HomeGuardians of the DafengChapter 80: Pulling the Firewood from Under the Cauldron

Chapter 80: Pulling the Firewood from Under the Cauldron [Part 2]

Bodhisattvas Guangxian and Garuda Tree both frowned. The former closed his eyes, then opened them and said:

“He’s not at Mount Arantha.”

Bodhisattva Liuli’s beautiful eyes flickered. “He was here before the prayer. And I didn’t notice him leave after.”

What method could allow someone to leave silently under the watch of three Bodhisattvas?

Garuda Tree said gravely:

“The Worthy of Offerings Rank!”

Guangxian and Liuli’s eyes narrowed simultaneously, recalling an unpleasant memory—this was a trick commonly used by a certain Buddhist traitor.

If Du’e had used the power of the Worthy of Offerings Rank to create a false body and manipulate it to blend in among the Buddhist monks, he could indeed easily deceive them. A false body created by the Worthy of Offerings Rank could be almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

And they wouldn’t have specifically looked for such subtle differences.

A bad premonition welled up in Guangxian’s heart:

“What does Du’e intend to do?”

Outside the capital.

Du’e sat cross-legged on a nine-petaled lotus platform, riding a golden light rapidly toward the capital.

As he approached, a middle-aged Confucian scholar surrounded by pure qi came to meet him, standing on a disciplined ruler.

The scholar wore a purple robe, his face clear and dignified, with thick brows and bright eyes. His bearing carried natural authority even without anger.

“Arhat Du’e, I’ve been waiting.”

The purple-robed scholar smiled and bowed.

When he smiled, his stern demeanor vanished, replaced by the sophisticated warmth of one well-versed in human relations—his years in officialdom hadn’t been wasted.

Before Du’e could speak, he continued:

“This official is Yang Gong, here by Her Majesty’s command. She ordered that as soon as you arrive, you are to see her immediately.

“What delayed the Arhat?”

Arhat Du’e was fully two quarters late from the appointed time.

Du’e’s expression was grave as he clasped his hands, but remained silent.

He seemed to have no mood for conversation.

At this moment, the disciplined ruler beneath Yang Gong’s feet suddenly broke free from his control, flying up to strike Du’e’s knees.

Yang Gong hurriedly stopped it, apologizing:

“This is my companion artifact. After entering the Transcendent realm, it developed a slight consciousness and likes to hit people…”

*It probably thinks you’re my disciple—when a master asks and gets no answer, it should strike…* Yang Gong explained internally but didn’t speak it aloud.

Artifacts that develop slight consciousness all have the potential to become supreme divine weapons.

Arhat Du’e nodded, indicating he didn’t mind the ruler’s offense.

Yang Gong hesitated several times before saying:

“Not long ago, this official suddenly felt unsettled, as if facing doomsday. What exactly happened in the Western Regions?”

Or rather, what was Buddha’s purpose in holding the Dharma Assembly?

The Confucian system was related to destiny and was particularly sensitive in certain aspects.

Du’e slowly said:

“I don’t know.”

Seeing this, Yang Gong didn’t press further, saying:

“I’ll take the Arhat to see Her Majesty.”

Then, stirring his Noble Qi, he cast the Words Become Reality spell, speaking in a chanting manner:

“Arhat Du’e and I are in the imperial study of the palace.”

Pure light rose from beneath his feet, enveloping Du’e, and both vanished instantly.

Du’e’s vision blurred, then he saw the majestically decorated imperial study with its black tiles and red pillars, and the Great Feng Empress behind her yellow silk desk.

She wore an inner robe of deep red embroidered with golden dragons, covered by a black wide robe similarly embroidered with golden dragons. Her black hair was bound with a golden crown, creating a unique allure that mixed feminine grace with imperial authority.

To her left and right stood Wei Yuan, wearing a cloud-patterned dark blue robe, and Grand Secretary Zhao Shou in his crimson official robes.

All three turned to look at them.

Arhat Du’e clasped his hands:

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Huai Qing returned a cool smile, then asked seriously:

“Did Arhat Du’e witness the Dharma Assembly?”

Du’e countered:

“Has Your Majesty noticed anything unusual?”

Huai Qing slowly nodded, “I was resting in my chambers when I suddenly dreamed of a great Buddha falling onto me.”

She paused, her cool face growing grave, her tone deepening:

“Eyes grew on the Buddha’s body, staring at me coldly; mouths appeared, devouring me bit by bit.”

Even now, recalling this nightmare made her spine chill.

“I am a Transcendent martial artist; I would not have such dreams without reason. Xu Ning Yan once said that those bearing destiny would receive warnings when their nation faces peril. Considering recent developments in the Western Regions, the cause must lie there.”

Zhao Shou agreed:

“It is indeed a destiny warning. Today I too felt deeply unsettled and disturbed.”

Du’e showed understanding as if confirming some inner speculation. He clasped his hands and said:

“This one left Mount Arantha before the Dharma Assembly began. I don’t know the specific situation there, but while traveling to the Central Plains, I suddenly sensed changes in Heaven and Earth…”

He chose his words carefully, explaining as best he could:

“The spiritual power of Heaven and Earth rapidly dissipated, replaced by surging Buddhist power, as if entering the legendary Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.”

