Embers of Sword

Chapter 334 Tide
Starting from Zhongzhou, heading east.

The states of Chu and Li divided the north and the south as well as the east and the west. The people of Li called the people of Chu "Northern Barbarians", while the people of Chu, in turn, called the people of Li "Southern Barbarians".

Even in peaceful times.

There is still a secret struggle between the two countries.

But now... within the East Travel Delegation, there is a rare scene of Chu Li coexisting peacefully.

The delegation had been travelling for three days.

During these three days, the monks of Fanyin Temple were responsible for guarding and keeping watch, and they delivered meals to Xie Xuanyi and his group on time every day.

Junshan wanted to slip into the dense cloud formation again.

But this time it's not that simple.

Miaozhen personally rode with Miyun. He guarded the entrance of the formation, and even Xie Xuanyi had no chance to step in.

The Buddha bones in the Dapudu Temple contain the cause and effect implications of "Tanluan".

These days.

It was the most important moment of Miyun’s retreat.

Miaozhen personally checked for him.

Today, the golden light array shrouding the dense clouds is particularly bright, and even with the layers of array patterns protecting it, one can still see the strange phenomenon of the golden lotus surging.

With such a vision, it was impossible to move forward.

Miaozhen ordered the delegation to drive into a deep forest and rest for a night.

……

……

"If you don't want me to watch it, then I won't let you watch it."

Junshan sat by the campfire, frowning and muttering, "Do you really think I'm rare?!"

It's late at night and the wind is cool.

In the deep forest, almost all the monks of Fanyin Temple were awake.

The golden light array shone brightly in the darkness.

Although they didn't know what Miyun was going through... but they vaguely felt that tonight was an unusual night. These monks spontaneously protected the surroundings of the carriage. Even though their flesh and blood bodies were not as strong as the golden light formation, they still protected the formation behind them.

"But these monks are surprising."

Junshan Zhenren held his chin up and looked into the distance, and couldn't help but sighed: "When will the Dao Sect have this kind of cohesion..."

"The Dao Sect is already the number one sect in the world."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "The reason why the entire Fanyin Temple is united now is because they have been forced into a desperate situation by Nalan Xuance and Chen Chong."

Although Fangyuanfang existed between Chu and Li, on the surface they were able to share what they had.

But most of the truly "confidential" news will be blocked.

"I just can't understand—"

Junshan Zhenren spoke with some sarcasm: "With such a person as the Zen Master, how could Buddhism be forced into this state? A hundred years ago, the Zen Master said that he was too old and didn't want to go out to see guests... I heard from my senior brother that the Zen Master also used this excuse two hundred years ago. Could it be that he is really too old this time, so old that even Buddhism can't take care of him?"

Junshan has always been bright and the voices are loud.

These remarks.

It attracted the attention of the monks in Fanyin Temple.

Several young monks who were on night watch looked at the bonfire where they were with expressionless faces.

"If you can't speak, then just say less."

Deng Baiyi quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "The Zen master has his own considerations."

Master Junshan snorted in annoyance.

What is his status in Taoism?
The reincarnated immortal! Junior Brother Chongkan! The masters of Taishangzhai and Yuqingzhai are both his disciples!

Who dares to talk to him like that?

It’s only Deng Baiyi.

After reincarnation, he is still a "straightforward" person, but his "violent temper" has been restrained a lot.

Strangely enough, when facing other Taoist disciples, Junshan still retains the habit of ordering them around, and it is common for him to severely reprimand them if he encounters something unpleasant.

But when facing Deng Baiyi, Junshan just couldn't get angry.

He shook his head and said helplessly: "You have never seen a Zen master, so you don't know what kind of person he is. This guy is no different from a god in heaven."

Deng Baiyi has already set the mute key.

“Everyone in the world will experience birth, aging, sickness and death.”

She said with a serious face, "If the Zen master refused to see guests two hundred years ago due to old age as you said, then he is really very old now. Buddhism has fallen to such a state, and it should not be ridiculed like this."

Junshan was stunned for a moment.

He was touched by the woman's seriousness and nodded: "That's right."

to him.

These two hundred years have passed by like running water, spring flowers and autumn moons, in the blink of an eye.

Apart from the Battle of Drinking Poison that year, which was brutal and resulted in heavy casualties, Junshan has not experienced any other separations.

He is a lucky man.

Even the reincarnation that was a near-death experience was fortunately successful.

Living again in this life, Junshan subconsciously thought that nothing seemed to have changed, his senior brother was still there, and the Zen master was still there.

I don't know.

This night is not the same as before.

"But I'm still curious."

Junshan Zhenren took a deep breath, looked at the campfire, and murmured, "Nalan Xuance was born in Xuanwei Island, and has the unparalleled 'art of controlling the bowstring'. I can understand that he can compete with Buddhism. But who is Chen Chong? I had never heard of him before. How can he pose a threat to Buddhism?"

