Chapter 123: Encountering the Buddha

Jinshan Temple is one of the ten scenic spots of Suzhou. Throughout the four seasons, a constant stream of pilgrims travels by boat down the river to burn incense and pray at the temple. It is said that the Bodhisattvas there are remarkably responsive; those who prostrate themselves with sincere hearts often receive a sign. Thus, despite the temple having stood for a century, its incense has only grown more abundant. The Tiantong Dynasty has historically been opposed to Buddhism, yet Jinshan Temple has weathered countless storms and remains standing—a testament to some unique, untold quality it must possess.

Chen Jianchen’s decision to visit Jinshan Temple stemmed from his previous meeting with the monk Fuxiao. He felt that a visit might yield some insight. Noting the reaction of Elder Huangfu, Chen sensed that the elder might know something about the temple, so he asked, "Elder, could it be that you have been to Jinshan Temple?"

Elder Huangfu shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his face. "How could I ever dare to go there?"

His words were vague, yet Chen Jianchen could roughly guess the reason. When demons reach the Golden Core stage, they can take on human form and walk among mortals without fear of causing a stir. However, before they truly reach the supreme state, their human forms always retain certain vulnerabilities.

First, they fear contact with objects that clash with their true nature. This is most evident in snakes; if they take human form and come into contact with substances like realgar, they are so severely agitated that their true forms are instantly revealed.

Second, the human world is vast, and not every place is accessible to them. For example, places with intense vital energy, such as military camps, are off-limits to the human forms of ordinary demons. The vital energy there is so dense and interconnected, billowing like clouds; once struck by the immense yang energy of thousands of soldiers, a demon's human form cannot endure it and will be forced back into its original shape. Furthermore, places where Taoist or Buddhist cultivators practice are even more perilous—to go there would be to court death.

As for ordinary towns and cities, while the population is dense, the vital energy is scattered and lacks cohesion. Demons who take human form can generally enter through the city gates without issue. This is an advantage demons hold over ghosts and spirits.

Elder Huangfu continued his explanation: "Though I possess some cultivation, I dare not approach Jinshan Temple and must always take a detour. To tell you the truth, there are two infinitely powerful artifacts within the temple: the Dawn Pagoda and the Flying Bell. To say nothing of the rest, the mere tolling of the Flying Bell is something I cannot endure. To hear it is to have my true form revealed and my spirit grievously wounded."

Chen Jianchen murmured in acknowledgment. It seemed Jinshan Temple was indeed extraordinary; these two artifacts alone were enough to secure the temple’s standing. Could it be that the imperial court refrained from acting against it out of apprehension?

"Elder, are you familiar with the origins of Jinshan Temple?"

Elder Huangfu stroked his long beard. "Eight hundred years ago, Buddhism began to spread into the Central Plains from the Kingdom of Duyin. The first group of ascetic monks to arrive were all of iron will, having sworn great vows before their Buddha to propagate the faith. To prove their resolve, they often established temples in the most remote and treacherous places upon entering the Central Plains, building them brick by brick with their own strength..."

Chen Jianchen understood this sentiment deeply. Even in his previous life, there were devout monks who spent decades carving paths into steep mountains or sculpting Buddha statues into the rock faces. Such massive, arduous undertakings completed by individual effort commanded admiration for their tenacious will and the purity of their faith.

Chen did not interrupt, letting the elder continue: "The spread of Buddhism opened many convenient doors, and it did not take long for the masses to embrace it. In contrast, the native Taoism, which advocates for wandering and non-action, found itself less revered by the common people. Within a few decades, temples sprouted like bamboo shoots after the rain across the dynasty's provinces. Of course, many monks who retreated deep into the mountains failed in their missions and were devoured by wild beasts. It was at that time that the reigning Emperor, seeing the rapid expansion of Buddhist influence, began to issue periodic anti-Buddhist decrees, restricting the establishment of temples and the ability of commoners to take up the monastic life."

"At its peak in the Central Plains, there were ten thousand temples. The three most famous were the Little Leiyin Temple in the north, the Lanruo Temple in Jinhua, Zhejiang, and the third was the Jinshan Temple in Suzhou..."

