Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 397 Deduction: Lanruo Temple, Nie Xiaoqian, and the Tree Demon Granny (Part 2)

In the eighteenth year, you flew aimlessly for a year, devouring the hearts and livers of those infected along the way, unaware of your whereabouts, and gradually forgot your pain.

After all, you are inherently cold-hearted, and besides—

The sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and all things in heaven and earth are subject to birth and death.

The parent birds were already nearing the end of their lives, and being able to see you become a demon before they died was a fulfillment of their wishes, a death without regrets.

To die without regrets—how many living beings in this world can achieve that?

Can you do it?

Quack quack!

...

[In the twentieth year, the third year after you became a demon, you returned to that dead city.]

Years later, the inner city had long been overrun by the plague, and those powerful and wealthy people who had once seen the epidemic as an opportunity for the common people had ultimately brought disaster upon themselves.

Luxurious mansions, warehouses overflowing with medicinal herbs, and gold and silver jewels within easy reach became their tombs.

Both the outer and inner city walls were littered with corpses, the plague lingered, and only the howling wind could be heard, like the wailing of ten thousand ghosts.

Dead city, lone crow, plague...

You stroked your fiery red feathers with your sharp beak, flapped your wings and took flight, scattering streaks of fiery feathers like darts.

From south to north, from east to west, the entire city has been set ablaze by you.

The city was filled with corpses—beggars, the poor, the rich, the powerful, ladies, prostitutes, scholars, laborers—all burned to ashes, mixed together, indistinguishable from one another.

All the pavilions and towers, the fine silks and satins, the wooden huts and shacks, the coarse cloth and hemp—all were burned to the ground by the fire…

Ashes! Fly! Smoke! Extinction!
The fire burned for seven days and seven nights, finally dispelling the accumulated plague.

This was the blessed land where you became a demon, yet it was completely destroyed by your own hands.

A drink, a peck, all have a certain number.

This is cause and effect.

You understand, yet it seems you don't.

You feel as if some unseen force is pushing you towards a place, a place you've heard of but forgotten—

Lanruo Temple.

...

In the twenty-first year, you came to Lanruo Temple.

This is a magnificent temple surrounded by mountains, with thousands of halls and pavilions, all resplendent in gold and green.

The number of monks in the temple was countless. To light incense, one had to ride a horse. The incense burned brightly all day long and never went out. The evening drum and morning bell resounded for miles around.

This is a Buddhist kingdom that resides in the world, bringing peace and tranquility to the heart and mind.

Before you even got close, you felt the oppression and could only stop in the deep mountains outside the temple and watch from afar.

You don't know why you came, you just have a vague feeling—

A great opportunity lies here.

Opportunity?

You thought of the parent birds burned to ashes, the old nest, the city...

...

[In your thirtieth year, you have been living in seclusion in the deep mountains outside the temple for ten years.]

Buddhist chants, morning bells, evening drums, and grand water and land ceremonies during the festivals of all Buddhas are sufficient to subdue demons and monsters and purify the mind, but they have absolutely no effect on you.

Outside the great temple, demons roam the land, claiming their own kingdoms, plagues rage, and starvation is rampant, creating a perilous situation.

Yet every day, caravans still come and go, carrying boxes of gold and silver treasures, to burn incense and worship Buddha, praying to the Tree Bodhisattva to relieve the plague and protect peace.

Strangely, the demons outside the temple, who were the most ferocious and fond of eating human flesh, turned a blind eye to the caravan that entered the temple every day, letting it pass by freely, and even sending their lesser demons to escort it.

After observing for ten years, you discover that these demons are actually devout Buddhists.

On Buddha's birthday, he would lead a group of people to listen to Buddhist teachings outside the temple.

Then--

People will still be killed!

We'll still eat the meat!
Blood shines through the wine!

What a wonderful saying, "Flesh and blood pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart!"
The tranquility is limited to the tranquility of a single temple.

The piety was limited to that of a single temple.

Behind the gate lies the Western Paradise, where compassionate Buddha statues stand tall, pagodas gleam, and treasures gleam, creating a scene of peace and tranquility.

Before the gate lies the Ten Directions of Hell, where the Six Thieves run rampant, the Five Aggregates blaze fiercely, beasts roam freely, and the air is thick with miasma.

and so--

No matter how profound the Buddhist teachings or how melodious the chanting, they cannot liberate your heart.
No matter how virtuous a Bodhisattva is, or how devout a monastery is, it cannot catch your eye.

This Lanruo Temple, resplendent in gold and magnificent in its grandeur, is clearly a large-scale...

Inner city!

Those greedy faces that died are now shaved, draped in robes, sitting upright before the Buddha, chanting Amitabha, their bellies brimming with jewels.

