Seeing Xu Qi’an fall silent in thought, Zhenzhu sent a thought transmission in explanation:
“Legend says that in the distant past, this world had only a single continent. Later, after the age of gods and demons ended, heaven and earth shattered, and the Jiuzhou continent was smashed into countless fragments, forming innumerable islands.
“That island rising from the Guixu should be a part of Jiuzhou.”
Xu Qi’an nodded, then looked at the island master “Nulang” and said:
“Ask him if he has any specific thoughts.”
Zhenzhu “translated” Xu Qi’an’s words for the island master Nulang. Hearing this, the latter grew serious and said:
“I suspect some gods and demons did not perish, but were trapped on the island.
“They looked so real, so powerful. The power leaking from them alone was enough to drive people mad, but a terrifying barrier sealed off the island and cut it off from the outside world.
“As Moyu and I approached the barrier, he and the dragon guards were tainted by the dreadful aura of the gods and demons, and mutations appeared.”
As for why the aura of the gods and demons had granted Moyu and the dragonmen guards spiritual endowment, the island master Nulang didn’t know either. That island itself was a mystery, one that still needed to be explored and studied.
The Nine-tailed Fox gave a derisive laugh.
“Who could trap gods and demons on a single island? Even if it were once part of a continent.”
She didn’t believe island master Nulang. She was more inclined to believe Xu Qi’an, who had once seen the scene of the gods and demons’ fall in the Gu God’s memories.
Still, the mere appearance of that island out of nowhere already represented the “incredible”, so the Nine-tailed Fox did not directly refute him.
“We’ll know the situation once we go and see for ourselves.”
Xu Qi’an turned his head and looked at the hulking, fierce-looking azure-scaled dragonman.
“You’ll lead the way.”
Zhenzhu translated for the island master Nulang, and the azure-scaled dragon person looked towards the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox.
Although civilisation had already emerged on Arsu Island and city-states had been established, the law of survival, where the strong ruled, still influenced the vast majority of the descendants of gods and demons.
Among those present, the only one who could half-compel him to take the risk was the ruler of the Yao Kingdom from the Jiuzhou continent.
As for why it was only half-compulsion, it was because island master Nulang was himself unwilling to let the matter rest, and wanted to return to the “Gods and Demons Island” to investigate again.
Compared with their last meeting, this Nine-tailed Fox seemed to have advanced greatly in strength yet again. She was probably already close to first rank, as defined by the human race.
With her there, exploring this “Gods and Demons Island” would be far more assured.
But island master Nulang still didn’t immediately nod.
Noticing his hesitation and deliberation, the silver-haired demoness smilingly asked in return:
“Is there a problem?”
Island master Nulang gently let out a breath and said:
“The existence of Gods and Demons Island had already been leaked before I returned. After so much time, the South Sea Guixu has probably gathered many beyond-mortal descendants of gods and demons.”
That “friend” had sold the information to him, but would never have sold it to only one dragon.
This meant the pressure of competition would be immense.
Though especially powerful descendants of gods and demons had long since declined, the overseas world was vast beyond measure, countless times larger than the Jiuzhou continent. If all the beyond-mortal descendants of gods and demons were truly gathered together, it would still be an astonishing number.
Even if only a portion gathered, it would still be an extremely powerful force.
The island master Nulang felt he had to make the stakes clear, in case the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox acted too flamboyantly and provoked the descendants of gods and demons into attacking them all at once.
Zhenzhu translated this for Xu Qi’an, who was overjoyed and blurted out:
“There’s actually something this good?!”
The island master Nulang couldn’t understand the human tongue, but he saw this human male’s face visibly brighten at a speed discernible to the naked eye, as though he were exceedingly delighted.
This is something worth being happy about?
…
Western Regions.
There was a city-state called “Beichang”, situated north of the sacred mountain of Ananda. Because of its poverty and desolation, this city-state seemed somewhat dilapidated and bleak.
The city lord was the only noble here, personally appointed by Ananda, simply because in his youth he had travelled from afar on a pilgrimage to Ananda.
