Chapter 173: Those who help others cannot help themselves
Xiao Qian said, "This is something Grandma has only recently figured out. Behind the cliff carvings deep in the orchid shade are seven murals. For hundreds of years, Grandma has been trying to refine the seven murals and leave the cliff carvings."
"Now, the first painting of the Buried Monk's Ground has almost been refined by Grandma. Although she can now use her magical powers to the outside world, she is still unable to escape from the depths of the orchid shade. Grandma used her magical powers to explore for a long time before gradually realizing that she had only broken through six murals. There is still one level of the true and illusory world that she has not found."
Ma Junji asked, "Why is this? Aren't there seven?"
Gong Mengbi said, "Because the world Zhenniang is in is not the realm of reality and illusion, nor is it in the mural."
Xiao Qian said, "That's right, there's another mural hidden among the cliff carvings, but it never shows up. I never thought the dead monk in the Burial Monk Ground could open up this world. If I had known this, grandma wouldn't have been trapped in this haunted place until now."
Gong Mengbi said, "It's still uncertain whether we can leave this place. Let's go and take a look at Lanyin Temple."
There was a gloomy atmosphere in Lanyin Temple, and the monks, both big and small, were crying, not knowing what the future would hold.
There was a rotten corpse and a fist-sized stone enshrined in the temple.
The monks bowed before the corpse, their hearts in turmoil.
"The abbot is dead, the Buddhist disciples are gone, and the sky of Lanyin Temple has collapsed."
"This Rakshasa ghost attacks the cliff carvings every day. I don't know how long she can be trapped. I'm afraid that by the time she emerges, we'll all be dead."
"It's pitiful, lamentable. Actually, I heard that it was the abbot who did that to Zhenniang..."
"Shut up! Are you crazy? How dare you say that? It was the Flower-Scattering Fairy who fell into the devil's way. I, the abbot of Lanyin Temple, sacrificed my life to suppress the devil."
"Yes, yes."
"The abbot has not yet come out of seclusion. The Buddha's heart has been dug out. Is it possible to save him?"
Gong Mengbi was listening on the side, but was shocked.
"Brother Mingfu, what did you discover?" Ning Caichen noticed that Gong Mengbi's expression was different.
Gong Mengbi asked, "You say, is Zhenru really dead?"
"His heart has been dug out, how can he not die? He has not yet cultivated to the realm of perfect Dharma. When his physical body decays, it will be all in vain." Yan Chixia said.
Gong Mengbi said, "I remember something. When Zhenniang killed Zen Master Sanming, she dug out his heart, but it was actually a cliff carving. Where did Sanming's original heart go?"
Xiao Qian said, "No, it's really like the Buddha who asked me to dig out his heart with my own hands, hoping to die with me. If he were still alive, there's no way he wouldn't come to see me."
Gong Mengbi had already thought about the twists and turns in his mind countless times and got an answer that was somewhat unbelievable.
"Let's go and see if the Buddha Zhenru is really dead." Yan Chixia said.
Xiao Qian said, "You're crazy! Even if the abbot of Lanyin Temple isn't as powerful as the old thief Sanming, he's definitely not someone you can just pee into. If you want to die, don't drag me along. Before I refined the other murals, I killed quite a few Rakshasa ghosts."
Gong Mengbi said, "Be patient. Regardless of whether Zhenru is dead or not, the abbot will eventually come out."
As he expected, the abbot came out of confinement not long after.
Looking at the withered bones of Zen Master Sanming, he smiled with relief and said, "Good, good! If you know how to turn back after losing your way, there is still a day for you to return."
He looked at the cliff carving that suppressed Zhenniang, took the stone in his hand, and returned to the Buddhist meditation room.
When he came out, he no longer had the cliff carving in his hand.
The abbot spoke behind closed doors, informing the monks of everything Zen Master Sanming had done.
The monks found it hard to believe for a moment. Although there had been rumors before, there was no evidence.
