268

Chapter 268: Merits and Faults, Let the World Judge

Lin Wujing lowered his head slightly and said, "Buddha Lord, he is very stubborn. Under the burning of the Ten Directions Karma Fire, his flesh is already rotting, but he still refuses to speak. Previously, he stayed at the Heavenly Gate Pass for a long time and was closely associated with the Li family's Fist Sage. I suspect that the stolen item might have been given to the Li family."

"The Li family..." The Buddha Lord's eyes seemed to reflect a golden wheel and a bright moon, as if a galaxy was contained within them, dazzling and profound.

"If the Li family had obtained this sacred item, they wouldn't have had to burn their souls and offer sacrifices to their ancestors in the first attack on Qingzhou."

Lin Wujing's eyes flickered, and he said, "Is it possible that they regard this item as a treasure surpassing those ancestral souls? After all, it is something left by a saint. If they can glean even a bit from it, they could attain enlightenment..."

"If it weren't for that young devil star, Li Qianfeng would have practiced under me for ten years and then gone down the mountain to seize the True Dragon position, spreading our Buddhist incense throughout the great states guarded by the Li family, enlightening the world."

The Buddha Lord seemed to sigh lightly, "But everything was disrupted by that devil star. When Li Junye fell, a general star fell, and a devil star rose. This is a calamity for our Dayu Divine Dynasty..."

Lin Wujing's eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment of silence, he said, "If the sacred item is not in the Li family, it is most likely at the Heavenly Gate Pass. But after the devil star's incarnation dissipated, I searched the Heavenly Gate Pass and found no trace of the sacred item unless it is on the devil star himself."

"The thief colluded with the devil star, and the Divine General Mansion's glory has faded. Demons are lurking around. Before the great catastrophe arrives, we must retrieve the sacred item. Only then can our Buddhist sect emerge to save all beings."

The Buddha Lord said.

Lin Wujing nodded slightly, "I will go and try to enlighten him again."

After bidding farewell to the Buddha Lord, Lin Wujing left the Buddha Lord's spirit realm and headed to a secret location in the mountains.

This place was behind Wuliang Mountain, with a winding path leading to a cave. The cave was dimly lit, and following the damp stone slabs straight down, one could hear the sound of water dripping.

At the deepest part was a dungeon, with the sound of chains and a scorching temperature.

In the magma-like fire pool of the dungeon, a figure with tattered clothes was chained. His hands were bound by chains, his feet also shackled, with a heavy iron ball at the end of the chain.

The muscles of his legs were pulled by the chains, the skin torn, and his arms were similarly affected. His hair was disheveled.

In the magma pool below, red snake-like figures swam back and forth. Occasionally, splashes of magma would land on him, burning his flesh and creating white steam and pits.

Seeing Lin Wujing approach with a radiant Buddha glow, the largest red snake in the magma pool crawled out. Its body was covered in fine scales, and it spat out a woman's voice:

"Greetings, Bodhisattva."

Its body prostrated before Lin Wujing, its voice delicate and soft.

Lin Wujing's expression was indifferent. He looked at the chained figure being roasted and said:

"Still refusing to confess? Even the Ten Directions Karma Fire cannot enlighten you. Do you know the weight of your sins?"

The chains jingled lightly as the disheveled figure raised his head slightly, revealing bright and mocking eyes:

"Save your breath. You will never get that item!"

"The Buddha Lord has promised that if you return it, you will be allowed to enter Wuliang Mountain and take refuge in the Buddhist sect. He will also help you cleanse your sins!"

Lin Wujing said coldly, "You are a lonely wanderer who has committed many foolish crimes. Now is the time to repent. With the Buddha Lord's intervention, even the Emperor will show some leniency and pardon your past sins. You can escape the mortal world and no longer be an ordinary person!"

"Hahaha..."

"If I wanted to be an official, why wait until now? If I wanted to be a general, I would have been a marquis long ago!"

The chained figure laughed loudly, "Have you ever heard that fame and fortune are but dust, and wealth and power are but clouds! You bald-headed monks pretend to be righteous, but isn't it all for the incense offerings? You say you don't fight for anything, but you fight fiercely for incense."

"You say you enlighten the world, but without incense money, who pities the common people's hearts?"

"Building golden statues for Buddha while the streets are littered with corpses. I spit on you!"

