Chapter 466: Following the order from the Imperial Master, I am here to pick up my sworn brother, Master Xuanzang!
Xuanzang's words were clear and powerful, reaching everyone's ears, causing those disciples of Daxingshan Temple who originally admired him to change their expressions and look incredulous .
This water monkey was actually raised by Xuanzang!
"Xuanzang, why are you doing this!"
The bearded monk holding a long whip said angrily, his eyes full of disappointment.
"Brother Xuanye, I know that your fellow apprentice and master died in that flood. You hate the water monkey very much, but every wrong has its perpetrator, and that has nothing to do with Xiaotang."
Xuanzang said word by word: "There are good and bad people, good and evil people, and the water monkey is no exception. All things have spirits. How can we, the disciples of Buddhism, be blinded by hatred?"
The bearded monk said angrily, "Those who are not of my race must have different hearts. There is no point in talking about Buddhism to these demons. Just kill them!"
He raised the whip and was about to swing it, trying to force Xuanzang to dodge, but Xuanzang did not move at all and remained calm.
"Brother Xuanye, if someone kills someone, what punishment should be given according to the temple rules?"
Xuanzang suddenly asked.
The bearded monk looked gloomy and said, "You should be whipped ninety times!"
The whip here is not an ordinary whip, but an iron whip full of barbs in the hands of the bearded monk. One whip will make a person bloody. Even a strong man cannot withstand thirty whips.
Ninety lashes will result in death!
Xuanzang untied his monk's robe, revealing his fair and slender body. He sat cross-legged, clasped his hands together, and there was a kind of tranquil Zen expression on his young face.
"In this case, Xuanzang is willing to accept ninety lashes to resolve the hatred in my brother's heart."
The bearded monk's heart trembled. He hesitated for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and swung the whip at Xuanzang.
In the first blow, he reserved 70% of his strength, hoping to make Xuanzang give up.
Bang!
The whip hit Xuanzang, and his skin was torn and blood splattered, but Xuanzang did not move at all, and even his expression was calm, without a trace of emotion.
Xiaotang behind him let out a shrill cry and cried very sadly.
Hearing the water monkey's voice, hatred rose in the bearded monk's heart again. He swung his whip and whipped Xuanzang hard without mercy.
One whip, two whips, three whips, four whips...
In the setting sun, Xuanzang was covered in blood, his upper body was covered with bruises, and even his pale bones were vaguely visible. The long whip was already stained red with blood, and the barbs were still stuck with flesh.
Xuanzang still maintained the cross-legged posture, his forehead was covered with sweat, but his expression remained calm. He was chanting scriptures, and his childish voice seemed to contain a kind of benevolent and broad-minded Buddhist aura, like still waters running deep.
"The sublime Dharma is profound and subtle, and is hard to encounter in a hundred thousand aeons. I now see and hear it, and am able to uphold it. I wish to understand the true meaning of the Tathagata..."
The golden sunset shone on his scarred body. From afar, he looked like a golden statue of Buddha, with a compassionate face and sacred dignity.
He recited the "Sutra of the Past Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva" and remained calm and peaceful amidst the torture. Even though his body was riddled with wounds, his spirit was like glass, shining brightly.
The bearded monk's eyes were filled with tears at some point, and when he was whipping for the 42nd time, his hands began to tremble and he finally dropped the whip.
Xuanzang opened his eyes and looked at him, without a trace of hatred, but full of pity.
"Brother, don't blame yourself. As Buddhist disciples, we have the responsibility to save all living beings. Why should we cherish our lives?"
His voice was a little weak, but it contained an unusual firmness. He looked around, and all the disciples of Daxingshan Temple lowered their heads, not daring to look directly into those bright eyes.
"The Mahayana Buddhism says that all living beings can become Buddhas. Every flower, grass, leaf, tree, insect, and the little Tang behind me can all become Buddhas. Buddha is not in the scriptures, nor in the eyes of the world, but in our hearts."
Xuanzang staggered to his feet and stretched out his hand. A cassock decorated with the seven treasures of Buddhism floated out from his residence, shining brightly.
Xuanzang did not wear the robe himself, but gave the Jinlan robe to Xiaotang in front of everyone.
The cassock did not resist. Instead, it emitted a warm and mellow Buddhist light, showing its closeness to Xiaotang.
Seeing this scene, Xuanzang laughed, as happy as a child.
The others were stunned as if they had been struck by a bolt from the blue. This precious Buddhist treasure could actually be worn by a water monkey. Could it be true, as Xuanzang said, that even demons could become Buddhas?
You know, many disciples of Daxingshan Temple had come to Xuanzang to see this Jinlan cassock, but few of them could put it on, let alone touch it.
Could it be that these disciples who eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures day and night are not as good as a water monkey?
At this moment, an old and domineering voice suddenly sounded.
"Evil words to confuse the people!"
When everyone looked over, they saw a one-eyed old monk in a red cassock walking towards them, holding a golden Zen staff. He had a stern face, a fierce aura, and eyes as sharp as knives, making it difficult for people to look directly at him.
