novelraw Chapter 313 - 286: Fa Hui (2-in-1) (Part 2)
Chapter 313 - 286: Fa Hui (2-in-1) (Part 2)
"Abbot."
Fa Hui responded, astonished, and replied:
"Why do you say this?"
The old monk nodded, overjoyed, and hurriedly said:
"You have been clever since childhood, your cultivation swift, the deepest roots of wisdom in our temple. You are but one step from becoming a Mage. I sought out the great temple ahead of time and now it seems the opportunity has arrived!"
"How is that so?"
As it concerned his path to enlightenment, Fa Hui shifted all his attention to this news, overjoyed, and asked in a low voice.
The old monk stroked his grey beard and replied:
"I crossed three mountains to seek the Dharma, Compassion seated at the head. I explained everything in detail, and he answered: In a past life, this person was a fisherman, fond of serpent soup, fishing every year. At last, a storm buried him in the belly of a great whale."
"In this life, by fortune he was reborn human. A Taoist rides the wind to him, mana and true yuan vast as rivers—he is a Serpent Jiao reincarnated. If you can convert this one, deliver the people from evil, within your belly will be nurtured a land of pleasure and you will achieve the rank of Mage."
Fa Hui repeatedly clapped his hands, eyes shining with divine light, and said with a laugh:
"So it is! So it is! No wonder I am always indignant on seeing this man—so it is fate and karma at work!"
The old monk laughed heartily and continued:
"So I asked: Is there a chance for Compassion to attain achievement?"
Fa Hui’s eyes instantly widened; he licked his lips and stared straight at him, urgently asking:
"How did the Lord reply?"
The old monk deliberately kept him in suspense. Fa Hui, hot-tempered as ever, eyes reddening, shouted:
"Abbot! Do not keep me in the dark, speak quickly!"
"Hahahahaha."
The old monk laughed long and said:
"Compassion calculated with his fingers, listening attentively, and after a long while replied: ’You must still seek upon that great whale’s body; if this tribulation cannot be passed, you are yet doomed to perish within the belly of the whale or Serpent Jiao.’"
Everyone looked at each other in thought and discussion. Fa Hui hesitated, accepted the magic artifact handed over by his fellow, and said harshly:
"Whatever the tribulation, I will go to convert this heretic and achieve the title of Mage!"
With that, Fa Hui bowed deeply to the old monk, then clasped fist to his fellow disciples, and said in a clear voice:
"Fortunately, that one said he would head to Luoxia Mountain. He will not be lost. I, Fa Hui, will go!"
So his legs moved as though flying, kicking up a cloud of dust as he left, while the remaining disciples crowded around the abbot. One spoke:
"Senior brother Fa Hui trains in the Wrathful Eyes Technique and is on the verge of a breakthrough. If he can capture that person by surprise, he can surely kill him."
"Indeed!"
The crowd discussed with enthusiasm, only the old monk’s smile faded as he trembled and muttered, turning back:
"Opportunity is also tribulation...where could there be such an easy fortune."
Fa Hui of Duanchen Temple had now set his sights on Li Xuanling. Meanwhile, Li Xuanling himself rode the wind alone, sweeping above fields upon fields, his heart quietly alarmed as he pondered:
"This Zhao Country is filled with Buddhist practitioners; if all are this deranged, this place is far too dangerous. I know not where Luoxia Mountain lies, nor must I go. It’s been months since I set out—better to end things here and return home first."
So he changed direction and flew south. By now the hour was growing late. Looking down at the gray-yellow earth under moonlight, he saw tenant farmers huddled around fires, listening to monks telling tales of suffering endured in this life and, in the next, becoming Maha and attaining the Dharma Appearance. Li Xuanling concealed himself quietly, listening to the mortals’ wistful monastic tales.
These tenants, though gaunt and scarred, covered in ash and dirt, nonetheless had eyes bright and shining with hope and longing. Li Xuanling lingered a while in the night, listening to their joyful shouts, their devout kneeling, a storm of emotions in his heart.
"Is the so-called Land of Desire and Pleasure and cycle of rebirth true or false? Of immortals, devils, and monks, which is right, which is wrong?... The times are murky and tainted, unspeakable."
