Xuanyuan Hao obtained the Imperial Seal, but by the time he and Liang Yihan returned to Yingyang City, the war had already ended. At that time, Xuanyuan Lie had won a great victory, and Hai Linqin had no choice but to lead more than 100,000 defeated troops to retreat to Weicheng.
Upon learning of this situation, Xuanyuan Hao thought he might as well just give the imperial seal to Xuanyuan Lie, but Liang Yihan insisted on not allowing it. He said that even if Xuanyuan Hao handed over the imperial seal to Xuanyuan Lie, Xuanyuan Lie would never forgive him.
Left with no other choice, Xuan Yuanhao went to Weicheng with Liang Yihan.
Weicheng is located to the east of Yingyang City, about 300 li away. Between the two cities is a magnificent pass called Xiongying Pass, which was occupied by Hai Linqin.
Xuanyuan Lie proclaimed himself emperor in Yingyang City, rewarding his meritorious officials and the army. He enfeoffed his ministers, imprisoned all the treacherous officials of the previous dynasty, and slaughtered all those who did not submit to him. Blood flowed like rivers in Yingyang City, and the atmosphere was terrifyingly oppressive.
Although Xuanyuan Lie had occupied Yingyang City, he still could not win over the people and silence public opinion because he did not possess the Imperial Seal. Therefore, as soon as he stabilized the court, Xuanyuan Lie reorganized his army and prepared to attack Xiong Ying Pass, then storm Weicheng, and seize the Imperial Seal.
At that time, after Yelü Yan of the Northern Rong was defeated by Hai Linqin and Xuan Yuanlie, he retreated to Jingji Pass. He heard that Xuan Yuanlie had occupied Yingyang City and that Xuan Yuanhao had obtained the Imperial Seal and occupied Weicheng. He was hesitating about where to attack when two envoys carrying heavy gifts suddenly arrived. The two envoys were sent by Xuan Yuanhao and Xuan Yuanlie.
The two eloquent debaters used all their skills, relying on their silver tongues, to have long talks with Yelü Yan, hoping that Yelü Yan would pledge allegiance to their two lords, namely Xuanyuan Hao and Xuanyuan Lie.
After listening to the two envoys' explanations, Yelü Yan settled them in the post station. Then he summoned his generals to discuss whether to choose Xuanyuan Lie, who held a large army, or Xuanyuan Hao, who held the Imperial Seal of the State.
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After Xuanyuan Lie occupied the palace, although he was not as devout as Emperor Yan in his attitude towards the elders of Jinyuan Temple, he was still quite polite. He even made a special trip to the meditation room in the inner palace to visit them several times. The elders then decided to stay in the palace to see if they could turn Xuanyuan Lie into a devout Buddhist.
In an ordinary meditation room in the inner palace, the door was closed. Several prayer cushions were placed under the Buddhist shrine directly opposite the door. Zen Master Daming sat cross-legged on the first prayer cushion on the left, while Shi Ning and Shi Chan sat side by side on the two prayer cushions on the right.
After the three returned from Lingxiao Peak, Zen Master Daming did not immediately return to Bodhi Temple. Instead, he stayed in Yingyang City with Shichan and other young disciples to observe the war in the human world.
One afternoon, Zen Master Daming suddenly summoned Zen Master Shichan through Shi Ning. In the meditation room, Zen Master Daming's expression was gentle, a smile playing on his lips. Shi Ning's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of worry in his eyes. Zen Master Shichan lowered his head, looking anxious and uneasy.
“Buddhism”.
After a long silence in the meditation room, Zen Master Daming gently called out.
Shi Chan trembled, raised his head, his expression showing panic but he tried his best to hide it, his voice trembled slightly, and he replied in a low voice, "Yes, Master."
The Great Master Ming spoke in a gentle voice, "Master Shi Chan, the girl who ran out of the bottom of Lingxiao Peak with you that day, is she the same girl who was trapped in the demon array with you last time?"