"Oh no! It's Uncle Kongji, the head monk of the Discipline Academy. It is said that his eye was blinded by a demon, so he hates demons the most!"
"The abbot is in seclusion now, and all temple affairs are managed by Uncle Kongji. I'm afraid Junior Brother Xuanzang is in trouble..."
"Alas, it is said that the abbot intends to accept Xuanzang as his last disciple and take over the Daxingshan Temple in the future. Therefore, Master Kongji does not like Xuanzang..."
The monks bowed to the emptiness but could not help but whisper to each other.
Although Kong Ji has a high status and the power to subdue demons, his character is too strong and extreme, and he is very overbearing in his actions. He is not loved by the disciples of Daxingshan Temple.
Someone once saw that when Chang'an was flooded, Kong Ji was only concerned with hunting down demons, and even ignored the Buddhist disciples and common people who fell into the water, allowing them to drown.
Kong Ji stood in front of Xuanzang. When he saw the Jinlan cassock on Xiaotang, a hint of greed flashed in his eyes.
The Jinlan cassock and the purple gold bowl are the most precious treasures of Buddhism, but they were both obtained by a little monk. It is such a waste of resources and it is like letting the pearls be covered in dust. If these two treasures could fall into his hands, I wonder how many demons he could kill!
There was also the confused old abbot who actually wanted to accept Xuanzang as his disciple and wanted him to take over the Daxingshan Temple in the future. Fortunately, Xuanzang was also a little confused and stupid enough to refuse.
But this incident touched Kong Ji's bottom line. In his heart, the position of abbot of Daxingshan Temple belonged to him.
"Xuanzang, how dare you insult my Buddhist treasure!"
Kong Ji shook the Zen stick in his hand, and golden light suddenly appeared on the ground, forming a swastika shape, which fixed Xuanzang in place.
Then he gathered his magic power and wanted to take the Jinlan cassock into his hand, but a bright Buddha light suddenly burst out from the Jinlan cassock, floated on Xuanzang's body, and shattered Kong Ji's immobilization technique.
Kong Ji's body trembled, and he took two steps back, his gaze at Jin Lan's cassock becoming even more scorching.
What a wonderful baby!
"Xuanzang, raising demons is a capital crime. No matter how you try to argue today, you will never leave this temple alive!"
Xuanzang clasped his hands together and chanted the Buddha's name.
"Xuanzang has met Uncle Kongji. My elder brother said that not all demons are bad. If they are kind to people, they can live in the capital."
"My eldest brother also said that the Tang Dynasty can accommodate all the people in the world, so it can naturally give those kind monsters a place to stand."
Make more friends and fewer enemies. This is the concept that Li Daoxuan once discussed with Xuanzang. Those kind and law-abiding monsters should also become part of the Tang Dynasty, live in harmony with the people and enjoy happiness together.
If these kind monsters are forced to the opposite side, it will only cause greater harm to the people.
Xuanzang recognized and agreed with this concept very much. When he mentioned his elder brother, his eyes almost lit up.
Kong Ji mocked, "Who does your elder brother think he is? Whatever he says is the truth. Then I would say that all monsters in the world should be killed!"
After a pause, he continued, "Xuanzang, do you really have to save this monster today?"
Xuanzang said firmly: "We must save him!"
Kong Ji's one eye turned and he snorted coldly, "You can save it if you want. If you are willing to give me this cassock and the alms bowl, I can spare your life!"
Xuanzang was stunned for a moment. He looked at Xiaotang, who was covered with wounds and dying behind him. If he didn't treat Xiaotang's wounds, it would probably die.
"Why, you can't bear to part with it?"
"It's okay if you don't want to. As long as you kill this water monkey with your own hands, I can forgive you for the sins of blaspheming the Buddha's treasure and raising a monster."
Kong Ji knew that Xuan Zang would never kill the water monkey, so he deliberately provoked him.
Xiaotang looked at Xuanzang with pleading eyes, hoping that he would kill her.
Xuanzang sighed softly and said, "If you want it, I'll give it to you."
He waved his hand, and the brocade robe on his body floated towards the void, including the purple gold bowl in the room, which also flew towards the void.
Kong Ji reached out to take the two treasures, his one eye full of excitement. He had not expected that Xuanzang would be so stupid as to give him these two Buddhist treasures!
As he stroked the soft silk of Jinlan's robes, his hands were shaking with excitement.
Xuanzang untied the rope that tied Xiaotang, picked it up and prepared to leave Daxingshan Temple.
boom!
The flames came and ignited the surrounding firewood, trapping Xuanzang and Xiaotang inside.
Kong Ji laughed loudly and said murderously: "All the demons in the world deserve to die. People like you who are willing to degenerate and associate with demons also deserve to die!"
The fire was set by his magic, and he wanted to burn Xuanzang and the water monkey to death.
"Brother Xuanzang!"
"Uncle Kongji, how can you go back on your word!"
