The state of Xu Qi An was like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone’s hearts, causing the heightened atmosphere to subside and the cheers to gradually fade away.
“That young monk on the mountainside is the one who sat at the Heroes’ Platform in the Southern City for half a month.”
“It’s said he has the invincible vajra body of the Buddhist sect. Indeed, he was undefeated. In those five days, many heroes and gallants challenged him on the platform, but none could break through his golden body.”
At this moment, the citizens of the capital and the visiting jianghu martial artists recalled the fear instilled by Net Si’s vajra body. They remembered how formidable this handsome young monk was.
Some citizens who didn’t live in the Southern City and weren’t familiar with the situation asked about it, and their reactions were intense:
“Is this true? Don’t spread baseless rumors. Market gossip tends to exaggerate; it’s not reliable.”
“It’s not an exaggeration. I also know that a few days ago, an extremely skilled swordsman took action. They say he summoned pebbles as swords, which was quite impressive. But he still lost to this young monk.”
“The Buddhist sect is too strong. In comparison, our people seem to be struggling, facing numerous difficulties.”
The capital’s citizens felt discouraged.
From the arena battles and dharma teachings of Net Si and Net Chen to last night’s manifestation of the dharma body, the Buddhist sect had made a tremendous impact on the capital’s citizens, leaving a deep impression of their strength.
…
“This poor monk remembers that Xu Ning Yan’s ultimate skill is the ‘Heaven and Earth Slash.’ Does he still have the strength to deliver another slash?” Number Six Heng Yuan shook his head, clasped his hands together, and sighed softly:
“The second stage, the Vajra Formation, is where the real martial combat begins. He only has the power for one slash, yet he exhausted his strength in the Eight Sufferings Formation.”
Chu Yuan Zhen couldn’t help but laugh, “Number Six, you’re too rigid in your thinking.”
Heng Yuan frowned, not understanding.
Chu Yuan Zhen didn’t explain, but continued, “However, unless he can deliver a second slash to break through the Eight Sufferings Formation, he won’t be able to break Net Si’s golden body no matter what.”
…
Inside the pavilion, an intense debate was unfolding.
“If he lacks strength, he can rest. There’s no time limit for this dharma battle. As long as Xu Qi An can deliver a slash as powerful as the previous one, breaking through the Vajra Formation won’t be a problem.”
As soon as a noble expressed his opinion, it immediately drew rebuttals from others.
The one refuting Duke Wei Hai was also a noble with considerable cultivation: “Does Duke Wei Hai believe that mere seventh-grade martial artist could deliver such a slash as we just witnessed?”
The surrounding dignitaries and officials listened attentively to the two men’s debate.
Princess Biao Biao waved her hand and said in a crisp voice, “Duke Wei Hai, Earl Ping Ding, please explain more clearly. What are the chances of that dog… I mean, Xu Qi An breaking through the Vajra Formation?”
Earl Ping Ding, a man in his early forties and his prime, with a burly physique and tiger-like eyes full of spirit, heard the Second Princess’s question. He stood up, cupped his hands, and said:
“Your Highness, in my view, that Xu Qi An has no chance of victory.”
Princess Biao Biao frowned slightly, “Why do you say that?”
Earl Ping Ding sighed and said, “Xu Qi An is only a seventh-grade martial artist, while Monk Net Si’s golden body couldn’t be broken even by Chu Yuan Zhen. How could he possibly succeed?”
A civil official frowned and spoke up, “Earl Ping Ding may not know, but although Xu Qi An is in seventh grade, his strength is formidable. He has a record of breaking through the bronze skin and iron bones of sixth-grade martial artists twice.”
Earl Ping Ding shook his head, “The Buddhist sect’s invincible vajra body is not comparable to a martial artist’s bronze skin and iron bones. Moreover, this young monk has been stationed in the Southern City for half a month. If Xu Qi An could win, why has he been holding back all this time?”
The civil official who had spoken up nodded. Earl Ping Ding was a noble who had participated in the Mountain and Sea Campaign twenty years ago. His judgment wouldn’t be poor. If he said so, it was likely to be true.