Though for someone like him who practiced Buddhist dharma, such a world would be wonderfully perfect, truly a paradise.

Huai Qing exchanged silent glances with Wei Yuan, Zhao Shou, and Yang Gong, all showing confusion mixed with gravity.

“This one turned back to check the situation. Near Mount Arantha, passing by a certain city, I found it empty, without a trace of human life…” At this point, Du’e clasped his hands, his expression compassionate, continuously chanting “Amitabha.”

*No wonder he was late…* Yang Gong frowned:

“Without a trace of human life?”

The other three also furrowed their brows. Though they didn’t fully understand, they sensed the dire situation.

Du’e quickly composed himself and continued:

“Just as I was about to enter the city to investigate, suddenly I saw eyes split open in the city wall. Those eyes held no emotion, not even coldness, but being looked at by them made my hair stand on end with unprecedented fear.

“Strangely, it didn’t harm me, completely ignoring my presence.

“I dared not return to Mount Arantha and hurried straight to the capital.”

Not just Du’e who experienced it firsthand—even the four listeners felt chills run down their spines.

A city becoming empty, and its walls coming alive?

Where did the people go?

Huai Qing thought of her dream, and a thought vaguely emerged.

Zhao Shou asked softly:

“What are Arhat Du’e’s thoughts on this?”

Du’e pondered briefly, then slowly said:

“When we recovered Shen Shu’s head that day, Mount Arantha collapsed into ruins. Yet during the Dharma Assembly, Mount Arantha rose overnight, restored to its original state.

“This one saw with my own eyes, Buddha became the holy mountain.”

Wei Yuan’s pupils contracted slightly.

Huai Qing’s breathing quickened for a moment as she said:

“Those eyes you saw on the city wall—were they Buddha?!”

She spoke her speculation directly.

Members of the Heaven and Earth Society had discussed that battle through the Ground Scripture fragments, commenting on Buddha becoming the holy mountain. At the time, they didn’t understand the principle and merely expressed amazement.

If Buddha could become a mountain, why not a city-state?

No one refuted Huai Qing because they thought the same.

“Lord Wei, Secretary Zhao, what do you think?” Huai Qing looked at the two current pillars of the court.

Though she was clever and intelligent, in these matters she was still an inexperienced young woman.

These changes in the Western Regions were both expected and unexpected.

Expected because they knew something would happen, unexpected because the situation exceeded their understanding—Huai Qing didn’t even fully grasp the specific circumstances.

Wei Yuan shook his head:

“This matter sounds too extraordinary; this official finds it hard to conclude.”

Zhao Shou agreed with Wei Yuan and added:

“The situation is unclear; we need to send people to investigate. Arhat Du’e, you said earlier that Buddha… let’s assume it was Buddha for now… didn’t harm you?”

Du’e nodded.

Zhao Shou said:

“Perhaps this was because of your Buddhist background. Would you be willing to go to the Western Regions to investigate further? Rest assured, we will provide you with plenty of artifacts, including pages inscribed with Words Become Reality spells, teleportation jade tokens, and more to ensure your safety.”

Du’e didn’t hesitate:

“I will!”

Zhao Shou then looked at the Empress and said:

“Your Majesty, immediately summon the officials, appoint Du’e as Imperial Preceptor, and declare Mahayana Buddhism the state religion.

“Though we don’t know what Buddha intends, the Transcendents’ competition for destiny is undeniable. Weakening Buddha’s destiny can’t hurt.”

Du’e praised:

“Excellent!”

Overseas, two figures streaked across the horizon, bringing sonic booms.

The figures descended from the sky, suddenly halting just before entering the sea, dispersing all momentum.

But the strong wind they carried pressed against the sea surface, forming ripples several meters in diameter.

Xu Qi An turned his head to look at the Nine-Tailed Fox wearing Mu Nan Zhi’s dress, saying gravely:

“I choose you! Go forth, Realm Lord!”

The silver-haired enchantress gave him a sidelong glance, saying plaintively:

“You won’t marry me, yet you want me to brave danger for you.”

Her hair was like snow, her skin fairer than snow—this bewitching temptress, with her complexion, gave off an impression of pure nobility.

Xu Qi An extended his divine sense to probe the sea while saying:

“Speak properly!”

The Nine-Tailed Fox gave him a “hmph.”

Soon after, Xu Qi An withdrew his divine sense and said:

“No anomalies detected. Let’s go down and look.”

He leaped into the sea first.

With a “splash,” water sprayed up and he disappeared beneath the blue waves.

The Nine-Tailed Fox gracefully jumped, following him into the ocean.

In the Hall of Golden Chimes.

Upon the dragon throne, Huai Qing sat majestically in her dragon robes. Her phoenix eyes, refined brows, high straight nose, and red lips—her originally cool temperament became majestic and cold after donning the dragon robes.

The court officials stood holding their ivory tablets.

After crying “Long live Her Majesty” thrice, Huai Qing glanced at the Chief Eunuch to her lower left.

The eunuch from Dexin Garden stepped forward holding the imperial edict.

At this moment, most of the officials still didn’t know the reason or purpose behind this sudden court assembly.

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