The Arrival

In the dim forest, Li Huowang’s conversation with the abbot of Zhengde Temple continued, though the atmosphere had eased considerably.

“Who is your Siming?” Li Huowang stared at the old monk before him.

“Siming? We are ordained disciples of the Buddha. We take refuge in the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas—not in fate.”

Li Huowang rephrased immediately. “So which Buddha do you believe in?”

“Amitābha. In the central Diamond World, Vairocana; in the eastern Land of Incense, Akṣobhya; in the southern Land of Joy, Ratnasambhava; in the western Land of Bliss, Amitābha; in the northern Land of Lotuses, Amoghasiddhi. Together they are called the Five Wisdom Tathāgatas.”

“Five Wisdom Tathāgatas? Is that the Siming in charge of flesh and blood? Or the Siming in charge of procreation?” Li Huowang pondered.

Seeing Li Huowang’s intimidating appearance, the abbot clapped his hands together in a heavy bow. “Benefactor, saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Please, spare some food.”

“Even if you have grievances with Buddhist disciples in the past, the common folk have no quarrel with you, correct? Can you bear to watch them starve to death?”

At these words, Li Huowang looked back at the abbot. “I can give you grain. But after I do, you must leave—wherever you go, just stay away from Niuxin Village!”

Hearing there was grain, the old abbot’s face broke into a smile. “Great kindness, benefactor! I and my disciples will chant sutras on your behalf and accumulate great merit for you before the Buddha!”

“No need. I can’t afford your Buddha’s great merit.”

Li Huowang did not fully trust these Zhengde Temple monks from the Great Qi. He only wanted to use the grain to get rid of these people whose origins he could not verify.

At his command, carts loaded with heavy sacks of grain were pushed to the gate. Though the monks tried to feign calm, their secretive shoving of raw rice into their mouths gave them away.

Watching them, Li Huowang became slightly more convinced of the abbot’s words.

He turned to the old monk and, after a moment’s thought, asked, “You do know this is no longer the Great Qi, right?”

The abbot showed no surprise. “Amitābha. Naturally, I know. But whichever corner of the great chiliocosm, every place has a Buddha. Every place is a Buddha-land. Every place is a heaven of freedom.”

Li Huowang could barely follow what the man was saying. “I don’t care about heaven or land. Let me warn you: the Fa Sect that caused the Heavenly Calamity has also crossed over.”

“If you monks really are compassionate, remember to find some time to trouble those who brought ruin to the Great Qi.”

The abbot’s pupils widened slightly. His white beard stirred without wind, then settled. “Amitābha. I understand.”

“If you meet other sects from the Great Qi later, pass the message along. You don’t want this great chiliocosm to end up like the Great Qi, do you?”

“The benefactor speaks wisely.” As the abbot nodded lightly, both of them looked up at the left side of Niuxin Village. Someone was coming.

When the newcomer emerged into the moonlight, Li Huowang slowly lowered his hand from his sword. He recognized her—sort of an acquaintance.

It was the woman he had taken the spine-sword from: Fo Yulu.

Seeing the familiar faces of the Supervisory Heavenly Office behind her—Liu Zongyuan, Hong Da, and others—Li Huowang relaxed. The Office was surprisingly fast for once.

“It’s fine. They’re from the Office. Explain yourself clearly and they shouldn’t give you trouble,” Li Huowang said to the abbot.

But Fo Yulu led her people over with no intention of speaking to the abbot. She addressed Li Huowang directly. “Erjiu, what’s going on? Where did you bring these monks from?”

Li Huowang had originally planned to send Xiaoman to deliver a message to the Office, but now he could talk face to face and skip the trouble.

He gave a concise account of everything—cause and effect. He expected them to ask questions, but surprisingly, they accepted it matter-of-factly.

“You already knew people from the Great Qi were coming?” Li Huowang asked, puzzled.

“The Chief Astrologer gave the order in advance,” Fo Yulu said. Then her companions moved aside, murmuring among themselves as they looked at the Zhengde Temple monks.

Li Huowang understood. The Chief Astrologer had known all along—he just hadn’t told Li Huowang.

With that thought, Li Huowang walked over to Fo Yulu and her group. “Is the Office planning some big move? If you need help, I and my people can lend a hand.”

The Great Qi was a warning he could not ignore. Helping the Office meant helping himself.

“You?” Fo Yulu looked at him with barely concealed displeasure. “Haven’t you already latched onto the Emperor’s high branch? Why bother with the Office’s errands?”

Li Huowang didn’t feel like explaining. He brushed it off with an excuse. “His Majesty ordered me to assist the Office.”

Fo Yulu still held a grudge over him stealing her weapon, but as a Chief Recorder, she knew personal grievances could wait in the face of official tasks.

“The Chief Astrologer personally ordered: kill any Fa Sect believers from the Great Qi on sight. Three heads are worth one Yang Life Pill. As for sect disciples from the Great Qi, make contact, offer help, and build goodwill.”

“And the refugees from the Great Qi? The Chief didn’t mention them?”

“Relief matters are handled by the court. They don’t fall under the Office.”

Li Huowang nodded. The Chief Astrologer had clearly known what would happen when the Great Qi emperor tapped into the Liang Dragon Vein. He had already prepared countermeasures.

That was a good sign—at least he wasn’t negligent. He was mobilizing the Office to minimize the impact.

“Amitābha. Young laywoman, are you truly from the Supervisory Heavenly Office?” the abbot stepped forward and asked.

Fo Yulu’s expression immediately grew respectful. She showed her token and offered a Buddhist salute. “Greetings, Master. While I am not ordained, I still count myself a disciple of the Buddha.”

“Since the laywoman is from the Office, this old monk has something to tell you. Some of the Fa Sect leaders did not die. They likely crossed over as well. You must find Taishan Shi as soon as possible—he is the key.”

“That man is exceptionally skilled at twisting people’s hearts. If left alone, he will soon rally a crowd of Shidu followers.”

“Shidu?” Fo Yulu looked confused.

Li Huowang’s voice dropped, his brow tightly furrowed. “Shidu is another name for the Child-God Yuer Shen. This man is a major threat. We have to deal with him fast.”

— The next chapter update: 23:30.