Princess Biao Biao thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with a rebuttal. So she angrily said, “Earl Ping Ding, how can you boost others’ morale while dampening our own? What benefit is there to you if Xu Qi An loses?”
Earl Ping Ding helplessly said, “I’m not boosting others’ morale, Your Highness. Xu Qi An represents the Astronomical Bureau in this dharma battle, which is also representing the court. I too hope he can win, but… the chances are too slim.”
It’s worth noting that most of the civil officials and ladies present were laypeople. When they saw Xu Qi An break through the formation with one slash earlier, their confidence had soared, and smiles had bloomed on the faces of the beautiful ladies.
But now, after hearing the analysis of Earl Ping Ding, an insider, the officials and ladies realized that the situation was not as optimistic as they had thought.
Duke Wei Hai snorted and said loudly, “Earl Ping Ding, how do you know Xu Qi An can’t deliver a second slash?”
At this moment, Monk Net Chen, who had been meditating silently, spoke up, “That previous slash must have been with borrowed power from the Director. Otherwise, how could a seventh-grade martial artist deliver such a terrifying blade qi?”
“The physical strength of a seventh-grade martial artist is limited. How could he withstand such a power infusion again?”
Earl Ping Ding shook his head; this was also what he wanted to say.
The various pavilions fell silent. The civil and military officials lowered their heads to drink, while the ladies deliberately turned their heads away, not looking at the Buddhist monks.
There was nothing more to say, but they were still unconvinced in their hearts.
“Father, what do you think?” Miss Wang smiled and looked at the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Wang said calmly, “Observe more, speak less. It’s too early to conclude at this point.”
Even though he was convinced in his heart that Xu Qi An would have difficulty winning the dharma battle and had already started considering the next candidate, after being proven wrong earlier, Prime Minister Wang wouldn’t make hasty judgments again.
As the dignified Prime Minister, he wouldn’t stumble twice in the same place.
“I have an idea,” Miss Wang smiled and looked towards Monk Net Chen, saying loudly, “Venerable Master, the Eight Sufferings Formation is used by high Buddhist monks to temper their Buddha’s heart and has nothing to do with combat power. Even high-grade martial artists would find it difficult to easily break through the formation, is that correct?”
Monk Net Chen nodded, “Rather than letting a high-grade martial artist enter the formation, it would be better to find a child.”
Miss Wang smiled gracefully, “Earlier, Master Du E said that Great Liang has three chances, is that right?”
“Of course.”
Miss Wang’s delicate and gentle face broke into a bright smile, “Now that the Eight Sufferings Formation has been broken, even if Xu Qi An is exhausted and unable to pass the Vajra Formation if the court sends a high-grade martial artist to break through the formation, can that golden vajra on the mountainside stop them?”
Monk Net Chen was stunned, then frowned and remained silent.
Everyone’s eyes lit up, feeling a sudden enlightenment, with various thoughts arising.
As for why the Director had chosen a seventh-grade Constable for the dharma battle, no one knew the reason and was secretly puzzled. Now that they had seen Xu Qi An break through the Eight Sufferings Formation, and Miss Wang had pointed out the key issues.
Everyone’s thoughts suddenly opened up.
“So Xu Qi An was just a vanguard? Can we bring him out now and replace him with a high-grade martial artist to break through the formation?”
“Hmm, when it comes to high-grade martial artists, the capital has plenty. It should be possible to break through the Buddhist golden body.”
“If we’re talking about martial artists, our King of the Northern Border is undoubtedly the number one in Great Liang.”
The topic gradually shifted to the King of the Northern Border.
Miss Wang had stolen the spotlight. She casually glanced towards the area where the Night Watchers were, and seeing that Xu Xin Nian was also looking at her, her heart leaped with joy.
Before their gazes could meet, Miss Wang discreetly shifted her gaze away.
“Was that lady who just spoke from Prime Minister Wang’s family? It seems to be his daughter…” Xu Xin Nian withdrew his gaze with disdain. He had a poor impression of the Wang family.
Because the Wang faction and the Wei faction were political enemies, and the Wang faction had repeatedly persecuted his elder brother, Xu Xin Nian kept all this in mind.
