Chapter 181 - A Fine Line
Xu Jing said with a sigh, “It was to preserve our lives.” He made a gesture.
A few young disciples ran out of the Hall of Great Strength. They soon returned with several stretchers which carried the bodies of the dead. Judging from their outfits, they must have been core disciples of the Heaven Choice Temple. They might even be elders.
Xu Jing pointed at the corpses and said, “The Heaven Choice Temple’s Discipline Hall’s First Seat, Kong Liao, and the Scripture Hall’s First Seat, Kong Jian. Eight Attendants of the Supervision Court and the Twelve Temple Seats. They were all killed by the Temple of Great Emptiness’ Four Divine Monks.”
There were not many corpses that were brought into the hall, and yet, Xu Jing listed so many names. When he spoke, his expression was calm as though he was already used to dealing with deaths.
“The Temple of Great Emptiness and the Heaven Choice Temple are of the same line. Why would the Temple of Great Emptiness kill members of its own?” Lu Zhou asked.
“It’s a long story…” Xu Jing slowly said, “Ever since Grandmaster Kong Xuan of the Temple of Great Emptiness emerged from his cultivation in seclusion, the Temple of Great Emptiness has changed their attitude in regard to the world’s affairs. They prided themselves on converting the masses and bringing salvation to all. The Heaven Choice Temple and the Temple of Great Emptiness have never intervened in each other’s affairs, but…” He paused for a moment before continuing, “The Temple of Great Emptiness is convinced that I was the one who killed Kong Xuan.”
Lu Zhou listened to his story while he stroked his beard. The memories of the incident at Runan’s holy altar was still fresh in his mind. However, he did not expect it would spark conflict between the Temple of Great Emptiness and the Heaven Choice Temple.
“They wouldn’t believe me no matter what I said… On top of that, there were many Noble Path cultivators at the holy altar who witnessed it. The Temple of Great Emptiness is using this as an excuse to go against us… This Heaven Choice Temple is no longer what it once was. How can we go up against the Four Divine Monks?” Xu Jing said.
…
The people left the Hall of Great Strength, and it was now completely dark.
Xu Jing stood alone in the hall. He sighed as he murmured, “There’s a fine line between becoming a Buddha and becoming a devil…”
…
Early the next morning.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The morning bell was rung.
The tolling of the bell resounded throughout Clear Source Mountain and reverberated throughout the Heaven Choice Temple.
The Heaven Choice Temple’s disciples swiftly gathered around and got ready in full battle array.
“Report to me once the Temple of Great Emptiness’ flying chariot appears.”
“Understood!”
The Brahman Sea realm monks of the Heaven Choice Temple scattered in all directions in the air.
The disciples whose cultivation bases were in the Sense Condensing realm and below were gathered before the Hall of Great Strength.
Xu Jing wore his kasaya, held his staff, prayer beads, and wore his skull cap. He was more dressed up than usual. “Benefactor Ji, this way, please.”
Lu Zhou and the Evil Sky Pavilion’s disciples took up the offer and entered the Hall of Great Strength.
When the sun was high up in the sky, a flying chariot appeared in the horizons and advanced toward them at an even speed.
“Abbot! The Temple of Great Emptiness’ flying chariot is here.” One of his disciples hurried into the Hall of Great Strength.
When Mingshi Yin heard this, he smiled faintly. He was the first to leave the Hall of Great Strength. He stood at the top of the stairs and looked up. “Ha, the Temple of Great Emptiness is clearly richer than the Heaven Choice Temple… Not bad, but it’s slightly on the small side.”
The flying chariot was not huge. It was ivory, and there were about 30 monks flanking it.
Before it even reached the Heaven Choice Temple, a domineering voice rang from it. “Xu Jing, aren’t you coming out to welcome us?!”