Unbeknownst to them, on their forehead and between their eyebrows...

A deathly aura has arisen.

...

In the fortieth year, Lanruo Temple became increasingly prosperous.

The monks in the temple were dressed in brocade and gold, with rosy complexions. They spoke of "World Honored One" and "Bodhisattva" and each had a dignified and beautiful appearance, as if the temple had been born.

This is because the name of Lanruo Temple has long been known throughout the world.

Every day, the quota for offering incense and sesame oil at the temple to ward off plagues and epidemics is highly competitive and worth a fortune.

Many pilgrims from all over the country would even fight and die outside the temple for a spot.

Over the past ten years, your spiritual practice has grown, and you have become accustomed to the Buddhist light and chanting, and you are now able to fly into the temple.

So, twenty years after visiting Lanruo Temple, you finally saw the world-famous "Tree Bodhisattva"—

An old locust tree with hundreds of years of history.

The locust tree, with its canopy like an umbrella, stood a hundred feet tall, its gnarled roots like pythons, exuding a sinister aura, contrasting sharply with the resplendent Lanruo Temple…

Out of place.

It was curious: why were there so many demons outside the temple, yet you alone were able to fly in?
It's because of you, of course...

There is no Buddha in one's heart!

You smile gently in your heart, talk to it, and gradually it becomes your friend.

From its words, you learned about its connection to Lanruo Temple.

A thousand years ago, an old monk carried scriptures here, established a temple, and spread the Dharma, intending to save all sentient beings.

At that time, Lanruo Temple consisted of only three thatched huts, two monks, and a locust tree.

For hundreds of years, the locust tree remained ignorant, growing from a seed, enduring wind and rain, and listening to scriptures day and night, until it finally developed sentience and became a tree spirit.

The monks in the temple originally wanted to exorcise the demon, but were stopped by the abbot at the time, who said that all living beings have spirits and are inherently neither good nor evil. They should be taught with Buddhist teachings to guide them toward good.

Thus, a "tree monk" appeared in Lanruo Temple. He listened to Buddhist teachings, recited the Heart Sutra, grew branches and leaves, regulated the earth's energy, and occasionally helped believers heal their injuries and illnesses, and relieve plagues and epidemics, which became a popular story.

The leaves turned green, then yellow, then withered, then green again.

The young monks in the temple grew into senior monks, the senior monks became old monks, the old monks were cremated and became relics, then the young monks grew into senior monks again, the senior monks became old monks again, and the old monks were cremated and became relics again...

People come and go, life and death are unpredictable.

Influenced by Buddhism, it had long since taken a detached view of life and death, focusing instead on cultivating the earth's energy, helping believers, and ignoring worldly affairs.

Many years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The way the monks in the temple addressed it changed from "Brother Tree" to "Uncle Tree," then to "Grandmaster Tree," and finally to "Grandmaster Tree," until—

"Tree Bodhisattva!"

At that time, Lanruo Temple already had hundreds of halls and pavilions, its gates were bustling with activity, its incense was burning brightly, and its believers were numerous.

The believers it rescued have, without anyone noticing, all transformed into fine silks and satins, with no trace of hemp or straw sandals remaining.

So the locust tree spirit claimed to be ill, saying that its time was coming to an end, its magical powers were gradually waning, and it would be difficult to cure the plague...

In those years, the incense offerings at Lanruo Temple declined considerably.

Until those monks who used to be respectful and call themselves "Bodhisattvas" before it dropped their hypocrisy and began to coerce it.

Furthermore, some powerful and wealthy individuals, unable to provide medical care, went on a killing spree, attempting to spread the plague and cause suffering to all people...

The locust tree spirit has been bathed in Buddhist teachings for nearly a thousand years. It has only ever saved people and cured plagues, never killing any living beings, and is even more afraid of karma and sin.

So, they compromised.

As a result, the incense offerings at Lanruo Temple were restored, far surpassing those of the past.

The so-called "tree bodhisattva" has also become a tool for monks to make money and profit, to relieve people of plagues and epidemics, to cure diseases and protect life, day and night without rest.

It was kind by nature and felt guilty towards the common people, so it did not hesitate to deplete its own resources and absorb plague and epidemic energy into its body to save others, ultimately exceeding its capacity.

The thick, gnarled branches were already filled with the miasma of disease, and the verdant leaves no longer offered any protection.

This is a sad story; those who hear it grieve, and those who listen weep.

But you,

[Does not believe in Buddhism.]

...

In its fiftieth year, the old locust tree was dying.

Perhaps, as it itself says, it has already exceeded its limits in relieving plagues and absorbing pathogens day and night.

