Chapter 159: Deep Waters of the Buddhist Sect, Under the Public Gaze

In just ten short days, a turbulent situation had formed in the Jianghu of Yuan Country. Any martial artist who heard about this Buddhist Sect public case wanted to head to the Capital City to witness the ins and outs of the matter.

Buddhist Sect experts had attacked a pregnant woman, causing her to die in difficult labor and leaving her child born with innate defects. Such a sinful act was enough to draw the attention of the world in any era.

Thus, during the ten days since the Yuan Country Court issued a decree condemning the Buddhist Sect, and since Chen Sha ordered the Water Moon Temple to bring the main culprit to Yuanjing to see him, they engaged in serious discussions. It wasn’t just Anx Ruyue and the elders of the Water Moon Temple who headed to the Yuan Country Capital City. People from many large sects and Martial Arts Clans in Yuan Country also coincidentally traveled to Yuanjing within these ten days.

However, after arriving in Yuanjing, these martial artists were surprised to discover something. Before the people from the Water Moon Temple arrived, another great Holy Land of the Buddhist Sect—one that could even be said to lead the Buddhist Sect, the Pure Land Zen Sect—had arrived a step earlier. Moreover, there were quite a few of them.

Watching this group of monks enter the city, someone exclaimed in secret, “It’s the four great elder Dharma Protectors of the Zen Sect, the Four Great Divine Monks who haven’t descended the mountain in thirty years: Great Wisdom, Great Compassion, Great Practice, and Great Aspiration! Four Innate Level Zen Sect elders!

“The eighteen middle-aged monks following behind the Four Great Divine Monks of the Zen Sect are rarely seen, but judging by this number, could they be the Pure Land Zen Sect’s Eighteen Arhat Monks of this generation?!”

These Eighteen Arhat Monks had always been the mainstays of the Pure Land Zen Sect. It could be said that the future Abbots and the chief monks of the various Treasure Halls were basically chosen from among them.

Four Innate Level Divine Monks of the Buddhist Sect bringing the Eighteen Arhat Monks down the mountain—this was almost bringing out half of the Pure Land Zen Sect’s foundation. Was it just to witness the case of the Water Moon Temple?

When this news spread throughout Yuanjing, the people of the major sects and clans vaguely smelled the strong smoke of an impending confrontation.

The Buddhist Sect was one of the Three Religions in the world. Especially in Yuan Country, their massive influence and profound foundation could practically rival the five-thousand-year history of the Yuan Country Court. Among the sects of the Three Religions, which one wasn’t established back in the Ancient Era? Furthermore, the Buddhist Sect had been accumulating strength over the years. Enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens during Chen Canxuan’s thirty-year era, who knew how many experts they had gathered?

Therefore, all martial artists could imagine that the Pure Land Zen Sect’s presence this time was definitely to back up their fellow Buddhist Sect branch, the Water Moon Temple. If Chen Sha couldn’t produce evidence to accuse the Buddhist Sect, the Pure Land Zen Sect probably wouldn’t let the matter rest.

These two factions of the Buddhist Sect, one Zen Sect and one holy temple, shared a relationship similar to that of Dao Yi and Queen Mother within the Daoist Sect. They thrived together and suffered together.

…

Since arriving in Yuan Country, Chen Sha had been residing in the Honglu Temple, where Gu Xuanong hosted him with the courtesy of a high official.

When he heard that the Water Moon Temple hadn’t arrived first, but the Four Great Divine Monks of the Pure Land Zen Sect had, he couldn’t help but smile indifferently. “Since they came on their own, it saves me the trouble of calling for them.”

However, the one he was waiting for was the Water Moon Temple.

…

Today was the final day of the ten-day deadline.

Emperor Yuan Gu Xuanong had long set up a public trial ground for this major martial arts case in Yuanjing. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, this site was actually placed at the entrance of the Three Judicial Departments. A massive penal hall was erected, looking more like an execution ground meant to publicly judge the sins of the Buddhist Sect before the eyes of the world.

The commoners of the Capital City saw top-tier Court figures like the Divine Strategy King and Grand General Xu Bingshu sitting on the chairs of the high platform. Behind them, there was vaguely an even more honorable person inside the hall.

The key figures of Yuan Country had all arrived, but it seemed the key figures from both sides of this major martial arts case had yet to show up. Numerous martial artists scanned their surroundings, but none caught sight of the Dao Yi Sect Master.

…

Not far from the high platform.

In a restaurant, a middle-aged man with crimson eyebrows and a curly Qiu Ran beard stroked his facial hair. Smiling as he looked at the constructed high platform, he said, “Old Wuji, I hope your Yuan Country isn’t asking for trouble this time. The waters of the Buddhist Sect run deep, far less simple than you think.”