Hearing his insults, Lin Wujing sneered slightly, "Enlightening the world is the great way of Buddhism! The suffering you see is their own karma, seeking their own suffering. It is their fate's calamity. Your mortal eyes are blinded by illusions. I do not blame you. But now you have a chance to transcend the sea of suffering, and you do not cherish it. How are you different from those ordinary people?"

"I am an ordinary person. Why should I be different?"

The chained figure sneered, "Your preaching can deceive those weak-willed young men, but not me. Living to this age, each of us knows how we see the world. If I could still be deceived by you, I would have lived in vain!"

Lin Wujing's face turned cold, "A mere thief, yet you think you see through the world. It's laughable. You claim to disdain fame and fortune, yet you steal from everywhere."

"Taking others' treasures and harming others for your own gain, there are countless paths in the world, and you chose the most despicable one, yet you act superior. If this is not demonic, what is it?"

The chained figure laughed heartily, "I like to steal, I like to rob, so what? This world is like this. Some rob and become emperors, others fail and become bandits."

"I live my life the way I like. You see me as a thief, I see you as a whore!"

"Merits and faults, let the world judge. Why should I fear?"

Lin Wujing took a deep breath, "I have long known that your demonic nature is deep. Only rebirth can save you! You colluded with the Divine General Mansion, seeking a haven for yourself, but you are wrong. The Divine General Mansion is in trouble and cannot protect you. They will not damage their thousand-year honor for a notorious thief like you!"

The chained figure's laughter stopped, and he focused his eyes, "The Li family is in trouble?"

Lin Wujing sneered, "You can't even protect yourself, and you care about them? Stop pretending to be affectionate. There are no Li family members here. If Li Qianfeng knew of your existence, he would see you as a disgrace to the Divine General Mansion and be the first to kill you!"

The chained figure's eyes flickered, no longer asking.

He knew the other would not answer.

"Though you are a thief, your eyesight is good. You chose the devil child from the Divine General Mansion, who has excellent potential, and approached him. But so what? After the battle in Liangzhou, he has been promoted to a third-rank marquis and a major general, with the rank of a first-rank official!"

Lin Wujing sneered, "So young, yet he has reached the pinnacle of power. In the future, when the Emperor passes the throne, he may even consult him. Do you think he will abandon his glory to plead for you?"

The chained figure froze, then laughed softly, "That's impressive, reaching the pinnacle of power. Truly deserving of him..."

"You only need to hand over the sacred item to be freed immediately. Stop being stubborn. No one will come to save you!"

Lin Wujing shouted angrily.

The chained figure looked up at him and laughed softly, "I don't need them to save me. It's just death. I've experienced the world's beauty, the finest wine, the finest people. So what if I die?"

"You call him a devil child. Haha, you better hope I don't escape. Otherwise, I'll let the world know who the master of the Ancient Demon Palace really is!"

Lin Wujing's face changed slightly, his eyes cold, "Burn him, burn him!"

The magma roared, flames surged, and the chained figure's flesh burned, yet he laughed loudly.

Lin Wujing's eyes were icy, knowing this old fox wouldn't talk unless he experienced extreme pain.

...

In Qingzhou City.

After leaving the Divine General Mansion, Li Hao wandered the streets, buying snacks for Yuyan, Zhu Huo Shen, and himself.

He climbed the mountains to visit old friends.

He shared tea with Song Yufeng in the Tan Palace main hall.

He made a barbecue for Song Qiumo by the green pond.

He played a few games of chess with Shen Yunqing and others.

Many disciples of the Tan Palace visited him for advice, and Li Hao answered casually. To the white hall disciples, Li Hao still seemed like a teacher at the Tan Palace.

This trip to Qingzhou was satisfying for Li Hao. He ate well, drank well, and visited old friends. When he left, he didn't let anyone see him off. After bidding farewell to Song Qiumo, he quietly departed.

Passing by the bustling brothel, he saw the plaque still hanging with the poem he casually recited when drunk.

The youthful spirit in the poem made Li Hao smile, and he left without lingering, flying into the sky.

After leaving the city, not far away, Li Hao's eyes fell on the official road, narrowing slightly before descending.

Landing a short distance from the road, he walked with Zhu Huo Shen.

Ahead was a tea stand. An old man was tidying up, cleaning bowls and wiping the table.

Three horses were tied to a tent beside the stand, with two youths and a middle-aged man drinking tea.

"Do you want tea, sir? The tea here is cheap, and the steamed buns are very good."