————
The days on the lake are ever calm as water. The deep blue waters ripple with cold. Xiao Xian once again brought several family servants to Lijing Town and sat anxiously under the great hall.
"Brother Xiao!"
Li Yuanping, face pale, forced a smile and sat at the top, looking at Xiao Xian below, and said with a smile:
"It’s been months since we last met—your cultivation has improved greatly!"
Xiao Xian, of only ordinary talent, had just reached the Third Layer of Fetal Breathing. Li Yuanping’s words were courtesy. Xiao Xian merely smiled and let it pass, sitting for a while below, unsure how to begin, when Li Yuanping asked on his own:
"I wonder what brings Brother Xiao here this time?"
Xiao Xian nodded slightly, organized his words, and replied respectfully:
"Xiao Xian is now eighteen, and my family is preparing to choose a wife for me."
With just these two sentences, Li Yuanping understood at once and stroked his chin, thinking to himself:
"Qingxiao is now thirteen or fourteen. The Yu Mountain line will surely want to settle this early, lest something occur."
Xiao Xian paused, his manner earnest, and continued:
"You must already know, young lord—I have long admired Miss Qingxiao. I ask for her hand in earnest. Could you carry this message for me, ask the elders and the young lady their will? If all is well, my family will officially offer geese and propose."
Li Yuanping caressed the Jade Cup. Among Noble Families, marriage alliances were never approached rashly; instead, someone would sound out intentions first. Only when certainty was gained would a proper proposal be made. Xiao Xian was formally initiating this process.
After all, for Noble Families, a direct, public refusal is naked insult. Foreknowledge prevents awkwardness and wounds on both sides, avoiding enmity if not marriage.
Li Yuanping only nodded, set down his teacup, and said gravely:
"Brother Xiao has helped me greatly. Of course I will not stand aside. I will get a clear answer and speak well of you—just wait for my good news, Brother."
Xiao Xian had come and gone for just this reply. Seeing Li Yuanping ask nothing in return but agree, he finally breathed easy, gratitude on his face, and replied:
"Thank you, Young Lord!"
Li Yuanping smiled. After chatting at random for a while, Li Yuanping suddenly recalled something and asked:
"Earlier this year, a devil cultivator named Murong Xia crossed my lands—quite overbearing. Do you know what has become of him?"
"Murong Xia?"
Xiao Xian pondered a moment, then replied:
"Is it the demon with a human-headed sage of joy growing in his belly? I heard quite a bit about him."
"The same."
With Li Yuanping’s confirmation, Xiao Xian brightened and answered:
"That fellow passed through your territory and went straight south into mine, devouring several hundred people as he went, claiming all would find pleasure in his belly."
Li Yuanping fell silent, mind stirring, then asked:
"My elder brother mentioned him—tell me, Brother, is this Land of Desire and Pleasure real or not?"
Xiao Xian merely sneered and replied:
"Truth or not, I’d sooner die than enter. Even if it’s real, once you go, you’re under his control—what good is any pleasure?"
He paused, sneering, and continued:
"As for Murong Xia, rumor says he must devour sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-six people to attain Maha. There must be some extraordinary background. With so many Mages and Companions backing him, even my family shows him respect."
He picked up his teabowl and took a sip before going on:
"I thought he was some mighty Dharma Appearance figure, but he skirts around Xiuyue Sect’s domain—which, I think, shows he’s afraid."
Li Yuanping realized, pondered a breath, and replied:
"Could it be Sword Immortal Shangyuan Perfected Person? That one is both Sword Immortal and peak Zifu; surely Murong Xia wouldn’t dare provoke him."
Xiao Xian nodded and said:
"Exactly. Unless a Golden Core appears, Shangyuan Perfected Person is the strongest here. All the vast Xu Country now belongs to Xiuyue Sect as proof. Shangyuan Perfected Person protects the commoners and Noble Families; if Murong Xia dares show off his corrupt ways, even a group of Companions would be no protection if Shangyuan is enraged."
The two conversed at length. As Xiao Xian grew restless, Li Yuanping laughed and said softly:
"Wait a moment, Brother. I shall go up the mountain and make inquiry for you."