Sitting opposite the bearded man was the current Prime Minister of the Yuan Dynasty, Chen Wuji. He gently raised his wine cup and said, “I didn’t expect that a big bearded fellow like you would actually care about the Buddhist Sect’s affairs this time.”

Yan Chimei chuckled. “If it were just the grudges between your Yuan Country and the Buddhist Sect, I wouldn’t have the slightest interest. But with the addition of the Dao Yi Sect, then I’m interested.”

After all, he knew Yuan Country’s foundations inside out. Even if the so-called three Yuan Country Innates attacked together, they might not even be enough to help him stretch his muscles. He practically looked down on them.

Chen Wuji remained silent. The bearded man before him ranked fourth in the world. The only ones who could interest him were certain figures among the world’s top ten. The Dao Yi Sect Master, who had been unparalleled in the Martial Arts world recently and vaguely harbored ambitions for supremacy, naturally drew his attention the most.

However, Chen Wuji was still most concerned about the inside information this man knew regarding the Buddhist Sect. He said solemnly, “You once said that you lost a drinking contest to an old monk from the Buddhist Sect. Just how powerful is that old monk?”

Yan Chimei took a sip of wine and replied, “Let’s put it this way. Before I met him, I thought there were only four people in the world who could defeat me.”

He slowly extended four fingers, bending them down one by one. “The deceased Chen Canxuan goes without saying.

“The current number one in the world, Yuan Ruhua, also goes without saying.”

Chen Canxuan’s Great Yellow Court and Yuan Ruhua’s Half-Step Domain were the most unsolvable abilities in the world.

“Besides these two, there are two more: Wang Zaixiang and Pang Saint,” Yan Chimei continued. He bent down his four fingers, forming a fist. “But after meeting that Lantuo Monk a few times, I realized that I wasn’t fourth in the world; I was only fifth. By that logic, everyone below me has to be pushed down a rank.”

Chen Wuji was shocked. “Is that old monk really that powerful?”

If this old monk were truly drawn out, would the Dao Yi Sect Master be confident in dealing with him?

Yan Chimei smiled faintly. “When have you ever seen me lie?”

Before Chen Wuji could speak, Yan Chimei muttered to himself, “However, I have a feeling that the Lantuo Monk might not appear in Yuanjing this time.”

“Why is that?” Chen Wuji immediately asked.

Yan Chimei stroked his beard. “Based on my understanding of that old bald donkey, the only thing he values is the Monk’s Tower Forest in the Pure Land Zen Sect’s Little Buddha City. Back then, I only went to the Pure Land Zen Sect because I was interested in another person from the Buddhist Sect. I didn’t expect to accidentally provoke him, and then we competed in drinking and strength, both of which…”

Chen Wuji’s wrinkles trembled as he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Another person from the Buddhist Sect?”

Besides this Drinking Monk, was there someone else in the Buddhist Sect who could make Yan Chimei care? Was the Buddhist Sect’s foundation truly this deep? His eyes, filled with worry for his country, once again flickered with apprehension.

Yan Chimei glanced at him. “Speaking of which, your Yuan Country shouldn’t be a stranger to the person I’m talking about. Back when Ancient Transformation Dragon practiced the Qi Stealing Technique and advanced to ninth in the world, the position he stole was that of the Pure Land Zen Sect’s Sect Leader Monastery Master, ‘I Heard’.

“Afterward, that drew Chen Canxuan to Yuan Country to suppress Ancient Transformation Dragon, allowing this new Emperor Yuan Gu Xuanong, whom you assist, to take the opportunity to ascend the throne.”

Chen Wuji certainly knew of this matter. Shaken inwardly, he said, “You mean to say…”

Yan Chimei smiled faintly. “Thirty years ago, I, Yan, was only around seventeen or eighteen and had practiced martial arts for no more than three or four years. Chen Canxuan, who was only four or five years older than me, had already begun dominating the world. Therefore, I Heard and I were practically people of two different eras. Later, as I gradually reached Great Success in my martial arts over these thirty years and climbed step by step to become one of the top four in the world, that Monastery Master I Heard had already been forced to remain in seclusion for thirty years under Chen Canxuan’s oppressive might. Although I am from Yuan Country, I have never seen him show his face since.

“However, the Pure Land Zen Sect’s Great Zen Nine Lands Scripture has a unique characteristic. As one ages and continues to practice martial arts, it is endlessly vast. Their Power grows stronger, and their techniques become purer. The learning is limitless.

“Therefore, it can be said that the older the monks of the Buddhist Sect are, the higher their Power.

