Bitter Realm: Otherworldly Gods and Demons

Chapter 164 Between Buddha and Demon

"ah."

Yibu Lianhua watched as Xi Mietian arrogantly laughed and left, wiping away the blood that had spilled from the corner of her mouth, feeling even more distressed.

Xi Mie Tianlai adopted a strategy of slowly chipping away at Yi Bu Lian Hua's health, gradually wearing her down. During this time, he not only created many problems for Yi Bu Lian Hua, but also made her injuries even more severe.

At this point, compared to Xi Mie Tian Lai, Yi Bu Lian Hua, who was initially evenly matched, now has a gap of 20%, and the gap is still widening.

Yi Bu Lianhua knew that at this moment, it would be difficult for him to change the course of events. He could already see what the outcome would be if things continued to escalate like this.

If this outcome cannot be changed, it's time for him to make a decision.

Today's decline is tomorrow's rise; today's destruction is tomorrow's birth. The cycle of extinction leads to rebirth, and the end of failure can become the beginning of victory.

Just as Yibu Lianhua was about to leave, suddenly, a spatial fluctuation occurred in front of him, and a teardrop-shaped phoenix feather, one side black and the other white, suddenly appeared, hovering and rotating in front of him.

A thought struck Bu Lianhua, and she grasped the phoenix feather in her hand. A voice appeared in her mind.

The Buddha was seriously injured.

"—Did the War General need something from me?"

I'm just somewhat moved by what I've learned about the events surrounding the Buddha and the Demon. The Demon must have foreseen the ending he wanted to see. And you, Buddha, have you also foreseen the outcome you didn't want to see?

—Nothing is set in stone yet, but I believe there is still a chance for things to turn around.

Does the Buddha mean that even demons can be converted?

"He and I are like two sides of a mirror; he is me. I believe he can let go of evil thoughts and attain Buddhahood on the spot."

"Buddha, doesn't that mean you can still harbor evil thoughts and fall into the demonic path again? Is that really possible? Haven't you already completely eliminated evil thoughts?"

My good intentions stem solely from my unwavering devotion to Buddhism; my heart will never stray from its course.

If you, as a Buddha, only look at the Buddha in your heart, can you really still see demons and evil? Can you still feel anything about the thoughts of demons? If you don't know demons, don't know how to feel them, don't know how to bear them, how can you know how to save them?

—If I do not know the demon, then I cannot save the demon? If I know the demon, then I will become a demon? Is this what the War General wants to enlighten me?

What merit do I possess to presume to enlighten a Buddha? However, I do wish to ask a Buddha, is there something you have overlooked?

"—May I ask, Commander, what have I overlooked?"

Those who believe in Buddha and those who believe in demons seem to only see Buddha and demon, but what about the human? Buddha, do you still remember Yibu Lianhua as a human being, do you still remember his original aspiration? Can you still feel that heart that seeks Buddhahood?

You seem to have forgotten the troubles, confusion, doubts, and contradictions of that time, but have you truly understood all the questions? You have merely relinquished them; how can you claim to transcend them, let alone liberate them?

"—Have I forgotten?"

Yibu Lianhua was suddenly stunned. He suddenly realized that the person he once was, the person who once sought Buddha, turned to Buddha, and knew Buddha, was so far away from him. His past memories were like turning the pages of a book, so unfamiliar.

But did he truly transcend himself, achieve enlightenment, and become a Buddha on the spot?

He merely severed his desires, evil thoughts, greed, anger, and ignorance; not just let go of them, but abandoned them. He abandoned his humanity, leaving him only with his attachments.

"So, it turns out, I was the one who was obsessed all along? —Those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see clearly. The War General has seen both me and him clearly."

"Buddha, I have only seen some things. I do not know whether they are right or wrong. I have only spoken of them in the hope that they may help you."

"Why does the War General want to help me?"

I simply wanted to see something different beyond what seemed like a predetermined ending. The reason? The demons are determined to destroy Buddhism and create a new religion, which clashes with my principles and is not on my path.

But the demon's contributions to the demon realm and the help he has given to me and those around me make me feel obligated to support him. I don't want to see his path clash with mine in the future, or for me to become his enemy. Ultimately, I want to see a good ending.

I was very troubled by this. I thought and thought, and suddenly it occurred to me that the demon is not just a demon, he is also a Buddha; and the Buddha is not just a Buddha, he is also a demon. It seems that the Buddha and the demon were originally one person? So, in the end, can the Buddha and the demon return to that one person?

"—It's not that I redeem him, nor that he devours me, but rather a return to my original intentions, a fresh start? —Do I still have such a chance?"

"Lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot." The Buddha is so compassionate that he's willing to give a ruthless killer a second chance. Why can't he also give a Buddha a second chance? And this seems to be an opportunity for the demon, and also a way for the Buddha to both guide the demon and himself to enlightenment?

—For a moment, I didn't know how to answer; I was truly confused—it turns out I was both persistent and confused. I had never let go, so how could I talk about transcending?

As a Buddhist, though I may say I see the predetermined ending, what I disbelieve in most is fate. I refuse to believe it; I cannot believe it. I believe more in the unknown, and I believe more in the possibility of change.

—It seems the War General isn't referring to me anymore.

I've merely seen some things and wanted to share them with myself. I know the Buddha still needs to reflect on this, or rather, I hope the Buddha will reflect on this. As for the Buddha's final decision, I hope to receive contact from the Buddha before that decision is made.

"—If I make a decision, I will inform the War Commander."

Then I'll await good news. Please.

The eternal city.

After finishing his conversation with Yibu Lianhua, Chi Yunran slowly opened his eyes. He made an excuse that controlling the formation was quite energy-consuming, so he sat down to meditate and adjust his breathing for a while.

By this time, Shi Nenglong and the others had all returned. Shi Linglong went back to Shi Nenglong's side, while Jian Xunqianbuhen stood guard at the cave entrance.

When "Red Cloud Dye" arrived at the hall, he saw that Cang and Jiuzhang Fuzang had not yet returned, but Dianyu Fenglian had.

Moreover, Indigo Feather Wind Lotus also brought back the body of a person.

This person was none other than Tan Wuyu, who was placed in the crystal coffin. Indigo Feather Wind Lotus learned in advance that the Hall of Longevity was going to attack the City of Immortality, so she took advantage of the fact that the Hall of Longevity had come out in full force to sneak into the Hall of Longevity, investigate, and take back Tan Wuyu's body.

The Grand Tutor then asked, "Feng Lian, did you uncover any other information on this trip?"

Feng Lian shook her head. "Time is of the essence. I only found Tan Wuyu's body and didn't get any more information."

Shi Nenglong nodded, "The fact that we were able to thwart the Longevity Palace's conspiracy this time is entirely due to everyone's concerted efforts. I thank you for your help."

On the Immortal City side, they firmly blocked the attack of the Hall of Longevity, which can be considered a victory, and everyone was in high spirits.

Naturally, everyone at the Hall of Longevity was in a bad mood.