LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 913 - 914: The Monk Wants to Convert Someone
Chapter 913: Chapter 914: The Monk Wants to Convert Someone
“`
Hu Meizi was silent. Alright, you have money, you’re the boss, whatever you say goes.
“Elder, Huazi’s finished. Another one?”
“Sure, a hundred for a top-notch Immortal Stone.”
Li Xiaobai didn’t even have to think before he replied. The first one wasn’t given for free just for her to enjoy the smoke. He got her hooked with the freebie, and from now on, it was all going to be pay-to-play.
“Do we still have to talk about money given our relationship?”
Hu Meizi’s face didn’t look good. She was an Immortal after all, and when Immortals make purchases, it’s always the men who pay. When had she ever needed to spend her own money?
“We have a debtor-creditor relationship, of course money’s involved. What do you think I brought you to Buddha Country for? I’m expecting to be paid, and we’ll settle up when we see your Brother Li.”
Li Xiaobai gave her a look as if he was staring at an idiot, it seemed like this woman hadn’t quite grasped her situation.
“I… I thank you!”
Hu Meizi begrudgingly handed over the Immortal Stone, taking small, careful puffs of the Huazi, afraid that using too much force would use it up all at once. For some reason, the Huazi in her mouth suddenly wasn’t as pleasing anymore.
“We have a letter of recommendation, let’s go for a spin at the Great Thunderclap Temple and seek enlightenment from Master Wuhu!”
Li Xiaobai summoned the golden chariot and continued on their way. With Huazi in hand, Hu Meizi felt much more at ease; she didn’t need to worry about being assimilated by the Power of Faith of the Buddhist Sect anymore.
Within Buddha Country, all you could see were temples, all gleaming with gold, as if there were no other types of buildings.
Moreover, the sights along the way were quite extraordinary, with groups of monks sitting and discussing the scriptures, citing various texts as if they were debating something. Hu Meizi commented that this was a low-budget version of Buddhist debating. Both parties discuss their understanding of the same object through Buddhist Law to promote each other’s profound subtleties of the Law.
However, most of the monks’ comprehension of the Buddhist Law was not in-depth, so the so-called Buddhist debating was merely scratching the surface. It was a low-budget version indeed. In true Buddhist debating, as words are spoken, the Law follows, and with various citations of texts, miraculous phenomena emerge. It is truly eloquent. It is said that truly profound monks of great cultivation can talk about black as white, and can even influence people’s senses to genuinely believe that black is white.
Passing by temple after temple, Li Xiaobai saw many monks gathering the faithful, preaching scriptures, and spreading the Buddhist Law. He could even hear the chanting of the Six Syllable Mantra, with the followers showing devout expressions and eyes full of reverence.
“The Six Syllable Mantra can speed up the cultivators’ assimilation by the Power of Faith.”
With just a glance, Li Xiaobai made his judgment. Judging from the dress and attire, many followers within the Buddha Country were external cultivators who had come to the Great Tomb of the Western Continent to seek opportunities, only to end up staying forever within the Buddha Country.
“I had heard that Buddha Country was extraordinary, but I never imagined it to be such a spectacle. From the perspective of a bystander, it’s utterly joyless. If it weren’t for the fervent Power of Faith, this place’s only advantage would be the richness of the Immortal Yuan Power.”
Hu Meizi said, her heart felt a bit uneasy looking at the surrounding temples, even with Huazi’s help. If a temple targeted them and arranged a set of the Six Syllable Mantra, they’d have had their hands full.
“Amitabha, the two donors seem to be in a hurry. Is there something urgent?”
What you fear most always happens. Hu Meizi’s heart skipped a beat, and she saw two shiny bald heads appear on the road ahead, seemingly out of nowhere, with two yellow-robed monks smiling, palms together, looking completely amiable.
“Indeed, it so happens that Master Wuhu is about to teach Buddhist scriptures, and I am yearning to hear him. I too wish to sit under his guidance and listen.”
Li Xiaobai said with a light smile, showing none of the nervousness that Hu Meizi felt. When soldiers come, he builds a rampart; when water comes, he builds an embankment. A mere two Bald Donkeys were nothing for him to be concerned about.
“`
“So it is, the donor indeed possesses a root of wisdom. I am Fadai from the Wheel of Dharma Temple, and it just so happens that I am preparing to lead the monks of our temple to the Great Thunderclap Temple to listen to Master Wuhu’s teachings. If the donor does not mind, you are welcome to accompany me and the others there. Having temple monks to lead the way will spare us rigorous inspections and obstructions, saving quite some time,”
Monk Fadai spoke with a chuckle, appearing very amiable.
However, Li Xiaobai was aware that the other party certainly had ulterior motives. While many cultivators were halting their progress to be gradually assimilated into disciples of the Buddhist Sect, the two of them were relentlessly sprinting ahead, naturally attracting the attention of those with intentions.
“Then, I must thank the master greatly. To head to the Great Thunderclap Temple with distinguished masters like yourselves is an honor for me. Perhaps along the way, I could even seek guidance from the masters about the classics of the Buddhist Sect!”
Li Xiaobai also responded with a smile. Having someone lead the way to solve the troubles on the road was indeed something he eagerly desired.
Hu Meizi tugged at his sleeve, “Elder Liu, this seems inappropriate. These monks have other intentions; it would be better for us to go on our own.”
“No matter, as the esteemed masters have extended an invitation, it is only right for us to accept. Otherwise, would it not be rude?”
Li Xiaobai said unconcerned.
“To walk alongside such esteemed masters is indeed our good fortune.”
“Amitabha, the donor flatters me too much. I am not worthy of being called a master; please do not speak so highly of me. I’m just a passerby on the path to seeking Buddha, living in haste, I fear I fall short of the Buddha’s expectations.”
Monk Fadai clasped his hands and once again intoned a Buddhist chant. Behind him, several dozen figures flickered into existence by Li Xiaobai’s side – these were not monks but cultivators from other continents who had now become followers of the Buddhist Sect, brought out by Monk Fadai.
Li Xiaobai: “These are…”
“Amitabha, the donor need not worry, these are the followers who are accompanying me to the Great Thunderclap Temple. Today, I have taken the liberty of bringing them to sit at Master Wuhu’s feet to listen to his teachings, in hopes of contributing to the everlasting light of the Buddhist Sect,”
Monk Fadai spoke calmly and unhurriedly.
“The master’s diligent efforts will surely be seen by the Buddha,”
Li Xiaobai nodded and said, continuing the journey alongside everyone, chatting merrily.
Only Hu Meizi lagged behind, her heart pounding with fear, her small hand unconsciously clutching the half of the Immortal Stone she had left. She had made up her mind that as soon as the monk began reciting scriptures to them, she would immediately draw the Immortal Stone.
“I have yet to ask the donor for his esteemed name,” Monk Fadai inquired.
“What my family name and given name are is not important. In the Western Continent, we are all called faithful,” Li Xiaobai replied.
“What enlightenment, what perception! If all the disciples of our Buddhist Sect were like the donor, why would we have to worry about the prosperity of our sect or the lack of followers?”
A flicker of surprise crossed Monk Fadai’s eyes, but he quickly masked it, lavishing praise upon this speech.
“I did not expect to encounter such a young talent today. I would like to present the donor with a Zen saying, if you will,”
Here it comes, this fellow is about to start converting me!
Li Xiaobai nodded, “Master, please begin your performance.”