I attained immortality in the real world.

Chapter 63 No Conflict
Kill for life?
The bandits didn't worship you for nothing; they just tricked a complete idiot into coming to kill you.

Zhu Mi was dumbfounded. His original intention was to suggest that a thorough investigation should be conducted to prevent unruly individuals from masquerading as Buddhist monks and escaping justice.

After hearing Chen Jing's explanation, I suddenly felt like the conservatives thought the radicals were too conservative, and the affirmative side had turned into the negative side.

He quickly approached Chen Jing and asked hesitantly, "Didn't the Holy Monk say that one should lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot? He has already become a Buddha, so it's not good to kill a Buddha!"

Put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha immediately.

It is precisely because people have a misunderstanding of this statement that the bandits of Black Wind Stronghold would try to use this loophole to escape the consequences of their actions.

The Buddhist appearance and the lion's might were merely catalysts; the real reason the fifty-five bandits were willing to accept salvation was to escape karmic retribution.

Although the fallacies have existed for a long time, there must always be someone who bears the burden and uses their life to correct the world's errors.

Regardless of their true intentions, how can such a person not be considered a disciple of a holy monk?

Or rather, these holy monks and disciples came first, and only then could their master become a holy monk.

Chen Jing turned to look at his fifty-five outstanding disciples, a smile of satisfaction appearing on his face. He continued to explain to Zhu Mi:

“Since you have already become a Buddha, you are certainly willing to use this body to atone for your past sins. You help him kill him and help him become a Buddha. Your merits are immeasurable. How could it be bad?”

"If he is unwilling to atone for his past sins and only wants to live on in the world by using the name of Buddha, it means that he has not become a Buddha. Killing him is a just punishment, but also a great act of merit. What is wrong with that?"

"So he becomes his Buddha, and you cut off your head; the two are not contradictory at all."

Zhu Mi: "…………"

Faji: "…………"

What a perfect example of not conflicting!

So this sentence can be interpreted in this way?
The executioner in Wuping County helped 55 people attain Buddhahood in one go; shouldn't his merits overflow?

Zhu Mi also fell into a brief moment of contemplation. As a soldier who had survived the battlefield, he valued strict obedience to orders and his thinking leaned more towards Legalism.

Some Buddhist theories conflict with the Dharma, so even though Buddhism was the state religion of the new Tang Dynasty, Zhu Mi did not actually believe in it at all.

But after Chen Jing's explanation, many of the conflicting points became clear in an instant!
He continued, "The holy monk also said that after they have cleansed their sins, they can enter the Buddhist order to cultivate. How can they enter the Buddhist order when they are already dead? Was he just making a small lie in order to save them?"

Chen Jing's expression turned solemn: "Benefactor, please do not slander this monk. This humble monk has always been a believer. Doesn't the Buddha also speak of reincarnation? Put down the butcher's knife in your hand and the butcher's knife in your heart. If you have a deep affinity with the Buddha and have cleansed your sins from your past life, you can naturally enter the Buddhist gate to pursue the true fruit. This humble monk is very satisfied with these fifty-five disciples who have turned back from the wrong path."

"........."

Zhu Mi kept asking questions about Buddhist teachings along the way.

Chen Jing didn't use any Zen riddles, so he could easily understand the meaning, which greatly improved Zhu Mi's understanding of Buddhism.

Having reconciled with my own beliefs and the world, I felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my heart. I, who am usually quiet and reserved, suddenly opened up and wished the road back to Wuping County could be longer so that I could finally express all the doubts that had been lingering in my heart for so many years.

The monks listened intently, and nodded when they heard something that resonated with them.

He spent more time practicing martial arts than meditating, and while he felt that what Chiba said was not as profound as what the other elders said, he did not find anything strange about it.

Elder Jinchi was also eavesdropping, but a storm raged in his heart: "Spread the teachings!"

How difficult it must be for Chiba to preach to someone who has been through countless battles, whose heart is hardened and whose mindset is already fixed.

But it actually succeeded! And it didn't encounter many obstacles; the goal was achieved naturally during casual conversation.