“After I reached fourth in the world and successively challenged Chen Canxuan, Yuan Ruhua, Wang Zaixiang, and Pang Saint, only to lose to all of them, I knew I couldn’t surpass them in the short term. So, I wanted to find an expert of a similar level to verify my martial arts. After thinking it over, I remembered this Monastery Master of the Pure Land Zen Sect from thirty years ago. As the leader of the Buddhist Sect, one of the Three Religions, after thirty years of seclusion, his Power probably wouldn’t lose out much to the top five in the world…

“So I went to investigate the Pure Land Zen Sect, wanting to arm-wrestle this Monastery Master I Heard. But unexpectedly… I provoked the Drinking Lantuo Monk, who was even stronger than me.”

Hearing this, Chen Wuji’s heart began to tremble. “In other words, the Buddhist Sect has been gathering strength over these thirty years, and within the Pure Land Zen Sect alone, there are two experts in the world’s top five…”

Yan Chimei smiled faintly. “Now you understand what I’m saying, right?”

The waters of the Buddhist Sect ran deep. Having not set foot in the Jianghu for thirty years, they had long been hiding dragons and crouching tigers. He hoped Yuan Country wasn’t asking for trouble this time.

Chen Wuji couldn’t help but fall into a state of apprehension and confusion.

But right at this moment, noisy sounds rang out. Then, a person approached their table and whispered to Chen Wuji, “Prime Minister, the people of the Water Moon Temple have entered the Capital City.”

Chen Wuji looked up. “Are they finally here? How many came?”

“Two in total. One is Sect Leader Anx Ruyue of the Water Moon Temple, and the other is an old nun who has never shown her face in the Jianghu. Though there are only two, both possess Great Innate Cultivation.”

At the time Chen Wuji received this news, the crowd at the execution ground in front of the Three Judicial Departments parted to form a path, watching the two people at the end of the street walk toward them.

Anx Ruyue wore a white dress with hair flowing down, her head draped in a white veil. As soon as she appeared, it was like a serene celestial being descending to the mortal realm. With every step she took, everyone she passed by felt their hearts settle into tranquility.

“Is this the Sect Leader of the Water Moon Temple?”

“She truly is like a celestial being of the Buddhist Sect. Could someone with such an aura really be the cruel sort the Dao Yi Sect Master described? I don’t believe it.”

Some people stared blankly, captivated by Anx Ruyue’s demeanor.

After appearing, Anx Ruyue did not immediately ascend the high platform. Instead, she walked toward the Four Great Divine Monks of the Pure Land Zen Sect and chanted a Buddha’s name. “Sigh, I didn’t expect Elders Wisdom, Compassion, Practice, and Aspiration to come as well.”

The Four Great Divine Monks of the Pure Land Zen Sect also chanted a Buddha’s name toward Anx Ruyue and the old nun behind her. “Sect Leader Anx, Junior Sister Jingnian, since this matter targets our Buddhist Sect, both the Zen Sect and the Water Moon Temple are disciples of Buddha. We thrive together, so how could we stay out of it?”

The Four Great Divine Monks looked at Nun Jingnian behind Anx Ruyue, seemingly realizing her purpose for coming.

The Great Practice Divine Monk frowned. “Junior Sister Jingnian, you…”

Old Nun Jingnian closed her eyes and pressed her palms together. “If I do not enter Hell, who will?”

The Great Practice Divine Monk sent a voice transmission, “Do not speak of this. Even if it truly was your doing, this old monk doesn’t feel you did anything wrong. Gu Rusu committed adultery with Chen Canxuan. According to the pure laws of our Buddhist Sect, she deserved to be severely punished. Go up there in a moment. With this old monk here, I want to see how this Dao Yi dares to deal with you.”

After the Great Practice Divine Monk said this, his wrist was grasped by the Great Wisdom Divine Monk beside him. Shaking his head silently, he sent a voice transmission, “Your temperament of hating evil like an enemy makes it too easy for others to gossip. We are in plain sight, and our Buddhist Sect is already a target of public criticism. You must not speak carelessly.”

The Great Practice Divine Monk, however, replied coldly, “If not for this, why did the three of you and I come?”

Old Nun Jingnian simply shook her head and then stepped onto the high platform. Anx Ruyue followed beside her.

After the two went up, they looked around. In the distance sat Emperor Yuan Gu Xuanong and the three Yuan Country Innates in the shadows. Surrounding them were people from various Martial Arts Clans and sects of Yuan Country.

Standing up there now, they were under the watchful eyes of the masses, simply waiting for that man to arrive and pass judgment on their Water Moon Temple.