Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 164 Slapping the Suffering Protagonist
The group exchanged glances, and a guess formed in their minds.

I walked a few steps faster and when I reached the mountain gate, I saw several monks returning to secular life.

Master Guangliang, his face full of sorrow, saw off several disciples dressed in secular robes, each carrying a bundle of luggage.

The group then proceeded to kowtow repeatedly towards the mountain gate, bursting into tears.

"Abbot, this disciple truly..."

After saying a few words with a sob in his voice, he left, turning back every few steps.

Xu Xuan and his students were dumbfounded. Lingyin Temple had closed down?
By this time, a system of monastic officials had already been established.

One of the core elements of this system is the registration of legitimate monks and the issuance of certificates proving their identity, known as "seals".

Suddenly returning to secular life isn't as simple as just leaving on a whim; since it's a system, it's managed by someone.

"Master, what has happened?"

Guangliang looked at Instructor Xu with a complicated expression, as if he wanted to say something.

I was careless. I shouldn't have taken this job. It's obvious there's something wrong with Pure Land monks sending merits to other temples.

Finally, he sighed, realizing he couldn't break his vow of decency through speech.

"Life is filled with eight kinds of suffering, which cannot be abandoned simply by entering a Buddhist monastery; one must rely on spiritual practice."

Those who lack spiritual cultivation naturally have no affinity with the Buddha; they should descend the mountain.

The master's eyes looked tired, lacking the energy he had seven days ago.

As for the reasons why the monks returned to secular life and why the pilgrims were so envious, the academy members already knew as soon as they stepped into the temple.

It was the sound of a zither.

The faint sound of a zither drifted into my heart.

The deeper you go, the clearer it becomes, and the more it touches your heart.

That deep affection was countless times stronger than before, enough to bring tears to one's eyes.

If seven days ago was like a clear spring flowing out, pure and deep, carrying endless tenderness and sorrow, it was intoxicating.

Seven days later, this emotion will be like a surging tide, clear and endless, carrying a deep longing and devotion that will make one drown in it.

The surge of emotions and reluctance to part completely stirred the deepest, most hidden feelings within people's hearts.

As we continued toward the Ancestral Hall, the captivating power of the zither music grew stronger, already displaying a touch of the master's teachings that allowed the spirit to merge with heaven and earth, commanding even the most inanimate objects to resonate with its rhythm.

If the old professor's skill is close to the ultimate truth, then Ning's passion is close to the demonic path.

With unwavering loyalty and a strong will, Zao resisted fiercely, becoming like a walking steam engine.

Ji Rui was completely devastated, tears streaming down his face as he called out the names of various girls.

Xu Xuan was in an awkward position. It was as if he had released a human-shaped demon into the temple, constantly stirring up worldly desires and shaking the will of the Buddhist disciples.

Master Guangliang is a very generous person for being able to endure this long. He will definitely donate more money for incense oil in a moment.

Upon arriving at the Ancestral Hall, they saw a young man playing the zither under a tree, while Xiaoqian, holding an oil-paper umbrella, gazed at him intently.

Upon arriving at this place, the emotional impact intensifies several times over, to the point that most people can no longer withstand it.

Even with his unwavering Buddhist heart, Xu was overcome by a fleeting worldly reverie. He seemed to see himself singing with his wife on their wedding night.

My lord, my lord, there's no need to worry. Let me tell you everything... In my youth, I studied medicine, and even went to the South China Sea to pray to Guanyin...
The illusion was shattered in the blink of an eye, but the momentary lapse in concentration was already astonishing enough.

Is this something Ning Caichen could do?
"The old spirit on the Three Lives Stone, let us not discuss the moon and the wind. I am ashamed that my lover has come from afar, though our bodies are different, our love remains."

"There is a Three Lives Stone in the temple, which was stirred up by Benefactor Ning for some reason."

"Countless devoted men and women have come here to make wishes, and the power of their wishes, carried by the music of the zither, is now gathering here, and that is why..."

Xu Xuan was speechless. Why would a perfectly good Buddhist temple put a Three Lives Stone there?

Humans, being the most intelligent of all beings, have been intentionally or unintentionally influencing and changing the world.