Could it be that the grand vow he made before Abbot Wujie wasn't just empty talk, but that he truly aspired to become the Pope? "…………"

Bianzhou, Wuping County.

The county magistrate stood guard at the city gate, personally welcoming the local militia returning from suppressing the bandits.

Although some local militiamen had already returned to the county town and recounted the events at Xiaoguankou exactly as they had described, they could only feel at ease after seeing the living monk.

A young clerk accompanying the group suddenly pointed to the intersection of the official road ahead: "They're here! Commandant Zhu is back!"

Soon, a long line appeared on the official road, led by Zhu Mi and a group of monks, followed by the local militia who were suppressing the bandits.

The number of people who went was exactly the same as the number who returned, not one was missing, no one died, no one was injured, and there was no blood on their bodies.

The wives, daughters, and parents of the villagers who were guarding the city gate breathed a long sigh of relief: "Thank God, my son has returned safely."

“Take good care of the local militia, and have someone prepare a vegetarian meal.”

Zou Jing gave an instruction to the clerk, then stepped forward to personally greet the monks.

Zou Jing showed no airs of officialdom towards the group of monks who were going to Bianjing to participate in the Ullambana Festival and even had the opportunity to meet the emperor. He went directly to Elder Jinchi and said, "Zou Jing greets all the monks. It is all my fault for not governing properly, which has caused you to suffer this calamity. It is truly my fault."

Elder Jinchi was not as arrogant as before. Although the matter was caused by Qianye, it was undeniable that his life, as well as the Seven Treasures Kasaya, were saved by Qianye.

It would be petty to argue about who was in charge of this trip. He took the initiative to step aside and show that Chen Jingcai was the one in charge of this trip.

Chen Jing performed a Buddhist salute and smiled, saying, "These bandits are just outlaws who came from other places. How can you, magistrate, be guilty? On the contrary, we monks should thank you for saving our lives."

He's sensible. This matter was originally a case of merit and demerit canceling each other out, but after Chen Jing's explanation, it directly became a case of merit without demerit. If his reputation can spread, he has a good chance of being promoted.

Zou Jing led the group into the county town and asked, "I heard that these bandits have all taken the holy monk as their master. Do you need me to provide an official document to prove it?"

Chen Jing shook his head: "This humble monk does have a favor to ask of the magistrate, but it is not for official documents. Before these wicked disciples formally enter the Buddhist order, I need to trouble the magistrate to help them cleanse themselves of their sins in this life."

Zou Jing was taken aback upon hearing this.

This shouldn't be your business as monks, right?

Am I, an official, allowed to sell indulgence scrolls?

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Commandant Zhu Mi leaned forward and whispered in Zou Jing's ear, "Magistrate, this matter..."

In a short while, Zhu Mi told Zou Jing all about Chen Jing's theory that "he becomes his Buddha, I cut off my head," and that the two do not conflict with each other.

Zou Jing swallowed hard, instantly finding a path to fame, but still exclaimed in surprise, "Holy Monk, how can this be?"

Chen Jing replied, “In this matter, firstly, the magistrate can uphold the dignity of the law, and secondly, this humble monk and his unfilial disciples can also cleanse themselves of their sins. Therefore, I hope the magistrate will not hesitate to grant this humble monk’s sincere wish for these unfilial disciples. Please do not show any leniency, and make sure they thoroughly cleanse themselves of their sins in this life, so that their path to Buddhahood will be fraught with difficulties.”

County Magistrate Zou Jing pondered for a moment, then asked in surprise, "Does the Holy Monk mean to investigate thoroughly and sentence severely?"

Chen Jing smiled but did not answer, and continued: "My disciples are all willing to sacrifice themselves for the Dharma, to prove the world's misconceptions about Buddhism, and to accumulate immeasurable merit."

"However, this wicked disciple has been a bandit for too long, and his time for enlightenment is short. He has not been completely freed from the evil influences he has been afflicted with. I fear that when the time comes, his resolve will be insufficient, and he will speak nonsense and fail to achieve the full goal!"

County Magistrate Zou Jing stared wide-eyed, stunned again, and asked, "Does the holy monk mean to seal their mouths when they are beheaded?"

(End of this chapter)