He had long considered the Wang faction as his future imaginary enemy.
“The King of the Northern Border is hailed as the most talented martial artist in Great Liang in the past two hundred years. It’s a pity he’s not in the capital, otherwise these monks wouldn’t dare to be so arrogant,” Xu Xin Nian heard the woman beside him comment.
“This woman knows quite a lot. Her knowledge is not something an ordinary housewife can compare to. I wonder where my elder brother met such a married woman,” Xu Xin Nian thought to himself.
“My elder brother is also a martial arts prodigy,” Xu Ling Yue said.
The woman smiled without arguing.
But Xu Ling Yue heard the meaning behind the smile. It was a reluctance to argue, like someone who holds the truth and disdains to argue with someone who is forcing an argument.
…
On Buddha Mountain.
Xu Qi An rested for a moment, then continued to climb the steps. He encountered no more barriers along the way and came directly to Monk Net Si.
At this time, Net Si’s entire body was as if cast in gold, emitting faint golden light.
How enviable, if I could learn this kind of divine skill, my whole body would be golden… A phrase naturally popped into Xu Qi An’s mind: Golden spear never falls!
“Master Net Si!”
Xu Qi An stopped and sat down on the steps below, saying, “May I rest for a while?”
Monk Net Si sat cross-legged, smiled, and nodded, “The benefactor may take his time to regulate his breath.”
Xu Qi An raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll deliver another slash?”
Monk Net Si smiled and said, “Benefactor’s meridians are currently burning like fire. Can you still withstand that power from earlier?”
“It’s not a question of whether I can withstand it or not, it’s just that the skill needs to cool down,” Xu Qi An grinned.
The body was like a container that had overloaded with external power, and now it had entered a sage time. But this was only one of the reasons. Another reason was that he could no longer mobilize the power of all living beings.
It was as if he could only pick up money once a day and had to wait until tomorrow to continue collecting gold. That’s why he said the skill needed to cool down.
Using Number Four’s secret method to mobilize the power of all living beings… The secret method should only be a means, the core of the problem lies in myself, that I can mobilize the power of all living beings… I suspect this is an upgraded version of my strange luck… Monk Shen Shu knows about this ability of mine, so naturally, the Director also knows… I remember Monk Shen Shu once said that he and I are the same kind of person, and even his parasitism in my body is for this reason… This is a bit terrifying when you think about it!
Xu Qi’an thought to himself.
“Has the Master been a monk since childhood?” Xu Qi An chatted casually.
Monk Net Si nodded.
“Does the Master practice Chan or martial arts?”
“Both Chan and martial arts,” Net Si replied.
There’s even such a thing as dual cultivation of Chan and martial arts? This young monk’s talent is quite astonishing… Xu Qi An nodded and said, “I’ve heard that Buddhism emphasizes first entering the world, then leaving it. Master has been a monk since childhood, without even having a family, so what world are you leaving?”
Monk Net Si heard that Xu Qi An wanted to debate Buddhist doctrine with him. Unafraid, he said, “Leaving the world refers to shaving off the hair of worries and entering the gate of emptiness. The benefactor need not quibble over words.
“This poor monk has practiced Buddhist doctrine since childhood, walked through the Western Regions, tasted all the sufferings of the human world, and also experienced all eight sufferings of life.”
What bullshit about experiencing all eight sufferings of life, you haven’t even experienced a mortgage, car loan, or sky-high bride price, and you dare to talk about experiencing all eight sufferings of life in front of me?
Xu Qi An complained inwardly.
“What does the Master think of the color of women?” Xu Qi An asked.
“A knife that scrapes the bone!” Monk Net Si evaluated succinctly.
“It’s too early to say that. Master has never touched the color of women, how do you know it’s not the most wonderful thing in the world?”
Their conversation was heard word for word by the onlookers.
“Wasn’t it supposed to be the Vajra Formation? How did it turn into a discussion about Buddhist doctrine?”
“Where is this talking about Buddhist doctrine? They’re talking about women. This official’s words are indeed pearls of wisdom, speaking right to my heart.”
The men unanimously revealed “hehe” smiles.
The women blushed and secretly spat.
