Chapter 156: Chapter 151 Flame Cloud Sect_2 Chapter 156: Chapter 151 Flame Cloud Sect_2 “It’s a shame to say…”

Thus, Li Ping’an pricked up his ears and listened to the past of Mahaparinirvana, the Monk Who Broke Precepts:

Mahaparinirvana had once been a local military officer in Shan State, and amidst the vast sea of people, he chanced upon a distressed maiden in the bystreets, and sought to defend her honor. Yet, with just three punches that caused slight injuries, great calamity descended upon him for the first time. Thus began his life of wandering—where was home? He then took monastic vows at Mount Wutai to evade the sharp edges. A thousand words condensed into a longing gaze back.

When all that he wished for echoed unattainable in the valleys, the fierce glare of the Vajra could not tolerate such rashness thrice over. When the stern edge of the Zen staff finally swung toward the earth, a lone figure in a straw cloak and rain hat, Staff and straw sandals turned toward the distant horizon.

Later, he formed brotherly ties; past events seemed but an old dream. Who could foresee the fickleness of fate? With traitors usurping power and slaughtering the faithful, the once warm homeland was lost, his heroic spirit condemned once more to wander.

He then joined the Thirty-Six Rebel Factions, swearing brotherhood unto death. Who knew the leader would ultimately betray them and join the Imperial Court? Now commanded to lead a grand campaign against another rebel faction in Suzhou and Hangzhou, their blood dyed the water town red, leaving it dim and lifeless.

In the end, when the array of brothers blossomed, then withered, blurred, and faded with time, countless years could not bend his sturdy spine. The Defrocked Monk laughed, cried, wearied, no longer wishing to wander, thus he returned to the deep mountain sanctuary, deciding to abide eternal by the green lantern’s Buddhist light.

After hearing this, Li Ping’an sighed endlessly:

“I never imagined, brother, that you had such a tumultuous past, and even joined the rebels? Having once committed such heinous crimes, why didn’t you practice restraint, continuing to act as you please? You shouldn’t have!”

Mahaparinirvana looked toward the direction of the Imperial Palace, excitedly said:

“Hmph, how splendid is our Great Tang? I’ve seen enough of the opulence of the nobles, the strictness of the law, and the hardships of the common people; righteousness, how can one choose? At the moment of action, if my heart feels elated, it is all worth it!”

“Seeing too many indifferent onlookers, so much injustice goes unspoken, all silent yet never standing up; yet they have the courage to compliment the evil.”

“This world truly lies in silent oblivion, needing someone to shout loudly to awaken the people. Though I’m not like the Savior or Zhuge Weiwei of the Futang Group, capable of rescuing people from dire straits, whenever I see injustice, I must sweep it away; only hating that my parents gave birth to me with a disposition that cannot stand to see kindness bring tears.”

“Though I, Mahaparinirvana, have experienced much, I only seek exhilaration, not a mere survival! Thus, even this life has not been lived in vain!”

Li Ping’an blushed when he heard this; those indifferent onlookers Mahaparinirvana spoke of were indeed himself, hating himself for being burdened by worldly affairs, unable to reach the extraordinary realm of the Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana.

“Brother, you are truly a valiant hero, a true hero. But, brother, since you have already entered the Buddhist Community and accompanied by the ancient Buddha beside the green lantern, why bother with worldly affairs anymore?”

Mahaparinirvana, feeling helpless, waved his hand and said:

“So many rules and prohibitions, what’s the use? Nowadays, the world is full of greedy officials and vile bureaucrats; the good folks are deep in misery. The Buddhist Community, eyes closed in prayer, can’t achieve true enlightenment. My Zen Staff strikes to separate the clean from the filthy in the mortal world. If I hadn’t been reluctant to wander again, why would I choose to be a monk again?”

“Brother, your realm is high! Only now do I understand why your master, Zen Master Zhizhen, cherishes you so much.”

Li Ping’an immediately said respectfully:

“Nowadays, the Buddhist Community cheats people of their money, my Taoist sect serves as the hounds of the Imperial Court, Confucianism spouts nothing but righteousness and morals, yet only brother truly practices Buddhism and cultivates the heart amid the worldly dust. It really shames us younger cultivators.”

“Brother, don’t say that; you really flatter me too much…”

Mahaparinirvana shook his head and lamented:

“Those who worry about the country and the people are all eternal heartbroken souls. Think of me, once filled with passion fighting against the Hillside Martens! Yet today, all pay homage to them. Poor me, busy half my life, only to end up with no merit, truly like a bird who has eaten her fill and flies back to the forest, leaving behind a vast expanse of pure blankness!”

“Speaking of today’s events, to kill a deserving villain I must still worry about facing lawsuits. Ah, honestly, I somewhat regret continuing to be a monk. Remembering the days when I was a knight-errant, so joyous, much better than the government-sanctioned murder and arson. If it weren’t for promising my master, Zen Master Zhizhen, not to rebel again, I really would want to slay all the villains in Chang’an—damn it all!”

The more Mahaparinirvana spoke, the more agitated he became, drawing curious glances from those around. Li Ping’an, worried about being targeted by the hounds of the Imperial Court, quickly intervened. Just then, the food and drinks arrived, and Mahaparinirvana and Li Ping’an settled down to eat, speaking only of carefree matters and none other.

While Li Ping’an and the Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana were dining, Cen Fuda, whose legs had been broken, was taken back to the Cen Residence. The news immediately alarmed the entire household. Wang Lang the Protector, seeing this as an opportunity to ingratiate himself with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Cen Changjin, immediately started clamoring for revenge.

However, the housekeeper, Cen San, was much more cautious. After carefully questioning the causes and consequences, he realized that a monk daring to beat the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue must have some Buddhist background, so he dared not act rashly. Thinking to consult the head of the Cen family, Cen Changjin, he immediately sent someone to inform him, who was then on duty.

At the same time, he ordered Cen Fuda’s six idle followers to find the ruffians who had been beaten and ordered them to search Chang’an City for the whereabouts of the Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana, absolutely not letting this arrogant monk escape. Whoever kept track of the Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana would be richly rewarded by the Cen Residence.

The ruffians of Chang’an, although they lacked their own organization, had their own territories and all knew each other; they followed Cen Fuda’s dozen or so ruffians, and each had a few dozen minor ruffians under them.