Chapter 418: Chapter 68: Conversation
"A while back, one of the senior disciples in my Sect chose to advance along the Summoning Path. This created a shortage of the general-purpose Summoning formulas and materials, and I didn’t want to wait decades or even centuries for them to be replenished.
So I decided to search for them myself. By a fortunate coincidence, I learned that a key ingredient was being auctioned in Huayue City, so I hurried over.
After I acquired it, I was planning to hurry back to the Sect, but I never expected to run into this sort of trouble."
At this, Master Fuyuan’s expression shifted, and he asked, "Benefactor Zhang, do you have any idea why that Five Elements Remnant was looking for trouble with you yesterday?
Several days ago, drawn by the connection from Huineng’s cry for help, I discovered this ill fortune clinging to you. It’s been with you for some time now."
Hearing this, Zhang Deming gave a bitter smile and said, "I’m completely in the dark myself."
Hearing this, Guu Donglin spoke up, "I heard your Sect recently captured the Cyan Wood Secret Realm Cave Heaven of the Five Elements. Could that be the reason?"
Zhang Deming shook his head and said, "I’m not too clear on that. How could a mere Core Disciple like myself possibly know about such matters?
However, by a twist of fate, I did once pass through the Turtle Water Ruined Secret Realm, which was part of the Five Elements Blessed Land.
I caught a quick glimpse of him once. He was sealed away at the time. A few companions and I actually thought he was a corpse. Thinking back on it now, that must be why.
But at the time, all we got were a few Tier Two Technique manuals. I only chose a Sword Control Skill. I really have no idea why this person is targeting me.
Hmm... or perhaps he wasn’t targeting me. From his behavior yesterday, it seemed like he knew you seniors would be coming. He even set an ambush specifically for you, Master Fuyuan."
Zhang Deming’s words were sincere; he told no lies. After all, he was speaking with a Three Talents Great Cultivator who possessed Telepathy. Under the scrutiny of such a Power of the Mind, getting caught in a lie would be disastrous.
However, with just a few sentences, Zhang Deming had turned the tables, shifting the conversation from being probed to probing them.
Fuyuan and Guu Donglin both paused for a moment and glanced at Zhang Deming. Fuyuan said, "That was likely because one of my disciples was discovered while sending a message. Our enemy then turned the plan against us, leading to the tragic fate of those three.
As for him targeting me, it wasn’t personal. The fall of the Five Elements Blessed Land back then was, to some extent, related to our Leiyin Temple.
So, rather than saying that man held a grudge against me personally, it’s more accurate to say he hates our Leiyin Temple Blessed Land. And because of that, poor Huineng had to suffer... sigh..."
Zhang Deming’s face twitched. He looked at Fuyuan, momentarily speechless. ’You probe me, I probe you back—a little give and take is perfectly normal, right?’
’Playing the sympathy card all of a sudden like this... are you trying to make it so I can’t respond?’
’Monks really are a shady bunch. Your disciple is already in that state, and you’re still using him as a shield against me. Have you no conscience?’
’Or am I overthinking this?’
’Are you just an innocent old man, suddenly overcome with emotion?’
’Or maybe it’s a bit of both?’
He looked at Fuyuan’s impassive face, which betrayed neither joy nor sorrow, but Zhang Deming couldn’t read him in the slightest. ’What an old fox.’ After a pause, the thought of Huineng’s ordeal yesterday made it impossible for him to continue this line of conversation with a clear conscience.
Deciding not to get further entangled with the old monk, he turned his head and noticed that Guu Donglin’s expression was also downcast and filled with grief. Zhang Deming spoke, "Before I came here, I ran into Fellow Daoist Qing Lian. He seemed rather..."
Hearing this, Guu Donglin paused, then let out a long sigh.
"Sigh... His Literary Gallbladder is shattered, his Literary Seed is extinguished, the Qi in his chest has scattered, and his will to die is resolute.
If not for Daoist Hua’s prophecy yesterday, and a single sentence he uttered before his death, Qing Lian would likely have lost all motivation to live.
Even now... sigh...
His path forward is severed, his journey on the Dao is hopeless. The only thing keeping him alive, I suppose, is the hope that one day he might see that prophecy come to pass."
Hearing this, Zhang Deming’s expression flickered. He remembered his earlier idea to go to the pavilion.
’Destiny Alteration works on a good-for-nothing who has Merit and Qi Fortune... so what about using it to alter the destiny of a fallen genius?’
He had this very idea earlier and was planning to give it a try—after all, there was nothing to lose. But before he could act on it, he was suddenly summoned here.
As all sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind, Zhang Deming hesitated for a moment before saying, "Perhaps... it’s not entirely hopeless."
Guu Donglin was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zhang Deming with pleasant surprise. "Younger Brother Zhang, you have a way?"
Zhang Deming paused. "Well, I have an idea, but I don’t know if it will work."
Guu Donglin was overjoyed. "As long as you have a way to help Qing Lian, Younger Brother Zhang, just say the word if you ever need anything in the future."
Zhang Deming said, "Then... shall I give it a try?"
Guu Donglin paused, then asked, "And if it fails, what are the consequences?"
Zhang Deming shook his head. "If it fails, it fails. He’ll be in the same condition he’s in now."
Hearing this, Guu Donglin immediately nodded. "In that case, Younger Brother Zhang, please, feel free to try."
With that said, he stood up and started walking out.
Master Fuyuan glanced at him but didn’t say anything to stop him.
’Huineng’s heart may have died yesterday as well, but our Buddhist Family has always emphasized ascetic cultivation in the mortal world. Few who can make a Great Vow have not experienced the bitter suffering of this life.’
’It’s just that Huineng’s suffering yesterday was a bit too extreme.’
’However, Huineng established his Original Vow yesterday, so his Cultivation will now enter a period of rapid growth. But because of that very vow, he will never be able to reach a certain height in this lifetime.’
’After all, there is absolutely no possibility of his Original Vow ever succeeding. With his original talent, he actually had a chance.’
