Chapter 809 64: Before the Celestial King Hall

"A demon?"

Huai Yuan heard Zen Master Huizhao's words and frowned slightly.

The other Zen masters also furrowed their brows.

Unlike Daoism.

Though Daoism's slogans also include acting in the name of heaven, slaying demons and binding evil, supporting Daoist law to save the good people, their attitude towards demons is more open and not without compassion.

Interestingly, Daoism even has many legends and stories about demons.

For example, the legend of the 'Fox Immortal Hall' in the Celestial Master's Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Legend says that during the Chongning period of the Northern Song, a celestial master was meditating when suddenly a loud thunder was heard in the sky.

The celestial master got up and gazed at the sky, suspecting a demon had appeared.

As he was contemplating, a panting woman dressed in yellow suddenly knelt before him, crying for the celestial master's help.

As it turns out, she was a fox spirit who had cultivated for two thousand years, just about to obtain the righteous fruit, hence undergoing this great tribulation.

But the problem was, the fox spirit was already pregnant... Faced with the celestial court's ordered lightning strikes, she felt she couldn't escape but the unborn child was innocent, so she begged the celestial master for help.

After listening to the fox spirit's lamentation, the celestial master felt compassionate, thinking that all beings have life, and though a fox spirit is despicable, the infant fox within should not be implicated, so he made a pact with her to help. He led several Daoist disciples to the Ancestral Celestial Master Hall, burnt incense, lit candles, and presented a petition to the celestial court detailing the reasons for pardoning the fox spirit.

Before long, the sky cleared up, presenting a scene of boundless blue, filled with the vitality of spring...

The whole story is quite cliché.

Truth is hard to distinguish.

Overall.

It mainly highlights the celestial master's compassion.

Perhaps parts of it are self-aggrandizing.

After all, the celestial masters of Dragon Tiger Mountain have been families passed down through generations, engaging in land annexation during the feudal era...

But at least, it's kind of impressive.

Moreover, it reveals a signal.

Daoism doesn't necessarily see demons as sworn enemies.

Overall.

They have a consensus that all demons, regardless of whether they become monsters or immortals, must first cultivate into humans... meaning to think with human thoughts and view the world from a human's standpoint.

As for Buddhism, they don't have a clear and unified attitude towards demons.

However, mainstream thoughts still tend to dislike them.

This might relate to their mainstream theories.

Though not entirely.

But the Zen masters gathered here, judging by the number of frowned brows, evidently lead the way.

"Illusion."

Huai Yuan took a deep breath and suddenly uttered a word.

Zen Master Huizhao's expression remained calm, as he knew his 'colleagues' tastes well: "I suggest you treat this matter equally, it's not like before, and besides, that's not an ordinary demon, that one is from Qingqiu, from Celestial Strategy Mansion."

"..."

Huai Yuan heard this, his brow furrowing deeper: "People from Qingqiu should be more reclusive."

"You better think about how to welcome this guest properly."

Zen Master Huizhao's expression remained calm, appearing already determined not to get involved in this matter: "What you should think about now is how to persuade the 'pillar' from Celestial Strategy Mansion, rather than angering them, my reminder has been given."

With that said.

He clasped his hands together and disappeared again.

Leaving several Zen masters with indistinct expressions.

At the same time.

Outside Jiming Temple.

A gentle breeze wafted, bringing fresh air into the nose, alleviating the city's hustle and bustle.

Jiming Temple, as one of the most famous attractions in Jinling.

Due to temporary closure.

It's rare to be so deserted.

On the road.

A solitary group was making their way up the mountain.

One man, three women... and a little girl.

And the four women span across four age groups.

Loli, young girl, mature woman, old lady...

Hmm.

This is Si Yujie's original words.

"You're the old lady! Your whole family is the old lady!"

Tang Language jumped up and down, causing her skirt to flutter constantly.

She glared at Si Yujie, her claws out: "I've said it countless times! I'm at most an elder sister! We are different races! Can't be compared equally! You turn old and I'm still not old! I'm forever young! Forever young for two thousand years! Just ask Chen Lusi! Isn't my grandmother beautiful?"

"Then just say it, aren't you two hundred years old."

Faced with Tang Language's antics, Si Yujie replied leisurely: "Besides, your grandmother's beauty doesn't mean you're beautiful, your grandmother has become a spirit, her age can be recalculated, but you cannot."

Tang Language immediately said: "I'm a spirit too! I'm a spirit too!!!"

Si Yujie looked shocked: "Oh? Really? Then what kind of spirit are you?"

Tang Language almost blurted out: "A fox spirit! I'm a fox spirit!"

"Pfft..."

Xia Panqiu couldn't help but turn her head, her shoulders gently shaking.

On the other side.

The young girl, holding her mother's hand, couldn't resist a smile.

"Oh, then I admit you're not an old lady anymore."

Si Yujie replied casually: "From now on, you're a fox spirit."

"..."

Tang Language was taken aback, looking at Si Yujie's sudden change in tone, she was somewhat unresponsive, even surprised.

Her little head turned in circles, finally reacting: "Who's a fox spirit!!!"

"You."

"I'm not!!"

"Then what did you just say you're a fox spirit?"

"..."

"..."

Finally.