Beichang’s city walls were made mainly of stone and yellow earth, blending almost completely with the desert beyond the city, carrying a trace of ancient loneliness and desolation.
Zhulai was a beggar in Beichang. Seventeen years old this year, he wore a tattered robe, leaned on a wooden staff, and hobbled along the roadside in Beichang, begging someone to show a little kindness and give a bit of food to a man who hadn’t eaten in four days.
Beichang was barren, and the common folk who lived here lacked both food and clothing. Where would there be spare food to give a beggar?
“Did you see the notice on the announcement board? I heard that after autumn begins, the sacred mountain of Ananda is going to hold a Buddhist Dharma Assembly, calling believers from the Western Regions to go on pilgrimage.”
“Ah, the journey’s too far. How could anyone get there? Never mind bandits and robbers, the cold and hunger alone would kill you.”
“If you set off now, at least you wouldn’t need to worry about the cold, but by the time you return, it’ll already be autumn…”
The conversation of passers-by at the roadside drew Zhulai’s attention.
Ananda was going to hold a Buddhist Dharma Assembly and summon believers to pilgrimage?
Zhulai’s spirits were suddenly lifted, as though a bucket of cool water had been poured over him in the height of summer. He immediately dragged his exhausted body towards the announcement board by the city gate.
During his years of begging, he had once heard tales about the city lord.
It was said that when the city lord had been young, he was an idle layabout. Then one day, enlightenment came to him, and he felt that he had been born for the Buddhist Dharma. So he had travelled thousands of li to Ananda on pilgrimage.
There, on the sacred mountain, he bathed in Buddha’s light, won the favour of the Buddhist sect, and became one of its disciples.
From then on, he rose rapidly and eventually attained the position of city lord.
For many years now, this story had been passed from mouth to mouth in Beichang. It could be said to be the model example of how believing in Buddhism changed one’s life.
If you believed in Buddhism and went on pilgrimage, your fate could change… Zhulai had only one thought left in his mind: go to the announcement board and see what it said!
The distance of half a li felt like half a lifetime. By the time he reached the announcement board, he was already gasping for breath, dizzy and faint.
“What does the notice say?”
He grabbed hold of one of the commoners beside the board.
“Filthy beggar, get lost.”
The man flew into a rage and kicked Zhulai away with one foot.
Already tormented by hunger and thirst, Zhulai crashed heavily to the ground and felt only that his consciousness was beginning to leave his body. His life was about to reach its end.
Only after quite a while did he slowly regain control of his body.
“Would you like some water?”
A gentle voice sounded by his ear. Zhulai opened his eyes and saw an ordinary-looking middle-aged man standing beside him, holding out a waterskin.
The middle-aged man wore a thick, simple robe. His skin was dark, and he looked like nothing more than an entirely ordinary townsman, yet his eyes were so gentle, full of kindness.
Zhulai licked his dry, cracked lips, snatched the water at once, and gulped it down noisily.
He had long been parched beyond endurance.
After draining the waterskin in one go, Zhulai let out a satisfied belch. Only then did anxiety and wariness well up in him, and he didn’t know why this middle-aged man before him would help a filthy beggar like himself.
“Amitabha!”
The middle-aged man pressed his palms together and said with relief:
“For a moment just now, I nearly thought you were dead.”
So he’s a Buddhist believer… Zhulai relaxed inwardly, but also found it a little strange.
Beichang lay within Buddhist territory, so naturally there were many believers. But from what he knew, the Buddhist devotees in the city believed in struggling to cross the sea of suffering and attaining fruition.
The one they delivered was themselves.
Few were enthusiastic about doing good deeds.
“Thank you!”
But he still expressed his gratitude, and cautiously handed back the waterskin.
The middle-aged man took the waterskin and said:
“The notice says that Ananda is going to hold a Buddhist Dharma Assembly, calling on believers to go on pilgrimage. But that summons is only for the powerful and wealthy.
“People like us would never make it to Ananda.”