"Chen Chong is not as simple as you think."

A snort.

As the words fell, the silent note pattern hanging above the campfire was gently moved aside.

A tall monk in a green robe, holding a golden pestle, came to the campfire.

Although Miao Zhen looked calm, sweat was oozing from his forehead. It was obvious that the strange phenomena in the golden light array had consumed a lot of his energy.

"Living Bodhisattva, are you done with your work?"

Junshan Zhenren couldn't stop his sarcastic look, a purple light surged between his brows, and his flying sword Zixiao was already eager to try.

"I'm not looking for a fight with you."

Miao Zhen's aura changed subtly.

Xie Xuanyi noticed that when Tailing and Miaozhen met for the first time, an extremely oppressive murderous intent emanated from her.

And now.

This murderous intent was completely restrained.

Is it because of reincarnation and cultivation? Miao Zhen's aura is improving every day.

The tall monk sat down directly in front of the campfire. He raised his hand casually, and a few mantras flew out from the Mingsha Staff, which turned into a golden light array again, sealing off the space to prevent the voice from leaking out.

"How is Miyun doing?"

Xie Xuanyi spoke up and changed the subject.

"If you want to merge with the Buddha's bones, you need to go through tremendous pain."

Miao Zhen lowered her eyes slightly, with no sadness or joy on her face: "If Miyun wants to master the 'Cause and Effect Essence', he must endure this pain... Today, he took the initiative to amputate his legs..."

"What the hell?"

Junshan Zhenren was horrified: "Your Buddhist practice is too abnormal, isn't it? He is just a child!"

"The sea of suffering is boundless, use your body as the shore."

Miao Zhen said calmly: "The practice of Buddhism has nothing to do with age. Junior Brother Miyun has great determination. He wants to become the next Zen master, and practicing the six magical powers is the inevitable path."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi fell silent.

More than ten years ago, he traveled all over the world and fought with heroes from all walks of life.

The Buddhist practitioners left the deepest impression on him.

The monks of Fanyin Temple appear to be as calm as mountains on the surface, but deep down they exude a kind of madness that borders on paranoia.

Cut off the legs to cultivate the power of divine feet. Blind the eyes to cultivate the power of divine vision.

What kind of madman could come up with this method of cultivation?
Deng Baiyi had a complicated expression, shocked and distressed.

She had met Miyun before. This young master was young and had a resolute face, but he had his legs cut off just like that...

Deng Baiyi couldn't imagine such pain.

"Amputating both legs is not only for the purpose of practicing the 'divine power'..."

Miao Zhen explained: "Since he has chosen to be the container of Tanluan's Buddha bones, he needs to make room for them, starting with the severed leg bones... With the flow of Buddha's light and the condensation of spiritual essence, these legs will grow out sooner or later. His practice will be much faster than others."

"But... no matter how fast it is, it will take time."

Miao Zhen said softly, "During this period of time, Miyun cannot walk freely. It may take a hundred days for his legs to grow out. But after tonight, when the Buddha bone is absorbed into his body, this strange phenomenon will completely disappear and will not delay our journey."

"Are you so anxious?"

Master Junshan couldn't help but speak.

"good."

The Buddhist frowned slightly and said without hesitation: "No one knows how long the Buddha bones left by the holy monk Tanluan can maintain their spirituality... The delegation came all the way to Chu State and went through untold hardships to get such an opportunity. Naturally, the sooner the Buddha bones are absorbed, the better."

Junshan Zhenren was speechless.

"Everyone here is someone that 'Little Donor Xie' trusts."

Miao Zhen held the golden staff, shook the ground lightly, and said in a deep voice: "I have nothing to hide... The situation of Fanyin Temple is quite bad now. Chen Chong and Nalan Xuance have joined forces and have been making careful moves over the past ten years. It won't be long before these two groups of people will officially start to 'destroy Buddhism'."

"Destroy Buddhism?"

Master Junshan was shocked.

"This is the Zen Master's prophecy..."

Miao Zhen lowered his eyebrows and said, "It is also because I woke up early. If nothing unexpected happened, I should have been like you, waiting for the signs of the great world wave to appear, and then reviving from the body of the reincarnated person."

Junshan Zhenren asked in confusion: "What is Chen Chong's origin?"

"Chen Chong is now the Supreme State Minister of the Dali Dynasty, who is above ten thousand people."

Miao Zhen said calmly: "He holds the military power of Yuanzhou, Wuzhou, Yuzhou, and Chongzhou. If there is a war with Chu State one day, then Chen Chong's cavalry will definitely bear the brunt. This guy has not practiced for too long, but his martial arts level is extremely high..."

"Extremely high?" Junshan expressed deep doubt about these two words.

"I know you were born late."

