The Great Samsara Dharma Aspect, resurrection from death? Surely that’s far too miraculous… Xu Qi’an was almost dumbfounded. He knew that the Buddhists had nine great Dharma Aspects, and had witnessed the might of the Vajra Dharma Aspect, the wonders of the Medicine Buddha Dharma Aspect, and the intelligence-reducing power of the Great Wisdom Dharma Aspect.
But the Great Samsara Dharma Aspect before him, which could bring the dead back to life, had a huge impact on him.
“Clack clack clack…”
The golden wheel slowly turned, and the dead were resurrected one after another. They stared at themselves in bewilderment, examining their surroundings.
“Di… didn’t I die?”
“An illusion? It doesn’t seem to be…”
“What’s going on? The Venerable al-Asura and that Yao King are dead? Who killed them, was it the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox?”
As they could not make sense of the situation, those revived, whether human or Yao, remained relatively calm. They did not immediately break out into fighting, instead looking around warily, trying to figure out what was happening.
After calmly observing for a while, Xu Qi’an sent a transmission to the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox:
“Within the domain of the Great Samsara Dharma Aspect, all the dead will be resurrected, except for those whose souls have been annihilated, is that right?”
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox chuckled softly:
“Sharp observation, as expected of a genius detective.”
This wretched man had more or less figured out the first ability of the Great Samsara Dharma Aspect.
“The Great Samsara Dharma Aspect has two abilities. What you’ve seen is the first, the second is that it allows one to experience a full reincarnation in a short time. Years ago, after my mother killed al-Asura, it was Samantabhadra who helped him reincarnate and cultivate anew, letting him survive.”
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox relayed.
Xu Qi’an nodded and scanned his surroundings cautiously:
“It seems what has arrived is an aspect of Samantabhadra.”
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox hummed in agreement. The two shared the same understanding.
Previously, they had discussed the reason why al-Asura had “shown mercy”, and their two guesses had been:
Al-Asura’s personal motives, and a conspiracy by the Buddhist sect.
The latter was most likely because the true body of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra had descended, trying to take them all out in one go.
But since it was merely the aspect of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra that had appeared, the answer became obvious.
“Al-Asura wants to achieve the Bodhisattva Phala through something related to the Yao, and step into the first rank?” Xu Qi’an transmitted.
“We can’t rule out the possibility that Samantabhadra’s true body is nearby. Be careful, and if things look bad, just stick to the plan.” The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox replied via transmission.
As they spoke, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, eyes filled with compassion, looked at the corpses and severed heads of the Bear King and al-Asura.
That area was a “no man’s land”, anyone who got close had already collapsed, falling into a deep sleep.
“Still not waking?”
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra said lightly.
With a click, the wheel spun, sending out a beam of light that illuminated the “remains” of al-Asura and the Bear King.
The two beyond-mortal experts slowly opened their eyes, stood up, picked up their own heads and pressed them onto their necks. As flesh and blood squirmed, their necks healed without a single scar left behind.
The Bear King yawned, twisting his chubby body as he walked to the side of the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox and Xu Qi’an.
Al-Asura returned to the side of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, palms together, standing in respectful silence.
Arhat Du’e was in a third direction.
“Amitabha. Five hundred years ago, that war wrought devastation everywhere. Whether in the Western Regions or among the Yao, countless lives perished. Why must you needlessly make war again, benefactor?”
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra pressed his palms together, eyes brimming with compassion.
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox smiled captivatingly:
“What Bodhisattva Samantabhadra says is reasonable. Why not have the Buddhists return the Hundred Thousand Mountains, withdraw from the Southern Marches, and naturally, there will be no more slaughter.”
Unexpectedly, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra nodded:
“We can make the decision to return half of the territory of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, with Wanyao Mountain as the boundary. The Yao may live east, the Buddhist Sect shall rule the west.”
He paused, then added:
“This is the greatest concession the Buddhist Sect can make. I can swear an oath against the heavenly Dao that we will never go back on it. The region east of Wanyao Mountain is vast enough to accommodate all the Yao.”
His words seemed to possess a convincing power. After hearing them, the surrounding Yao revealed signs of being moved.
They actually felt Bodhisattva Samantabhadra’s proposal was excellent: not only could it prevent their people from dying in battle, it also offered them a vast and fertile territory to inhabit.
“No good!”
The Bear King shook his head, speaking slowly:
“I do not accept…”
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, appearing as a young monk, was calm and gentle in voice:
“What is your wise suggestion?”
The Bear King snorted twice, speaking slowly:
“I have a request to make things difficult for you…
“There’s too little bamboo in the north, I don’t like it… I also want those three thousand acres of bamboo forest in the southwest.