The only male in the group.

Chen Lusi, watching Tang Language who seemed to have stopped in her tracks, couldn't help but sigh.

He looked at Tang Language and spoke earnestly: "You better not argue with people."

"..."

Tang Language heard Chen Lusi's words, slowly turned to him, and finally responded.

She had a sudden insight, and proudly puffed out her chest, saying: "Fox spirit, right!? Fox spirit then! I specialize in snatching your men."

"..."

As soon as these words were spoken.

In an instant.

Xia Panqiu couldn't smile anymore.

Si Yujie was also slightly stunned.

"Scared?"

Tang Language sharply noticed the change in their expressions and immediately flashed a bright smile on her charming face: "From now on, I'll specifically rob you guys..."

Bang—

Before she could finish speaking.

She covered her head.

"Does it sound nice?"

Chen Lusi withdrew her hand knife, looking at Tang Language who was clutching her head: "Joking with others and you admit to it too."

"..."

Tang Language glared lightly at Chen Lusi, her cheeks puffing slightly, but she didn't dare to say anything more.

After all, even if she's silly and slow, she isn't slow enough to say something like, "The one I'm robbing is you, don't get angry."

"Alright, stop messing around, we're almost there."

The mindset of Chen Lusi at this moment was no longer the same as when she first met Tang Language at the Celestial Strategy Mansion, partly because, over time, his role had changed.

And on the other hand,

Tang Language is... indeed very hard to see as any kind of senior.

She's too spontaneous.

In some sense, she feels like a young girl untouched by the world.

"You're going to the Buddhist Holy Land now, don't just call out demon, show a bit of respect, and also... aren't you afraid?"

Chen Lusi looked at Tang Language, quite interested in this.

Because he had risen through the ranks too quickly.

Some fundamental information was not fully understood.

For Tang Language to actively come along was quite unexpected for him.

Because from his still shallow understanding, a demon going to the Buddhist Holy Land seemed like a provocation, right?

"... With you here, what do I have to be afraid of."

Tang Language, hearing this, didn't throw a tantrum.

She has many flaws, but holding grudges isn't one of them.

Innately optimistic.

"So you're just here to join the fun this time?"

Chen Lusi looked up at the distant ancient temple, his eyes bright and clear.

He had already sensed several powerful presences within the ancient temple.

Tang Language nodded lightly and cheerfully: "Mm... Mostly because I want to see the commotion anyway, since you are here, I'm actually quite interested in the Buddhist Holy Land... but Ji Xin also agreed, the reason I'm following you is her request."

"Ji Xin, huh..."

Hearing Ji Xin's approval, Chen Lusi immediately linked it to the term 'extreme pressure.'

But soon.

He shook his head: "Then stay behind me, be a bit more proper, after all, as guests, we should show some necessary respect."

"Alright then..."

Tang Language's flaws don't include not listening either.

At least when it comes to serious matters.

She's very obedient.

"Then let's go."

Chen Lusi glanced again at the nearby ancient temple, confirming those powerful presences, then turned to look at Si Yujie and Xia Panqiu: "You guys stop teasing her… By the way, is it alright for the Security Army to stay 'behind'?"

"It's alright."

Si Yujie straightened up, not teasing Tang Language anymore: "They're all Advanced Empowerers; as long as their attitude is right, they can sense the gun's aim at them, just like you said earlier, basic respect as guests is necessary... first courtesy, then soldiers."

"Then let's go."

Chen Lusi thought for a moment and moved forward directly.

Tang Language, Si Yujie, and Xia Panqiu immediately followed.

Chen Lusi didn't buy a ticket this time.

But still entered from the South Gate.

Because not much time had passed since his last visit.

Jiming Temple was still the same.

A classical blend with modern traces, a very complex sight.

Chen Lusi glanced at a drinks shop with its doors currently closed, then continued upwards.

Soon.

The winding cobblestone path led Chen Lusi to the first great hall — Celestial King Hall.

Before stepping on the last step.

Chen Lusi suddenly paused.

Because Tang Language suddenly reached out and grabbed the hem of his clothes.

But Chen Lusi didn't turn back because he knew what was happening.

Si Yujie also slightly squinted her eyes.

Chen Lusi directly stepped onto the last step.

Celestial King Hall.

The hall enshrines the Four Great Heavenly Kings.

Guarding the temple.

Subduing demons and monsters.

For Tang Language, who's on the subdued side,

The pressure is definitely there.

Not to mention.

At this moment, not far from the Celestial King Hall, which spans five bays and has a double-eaved hip roof,

stood a large group of enlightened monks.

And the monk at the front, with a stern look, had a Vajra-like angry appearance.

"..."

Chen Lusi, after stepping on the steps, stopped and looked at the large group of monks ahead, then straightforwardly said: "Chen Lusi."

"..."

Huai Yuan, standing at the front, looked at Chen Lusi, who seemed like an ordinary person with nothing special, slightly frowned.

However, soon.

He had no time for Chen Lusi.

Because from the Celestial King Hall behind him, a faint roar suddenly echoed.

Huai Yuan heard it, and his eyes slowly filled with golden light; then he suddenly turned his head, glaring at Tang Language: "…Vile spirit, how dare you appear here!?"