Yellow Skinned Taoist Master

Chapter 174: The Divine Embryo Is Too Pure and Honest

The West Region Buddha Kingdom truly was incredibly vast.

If only counting territory, it was even much larger than Da Kang.

As for being rich and prosperous...

In any case, the monks were rich, and that was that.

Although the Crosser of Torments didn't know why Chen Huangpi's attitude had changed, that phrase "possess some understanding of Buddhist scriptures" genuinely spoke right to the bottom of his heart.

The Divine Embryo had yet to awaken his past-life wisdom, and moreover was still a Daoist, yet he had already begun reading Buddhist scriptures.

This was exactly the appearance a Divine Embryo ought to possess.

"To impart knowledge to the Almsgiver."

Wearing a smile, the Crosser of Torments depicted with deep voice and rich emotion: "The population of the West Region Buddha Kingdom numbers an unknown myriad of myriads (hundreds of millions). Its territory is boundlessly wide and broad; it is a true and genuine land of abundance and rich resources. As for that Da Kang, in our eyes, it is merely a land of bitter cold in the extreme north, nothing more."

"Then does your West Region Buddha Kingdom have an Emperor?""That, we indeed do not have."

"It doesn't matter; it will have one in the future."

Chen Huangpi's eyes shot out radiant light; his heart suddenly feeling this West Region Buddha Kingdom possessed great potential and much could be accomplished there.

Golden Horn had just used sign language toward him, having already clearly informed him of the origins and purpose of these monks.

They came from the West Region Buddha Kingdom, their goal being to search for the Divine Embryo.

And his own body carried that Heretic Buddha Sarira.

Therefore, these monks mistakenly recognized him as the Divine Embryo, treating him as the reincarnation of some Buddha.

He didn't want to be any sort of Buddha, nor did he want to shave his head bald.

He merely wanted to be the Emperor.

Nor did he like these monks either.

Because they had injured Golden Horn.

At this moment, as if recalling something, the Crosser of Torments spoke up to ask: "Almsgiver Chen, exactly which few Buddhist scriptures do you normally read?"

Da Kang and the West Region Buddha Kingdom had numerous frictions and clashes over these past few years.

But formerly, interactions between the two nations had been frequent, thus quite a number of Buddhist scriptures had circulated into Da Kang.

It was just... when had Chen Huangpi ever read any Buddhist scriptures!

He was a proper, genuine Daoist!

These words absolutely could not be said aloud. Therefore, Chen Huangpi spoke vaguely and ambiguously: "The Buddhist scriptures I read have no names. I read them all while dreaming. In the dream, there was also a very blurry figure..."

Hearing these words.

The Brass Oil Lamp hanging at Chen Huangpi's waist rolled its eyes.

Blurry figure my ass.

Chen Huangpi, you clearly know these monks mistakenly recognized you as the Divine Embryo, and you've taken a fancy to their West Region Buddha Kingdom, so you're deliberately bluffing and duping them like this. If they learn the truth, they'll skin you alive when the time comes.

However, although the Brass Oil Lamp thought this way, it additionally couldn't be bothered to interfere.

Chen Huangpi was wicked and devious to the core, and also as shrewd as a ghost. Doing this was merely like shooting arrows at a target—calling dibs on the spot first. While he remained insufficiently strong, he absolutely wouldn't run off to any West Region Buddha Kingdom.

These bunch of monks wanting to abduct Chen Huangpi back to the West Region Buddha Kingdom were probably daydreaming.

Perhaps they would be sold out by Chen Huangpi with a backhand, and still remain entirely kept in the dark.

But the Brass Oil Lamp's heart was clear as a mirror on all this.

These Crosser of Torments and others, however, remained entirely unaware of these matters.

Their preconceived notions were truly deep; they genuinely treated Chen Huangpi as the Divine Embryo.

For the Divine Embryo to currently remark about reading Buddhist scriptures in his dreams, and even dreaming about a blurry figure... This was clearly him instinctually wanting to re-cultivate Buddhism after stepping upon the erroneous path of cultivating the Dao...

"What did that blurry figure look like!?"

The Crosser of Torments was incredibly excited, asking incredibly seriously: "Have you dreamed of it again recently?"

Chen Huangpi stepped back in panic: "Old monk, you frightened me."

"My Buddha is merciful."

The Crosser of Torments hurriedly took a deep breath, speaking with apology: "It was merely an impulsive moment; I forgot that although Almsgiver Chen's cultivation is extraordinary, you are still a youth. Enreating you not to lay blame, entreating you not to lay blame."

"I don't blame you."

Chen Huangpi's expression relaxed slightly, speaking with visible emotion: "That figure in my dream was very massive. He possessed many fleshy tumors on his head. I don't remember exactly what he looked like, but behind his head was a massive halo, capable of tracing back time."

