fighting to the death.

“Uh…” Xu Xuan explained somewhat awkwardly, “Well… I just habitually said a few more words to boost morale. I thought… monks should all be calm and undisturbed.”

His explanation seemed so weak and unconvincing, especially when compared to someone's record and his more enthusiastic performance just now.

Seeing the man's expression, Bai Suzhen suddenly smiled. Her smile was like ice melting and moonlight shining through, causing Xu Xuan to momentarily lose his composure.

She called softly, "Hanwen".

"Hmm?" Xu Xuan responded subconsciously.

“In Xiaoqing’s words,” she said, her eyes sparkling with a clear smile and her tone light, “you were so cool just now.”

Without waiting for Xu Xuan's reaction, he turned and walked to the center of the Ebo Terrace. With a flick of his sleeve, he began to focus on arranging the necessary items for the altar, his expression returning to its usual cool and focused state.

Only one human man remained, instantly thrown off balance by this sudden, straightforward, and unfamiliar praise.

Xu Xuan couldn't help but smile, his lips curving upwards with a hint of smirk.

There's always someone who can subdue another... It's either you subdue me, or I subdue you.

That one moment shattered my steely will!

snort!
Something.

As night deepened, the stars, like polished silver nails, densely covered the dark blue sky.

Under the starlight, Ebo Terrace appeared ancient and mysterious. Bai Suzhen's figure stood gracefully in the center of the altar, as if she had formed some kind of mysterious connection with the starry sky.

Meanwhile, in the mountains and forests, the three hundred monks who had been "blessed" stood like silent Arhats, guarding this land that was about to be engulfed in turmoil.

(End of this chapter)