Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 233 The Flesh-and-Blood Monk, Living a Second Life
"why?"

"Why did I, an old monk, who devoted my life to Buddhism, remained true to my original intentions, and observed vegetarianism and precepts, ultimately meet my end in a fire?"

"Master, Master, why do you insist on that robe? It made us disciples suffer alongside you... That fire hurts so much!"

“Yes, Master, you have already attained Arhatship. Once you pass away, you can have your golden body cleansed in the Pure Land Merit Pool and become a guest of honor at Mount Sumeru. Why ruin your future for a mere robe?”

On the scarlet cassock, the Black Wind King's eyes were pitch black, flashing with black light, black wind howled beneath his feet, and flames and thick smoke rose from his body.

Even more terrifying, the billowing flames and smoke twisted into faces that floated around him, roaring.

At first glance, it seems as if hundreds of vengeful spirits are clinging to it, each making a sound, arguing, fighting, and hating within its body.

In particular, the brocade robe beneath his feet seemed to breathe with a blood-red light, undulating with it.

With each breath, the flames and smoke on the bear demon's body intensified.

Closely related.

After observing for a moment, Liu Sheng couldn't help but gasp, thinking to himself:

"Could it be that the demonic thoughts within the robe have completely erupted? Before, its eyes were red and black, and it was already acting crazy. Now it has been completely taken over by demonic thoughts?"

"You unfilial disciples...do you intend to betray your master and destroy your ancestors?!"

At this moment, the Black Wind King let out a low growl, his voice aged and furious.

Its face was torn open, its facial bones twisted and contorted, transforming it into the appearance of an old monk, with blood flowing freely and roaring incessantly.
"What do you know? Do you know that I have spent my whole life practicing Buddhism, emptying the five aggregates, severing the six senses, and attaining Arhatship? But who in the world knows this?"

If people do not know the profoundness of my Buddhist teachings and the perfect wisdom of Zen, why would they sculpt a golden statue of me and establish a Dharma image for me?
If I don't have a golden statue, a legal image, and receive incense offerings... how can this old monk ascend to that sacred mountain?

"It seems we've overheard some incredible inside information..."

Liu Sheng's gaze shifted, and his eyes narrowed.

Without a golden statue and a legal image, one cannot enjoy incense offerings or ascend to the sacred mountain.

Does Buddhism have such rules?

The good deeds, fasting, and chanting of Buddhist scriptures that those bald monks promote are all just propaganda and packaging.

The real purpose is to establish a noble and righteous persona so as to extort money from believers and gain fame.

This is what they call achieving both fame and fortune.

Hey, that's funny!

"His robe is stained with the marks of fame and fortune, and his meditation cushion is covered with dust, even though he has not sat down."

At this moment, the old monk possessing the Black Wind King began chanting Buddhist verses, his face completely distorted, becoming as ugly as a demon:

"Buddhist prayer beads can be used to calculate a thousand schemes, while precepts can be casually discarded for ten thousand taels of silver."

People say the Buddhist gate is pure, but who sees the lotus throne as resembling a court of officials?

Incense burns piled high like a pagoda of wealth, amidst the sound of wooden fish drums, worship of the powerful is performed!

The old monk became more and more excited as he spoke. With each word he uttered, several distorted, smoky faces appeared on his body, turning into fireworks that flew into his mouth.

Countless maggots seemed to wriggle beneath the bear demon's skin, its bones twisted and deformed with a "crackling" sound, and its fur melted like wax, revealing its bright red flesh.

With each piece of flesh that falls away, the robe greedily devours it, swelling larger, its color becoming more vibrant, and the bloodlust intensifying.

Within the shimmering flames, hundreds of monks' faces appeared, emitting mournful wails:
"Master...you're lying to us!"

"Master, spare my life!"

"Master, Master, please have mercy!"

……

Even more striking was the bear's face, cracked and bleeding as if its clothes had been peeled off, convulsing and dripping blood, from which came the roar of the Black Wind King:
"You bald monk, you were definitely up to no good! I shouldn't have trusted you in the first place!"

"You vile beast, even on your deathbed, you're still spouting nonsense. How laughable, how laughable, hehehe..."

The old monk let out a strange laugh, his figure grew more and more imposing, and his face became clearer and clearer.

