A master of comedy!

"Bones thin as firewood, life fleeting as a leaky lamp, waking in agony at midnight and coughing at dawn. Children and grandchildren abandoned, ghosts and gods my enemies, the road to the Yellow Springs nears dusk..."

In a secluded open space outside the village, the sounds of opera could be heard faintly.

The members of the Zhou Family Troupe are practicing "Medicine Buddha" non-stop. The singing style, movements, positioning, and rhythm all need to be refined.

Fortunately, they were all experts, and in just two days, they had already made a name for themselves and were extremely fluent, so much so that it was impossible to tell that it was a new play that had only been rehearsed for a short time.

As the moon rose high in the sky, after the seventh rehearsal of the day, Zhou Sheng finally revealed a satisfied smile.

He clapped his hands and called for a stop. Looking at the undisguised exhaustion in everyone's eyes, he said with emotion, "Thank you all, the play is ready to go on stage."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"It's mainly because the troupe leader is so capable. The focus of this play is on Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, and you took on this role, which is why we've made such a fast progress!"

Zhou Sheng stopped speaking and silently kept this kindness in his heart.

This play, "The Medicine Buddha," is divided into four acts. It tells the story of how the Medicine Buddha's previous incarnation, a Brahmin, was deeply moved after witnessing the suffering of an elderly person, a blind woman, and a mad boy, and resolved to heal the world's suffering.

Thus, like Shennong, he tasted all the herbs and minerals in the world, suffering from severe poisoning but never changing his original intention, and eventually became a Buddha.

Among the appearances are the Bodhisattvas of Sunlight and Moonlight, the Yaksha generals, and celestial musicians.

While the role of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha is certainly important, it would be an exaggeration to say that he single-handedly carried the entire story.

"Now we just need to wait for Jinse to come back and bring back the props we bought, then we can go to Yaofo Temple to perform. The abbot has already set up a simple stage."

Zhou Sheng looked down towards Ge'an City at the foot of the mountain, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Everything is ready. We just need to have all the props ready and rehearse once more before we can go to Yaofo Temple.

Judging by the time, she should be back by now.

"To perform on stage, one must have spirit and energy. That's all for today, everyone take a break—"

Before Zhou Sheng could finish speaking, he seemed to sense something, and his expression suddenly changed.

"I take refuge in the Realm of the Full Moon, the Pure and Wondrous Lapis Lazuli Venerable. Your Dharma medicine saves humans and gods, for you made twelve vows in your past lives. Your compassionate vows are vast and boundless, wishing to deliver all sentient beings..."

One after another, chanting Buddhist hymns rang out from White Snake Village. It wasn't just one person; it seemed as if many voices were merging together, growing louder and louder. Amidst the compassionate Zen spirit, there was an indescribable sadness and pain.

The sound was inaudible to ordinary people who had not opened their ears, but the Zhou family members, being ghosts, could hear it, yet felt as if they were in a raging fire, their yin energy draining away.

"Quickly get into the Yin-gathering jar!"

Zhou Sheng led them into the jar to escape the chanting, and immediately only the red thread remained beside them.

He frowned, puzzled.

Judging from the voices, they sound like the monks from the Medicine Buddha Temple. It's just that the appointed time hasn't arrived yet. Why did they suddenly come to White Snake Village together?
Is it...

Zhou Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and a bad feeling surfaced in his mind.

Could it be that something else has happened that has caused them to become possessed by demons?
"Red Line, back to the village!"

At his command, lightning flashed across his body, thunder roared, and his figure merged into the earth, swiftly fleeing towards the direction of the chanting.

The red thread then transforms into a white dove, flapping its wings and flying away.

With one in the sky and the other on the ground, any situation can be seen more clearly, and it also facilitates teamwork.

The place where they performed was not far from the village, only a dozen miles away. With their earth-遁神通 (earth-遁神通 is a type of magical ability), they returned to the village in a short time.

The closer you get to the village, the louder the chanting becomes.

The countless chanting voices converged, solemn, sacred, and vast, yet also carrying a chilling sense of danger.

What puzzled Zhou Sheng even more was that the center of the chanting was... actually Guo Lao's house.

Only when he got closer did he hear a faint sob mixed in with the countless chantings, though it was muffled.

That was the sound of a little boy named Guo Yang crying.

Zhou Sheng seemed to understand something. He emerged from the ground and appeared behind Guo Yang. Inside the room, Old Guo lay on a chair, draped in a silk quilt given to him by his son and daughter-in-law, looking peaceful as if he were asleep.

The last elderly man who witnessed the heroic deeds of the monks at Yaofo Temple has passed away.

Their souls have returned to the underworld; those who personally experienced that great flood are no longer alive.

Guo Yang cried bitterly. When he saw Zhou Sheng, he couldn't help but throw himself into Zhou Sheng's arms and plead, "Immortal brother, please save my grandfather!"

"You're so amazing, you can definitely—"

"I'm sorry, I can't save him."

Zhou Sheng answered truthfully and sighed, "However, your grandfather did not pass away alone. If you knew something, it might offer some comfort."

After saying that, he reached out and gently wiped Guo Yang's eyes, saying, "Open!"

The tongue possesses supernatural powers; words spoken become law.

The next moment, Guo Yang felt a burning sensation in his eyes, as if they were being scorched by fire. After a brief period of pain, he saw a series of dazzling Buddhist lights.

He was stunned for a moment.

Because in this cold, lonely room, there was actually... a dense crowd of "people".

Seventeen senior monks of the Ci generation stepped forward and touched his head one by one.

The Buddha's light, like a lotus, entered Guo Yang's body.

That was a blessing from a highly virtuous monk, who would protect Guo Yang from misfortune and bring him good fortune in the future.

Dozens of monks of the Jing generation nodded to him and then continued chanting sutras to bid farewell to the last person who remembered them.

Many young monks of the Hui generation stood outside the courtyard with tears in their eyes, their chanting trembling.

"them……"

"They've all come to see your grandfather off."

"They are all my grandfather's friends?"

Zhou Sheng lowered his gaze slightly and said, "Many of them have never met your grandfather, but there are some things that are important to remember."

Guo Yang didn't understand.

"Don't forget the stories your grandfather told you. As for now... get some sleep. I'll take care of your grandfather's funeral arrangements."

Although they had only spent two short days together, Zhou Sheng sighed softly as he thought of the old man with the hearty laugh who treated him like a son.

Under his voice, Guo Yang's eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and he eventually fell asleep in his arms.

The chanting gradually subsided until it stopped.

Pairs of eyes filled with pain, confusion, struggle, and resentment stared intently at Zhou Sheng, their gazes gleaming with a dangerous aura.

It was as if the little boy's sleep had torn away the last veil of shame.

Even the compassionate abbot stood there, seemingly oblivious to the demonic aura emanating from his disciples.

With the passing of the last survivor, a profound sense of grief and confusion inevitably welled up within them.

This negative emotion is the perfect nourishment for demonic thoughts, greatly amplifying the growth of demonic energy.

A Buddha's heart is clouded, halfway into demonic possession.

They were awakened by the cold, crisp sound of a sword being drawn.

"Gentlemen, I don't want to kill you, but..."

"Don't go looking for death." (End of Chapter)