Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Chen Jiao accepted the bow from the entire family and said no more.

His gaze finally swept over the statue of the deity with which he had a subtle connection and the wooden plaque on the table.

…………

Thunder and lightning swept away all evil spirits.

At Shunping Junior High School, the suffocating and terrifying pressure suddenly dissipated.

Countless people huddled inside their houses were first filled with surprise and doubt, then with the overwhelming joy of surviving a disaster.

It's unclear who first pushed open the tightly closed door, but then came the second, the third...

People flooded the streets, looking up at the sky where thousands of gods stood solemnly.

It's unclear who started it, but sporadic shouts arose from the crowd, which quickly transformed into a chorus of heartfelt cries.

Men, women, and children all prostrated themselves before the majestic array in the clouds, chanting:

"We bow in gratitude to the Divine Lord of Heavenly Purification!"

"The True Lord has manifested his divine power, dispelling the evil influence!"

"Thank you, True Lord, for saving my life!"

Shouts mixed with sobs and relieved sighs echoed through the quiet streets after the disaster.

They converged into a simple yet fervent power of will, rising gently and drifting into the darkness.

Chen Jiao felt a sense of connection, and his gaze seemed to penetrate the temple roof, seeing the devout thoughts that, like fireflies, converged into a stream.

He then nodded slightly to the still-prostrate carpenter Wang and his family, who were choking back tears, and said:

"You all better take care of yourselves."

After speaking, his black cloak moved without wind, and his figure vanished from reality before the eyes of the Wang family members, disappearing into the temple like scattered dust.

next moment.

Above Shunping Kingdom, atop the thunderclouds, a brilliant, clear light shone.

A dark cloak hung down, and a tall, upright figure stepped out from the void, quietly solidifying.

Chen Jiao rode calmly on the back of the Xie Zhi, his black cloak and the long mane behind the divine beast's neck fluttering gently in the breeze.

He manifested as a cloud, without deliberately radiating pressure, yet his very presence silenced the clamor of the crowd below.

An even more enthusiastic and devout cheer immediately erupted, with many elderly people so excited that they kowtowed to the ground.

Countless eyes were focused on the figure in the black cloak above the clouds, and the gathering of willpower appeared even more pure.

Chen Jiao's gaze remained calm as he swept over the dense crowd of kneeling people below.

It swept past those excited, grateful, and awe-inspiring faces without lingering.

He paused for a moment, then spoke clearly and calmly, his voice reaching the ears of everyone below, drowning out the clamor:

"The evil spirits have been vanquished; now we can be at peace."

"However..."

Chen Jiao paused slightly, his gaze seemingly deep, looking beyond the city walls and towards the distant mountains and fields.

"The might of Heaven is evident; one should act with sincerity."

These few words, though lacking in stern admonition, calmed the ecstatic hearts of the people below, bringing them a sense of clarity and self-reflection.

After speaking, Chen Jiao said no more.

Immediately, beams of divine light disappeared into the clouds, the thunderclouds churned and receded, and the divine generals of the heavens departed in an instant.

Disappearing into the vast night sky, leaving only the clear light of stars and moon to fall upon the peaceful town of Shunping.

The people below the city walls continued to kowtow in the direction the gods had departed, chanting "Huangtian Jingfa Zhenjun" (the True Lord of the Bright Heaven and Pacifying Law) for a long time before finally ceasing their prayers.

Since that night when the True Lord manifested his divine power and struck down the Ghost Mother with lightning.

Within a month, the news had spread like wildfire throughout the borders of Shunping and even reached the cities of neighboring countries.

The name of the True Lord Huangtian Jingfa spread far and wide.

People from all directions, grateful for his virtue of vanquishing evil and protecting life, built temples and statues of him and offered incense to him, and this gradually became a trend.

Although the temples dedicated to Zhenjun vary in style, they are all renowned for their flourishing incense offerings and the constant sound of prayers.

The simple little temple in the western corner of Shunping was originally built by Old Carpenter Wang with all his savings.

Because it is the place where the True Lord manifested his divine power, it is revered as the source of incense offerings and a sacred place of faith.

