My personal opinion on Gensokyo

However, although many people came, once they entered the temple, the people spontaneously kept their mouths shut and walked towards the altar as quietly as possible.

The Dharma platform is located in the open square in front of the Main Hall of Daming Temple. Gray-white stone bricks are paved on the ground, and a cylindrical Dharma platform with a radius of about ten feet is erected in front of the Main Hall.

Shang Yang also found a place to sit cross-legged, waiting for Monk Jianzhen to come on stage to explain Buddhism.

Not long after, as a bell rang in Daming Temple, people became excited and looked towards the platform.

Shang Yang also cast his gaze towards the platform and saw that the 66-year-old monk Jianzhen, who was blind and dressed in a red cassock, was guided by his disciples to the platform, where he sat cross-legged and clasped his hands together.

"Namo Amitabha."

The long and powerful Buddhist chanting echoed in the temple. After hearing it, people also put their hands together and chanted the name of the Buddha.

Shang Yang also made the same gesture as everyone else, and then carefully looked at Monk Jianzhen on the platform.

Although Monk Jianzhen looked extremely old, there was no trace of the gloomy air from his five failed attempts to cross the sea to the East. Instead, his face looked even more kind and benevolent, which gave Shang Yang the illusion that when he looked at the old monk, it was as if he was looking at the statue of Tathagata Buddha in the main hall.

"Master Jianzhen's Buddhist teachings are becoming increasingly profound," Shang Yang exclaimed. "Could it be that his five voyages eastward over the past twelve years have given him some enlightenment?"

"At that time, the Tathagata of Right Dharma Brightness made a great vow to relieve the suffering of all living beings and transformed himself into Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva..."

"For countless kalpas, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has accomplished the Dharma of great compassion and great mercy, benefiting all living beings. He serves as a boat and raft in the ocean of suffering of birth and death, and as a bright lamp in the long night of ignorance. He constantly observes the sounds of all living beings chanting his holy name, relieving all suffering and bringing them all joy."

　?麇6y〔i（七》）易二８④si岜 "So it is said: Namo the Greatly Compassionate and Greatly Merciful Guanshiyin ..."

Monk Jianzhen was full of energy and spoke gently as he began to preach to everyone in detail. Everyone felt calm and peaceful as they listened.

"By focusing on Guanyin Bodhisattva, Monk Jianzhen is saying that he must spread the Dharma."

Shang Yang thought carefully in his heart. After Monk Jianzhen finished explaining the Buddhist teachings and everyone left Daming Temple one after another, Shang Yang stood up, walked forward a few steps, clasped his hands together and said to one of Monk Jianzhen's disciples.

"Master, please inform me that I would like to discuss the matter of crossing the sea to the East with Master Jianzhen."

Daming Temple, inside the meditation room.

"Master, you have made five voyages to the East in the past twelve years, but each attempt ended in failure," Shang Yang put down his teacup and asked the old monk in front of him, "Master, are you still determined to make the journey to the East?"

Upon hearing this, the old monk smiled faintly and clasped his hands together.

"to not fix."

"I still remember that when I was fourteen, I went to Dayun Temple with my father to pay homage to the Buddha. The Buddha's compassionate presence inspired me to yearn for Buddhism. Since then, I have practiced Buddhism for over fifty years, not daring to slack off even for a single day. Since Japan lacks sufficient Buddhist teachings, I naturally want to go there so that other people can hear the true treasures of Buddhism."

"In that case, I should go."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yang looked at the blind old monk with a kind face for a long time before he put his hands together and spoke calmly.

"May the Buddha bless you with a safe journey."

When Shang Yang came to his senses, he saw that the big ship was still brightly lit.

Chikuzen, Hakata.

Shang Yang, Ai, and Kaguya got off the Tang ship and were about to return to Mount Yoshino.

Suddenly, a monk came in front of the three people and put his hands together.

"Donor Shang, my master Jianzhen invites you."

Inside the Tang cabin.

The monk led Shang Yang and the other two into the cabin. An old monk with a kind and peaceful face was sitting cross-legged on a bed, holding a rosary and chanting scriptures in a low voice.

"Master, Donor Shang is here."

The monk clasped his hands together and reported to the old monk.

Jianzhen stopped chanting and nodded. The monk bowed to Jianzhen and then left.

"Thank you, benefactor, for helping this old monk successfully cross the sea to the east."

After the monk left, Monk Jianzhen thanked Shang Yang in a peaceful tone.

"I don't deserve it. The eastward journey was only possible because of Master Jianzhen's sincerity."

Shang Yang walked forward, sat cross-legged on a cushion not far in front of Jianzhen and said with a smile.

"Donor, you are too modest," the kind-looking old monk shook his head. "Although I am blind, my heart is not. Without you, the saint would not have allowed me to travel to Japan."

"Now that my great wish has been fulfilled, I have nothing to offer in return. I can only give you the rosary that Master Xuanzang held when he departed for the West."

As he spoke, the blind old monk took off a rosary from his wrist and handed it to Ai next to him.

Ai looked at the kind-looking old monk, a hint of understanding flashed in his dark red eyes. He leaned forward and carefully took the rosary.

