Mutated Tao - Chapter 42

In Li Huowang’s impression, the majority of Buddhist temples were built on mountains and hills rather than in cities.

However, he was not concerned about this now. What he cared more about was the name of the temple mentioned by the pilgrims just now – “Zhengde Temple?”

Li Huowang immediately recalled the words Zheng Kun said to Dan Yangzi before his death. It seemed that they had been chased by the monks of Zhengde Temple before.

His heart began to beat faster as he realized that he had finally found the right place. After experiencing so many things along the way, he had finally arrived.

Just then, as he turned a corner, a magnificent view opened up before him. At the end of several hundred steps was a solemn Buddhist temple with red walls and smoke rising from burning incense, coming into view before his eyes.

Above the tall temple gate hung a black plaque with the red words of “Zhengde Temple” inscribed upon it. On either side of the gate, there was an inscription: the one read “Cultivating virtue and planting causes, perfecting the Dharma body,” while the another one read “Clear water and bright moon, the dignified majesty of the Jade Emperor.”

Surrounded by flourishing incense, the entire temple was enveloped in white smoke, giving it an otherworldly appearance.

“Little Taoist Master, I won’t accompany you inside. You can go on your own. Oh, and remember that unlike Jianye Town, Xijing City has a curfew at night. Make sure to come back before dark.”

Li Huowang took a deep breath and walked towards the bustling temple. Following the pilgrims, he walked into the temple where several large halls appeared before his eyes.

Now, standing there, Li Huowang looked around at everything. Although he had found the Zhengde Temple, the next question puzzled him: how should he approach the monks in the temple?

Should he directly tell them that he was a disciple of Dan Yang Tzu? Then, he might being chased by the monks like Dan Yang Tzu.

Before Li Huowang could come up with a plan, the monk of Zhengde Temple approached him. After all, even in the crowded temple, Li Huowang’s Taoist robe was too conspicuous to ignore.

“Amitabha, I am Jian Dun.” said the portly monk, then he made a Namaste to Li Huowang.

Li Huowang immediately responded to him with a Taoist bow,”Very pleased to meet you, I am Xuan Yang.”

“Alms giver, as a Taoist, I presume your visit to our temple is not for offering incenses and praying, am I right? So that, please follow me,” said Jian Dun.

Observing the bustling crowds around him, Li Huowang nodded and followed Jian Dun towards a side door.

As he looked at the monk’s shaven head with the scar from taking precepts, Li Huowang began to ponder how to continue the conversation.

They continued to walk through the imposing halls, and the noise of the crowd gradually faded away. Finally, they stopped in front of a group of stone tables and benches under a golden yellow ginkgo tree.

“Please have a seat,” said Monk Jian Dun as he sat down and calmly turning his prayer beads.

He did not ask Li Huowang where he came from or which sect he belonged to, but instead waited for him to speak.

After thinking for a moment, Li Huowang looked at the monk in front of him and said, “Dan Yangzi is dead.”

With a snap, the yellow prayer beads scattered everywhere. Seeing the portly monk standing up in front of him, Li Huowang knew that he was not mistaken – the monks of Zhengde Temple had indeed come into contact with Dan Yangzi.

“Did that old rascal really die? This matter is of great importance. please tell me more.”

Since he wanted to know the answer, Li Huowang had to provide enough information. Aside from taking away the so-called Celestial Book, Li Huowang told the monk everything that happened at Qingfeng Temple.

“Master, in such circumstances, can Dan Yangzi really become an immortal?”

（Just like Lv Zhuangyuan calling Li Huowang, the master here is a kind of honorific title）

Li Huowang leaned forward slightly and asked with a solemn expression, “Or maybe he became something else?”

“Are you sure that you heard Dan Yang Tzu’s voice in your ear?” Jian Dun asked again with a serious expression.

“Yes, it was absolutely real. And it wasn’t only an illusion, and there was also the anomaly of The Delight,” Li Huowang replied, recalling the scene at that time with some annoyance.

“The Delight that could not be directly looked at was about to crawling out of the darkness to eat me. However, its body hidden in the darkness seemed to have been pulled by something. Although there is no evidence, I have a suspicion that it was Dan Yang Tzu that become an immortal who pulled The Delight in the darkness.”

After pondering for a moment with a serious expression, Jian Dun stood up and said, “Alms giver, please wait a moment. This matter is of great importance.”

After finishing speaking, Jian Dun clasped his hands in front of Li Huowang and quickly left. Although Jian Dun didn’t say anything, his attitude had already conveyed some information.

Li Huowang looked up at the clouds and thought to himself, “Sure enough, this matter isn’t going to end so easily.” Jian Dun returned even faster than Li Huowang expected, within just ten minutes he hurried back carrying a string of new prayer beads.

“Alms Giver Xuan Yang, please come this way. The Buddhist abbot wants to personally meet with you.”

Zhengde Temple was very large. After walking through the temple for a while, Li Huowang finally stopped in front of a magnificent hall.

Through the doors, Li Huowang saw five massive and majestic golden Buddhas, each over 30 meters tall, sitting in different postures.

On a cushion in front of the five golden Buddhas sat a person wearing a kasaya and a Five-Buddhas Hat.①

Upon entering, Li Huowang heard the chanting of the monk. The spacious hall produced a haunting echo of the chanting.

Under the gaze of the five massive golden Buddhas, Li Huowang involuntarily slowed down his steps.

The chanting stopped, and the monk sitting on the cushion turned slowly.

When Li Huowang saw the face of the monk, he was surprised.

It was an old abbot with white eyebrows and beard, which surprised Li Huowang not because of his extraordinarily kind appearance, but because of his eyes. They were pink, and at first glance, Li Huowang could tell that he suffered from albinism, just like Bai Lingmiao.

“Amitabha, I am Xin Hui,” said the abbot, clasping his hands together in a calm tone.

“I am Xuan Yang. It’s an honor to meet you,” Li Huowang paid his respects and sat down in front of Xin Hui. “Abbot, about Dan Yang Tzu…”

Li Huowang was interrupted by Xin Hui who raised his hand.

“Alms Giver Xuan Yang, do you recognize the five Buddhas in this hall?”

Seeing Li Huowang shake his head, Xin Hui explained while stroking his white beard: “From left to right, they are the Vairocana of the Middle Paradise,the Aksobhya of the Eastern Paradise, the Amitābha of the Western Paradise, the Ratnasaṃbhava of the Southern Paradise, and the Amoghasiddhi of the Northern Paradise. They are collectively referred to as Dhyani-Buddhas.”

Li Huowang feel a bit anxious, as he didn’t quite understand what the monk was getting at. “Abbot, let’s talk about this later when we have more time. I just want to know, what has Dan Yang Tzu become?”

Xin Hui calmly looked at Li Huowang and said, “He has become a Buddha.”

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