Shi Chan's eyelashes trembled. In the past few days, he had been worried that his master would mention Liuli. Now, his worst fears had come true. Even though he had prepared himself mentally, he still felt helpless, his breathing was unsteady, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.
Master Daming chuckled and shook his head gently, saying, "It's alright, Master Shichan, you don't need to be alarmed. Just answer your master truthfully."
Shi Chan took a few deep breaths and answered in a low voice, "...Yes."
The Great Master Ming continued, "Was that girl human, a demon, or a monster?"
“This…” Cold sweat gathered on Shi Chan’s forehead and trickled down his face. He looked terrible and stammered, unable to speak.
In Shi Chan's understanding, Liuli was a fox demon. Because of the ancient fox calamity, not only was the nine-tailed fox clan deeply hated by Buddhism, but even ordinary fox demons were not tolerated by Buddhism and became mortal enemies of Buddhist disciples. If he revealed that Liuli was a fox demon, wouldn't she be in danger?
After waiting for a long time without hearing a reply from Master Shi Chan, Zen Master Daming gently shook his head.
"Shi Chan!" Shi Ning, unable to contain himself any longer, frowned deeply and rebuked sharply, "Did that woman make you have thoughts you shouldn't have?!"
Shi Chan trembled, abruptly leaving his seat and prostrating himself on the ground, saying in alarm, "Master, Senior Brother, this disciple dares not!"
Zen Master Daming looked at Shi Ning and gently shook his head.
Shi Ning originally wanted to ask more questions, but seeing the gaze of Zen Master Daming, he had no choice but to remain silent, though his expression was still unpleasant.
“Shi Chan, get up.” Zen Master Daming said gently, “Since you don’t want to talk to your master, then reflect on yourself in front of the Buddha. Remember, the precepts must not be broken, and the Buddha’s heart must be firmly upheld. Do not limit your vision to what is in front of you. You must look further ahead, and you will surely go further ahead.”
"Yes." Shi Chan glanced nervously at Zen Master Daming, then turned his gaze to Shi Ning's face. Shi Ning's expression was somber, and a hint of sorrow and regret could be seen in his eyes.
Shi Chan's heart trembled. This was his most respected senior brother. The senior brother whose gaze was always gentle when he looked down at the young boy, who never showed the slightest impatience towards him and patiently answered all his questions.
Shi Chan grew up in Bodhi Temple. When he was very young, Shi Ning led him in morning prayers, taught him to write, and taught him to chant sutras and recite Buddhist scriptures. Shi Ning also answered his questions when he encountered difficulties in his practice. In fact, although Zen Master Daming accepted Shi Chan as his last disciple, it was Shi Ning who truly guided Shi Chan into the path of Buddhism.
He must be heartbroken right now because of his own lack of ambition.
Shi Chan's eyes welled up with tears. He rose and took a few steps to kneel respectfully before Zen Master Daming and Shi Ning. He prostrated himself, his forehead touching the ground, and said in a choked voice, "Master, rest assured, senior brother, rest assured. Your disciple will never, and would never dare to, break the precepts of Buddhism. Your disciple will follow your teachings and diligently cultivate. Your disciple will travel throughout the Central Plains to save sentient beings and spread the light of Buddhism to the earth!"
As he spoke each word, Shi Chan made a decision in his heart. He gritted his teeth to make this decision more resolute, even more resolute... even though it pained him so much, even though he was so reluctant to let go...
...From now on, I will never see her again. If we happen to meet, I will keep a sufficient distance...
“Alright, go ahead,” Zen Master Daming replied gently.
Zen Master Shi raised his head, looked at the gentle smiling face of Zen Master Daming, and then looked at Shi Ning, whose expression had softened slightly.
With his mind somewhat at ease, Shi Chan silently rose, his figure forlorn, turned and walked out of the meditation room, closing the door behind him.
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