1163 Buddhist Sects Squad (1/2)
Shaoshi Mountain, China.
The increasing deforestation in Cangshan County had made some fierce wild animals look for their prey everywhere and birds were seen flapping their wings and leaping in between the yellow withered leaves. A winding pathway was as though having no end while the towering palace atop the summit exuded a simple and vicissitude of time and life.
DING…
The melodious bell echoed over the mountains at this time, disturbing the peace of wild animals in tens of kilometers in the surroundings and causing them to look toward the palace direction at the highest peak.
With a sword sheathed on his back, Miao Wentang tracked along the seemingly endless winding mountain pathway, but the little monk dressed in Kasaya suit turned his head to glance at him from time to time with a look of curiosity on his face.
It was rather unlikely for any guest to visit this Buddhist sect, to begin with. The little monk had been living here for 2 years, yet it was his first time seeing a cultivator pay homage to this mountain.
Quickly after, the duo came to the palace at the summit. Miao Wentang didn't spare any time to enjoy the beautiful scenery around him. He didn't even glance at the lingering clouds in the surrounding and shifted his focus right on the four Kasaya-suited elder monks with sticks in their hands and benevolent eyes.
”Amitabha, it's a blessing for my Buddhist monastery that Benefactor Miao has come from afar. May I know Benefactor Miao's purpose in visiting our monastery?” the old man in Kasaya asked with a smile.
Miao Wentang saluted by joining both palms and said after the ceremony, ”It's been some time since our last meeting in the Himalayas, Grand Abbot Bright Crane. My visit is due to the plea of a friend of mine. I'm just his messenger.”
”Which friend is it?” asked Grand Abbot Bright Crane curiously. ”And what is the message content exactly?”
”It's from Tang Xiu,” answered Miao Wentang.
Grand Abbot Bright Crane's expression changed and looked surprised, saying, ”Ah, it turns out to be from Benefactor Tang, someone who's a dragon among men. I was stationed to guard the western line in the Himalayas back then, but I met him a few times nonetheless. It can be said China can stay stable and peaceful mainly due to his merits.”
Smilingly nodded in approval, Miao Wentang said, ”Anyway, Tang Xiu asked me to come to the Buddhist sect in person to tell you that he's now in Japan and has found some remnants of the Joyous Sect. They have now become the biggest and most mysterious force there after years of development.”
”Joyous splinter sect?”
Grand Abbot Bright Crane and the other three Buddhist Sect elders had a drastic change in expression. The four exchanged glances and the former said in a deep voice, ”The Joyous Sect is one of the Tantric Buddhist schools, yet it has violated the Buddha's way and has committed enormous sins and thus, can no longer be tolerated by our sect, resulting in the extermination of their group. Little did we expect that some of those scourges survived to this day. Benefactor Miao, this is a very important issue for us. Could you tell us where is Benefactor Tang now and how can we get in touch with him?”
Miao Wentang gave him Tang Xiu's cell number and then said, ”Tang Xiu also asked me to convey another message. If Grand Abbot of Buddhist Sect wants to clean up the school, the Buddhist Sect can call him in advance as he's now in Kyoto and is waiting for your honorable arrival.”
”We are deeply grateful for this news Benefactor Miao.” Grand Abbot Bright Crane replied in a deep voice, ”Our Buddhist sect, however, needs to take some time to discuss this utmost important issue at hand. Also, I'd like to ask Benefactor Miao to stay for some time. You can leave the Shaoshi Mountain later with my Buddhist disciples.”
”Alright.” Miao Wentang nodded.
Two hours later, eight Section Heads of the Buddhist Sect rushed from each stationery peak and entered a meditation hall. Nine people, including Grand Abbot Bright Crane, waited cross-legged on a futon inside.
”You gathered us all eight together at the same time, what exactly happened, Senior Brother Bright Crane?” a fat monk with a bright face and smooth skin asked curiously.
The rest didn't ask, but they had similar curious expressions on their faces, their eyes fixed on Grand Abbot Bright Crane's face.
”Some of you have seen Benefactor Tang Xiu and some have heard of him. I believe you have some understanding pertaining to his character,” said Grand Abbot Bright Crane slowly.
The fat monk nodded firmly. ”Benefactor Tang Xiu has a Buddha heart although he's not one of us. Everyone in the cultivation world holds him in respect today. Even this poor monk who has been cultivation for 3 centuries feels the same way.”
Another one, a slim and dark-skinned monk followed. ”Back in the Himalayas, Benefactor Tang risked his life and braved death to slaughter a large number of demonic beasts and saved a lot of souls. This Black Face Buddha truly admires him for taking that action at the moment a crisis was to befall our race.”
”I also trust Benefactor Tang, Senior Brother Bright Crane.”
”Well, I haven't met him, but I've heard of him. It's true that hearing and seeing in person is the truth, but I believe the judgment of my elder martial brothers that Benefactor Tang is a just person.”
”I concur.”
”…”
After quietly listened to their opinions, Grand Abbot Bright Crane nodded and said, ”Since we all trust Benefactor Tang, then I'll tell you the reason for summoning you here. Benefactor Tang asked Benefactor Miao to come to our monastery and convey to us that the surviving remnants of Joyous Sect have moved to Japan and created a very large force.”