"He told me I was the Heaven-Mandated Master of the West."

"But I am young and haven't seen much of the world. In this lifetime, I've never stepped out of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. So how could I be this Master or that Master? Thus, I flatly refused him."

"However, he said: One drink, one peck, all is predestined. This is my fate; I was born to be the Master of the West."

"Moreover, he also said someone would come looking for me. But I waited for fourteen years and no one came. I figured matters within a dream were merely a laughing matter, unable to be counted as true."

"It counts as true, it absolutely counts as true!!"

The Crosser of Torments' mind and spirit were shaking and resonating. Even the Bodhisattva concealed within his body was trembling with excitement at this very moment.

What 'fleshy tumors growing on the head'!

That was clearly a Buddha's ushnisha (fleshy crown). The halo behind the head was the aura of perfect enlightenment!

Being capable of tracing back time indicated this Buddha, even among the Buddhas within the Three Bodies Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, ranked near the very top!

Yet why would this Buddha manifest within the dreams of his own reincarnation?

Could it mean this Divine Embryo was not his reincarnation?

The reason he manifested in the dream was to serve as a Dharma Protector, granting him blessings and support!?

If this was the case, then perhaps this Chen Huangpi's origins were even greater than imagined!

"At the very zenith of the Myriad Buddhas Temple sit three Buddhas, named: Past, Present, and Future."

The mighty and majestic voice of that Bodhisattva rang out from within the Crosser of Torments' body; his voice stating firmly: "These three Buddhas are the absolute sovereigns of myriad Buddhas, and among them, the Present Buddha is the most distinguished and noble. His Buddha title is the Great Virtue, Great Awe, Utmost Virtuous, Utmost Benevolent Present Buddha Lord."

"Ever since the Heaven and Earth Mutation, this Buddha Lord disappeared without a trace. I once heard the final place he sought out before disappearing was precisely these Hundred Thousand Mountains."

The communication between this Crosser of Torments and that Bodhisattva occurred solely within a single thought.

Yet the Brass Oil Lamp heard it crystal clear.

Turning around, it relayed all these words to Chen Huangpi within his heart.

"Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you."

Chen Huangpi said somewhat distressed/troubled: "The illusory figure I dreamed of wasn't just one; there were many illusory figures, and moreover they visited my dreams every day. Recently, the dreams have become even more frequent. Old monk, you cultivate Buddha; do you know what exactly is going on here?"

The Crosser of Torments replied: "I cannot say. If Almsgiver Chen wishes to know, why not accompany us on a trip back to the West Region Buddha Kingdom? Perhaps your confusions will definitely be resolved."

It wasn't that he couldn't say, but rather that he didn't dare say it!

The behavior displayed by this individual was a bit too extraordinary and bizarre.

It genuinely was highly probable he was the reincarnation of that Present Buddha Lord.

The Buddhist Dharma of an existence of this caliber reached the heavens; karma cycled endlessly. If he spoke out and broke the underlying reasons, he feared it might backfire and cause a blunder.

Buddha must be kept within the heart.

The Divine Embryo was also Buddha!

Chen Huangpi, however, was somewhat astonished.

He merely wanted to satisfy his craving of acting like a Buddha Lord. He didn't expect that although this Crosser of Torments fell for the bait, every single sentence he spoke sought to guide him toward the West Region Buddha Kingdom.

Looking at its posture, that West Region Buddha Kingdom truly possessed Buddhas.

If he went there, wouldn't he be seen through in a single glance?

Thinking of this, Chen Huangpi shifted the topic: "I'm still of a young age right now. Once I grow a bit older, I shall go visit my West Region Buddha Kingdom."

"Almsgiver Chen, why the need to wait until a future date!?"

The Crosser of Torments implored: "That figure in your dream told you someone would come pick you up. And this little monk hails from the West Region Buddha Kingdom, perfectly answering this call at this exact moment in time! Almsgiver Chen, you possess an innate heaven-ordained affinity with the West Region Buddha Kingdom..."

Chen Huangpi shook his head: "Old monk, the West Region Buddha Kingdom has many Buddhas. Although I possess affinity with it, this affinity is also categorized into major affinity, minor affinity, and middling affinity. Just exactly like how people possess major badness, minor badness, and middling badness."

"My affinity is a minor affinity. Under identical heavens, there are those possessing greater affinities than I do."

"Almsgiver Chen is truly exceptionally eloquent; Buddhist intent arises spontaneously. However, you are unaware that your affinity with the West Region Buddha Kingdom is greater than anyone else's under heaven. You are the Heaven-Mandated Master of the West."