Its gnarled branches became swollen, its bark was rotten and oozing pus, and its branches and leaves fell off, leaving it bare and very unsightly.

But the monks of Lanruo Temple did not let it go. They covered the tree trunk with gold leaf, carved leaves from jade and hung them on the branches, and lit sandalwood incense everywhere to cover up the stench.

Buddhist scriptures say that plagues originate from the human heart. Once the five aggregates are in full bloom and the six desires run rampant, calamities will arise and disasters will naturally follow.

The old locust tree, having done good deeds for a thousand years and never touched meat, has saved countless lives, yet it has come to this end... Could it be that its "saving lives and sacrificing itself to save others" was actually a kind of foolishness, a defilement of the six thieves?

You are cold-hearted by nature, so you stand by and watch.

On this day, which happened to be Buddha's birthday, Lanruo Temple held a Water and Land Dharma Assembly, and people from all directions came to offer their congratulations, blowing conch shells loudly...

That night, mountains collapsed and the earth split open, and the plague shrouded the sky for three thousand miles. Even the magnificent Lanruo Temple was reduced to ruins.

Within a hundred miles, all demons and monsters were affected.

【you are dead. 】

……

"..."

Liu Sheng held his breath for a few moments before exhaling a heavy breath.

This failure came too suddenly and caught us off guard.

Looking at the deduced text on the panel, this change came without any warning.

However, since we know the old locust tree will erupt at that time, we can simply avoid it.

So, after a short rest, he continued his deductions...

As a result, he died dozens more times.

Whether the fire crow left Lanruo Temple beforehand, chose to inform the monks of Lanruo Temple, or joined forces with other demons to attack the old locust tree...

They all failed in the end!

Throughout these dozens of failed deductions, the Locust Tree Demon was invincible, especially since it possessed a large amount of plague energy within its body, making it unstoppable.

How to do?
Liu Sheng pondered for a long time, repeatedly studying the text describing the dozens of deductions, when suddenly an idea struck him:
"Perhaps it could be like this—"

……

[In the first year, you cracked open the eggshell...]

...

In its fiftieth year, the old locust tree was dying.

Its branches were gnarled and swollen, its bark was tattered, and it had lost all its leaves, but the monks of Lanruo Temple still wouldn't let it go...

It has done good deeds for thousands of years, curing countless plagues and epidemics, yet it has come to such an end. Perhaps its "saving lives and healing the wounded, sacrificing itself to save others" was also a kind of obsession, which attracted the six thieves and brought about its calamity.

You fly into Lanruo Temple and tell it your story.

All living beings are subject to birth and death; every sip and every bite is predetermined and cannot be forced.

If those who deserve to die don't die, then those who shouldn't die will be the ones who die.

If this Buddhist teaching is meant to make good people suffer while bad people enjoy blessings...

Are all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, monks, and nuns of Vulture Peak evil people?
It's said that Bodhisattvas have gentle brows and Vajras have fierce eyes. Why must one be a Bodhisattva and not a Vajra?
The old locust tree remained silent, then stretched out its gnarled branches, wrapped you up, and pulled you into its heart—

Then, it stirs up the earth's energy, the mountain's roots, and breaks apart the tree trunks and branches...

The mountain collapsed and the earth cracked.

The plague's aura obscured the sky for three thousand miles.

...

[In the fifty-first year, you slept deep within the tree.]

...

[In your hundredth year, you slumber within the tree's heart.]

...

In the second hundred years, you awaken in the heart of the tree.

Old memories resurface, bringing a sudden realization to your mind.

The locust tree spirit, enlightened by you, suddenly realized the principle that "killing is for the purpose of protecting life, and cutting off karma is not the same as killing people."

The monks of Lanruo Temple, along with the powerful, wealthy, and demonic, are all blinded by the six desires, their roots are impure, the three poisons have entered their bodies, their sins are grave and beyond redemption.

Only by entering the cycle of reincarnation and suffering the torments of the eighteen hells can one attain liberation.

To repay your karma, I will pull you into the heart of the tree for protection, and use my body to avert disaster, turning the surrounding area into a ghost realm.

This thousand-year-old tree heart is formed from its essence, brimming with vitality, thus able to withstand calamities and protect you.

It can make or break you.

This tree heart protects you, but it has also become a cage from which you cannot escape. Only through the combined efforts of the inside and outside can you break free.

Where can we find external help?
You fall silent, then try to sense the outside world.

I finally sensed it...

A section of withered root.

...

In the third hundred years, you used the tree heart to control the remains of the locust tree demon.

A century of vitality has allowed its withered roots to sprout new shoots.

Deep within the ruins of Lanruo Temple, a small locust tree sprouts new branches amidst the horrific remains.

