Chapter 2186: 507: The Enlightened Monk 3

Capítulo 2186: Chapter 507: The Enlightened Monk 3

The Demon-Buddha’s voice was centered and calm, with a grounding quality that acted like a sedative on the crowd. Since the plaza was filled with his followers, everyone fell in line.

Those who scored pills didn’t get cocky, and those who missed out didn’t try to start a riot. Everyone just quietly queued up to leave the square.

Suddenly, a voice rang out right in Wang Yue’s ear: “Young friend, would you care to step inside the temple for a chat?”

Wang Yue gave a subtle nod. He grabbed Cancan’s hand and started pushing against the flow of the crowd toward the temple entrance.

Watching the two of them head inside instead of leaving, the surrounding devotees looked on with pure envy.

Even though the monk had used a private telepathy technique to speak to Wang Yue, it was obvious to anyone watching: these two had been chosen by the Demon-Buddha himself for a face-to-face.

Inside the temple, the monk greeted them with a small smile and a prayer gesture. “Greetings, travelers. This humble monk offers his respects.”

“Back at you, Master,” Wang Yue replied with a fist-and-palm salute. “I’m Wang Yue, and this is my wife, Yang Cancan. What should we call you?”

“This monk goes by Xuanji. Greetings to you both,” he replied.

“Wait, I thought your name was the Wave-Walking Demon-Buddha?” Cancan blurted out.

She wasn’t one of his followers and didn’t buy into the whole religious thing, so she didn’t feel any particular awe toward the guy.

Plus, she was a straight-shooter by habit—if she thought it, she said it.

“If that’s what you’d like to call me, that’s fine too,” Xuanji said with a smile. “A name is just a label, and this body is just a shell. You’re free to call me whatever you like, as long as I know you’re talking to me.”

“Nice mindset, Master,” Wang Yue laughed. “But isn’t claiming the title of ‘Buddha’ a little arrogant?”

Xuanji kept his peaceful smile. “All living things are equal. Anyone can be a Buddha, and a Buddha is just a man. There is no ‘big’ or ‘small’ when it comes to arrogance.”

Cancan cut in, “If that’s the case, why does a Buddha need people to burn incense and bow down to him?”

“Incense was originally used to keep mosquitoes away,” Xuanji explained.

“Buddhist disciples have physical bodies too, and we don’t like getting bitten, but we’re forbidden from killing. So, we used smoke to drive them off. Over time, people twisted it into a ritual of respect. As for the bowing? The Buddha never asked anyone to kneel. That’s just another misunderstanding.”

“Really?” Cancan said, hearing this for the first time. She pointed at the massive, gold-dusted statue in the hall. “If you don’t want people kneeling, why keep that giant thing around?”

“The statue is just a symbol. It’s a way for disciples to remember the teacher, no different from a family hanging a portrait of their ancestors. But it became an object of worship for some,” Xuanji sighed.

“Truth is, they aren’t bowing to the statue or even the Buddha himself—they’re bowing to the obsession inside their own hearts.”

“Obsession?” Cancan asked, looking lost.

“Greed, anger, ignorance… they’re all obsessions,” Xuanji said.

“Some people want to get something; others have done something wrong and want a clean conscience. Either way, they can’t do it themselves, so they dump their hopes on a statue. Take the people asking for things—that request is born from greed. The very first rule of Buddhism is to let go of greed. Asking the Buddha for things while being greedy is like asking a blind man for directions, isn’t it?”

“Is it really like that?” Cancan thought about herself. She wasn’t religious, but when life got too hard and she was desperate for a miracle, she’d occasionally mutter a few “Amitabhas” under her breath.

Hearing this high-level monk’s take made her feel a little ridiculous.

“Of course,” Xuanji smiled. “If you could truly live without wanting and with a clear heart, you’d have total freedom. Why would you need to bow to a hunk of clay covered in gold dust?”

Clap, clap, clap. Wang Yue couldn’t help but applaud. “Master, your perspective is truly old-school and impressive. I like it.”

Then, his tone shifted. “But I don’t get one thing. If you’ve got it all figured out, why aren’t you off somewhere practicing in peace? Why set up a temple here and let all these people keep ‘asking the blind man for directions’?”

“The real reason is something I can’t talk about just yet—and it’s actually why I bothered you, young friend,” Xuanji said seriously. “Besides, being here allows me to help a few people every two weeks. Why not do a little good while I’m at it?”

Wang Yue knew he was talking about the pills he’d just handed out. The fair happened twice a month, meaning the monk was constantly distributing medicine. It was a genuine act of mercy.