“Oh my, how can that dog slave talk such nonsense.” Princess Biao Biao’s cheeks reddened, and she lowered her head slightly.
“Mother, elder brother is becoming more and more improper,” Xu Ling Yue stomped her foot.
Aunt remained silent, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Second Uncle Xu felt both embarrassed and ashamed. What nonsense was this kid talking about? This place was full of dignitaries and officials, with tens of thousands of citizens watching. Some words that are inappropriate for such an occasion shouldn’t be uttered.
…
“This poor monk indeed has not experienced the color of women, but women’s charm is as fierce as a tiger. This is something passed down by generations of high monks. Benefactor, please don’t force an argument,” Net Si remained unmoved.
“As the saying goes, ‘How can one catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger’s lair!'” Xu Qi An retorted.
Net Si was stunned, “What does the benefactor mean by this?”
Xu Qi An fell silent.
“‘How can one catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger’s lair’… What does this have to do with female charm?”
“Perhaps there’s some profound meaning in it that we can’t fathom?”
The onlookers were puzzled.
…
“Then this official has a few questions to ask the Master,” Xu Qi An stared at him and sneered, “Have you ever supported your parents? Have you ever painstakingly managed a household? Have you ever shouldered a hoe to farm?
“The Buddhist sect doesn’t engage in production, chanting sutras and reciting Buddha’s name all day, needing devotees to support them. This official asks you, what sutras do you chant, what Buddha do you recite?
“You claim to have experienced the sufferings of all living beings by taking a bystander’s stance and walking through the human world? Of the eight sufferings of life, you, Net Si, have only experienced birth. You haven’t experienced any of the others.
“You’re nothing but a fake monk.”
Net Si pondered for a long time before answering, “Buddha observes all in the world, naturally understanding the sufferings of the world.”
“Good!”
Xu Qi An nodded, drew his black gold long blade, and cut a bloody wound on his arm. Covering the wound, he looked at Net Si:
“Does the Master think I’m in pain?”
“With a blade cutting the flesh, how could there be no pain?” Net Si put his palms together.
“Then do you know how much pain I’m in?” Xu Qi An asked again.
Net Si fell silent. With his vajra body protecting him, blades couldn’t harm him, so he indeed couldn’t answer.
“Master, don’t you understand yet?” Xu Qi An sighed, “This is what you call ‘observing’. You only know I’m in pain, but you don’t know how much pain I’m in. You only know about the sufferings of the human world, but you don’t know exactly how much suffering there is.
“If you can’t even experience the suffering of all living beings, how can you talk about saving them all? Isn’t that a joke? Let me tell you a story.”
Net Si didn’t speak but assumed a listening posture.
“One year, there was a great drought across the land. The common people had no rice to eat, and countless starved to death. A young master from a wealthy merchant family heard of this and said something in surprise. Do you know what he said, Master?”
Net Si asked, “What did he say?”
Xu Qi An stared at the young monk Net Si, revealing a mocking smile, and said word by word: “Why – don’t – they – eat – meat – porridge?”
Monk Net Si was struck as if by lightning, his pupils slightly dilated, his expression dumbfounded.
“Well said!”
“That young monk is speechless, look, the young monk is speechless.”
The crowd outside cheered loudly.
Monks are best at debating Buddhist concepts and speaking Chan, able to talk eloquently, and no one can outargue them. Yet Xu Qi An’s words left the young monk from the Western Regions speechless.
This feeling of defeating them in the field where the Buddhist sect excels the most was even more satisfying for the onlookers than the slash Xu Qi An had delivered earlier.
Morale soared.
The court officials watched silently. Verbal sparring couldn’t break the Vajra Formation, so they waited to see what Xu Qi An’s purpose was.
At this moment, Xu Qi An threw the black gold long blade in front of Monk Net Si and said in a deep voice, “Master, if you think what I said is wrong, if you think you can truly experience the sufferings of the common people, why don’t you try it?”
Net Si raised his head and mumbled, “Try it?”
Xu Qi An nodded, “Remove your invincible vajra body, make a cut on your arm, and you’ll understand my pain, understand true Buddhist dharma, rather than ‘why don’t they eat meat porridge’.”