King Shunping was also grateful for the True Lord's protection of the region, so he personally issued an edict to allocate funds from the treasury and recruit skilled craftsmen.

The site was expanded and rebuilt on the original site, with strict regulations and a solemn atmosphere.

What is particularly eye-catching is a couplet in front of the temple gate.

The king invited learned scholars from the area to transcribe the words of enlightenment the True Lord gave to the old carpenter that night, and then slightly embellished and refined them.

"Sincerity will naturally attract the wisdom of the three thousand realms of Dharma; righteous thoughts will always prevail over a million evils in the human world."

Horizontal inscription: Clearly evident.

The brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, conveying profound meaning.

When believers come here, they all stop and recite in silence, filled with awe.

Because of their merit in protecting the temple, the Wang family was granted temple property for offerings. Wang Shuan, the son of the old carpenter Wang, was even elected as the temple keeper and was in charge of cleaning and sweeping.

Old carpenter Wang often sat under a tree in front of the temple, telling pilgrims about old times.

When the true lord's demeanor is mentioned, tears will inevitably stream down one's face, and one's expression will be filled with intense emotion.

His words were earnest and his feelings were sincere, moving all who heard them.

The small temple has thus maintained its popularity year after year, becoming a pure land in the hearts of believers.

There are two items in the temple that are most valued by the believers.

That was the old wooden tablet that True Lord had personally released that night, and whose inscription had spontaneously changed to "True Lord of the Bright Heaven and Pacifying Law".

And that primitive clay statue, once bathed in thunderous energy, crude yet bearing the weight of thirty years of sincere devotion.

These two items are regarded as clear evidence that they were bestowed by divine inspiration and are not ordinary.

However, the human heart is a den of demons.

In Shunping Kingdom, there were powerful and influential officials who relied on their authority and harbored selfish motives.

He secretly used a trick to bring these two old items back to his own mansion during the renovation, intending to enjoy the sacred relics and spiritual effects alone, thinking that he could gather good fortune and blessings.

He claimed that he acted meticulously, unnoticed by both humans and gods.

That night, dark clouds gathered over Shunping Kingdom, and thunder rumbled seven times, its sound deep and muffled, unlike rain or thunder.

It was only the next day that dawn broke.

All seven people involved in the theft and substitution, and even those who used magic to conceal the secrets of heaven, regardless of whether they were monks, laypeople, officials, or merchants, perished in the thunder.

Upon inspection.

These people are corrupt, pervert the law, frame innocent people, and commit numerous evil deeds; they are already burdened with sins.

The memorial tablet and the old portrait reappeared on the altar of the Zhenjun Temple that very night, spotless.

Upon hearing this, the people spread the news far and wide, clapping and cheering, all saying:

"The True Lord's eyes are as sharp as lightning; divine objects possess spirits. How could such petty people dare to steal them? Heaven's justice is clear, and retribution will not be swift!"

After this incident, the phrase "as clear as day" carries even greater weight in the hearts of believers.

No one dared to harbor any vain thoughts in the temple, not even on a single blade of grass, a single tree, a single table, or a single chair.

The incense and prayers of the True Lord have become increasingly pure and concentrated.

…………

Wujin Mountain.

This place is rugged and treacherous, often shrouded in black fog.

Deep within the mountain lies a cave called Wujin Cave, a place with winding paths and numerous branching routes, where a group of demons reside.

The scene inside the cave was horrific.

Bones piled high like mountains, blood staining mossy clothes. Skinned alive to make curtains, bones removed to make lamp stands.

Fatty flesh dangles from its intestines, and spirits weep and wail in the night. The land of black gold is called a blessed place, but in reality, it is a court of demons.

If it is not the evil star descending to the mortal realm, then it must be the Asura Demon King descending.

Deep within the cave, in a relatively spacious blood-stained stone hall, a foul wind swirled and a stench filled the air.

The floor was sticky, soaked with countless drops of blood and grease. Dried entrails and mangled limbs hung haphazardly on the walls, serving as mere decoration.

Two ever-burning green lamps were embedded in the stone wall, casting an eerie atmosphere throughout the hall.