Hearing the name "Lanruo Temple," Chen Jianchen was struck with a sudden shock, a faint, unsettling connection stirring in his mind.

"Later, after repeated suppression and purges by the court, the prosperity of Buddhism declined rapidly. Most monks were arrested or expelled, and their temples naturally fell into ruin. This is why one can always see derelict temples in the mountains today. Small temples lost the means to survive, and even large ones struggled to continue. The Little Leiyin Temple and Lanruo Temple fell one after another; only Jinshan Temple endured. As to why, even I do not know the deeper reasons."

Elder Huangfu, having cultivated for hundreds of years and traveled extensively, was like a living historical museum. His narrative gave Chen Jianchen a much broader perspective—he knew that official historical records were often embellished with the 'Spring and Autumn' brush, concealing the true reality.

Chen frowned and suddenly asked, "Elder, why then did the current Emperor invite monks back from the Kingdom of Duyin to hold a Grand Dharma Assembly?"

Elder Huangfu shook his head. "I do not know. The human heart is unfathomable, let alone the mind of an Emperor. I only heard that when the Grand Dharma Assembly was held in the capital, all the major Taoist sects sent representatives. The capital was a storm of change at that time, though I was unable to witness it."

Chen was aware of this; it was precisely because of that event that he had met the Taoist masters Qingyun and Guanghan, as well as the Shushan swordsman Yan Chixia.

The capital event was something even Elder Huangfu, with his profound cultivation, dared not attend. Not to mention the masters of the Taoist and Buddhist sects, the tens of thousands of Black-Clad Guards patrolling the capital were enough to make him hesitate. As the seat of the Emperor, the capital's security was incomparable to that of any ordinary prefecture. The Forbidden City, where the Emperor lived and governed, was said to be teeming with masters and hidden talents, and rumor held that it was guarded by terrifying artifacts.

A dynasty that has stood for nearly a thousand years possesses unfathomable foundations. Rumors about the imperial family were rampant and bizarre, some even suggesting the imperial lineage was not entirely human.

If not human, then what? Could it truly be, as they said, a dragon?

The "True Dragon Son of Heaven"?

Of course, these rumors were absurd and ethereal, and no one dared discuss them too openly. A slip of the tongue could lead to the execution of one's entire clan.

Imperial decrees always hid complex agendas behind every move, something Chen Jianchen, as a mere scholar not involved in the halls of power, could not possibly see through.

Unable to find an answer, he decided to put it out of his mind.

Elder Huangfu spoke in a low voice: "Liuxian, are you going to Jinshan Temple to meet that monk Fuxiao? He is the head of the Zen hall, a high monk who has cultivated an Eight-Turn True Body."

Elder Huangfu told Chen Jianchen everything that had happened on that stormy night in the southern ridges of East Mountain without omission.

The Buddhist "Eight-Turn True Body" was equivalent to the Taoist "Dharma Image" state, capable of manifesting a physical avatar with infinite mystery and power. This was beyond Chen Jianchen's comprehension. Even Elder Huangfu knew little of the specifics, knowing only that when Fuxiao manifested his True Body, he had trembled, unable to muster any thought of resistance, his only instinct being to flee.

The reason was simple: the Taoist techniques Elder Huangfu cultivated had incorporated certain Buddhist concepts, making them impure.

He had a Buddha in his heart.

And because he had a Buddha in his heart, he was utterly defeated before Fuxiao’s powerful True Body.

The Elder's family technique, the "Yin-Yang Profound Ocean Art," was his core secret, which he did not share with Chen. Everyone has their secrets, especially an old fox like him. It was just like Chen Jianchen’s secret possession of the "Three Accomplishments True Scripture"—he would not easily tell others either.

Chen Jianchen nodded. "At that time, the monk Fuxiao invited me to Jinshan Temple for a talk."

Elder Huangfu muttered, "He knows you possess Righteous Energy; he likely invited you to discuss Zen."

"Perhaps. I feel that going to see for myself would be worthwhile."

Elder Huangfu nodded. "The three teachings of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, though different in philosophy, have much that can verify one another. Perhaps after discussing Zen with him, you can enhance your cultivation of Righteous Energy."