You absorbed the intense plague and disease aura surrounding you, and inexplicably transformed it into your spiritual power.

You take your time, inhaling slowly, little by little...

...

[In the fourth hundred years, the plague and epidemic within a hundred miles dissipated completely, all of which transformed into your cultivation.]

The heart of the locust tree spirit grows ever closer to you.

You vaguely sense signs of your bloodline awakening, and you can take another step forward. However, without separating from the tree heart, this "progress" will be a long way off.

Meanwhile, hundreds of years have passed, and the world has changed several times. Now it seems like the end of a dynasty, with people suffering.

Bandits discovered the ruins of Lanruo Temple, made use of them, and built a new "Lanruo Temple".

A group of heinous murderers turned around and shaved their heads, put on monks' robes, and became dignified "masters," which is exactly what the Buddhist saying "put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot" means.

But a leopard can't change its spots. How can a thief who's used to robbing and plundering tolerate strict rules and regulations?

They secretly harmed worshippers, raped women, stole money and valuables, and committed all sorts of evil deeds.

You thought that its evil was so obvious that it would attract the government's siege and the arrival of sword immortals and knights-errant to subdue the demons and monsters, which might help you escape...

So I watched coldly and waited patiently.

...

[In the 420th year, this wait lasted for 20 years, and the new Lanruo Temple became more and more prosperous.]

Even though these fake monks do all sorts of bad things, they are still widely known for their good deeds and their temples are very popular.

This was because his evil deeds were only directed at ordinary people, never at officials, and he even colluded with the government to transfer benefits.

What is good, what is evil? Officials have two mouths; if they say you are, then you are; if they say you are not, then you are not.

What can I do?

So you took action and killed them one by one, leaving the temple in ruins.

He then killed more than ten female guests who stayed overnight, imprisoned their corpses, tamed them into female ghosts, and taught them the art of drawing yang.

Not to harm anyone, but only to display his infamy and attract swordsmen and heroes.

Among the female ghosts was one of exceptional beauty, named Nie Xiaoqian, who was born into an official family and was exceptionally intelligent.

Knowing your purpose, I suggest you harm the sons of officials or scholars, which will be twice as effective with half the effort.

This is because the lives of ordinary people are cheap; no matter how many die or are injured, it is difficult to be recorded in history, and no one will know about it.

Officials and scholars, whose lives were highly valued, would submit lengthy memorials of thousands of words for even the slightest injury, making it known throughout the land.

I also made a promise with you that if you escape, you must return your remains to help you reincarnate.

Allow it. 】

...

[In the 425th year, five years have passed. The female ghosts have helped you harm few officials and a dozen scholars.]

The infamy of Lanruo Temple gradually spread.

One day, a scholar named Ning Caichen passed the imperial examination with flying colors and returned home in glory. He passed through this place and spent the night at Lanruo Temple.

You made the female ghost Nie Xiaoqian act, claiming that she was being forced by you and that you wanted to kill her.

This man was greatly alarmed, but with the help of Nie Xiaoqian, he escaped disaster thanks to your leniency and reported the incident to the imperial court.

The emperor was furious and ordered the officials to exterminate the demon.

Several days later, the bearded swordsman Yan Chixia arrived carrying his sword.

With the Qiankun Wuji Sword, I will attack you from both inside and outside, breaking through the tree heart prison.

Just then, Zen Master Baiyun from Mount Wutai stepped forward, unleashing a golden Buddha statue, intending to kill you on the spot.

The timing was perfect.

Only then did you realize that the female ghost Nie Xiaoqian must have secretly sided with Ning Caichen, revealing your background in order to use him as a tool to kill the demon and avenge her death.

But you absorbed the plague and its evil energy, and your cultivation was already sufficient. Once you broke free from your shackles, your bloodline was elevated, and your body grew a hundred feet taller. With a single breath, a stream of fire swept across the sky, spreading like wildfire for a hundred miles...

Sword immortals, holy monks, silver swords and golden Buddhas—all were burned to ashes.

They then unearthed Nie Xiaoqian's remains, burned them to ashes, and scattered the ashes in the sun, so that she would never be reborn.

They re-entered the capital, exterminated Ning Caichen's entire family, and burned down the imperial city.

Then he left.

This incident shocked the world. A storyteller overheard a few words and compiled the story of "Nie Xiaoqian," featuring a scholar, a female ghost, a tree demon, and a sword immortal, accompanied by erotic verses, which quickly became widely circulated.

He also used the saying "good and evil will eventually be rewarded" to describe the fate of the tree demon, and to encourage people to do good deeds and accumulate virtue.

Can--

Does good and evil truly have their consequences in the end?

fart!】

(End of this chapter)