Chapter 357: Chapter 207: At the Beginning, Human Nature Is Kind
"Moreover, whether this person is truly Lion Heart’s reincarnation is still uncertain... Lion Heart disappeared forty years ago without a trace, and even the Great Zen Master couldn’t predict his whereabouts. How did he encounter him again eight years ago?"
"If they met eight years ago, why did he only return to the Pure Land today? As far as I know, Chen Kuang has offended the entire Martial Saint Pavilion and Great Zhou, and is carrying the Elixir of Longevity, which everyone desires. It seems too coincidental for him to enter the Pure Land now."
"There are numerous suspicious points, and the Great Zen Master hasn’t explained, yet the entire Pure Land is celebrating him for seven days. Isn’t this somewhat inappropriate?"
Xiuxin’s words undoubtedly resonated with all the monks present.
From beginning to end, Chen Kuang didn’t have a single characteristic of a monk, and his origins were extremely questionable.
The three Great Zen Masters had notified everyone yesterday. Those capable of attending Jie Lan Temple are not ordinary people, so naturally, they’ll quickly sense anything amiss.
Buddha’s Son Lion Heart disappeared forty years ago, and according to Chen Kuang, he received the relic eight years ago and became Lion Heart’s reincarnation.
But after that, he didn’t seek out people from the Pure Land; instead, he entered the Imperial Palace and became a regular court musician.
Until eight years later, due to the downfall of Liang Kingdom, he stirred up a commotion.
This is indeed a bizarre matter.
If he gained Lion Heart’s reincarnation, he would naturally know the importance and strength of the Pure Land. Why did he conceal his identity to be a musician in Liang Kingdom?
Even if there were other reasons, why didn’t he take vows after returning to the Pure Land?
Xiuxin’s inquisitive skepticism is entirely normal.
Even Chen Kuang himself found it reasonable and almost wanted to applaud him.
Brother Xiuxin’s discerning eyes are sharp. I’m indeed not Lion Heart’s reincarnation but an impostor. The three Great Zen Masters before you are possessed by demons, plotting to use me as a breakthrough point to overturn the Pure Land and collaborate with the Night Barbarian Celestial Demon...
I wonder if you can see through this and expose them, saving the endangered Pure Land Sacred Land and the entire Vast Origin World?
Clearly, Brother Xiuxin, with his acute mind, didn’t see through it.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be calmly conversing with these strange demons but would immediately attack the three Great Zen Masters and get killed with one palm strike.
Ultimately, he’d be labeled as having gone astray and possessed by the Celestial Demon.
Thus, Chen Kuang absolutely couldn’t expose his identity.
He even had to assist in their scheme, forcing the Pure Land to acknowledge his identity.
He must ensure that these three demons trust him to gradually learn their plan and purpose, and then stop them...
Master Buwen slightly smiled. Though it was an amiable and compassionate smile, combined with the two large holes by his ears, it appeared extremely sinister and ferocious.
He surveyed the crowd and slowly said:
"Lion Heart disappeared for forty years without a trace. Your concerns are natural. He has his reasons for not returning. Why not let him explain to you personally?"
Buwen looked at Chen Kuang, his eyes coldly smiling.
Chen Kuang maintained a calm expression but inwardly cursed, "I knew it!"
Yesterday, they let him pass so easily, only to wait for today!
Although the trace of demonic qi on his body temporarily made the three demons regard him as one of their own, they were still unsure of his identity and abilities.
If he can’t convince everyone, he might soon be branded as a Celestial Demon and meet his end with a palm strike!
Luckily, persuading others is one of Chen Kuang’s fortes.
Indeed... as he once persuaded Huo Hengxuan.
Though now, it all seems part of their calculations.
Chen Kuang stepped forward, joined his hands in a respectful gesture, and asked:
"You mean to question my identity as Lion Heart, don’t you? But I’ve already brought back the relic and entrusted it to the three Great Zen Masters for safekeeping."
Xiuxin replied, "As far as I’m aware, although it is indeed the Saint’s remains, the reincarnation has faded. How can we be certain these are Brother Lion Heart’s?"
"Back then, Brother Lion Heart went silent after leaving the Pure Land. If he achieved sainthood, how could the Pure Land remain unaware?"
This is indeed a pointed question and the biggest doubt about Chen Kuang’s identity.
If the Great Zen Masters were to prove it, there’d be no questions, but evidently, the three demons want to see how Chen Kuang handles it.
Or perhaps they want to determine whether Chen Kuang is friend or foe from his response.
Chen Kuang squinted, remained unhurried, and instead of directly answering, corrected Xiuxin:
"Brother Xiuxin, I am now Lion Heart, having returned to the Pure Land. There’s no need to use ’he’ to refer to me."
Even though Xiuxin, also a Buddha’s Son, had long reached the Profound Profound Realm, Chen Kuang took advantage without reservation.
However, considering the Saints of the Mystic God Daoist Sect are his Dao Companions, who truly exploits whom isn’t clear...
Xiuxin chuckled, his gaze signaling, "I’ve never seen someone so shameless."
Ignoring him, Chen Kuang continued his act intensely:
"My disappearance years ago was truly to seek enlightenment by becoming worldly. The three Great Zen Masters are aware of this matter."
He looked at the three demons.
Buwen nodded, sighed, and said, "Indeed, Lion Heart’s departure back then was out of a resolve to seek enlightenment adventurously. To prevent external interference, it was kept secret."
Xiuxin frowned and said, "I’ve heard this too... but how did he achieve sainthood yet fall?"
Chen Kuang recalled the image of Shen Xingzhu in his mind, lowered his eyes, his gaze filled with supreme compassion and empathy for all beings, and said softly:
"I sought enlightenment through ’good’, voluntarily erased my memories, turned into a mortal, and sought great love within humanity, thereby proving... ’At the beginning, human nature is good’."
Xiuxin was momentarily struck by these six words.
At the beginning, human nature is good... these words deeply resonated with him.
The secular world is naturally varied among individuals, but at birth, isn’t everyone like a blank sheet, pure of heart?
Only later, influenced by environment, did evil emerge.
He always believed that their Pure Land’s duty was to cleanse sins and restore beings to their original state.
Chen Kuang asked, "Do you think my path is correct?"
Xiuxin’s face turned solemn, nodding, "Of course... Brother’s path is the great way."
These concise and powerful six words instantly changed his impression of Chen Kuang.
To seek great love within humanity with one’s own strength—a feat not common to all. And observing Chen Kuang’s demeanor at this moment, compassionate and empathetic like the Bodhisattva on the lotus throne, it’s hard to think it’s an act.
Xiuxin even felt a momentary sense of recognition.
However, Chen Kuang smiled and said:
"But I failed in my enlightenment."
Xiuxin frowned and hurriedly asked, "How could you fail?"
Chen Kuang sighed and recounted the story of the nameless monk told by Huo Hengxuan.
Paused and added:
"Brother Xiuxin, do you know who was the first to link the medicine I gave with the villagers’ sudden deaths?"
All the monks present were drawn in by his story.
Xiuxin guessed, "Could it be those fraudulent witchcraft practitioners, harming others for their gain?"
Chen Kuang shook his head, smiling:
"Wrong, very wrong. Although I became worldly, I’m not defenseless against such ghostly tricks, nor am I unable to defend myself."
"It was..."
Chen Kuang said quietly, "It was a two-year-old child in the village who said the villagers fell ill after taking the medicine I provided."