“If such a treasured land can be ceded by the Buddhist Sect, then I shall believe your sincerity…”
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra nodded:
“Agreed!”
The Bear King’s beady eyes widened abruptly, unable to believe the Buddhists would agree to such an excessive demand. To cede three thousand acres of treasured bamboo forest truly showed sincerity.
Xu Qi’an frowned secretly.
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra’s move was to stabilise the Yao, so that troops could be redeployed east to invade the Central Plains and aid the Yunzhou rebels in overthrowing the Great Feng. Yet, by conceding only the land east of Wanyao Mountain, the Buddhist Sect still occupied the greatest treasure land of the Hundred Thousand Mountains in the Southern Marches, with no loss of fortune.
It was essentially maximising benefits at minimum cost.
However, he was not worried that the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox would compromise so easily and be “pacified”, she would not have tolerated five hundred years otherwise.
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox beamed:
“You seize my home, slaughter my kin, and now use my tribe’s land to bestow charity upon us. Does the Buddhist Sect take my southern Yao as beggars?”
She smiled to the corners of her mouth, but there was no trace of laughter in her eyes.
Seizing the opportunity, Xu Qi’an activated the “empathy” power of the Heart Gu, influencing the Yao around him.
Suddenly, their old and new grievances surged anew, anger and fighting spirit reignited, and many felt ashamed of their earlier wavering.
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra sighed, still not irritated, but this time made no further effort to persuade the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox and instead turned to Xu Qi’an:
“Buddha Son, we invited you to join the Buddhist Sect not for your fortune.
“Since you can establish the Mahayana doctrine, you are someone destined with the Buddha. The fruit of Buddhist cultivation is not only about power, but about the mind, about compassion.
“In our eyes, you are someone who can stand alongside the Buddha. If you are willing to convert to the Buddhist Sect and lead the world’s followers to comprehend Mahayana, we can help you shed the national fortune.
“In this way, even if the Great Feng is destroyed, you will not have to die with it.”
Xu Qi’an’s greatest conflict with the Buddhist Sect was this: the Buddhist Sect wished to help the Yunzhou rebels destroy the Great Feng, thus as bearer of half of the national fortune, he would have to die with the state.
Everything he did, uniting Yao and shaman clans, was first for self-preservation, then for vengeance.
To survive was the most basic desire of all people. There were a thousand forms of morality in the world, but survival was the truest one.
As for revenge, that was of course against Xu Pingfeng.
This involved both private grudges and the suffering of the people of the Central Plains.
If not for Xu Pingfeng stealing the nation’s fortune for his personal gain, there would not have been endless disasters and calamities in the Great Feng over the past twenty years.
If not for Xu Pingfeng’s selfish rebellion, Qingzhou would not have been plunged into such devastation.
“Then should I thank Bodhisattva Samantabhadra for not killing me?”
Xu Qi’an’s lips curled in a cold smile:
“Your Buddhist sect intends to destroy the Great Feng, to seize the Central Plains. Am I to renounce the secular world, abandon my family and loved ones, abandon the Central Plains people who trust me, and become a Buddha Son of your sect, a stepping stone for the expansion of the Buddhist Sect?
“If I am unwilling, then I must die for my country.
“In Bodhisattva Samantabhadra’s eyes, I am nothing more than a weakling, so I have no right to choose.
“If you truly regard me so highly, then why not, for my sake, break with the Hinayana Buddhists led by Agaruka, seek refuge in the Great Feng, and help us quell the rebellion?
“I, Silver Gong Xu, can promise that when peace returns, Mahayana Buddhism will blossom throughout the Central Plains.”
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra replied calmly:
“We have considered it.”
Xu Qi’an was taken aback, wondering if he had misheard.
Samantabhadra, heedless of others, continued:
“However, the Great Feng is far weaker than the Buddhist sect. Even if we put aside our identity and only wish to promote Mahayana Buddhism, it is wiser to choose the stronger Western Regions as our foundation.
“And with Buddhist kingdoms spread across the Western Regions, it would be easier to propagate Mahayana Buddhism. Why should we trouble ourselves with the Great Feng?”
He is telling me that the Great Feng is too weak, I am too weak, so he chooses the Buddhist Sect over me, so frank, it is almost unbelievable… Xu Qi’an thought for a moment and said,
“Would Bodhisattva Samantabhadra be willing to pull out the last Demon-sealing nail for me?”
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra shook his head:
“We do not raise tigers to court calamity, unless the Buddha Son joins our Buddhist sect.”
He’s being a bit too honest… Xu Qi’an’s mind stirred, and he asked:
“When the Buddhist sect assisted Emperor Wuzong’s rebellion years ago, was Bodhisattva Samantabhadra involved?”
Samantabhadra nodded:
“We were nearly sent into reincarnation by the first Jianzheng.”