"Sigh, I truly wish to visit the West Region Buddha Kingdom too, but right now I genuinely have urgent matters preventing me from leaving."

Chen Huangpi postured as if about to leave; the Crosser of Torments and the others hurriedly trailed after him.

"Almsgiver Chen, what matters do you possess? Might as well say them out loud, we shall definitely assist you."

"Wouldn't that be improper...? We've only just met for the first time. Although we feel like old friends at the first meeting..."

"Since we feel like old friends at the first meeting, what could possibly be improper about it?"

"Improper is just improper. Master said the outside people are all very wicked. Although you are all good people just like me, I nonetheless cannot help but grow an extra eye/be cautious."

"Almsgiver Chen, this little monk can swear an oath to you."

"Alright, I trust you now! But swearing an oath is too much like treating me as an outsider. Let's just sign a contract, that'll do."

...

With black characters on white paper signed.

Not only was Chen Huangpi happy.

That Crosser of Torments and the other monks were also happy.

And the Bodhisattvas and Arhats were even happier!

They didn't even need to swear an oath; they merely needed to sign a contract, promising to assist this Chen Huangpi—who was highly likely the reincarnation of the Present Buddha Lord—find some fishing rod. This was far too simple!

Although the Divine Embryo stated that fishing rod was very difficult to track down.

But no matter how difficult it was, compared to gaining the Divine Embryo's trust and laying the groundwork for bringing him back to the West Region Buddha Kingdom in the future, it fundamentally did not count for anything at all!

Moreover, the Divine Embryo's innate disposition truly was pure and honest.

Stating he wanted to 'grow an extra eye', but when those words were spoken out loud, could it still be called a 'scheming mind'?

However, it wasn't as if the Crosser of Torments hadn't suspected that this Divine Embryo, Chen Huangpi, might be a bit somewhat off.

He didn't think Chen Huangpi wasn't the Divine Embryo.

He merely thought it was possible Chen Huangpi wasn't the Divine Embryo reincarnated from that Present Buddha Lord.

But after Chen Huangpi finished signing his name and chanted the phrase, "My Buddha is merciful," that previously untamed and rebellious Son of Diting trapped within the golden net suddenly prostrated itself in submission. And furthermore, after performing a Buddhist ceremonial bow, his suspicions had completely vanished into nothingness.

The Son of Diting was an evil spirit!

Chen Huangpi had deployed absolutely no means or methods whatsoever. He merely casually chanted a Buddha title, yet that brutal and untamed Son of Diting was swayed and delivered. The probability of him being the reincarnation of the Present Buddha Lord was at least up to eighty percent!

"Huangpi Daddy, these bunch of old bald donkeys bullied me so fiercely; you must definitively vent this anger for me!"

Golden Horn lay prone upon Chen Huangpi's shoulder, its pair of forepaws ceaselessly gesturing sign language.

Chen Huangpi secretly transmitted his voice: "Relax, my mind is thoroughly clear on this. While they seemingly grant my every request, in actuality they are targeting the Heretic Buddha Sarira on my body. Remaining without that Sarira, I fear they would immediately harbor killing intent toward me."

These monks, including that Crosser of Torments, all gave him a very bad feeling.

Because Chen Huangpi could sense an exceptionally intense and dense stench of blood upon their bodies.

"Contract Master, further including those Arhats within the Buddha shrines."

The Life-reaping Ghost stated coldly: "If I haven't misjudged, those Arhats ought to have consumed humans not too long ago. Demonic monsters of this sort are even more disgusting than those deities who feed upon human qi."

Chen Huangpi replied: "That river Golden Horn mentioned is an extremely suitable place for killing people. Wait until they assist me in finding the fishing rod before making a move. After all, I don't know how to swim, and that river cannot even float a goose feather, nor can flying birds cross it."

Right at this moment.

That Crosser of Torments suddenly, out of the blue, opened his mouth to ask: "Almsgiver Chen, what exactly is this Son of Diting gesturing about?"

"It's nothing."

Chen Huangpi pointed at Golden Horn, smiling as he said: "Although it submitted to me as Master and desires to be my mount, it nonetheless begged me to bestow it with a name. I pondered over and over but couldn't think of any good names, thus I named it by its horn, calling it Golden Horn."

"Come, Golden Horn, greet them."

Golden Horn flashed a kind, amiable smile toward the Crosser of Torments.

Yet out of its mouth issued the barking of a dog: "Old bald donkey, you won't live for many more days!"

The Crosser of Torments felt consoled and comforted as he stated: "He truly is the Heaven-Mandated Master; even such a brutal sinful beast has been transformed into an auspicious beast. My Buddha is merciful; my Buddha is boundless."