Chunks of flesh and blood unfolded like flower petals, gradually revealing a strong and muscular human body!

It seemed to have grown out of the flesh and blood of the Black Wind King.

The scene was extremely terrifying, as if a demonic master was practicing demonic arts, which made people's hair stand on end.

"Hiss, what kind of demonic power is this? The old monk actually came back to life from the old bear's flesh and blood?!"

Liu Sheng felt a chill run down his spine, and even his thoughts seemed to slow down.

The scene before him was so shocking that it was beyond his comprehension.

He had learned about the bear demon's past experiences from snippets of conversation.

It once had a master and began practicing Buddhism. Later, the temple was burned to the ground because of a robe, and the entire temple was wiped out. Only it survived and incidentally obtained the precious robe.

Unfortunately, the robe contained demonic thoughts, perhaps the restless spirits of the deceased in the temple, which had troubled him for many years, preventing him from finding peace.

Over the years, Lao Xiong has been trying to find ways to help his fellow disciples in the cassock find peace.

The purpose of entering the ruins this time is to obtain the sweet dew from the willow branch to cleanse the cassock.

In retrospect, it was deceived.

That fire may not have been an accident at all, but rather something deliberately set off.

The purpose is to cultivate demonic arts...

Within its flesh and blood, it lives a second life!

What terrifying demonic power is this?!
"Benefactor, are you afraid of this old monk?"

Before long, a gaunt old monk, about ten feet tall, stood amidst the flesh and blood, his face filled with compassion, and softly asked him a question.

"Gulu."

Liu Sheng swallowed hard, feeling a chill run through his body, and for a moment he didn't know how to respond.

terrible!

This old monk must be the Buddhist elder that the old bear mentioned, who treated it like a teacher and father.

A "dead man" who had long since died and whose body had turned to ash was now standing alive in front of him.

They even asked if I was afraid of them?!
Is being afraid useful?

Looking at the large mass of bloody remains at his feet, and the old bear's mangled face, Liu Sheng took a deep breath and said in a low voice:

"The master has been reborn, which is truly a cause for celebration."

"Reborn... Yes, this old monk has finally lived a second life, all thanks to that beast who wore the robe on me day and night..."

The old monk sighed softly, then stuck out his tongue and deftly licked the flesh and blood off his face, leaving it spotless. His eyes gradually began to gleam with a bloodthirsty light.
"Unfortunately, there is still one step left. I hope you will grant my request."

None of my business!

Alarm bells rang in Liu Sheng's heart. His dragon eyes narrowed slightly, and his tail swayed gently, creating ripples in the Weak Water.

There was no response.

Sparks of smoke flew into the old monk's mouth, causing his flesh to peel away even faster, until it reached his knees.

His expression grew increasingly calm. He clasped his hands together, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and said softly:

"You and that beast are old friends, and have a deep bond..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Sheng quickly interrupted him:
"No, I only have a nodding acquaintance with it."

"..."

The old monk's breath hitched, and he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Liu Sheng didn't follow the script and directly denied any relationship with the Black Wind King, leaving Liu Sheng speechless.

"You are joking, benefactor."

"I'm not joking, we're really not that close."

After Liu Sheng finished speaking, he glanced helplessly at the bear head hanging at the old monk's feet, shook himself, and turned to leave.

"Master, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

It's not that we don't want to help, but we don't know how.

This old monk, having practiced some kind of demonic art, actually lived a second life from the flesh and blood of the old bear.

The old bear, a demon of immense power, was utterly powerless against him; its flesh and blood became the nourishment for his "resurrection."

This old guy looks ridiculously strong; it's best not to provoke him and just leave.

"Benefactor, you haven't granted my request yet, how can you leave?"

At this moment, a black wind rose from the Weak Water, and the brocade cassock billowed with bloody light, chasing after them closely.

"This old monk's 'Blood Lotus Nirvana Sutra' is still missing a piece of flesh and blood to complete its practice. Benefactor, you possess wisdom and are born with martial prowess..."

The old monk reached out and grabbed the old bear's staff, which landed in his hand and slammed down towards Liu Sheng's forehead.

"It is only right that I lend this old monk a hand!"

(End of this chapter)