novel bin Chapter 119 Giving Dharma Ceremony
Chapter 119 Giving Dharma Ceremony
The streets were filled with a cacophony of noise, and the alleyways were teeming with people, shoulder to shoulder.
Along the window, a few pairs of eyes watched as Fang Hongxuan and Dao Yuanfen disappeared into the alley. If someone were to observe closely, they would notice that the observers were all bald men wearing felt hats.
"Damn it...why did I lose the aura of the Yaksha after entering Huai City?!"
The monks stormed into the street corner, but they had completely lost track of Fang Hongxuan and Daoyuan.
In the unnoticed shadows
A pair of scarlet and violent eyes were coldly watching the group of monks who were running around like headless flies.
"They caught up so quickly, and Xingran has already completely absorbed all the yin energy and essence of that yaksha..."
"Amitabha Buddha, benefactor Fang..."
After Daoyuan revealed that he was a novice monk from the Great Ruo Temple who was about to return to the sect, dozens of eyes in the city began to secretly watch the two of them. Fang Hongxuan, who was already very perceptive, could not help but notice it. The faint killing intent made him not only restless but also stirred up his bloodlust and violence.
Forcibly suppressing his bloodthirsty thoughts, the crimson in his eyes gradually faded. Only then did Fang Hongxuan look at Dao Yuan.
"Master, what are your plans now?"
Daoyuan smiled but did not answer, instead vigorously fiddling with the string of beads in his hand.
"There are still 15 minutes before the midday almsgiving; we need to check again."
As for the mounts they were riding, they had already been entrusted to the innkeeper for safekeeping. That's why the two men on foot could so easily hide in the alleyways.
...
The Vinaya monks belong to the Vinaya Institute, and their main duties are to supervise whether the monks of Da Ruo Temple have violated the precepts, and secondly, to monitor enemies secretly lurking in Huai City. Anyone who is different from ordinary people will be included in their surveillance scope until it is confirmed that the person being monitored has no malicious intent.
The five academies had long harbored resentment and had clashed several times. Therefore, even though they noticed that the group of martial monks were searching for Fang Hongxuan and Daoyuan, they didn't intervene. Instead, they wanted to observe and determine what kind of ulterior motives were involved.
'Thump...thump...thump...'
The dull tolling of the bell echoed throughout Huaicheng, and the three consecutive strikes silenced the bustling city.
The solemn and elaborate chanting of Buddhist hymns rose again, and the ethereal singing echoed through the streets and alleys.
Dao Yuan and Fang Hongxuan then emerged from the shadows of their hiding place and blended seamlessly into the crowd, surging towards the high platform.
Even so, several gazes remained fixed on the two figures from above, never straying from their silhouettes.
"Go on, that novice monk is already close to the platform... If he is a fraudster, then drag him into the dungeon; if he is genuine, then observe the situation... Our duty is to ensure that there are no malicious people in the city. If we cannot defeat him, then we will report to the Martial Monks Academy..."
...
'Buzz...'
The burly Huiyin was sitting cross-legged, preaching the sutra with a kind and benevolent expression. If it weren't for the kasaya he wore and the Vairocana hat on his head that proved he was one of the five abbots of Da Ruo Temple, the people below the stage would probably have scattered and fled long ago.
Huiyin's voice was extremely penetrating, and his booming recitation caused everyone in the audience to frown and grit their teeth.
"Is this man truly the master of Da Ruo Temple? Why do I only perceive him as a black bear draped in a robe and human skin!"
"Shh...you rascal, if you don't want to convert to Buddhism, fine, but don't drag us into this and get watched by that monk too..."
"If I were to convert to his faith and break the precepts, I'd probably be beaten half to death!"
"Forget it, let those audacious fools go to the Great Monastery to enjoy themselves. We'll just have to accept the delicious vegetarian meals..."
"Shut up! He's looking over here!"
Those around him were filled with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, looking at the exceptionally imposing Huiyin with a mixture of belief and doubt.
However, Fang Hongxuan, who was caught up in the situation, clearly felt Huiyin's indifferent gaze scrutinizing him and Daoyuan beside him.
"Yesterday, Venerable Huiming in the meditation room enlightened thirty-six people who were destined to be connected with Buddhism. Today, our Vinaya Academy will also enlighten thirty-six people to take refuge in Buddhism..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the huge crowd cheered and shouted in unison.
"Strange, wasn't it said that Da Ruo Temple was only going to enlighten eighteen people who were destined to be Buddhists this year? Not only has the number doubled, but even the Discipline Hall is getting involved... Could it be that each of the five departments of Da Ruo Temple is going to enlighten thirty-six people? That's far too many..."
Someone in the crowd asked a question out of confusion, but was met with glares and disapproving looks from others.
"Isn't more good? Da Ruo Temple occupies the entire Golden Peak Mountain. Let alone 180 people, even if the number doubles, they can still accommodate them."
"Yes, more spots mean more opportunities... I've been to Huaicheng four or five times, but this is the first time I've seen anything like this!"
...
"Silence! Silence!"
The hot-tempered Huiyin did not have the same composure as Huiming. After only half an incense stick's time, the compassion and pity on his face vanished completely, replaced by a subtle and barely perceptible hint of violence and murderous intent.
high platform
The blind monk was turning the pages of the nearly decaying leather scroll in his hands, his half-formed tongue murmuring to himself, as if communicating with some unknown being. In just a moment, his withered, bamboo-like fingers pointed into the throng of people.
Those whose names were called immediately jumped up excitedly, their faces beaming with happiness. Following the monk's guidance, they all stepped behind the stage.
"The fact that a fortune-telling monk still exists here... it does have some merit..."
Seemingly sensing Fang Hongxuan's doubts, Daoyuan fiddled with the beads in his hand, pondered for a long time before finding the right words.
"The Secret Realm believes that people's destinies vary in weight. Even the purest and most yang human emperor's destiny is only four taels and nine mace, while those as lowly as ants and as thin as paper have a destiny of only one tael and one mace. As for those with a destiny exceeding five taels, they are either rampant demons and monsters or evil spirits that wreak havoc on the region."
"Through those human skin books that have been passed down for countless generations and record the fate predictions of countless people, coupled with the special scriptures practiced by the immaculate, it is possible to accurately calculate the weight of the fate of the person being predicted."
"In the Secret Realm, anyone who fails to meet the standards for cultivating the Three Channels and Seven Chakras, whether noble, herdsman, or serf, will never be able to rise above their station..."
...
The fortune teller, who had been calm and collected, changed his expression when his empty eyes looked toward Fang Hongxuan's location. He first silently chanted incantations to confirm his prediction with suspicion, and then quickly flipped through the human skin book.
a moment
Large beads of sweat dripped down onto the futon where he sat cross-legged, just like raindrops.
Disturbed and confused, Huiyin noticed the fortune teller's unusual behavior and asked him in a low voice.
"I've never seen you so restless before, what happened...?"
The fortune teller covered his lips and tongue, making a loud noise towards Huiyin.
"What!?"
"Unable to calculate..."
Even Huiyin, who had been in charge of the Disciplinary Hall for many years, couldn't help but change his expression at this moment.
Are you sure?
"Hmm...hmm..."
The fortune teller raised his finger, which trembled as he pointed it at Fang Hongxuan in the crowd.
"Is that him...?"