Chapter 1306: Seeking a Home in Buddhism

Jiang Wang had departed long ago.

Within the dilapidated temple on Three Treasures Mountain, the monk Jingli sat in quiet meditation.

Monastics are those who leave home, yet if one had no "home" to begin with, from whence could one "depart"?

A lonely lamp, an ancient Buddha, cultivators secluded from the world. But if one has never been within the world, what is it that one is avoiding?

Since memory dawned upon him, he knew not what family was, had never seen parents; it was Ku Jue who had raised him single-handedly.

Some young novices, missing father and mother, would shed tears.

He knew not what to miss.

In this so-called dusty world, there was no being to whom he could anchor his "yearning."

Living amidst chanting, rolling amongst Buddhist scriptures, growing up with the sound of the bell. Sometimes he would ponder, what is "home"?

Why "depart," why speak of unwillingness to part?

Master said, where they were together, that was home.

Then he understood, he was unwilling to part.

So, he was a little monk seeking "home" within the gates of emptiness.

His world was simple, and this place was his home.

Master said Jiang Wang was his junior brother, so he gained another family member.

How joyful this was.

Therefore, each time he saw Jiang Wang, he felt very happy.

He was immensely joyful and wished his junior brother the same happiness.

But only today did he learn that his junior brother was not happy. Only now did he know that his junior brother carried such weight, advancing step by step to reach this point.

He loved to sleep; he knew not the feeling of never being able to fall asleep. Nor did he know the terror of blood and fire that seized one upon closing the eyes.

At this moment, sitting alone on the wooden bed, he thought of his junior brother and felt deeply saddened.

"Jingli! Jingli! Jingli! Jing..."

A thunderous voice, like the call of a soul-reaper, echoed and ceased only upon entering the room.

The emaciated, bone-thin monk Kubing, like a sharply angled stone, landed before Jingli. He glanced at the pitiful little monk, his tone softening unconsciously, yet still like a roar: "Why do you not answer when I call?"

"Uncle Master." Jingli rose and bowed obediently: "I had not yet managed to answer, when you..."

"Enough, enough." Kubing waved his hand: "Contact your master, I have matters to discuss with him."

His voice was like a war drum, making the room hum with vibration.

"Ah?" Jingli stood dumbfounded, an innocent expression on his face: "I cannot contact him, alas?"

The next moment, his ear was pinched. Kubing, lifting him, said: "Have you learned to deceive people now? If I hadn't overheard your conversation just now, I almost would have believed you!"

Regardless of the pain in his pinched ear, Jingli said indignantly: "Uncle Master! How could you eavesdrop on our conversation?!"

"Cease this nonsense!" Kubing knew he had misspoken but forcefully steered the topic away, maintaining the dignity of an elder. His voice exploded in Jingli's ear: "Quickly contact your master!"

"I will not!" Jingli resisted stubbornly.

Kubing glared, raised his palm, and he quickly shrank his neck.

"Very well, very well."

Master often said, a good monk does not suffer immediate hardship. Jingli was always obedient, thus naturally upholding this principle.

Let your disciple Jingchen wait!

While lifting the bed board, he muttered reluctantly: "One can contact him from the temple as well, you know."

Kubing said impatiently: "Why so much idle talk? Is it not that your master ignores us?"

"Ah, is that so?"

Jingli suddenly became cheerful, feeling as if his master had already avenged him.

Again, he formed a mudra, casting power into the array patterns, summoning the circle of light mirror.

Although the main array patterns of this "circle of light mirror" were carved on the back of the bed board, the power supporting its operation actually involved the entire temple. Of course, the most crucial part was the power left behind by Ku Jue.

Before long, Ku Jue responded and appeared within the circle of light mirror, speaking first: "Have you been fighting for so long? Just spar casually, ah, if you truly injure your junior brother, you will compensate... Old bald donkey Kubing?!"

His gaze swept to Kubing, and he immediately intended to cut off the circle of light mirror.

Kubing roared first: "The Abbot Brother has words for you!"

Ku Jue rolled his eyes: "The Abbot Brother's Secret Art of Mind Resonance is unparalleled in the world. Does he need a sickly wretch like you to transmit messages?"

Kubing suppressed his anger and said: "Did you not cut off the Mind Resonance?"

"Oh, is that so." Ku Jue showed no embarrassment at being exposed, his face indifferent: "Then why are you looking for me? Can't the Dragon Subduing Court continue?"

"I said the Brother Master is looking for you!"

"Then quick, tell me, damn it! What does he want with me?" Ku Jue roared back: "Do you think it's easy for my disciple to maintain the circle of light mirror?"

"Brother Master wants you to return!" Kubing said quickly.

"What?" Ku Jue asked from the other side.

Kubing slowed his speech, saying each word distinctly: "Brother... Master... wants... you... to... return!"

"Speak louder!" Ku Jue shouted.

"Return or not, I care not! I've delivered the message!" Kubing became annoyed, turned and walked away.

Ku Jue quickly gave Jingli a look.

Master and disciple's hearts were connected. Jingli immediately burst into tears: "Master, please come back! I miss you so much!"

"Good disciple, weep not, weep not." Ku Jue quickly comforted: "Cough, fine, for your sake, I will reluctantly agree... Kubing!"

Kubing, who had reached the door, stopped, saying impatiently: "I heard you!"

"But I cannot return now. I will return after a while. I still need to help my beloved disciple with his cover!" Ku Jue added.

"Speaking of you being plump, you're puffing already, aren't you? You act so improperly day after day, truly thinking the Hanging Temple is begging you..."

Kubing turned back angrily, but the circle of light mirror had already dispersed... Ku Jue had no intention of listening to what followed.

He wanted to roar, to bellow, to strike someone.

A surge of foul air was blocked in his heart, with no outlet for expression.

Finally, he looked at Jingli, and ultimately could not vent his anger on a junior. He flicked his sleeve, stepped out the door, and muttered indignantly: "Truly chaotic, utterly without rule! Can this be forgiven?"

Jingli watched Uncle Master Kubing walk away, then patted his chest, relieving his tension.

As for what Uncle Master Kubing said about rules, and what should not be forgiven...

He was actually a little puzzled too.

Leaving the mountain gate was such a serious matter; even he knew it was not something one could do as they pleased, leaving and returning at will.

Why could Master be so willful? Why would Abbot Brother Master actively urge him to return?

But being as intelligent as he was, he quickly found the answer — Master, as the most virtuous and respected monk in the entire Hanging Temple, was the undeniable choice for the next abbot. How could he not be forgiven then?

If something were to happen to Abbot Brother Master... would the Hanging Temple no longer have an abbot in the future?

Upon this thought, Jingli quickly said 'Pah!' again: "Ah, a sin, a sin, I did not curse Abbot Brother Master."

He clasped his palms together and chanted: "Om, xiū lì xiū lì, mó hē xiū lì, xiū xiū lì, sà pó hē!"

After reciting this True Word for Purifying the Mouth's Karma, he contentedly placed the wooden bed board back and lay down.

Today was too strenuous, perhaps a nap would be best...