Volume 3: Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils Chapter 29: Big Mistake
"The Buddha picked up a flower, and Kasyapa smiled. He used his heart as a seal and passed on the knowledge outside the teachings." Shaolin is the place where martial arts flourished the most in the world, and its rules are so strict that people tend to forget its other famous identity - the orthodox Zen sect and the ancestral home of Han tradition.
Chen Ang stood in front of the Shaolin Forest of Steles, observing these ancient stone steles. Behind him, outside the mountain gate, a large group of martial artists gathered. Inside the gate, Wei Tuo was held high to glorify the sect. The Forest of Steles contained famous steles of calligraphy from past dynasties, many of which were carved by high monks of the Zen Buddhism. It was truly a wonderful place.
Unfortunately, these martial artists were not as interested as Chen Ang, and had no interest in the ancient text. Instead, they stared at the open space behind the mountain gate. Of course, if Chen Ang told them that these inconspicuous stone tablets contained many traces of martial arts left by Zen Buddhism, it would be different.
The Heart Seal teaches the Dharma, and one attains enlightenment and attains Buddhahood. Without sufficient wisdom, even if the peerless martial arts are placed before one, what good will it do? One will still be completely in the dark and unable to read a single word.
Who has not heard of Shaolin if he has been for a few days? Even if you are not a martial artist, anyone with a little knowledge should know Shaolin, because it is not only a major martial arts sect, but also the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism. Abbot Xuanci was known as the Tiger Subduing Arhat in his early years, but no matter how famous he was in the past, people will only remember one identity - the abbot of Shaolin.
The abbot was not originally respected for his martial arts prowess, but Shaolin Buddhism declined, and only the reputation of the world's martial arts originated from Shaolin remained. If the abbot's martial arts were not good, how could Shaolin still have the face to call itself a martial arts holy land. A thousand-year-old temple could rise and fall like this.
Fortunately, this time, Shaolin does not have to bear such great pressure.
This was because their opponent was the most terrifying and powerful master recognized by everyone in the martial arts world over the past hundred years, a terrifying force that had never been seen before in the martial arts world.
Xixia Yipintang, Tianshan Lingjiu Palace, Jiangnan Pilitang, Shuzhong Tangmen, Wen family time-honored brand, countless big and small, some ancient famous families comparable to Shaolin, some deep-rooted martial arts families with a long tradition, all were reduced to ashes in the face of this powerful crushing force.
The three words "Jinwu Hall" were like Mount Tai and the North Sea, weighing heavily on the hearts of everyone present.
Behind this unusual monster in the martial arts world, stands an even more suffocating behemoth. Things that were laughed off in the past, today make everyone feel deeply pressured. Someone sighed.
"The imperial court!"
The martial arts heroes present sighed helplessly like the common people, feeling the shadow and terror of this behemoth. It was not only because of the majestic reputation of the central government for thousands of years, but also because of the god-like shadow behind it, the man who now stood in front of the forest of steles, appreciating the calligraphy with interest.
Although Xuan Ci was followed by five hundred Shaolin monks, he still felt a little nervous when facing Chen Ang. Before he could say anything, Chen Ang turned around and looked at the martial arts heroes present.
“Donor Chen, regarding the injustice between me and the Murong family, I have invited several celebrities to prove that what the Murong family did had nothing to do with Shaolin. We were actually unaware of the Xianbei’s restoration of their nation.” Xuan Ci said in a deep voice. He stood up and asked several celebrities to come up, including Zhao Qiansun, Zhiguang and others.
Master Zhiguang looked at Chen Ang and said, "Donor Chen, we meet again!"
"Master Zhiguang, how are you?" Chen Ang asked with a smile.
"Sleep less, talk less, I just hope that Benefactor Chen can give me some peace." Master Zhiguang clasped his hands together, bowed deeply to the heroes on the field, and said: "Benefactor Xiao, today is the day for the truth to be revealed. The tragedy outside Yanmen Pass will be resolved today! Benefactor, please come out and talk, benefactor, please come out and talk!"
His voice echoed in the field and could be heard dozens of miles away.
"Xiao is coming!" A loud shout came from the distance. After a few steps, Xiao Feng arrived in front of the mountain gate. Seeing him coming, the heroes became restless. Many shouts were heard from all around: "Xiao Feng, you bastard who killed your father, mother and master!"
"Kill this Liao dog!"
"A real man has the courage to act! If it was done by me, Xiao should take full responsibility. If it was not done by me, no one can throw dirty water on me! I am a good man, I have the courage to act and take responsibility. Even if it is to avenge the murder of my father and mother, how can I not dare to admit it?" He said this sternly.
Everyone saw that he was tall, broad-chested, and strong-armed, with a calm expression on his face. They began to wonder, "We've always heard that Qiao Feng is a generous and open-minded person. Seeing him today, how could such a man be a coward? Could we have really made a mistake?"
"Amitabha! Please listen to what I have to say!" Master Zhiguang said slowly: "I believe that there is another hidden story behind the deaths of Donor Xiao, Elder Xu, the Qiao couple, and Master Xuanku. Please listen carefully." Everyone naturally believed in the prestige of Master Zhiguang, and they were immediately calmed down and looked at the scene.
"Twenty years ago, the tragedy outside Yanmen Pass was committed by me and my men." Xuan Ci sighed, "I was deceived and believed the words of the traitor, which led to the innocent involvement of Mr. Xiao and his family. All the sins are my fault!"
"What a pity!" Chen Ang sighed.
"Abbot Xuanci, it was an unintentional mistake. It's really a pity!" Master Zhiguang shook his head and sighed.
