bookpub Chapter 141 Death
Chapter 141 Death
As the sun rises in the east, the misty fog quietly dissipates.
The area around the fasting room was devastated; as far as the eye could see, apart from the ruins, there were only broken walls and rubble made up of broken bricks, tiles, wood fragments, and pieces of cloth.
The compassionate Buddhas and Bodhisattvas peeked out from the towering ruins.
The statues were either broken or had only broken limbs remaining; not one was intact.
Rows of dilapidated buildings stand crookedly on the ruins, their bricks and tiles scattered everywhere. Only the lingering incense sticks that hadn't yet been extinguished still emit wisps of sandalwood fragrance.
The former prosperity has vanished, replaced by decay, desolation, and bleakness.
While searching for Zongdu and Dou Yan'an, Fang Hongxuan, burdened by his destiny, inadvertently touched the lotus platform on the ruins.
The lotus platform rolled downwards until it rang out in unison with the cracked bronze bell.
Thump....
The heavy tolling of the bell echoed within the silent temple.
Despite being battered and dented, the elaborate and heavy bronze bell still managed to hold on.
Such a commotion naturally awakened the drowsy Daoyuan.
He gently patted Fang Hongxuan's shoulder, indicating that he should put himself down.
Seeing that Daoyuan was in such a bad state, Fang Hongxuan had no choice but to quickly lift the lotus platform, wipe off the dust, and then place Daoyuan inside.
On Dao Yuan's tender body, sweat began to gush out violently. The sweat was slippery and oily, as if someone had poured oil all over his head.
"It seems I will never see your eldest brother again..."
Fang Hongxuan, who was not good with words, stared silently at Daoyuan, whose face was pale but still peaceful and compassionate, for a long time without saying a word.
Suddenly
A loud crashing sound echoed through the ruins.
Fang Hongxuan's expression tightened, and he immediately stared coldly at the source of the commotion, knife in hand.
Two heavy iron doors were pushed open from the inside, and Dou Yan'an helped a middle-aged monk out, with rustling sounds still lingering behind them.
Upon seeing the Daoyuan on the lotus platform, the frail middle-aged monk was momentarily stunned, then tears welled up in his eyes.
Ignoring his overburdened body, he stumbled and crawled to his knees before Daoyuan.
"Master..."
Dou Yan'an was delighted to see Fang Hongxuan, and Fang Hongxuan, upon seeing Zong Du, tactfully pulled Dou Yan'an aside.
"Where are the others from inside the dungeon who came out with you?"
Dou Yan'an's face stiffened, and then he let out a long sigh.
"The monk and I were pushed out to test the safety of our surroundings..."
"Previously, inside the dungeon, we could only hear the rumbling of thunder and the sound of raindrops pattering on the ground. We have no idea why Ōwāra-ji Temple has changed like this."
Fang Hongxuan was at a loss for words for a moment, and after thinking for a while, he replied.
"Daoro Temple colluded with evil spirits and has now been destroyed by logging and demolishing the temple. What are your plans now, sir?"
With a complex expression, Dou Yan'an sighed repeatedly before reluctantly expressing his thoughts.
"This old man has no money left, so I have no choice but to find some work in Huaicheng to make a living."
Just as Dou Yan'an was frowning in worry, Fang Hongxuan silently handed over two full silver ingots.
"I hope you will not refuse, sir. This is all to repay your previous kindness..."
Dou Yan'an was about to refuse, but Zong Du stepped forward and gestured for Fang Hongxuan to come with him.
Dou Yan'an was stunned as he stared at the heavy silver ingot in his hand.
...
"Zongdu, this is my disciple, and also your junior brother. When he goes to the Secret Realm, you will need to help him a lot."
Zongdu, his eyes bloodshot, remained silent, only nodding repeatedly.
He was trembling all over, and his face was filled with reluctance and longing.
"Although I did not achieve perfection in this life, I still followed the original plan to refine the bones, hair and skin of my body to perfection."
After I pass away, Zongdu, you must make a kapala bowl from my skull, a Vajrabhairava thangka from my skin and muscles, a rosary from my ten finger bones, and a drumstick from my right leg bone..."
"If you happen to meet him in the Vajrayana realm someday in the future, then give him the kapala bowl and rosary. As for the thangka and drumsticks, they are the ritual implements that I, your master, will pass on to you."
Fang Hongxuan was initially confused because he didn't understand, but after he came to his senses, his pupils shrank and he stared blankly at the master and disciple.
"What...what's going on?"
Zong Du wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and stared solemnly at Fang Hongxuan.
"Junior brother, please do not think this is an unforgivable crime of blasphemy against one's master."
"Among the many traditions in the Vajrayana realm, only the golden body of a Living Buddha who has attained the status of Hutuktu after his passing can be made into various ritual implements. Humans are the essence of heaven and earth, and all kinds of laws and regulations can be adapted to the human body."
"The Buddha, out of compassion for all beings, disassembled his perfected golden body into different parts to create various ritual implements. Through these actions, he enlightened and awakened sentient beings who were drowning in the sea of suffering."
"This is a great act of merit, and it also signifies the supreme inheritance between master and disciple..."
Fang Hongxuan found it hard to accept.
"Then why do the monks here all need the internal organs, limbs, and bones of others as resources for their cultivation?"
Zongdu snorted repeatedly, his face full of disdain and mockery.
"Those extraterrestrial demons have disrupted the laws and ethics of the Secret Realm. In addition, there are many who cultivate the Three Channels and Seven Chakras, but very few Living Buddhas who have attained the status of Hutuktu. The inheritance of the supreme Dharma artifact is extremely difficult and dangerous."
Therefore, some people proposed using others to save themselves, letting the bodies of various slaves serve as magical implements to cultivate corresponding spells, mudras, bindings, etc.
If quality is insufficient, then quantity will suffice, even if it means being scrapped after a single use. The vast esoteric domain, aside from the nobles and lamas, is a continuous source of consumables!
"This is an evil path. When you cultivate the Three Meridians and Seven Chakras in the future, junior brother, remember this well, lest you go astray."
"This is contrary to the lineage given by the enlightened Buddha. Even if one has one foot in the position of Hutuktu, one cannot see the true Vairocana Buddha!"
Even with Zong Du's persuasion, Fang Hongxuan still found it difficult to accept.
Seemingly noticing Fang Hongxuan's reluctance, Daoyuan gestured for Fang Hongxuan to step forward.
All that could be seen was Dao Yuan, who looked haggard, still tapping Fang Hongxuan's head with two fingers with a kind expression, but the force was like a mosquito bite, almost imperceptible.
"You foolish child... We'll talk about the future later. What's destined to happen will happen..."
"My days are numbered. Zongdu, your foundation has been destroyed. Come forward and let me lend you one last helping hand..."
Zongdu, with bloodshot eyes, prostrated himself beneath the lotus platform, his face devout and sincere.
『Om Vajrasattva Hum.』
The dim, nearly broken merit wheel behind Dao Yuan's head suddenly condensed into an extremely dazzling seven-colored light.
The light, following Daoyuan's gesture of pointing with a flower, directly shone upon Zongdu's entire body.
"I entrust my newly accepted disciple to you from now on..."
Zongdu agreed in a trembling voice, his whole body radiating an overwhelming sense of sorrow.
"Respectfully sending my teacher to the Western Paradise..."
Fang Hongxuan was about to refute him when he discovered that Daoyuan had suddenly fallen silent and completely passed away.
...