Simultaneous travel: I am proving the great way in the heavens.

Chapter 629 The Lewd Sacrifice to an Evil God! Fahai's Wrath!
Zhu Erdan's infatuation is different from Wang Yuanfeng's foolishness. Wang Yuanfeng's foolishness stemmed from a genuine lack of something in his soul.

As for Zhu Erdan, his obsession seems to be something that was forcibly cut off and sealed away by some force within his soul, or rather, the essence of his soul is more like a part that was cut off from some being.

This is a problem similar to the Ship of Theseus.

The soul is the key to all sentient beings.

Zhu Erdan's situation likely has more unknown reasons behind it.

It's not hard to understand if you think about it. How could an ordinary, foolish person, after making a bet and bringing Lu Pan's soul home, gain Lu Pan's favor, first having his mind replaced, and then even having his wife's head replaced?

It's important to know that this Judge Lu is not the righteous judge of the underworld, but a ghost under the Black Mountain Demon, dressed up as a character.

This is naturally impossible; there is no scenario where Judge Lu was blackmailed in order to avoid being discovered by Yama, the King of Hell.

Considering the background of this world itself, Luo Fu felt more and more that Zhu Erdan might have another identity, or even that he might be the fragment of the divine soul of a righteous god who mysteriously disappeared after the great change in the world a hundred years ago.

This speculation wasn't because Luo Fu had wild imaginations, but because he did indeed sense a certain unusual divinity in Zhu Erdan's soul.

This is something I've never encountered before.

In other words, the divine aura remaining in the fragment of Zhu Erdan's soul was too weak; otherwise, Luo Fu would be certain that it must be a fragment of the soul of a celestial being or terrestrial being from a hundred years ago.

Of course, fragments of the soul are not the same concept as celestial deities or earthly gods.

It's like no one would equate a single hair with a person.

This formed a fragment of Zhu Erdan's soul, which, compared to the true gods and deities, was perhaps even less than a normal human hair. However, it is also possible that the original identity of this fragment of soul was too low in status among the righteous gods of the Three Realms, not even as good as a hair god, and at most only received the protection of the gods and deities.

Regardless of which one it is, it is certain that Zhu Erdan has a background.

Upon realizing that Zhu Erdan's soul was in trouble, Luo Fu changed his plans once again.

Wang Yuanfeng can use the incomplete cultivation technique he previously completed to actually repair and restore his soul.

Zhu Erdan is a different story. His soul already contains a trace of the aura of the gods of heaven and earth. If he were to receive incense and faith, who knows what Zhu Erdan would become?

It's definitely impossible to become a fully-fledged deity of heaven and earth.

However, it is still possible for them to transform into the true gods of heaven and earth.

But is this really a good thing for an ordinary scholar?

Don't forget, Zhu Erdan has a family; he has a father and a wife.

Once he transforms into a celestial being or earthly being, Luo Fu cannot protect him at all times. Moreover, the status of a celestial being or earthly being is an invaluable tonic for those demons and monsters who are currently rampant and tyrannical due to the decline of Tao and the rise of demons.

Luo Fu didn't want Zhu Erdan's entire family to be wiped out before he could recover.

On the Luofu side, they began to teach Wang Yuanfeng the methods of absorbing incense and faith, using the faith and thoughts of all living beings to replenish his soul.

Wang Taichang also began to contact the clan and enshrine Wang Yuanfeng's memorial tablet in the clan.

According to etiquette, this was of course a great disrespect, after all, Wang Yuanfeng was a junior, how could a family elder worship a junior? But Wang Yuanfeng was the only son of Wang Taichang, and being able to become the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Wang Taichang was clearly the pillar of the Wang family.

The clan understands the principle of acting expediently in times of emergency.

Moreover, even if the memorial tablet is set up, it's unlikely that many members of the clan will actually go to worship it.

This was merely a communication between Wang Taichang and his clan.

The real source of religious fervor lies in the temple that Wang Taichang specifically built for Wang Yuanfeng in Qiantang.

Beliefs not recognized by the imperial court are considered illicit or immoral.

The practice of Wang Taichang placing a memorial tablet for Wang Yuanfeng within his clan was, in fact, an act of immoral worship.

An excessive sacrifice is itself a form of illicit worship.

However, in places like Jiangnan, setting up altars for mountain spirits and monsters is a customary practice.

Take the Five Gods, for example. This thing is even considered a standard form of illicit worship, but in Jiangnan, it is repeatedly banned by the authorities and still exists. In fact, there are so many people who believe in it that the Five Gods have actually come to resemble a righteous god.

