Chapter 1222: Chapter 815: Healing the Sick
"That mountain?" Yang Xiao lifted his hand, pointing to the distance, in the direction where they once carried coffins for burial.
The old man glanced and nodded, "Yes, that’s the place. It was... it was the Buddhas who helped with the burial, saying that it’s inauspicious to keep the body overnight at home."
Yang Xiao, Musa, and others questioned several people in succession. Many had relatives who were supposedly killed by the Fierce Ghosts of River Immortal Village, and without exception, all these victims had once been beneficiaries of the Buddhas’ blessings.
Some suffered from terminal illnesses, and the doctor had already told their families to prepare for funeral arrangements. Others were injured, with broken legs and feet, or even life-threatening severe external injuries, but they were all saved after being carried to the temple.
It was precisely because of this that the temple flourished, and the townspeople were all convinced.
The townspeople vividly recounted stories of the Buddhas subduing demons and evil spirits, including the divine light shining, the golden bell shield, and conjuring Heavenly Thunder with a hand twist. However, Yang Xiao had no interest in these fabricated tales; he was more concerned with the Buddhas’ ability to heal and save lives.
To bring back dying people and reconnect severed limbs—this was simply a miracle.
No human could achieve this, only perhaps a ghost.
After Yang Xiao and others’ meticulous and skillful questioning, they learned that the temple did not become famous overnight. It had been built for decades, but it only gained fame in recent years.
According to the townspeople, they had heard before of the High Monks in the temple possessing boundless Buddhist Law, capable of healing and saving lives, but none had seen them. After all, there was more than one temple in the town, and each family had similar claims.
However, until some years ago, the monks claimed to have completed a meditation retreat and wanted to come out to save the masses, allowing the town’s people to truly witness the miraculous methods of these High Monks.
"Wait." Yang Xiao interrupted, "Exactly how many years ago are you referring to?"
The old man was momentarily stunned by the question. After thinking for a long time, he still shook his head, "I really can’t remember. It’s been too long, but... but I remember the year there was a great flood that submerged River Immortal Village."
"Did the monks complete their retreat before or after the flood that submerged River Immortal Village?" Musa probed.
"Of course, the flood came first, and because the monks wanted to do penance for the souls of River Immortal Village, they retreated," the old man looked filled with longing, "The monks are kind-hearted; they are all reincarnations of living Buddhas."
"Damn..." Yang Xiao felt his heart sink in an instant. Since arriving in this Nightmare World, titles like benevolent person or living Buddha from ten miles around had nearly triggered Yang Xiao. Unfortunately, none proved to be genuine.
"Hold on, let me piece this together: the flood hit River Immortal Village first, then the monks in the temple learned about it and began their retreat praying for the victims, and after the retreat, they opened the temple to treat and save lives, correct?" Yang Xiao reorganized his words.
"Yes, that’s right. The Buddhas are kind—they can’t bear to see the townspeople suffer." The old man folded his hands, facing the direction of the temple with a face full of devotion.
"Hiss—" Yang Xiao had not found any connection between River Immortal Village and the temple until now. There was finally a trace.
He boldly speculated that the disasters of River Immortal Village were related to the High Monks in the temple.
Yang Xiao also found two villagers at the scene who had been sent to the temple for healing, but no matter how Yang Xiao and others asked, these two were tight-lipped about the treatment process.
From their eyes, Yang Xiao detected puzzlement, along with a strong fear hidden beneath.
What were they afraid of?
After the crowd gradually dispersed, Shari found Yang Xiao and told him Aisha had contacted an old woman. The two chatted very well, and the old woman invited Aisha to her home, mentioning she had a granddaughter who had been cured by a High Monk.
This was a good opportunity. Yang Xiao also wanted to get close to these people to figure out how their injuries were healed.
Too many people going would attract attention, so only Yang Xiao and Aisha followed the old woman to her home.
Her home was farther than imagined, and quite remote. Yang Xiao and Aisha followed the old woman through alleys, stepping on slippery stone paths, and Yang Xiao was highly alert, trying to remember the way there.
"We’re here, this is the place."
The old woman ducked into a low alley and stopped in front of a worn black door.
The door wasn’t locked, and it opened with a gentle push. Although it was daytime, the alley had poor lighting, and there were no lights inside the house, making it quite dim.
The old woman walked in quite familiarly, and soon a sporadic cough sounded from inside.
"Cough... Hai Hai..."
"Hai Hai..."
The voice sounded like a young girl, not very old.
Yang Xiao and Aisha exchanged glances and naturally lit a candle. As the candlelight slightly dispelled the darkness, Yang Xiao walked in first, with Aisha following behind.
Outside was the stove, made of scattered stones. Next to it was a basket with some wild vegetables dug up, indicating that the grandmother and granddaughter lived a simple life.
"Nini, look who’s here to see you?" The old woman’s voice came from inside.
Yang Xiao heard and went over, lifting the curtain. He saw a girl with braids lying on an old wooden bed, about eleven or twelve years old, pale-faced and still coughing.
"What’s wrong with her?" Aisha sat by the bed, looking down at the poor girl.
"It’s an old issue, flares up around this time, but it’s not serious." The old woman sighed, stepped forward, and tucked in the dirty blanket.