As forthright as ever.
A first-rank Arcanist can defeat several first-rank practitioners on his own territory. The current Jianzheng’s strength surely cannot compare to the first generation… Xu Qi’an asked,
“How did you kill the first Jianzheng?”
As he asked, he manipulated the Stupa Tower, causing the Medicine Buddha Dharma Aspect to shed light, healing the Bear King’s injuries and restoring its depleted vitality.
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra said,
“It was just like today. Wuzong started his rebellion in the east and fought all the way to the capital. The Buddhist monk-soldiers advanced from the west. Both forces met at the capital, gradually weakening the first Jianzheng, until he was killed.
“Now unlike then, at the start of the rebellion the current Jianzheng is much weaker than the first generation was. Wuzong’s preparations were not as thorough as Xu Pingfeng’s.”
So back then, multiple first-rank Bodhisattvas had to get involved… Xu Qi’an frowned:
“What arrangements did the first generation make?”
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra was silent for a moment, then slowly said:
“None! In terms of intellect, the first generation was far inferior to the present one. At the start of the rebellion, the court of the Great Feng responded in utter haste and was caught completely off guard.”
Caught completely off guard? Are you joking? He was a Master of Heaven’s Mandate… Xu Qi’an put his palms together and said,
“Thank you for telling me.”
He swiftly suppressed all his doubts, gathered his thoughts, and resumed a combat-ready state.
“No need to thank me. We are also stalling for time,” Samantabhadra said calmly.
As his words fell, the previously dim roulette wheel shone with golden light once again. On the disc, the word “Beast” lit up, firing a beam of light that struck the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.
Next, the word “Human” lit up and a similar beam fell upon Xu Qi’an.
Xu Qi’an finally understood why the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox did not dodge, the moment the golden light came, he was affected by the power of the precepts and lost the will to “dodge.”
It’s not harming me… as Xu Qi’an had this thought, he saw the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox at his side suddenly grow shorter, her ample chest, barely wrapped in animal hide, shrinking at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Her once-pronounced cleavage had vanished.
In the blink of an eye, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox transformed from a tall, silver-haired fox-eared seductress into a white-haired girl of about twelve or thirteen.
Soft and adorable, innately enchanting.
“You…”
Xu Qi’an blurted out, only to find that the white-haired loli was about his own height.
He glanced at himself in alarm. His clothes, which had once fit perfectly, were now loose and baggy, his trousers slipping down, just like a child dressed in adult clothing.
I’ve been shrunk as well. My qi and strength are diminished, though not severely… He immediately understood and realised the second major power of the Great Samsara Dharma Aspect.
Seizing the moment, al-Asura immediately bent his knees and, with a bang as the ground crumbled, shot toward the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox like a cannonball.
Boom!
The Bear King also shot forth like a cannonball, intercepting al-Asura.
al-Asura abruptly braked in defiance of physics, stopping instantly, knees bent, lowering his head to avoid the Bear King’s strike.
Then with a flick of his waist and back, both fists became afterimages, hammering the Bear King’s chest.
Bang, bang, bang… in an instant, he landed dozens, perhaps a hundred punches, leaving the Bear King’s chest a bloody and mangled mess, terrifying ripples of qi whipping up a storm.
One of the Fox’s tails whipped over, wrapping around the Bear King and flinging him back, helping him dodge al-Asura’s barrage.
One of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s tails lit up and began to shrink until it became a short little stub.
In the distance, Qingji let out a soft moan, her tall figure rapidly shrinking into a twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl.
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox resumed her tall, alluring, silver-haired beauty.
“You’re quite cute.”
She glanced at Xu Qi’an, giggling.
Xu Qi’an: ”…”
Once she had finished mocking Xu Qi’an, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox tilted her head back and let out a long howl.
Her cry echoed across the heavens and the earth, spreading far and wide.
Moments later, a figure plummeted from the sky and crashed down with a thunderous impact.
It was a broken body, missing its right arm and head, its skin pitch black, every inch of its flesh brimming with immense power.
A powerful and terrifying aura filled the field.
Common soldiers and minor yao shivered in fear, feeling their minds on the verge of collapse, their emotions manic, desperate to destroy everything, even themselves.
“Shenshu…”
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra’s face turned grave.
Comments for this chapter. You will need a GitHub account. Please follow all terms and conditions of GitHub issues and maintain etiquette in the comments. Cookies are required for this functionality.
If you want to talk with other readers about Nightwatchers (or other cultivation type books) you can join our cultivation groupreading discord server!
I also have a Kofi, which for legal reasons is definitely for supporting my digital art only (promise!): ko-fi.com/yanxin ... plus I guess server space isn't free, and I don't want to put ads/trackers... ever, so thank you if you do!