“No, no…” Net Si shook his head as if trying to convince himself not to try, “If I remove the invincible Vajra body, I’ll lose.”
“Monks are supposed to be free from worldly attachments, yet Master is so fixated on winning and losing. You’ve already fallen to a lower level,” Xu Qi An gently persuaded:
“You may lose one dharma battle, but Master will see a broader sky and experience true Buddhist dharma. Which is lighter and which is heavier, Master should consider for yourself.”
Monks should be free from worldly attachments, and shouldn’t be fixated on winning or losing… Why don’t they eat meat porridge, why don’t they eat meat porridge… Monk Net Si’s expression gradually became complex, showing signs of struggle and conflict. He slowly reached out and grasped the black gold long blade.
Xu Qi An’s mouth curved slightly.
“So that’s it,” Chu Yuan Zhen praised, “Net Si has practiced in the Buddhist sect since childhood. Perhaps his Buddhist dharma is profound, but he lacks the experience tempered in the mortal world. This is his weakness. Xu Ning Yan is indeed clever.”
Net Si was like a talented young master from a prestigious family, cultivating within the clan since childhood. He had strength but an imperfect mindset, lacking experience and tempering.
“Amitabha,” Heng Yuan chanted the Buddha’s name, feeling melancholy in his heart.
He thought of his junior disciple Heng Hui, whom he had raised. Heng Hui was also an extremely talented Buddhist disciple but lacked worldly experience. He developed worldly desires, which led to great calamity.
Well done! The civil officials’ eyes lit up, secretly cheering.
Attacking the city is inferior, attacking the mind is superior. This move subtly aligns with military strategy, reaching the pinnacle of ingenuity.
Compared to mere fighting, Xu Qi An’s method of breaking the Vajra Formation resonated more with the civil officials.
They couldn’t help but think again: What a pity this young man doesn’t study!
Instinctively, the next thought arose: Xu Ping Zhi is unworthy of being a father.
Prime Minister Wang nodded secretly. Xu Qi An’s move gave him a sense of sudden enlightenment. This was a countermeasure he hadn’t thought of before.
During the tax silver case, he didn’t know about Xu Qi An. He only truly paid attention to him after the Sang Po case. Suddenly, he realized that this young man’s prospects were limitless.
It’s a pity he’s Wei Yuan’s man. In the future, he can only be an enemy, not an ally.
At that moment, accompanied by the chanting of Buddha’s name, a voice echoed in the sky: “Net Si, you’re being attached.”
This sentence resounded in everyone’s ears while also entering the scroll, echoing beside Monk Net Si’s ears.
The handsome young monk was as if waking from a dream. He withdrew his hand as if electrified, quickly put his palms together, and kept chanting the Buddha’s name.
Gradually, his eyes regained clarity.
“Outrageous!”
Prime Minister Wang threw down his cup and stood up, furious, “Arhat Du E, can’t the Buddhist sect accept defeat?”
Behind Wei Yuan, the nine Golden Gong Constables stood up simultaneously, gripping their sword hilts.
Monk Net Chen said calmly, “If the Director can assist secretly, why can’t the Buddhist sect?”
He was insisting that Xu Qi An’s earlier slash was secretly assisted by the Director, or that some corresponding method had been planted in his body in advance.
Prime Minister Wang sneered, “Does the Buddhist sect dictate the principles of this world? You say the Director helped, so the Director helped?”
The dignitaries and nobles showed angry expressions but generally remained restrained. The onlooking commoners and the arrogant jianghu martial artists weren’t so controlled. A wave of angry shouts erupted, and some even tried to rush the imperial guards.
“Shameless bald donkeys, this is cheating. We don’t care, the Vajra Formation has already been broken.”
“If the mighty Buddhist sect is so shameless, even if they win today’s dharma battle, we won’t acknowledge it.”
“…”
Arhat Du E ignored the sky-shaking abuse. He glanced at Net Chen and said calmly, “You’re also being attached.”
“Disciple knows his fault,” Net Chen lowered his head.
