Volume 1, Chapter 177: Shameless Buddhist Warrior
"The Buddha Bone Relic contains Buddhist mysteries. I could have refined it long ago, but for your sake, I spent extra days tempering a martial art perfect for countering demons and devil cultivators!" Lord Cauldron said proudly.
"Lord Cauldron, don't keep me in suspense—what martial art is it?" Lin Yu asked curiously. A technique that made Lord Cauldron so proud must be extraordinary, at least on par with the Nine Heavens Sword Art or Great Sun Demon-Slaying Sword.
"This secret art is called Great Mercy Demon-Subduing Finger. It specializes in restraining demons and devil cultivators. Master it, and even against a Void Transformation Realm Level 3 fiend, one strike will leave them severely wounded if not killed." Lord Cauldron radiated confidence in the Buddhist technique it had forged.
"That powerful?" Lin Yu was astonished. If true, this finger technique surpassed both the Nine Heavens Sword Art and Great Sun Demon-Slaying Sword.
"Indeed. But against non-demons, its power is weaker, which is why it's tailored for devil cultivators." Lord Cauldron sounded slightly sheepish at the end.
"Perfect! Lord Cauldron, teach me this martial art now!" Lin Yu couldn't wait to practice.
"Right!" Lord Cauldron chuckled. Mysterious characters glowing with golden Buddha light poured into Lin Yu's mind, containing the cultivation secrets of the Great Mercy Demon-Subduing Finger—converting spiritual energy into Buddha light and condensing it into a golden finger ray to subdue demons.
Though not a sword technique, Lin Yu's Saint Emperor Sword Body made cultivating other martial arts easy. However, when he channeled spiritual energy into Buddha light and flicked his finger, the power fell far short of Lord Cauldron's description, leaving him disappointed.
"Lord Cauldron, this isn't as powerful as you said." Lin Yu sighed, thinking Lord Cauldron had misjudged.
"Kid, that's just Basic Buddha Light, not the Great Mercy Demon-Subduing Finger! The key lies in 'Great Mercy'—you must embrace boundless compassion to unleash its power. Buddhist martial arts hinge on 'mercy and compassion,' even in wrathful forms." Lord Cauldron guided him. "Reflect on compassion, then try again."
"Compassion?"
Lin Yu closed his eyes. Rising from a sea of blood, leading armies through dozens of battles, he knew: *Mercy cannot command troops*.
*Their foe is our hero.*
Cruelty to enemies was mercy to allies. On the battlefield, compassion meant slaughtering foes and bringing every soldier home. Even if imperfect, he strove for it.
For ravaging demons, compassion meant eradication. For invading demon tribes, compassion meant annihilation.
His compassion was stopping杀戮 (slaughter) with杀戮—killing one to save thousands.
Eyes opening with confidence, Lin Yu flicked his finger. A golden Buddha light ray sliced through the air, reducing trees to powder.
"Eh! How did you grasp it so quickly?" Lord Cauldron exclaimed.
Lin Yu admired the technique's power. "Lord Cauldron, compassion isn't blind kindness. For me, it's stopping violence with violence. Killing one to save thousands— that's my compassion."
"Excellent! I knew you were a perfect match for this secret art." Lord Cauldron laughed, highly satisfied.
"Amitabha. The technique you just used appears to be of our Buddhist school." A voice like a梵音 (Buddhist chant) echoed from the forest,威严 (majestic). A monk bathed in the lingering golden light of the Great Mercy Finger stepped into view.
The middle-aged monk wore a serene smile and clear eyes, exuding compassion that inspired instant goodwill.
"Who are you?" Lin Yu frowned. Buddhism had vanished from Shenzhou Continent, making this his first encounter with a Buddhist warrior.
"I am Wuxing of the Vinaya School—simply call me Monk Wuxing." Wuxing clasped his hands in greeting, looking sincere. "Would you share that technique? The Vinaya School has many Buddhist arts, but I've never seen this one. It may be a lost secret art. If you return it, I will pray daily for your longevity before the Buddha."
"Wait—return it?" Lin Yu stared in shock. The monk wanted the cultivation method in exchange for prayers? Not only was the technique forged by Lord Cauldron, unrelated to lost Buddhist arts, but no reasonable person would give it up for such a flimsy offer.
Wuxing seemed oblivious to Lin Yu's irritation. "Yes. Since you've mastered it, the Buddha is merciful—we won't reclaim the art itself, just ask you to give it to me to return to the Vinaya School."
"How exactly would you 'reclaim' it?" Lin Yu nearly laughed at the audacity—stealing the technique while pretending to offer leniency.
"Normally, we'd cripple your丹田 (dantian) and meridians to prevent you from using it. But the Buddha wouldn't want you disabled, so we'll forgo that." Wuxing explained earnestly.
"Hehe. What if I refuse?" Lin Yu shook his head. His respect for Buddhists, sparked by their demon-sealing relics in Lanruo Temple, had crumbled in mere sentences.