Chapter 1167: Chapter 1166: The Grudge Between Fahua Temple and Great Brahma Heaven Temple
"Amitabha Buddha!"
"Amitabha Buddha!"
The monks of Fahua Temple and Great Brahma Heaven Temple each chanted the Buddhist name.
"The vegetarian meal is ready in the kitchen, please!"
"Please!"
Although the debate in the Law Hall was serious, the debate ended in a three-to-three tie, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, at least not losing.
"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk thanks all fellow Daoists for witnessing, please!"
"The fame of the debate is well-deserved, we are truly fortunate to have witnessed it, hahaha, please!" An elder with a face full of grey and white beard laughed heartily, though his cultivation seemed not high, his presence was notable.
The audience stood up, and were entertained by the monks of Fahua Temple, proceeding together to the backyard.
At this moment, the young monk who had been waiting at the door approached the leading elder monk and whispered a few words.
Seeing the elder monk glance over, Lu Zheng stepped forward, folded his hands in salute, and said, "Lu Zheng of White Cloud Temple, greetings to Zen Master Xingguan."
Zen Master Xingguan was the host of Fahua Temple.
Zen Master Xingguan folded his hands in greeting, "Greetings Lu Xiaoyou, have you met Ancestor Master Dejie?"
Lu Zheng nodded, then an almost imperceptible spiritual fluctuation flashed by, "I was fortunate to be gifted a scripture by the Zen master, planning to pay respects to the Buddha’s Golden Body in a year, but recently coming to Zhongjing, I came to offer incense to the Buddha."
Zen Master Xingguan’s eyes lit up, "The Lecture on the Heart Sutra of the Buddha on the Dharma Flower Platform?"
Xingguan no longer doubted, and looked at Lu Zheng with amazement.
The Lecture on the Heart Sutra of the Buddha on the Dharma Flower Platform is no ordinary cultivation technique, if Zen Master Dejie gifted such a scripture, it was almost an invitation to be an honored guest of Buddhism, especially as the other party is a Daoist disciple.
Though Buddhism and Daoism are one big family, there is still competition in the shadows.
"Indeed." Lu Zheng nodded, "Is Zen Master Dejie around, may I have the honor to meet him?"
"The ancestor master is in seclusion at the pagoda forest in the back mountain." Zen Master Xingguan explained, "But before entering seclusion, he mentioned that unless the golden body is forged, he would not exit seclusion, so it is regrettably not possible to meet you today."
"I see, no worries, no worries, it was my abruptness." Lu Zheng waved his hand.
"Since Lu Xiaoyou practices the Heart Sutra, you are a treasured guest of Fahua Temple, please join us." Invited Zen Master Xingguan.
"Please!" Lu Zheng gestured invitingly.
Then Master Lin Yi and Li Lingyu also approached.
"Well, young one, you actually know Zen Master Dejie and even received a cultivation technique from him?" Master Lin Yi said in surprise.
"Just luck, just luck." Lu Zheng replied, it was indeed luck, greatly influenced by Si Lingxi as well.
Master Lin Yi glanced at the women around Lu Zheng, only recognizing Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying, then looked at Lin Wan, Si Lingxi, and Jing Qianyu, and clicked his tongue, dragging Lu Zheng away.
"Let’s go, let’s sit together. Tell me, why have you come to Zhongjing, are you taking the ladies on a tour?"
Lu Zheng hurriedly explained, "True Man, please don’t misunderstand, this is the Commandery Princess of Lingwu Royal Mansion, not my wife."
Master Lin Yi froze, "So the other two are?"
Lu Zheng blinked, "Yes..."
Lu Zheng bid farewell to Zen Master Xingguan, then with Master Lin Yi and Li Lingyu, followed the main group to the backyard.
He introduced the names of Si Lingxi and Lin Wan to Master Lin Yi.
Then...
"Surname Si?" Master Lin Yi nodded, completely unaware of who Si Lingxi was, "That surname is quite rare."
Lu Zheng glanced around, with so many outsiders, it wasn’t appropriate to disclose more, so he and Master Lin Yi proceeded to the backyard, where they were seated as honored guests.
"Why has the Great Brahma Heaven Temple come to Zhongjing’s core for a debate?" Lu Zheng asked, "Didn’t they just send some young disciples to travel and debate in the Central Plains to broaden their experiences?"
During the Jiming Temple debate, Lu Zheng knew of the situation between the Western Buddha Country and Central Plains Buddhism, with different and similar ideologies, mutual displeasure, and cooperative exchanges, as well as young disciples traveling to learn from each other.
But there wasn’t such an instance of elders leading the team, and judging by the debate between Fahua Temple and Great Brahma Heaven Temple, it seemed not too pleasant, disguising mere formal etiquette on the surface.
"It is the Western countries’ once-in-a-decade tribute delegation to the Great Jing."
Master Lin Yi explained, "This time, it is the Great Brahma Heaven Temple’s turn to lead and escort the tribute delegation, as well as partake in the decadal Dao Discussion Assembly with Fahua Temple."
"Tributing? Dao Discussion Assembly?" Lu Zheng was puzzled, not understanding.
"Back then, when Dayong fell and the feudal lords vied for power, the Western Buddha Country also invaded the Central Plains, later repelled by the Great Jing. The Western Buddhism collectively confronted the Central Plains, then withdrew troops and formed an alliance with Great Jing, tributary once every ten years."
Master Lin Yi subtly smirked, then switched to sound transmission, "In a war back then, Fahua Temple contributed significantly, with mutual casualties with Western Buddhism, especially this Great Brahma Heaven Temple."
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, suddenly realizing.
So there was an old grudge!
For Master Lin Yi to mention mutual casualties implied significant losses, likely not ordinary individuals.
"What about you?"
Master Lin Yi turned to ask, "Why did you decide to come to Zhongjing, just for a trip?"
Lu Zheng nodded, "The temple master had a letter to deliver to Master Jinghe of Chixiao Temple, and since I was thinking of coming to Zhongjing, I brought my family along for some sightseeing."
Meanwhile, Li Lingyu, already introduced by Shen Ying, blended into the small circle of women.
At this moment, the eleven or twelve-year-old Li Lingyu, still not tall, was of adorable appearance, resembling a cute child, completely unaware, without any reverence, being teased by Jing Qianyu, who didn’t realize this cute child could slap him dead with one blow.
"Is Chunyang Palace fun?"
"What did you learn?"
"Does Chunyang Palace have a female temple?"
"Did Elder Liu teach you anything?"
"Have you gone home in the last two years, did Zen Master Jin Ye from Rizhao Temple teach you?"
Shen Ying spoke to the ladies about the Sea Heaven Dao Weizhou trip, as Lin Wan wasn’t there at the time, Liu Qingyan didn’t go, and they weren’t familiar with Si Lingxi.
Only Shen Ying knew Li Lingyu.
"Chunyang Palace is quite fun." Li Lingyu nodded repeatedly, "My master taught me a lot, and Elder Liu taught me the Celestial Escape Sect’s technique, returned to Weizhou for the New Year last year, and also met with Master Jin Ye.
Just that the meals in the palace aren’t as good as Lu Da’s... ahem, actually not bad either."
Noticing Master Lin Yi’s glance towards him, Li Lingyu quickly changed his words, then proudly showcased a copper ring in his hand.
The copper ring flew up and down in his hand, covered with Pure Yang Fire on its surface, engraved with Qian Pattern on one side and Kun Talisman on the other, emitting a pure magical power aura.
Li Lingyu somewhat proudly declared, "This is an idea I had, and then asked my master to craft it for me, the Pure Yang Qi Qiankun Ring."
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