"Thank you, Master."

Seeing Ai take the rosary, Shang Yang smiled and thanked the kind-looking old monk.

"This treasure is far from enough to repay the donor's help," the old monk shook his head, "Why bother to thank me."

The young man stood up and prepared to say goodbye and leave.

"Japan is not as good as the Tang Dynasty. Take care, Master."

"Thank you very much, benefactor." Monk Jianzhen clasped his hands together. "Half a year ago, when I was at Daming Temple in Yangzhou, you wished me a safe journey eastward."

"Now that the donor's wish has been fulfilled, the donor's own wish will surely be fulfilled as well."

"Please take care of yourself, benefactor."

Yoshinoyama, hot spring resort.

After returning to their home, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. Home was still the most comfortable place.

"By the way, Shang Yang," Hui Ye suddenly turned to look at Shang Yang and said with certainty, "The old monk has seen that you are using them."

"It's not surprising," Shang Yang thought it was natural. "Monk Jianzhen has some cultivation experience. Although the cultivation of humans and immortals is very different, he can still sense my obscure aura."

"He also noticed my difference," Ai said softly. "But he didn't seem to object to Shang Yang using the monks."

Shang Yang looked at the rosary on Ai's left wrist, then looked at the two rattles tied on Ai's right wrist. An idea suddenly flashed in his mind. He reached out and held Ai's slender, white and soft hands, pulled her to sit beside him, helped her untie the rattle on her right wrist, and then took off the rosary on Ai's left wrist.

The rattle that had been tied to Ai's wrist was a treasure "embryo" that could continue to grow, made by Miss Lord God according to the information in the mystery of cause and effect, based on a certain legendary concept and using the power of cause and effect.

It is also the "medium" prepared by Miss Lord God for love, so that love can also use the mystery of cause and effect.

"……What's wrong?"

Love asked curiously.

Ai was a little shy when Shang Yang suddenly held her hand in front of Kaguya, but she was more curious about what Shang Yang was going to do.

Shang Yang didn't answer her. He held up the rosary in one hand and picked up the bell in the other.

Her Royal Highness the Princess also came over curiously.

The power of yin and yang rotated, and the originally separate rosary and rattle were merged into a whole.

"The two principles of union and separation."

Picking up the new rosary with a bell tied to it, Shang Yang held Ai's fair and soft little hand and put the rosary bracelet on Ai's right wrist.

"Consider it an unexpected bonus."

The young man with gray and shaggy hair explained.

Ai raised her wrist, looked carefully at the rosary bracelet with a rattle on her right wrist, and nodded in understanding.

The two were integrated by the power of yin and yang. The rattle, which served as the embryo of the treasure, absorbed the mental power contained in the rosary and grew a lot.

"Let's go to the ghost city tonight."

After making a bracelet for love, the young man declared.

At night, ghost city.

Ghost City is the remains of Fujiwara-kyō from decades ago. It was originally occupied by ghosts from hell. Although many monsters moved in later, it was still named Ghost City. This capital of ghosts and monsters has become a gathering place for ghosts and monsters in the vicinity in recent years.

The order of the Ghost City is still maintained by the big ghosts of the ghost clan who first came here. Shang Yang has seen them. The strength of the big ghosts can be compared with the very powerful monsters in the monster level, but there is still some gap between them and the top of the monster level where Shang Yang is.

Shang Yang, Ai and Kaguya rode in the luxurious carriage all the way from Mount Yoshino to the former ruins of Fujiwara-kyo, now the city of ghosts. This luxurious carriage was the prop that Shang Yang and Ai used to pick up Kaguya. After that, Shang Yang did not leave it idle, but used it as a means of transportation for the three of them to travel occasionally. The disadvantage is that driving this luxurious carriage consumes a lot of mana, so it is only used nearby and not often.

Close to the former south gate of Fujiwara-kyo, Ghost City is now a place where the human world and the otherworldly realm are mixed together, and can only be entered through the Rashomon at the south gate.

There were several ghosts guarding the city gate. When they saw the luxurious carriage flying at low altitude and the young man with gray hair sitting in the driver's seat, the ghosts immediately opened the city gate. Shang Yang himself had a great influence in the ghost city, and the big ghosts who managed the ghost city generally had some friendship with Shang Yang.

The establishment of Ghost City has a great connection with Shang Yang. It was because more than fifty years ago, when Fujiwara-kyo was on fire, Shang Yang defeated the erosion of the will of hell here, which caused the gloomy and corrupt air brought by the darkness of hell to permeate the ruins of Fujiwara's old capital, forming this city of ghosts and monsters.

Entering the Ghost City, the atmosphere of the outside world belonging to the human world disappears, and the gloomy and corrupt evil spirit rises in the ruins of the capital. However, the Ghost City is very lively, with bright lights, and all kinds of ghost vendors hawking their wares along the streets.

Although there are evil spirits and monsters selling things and doing business, most of the vendors are still normal, such as this barbecue stall that Kaguya and Ai like very much.

After parking the luxurious car in front of the barbecue stall, Shang Yang jumped out and walked over to casually greet the owner.

"Shopkeeper, how's business?"

