Chapter 657: The end of fate?
Red Sect Master?
Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, and the thin and pious face of an old monk appeared in his mind.
He was the leader of the Western Regions delegation that came to the capital. He had also secretly defected to Zhao Du'an and firmly believed that he was "the Buddha walking in the world" and the incarnation of "wisdom".
A few months ago, when Zhao Duan went to Huting to transfer Xue Shence to Xiping Road, he slipped a handwritten letter to Xue Shence.
He told him that the Red Sect Master was a hidden chess piece and asked Xue Shence to use it immediately.
"Princess, don't be anxious. Tell me slowly." Zhao Duan held his breath and listened attentively.
Princess Wenzhu nodded and explained sadly:
"In fact, I don't know the details of the inner cause and effect. Before the Western Regions rebelled, as soon as I noticed the signs, I sent people from the Buddhist ancestral temple to place him under house arrest and seize his power.
After that, I knew very little about the outside world. Until one day, the Red Sect Master suddenly visited me and forced me to write a letter urging the Yu Kingdom to surrender and send it to Zhenguan in the capital.
“I originally didn’t want to, how could I help the Western Buddhist sects invade our Yu Kingdom?
But later, I changed my mind and thought that I could take this opportunity to communicate with Zhenguan.
So he pretended to write a letter of persuasion, but actually hid the real letter in that letter by special means..."
Zhao Duan suddenly realized: "It's the letter of persuasion to surrender..."
The empress had told him about this matter and mentioned that Princess Wenzhu had sent a secret letter to remind him to be wary of Buddhism.
Princess Wenzhu said bitterly:
"At that time, I was also taking a gamble, and I was also worried that the letter would be discovered by the Buddhist sect. But it seems that it was successfully concealed.
But it wasn't until recently that the Red Sect Master sent his disciple Dan Che to contact me secretly. I learned that the mystery hidden in the letter had not escaped the Red Sect Master's eyes, but he chose to turn a blind eye.
"The Red Sect Master produced a letter written by you, saying that Xue Shence had secretly contacted him and provided him with a lot of information.
The Red Sect Master also said that his contact with Xue Shence had exposed his true identity and that he couldn't hide it for much longer, so he wanted to help me escape from the Western Regions at the last moment.
Princess Wenzhu recalled:
"I didn't quite believe it at first, still worried it was a Buddhist conspiracy.
But thinking that it was just a matter of life and death, I decided to take the gamble. Afterwards, the Red Sect Master used his power to successfully take me and my close guards away from the Golden Tent, brought them to Xiping Road, and then sent them to the front line.
We originally wanted to send it to Xue Shence's military camp, but unfortunately, we were exposed halfway and were hunted down by Buddhist masters.
The Red Sect master escorted them all the way, and finally chose to leave with his trusted followers to cover their retreat.
This is how I was able to escape capture."
"Then, the Western Regions army hunted us everywhere in Xiping. We didn't dare to engage the imperial army, so we simply fled eastward.
We were caught up several times on the way, and the guards around us died one after another. When we arrived here, only I and the chief guard were left."
When talking about the sad things, the princess who had been married for many years burst into tears.
Zhao Duan was not as sentimental as her and quickly sorted out the logic:
The Red Sect Master was indeed used as a chess piece by Xue Shence, and he took the risk of letting Wenzhu deliver a message before he was scrapped.
If all this is true, then the message Wenzhu carries must be very complicated.
Wenzhu choked up, then suppressed her sobs and continued:
"I entered the city, but knowing it would be difficult to enter the palace, I came to the imperial court to look for you. I wanted to see Zhenguan, but I learned that she had gone on a western expedition a few days ago. Unfortunately, I didn't run into her on the way, so I can only wait for you to come."
There are many roads to Xiping Road, so it is not surprising that the two sides missed each other.
Zhao Duan said in a deep voice:
"What secret does the Red Sect Master want you to bring? Is it related to the Mysterious Seal?"
