Chapter 170: The Conspiracy
On the other side, while Chen Chang'an was pondering how to deal with those monks—
The gray-robed monk had already left Ping'an Ward and was leisurely wandering through Immortal Spirit City.
He passed through bustling markets and crowded streets, occasionally pausing to glance at the goods displayed by street vendors. His face remained expressionless, indifferent to everything around him.
Only when the sun had set behind the mountains did he finally leave the city, following a remote path that led toward the distant forest.
After about an hour's walk, night had fully fallen. The monk stopped before a dilapidated temple.
The temple had long been abandoned. Most of its roof had collapsed, the walls were covered with cracks and moss, and weeds grew thick around it.
The plaque above the entrance had rotted away, leaving only a broken piece of wood with the faint remnant of the character "Buddha."
The monk stood silently in front of the temple for a moment, then lifted his foot and stepped inside.
Inside, another monk sat cross-legged before a ruined Buddha statue, chanting softly with his eyes closed.
When he heard footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of deep, cold pupils.
"You're back?" the seated monk asked.
"Mm." The gray-robed monk nodded and casually tossed aside the tofu he had begged for. "The lower world truly is barren. Not a single proper temple remains."
The seated monk gave a low chuckle. "Twenty thousand years ago, the Great Zhou carried out its Buddhist Purge. Every temple was torn down, every statue smashed. The fact that a few walls still stand is already remarkable."
The gray-robed monk walked to the broken Buddha statue and brushed his fingers across its shattered neck.
A cold smile curved his lips. "The Great Zhou was once so mighty—one of the top powers even in the upper realm. When they issued the Edict to Eradicate Buddhism, every monk under heaven was executed, and even Buddha statues were forbidden to exist."
"And now?" He paused, his smile deepening with a chilling edge. "Now, the Great Zhou lies in ruins, reduced to dust in history. And we…"
"We have returned," the seated monk finished with a sneer.
He rose slowly, his expression cold. "Karma comes full circle. The Great Zhou began its purge at Dengyun Temple in Qingzhou. This time, we'll let them taste a true calamity."
The gray-robed monk nodded, his gaze sharp and ruthless. "Immortal Spirit City is only the beginning. Once the Buddha Child descends, all of Qingzhou will become our pool of merit."
"Mortals are foolish," the other monk said softly. "They see the compassion of the Buddhist sect but never realize that such compassion is paved with blood."
"They thought the Buddhist Purge twenty thousand years ago marked the end," he continued, brushing dust off his robe. "But that was only the beginning."
The gray-robed monk was silent for a moment, then asked, "Has the matter of Senior Brother Miao Hua's disappearance been investigated?"
The seated monk shook his head. "Not yet. But Immortal Spirit City is nothing more than a top force within Qingzhou. Nothing we can't handle."
"Be cautious," the gray-robed monk replied calmly. "Small as it is, Immortal Spirit City marks our first step. We can't afford mistakes."
"Relax." The seated monk sneered. "A mere Immortal Spirit City can't stir up much trouble. And even if they find something out…"
He didn't finish his sentence, but the murderous intent in his eyes said it all.
The two monks exchanged a knowing smile.
Just then, a faint wisp of sandalwood incense drifted through the ruined temple.
The ground trembled slightly, and from the cracks in the rotting floorboards, a tender green lotus sprout emerged.
It grew and bloomed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Om—"
The lotus flower blossomed fully, golden light swirling around it. From its radiant center, a figure draped in a crimson kasaya slowly appeared.
The robe was incomparably luxurious, woven with golden threads and adorned with pearls, agate, and jade, each gem shimmering with spiritual light.
Its cuffs and hem were embroidered with intricate Buddhist mantras that concealed profound mysteries.
Over it hung another robe of violet-gold, trimmed with strings of seven-treasure ornaments that clinked softly as he moved.
The two monks immediately knelt and bowed deeply. "We pay our respects to the Respected One!"
The Respected One atop the lotus platform nodded slightly. His voice was deep and commanding. "Have you found the whereabouts of the Buddha Child?"
The gray-robed monk replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Respected One, we have confirmed it. He is within Immortal Spirit City, in a district called Ping'an Ward on the western side."
A flicker of satisfaction passed through the Respected One's eyes. "Very good."
He paused, then asked, "And the plan?"
The other monk quickly answered, "We are still searching, but the target is near Immortal Spirit City. We will locate it within three months."
The Respected One gave a cold laugh. "Foolish mortals of the lower realm… they do not even know they built their city upon a forbidden land!"
The gray-robed monk smiled obsequiously. "Your insight is divine, Respected One! These people have long forgotten that this place was once the sealed ground of the Demon Lord from one hundred thousand years ago."
"As long as we find him and aid in his release, he will bring endless bloodshed to the lower realm! Then, when the Buddha Child appears to suppress him, the merit gained will be immeasurable."
His eyes gleamed with greed, as if he already saw the Buddha Child shining with endless merit.
The Respected One narrowed his eyes. "Remember—once the Demon Lord is found, trick him into wearing the Golden Circlet immediately."
"Otherwise, with his power at the peak of the Saint Realm, before the Buddha Child regains his true form, none of you could restrain him."
"Yes!" the two monks responded together.
The gray-robed monk hesitated. "Respected One… will the Demon Lord really obey?"
The Respected One snorted coldly. "After one hundred thousand years of imprisonment, his mind will be unstable. With a little guidance, he will act according to our plan."
"When he regains clarity, it will already be time for the Buddha Child to 'exterminate the demon.' That will let us establish divine authority in the lower realm and restore our golden image."
"Even if it fails, we have alternate plans. You only need to do your part."
He waved his sleeve. The lotus platform slowly closed, and the golden light began to fade.
"Act swiftly," his voice echoed. "Do not delay and ruin the great design. If this plan succeeds, you shall ascend to the Western Heaven and enjoy boundless blessings."
The two monks' faces filled with joy. They bowed again. "We shall obey the Respected One's decree!"
The lotus sealed completely, dissolving into countless motes of golden light that scattered into the void.
Once more, silence returned to the ruined temple.
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