The owner of this barbecue stall is a demon monster that has also transformed into a human form. He was rolling the barbecue in his hand. When he saw the young man with gray hair, he hurriedly walked out from behind the grill and greeted the young man enthusiastically and panically.

"Lord Shangyang, long time no see. Please take a seat. Miss Kaguya and Miss Ai are here too, right? Please take a seat. I will prepare some grilled food for you."

Kaguya and Ai also opened the curtain, jumped out of the car, walked over and sat down.

After a while, the host brought the fragrant charcoal-grilled wild boar meat to the three of them. Shang Yang picked up a skewer of charcoal-grilled wild boar meat and started chatting with them while eating.

"Shopkeeper, you haven't told me how business is going recently?"

"Thanks to your care, my barbecue business has been very good recently. Even the big ghosts who manage the ghost city have come here."

Speaking of business, the owner of the Niugui shop was very happy. It seemed that as he said, he had made a lot of money recently.

Monsters usually use mortals' copper coins. In fact, for most monsters, money is not very useful. Monsters value freedom and basically live in the open air and have no fixed place to live.

"That's good."

Shang Yang nodded thoughtfully and continued to eat the delicious charcoal barbecue.

"Then I wish the store owner's business will continue to be good."

Volume 2: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: Chapter 51: Shang Yang Pushes Down the Loli

When Niu Gui heard the young man say this, he thanked him repeatedly.

"Thank you so much for your care, sir."

Shang Yang nodded and continued to eat the charcoal barbecued meat which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. He wanted to fill his stomach first.

While eating, Shang Yang was thinking about his next move.

Interfering in human religions, accelerating the improvement of this country's myths and legends, and influencing the birth of faith are all preparations for the first lunar war led by the monster sage Yakumo Yukari a hundred years later.

The First Lunar War is one of the few solidified historical causes and effects in the history of this world of Gensokyo. If its consequences can be changed, it will play a very important role in preventing the world from sliding towards a unique history with a fixed fate.

Shang Yang's goal is to participate in the first lunar war.

However, Shang Yang does not need to form his own force. The demon clan is different from mortals. In this era thousands of years ago, as long as there was a call from a prestigious big demon, the demon clan would spontaneously respond to the call and form a hundred demons parade at night.

However, there are still problems with the demon race in this land. If a war is to be launched against the Moon Capital, the overall strength of the demon race in this land must be improved. Although there are still about a hundred years before the first lunar war, powerful demon-level demon monsters are very rare in this land.

In fact, this is also true for the entire earth. As mentioned before, the history of the immortal species is very long, but after the emergence of humans, non-human creatures as the immortal species were able to occupy the "position" in myths and legends through the myths woven by humans, and turned into the true body of myths and legends, getting rid of the embarrassing status of existing as "natural phenomena."

In fact, the monsters that can free themselves from the constraints of objective rules and exist objectively without the help of external forces are extremely rare. Such immortal species can gain powerful strength without relying on myths, legends and beliefs to maintain their existence.

A great monster is a life form that exists on its own and breaks away from objective laws. To become a great monster, one must first break away from "external forces" to maintain itself. Myths, legends, and beliefs can quickly allow the immortal species to be promoted to the monster level. In fact, the monster level already has the power of a god in the eyes of mortals, but to be promoted to the great monster level.

First of all, the essence of the power of the Immortal Species must not be bound by the objective laws of the world, which is the sign of a great monster.

But the crux of the matter lies here. Non-human beings that rely on myths and beliefs to maintain their existence must completely control their own myths and legends, integrate the concepts of myths and legends with their essence, and completely absorb the concepts of myths and legends that maintain their existence into their own essence.

This process is extremely difficult. Myths and legends are concepts. Before the power level is freed from the constraints of objective laws, it is difficult for the immortal species to absorb the concepts of myths and legends.

This also makes it difficult for gods and monsters bound by faith to advance to higher levels. There are occasional exceptions, but they are extremely rare.

What's more, in this land today, humans have not yet developed a culture of myths and legends.

A hundred years later, during the Heian period, human civilization on this land gradually developed. In addition, the scope of human activities on this land continued to expand, and monsters and other alien species were squeezed to a certain extent. The monster sage Yakumo Yukari launched the first lunar war, hoping to expand the living range of the monsters on the earth.

After the failure of the first lunar war, the monsters chose another way of survival, which was to coexist with humans. The day belonged to humans, and the night belonged to the monsters.

Now Shang Yang has brought a huge group of Tang monks. The religious culture on this land is expanding rapidly, and countless monsters will be born. When the first lunar war comes a hundred years later, the Moon City will face more monsters with mid-to-high-end combat power and hundreds of ghosts roaming at night.

This is also the purpose of Shang Yang's "Demon Mass Production Plan".

By the way, Shang Yang had also heard about the monster sage Yakumo Yukari over the past few decades. However, Shang Yang did not know exactly when Yakumo Yukari became a great monster, and there was no accurate information to judge.

According to what Shang Yang learned from the monsters in Guidu, Yakumo Yukari has always been secretive and her activities are not limited to Japan. There are rumors of her activities throughout East Asia. Even in the West, it seems that some local immortals have seen her.