At the head of the hall, two figures sat on two stone chairs roughly carved from whole black rocks and covered with mottled animal hides.

The man on the left is tall and thin, with a pale gold face and subtle fine lines. His vertical pupils are golden, and a cold light flows between them.

He wore a crooked golden crown, inlaid with several murky jade stones.

He wore a dark green robe embroidered with twisted gold rings, but it was covered in stains.

It was none other than the Golden Ring King.

The man on the right is robust, with a dark complexion, a wide mouth, a flat nose, and dark eyes that exude a hint of ferocity.

His head was bald on top, except for a ring of dark fleshy growths on the back of his head, shaped like an iron ring.

He was clad in sleeveless black iron armor, revealing his arms, which were muscular and covered in fine black scales.

It is the Black Ring Grand Duke.

Before the two demons was a low table pieced together from bones, still stained with bits of flesh, upon which sat several rough stone bowls and a jar of blood-red wine.

The two were drinking heartily, the smell of alcohol mixed with the stench of the cave, making it even more pungent.

Their laughter was rough and unrestrained, echoing through the cave and causing dust to fall from the walls.

Not far in front of the two demons, there was a cage made of filthy black iron on the ground.

Inside the cage, a woman was sitting curled up.

Her hair was disheveled, her face was pale and wan, and she was dressed in white, but it was already stained with dust and blood.

Although imprisoned and in a sorry state, her features were still exquisite, and her skin was as white as snow.

Even though she looked haggard, her stunning beauty was undeniable, especially her pair of beautiful eyes, which shone with a hidden brilliance and exuded a charming and graceful air.

It was that golden-nosed, white-haired rat spirit.

There is a poem praising its appearance.

Chang'e, upon descending to earth, found it too cold; Gu She, upon descending to earth, lamented her loneliness.

Her brows furrowed like the dark mountains of spring, her eyes shimmering like clear autumn waters.

A touch of rouge on her lips, her jade-like bones and icy skin glowing naturally.

Even though she is disheveled and imprisoned in an iron cage, she still retains the appearance of a banished immortal from the moon palace.

"Big brother, hahaha!"

Wu Huan Tai Sui downed the blood wine in the bowl in one gulp, wiped his wide mouth, and stared greedily at the woman in the cage with his dark eyes, laughing in a deep, resonant voice.

"This fair-skinned young lady is so tempting!"

Not to mention the merit of the incense and candles offered before the Buddha is inside her! Eating her is equivalent to a hundred years of arduous cultivation!

When that old alchemist arrives, he will extract the soul and refine the flesh and blood to create a demon essence pill.

"Our demonic arts will surely advance further, and our inner demons can be suppressed for now!"

The Golden Ring King narrowed his golden vertical pupils slightly, extended his forked, slender tongue, licked the corner of his mouth, and spoke in a high-pitched, chilling voice.

"Second brother, don't be anxious."

Alchemy requires precise control of heat and ingredients. This rat demon possesses demonic energy, yet it is imbued with Buddhist light, its spirituality is mixed, and it must be slowly processed using secret methods to fully extract its essence.

Although the old ghost of Jieyang Mountain was eccentric, his alchemy skills were extraordinary.

Since the message has been sent, they must already be on their way.

Let's be patient, with fine wine in hand and delicious food in the basket, let's just wait.

As he spoke, he glanced at the woman in the cage again, his eyes flashing with alternating greed and a hint of suppressed savagery.

In their early years, the brothers obtained a wisp of demonic energy by chance, which enabled them to achieve their current level of cultivation.

However, when demonic energy invades, one often suffers from inner demons devouring the heart and impurity of the six senses.

To them, this rat spirit was a powerful remedy to alleviate demonic burning and enhance their cultivation.

Wu Huan Tai Sui stared at the woman in the cage and sneered:

"What my elder brother says is true."

This medicinal ingredient needs to be refined alive to preserve its spiritual essence. Let her live a little longer.

He turned to the cage, his voice hoarse:

"Young lady, do not be afraid. In a moment, I will throw you into the alchemy furnace. Your soul will combine with the medicinal power to help my brother achieve the Great Dao. It will also be a great fortune for you!"

Hahahaha!

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