The old man at the tea stand called out to Li Hao.

The three others glanced at Li Hao, then at Zhu Huo Shen behind him, and quickly looked away.

They knew better than to provoke someone who looked dangerous.

Li Hao's eyes focused on the old man, "I know the roads in Qingzhou well. How come I haven't seen this tea stand before?"

The old man smiled, "That's interesting, sir. Just because you haven't seen it before doesn't mean you won't in the future."

"When did you arrive?"

Li Hao sat at a table.

"Just a few days ago."

The old man smiled, "I used to be in Liangzhou, but my granddaughter wanted to help, so we moved back here."

Behind the steaming baskets, a young girl stood, dressed in blue, like a summer butterfly. She seemed to be searching for something.

"Grandpa, I can't find the paper."

"Look under the basket."

The old man turned and spoke, then smiled at Li Hao, "What will you have? Two baskets?"

"Hmm."

Li Hao glanced at the girl, who found the paper and smiled.

Noticing his gaze, she looked at him with bright eyes, her skin pale and delicate, her features intelligent and charming.

She stood there, her noble aura contrasting sharply with the simple tea stand.

Li Hao smiled, "Alright."

Previously meeting the old man in Liangzhou, he hadn't found anything unusual, so he let it go.

Now meeting him in Qingzhou, Li Hao sensed something was wrong, but his perception didn't detect any malice.

The girl seemed similar.

"Sir, the tea is clear and refreshing, quite good."

Li Hao said, sipping the tea.

The old man chuckled, "It's clean spring water, naturally fragrant."

The emphasis on "clean" caught Li Hao's attention.

His eyes flickered. The old man showed no demonic aura or killing intent, though odd, he seemed harmless.

Never mind… Li Hao decided not to delve deeper. Living in the world, not everything had to be scrutinized.

The old man returned to making steamed buns, and the girl, with a lively grace, sat at Li Hao's table.

Her smile was natural and warm, "Sir, weren't you afraid of the demons in Qingzhou?"

"You're not afraid, why should I be?" Li Hao replied, sipping his tea.

"We were afraid, but someone cleared them out, so we dared to set up."

"Demons were just dealt with, and you're already out here, quite brave."

"Grandpa says fortune favors the bold. Doing business requires courage."

"That much?"

"Yes."

She pointed up, "Must watch the weather, rain or shine. Competing with nature, with people, you can't be timid."

"Not bad."

Li Hao nodded, appreciating the tea.

Her words hinted at deeper meanings, the sky, the people, the benefits.

They chatted lightly, the tension easing.

"I'm Ying Xiaoxiao, from a noble family. What do I call you?"

"Call me Haotian."

Li Hao studied her reaction.

If she were ordinary, he'd use a pseudonym.

She didn't react much, just asked, "Your surname?"

"I have none."

"Who has no surname?" Ying Xiaoxiao smiled.

"I can live well without one."

If pressed, he could use Li, but that was his past life. In this world, he left it behind.

Her smile faded, understanding something.

"Steamed buns are here, careful."

The old man brought steaming buns.

"Try them, grandpa's good."

Ying Xiaoxiao said, eyes bright with anticipation.

Li Hao smiled, "I know."

He ate, appreciating the unchanged taste.

The old man smiled, pleased.

Li Hao nodded, eating and drinking.

He ordered more for Zhu Huo Shen and Yuyan.

Finished, he left a silver coin, "Hope to eat your buns again."

The old man took it, wiping the table, "Come back anytime."

Li Hao smiled, waved, and walked away.

Others finished and left, heading to Qingzhou.

Only the grandfather and granddaughter remained. The old man sighed, "A young hero. Such talent in a thinly veiled world..."

"He's marked by a saint, no wonder."

Ying Xiaoxiao watched, "He resembles someone from the Heavenly Gate."

"Indeed."

"We visited, but it was just an incarnation, now gone."

She mused, "Could it be a rebirth, more thorough than usual?"

The old man pondered, "Possible but rare. Needs a saint's help, not just skill."

"So let's find out."

The old man hesitated, "He's wary."

"But not meddlesome. And we don't fear him, just curious. The resentment here is gone, time to move on."

The old man smiled wryly, "Keep appearances, no trouble."

"Of course, just curiosity. Others used our name to slay ancient saints; we can play as ancient saints."

He sighed, amused, "Alright, let's see."

They vanished, the tea stand with them.