Zhulai was silent for a moment, then said “thank you” again.
The middle-aged man continued:
“The true Buddha is not in Ananda!”
Zhulai was shocked, and looked left and right in alarm. He had never expected the middle-aged man to say something so rebellious.
Fortunately, the passers-by were hurrying along, and no one paid attention to this side.
The middle-aged man said:
“What I believe in is Mahayana Buddhism, the true Buddha. Little brother, you have an affinity with our Mahayana Dharma. Are you willing to enter my Mahayana Buddhist sect?”
Mahayana Buddhism?!
Zhulai had heard of this heretical cult before. Supposedly it preached things like all living beings could become Buddhas, but he didn’t know the details. In any case, it was a heretical cult that bewitched the masses with absurd lies.
“Why are you telling me all this? I—I’m a devout believer of the Buddhist faith. I’m going to Ananda on pilgrimage.”
Zhulai spoke loudly. He hadn’t expected to run into a heretical cult here.
As he spoke, he got to his feet and tried to leave this strange-talking middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man followed slowly behind him, his tone calm and unhurried.
“You won’t make it to Ananda. You’ll only die on the way.”
“None of your business!”
Zhulai only wanted to get away from him, away from these delusions that confused the masses, this Mahayana Buddhist doctrine.
Beichang was cracking down on Mahayana Buddhists. If you were caught, it was the death penalty.
Though he was only a lowly beggar with a worthless life, he didn’t want to die either.
“Young brother, Mahayana Buddhism is the true Buddhist teaching. If you don’t believe it, I can take you to listen to the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism.” The middle-aged man lowered his voice and didn’t give up on the chance to preach.
Perhaps I could pretend to infiltrate the Mahayana sect, then report them to the city lord and exchange that for travel money to Ananda… At that thought, Zhulai suddenly stopped and looked at the middle-aged man.
“Th—then I’ll listen for the time being.”
The middle-aged man said with relief,
“Young brother, you’ll definitely come to believe in Mahayana Buddhism.”
No. Even if I die, die on the road, leap from the city wall, I still won’t believe in Mahayana Buddhism… Zhulai sneered inwardly.
He silently followed behind the middle-aged man. The two of them passed through streets and alleyways, then stopped in a secluded lane. The middle-aged man knocked rhythmically on the gate of a courtyard.
A moment later, the courtyard gate opened, and an elderly woman with greying hair let them in.
The two entered the courtyard and followed the old woman towards a side room, which connected to a cellar.
When the cellar door was pushed open, dim light poured inside. Zhulai swept his gaze across it and saw over twenty people in tattered robes sitting cross-legged on prayer mats. Their hands were pressed together, their eyes closed, listening with focus and devotion to a young monk lecturing on the scriptures.
As the cellar door opened, the believers all turned their heads to look back. The young monk facing the door also paused and looked over.
The middle-aged man took two steps forward, pressed his palms together, and said,
“Master Jingsi, I have guided a predestined man into Mahayana Buddhism.”
After saying that, he beckoned to Zhulai, signalling for him to step forward.
As Zhulai walked up, he examined the young monk.
His features were fine, his skin fair. He didn’t look like a man of the Western Regions at all.
If Xu Qi’an had been here, he would’ve recognised him as the little monk Jingsi who had accompanied Arhat Du’e when the Western Regions delegation entered the capital.
He wasn’t very old, yet he had already mastered the Vajra divine art.
So young, and already the leader of a cult. He must be worth a lot… Zhulai thought to himself.
At that moment, he heard Jingsi say with a smile,
“Benefactor, your complexion is dreadful, and your belly is empty. Why not eat some food first, then listen to this humble monk lecture on the scriptures with your fellow disciples?”
There’s actually food too? Zhulai thought this was wonderful. Before reporting you lot to the city lord, I’ll first eat a meal for free.
The elderly woman with greying hair soon brought over a stack of white flour buns and a bowl of water.
Zhulai devoured them ravenously and quickly solved the problem of food and drink.