Wenzhu was stunned for a moment and said unexpectedly:
"How do you know? He just wants me to bring you a message."
"What?"
"Xuan Yin and the Dharma King are the same person."
Zhao Duan's pupils suddenly narrowed!
What does this mean? Monk Xuanyin and the Dharma King of the Western Regions are the same person?!
How is that possible?
But if you think about it, why is it impossible?
He and Zhenbao once wondered why Xuanyin could join forces with the Dharma King. This was the only reliable guess they could think of.
It was Xuan Yin, who had not yet entered the celestial realm, who traveled west and took refuge with the Dharma King when he rescued two boxes of scriptures from the main temple in the Western Regions.
However, this guess has a logical bug, namely:
After becoming the abbot of Shenlong Temple, Xuanyin was promoted to a celestial being.
He has become a being more powerful than the King of Dharma, so how could he still be manipulated?
And considering that Xuan Yin once created an incarnation of the "Leader of the God of Law Sect", he had also reached the level of a half-step celestial being.
So... is there a possibility:
Xuan Yin, who entered the Western Regions that year, had long since died, and his body was replaced by the Dharma King?
Even thinking deeper, is it possible that Xuan Yin was actually an "incarnation" created by the Dharma King?
Gradually growing up in Shenlong Temple?
This would perfectly explain why Xuan Yin was able to enter the Western Regions twice in his life and remain safe and sound, and now he has even joined forces with the King of Dharma.
Only then can it explain why Xuan Yin secretly instructed Master Da Jing to assassinate Zhao Du'an and then fled to the Western Regions, creating the illusion of "defection".
Because although the East and West Buddhism seem to be "divided", in fact the leader has long been one person.
"Envoy? Envoy?" Princess Wenzhu called out softly when she saw him in a trance.
Zhao Duan came back to his senses, stopped his flustered state, took a deep breath, and asked with a serious look:
"What else did the Red Sect Master say?"
Princess Wenzhu recalled and said:
"He also said that the current war in Xipingdao is what the Dharma King, or rather Xuanyin, wants to see. The purpose is not to seize territory, but the war itself is suspected to help the Dharma King and Xuanyin merge into one."
So strange? Could it be some kind of promotion ceremony? Zhao Duan felt breathless. He stood up and paced around the room.
Keep sorting out your thoughts.
Obviously, if this news is true, combined with what Zhang Yanyi said before, he had a premonition that a "human immortal" would appear in the West.
Then, under the catalysis of this war, the fusion of Xuan Yin and Dharma King should be the truth of promotion to human immortal.
"I understand." Zhao Duan stopped and turned to look at the weak princess lying on the bed.
"You can rest in the government office first. I will report this matter to His Majesty."
After saying this, he left the exhausted Wenzhu and walked out quickly.
Went out the door.
Ma Yan, Haitang and others gathered around: "How is it?"
Zhao Duan pretended to be calm:
"I understand what happened. It involves some military matters concerning Xiping Road. I will report it to His Majesty. Princess Wenzhu will be kept in the government office for now. Please protect her and keep no strangers from coming into contact with her."
Ma Yan's thin face was solemn: "Okay. Go ahead and don't worry."
No... What do you mean I can go without worry? Can you speak... Zhao Duan used complaints to relieve the heaviness in his heart.
After leaving the yamen, he rode a fast horse and quickly rushed to the palace.
This matter is of great importance, and there is no time to help the Empress to calm down.
But when he arrived at the palace, he could not find the Empress. When he chased her to the Martial Arts Hall, the Sea Honorer who was in charge of the palace heard his purpose and pointed at the old building:
"You are one step too late. His Majesty has already 'left'."
…
…
The Western Regions, the ancestral home of Buddhism.
Inside a towering gilded temple, in a large hall painted in vibrant colors, Xuan Yin, dressed in brown monk robes and with a hunched figure, was kneeling on the ground, chanting scriptures with his eyes closed.