"Yes, monks don't tell lies!"
"Everyone, put out the fire!"
Even the disciples who were watching could not stand what Kong Ji was doing.
"Let's see who dares!"
The Zen stick in Kong Ji's hand shook, causing the ground to tremble slightly, making everyone lose their balance and almost fall.
"Anyone who steps forward to put out the fire will be guilty of the same crime as Xuanzang!"
Suddenly everyone looked at each other and stopped.
There was a hint of complacency in Kong Ji's eyes.
"My fellow brothers, please don't go forward. Xuanzang doesn't want to implicate you."
In the raging fire, Xuanzang's face was covered in sweat, but as he held Xiaotang in his arms, his expression remained calm and peaceful, and his voice was like a pool of clear water, neither angry nor sad.
The flames were getting closer and closer, and were about to swallow Xuanzang.
He touched Little Sugar's head, then took out a few candies and put them into its mouth.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you."
boom!
The flames rose and were approaching Xuanzang's back. He held Xiaotang in his arms, ready to let the flames burn himself first, and sighed softly in his heart.
"Brother, I can't see the prosperous age you mentioned."
"Master, I just can't comprehend the three hundred nursery rhymes in this book."
…
Boom!
Just as the flames were about to engulf them, dark clouds suddenly appeared in the sky, and then heavy rain fell, quickly extinguishing the flames.
It was as if the Buddha appeared and bestowed his mercy.
Kong Ji's expression changed, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his one eye. This Xuanzang was indeed lucky. He must die today, otherwise it would be hard to say who would own the Daxingshan Temple in the future!
However, before he could make another attack, smoke and dust suddenly billowed outside the courtyard, the earth roared, and the aura of swords and iron horses hit him in the face.
The most elite cavalry of the Tang Dynasty, the Black Armor Army, came in formation with flags flying. There were hundreds of them, and the murderous aura rose into the sky, causing Kong Ji's face to change drastically.
Buzz!
The sound of bows being strung made Kong Ji shudder all over, as if a thorn was on his back. He was being targeted by thousands of arrows.
Why did the Xuanjia Army come to Daxingshan Temple?
And judging from the situation, it seems that they are going to call for punishment...
These were the Black Armor Army, the most elite cavalry of the Tang Dynasty, which once had the glorious record of defeating one hundred thousand with only three thousand men. Hundreds of Black Armor Army lined up to charge, and even the strong men in the late Yin God stage had no choice but to flee in panic.
Kong Ji was puzzled. Even though the emperor of the time advocated Taoism, he at least had a respectful attitude towards Buddhism and had never resorted to war in Buddhist areas.
At this moment, a group of bad guys came with knives drawn. The leader was wearing heavy armor, with a strong back and a sturdy build, carrying a large blue-gold stick on his back. He looked very majestic. It was the White Tiger Captain Wang Bo.
He walked with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, his voice as loud as thunder, and said in a clear voice: "According to the order of the State Master, I am bringing his sworn brother, Master Xuanzang, into the Xuandu Temple. No one is allowed to stop me. Anyone who disobeys my order will be executed!"
Boom!
For a moment, there was silence as if struck by lightning, and even the one-eyed man became dazed.
By...the order of the Imperial Master?
My brother...Master Xuanzang?
"My eldest brother once said that demons are not all bad..."
Xuanzang's words just now echoed in his ears again. At this moment, he finally knew who the big brother the other party was referring to was.
Li Daoxuan, the Imperial Master of the Tang Dynasty, who was personally appointed by the Emperor as the Heavenly Master of the Qianyuan Mystical Dao and the Dragon-Tiger Demon-Subduing Heavenly Master!
He was the ruthless man who wiped out the evil Buddha and his disciples at the Longmen Immortal Conference. He was the Taoist master who swallowed thunder and killed Wuzhiqi with one sword during the Chang'an flood!
Kill the dragon in Hongzhou, exorcise the ghosts in Huangquan, eliminate the internal troubles in Longhu Mountain, and fish for dragon fish in Taiji Palace...
Although Li Daoxuan has not yet become a Yang God, his reputation and brilliant military achievements have surpassed most Yang Gods in the world. People once called him the number one person under the Yang God, but no one says that anymore.
Because this person, who was number one under Yang Shen, had killed all Yang Gods!
Kong Ji never thought that one day he would provoke this peerless ruthless man, and even want to force his brother to death...
He knew that he was finished.
No one in the entire Tang Dynasty can protect himself...
Wang Bo strode forward and saw the pile of firewood. He had never seen Xuanzang, so he didn't know what he looked like. He was very puzzled when he saw the unconscious little monk in the firewood.
What is going on?
He looked around and said to a disciple of Daxingshan Temple: "Where is Master Xuanzang? Damn, your broken temple is really big. I have been looking for him for a long time!"
The disciple trembled, and after a while he pointed at Xuanzang, who was covered in bruises and unconscious in the firewood pile, and his voice trembled.
"He...he is...Xuan Zang."