While Chen Jianchen had condensed fifty strands of Righteous Energy and his "Righteousness Sword" had reached five inches in length, he was still relatively weak overall. His greatest flaw was that he could not manifest the energy outwardly; it existed only within his spiritual soul. If he encountered a formidable enemy who attacked his physical body, Chen would be left defenseless, exposing a fatal vulnerability.

The Golden Silkworm Shirt Elder Huangfu had given him was meant to provide some form of external protection, but external objects remain just that. How could a silkworm vest protect every vital point on his body?

...

"What? Sir, you are going to see that bad monk?"

Upon hearing that Chen Jianchen was going to Jinshan Temple, Jiaona jumped up.

Chen Jianchen replied calmly, "What harm is there in seeing him?"

Jiaona grumbled, "That monk may have a good exterior, but his heart is treacherous. What if he locks you in Jinshan Temple and won't let you out?"

Chen Jianchen laughed. "Why would he lock me up? There is no need for that."

Jiaona pouted. "Who knows!"

"Rest assured, while I think this monk has his obsessions, he is not unreasonable. Otherwise, he would not have let you go back in Suzhou City."

"Hmph, that's only because you were blocking his path... Anyway, I think that monk is wicked; he’s not a good person."

Her father had nearly lost his life at Fuxiao’s hands; it was impossible for Jiaona to have any affection for him. The main reason she and her father were moving was the fear that Fuxiao would hunt them down to exorcise them.

Chen Jianchen said, "Don't worry, it will be fine."

Jiaona huffed. "Fine, since you have made up your mind, I cannot stop you. But if that ugly monk dares to give you trouble, I will go all out—I'll stir up the entire Suzhou River and flood Jinshan Temple!"

"Ah!"

Chen Jianchen was stunned. Hearing the phrase "flood Jinshan Temple" triggered vivid memories. Yet he knew full well that in this world, there would be no snake fairies of green and white appearing before him. There was a green snake, yes, but this green was not that green.

"Haha, Miss Huangfu, you seem quite afraid of the monk Fuxiao. How would you dare to flood Jinshan Temple?"

Jiaona wiped her little nose with her thumb and insisted stubbornly, "Who said I'm afraid of him? I just can't beat him, that's all."

Chen Jianchen laughed heartily. Her genuine, unpretentious concern warmed his heart. Since crossing over, he hadn't made many friends, but had instead found himself dealing with fox spirits—could it be that destiny had willed it?

Early the next morning, Chen Jianchen left the lake villa and went to the Suzhou River to take a boat downstream to Jinshan Temple. Elder Huangfu and Jiaona saw him off until he boarded the boat, waving goodbye.

The boat was a simple covered skiff. Since they were traveling with the current, the boatman didn't need to row, only steer.

The scenery on both banks of the Suzhou River was usually picturesque, but in the harsh winter, the frost and snow had marred the view. Looking out, the withered vegetation added a sense of desolation and decay.

"Young Master, are you going to Jinshan Temple to burn incense and pray to Buddha?" the wind-weathered boatman asked, striking up a conversation.

"Hmm?"

"Hehe, one look at you and I knew you were from out of town. You might not know, but the incense sold inside Jinshan Temple is very expensive. If you want to offer incense, I can take you to another place to buy it; I guarantee the price is thirty percent cheaper."

So, he was a middleman...

Chen Jianchen smiled faintly. "I am not going to burn incense or pray to Buddha. I am going to Jinshan Temple to see the Buddha."

Praying to Buddha? Seeing the Buddha?

What was the difference?

The boatman scratched his head, confused, but he was sensible enough not to pester him further.

The skiff was not fast, but it drifted steadily. Because of the strong wind, Chen Jianchen stood at the bow for a while before retreating into the cabin to sit, closing his eyes to rest.

About an hour later—

*Clang!*

A melodious bell toll drifted from the distance, rippling like water, layer upon layer, incredibly pleasant to the ear. It felt as though the sound would "linger for three months," and a line of ancient poetry welled up in his heart: "All sounds are silent here, save for the echo of the bell."

It was the bell of Jinshan Temple—the Flying Bell. They were almost there.