The tree spirit in Guobei was able to gain sentience through people's wishes. Even if the stone was initially an inanimate object, it would acquire some supernatural qualities after receiving the power of many infatuated men and women's wishes.

Unfortunately, it happened to encounter the legendary tale of a Chinese Ghost Story that would be sung about for generations to come.
In other words, even if there was no original idea of ​​being inseparable, after being influenced by countless couples who had been at odds with each other, this love would exceed the limits of ordinary people.

Given this setup, it wouldn't be unacceptable for Ning Caichen to fall into demonic possession on the spot. The group had no choice but to wait, and waited until nightfall.

When the music reached its emotional peak, it abruptly stopped. Ning Caichen put down the guqin, and Nie Xiaoqian threw away her paper umbrella. The two, one human and one ghost, embraced each other in silence.

It is indeed very beautiful under the starry sky.

“Amitabha. Benefactor Ning, Benefactor Nie, the hour of midnight has arrived. Your worldly ties are severed, and you shall enter the cycle of reincarnation.”

Amidst the condemning gazes of the crowd, Guangliang uttered a Buddhist chant, interrupting this beautiful scene. As expected of an abbot, he was indeed a bald monk, but not bald at all.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master Xu. I'm sorry for causing you trouble these past few days."

Xiaoqian took a deep look at her lover before returning to Jintan.

Ning Caichen feigned strength, stating that he and Xiaoqian had long been prepared.

Then, at Xu Xuan's signal, he was grabbed and restrained by his two friends. This kind of strength was just an unnecessary pretense.

Moreover, the power of the vows at the Three Lives Stone is stirring around us, so we must be on guard.

Master Guangliang purified his three karmas by bathing, rinsing his mouth, and being utterly sincere.

Light incense before the Buddha, kneel with palms together, and recite the Rebirth Mantra one last time.

Namo Amitabha Night · Duotaga Duoye · Duodi Yeta · Amitabhavi · Ami
Golden Buddhist scriptures swirled around the golden altar, and Nie Xiaoqian's soul was also imbued with some blessings. Standing in the void, she sensed an attraction coming from somewhere.

This is the power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

Even though all the gods of the underworld have disappeared, the cycle of reincarnation continues.

Xiaoqian looked at Ning Caichen with teary eyes, and finally, with a smile mixed with tears, she turned into light and shadow and disappeared into the unknown road.

Ning Caichen lunged forward like a madman, shoving Ji aside and kicking Zao down before being stopped by Xu Xuan.

"Master Xu! Don't stop me!"

"I want to go to the Yellow Springs with Xiaoqian!"

As expected.
Without saying a word, Xu Xuan opened the Pure Land and released the gilded chains of karmic fire to bind the student who was about to fall into demonic possession.

The vows on the Three Lives Stone were directly refined into nothingness by the karmic fire, which is the natural enemy of these karmic entanglements.

As for Ning Caichen, who is still struggling...
A large hand spun very round under the moonlight.

Snapped!
Instructor Xu's special edition of a wake-up call: a slap on the head.

To deal with a scholar who's playing the role of a tragic male lead, you have to use intense pressure to instill the truth into his heart.

"Caichen, your love is too selfish."

Snapped!
"If she is reborn, she can be a human again; if she gives up reincarnation, she will fall into the realm of evil spirits."

Snapped!
"Calm down, calm down."

Only after the cycle of reincarnation completely disappeared and the last rebirth mantra was recited did they return to the Pure Land.

Ning Caichen knelt on the ground as if he had lost his mind. All that remained was his body, swollen like a pig's head.

"Will I be able to see her again after reincarnation?"

"If we meet again, she won't be Nie Xiaoqian, but just a similar flower."

The tragic male protagonist finally couldn't take the blow and fainted.

"Alas... Love has always left only regret, and this regret will last forever..."

"Love tribulations are truly terrifying."

Guangliang nodded in satisfaction. The eminent monks of the Pure Land School not only had a correct understanding of the tribulations of love, but also had the Vajra methods to break through them.

It truly deserves to be called the foremost sect of Buddhism.

And so, under the cover of night, Ji Rui and the others returned to the academy.

　I only wrote two chapters today, but suddenly my shoulder started hurting terribly, making it difficult to type. It's probably a symptom of my writing hazard; I'll go to the hospital when I have time off.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)