Wang Taichang's actions were at most disapproved of by his fellow Confucian disciples, but as a high-ranking official in the court, his establishment of a cult was indeed able to attract a considerable number of believers.

Furthermore, the purpose was simply to restore Wang Yuanfeng's soul, not to build a temple with a long history. In just a few days, the temple dedicated to Wang Yuanfeng was almost completely completed.

However, just as the temple was about to be completed...

Fahai and his companions, who had been chasing after Luofu, finally arrived in Qiantang.

A temple under construction naturally aroused the curiosity of Fahai, Zen Master Baiyun, and Shifang.

"Master, what kind of temple is this being built? It looks rather strange." Shi Fang, carrying a chest, curiously joined in the fun, looking at the nearly completed temple, and asked Zen Master Baiyun.

Before Zen Master Baiyun could speak, Fahai snorted coldly and said, "Hmph, it's just the licentious worship of evil gods by ignorant people in the mountains."

As he spoke, Fahai walked towards the crowd.

Let alone orthodox Buddhist disciples like Fahai and Zen Master Baiyun, in fact, the true successors of the Xuanmen sect bear the responsibility of eradicating licentious worship and slaying evil gods.

Putting aside other matters, the Taoist Celestial Master Zhang Daoling established his lineage by sweeping away the demons and monsters around Longhu Mountain and in Sichuan. He even personally ended the situation where humans and ghosts lived together.

The most popular thing for the orthodox Xuanmen sects, whether Buddhist or Taoist, is to destroy mountains and temples to eradicate evil gods and their worship.

It would have been fine if we hadn't encountered it, but now we have, especially since Jinshan Temple has been wiped out.

Fahai's murderous intent surged to an uncontrollable level.

Upon entering the crowd, Fahai approached an elderly man who was also watching the spectacle and asked, "Old man, may I ask which deity this temple is dedicated to? And which devout believer built it?"

The old man glanced at Fahai, shook his head, and said, "This is a temple built by the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for his son."

Fahai was immediately surprised.

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is definitely a Confucian scholar. How could he risk the wrath of the world by building a temple for his own son?
Could it be that his son has accomplished some great feat?
Before Fahai could speak again, the old man, bursting with a desire to share, said, "I heard that Wang Taichang's son was born mentally challenged, and even now that he's an adult, he's still not as good as a child..."

"Wait!" Fahai was even more surprised. "Are you saying, sir, that the person this temple is about to enshrine is still alive?"

Offering sacrifices to living people—this isn't a temple; it's clearly a shrine for the living!

A living shrine is an extremely special type of shrine or altar specifically built for the living to worship.

However, most shrines dedicated to living people have a special purpose, and they are not intended for all people to offer incense and prayers.

The vast majority of living shrines were actually built because the people who worshipped them had done the builders an immense favor, so much so that it was almost impossible to repay.

Clearly, Wang Taichang's son could not possibly meet such conditions.

This is because Fahai was unaware of the reason why Wang Yuanfeng had been mentally challenged since birth.

When Fahai realized that the temple was actually a shrine used to bury people alive, he was furious.

"Hmph, heretics and evildoers." The moment the words fell, Fahai flicked the whisk in his hand. He didn't even chant any incantations.

The supple dust instantly transformed into a long whip.

It struck the unfinished temple building with a loud crash.

With a loud crash, the temple collapsed right before everyone's eyes, struck by Fahai's whisk.

Apart from the sound of the building collapsing, the surroundings fell silent instantly, and everyone looked in astonishment in the direction of Fahai.

It should be understood that, since ancient times, the common people have never fought against the officials.

In other versions of Fahai, after the son of the White Snake and Xu Xian passed the imperial examination with top honors, he even took the initiative to release the White Snake.

This is because religion also needs secular support, and without a doubt, the power of the imperial court is the strongest secular power.

Even gods and Buddhas, with the exception of a very few who do not mingle with mortals, most of them still need to give face to the human court.

Among the Arhats in Buddhism, the Arhat who subdues dragons is a typical example.

At this moment, Fahai, in his capacity as a monk, destroyed the shrine built by Wang Taichang.

Logically speaking, Fahai shouldn't be so unwise. Unfortunately, Fahai has now lost his lineage, and Jinshan Temple was destroyed by that beautiful fox spirit.

Fahai, who mistakenly believed that Luofu Temple had destroyed Jinshan Temple, was now preoccupied with the idea of ​​avenging his fellow disciples and no longer cared about worldly forces. Moreover, Fahai himself was deeply attached to worldly desires.

Now, Luofu has become the place where Fahai should have faced a calamity.

They watched as Fahai, in full view of everyone, destroyed the shrine.

