All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

Chapter 131 The Old Case Will Be Reopened

The process of absorbing internal energy in the arena ended quickly.

When one's internal energy is in a state of demonic possession, it is uncontrolled and therefore much easier to absorb than when Kumārajīva was still conscious.

In just a short while, the raging true energy within Kumārajīva's body had been completely absorbed.

Zhang Cheng used the Northern Darkness True Qi to probe again and saw that the other party's dantian was cleansed and that the meridians in his body were slowly healing and recovering their vitality under the effect of the medicine. So he stopped, took half a step back, and waited quietly.

"Imperial Advisor, how are you feeling?"

Kumārajīva closed his eyes and regulated his breathing for a long time, and the color gradually returned to his pale face. He slowly opened his eyes, and the sharp glint that had been there before was gone, replaced by a clear and peaceful gaze.

He clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Zhang Cheng, saying, "Thank you, Lord Zhang, for your guidance, which has freed me from this boundless sea of ​​suffering."

For decades I have been obsessed with martial arts, bound tightly by fame and fortune. I always thought that I was the best in the world when it came to martial arts, but little did I know that I had already fallen into the demonic path and deviated from the true meaning of Buddhism.

Greed, anger, and ignorance—I, this humble monk, have succumbed to all three poisons. Today, having lost all my martial arts skills, I realize that the Buddha taught his disciples that the first thing to do is to rid themselves of greed, love, attachment, and entanglement. I, this humble monk, have failed to rid myself of any of these, yet I presumptuously call myself a high monk. I am ashamed, truly ashamed.

Throughout his life, he always thought about promoting Tibetan Buddhism, gaining fame through martial arts, and becoming awe-inspiring throughout the world, but he forgot that Buddhism is about cultivating the mind, not about competing for victory.

"Although I lost my martial arts skills today, I gained true knowledge."

After saying this, he turned around and greeted Abbot Xuanci and the Shaolin monks with his palms together: "What Zhang Junma said is true. My Yijinjing was indeed stolen from your temple."

The seventy-two unique skills he used earlier were not from the orthodox Buddhist tradition. Instead, they relied on the Taoist mental cultivation method of the Free and Unfettered Sect, "Xiao Wu Xiang Gong," to simulate internal energy and forcefully apply it. They were similar in form but not in spirit, and were quite ridiculous.

This humble monk has deceived the world and stolen a reputation, trespassing into the sacred temple and disturbing the peaceful cultivation. My sins are grave, and I hereby apologize to the masters of Shaolin.

He walked slowly to Xuan Ci, took out a scripture from his bosom, and handed it to him with both hands.

"This is the sacred object of your temple, the original Sanskrit text of the Yijinjing. Now it is being returned to its rightful owner, intact and undamaged."

Abbot Xuanci's expression was complex. Looking at the Tibetan National Preceptor before him, who seemed to have undergone a complete transformation and whose temperament was completely different, he returned the greeting with his palms together: "Amitabha, it is truly a blessing for Buddhism that Your Majesty has been able to see the error of your ways. I hope that Your Majesty will devote yourself to the Dharma from now on and attain enlightenment as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Abbot." Kumārajīva then turned to the Child Granny, bowed deeply, and said, "Senior Witch, I have offended you greatly before, please forgive me."

The old woman nodded slightly, acknowledging her agreement. Earlier, when Li Qiushui was playfully fighting with her, she had mentioned that Kumārajīva had stopped Li Qiushui from killing the disciples of Lingjiu Palace, so she no longer held it against him.

Kumārajīva turned to Li Qiushui, about to speak, but Li Qiushui waved her hand and said in a calm tone, "Congratulations to the Grand Preceptor on your great enlightenment and breaking free from your shackles. Since you have lost your inner strength, I will not pursue the matter of stealing martial arts skills."

Upon hearing this, Kumārajīva was about to reply when his expression suddenly froze. He then clutched his abdomen, his brows furrowing.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, puzzled as to why the Great Wheel King, who had just exuded the air of a high-ranking monk, had suddenly changed his expression and appeared restless.

Li Qiushui's voice drifted over lightly: "Oh, I forgot to mention. My pills have some side effects; after taking them, they cause qi and blood to stagnate and turbid qi to sink. Would you please have one of you, young master, escort the Imperial Preceptor to the restroom?"

Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions.

Abbot Xuanci coughed lightly and summoned a disciple to lead the way. Kumārajīva, looking utterly embarrassed, had no choice but to clutch his stomach and follow.