…
The monks outside can hear my conversation with Net Si… How can this be? The dharma battle includes both verbal and physical contests, each relying on one’s abilities. For outsiders to forcefully intervene is too much… Xu Qi An was secretly annoyed.
He immediately stopped talking and sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing.
A quarter of an hour later, Xu Qi An opened his eyes, picked up the black gold long blade, and sheathed it.
Gripping the sword hilt, Xu Qi An said loudly, “I will only strike once. After this strike, life or death is on your head.”
His voice transmitted to the outside through the scroll.
Only one strike?!
Whether laymen or experts, commoners or nobles, upon hearing this, all found it incredible.
Was it just angry words?
Xu Qi An settled all his emotions, retracted all his aura, and the energy in his body collapsed inward. His dantian was like a black hole. This was the essential charging process for the Heaven and Earth Slash.
Since you’re cheating, don’t blame me for using my trump card… He closed his eyes, his spiritual power synchronously collapsing and retracting, connecting to a vast blood energy within his body.
That was Monk Shen Shu’s essence blood.
On the way back to the capital from Yun Province, Xu Qi An had absorbed this drop of essence blood. He had been revived by the undying warrior’s essence blood, but part of its power remained in his body.
When Xu Qi An saw Arhat Du E letting Net Si enter the formation, he immediately realized that he couldn’t avoid this “vajra” no matter what. With the support of the Buddhist secret realm, the invincible vajra body was impossible for Xu Qi An to break through with his power.
At that time, he was hiding in the Astronomical Bureau and communicated with Monk Shen Shu. The Astronomical Bureau was the territory of the sorcerers, so there was no need to worry about Arhat Du E detecting it.
Monk Shen Shu’s advice was: to mobilize the essence of blood in the body and release this residual, undigested power.
This power wouldn’t expose Monk Shen Shu’s existence. To allow Xu Qi An to absorb the undying essence from the blood, Monk Shen Shu had already erased its “attributes”.
In essence, it was now just the essence condensed by a warrior.
The power settled in his body awakened, permeating Xu Qi An’s limbs and organs, transforming into pure energy.
There was no wind in the Buddhist realm, yet Xu Qi An’s robes billowed as if in a gale. He still kept his eyes closed, like a sleeping overlord slowly awakening.
Even the heaven and earth would tremble at his revival.
“What’s happening? Am I seeing things, or does it feel like the world is shaking?”
“It’s Buddha Mountain, Buddha Mountain is shaking, Buddha Mountain is shaking…”
Outside the scene, someone suddenly shouted in alarm: “It’s Xu Qi An, he’s about to draw his sword.”
No one was blind. They all saw that it was Xu Qi An causing Buddha Mountain to shake.
“Amitabha!”
Net Si made a hand seal, standing firm and motionless. But the clouds in the Buddhist realm moved, sprinkling down fine golden light that merged into his golden body.
Thus, the golden body became even more brilliant and intense, radiating ten thousand rays of light, like the rising sun.
A confrontation of equals!
Princess Huai Qing suddenly stood up, stepped out of the pavilion, and looked up. In her eyes, facing the brilliant golden light, she stared intently, holding her breath.
More people stood up and walked out of the pavilions. They raised their heads, widened their eyes, and even forgot to breathe.
This included Prime Minister Wang.
Wei Yuan slowly stood up, strolled outside the pavilion, and said leisurely, “The great roc rises with the wind in one day, soaring straight up ninety thousand li.”
Was this also within your expectations, Duke Wei?! The Golden Gong Constables looked at his back.
Clang!
The sound of the sword being drawn was like a thunderclap, resounding through heaven and earth.
Never had there been such a sword in the world, so focused on by the masses, tugging at countless hearts.
Never had there been such a resolute sword in the world, as if to cut through everything, preferring to shatter like jade.
Of course, there had never been such a fast sword in the world, too fast for the naked eye to capture.
But the eyes of the crowd outside clearly saw that golden body shatter, saw the layers upon layers of golden light dissipate like mist, as the matchless sword intent drove away the golden light.
This vajra that had remained undefeated for half a month outside the Southern City, that golden body that had been on the minds of the city’s people for five days, finally, was defeated.