Suddenly, the hall door banged open, and in the sunlight, Bian Ji walked in, dragging his white monk's robes behind him. "Abbot, the Red Sect master has returned. Should we bring him in?"
"kindness."
Bian Ji turned around and waved outside.
After a while, two muscular monks, with half of their arms showing muscular lines, dragged an old man wearing a red cassock in from the left and right, like dragging a dead dog.
He threw the old man to the ground and then turned and left silently.
Xuan Yin opened his eyes, slowly stood up, turned around, and looked down at the old man lying on the ground.
The Red Sect master was covered in wounds, his legs were broken, and a huge wooden nail painted with gold was pierced through the center of his qi sea. His injuries were horrific.
However, the Red Sect Master still slowly, with the last of his strength, sat up little by little, and met Xuan Yin's cold, almost inhuman eyes.
"You betrayed the Buddha." Xuan Yin spoke coldly, as if judging.
The Red Sect Master shook his head and said weakly but firmly:
"I have never betrayed you. It is you who have betrayed the true meaning of the Buddha and strayed from the path of Maya."
He seemed to still be smiling. Even though his face was covered in blood, it still had a pious glow on it. He murmured:
"Shenlong Temple inherited the legacy of Maya Xingshi from a thousand years ago, but you usurped it all. It was you who betrayed the Buddha."
Xuan Yin said indifferently: "Tell me, what do you know?"
The Red Sect master smiled and took off the blood-stained Buddhist beads from his neck bit by bit with trembling hands. He put his hands together, wrapped the Buddhist beads around his neck, and closed his eyes.
He refused to answer.
Bian Ji on the side could not help but say:
"Abbot, I will take him to the Law Enforcement Hall for torture."
"No need," Xuan Yin shook his head.
"He won't tell. Go out and close the door."
Bian Ji was stunned for a moment, not understanding what was going on. He wanted to ask something, but before he could say anything, Xuan Yin gave him a look that forced him back.
Bian Ji felt timid and suddenly felt that the abbot in front of him was becoming more and more unfamiliar, and more and more... afraid of him!
When did it start? It seems like it started when we arrived at the main hall.
Bian Ji left and closed the palace door.
The sunlight faded, and only candlelight remained burning in the hall.
Xuan Yin walked towards the Red Sect Master who was sitting cross-legged in meditation and said:
"Since you are so pious, I will send you to see the Buddha."
He suddenly pounced on the Red Sect Master, opened his mouth, and bit the Red Sect Master's neck fiercely, tearing off a piece of flesh. Blood spurted out. Xuan Yin swallowed the flesh and blood into his stomach mouthful by mouthful, first the neck, then the shoulders, and then the chest...
The Red Sect master died silently.
And in the depths of the dim hall, a tall lotus platform appeared at some point.
On the lotus platform, a huge cassock inlaid with hundreds of colorful rare gems was spread on the platform, and the cassock was draped on a solemn and dignified monk.
The monk wears a crown, holds a Zen staff in one hand and a prayer wheel in the other.
It was the Dharma King of the Western Regions.
But at this moment, a smile slowly appeared on the Dharma King's middle-aged face, and that face looked more and more like Xuan Yin.
…
…
Tianshi Mansion, outside the gate.
"Brother Zhao? We were just talking about you, and you're here."
Gongshu Tianyuan laughed heartily and was the first to come out from the door.
He was assigned to look after the house and therefore missed the trip to the southwest.
After the old Taoist priest and his companions came back, Gongshu Tianyuan grabbed the other disciples and questioned them relentlessly. When he learned about the great things they had accomplished in the past four days, he couldn't help but feel envious and jealous, and resented why he couldn't participate.
"Ah, this is Miss Tuoba, right?"
Gongshu Tianyuan enthusiastically extended his broad palm to the female priest in the black cloak.
Tuoba Weizhi had no expression on his face: "Haha."