Jingsi watched all this with a smile, then turned to the middle-aged man and said,
“Mahayana Buddhism saves others and saves oneself, rescues the common people from the sea of suffering, and helps them attain fruition. You’ve done very well.”
The middle-aged man pressed his palms together and said,
“I’ve been fortunate enough to hear the true scriptures of our Buddha.”
Everyone pressed their palms together and chanted,
“Amitabha!”
Jingsi continued,
“Today, a new member has joined, so this humble monk will once more explain the origins of Mahayana Buddhism, so that the newcomer may understand.
“Mahayana Buddhism began in the Central Plains, in the Great Feng. It was founded by Great Feng Silver Gong Xu Qi’an. Silver Gong Xu is the reincarnation of the Lord of All Buddhas across the three thousand worlds. During the Buddhist contest in the capital of the Great Feng, He converted Arhat Du’e.
“Arhat Du’e came to understand the true meaning of Mahayana Buddhism, attained sudden enlightenment, and became a Buddha, becoming the second Buddha of the Mahayana faith…”
How could an Arhat possibly be a Buddha? There is clearly only one Buddha in this world, the Buddha himself. Zhulai curled his lip in secret.
He listened to the young monk’s explanation of Mahayana Buddhism with complete disdain. Every sentence the young monk spoke, he refuted once in his heart, or answered with a cold sneer.
But when he heard that all beings were equal, Zhulai fell silent.
If there really is a place in this world where all beings are equal, then I’d defend it to the death… he muttered inwardly.
He had been a beggar since childhood and had suffered endless disdain and bullying. He had lived in pain.
Without realising it, his attitude changed. He began listening seriously to the scriptures, seriously thinking them over.
Save others and save oneself, break free from the sea of suffering… If Ananda, if the Buddhist believers of the Western Regions all saved others and saved themselves, would I still be a beggar? Would my fate change?
If that uncle hadn’t helped just now, I’d still be troubled by hunger right now… Can a Mahayana faith like this really be a heretical cult…?
All sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind.
Without noticing, Zhulai heard the young monk say,
“That is all for today!”
Only then did he abruptly come back to himself and realise that the sunlight through the crack in the door had already turned golden red. It was dusk.
Oh no, I forgot to go begging. I’ll have to go hungry again tonight… Zhulai panicked inwardly, full of regret.
A beggar like him, who lived meal to meal, had to work for food every moment of every day, or he’d go hungry.
At that thought, he hurriedly stood up, planning to leave.
What the little monk said made quite a bit of sense. I’ll hold off on reporting him for now… Zhulai was about to go when he discovered that the Mahayana believers around him remained seated, and not a single one stood to leave.
All of them looked at the young monk with hopeful eyes.
Then he saw little monk Jingsi pull out a string of copper coins from his sleeve and say to the old woman,
“Distribute them to everyone.”
The old woman took the copper coins and distributed them evenly by headcount.
Th-there’s even money?! Zhulai lowered his head and looked at the five copper coins in his palm. In Beichang City, this could buy five buns.
If he was frugal, that was enough to solve his hunger for three days.
What kind of sect is this? Does a sect that gives copper coins to its followers really exist in this world?!
Zhulai’s worldview suffered a severe shock.
Monk Jingsi said gently,
“Buddha won’t let His followers endure hunger. Saving others and saving oneself is the doctrine of our faith. Mahayana Buddhism always honours its word.”
Zhulai clenched the copper coins in his hand and felt that he had found his organisation.
Then he noticed that the middle-aged man who had guided him into the faith had received ten copper coins.
Hm? Didn’t they say all beings were equal?!
Zhulai couldn’t make sense of it.
The middle-aged man said with a smile,
“This is the reward I deserve. For every person you bring in, you are rewarded with five copper coins. That’s the rule of our faith.”
I know lots of beggars, lots and lots. I, I’m going to get rich… This was the only thought left in Zhulai’s mind.
I shall believe only in Mahayana Buddhism, believe in the Lord of All Buddhas!
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