But now the abbot did not hide anything and exposed the evil deeds of Zen Master Sanming. The monk's Zen mind lost its concentration and he vomited blood on the spot.
The abbot lowered his eyes and said, "Our Lanyin Temple has been passed down for thousands of years, but it is declining day by day, completely different from the glory of a thousand years ago. The abbot is so obsessed with glorifying our family that he has gone astray and entered Nirvana. This is a misfortune for our Lanyin Temple."
"My Lanyin Temple owes a great debt to the Scattering Flower Goddess. From today onwards, we will enshrine the Scattering Flower Goddess behind the Golden Millet Tathagata, hoping that she can soon escape the sea of suffering and attain a transcendental mind."
"As the abbot, I feel guilty. After my death, I will not be buried in the pagoda forest. I will be buried on the cliff stone carvings and preach to the Flower-Scattering Goddess."
"I tell you this in the hope that you will take it as a warning. The Zen mind comes first, and supernatural powers follow. Why bother with fame and other external things? With a clear conscience, perfection will naturally follow."
The monks were struck by lightning. They thought about the fame and wealth that Lanyin Temple had gained since Zhenniang's arrival. They thought about their spiritual practice, and then they thought about their indifference to Zhenniang's plight.
The monks felt guilty and reflected on themselves, saying, "After I die, I will be buried among the cliff carvings, chanting sutras and preaching with the Flower-Scattering Goddess."
Xiao Qian sneered, "What do you mean by being buried in a cliff carving and preaching to the goddess? It's just a way to suppress the old lady."
Gong Mengbi did not comment, but took advantage of the gathering of monks to go to the meditation room of Zhenru Buddha.
Just as they reached the door, they suddenly heard a gentle voice from inside, saying, "Five guests, please come in."
Xiaoqian quickly stepped back, wanting to escape immediately.
Yan Chixia was also startled and took a defensive stance.
Ning Caichen and Ma Junji trembled a little and whispered, "Isn't he dead? How did he find us?"
Although they were so scared, Gong Mengbi had already opened the door and walked in first.
With him leading the way, Yan Chixia, Ning Caichen and Ma Junji followed closely behind. Xiaoqian gritted her teeth, stomped her feet and followed.
When I entered the meditation room, I found that Zhenru Buddha was not dead. He was leaning on the bed, his face as white as paper.
Zhenru Buddha glanced at everyone, and finally his gaze fell on Xiaoqian. He sighed and said, "They look alike, so alike."
Xiao Qian gritted her teeth and asked, "Since you are alive, why didn't you go to see grandma?"
Zhenru Buddha gave a bitter laugh and said, "I don't have the face to see her, nor do I have the ability to save her."
Xiao Qian wanted to ask more, but Zhenru Buddha didn't want to talk anymore. He shook his head and said, "You have come from far away. I believe you were forced here by Zhenniang. Let me take you out."
Gong Mengbi said, "Don't worry. I have many doubts in my mind. I would like to ask the Buddha to answer them."
Zhenru looked at him, a little surprised, and said, "So you are a fox fairy. You are so wise, is there anything you haven't seen through?"
Gong Mengbi said: "I just want to confirm what I think in my heart."
Zhenru said, "Please."
Gong Mengbi sorted out his thoughts and said, "You three, master and disciple, are truly doomed."
Zhenru looked gloomy and said, "Indeed."
Gong Mengbi said, "It's a pity that those who save others cannot save themselves. This is the most ironic thing. Master Sanming wanted to save you, and you wanted to save Master Sanming. Only poor Zhenniang suffered in it, so you dared not see her, and you compensated her with your Buddha's heart and brought her back to life, right?"
Zhenru stared at Gong Mengbi and sighed, "Fox Fairy, you see things so clearly. How are you going to face everything in the world?"
Gong Mengbi said: "Only truth, only sincerity."
Zhenru said: "What a true and sincere person."
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