"It's a pity that Abbot Xuanci has become a monk. If he had become an official, the court would have given you a position as a first-rank official." Chen Ang said calmly, "Abbot Xuanci, please speak slowly. There are many more sins to come. The sins of Ye Erniang and the illegalities of Shaolin disciples are all borne by the abbot. I wonder if this sin is too light, or if the abbot's shoulders are too heavy?"
When Xuan Ci heard this, his body shook and he could hardly stand still for a moment. He took a deep breath in silence, closed his eyes and did not dare to look at Chen Ang.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" The hot-tempered Xuanshi said angrily. He grabbed the Zen stick beside him and was about to rush forward, but he heard Xuanci shouting: "Brother Xuanshi, stop! Wuming anger is the worst kind of cultivation. Back off!"
Xuan Ci sighed: "Donor Chen is right, I am guilty..."
"Moreover, it is a mistake that cannot be washed away even with all the water in the four seas, and it is difficult to make it even with all the iron in the nine provinces! A serious sin!" Chen Ang said slowly: "The Buddhist precepts are divided into fundamental precepts and Mahayana precepts, but they all regard killing as the first precept, and sexual immorality as the second or third precept..."
"We Shaolin monks fight against demons and uphold justice, uphold justice and eliminate evil. Even if we violate the commandment against killing and fall into hell, it is out of kindness and good deeds. We are only dying for the sake of justice. If you use this to slander the abbot, you will only make a fool of yourself!" Xuanshi glared and sneered: "Even if the abbot committed the sin of killing by mistake, it is not your turn to speak!"
He said this frankly. Shaolin monks sacrificed a lot in the fight against evil and defended the way. Although it was a pity to kill a good person by mistake, the heroes present did not dare to say that they had never killed an innocent life in their lives. Master Xuanci mistakenly trusted the traitor and killed an innocent person by mistake. Although it was a pity, it was not an unforgivable crime. They all supported Xuanshi.
Master Zhiguang also said, "Although Abbot Xuanci was wrong, you have gone too far. The abbot has long repented, and I only wish to resolve this bad fate myself. Donor Xiao, you can take my life. With all the heroes present as witnesses, they will definitely not blame you. I only hope that my life can appease the blood feud of your parents."
"Blood for blood, blood debt must be paid with blood! Heroes, it is only natural for Mr. Xiao to avenge his parents. We will die without hesitation!" Zen Master Zhiguang stepped forward, exposing his bony chest, and said, "We have committed a serious mistake by accidentally killing a good man. If you avenge us, I will not be able to rest in peace in my grave!"
"Karma must be repaid, retribution must be paid, Benefactor Chen is right, I was wrong! Benefactor Xiao, I am sorry for you!"
Zhao Qiansun also sighed, unbuttoned his clothes, revealing his hairy chest . He handed over a sharp ox-ear knife and said to Xiao Feng, "I, Zhao Qiansun, have lived for decades. I have seen the tragic scenes clearly with my eyes closed. Today, I am paying for my life with such calmness. Xiaojuan, before you die, are you willing to sing the songs you used to sing for me?"
Granny Tan covered her mouth and sobbed, "Why are you doing this? Why are you doing this?"
"Outside Yanmen Pass, we were wrong. A good man should take responsibility for his actions. I, Zhao Qiansun, have forgotten my name all my life. From today on, you can carve your name on my grave with confidence. Xiaojuan, please carve my name on it!"
"Who wants to carve your name? Who knows what your name is?" Mr. Tan was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. He looked at Xiao Feng, then turned back to look at Mrs. Tan. For a moment, he didn't know what to say next.
Xuan Ci opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but Chen Ang stared at him. He opened his mouth several times and closed it several times, his face showing an extremely struggling expression. Two drops of turbid tears fell from the corners of his eyes, and he choked and said, "Donor Chen, Donor Chen..."
It's hard to express it in words.
Xiao Feng took the ox-ear knife and looked at Zen Master Zhiguang and Zhao Qiansun. His hands trembled slightly. He asked, "Decades ago, you killed my parents. Today, as their son, I should avenge them. Should I do that?"
"Revenge for one's father is natural and it is what you, the donor, should do. Donor Xiao, you are enjoying the happiness of family life and are loved by your relatives. The blood debt I have committed must be repaid with blood. Donor, please do it!" Zen Master Zhiguang said with his eyes closed.
Xiao Feng raised the sharp knife and stabbed it angrily. Everyone present screamed in surprise, but only the voice of a woman was the clearest.
When everyone came to their senses and saw Zen Master Zhiguang's stunned look, they realized that the dagger had sunk into the ground in front of him, leaving only the handle outside. There were people coming and going here, and the ground was harder than bluestone, but the dagger had penetrated without the handle. This palm power was truly unparalleled.
"Could it be that Xiao Feng thinks the dagger is too sharp and wants to kill them with the Dragon Subduing Palm?" everyone thought.
Only Azhu looked at Xiao Feng with tears in her eyes. She was the only one who knew what kind of struggle Xiao Feng was going through in his heart.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Xiao Feng raised his head and screamed wildly, like a madman, "My father didn't kill you before, today, I will spare your lives..." He said this, and couldn't say any more.
Zhao Qiansun and Zhiguang both lowered their eyes, unable to bear to look at him.
Only Chen Ang kept staring at Xuan Ci, watching the expression on his face change from struggle to calmness.
Xuan Ci looked calmly as he raised his head and looked at Chen Ang.
"Amitabha! Good, good!" Xuan Ci put his hands together and suddenly slapped his forehead with his backhand.
