Chapter 362: Chapter 212: I Must Refuse
When Chen Kuang proposed this plan, which was so crude it didn’t even qualify as a plan, Xiuzhu’s first reaction was a sneer, mocking whether he underestimated the wisdom of the Celestial Demon.
To be able to possess three Great Zen Masters, whether relying on their own wisdom or acquiring it from the Zen Masters, these three demons definitely couldn’t be fools.
But Chen Kuang merely smiled and explained his idea.
He respected the intelligence of the Celestial Demon too much, which is why he decided to do the opposite.
In the current situation, the more detailed and comprehensive the plan, the more time needed to formulate and execute it, likely exposing more flaws under the eyes of those three demons.
They simply didn’t have enough time to devise a foolproof strategy.
In contrast, Chen Kuang’s current move, simple and unsophisticated, might be the most effective.
Because this is an open strategy through and through.
Chen Kuang was indeed the instigator of the current Pure Land turmoil, and indeed not pure of mind, a phony monk, making Xiuxin, who possessed straightforward temperament, naturally oppose him.
When the time came, he would naturally want to ally with familiar Xiuzhu, jointly resisting Chen Kuang, the outsider.
However, since Chen Kuang was brought in by Xiuzhu, Xiuxin couldn’t help but harbor doubts.
Therefore, Chen Kuang arranged a debate on Zen, letting Xiuxin know that Xiuzhu agreed with him and sided with him.
At this moment, seeing signs of the Pure Land’s collapse, Xiuxin naturally regarded Xiuzhu, whom he watched grow up, as the only ally of equal status.
Even when the inclinations of the three Great Zen Masters were unclear, this was the pinnacle of his inner trust.
Yet Chen Kuang intended to destroy this trust in that very moment.
Only then could he make Xiuxin doubt the highest authority of the entire Pure Land!
Otherwise, he would merely think that the Great Zen Masters were deceived.
He wouldn’t imagine that these three Great Zen Masters were already possessed by the Celestial Demon.
This was something any Pure Land Monk wouldn’t dare even think about.
And this open strategy lay in Xiuzhu’s unclear identity, even Chen Kuang didn’t know what exactly he was, as long as he acted in his natural role, surely causing Xiuxin to grow suspicious.
But Chen Kuang was also surprised that as soon as Xiuzhu made his move, Xiuxin reacted directly against Xiuzhu.
"His previous palm strike concealed a mystery..."
Chen Kuang stood on high ground, watching Xiuzhu breaking through the door, squinting his eyes:
"A moment ago, in Xiuxin’s trance, emotions of fear unexpectedly flashed in his eyes, which was basically impossible for a Pure Land expert of the Profound Profound Realm."
"Unless... at that moment, he developed a Heart Demon."
The so-called "Heart Demon" refers generally to anything that obstructs the path to enlightenment, leading to instability of the Dao Heart.
Even Saints at the Daoist Shore Realm have "Heart Demons."
Just as Mu Zhao’s Dao Heart was broken by Chen Kuang’s single sentence, it was his obsession with "Chanhui" that peaked with the "Heart Demon" at that moment.
It wasn’t genuinely because Chen Kuang talked him to death.
And Xiuxin’s behavior mirrored that of someone encountering a "Heart Demon."
This suggests that Xiuzhu likely has a way to easily provoke others’ "Heart Demons."
Chen Kuang secretly noted this.
Chen Kuang was also attentive to Xiuzhu’s unclear identity and position, gathering some information on the former was part of his plan’s objectives.
To avoid being stabbed in the back later without a clue.
Of course, Chen Kuang wasn’t afraid of being backstabbed anyway.
Jokingly, if there’s backstabbing to be done, he’d be the first...
Now Xiuzhu successfully caused Xiuxin to become suspicious, and then in turn framed Xiuxin for being possessed by a Celestial Demon, and the plan was half successful.
There were only two operations Chen Kuang needed to perform in this plan: making Xiuxin, the Pure Land Buddha’s Son, question the Great Zen Masters,
and finding a way for Xiuxin to escape.
The first step wasn’t difficult; the real challenge was the second step.
Since asking the Great Zen Masters to personally judge Xiuxin meant needing to release Xiuxin before them.
The first step was already completed by Xiuzhu; the second step naturally had to rely on Chen Kuang.
Below, the commotion from the fight between the two Buddha’s Sons had already alarmed the monks of Jie Lan Temple, and after hearing the dialogue between Xiuzhu and Xiuxin, which contained significant information, it quickly stirred up a great uproar.
Amidst the clamor, monks hurried over, but none dared to act hastily.
After all, in front were two Buddha’s Sons!
With conflicting statements and no idea who was right or wrong, who dared to act rashly?
Fortunately, another newly arrived Buddha’s Son stepped forward to take charge—
Chen Kuang extended his arm, sternly blocking the monks and said in a deep voice, "First stabilize them, under no circumstances let either of them leave, I will go summon the three Great Zen Masters!"
"Yes!"
Although Chen Kuang’s recent reputation among the Zhengzhu Disciples at Jie Lan Temple was largely negative, his reputation within the whole Pure Land was virtually acclaimed.
Of the nearly a thousand people who came to witness that day, many benefited from his "Dao Rhyme," and were quite fond of him.
Many highly appreciated his insights during the Zen discussion, and were pleased by the gradual "humanization" of the previously overly strict Pure Land rules.
Not to mention that he had the backing of the three Great Zen Masters—there were many monks who blindly supported the Great Zen Masters.
Thus, inside Jie Lan Temple, opinions varied.
At this moment, many immediately responded to his words and took action.
Upon hearing this, Xiuxin realized at once that Xiuzhu and Chen Kuang were fundamentally together.
They were entirely fearless.
Even eager to invite the three Great Zen Masters... Seeing the situation come to this, even if Xiuxin found it hard to believe, he had no choice but to believe.
The three Great Zen Masters probably had issues!
No, he absolutely couldn’t wait for the arrival of the three Great Zen Masters!
Xiuxin instantly understood that if all three Great Zen Masters were compromised, whether innocent or guilty, by then it wouldn’t matter!
If he was proven to be demon-possessed, he would have no way out!
The only plan now was to flee!
Escaping now, while his reputation might temporarily suffer, wouldn’t attract all suspicion; he still had quite a few supporters in the Pure Land.
Xiuxin’s expression changed rapidly, he gritted his teeth, feigned a move, then leapt over the towering wall of Jie Lan Temple, rushing outside to escape.
Xiuzhu’s face turned pale, wiped the bloodstains from the corner of his lips, and shouted, "Brother Xiuxin has already been controlled by the Celestial Demon, stop him! Don’t let him escape to harm the world!"
The few monks who were originally hesitant saw the two Buddha’s Sons standing on the same side, and their inner balance shifted instantly, encircling and intercepting in front of Xiuxin.
Chen Kuang didn’t pay attention to these commotions, he arrived at the Zen Room, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.
He had a passive ability that was quite awkward, with unclear conditions, but if triggered under specific conditions, could play an immense role.
In facing the Celestial Demon now, to accomplish something without leaving a trace, he had to rely on this passive.
Chen Kuang’s gaze swept over the status bar before him.
[Unwilling Compliance: Once you refuse someone something, the matter will never succeed.]
