The Buddhist sect, completely disregarding the Taoist sect's anger, gathered the abbots of many Buddhist temples at Jinyuan Temple to discuss a plan to eliminate the evil fox.
A quiet hall was built amidst the green trees on Cangyuan Mountain. It was the Buddhist hall of the temple. All the Buddhist sects in the Central Plains, regardless of size, sent their abbots to Jinyuan Temple. More than fifty abbots from various temples sat on prayer cushions in front of the Buddha statue, discussing among themselves.
Abbot Hongyin of Jinyuan Temple sat facing south, while the other abbots sat facing north. Their faces, which should have been calm and serene, showed obvious resentment. They were furious that they had failed to kill the evil fox during the Thunder and Fire Calamity a hundred years ago, and now she had reappeared and was causing trouble everywhere, her hands stained with the blood of countless Buddhist disciples.
The abbots discussed the matter for a long time, and one plan after another was proposed and overturned. Until an elderly nun hesitated and proposed the six words "Buddha's light shines throughout the world", the expressions of all fifty-odd abbots changed.
From the time the abbots arrived at Jinyuan Temple in the early morning until noon now, they have finally settled on a method that will surely kill the evil fox and her more than a thousand divine beasts. They all breathed a sigh of relief.
After everything was settled, the abbots all showed their intention to take their leave. At this moment, Hongyin suddenly thought of something. He turned to look at Abbot Shi Ning of Bodhi Temple and asked, "Abbot Shi Ning, I wonder where your former disciple Shi Chan is now?"
Upon hearing Hongyin mention Shichan, many abbots paused for a moment before realizing what was happening and turning their gazes toward Shining.
Shi Ning's expression changed slightly. After a moment of silence, he said in a low voice, "The last time I saw Shi Chan was fifty years ago. He said that the Central Plains was peaceful and there was no strife at that time. He wanted to find a quiet place to understand Buddhism and hoped to make further progress in his cultivation. Now even I don't know where he is."
Hongyin chanted a Buddhist prayer, then put his palms together and said, “Well, if Shichan hasn’t been born, that’s fine. But if he happens to be born, Abbot Shining must keep the disciples in the temple quiet and make sure they don’t reveal our plan to Shichan. The other abbots should also be careful and wary of Shichan.”
All the abbots nodded in agreement, but Shi Ning's expression darkened and he didn't look too pleased.
Hongyin, observing the situation, quickly said to Shi Ning, "Abbot Shi Ning, please don't misunderstand. Everyone has witnessed what Shi Chan has done over the years. Although he is no longer a disciple of your Bodhi Temple, he is still a loyal follower of Buddha and an outstanding disciple of our Buddhist sect. It's just that he is really biased on the matter of the evil fox. I have no choice but to say this."
Shi Ning's complexion improved considerably. He clasped his hands together and nodded, saying, "Abbot Hongyin is right. My junior brother is good in every way, but unfortunately, he was ruined by that wicked fox. Alas."
Now that a plan to capture and kill the evil fox had been finalized, the abbots were unwilling to linger any longer. They all rose to take their leave and departed one after another. Hongyin personally saw them off, and the noisy Buddhist hall returned to silence after a brief period of commotion.
Only wisps of incense smoke remained, rising from the uneven sandalwood incense in the incense burner, obscuring the gentle, smiling face of the Buddha statue.
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