Gongshu Tianyuan: “…”
At this time, Yuxiu, Jinjian, and Han Zhao also came out to greet them. The female Taoist nun raised her eyebrows:
"Why are you here again so soon? Did something happen?"
Zhao Duan nodded: "I want to see the Heavenly Master."
Several people looked at each other, and they all saw the seriousness in his tone. They all perked up and immediately took the master and servant to Zhang Yanyi's yard.
But when the group pushed open the gate to the deep courtyard, they were all stunned.
In the quiet courtyard, Zhang Yanyi was standing under a big banyan tree with his hands behind his back, looking up at the treetop with a serious expression.
The big banyan tree, which should be lush and green in spring, now still has half of its crown lush and full of vitality.
But the other half of the tree canopy was like late autumn, with leaves all golden yellow. When the spring breeze blew through the yard, the golden leaves fell to the ground and covered the ground.
There is a feeling of loneliness and desolation.
"this……"
Zhao Duan was startled, and for no apparent reason, he felt a strong sense of unease. He didn't know what this meant, but his intuition told him that the strange phenomenon before him was definitely not a good thing.
"Master, what's wrong with the banyan tree?!" Gongshu Tianyuan widened his eyes and acted as a mouthpiece.
Han Zhao, who was standing by, changed his usual frivolous look and became more serious than ever:
"Qi. The Qi of the Tianshi Mansion lineage is declining."
Zhao Duan looked at him: "What do you mean?"
The priest who specialized in [Fate] said solemnly:
"This banyan tree was planted by the first generation of Tianshi when Tianshi Mansion was established. It is said that the first generation of Tianshi brought it back from the Mubei Forest. At that time, it was only a small sapling as thick as a thumb. It took nearly a thousand years for it to grow into what it is today. The roots of the banyan tree have long been connected to the energy channels of the entire Tianshi Mansion.
The connection here is not the water and soil, but destiny.
If the banyan tree is flourishing, the fortune of Tianshi Mansion is flourishing. If the banyan tree is withering, it indicates that the fortune of Tianshi Mansion is in danger.
Six hundred years ago, when Tianshu destroyed Buddhism, it withered once."
Is this really the case? Zhao Duan was surprised and said subconsciously:
"Is it because a large number of priests from the Tianshi Mansion went to Xipingdao and fought against the Buddhist sect, resulting in casualties?"
Zhang Yanyi spoke at this moment:
"This is just one of the reasons. The battle situation in Xipingdao is certainly dangerous, but it would never cause the banyan tree to change so quickly. Therefore, there is only one truth."
He turned around and looked at Zhao Duan:
"The danger foretold by the Heavenly Book is getting closer to us. It may be more urgent than I previously anticipated."
Zhao Duan's heart moved, and he said with an ugly face:
"I just got some information about Xuan Yin and the Dharma King."
Then, he did not hide anything and told the information that the Red Sect master had given him before his death.
The Dharma King Xuanyin is actually one person?!
Upon hearing this, the expressions of several priests, including Zhang Yanyi, changed drastically.
"So that's how it is, so that's how it is..." Zhang Yan murmured:
"It matches. The signs match."
He suddenly looked at Zhao Duan and said in a deep voice:
"We are running out of time and must act quickly."
The half-withered banyan tree looked like a precarious progress bar, making everyone's heart tense.
Zhao Duan took a deep breath and nodded:
"I understand, so I plan to rest for only one day. Tomorrow we will open the second door and collect the keys as soon as possible. We can't delay any longer."
…
at the same time.
Outside the Thousand Islands of the East China Sea, a storm is brewing on the sea.
Wu Xiankui was wearing hemp shoes, his long hair with black and white mixed together was draped over his shoulders in a messy manner. He walked on the waves, and a red mark between his eyebrows flickered.
He was alone, looking up at the violent hurricane and dark clouds on the sea, feeling the power of the "God of the Sea".
Wu Xiankui coughed up a mouthful of blood, wiped it with his hand, pursed his lips, and stepped into the storm.
(End of this chapter)
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