After frowning, Zen Master Baiyun lowered his head and chanted a Buddhist prayer.

"Amitabha."

The sound of the Buddha's name, falling into Fahai's ears, was like a clear spring cascading down his head, instantly restoring some of his clarity.

Seeing what he had done in a fit of anger, Fahai hesitated for a moment and said, "Master Baiyun, it seems we must part ways."

Zen Master Baiyun advised, "Abbot Fahai, your obsession is too deep. Be careful not to go astray."

Nodding, Fahai said nonchalantly, "Thank you for the reminder, Zen Master. I will keep it in mind."

He said that, but his reaction clearly told a different story.

Master Baiyun also noticed this, but he didn't know how to offer advice.

Master Baiyun believed that Fahai's obsession stemmed from the hatred of the massacre of his family at Jinshan Temple, unaware that Fahai's character had already been compromised before that.

However, after meeting Luo Fu, his mental issues were completely ignited.

In a practical sense, the massacre of Jinshan Temple was like Fahai losing a bet with Xiaoqing.

Without knowing the details, Zen Master Baiyun was unable to offer any truly insightful advice.

The dispersing crowd quickly spread the news of the destruction of the shrine to Wang Taichang's villa.

Wang Taichang had considered building a shrine to his son as the only way to restore him to normalcy, but now a monk had inexplicably appeared and destroyed the shrine that was almost completed.

Upon receiving the news, Wang Taichang hurriedly led his many servants straight to the direction where the shrine was being built.

It was fortunate that the location of the shrine was chosen not far from Wang Taichang's villa.

When Wang Taichang arrived with his servants.

Zen Master Baiyun and his disciple Shifang seemed not to have parted ways with Fahai yet.

The rumor was that only one monk had returned to his son's ancestral shrine, but now there are three monks in front of him.

After a moment of surprise, Wang Taichang quickly learned from the servants around him who the culprit was.

However, upon seeing the culprit, Wang Taichang couldn't help but frown.

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Taichang stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "May I ask if you are the abbot of Jinshan Temple, Zen Master Fahai?"

Clearly, Wang Taichang knew Fahai.

After all, Fahai was the abbot of Jinshan Temple, and in the Jiangnan region, Jinshan Temple was definitely a famous Buddhist temple.

Despite his young age, Fahai became the abbot of such a famous Buddhist temple, and even in the imperial court, many people knew of his existence.

Not to mention, Wang Taichang and Fahai could, to some extent, be considered to be from the same hometown.

Fahai glanced at Wang Taichang and said, "It is indeed this humble monk. Are you Lord Wang, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices?"

Although they knew each other's identities, Wang Taichang still could not let go of the matter of the destruction of the shrine for Fahai.

“Master Fahai, I don’t know how I, Wang, have offended Jinshan Temple, to the point that you would disregard your status and destroy my son’s shrine?”

"Hmph." Fahai snorted coldly and said, "Lord Wang, you are a high-ranking official in the court and a disciple of Confucianism, yet you establish heretical and licentious worship? Are you perhaps planning to follow in the footsteps of the White Lotus Rebellion?"

The story of the White Lotus Sect, just by looking at the two words "White Lotus" at the beginning, is not hard to understand; it refers to the White Lotus Sect, a group of professional rebels.

Both Buddhism and Taoism deeply abhor the White Lotus Sect.

The Buddhist sect is even more extreme, since the White Lotus Sect often uses the banner of the future Buddha.
His face instantly darkened, and Wang Taichang said, "Zen Master Fahai, the shrine I built was to heal my son, not some licentious shrine to worship evil gods."

Wang Taichang was arguing with Fahai about the definition of a "living shrine"—whether it was an evil deity's worship or a method to cure his son.

In another courtyard.

The shrine was destroyed, and Wang Taichang was the first to learn of this major event.

Other bystanders could not possibly remain indifferent.

After all, such a thing might only happen once every few years.

In a short period of time, countless people were discussing how the shrine built by Wang Taichang had been destroyed by a monk.

Whether it's building a shrine in the grounds or monks causing trouble, these are all relatively rare occurrences. Putting them together, they generate a lot of buzz.

Even Luo Fu learned some of the embellished legends from his servants.

A monk destroyed the shrine that Wang Taichang had built for his son.

This news truly piqued Luo Fu's curiosity.

Although Wang Taichang was not exactly a paragon of justice, he was quite considerate of his hometown.

This can be seen from the fact that Wang Yuanfeng, a mentally challenged man, was able to live quite comfortably in his hometown, and even had children playing with him from time to time.

(End of this chapter)