On the scene, Xu Qi An stood proudly.
Net Si collapsed, the sword wound on his chest and abdomen reaching the bone, revealing damaged organs. His face was pale, unable to maintain a sitting posture.
Streams of fine golden light regathered, pouring into his wound, and repairing flesh and blood.
“I said, I would only strike once!” Xu Qi An said calmly.
At this moment, tens of thousands in the capital fell silent.
There was about four or five seconds of silence, and then, abruptly, the wave of sound came.
Some screamed, some cheered, and some even had tears in their eyes, washing away days of frustration.
“Our Great Liang is the orthodox of the Nine Provinces, first in the world in civil governance and martial prowess!” a scholar shouted hoarsely.
“Poetry Sage Xu is the pinnacle of martial arts, number one under heaven.”
At this moment, people remembered the words that had come from the secret realm earlier: I will only strike once!
Only now did they understand the confidence and heroic spirit in that sentence.
Emperor Yuan Jing, standing on top of the Star-Observing Tower, faced the wave of sound and saw his subjects boiling with excitement and enthusiasm.
“The Vajra Formation has been broken.”
The old emperor revealed a genuine smile: “Director, you indeed had confidence. Good, very good. Xu Qi An is also very good, not wasting the court’s nurturing.”
“Heroes have always emerged from the young…”
Miss Wang heard her father murmur.
Indeed, he is a remarkable hero… Miss Wang thought to herself. Her gaze swept around, seeing many familiar young ladies from good families gazing at the young man standing proudly on the steps of Buddha Mountain, their eyes entranced.
Among them were even some still-charming noble ladies. Their gazes were full of aggression, burning, staring unblinkingly at that young man.
Even the top scholar isn’t as glorious as him. Miss Wang added in her heart.
Thump thump, thump thump… Princess Biao Biao heard her heartbeat like a drum, more intense than ever in her twenty-some years.
Looking at her gloriously radiant elder brother, even Xu Ling Yue was a bit dazed.
Aunt clicked her tongue, “My lord, after this dharma battle, won’t our doorstep be worn down by matchmakers… My lord?”
Xu Ping Zhi’s eyes were filled with tears, his face full of pride.
Elder brother is getting stronger and stronger. He’s advancing bravely in the martial way. I can’t fall too far behind… Xu Xin Nian secretly clenched his fists.
Even when the King of Huai was young, he wasn’t this dazzling, was he… the old aunt thought.
…
“Master, please rest and recover well.”
Xu Qi An sheathed his sword and continued climbing the mountain.
Traversing through the misty mountain forests for a quarter of an hour, the path suddenly opened up ahead. Jagged rocks were scattered about, vegetation was sparse, and there was a huge bodhi tree. Under the tree sat an old monk.
Xu Qi An knew this was the third stage.
At this point, he had almost reached the mountain top.
After passing this stage, there should be one more stage at the summit, which would be the final stage… Xu Qi An put his palms together: “Master, what shall we compete in for this stage?”
The old monk chanted Buddha’s name and said slowly, “Benefactor, your heart is not calm.”
Starting like an old Zen master right away… Xu Qi An complained inwardly, but asked in return, “Why should it be calm?”
“A calm heart leads to dharma, dharma leads to Buddha, Buddha leads to transcendence from the sea of suffering,” the old monk answered.
“Why transcend the sea of suffering?” Xu Qi An asked again.
“Why not transcend?” the old monk also asked in return.
“Why transcend.” Xu Qi An argued.
“Why not transcend.” The old monk said slowly.
…
“What are they saying?”
“They’re discussing Zen concepts. You don’t understand?”
“You understand? Then tell me.”
“Nonsense, if I could understand, I’d be a high monk. But it’s precisely because we can’t understand that it contains profound mysteries.”
“I see.”
The commoners outside whispered to each other, with various reactions. Some furrowed their brows, chewing over their dialogue word by word, trying to grasp some Zen truth from it.
Some nodded slightly or shook their heads as if they had some understanding.
Then, everyone, from the imperial clan members to the common people, heard Xu Qi An say:
“Master, let’s speak plainly. I was just making things up earlier.”