After walking only a few steps, a rumbling sound came from his stomach. Although the sound was soft, almost everyone present, who were all martial arts practitioners, could hear it clearly.

The scene became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Several young Shaolin monks twitched at the corners of their mouths, barely suppressing their laughter. Zhang Cheng's men were more serious, but a few of them still had their shoulders trembling slightly.

Abbot Xuanci murmured a Buddhist chant, breaking the silence: "Amitabha. Thank you all for your help in resolving this conflict. May I ask your honorable names and the purpose of your visit to Shaolin?"

"My name is Zhang Cheng, the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, the Pacification Commissioner of the Northwest Circuit of Jingzhou, and also the son-in-law of the Prince of Zhennan of Dali. The 'son-in-law' referred to by the Tibetan National Preceptor just now" refers to this person. The abbot may use any of these three titles as he sees fit."

Zhang Cheng stepped aside, gesturing to Tong Lao and Li Qiushui behind him: "Those two are members of my Xiaoyao Sect, Wu Xingyun,..."

Li Qiushui. Behind her were disciples of Lingjiu Palace and their friends from the thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands under their command.

He paused, then introduced Duan Yanqing and the others, "These gentlemen are old friends of the Dali Duan family. As for our visit to Shaolin, one reason is to reopen an old case—"

Before he could finish speaking, a deep, resonant voice suddenly rang out, "Xiao Feng, a Khitan, has come to pay his respects!"

The sound, delivered with powerful internal energy, surged upwards from the foot of the mountain, echoing throughout the entire Shaoshi Mountain. Its resonant tone caused the pines in the mountains to rustle in the wind.

Most of the people present had never heard of Xiao Feng's name before, and upon hearing it, they were all shocked, thinking to themselves: This Khitan dares to cause trouble at the Shaolin Sect, the pinnacle of the Central Plains martial arts world; he certainly has some skills. Just this level of internal strength alone is astonishing.

Zhang Cheng noticed that Abbot Xuanci's expression changed slightly after hearing the name "Xiao Feng," and a complex look flashed in his eyes.

He said, "Hmm, what a coincidence. This Brother Xiao is the one who personally experienced that old case. Since he's here, why don't we wait a moment?"

Abbot Xuanci's gaze sharpened slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "I didn't expect that Sect Leader Zhang would come for this matter."

"Abbot, let's wait until the main figures arrive before discussing this. However, I didn't expect that no one had informed you privately. I wonder if those people are still alive."

After Zhang Cheng finished speaking, he ignored Xuan Ci and turned back to Tong Lao and the others.

He turned his head to look at Li Qiushui and asked telepathically, "What was the deal with that bottle of medicine just now?"

Li Qiushui's lips curled slightly as she responded telepathically: "It's a new medicine made by repeatedly adjusting your flesh and blood as the main ingredient, supplemented with thirteen rare medicinal herbs such as snow lotus and lingzhi."

Aside from some side effects, its efficacy is currently unaffected. It's even more effective than ordinary elixirs for boosting qi and blood and healing physical injuries.

Zhang Cheng's lips twitched slightly: "The Tibetan National Preceptor is such a proud man, and with what you've done, Sister Li, he's completely ruined. In the future, when people in the martial arts world mention him, they'll probably think of this embarrassing incident first."

Li Qiushui didn't care at all: "That's not necessarily true. The Shaolin monks are not the type to gossip. If we don't say anything here, no one in the martial arts world will know."

Besides, the young monk seems to have already attained enlightenment and seen through the illusions of names and forms; I doubt he would stoop to the level of a mere woman like me.

Zhang Cheng didn't want to dwell on the topic any longer, so he casually hummed in agreement and changed the subject.

"However, the effects of your new medicine are indeed remarkable. I just used my true energy to examine him, and the ruptured meridians in his body have recovered quite well."

Furthermore, having let go of his obsession and attained a clear mind, he believes that once his meridians have fully recovered, he will be able to truly master the Yi Jin Jing.

Upon hearing this, Li Qiushui seemed to be deep in thought, then suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, does the Sect Leader even know the secrets of cultivating the Yi Jin Jing, which no one in Shaolin has mastered for hundreds of years? Is this also part of your 'innate knowledge'?"

Zhang Cheng gave a perfunctory reply: "I guess so."

During the conversation, martial arts practitioners who were originally participating in the demon-slaying conference gradually arrived at this place.

These people huddled together, not touching the Shaolin monks or Zhang Cheng and the others, forming their own group, standing at the edge of the square, whispering and talking amongst themselves.