Chapter 1697 - Through Thick and Thin, Until Death Does Them Apart! (1/2)

Iraq’s civil war erupted quickly and ended just as fast. The Iraqi government had captured the armed rebels, including several important heads. They were now conducting a total sweep of all those who participated in the rebellion, things wouldn’t be over that soon.

Thanks to this sudden turn of events, Xu Zhenyu and the gang’s Envoy’s Mission had also been successfully completed. With reinforcements from Xu Xianghu, the group was currently secreted away in a safe house as they waited for the fighting in Iraq to taper off. Once the traveling restrictions were lifted, they would be able to head back to their own country.

Nevertheless, even though Iraq had sealed off its borders from the world, there was no stopping Si Yiyan from leaving.

Si Yiyan didn’t return to Capital city in Country Z but headed to another place.

Nepal!

The home of Buddhism!

Where prayers flags fluttered in the winds, pagodas stood tall and prayer chants never ceased!

Si Yiyan slowly ascended some rather damp stone steps, heading toward an ancient building.

The meandering stone path took one across a cloud of incense, where an ancient Bodhi tree grew in the backyard. It was a peaceful and lovely scene.

Si Yiyan!

You have come from hell, butcher’s knife in hand and drenched in murderous and sinful blood. Why are you standing here now?

Life is just a grand dream, a simple life is all I hope for!

“Why have you come bearing an aura full of killing and sin?” A reverend dressed in gray robes calmly sat cross-legged inside. It was as if a layer of ancient dust covered him, making him look exceptionally quaint and isolated.

His peaceful voice was like a melodious chant.

He had not lifted a single eyelid at Si Yiyan’s arrival.

Si Yiyan knelt before the reverend on a yellow cushion. He clasped his hands together and placed them before his chest. “I have some doubts I hope reverend can help me solve.”

The reverend was unmoved. “I remember I have told your fortunes twice before. The first time when you were five and the second time when you were 18.”

Th reverend continued counting his rosary beads with eyes shut. He had yet to open his eyes since Si Yiyan appeared.

“That’s right.”

Si Yiyan lowered his head slightly as he answered.

The first time was when he was five years old. The reverend said that he was destined to a lonely life.

The second time after he returned to Country Z, he had met this reverend again by chance. The reverend gave him two cotton purses, one red and one white.

The red one held the words: Through thick and thin, until death does them apart!

The white one held the words: Alone in desolation, fated to a lonely life!

“You are Buddha’s incarnate and could have attained Nirvana after three rebirths. There are 108 trials in Buddhism and you have already gone through 107 of them. The final trial requires you to give up love and lust. But you have instead given in to your desires. It is a pity.”

“Don’t you understand the concept that things don’t last forever?”

The reverend’s voice was deep, his words thought-provoking.

Si Yiyan replied in a low voice, “To dig one’s eyes out for fear of temptation after seeing beauty is an act of foolishness. That is because the heart is the main source of temptation. When one’s heart is already tempted, it is difficult for one’s flesh to resist.”

All the eyes could see were temptations!

The heart would thus be clouded, and there was no escape.

The reverend sighed softly as he opened his eyes. “You have come today with your answer?”

The red and white cotton purses.

The white purse represented a chance at transcendence!

Buddha said that after transcending, all feelings would fade in time. Since I no longer feel any emotions and my heart is as calm as the water, why don’t I cut off all earthly ties and devote myself to Buddhism?

The red purse represented predestined doom!

Buddha said that when a person continued to be mired in love and desires, his heart would be tainted and he would be blinded and unable to see the path.

“I have.” Since meeting Wen Xinya, he had become Asura with his blood-drenched butcher’s knife. “Buddha said that you must exchange glances 500 times over your past lives in return for a meeting in this one life. I’m willing to trade one million glances in return for spending the rest of this life with her.” He paused for a second before continuing. “I’m willing to give up three lifetimes of meditation and the good karma accumulated over my 107 previous trials, just so that I can be with her through thick and thin, until death do us apart.”

Buddha upheld the virtuous practice of Buddhism, but the devil preyed on wicked thoughts!

A person with wicked thoughts would fall into hell, never to be reborn!

And Wen Xinya was the driver behind his wicked thoughts!