Miao Zhen said dimly: "Chen Chong's status in Li Country is somewhat similar to that of the exiled martial artist in Da Chu."

"Wu Banxian..."

Junshan knew what was going on. He murmured in a deep voice, "This martial arts realm is indeed extraordinary."

"But Chen Chong is more talented than Wu Zexian."

Miao Zhen said: "This guy is only at the Yin God level now, but he is called the 'Liguo Wushen'. He threatened that once he breaks through the Yin God, he will trample the Wuzhexian under his feet."

"So crazy?"

Junshan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows: "Why is this kid the same as Xie Xuanyi?"

"???"

Xie Xuanyi's face was full of black lines, but he didn't know how to speak.

He squatted silently in front of the campfire to keep warm.

"Chen Chong and Xie Xuanyi are not the same kind of people..."

Miao Zhen glanced at the black-clothed boy beside him with a half-smile, and said, "This guy only cares about the result, not the process. Several years ago, Chen Chong had not yet gained power and had been hiding in the dark. When Xie Xuanyi was at his peak, he didn't show any edge at all."

Xie Xuanyi coughed softly and took over the topic at the right time: "The most important thing is that Chen Chong is a generation older than Xie Xuanyi... He is about the same generation as your not-so-bright disciple Li Chen."

"Oh, is that so?"

Junshan raised his eyebrows.

The Taoist robed child understood the general idea, but still found it inconceivable: "How can a Chen Chong, who is only at the Yin God level, cause such unrest in the Buddhist sect?"

"Why not?"

Miao Zhen retorted angrily: "Didn't Xie Xuanyi, who was in the Yin God Realm, also make the Taoist sect lose face?"

"Can that be the same?"

Junshan stood up suddenly, his eyes wide open, determined to fight: "There is also a gap between Yin Gods. Can Chen Chong be compared with Xie Xuanyi? Do you know how many Yin Gods participated in the battle in Beihai to kill this kid?"

"not sure."

Miao Zhen responded calmly, and at the same time asked in a voice transmission: "How many Yin Gods did you kill in the battle in the North Sea?"

"...You two, that's enough."

Hearing this, Xie Xuanyi got a headache and stood up to interrupt.

I was afraid that if the argument continued, my true identity would be revealed.

"Back to business."

Miao Zhen gave Xie Xuanyi this face. He turned the topic back on track and said slowly: "The reason why Fanyin Temple is in a hurry to come to Dachu Imperial City... is to welcome the second reincarnation. I am alone and unable to support the overall situation of Buddhism."

Junshan also sat back slowly.

He said with some sadness: "So... the Zen Master is really old..."

"..."

Miaozhen fell silent, acknowledging that what Junshan said was the fact.

Say one thousand, preach ten thousand.

The Zen master is old.

This is the real reason why Buddhism has been suppressed to this extent by Nalan Xuance and Chen Chong.

"No wonder I woke up."

Junshan supported his chin and looked at the burning bonfire. He thought of the Taoist sect in the past.

It has been a long time since I last saw my senior brother who used to take me down the mountain on a sword. Even though I have successfully reincarnated this time, my senior brother has not come out of seclusion to see me.

As for the second brother.

Time passes by.

The second senior brother in his impression was no longer the same as the great Taoist Chongkan who now sat in the back mountain and was in charge of the Taoist sect.

In my memory.

The time we spent practicing Taoism together.

Every time the second brother went out, he would bring back sweet and soft cakes and various toys...

And now, the second senior brother was sitting at the top of the zenith, standing so close and yet so far away.

Looking up, it seemed as if there was a layer of fog.

One is in heaven, the other is on earth.

"I think the Dao Sect is about to decline."

Miao Zhen said sarcastically, "Except Tang Fengshu, there is no talent for the revival of Taoism. I heard that the only promising talent is being suppressed by Chongkan in the back mountain."

The news that Tang Fengshu was suppressed by the Taoist sect has not been confirmed.

But there have been speculations.

"..."

Junshan opened his mouth but ultimately did not argue.

This is a fact, there is no way to refute it... It won't be long before everyone knows what happened to the Taoist sect.

"Da Sui Sword Palace is pretty good."

Miao Zhen slowly turned his head and looked at Xie Xuanyi, smiling and said, "One Xie left, and another Xie came. Add to that the little guy from Wangyou Island, and I think Lotus Peak will have a long-lasting fortune and a wave of continuous growth. It will surely become the world's number one sect in the future."

"The best sect in the world? It's just an empty title."

Xie Xuanyi shook his head, his expression somewhat sad.

The Zen master grew old, and Xiaoyaozi went into seclusion.

My own Master...isn't it the same?
Time is ruthless.

No matter how talented one is, he will be defeated in this long river.

Among the sages of Xuanshui Dongtian throughout the ages, who could escape this disaster?
If it is possible.

He hoped that this would go slower and slower.

(End of this chapter)