But Cancan couldn’t help herself. “If you’re so kind, why not give out more? Why not help everyone?”

Xuanji gave a small, helpless smile. “My power is limited. I have the heart for it, but not the resources.”

“Then why not give the pills to the people who really need them? Distributing them randomly like that—aren’t you afraid someone who doesn’t need it gets one while someone dying misses out?” she pushed.

“I’m just one man. How could I possibly know everyone’s story? I have to leave it to fate,” Xuanji said. “And like I said, that’s not the real reason I’m stuck here.”

Wang Yue and Cancan were curious about why he was camping out in Kaifeng, but since the guy said it wasn’t the right time to talk, they were smart enough not to pester him.

Xuanji, however, kept the conversation going. “Before we get into why I’m here, I have to ask… which Martial Holy Land do you come from?”

“What makes you think I’m from a Holy Land?” Wang Yue shot back.

“From the way you pulled that pill through the air earlier,” Xuanji said with total confidence.

“I couldn’t peg your exact level, but I can guarantee you’re at least at the early Transcendence Stage. And yet, your bone age says you aren’t even twenty. A teenage powerhouse like that? Only the mysterious Holy Lands could churn out a monster like you.”

Wang Yue could tell Xuanji’s general level because his own Qi was so much purer—it was a qualitative difference. Xuanji, on the other hand, had standard-quality Qi, making it nearly impossible for him to gauge Wang Yue’s true ceiling.

“Your logic is solid, Master,” Wang Yue nodded. “But you missed the mark this time. I’m not from any Holy Land.”

“Impossible,” Xuanji frowned. “Do you have some secret technique to mask your cultivation?”

“No, you got that part right—I’m definitely above the Transcendence Stage,” Wang Yue laughed. “But who says you have to be from a Holy Land to be a badass?”

“Fair point. I suppose you’ve had your own set of miracles,” Xuanji nodded, seemingly satisfied.

The word “own” implied a lot. Wang Yue’s interest piqued. “Master, your cultivation has reached the Super-Ascension Stage. Which Holy Land did you come from?”

“Like you, I’m not a Holy Land guy,” Xuanji said bluntly. “I got my power through a stroke of luck, too.”

“Then why are you asking about them? You looking to join one?” Wang Yue asked.

“Hardly. The Holy Lands are strong, but they hide from the world. That’s not my style,” Xuanji shook his head. “My goal is to walk the earth and help the masses. I can’t waste the power the Buddha gave me.”

“Respect,” Wang Yue said, feeling a genuine sense of admiration. “But if that’s your goal, why have you been cooped up in Kaifeng for over ten years? Kaifeng has its problems, but it’s relatively safe. Why not head to the front lines?”

Xuanji sighed. “You think I don’t want to be out there saving people from the jaws of beasts? My hands are tied. I literally cannot leave.”

Wang Yue was surprised. “Someone threatening you?”

“No,” Xuanji shook his head. “The reason… look, since you aren’t from a Holy Land, you’re better off not knowing.”

“Why does it have to be a Holy Land?” Cancan cut in. She hadn’t understood all the “Transcendence” and “Super-Ascension” talk, but she could tell Xuanji was looking down on Wang Yue, and she wasn’t having it.

Xuanji didn’t get angry at her tone. He just said calmly, “Because only a Holy Land has the muscle to solve the problem I’m facing.”

“Sounds like you don’t have much faith in me, Master,” Wang Yue grinned. Curiosity was one thing, but he was also itching for a fight. He’d never gone up against a real Super-Ascension master before. “How about a little sparring session? You can judge for yourself if I’m strong enough to help.”

Xuanji had no interest in ego-tripping. “Fighting for the sake of it isn’t my way. You should let it go.”

“It’s just sparring, not a grudge match,” Wang Yue pushed. “And if my skills pass the test, maybe I can actually help you out of this jam.”

Seeing Wang Yue’s confidence, Xuanji went quiet for a moment. “Fine. But a scrap between us is gonna make a lot of noise. Let’s find somewhere else so we don’t accidentally level the neighborhood.”

“Works for me. Lead the way,” Wang Yue agreed.

“Follow me.” Xuanji led them out the back door and took off into the sky, streaking north.

Wang Yue wrapped an arm around Cancan’s waist and followed suit, lifting off and staying right on the monk’s tail.

Both of them were moving so fast that even if someone looked up, they’d only see a faint blur. No risk of causing a scene.