Chapter 128: First News of Parents

Chapter 128: Chapter 128: First News of Parents

Chu Fan never expected to have an epiphany here, only to run into a shivering Little Monk—a clingy one he couldn’t shake, at that.

"Isn’t that bullshit? We’ve only exchanged a few words. How could you possibly see my Cause and Effect?"

"You may not believe me, Benefactor, but every word I say is true. You stand to gain a great opportunity in this Secret Realm, but all things are decreed by the Celestial Dao. After you leave the Secret Realm, you will first shine with glory, but you will then be plagued by misfortune. The people around you will come and go, scattering like leaves in the wind."

Of course, Chu Fan didn’t believe the Little Monk’s words. ’Plagued by misfortune? People around me scattering?’

’Is he cursing me?’

Chu Fan’s expression darkened. He sneered, "Isn’t fortune-telling the business of the Taoist School? I’ve never heard of a monk who can read fortunes. Do you have to keep pestering me, Little Monk? What is it you’re really after?"

"Monks do not tell lies. I truly mean you no harm, Benefactor. If you don’t believe me, I can use the Dao of Cause and Effect to briefly glimpse into your past as proof."

"Fine, then. Let’s hear it!" Chu Fan’s interest was piqued.

The Little Monk circled Chu Fan a few times, his fingers moving in rapid calculation while he silently chanted something under his breath.

After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, he finally sighed and said, "You are a righteous man, Benefactor. I never imagined one so young could have met with so much misfortune. After you leave this Secret Realm, in less than half a year, you will be able to lay your senior brothers to rest."

"Hmm?" Chu Fan stared at him in surprise. ’Did he really divine that? Or is it just hearsay?’

"You clearly still doubt me, Benefactor. How about I tell you one more thing? Of your parents, one is yin and one is yang. The one in the yin realm is suffering the torment of Purgatory, while the one in the yang realm endures the tribulation of Thunder."

The moment Hui Ke finished speaking, Chu Fan flew into a rage. He glared, his eyes filled with fury, and roared, "What did you just say?"

Facing Chu Fan’s ferocious expression, Hui Ke showed not a hint of fear. He held his head high, meeting Chu Fan’s gaze. "This is the scene I witnessed through the observation of Cause and Effect. As for anything more, my Magical Power is too shallow to see. Can it be that you did not know this, Benefactor?"

"What exactly do you know?" Chu Fan grabbed Hui Ke’s shoulders, his grip tight.

This was the first time he had ever heard an outsider mention his parents. And from a young boy he had known for less than two hours.

’Is he really cursing me?’

’Or can he truly deduce this using his Dao of Cause and Effect?’

Back on Dingfeng Slope, the Xiezhi had also mentioned his parents’ identities, saying it could deduce them from his bloodline. At the time, Chu Fan had thought it was ridiculous and didn’t bother to ask for details, simply scoffing at the idea.

He later regretted it immensely.

’So now, even if this Little Monk is just cursing me with ill intent, I have to get some answers first.’

"I could only see that much," Hui Ke said. "I saw your father’s body being devoured by vicious ghosts, and I saw your mother being struck by Thunder. I truly cannot see anything else."

Chu Fan stared into his eyes. In those dark, clear pupils, he could see nothing but sincerity.

"Are you sure you’re not cursing me?"

"Why would you say such a thing, Benefactor? We have no grievances or grudges between us. Why would I curse you?"

"Then can you figure out where my parents are? Or what their identities are?"

Hui Ke shook his head. "My Magical Power is too shallow. I cannot deduce anything more."

Chu Fan’s mind was in turmoil.

He had never met his parents. Zhegu Slave had never mentioned them, and whenever he asked, Zhegu Slave wouldn’t just refuse to answer, but would go days without speaking at all.

Therefore, he had no particular feelings for his parents.

But feelings or no feelings, as a person, he felt he should at least know where his roots lay.

If his parents were truly alive, Chu Fan certainly didn’t want them suffering the kind of torture this Little Monk described.

A year ago, if someone had told him his parents were suffering the "torment of Purgatory" and the "tribulation of Thunder," Chu Fan probably would have spit in their face.

But now, he wasn’t so sure.

The more he experienced, the more he realized his own ignorance. This world was full of far too many unimaginable things beyond his comprehension.

’When people die, do their souls really enter the Netherworld?’

’Who could say for sure that they don’t?’

Chu Fan, at least, didn’t dare to.

’If even the Fallen City before his eyes once truly existed, what else was impossible?’

So, regardless of how much of the Little Monk’s story was true, Chu Fan decided that if he wanted to follow along, he would let him. It would give him more time to observe the boy.

’If what he says is true, then once his Cultivation is higher, will he be able to deduce more about my parents?’

’And if he has ulterior motives, using my parents to deceive me... so what if he’s a monk? Can’t he be killed?’

"Since you want to follow me, fine. But let’s get this straight: you’re not to fight me for anything I find. And if your intentions aren’t pure, this Sword of mine won’t show you mercy just because you’re a monk."

"You have my word, Benefactor. I... nice Sword!"

"What?" Chu Fan was baffled by his words. ’Is he calling me despicable?’

"I meant that the sword in your hand is a truly rare, peerless Divine Weapon," Hui Ke hurriedly explained.

"It’s just a rusty, broken sword."

"Heh, you jest, Benefactor. This Sword... I fear it has slaughtered Gods, has it not?"

He used the word "slaughtered," not "slain" or "killed," meaning the Sword hadn’t just taken down one or two Immortals.

Chu Fan stared at Hui Ke in astonishment. ’Could this Little Monk really possess some incredible ability?’

"Might I ask where you obtained this Sword, Benefactor? It’s a pity... it has slaughtered too many and accrued too much sin, causing a backlash against itself. Its Sword Spirit has fallen dormant, and its Sword Soul has been shattered."

Chu Fan was shocked yet again. ’How many times is that now?’

’Since this Little Monk appeared, his words and actions have stunned Chu Fan several times. What is this Little Monk’s true identity?’

’While he was feigning unconsciousness, he’d heard Yao Zhi and the others mention some Reincarnated Living Buddha from Bodhi Hall. Could this Little Monk actually be a reincarnation?’

His suspicions aroused, Chu Fan decided to test the waters. "I heard your Buddhist Family has a Magic Technique that allows someone on the verge of death to reincarnate with their memories and Cultivation intact?"

"How do you know of this, Benefactor?"

"So it’s real?"

"To be honest with you, Benefactor, the Buddhist Sect does have a method of reincarnation. However, it’s not a Magic Technique, and it doesn’t allow one to reincarnate with their memories and Cultivation."

"Then what is it?"

"This method of reincarnation is also known as the Karma Technique. It allows a virtuous high monk with Great Aspiration Power to be reincarnated upon their passing, bypassing the normal cycle of rebirth. However, whether the reincarnation can inherit the memories of their past life depends on fate and opportunity. The same applies to their former Cultivation."

"You must be that Reincarnated Living Buddha from Bodhi Hall, then?" Chu Fan asked with a smile, fixing his gaze on Hui Ke’s eyes.

"Yes, and no," Hui Ke answered evasively.

"What does that mean?"

"I was indeed reincarnated through that method. However, the memories and Cultivation I have awakened are not those of the high monk from Bodhi Hall you mentioned. And yet... that person from Bodhi Hall should also be one of my past lives."

Chu Fan was even more bewildered. "Are you trying to say that the soul in your body has already been reincarnated several times?"