Xishan is located outside Yujing City, with an area of nearly a hundred miles. Although it is not majestic, it is densely jungled and has complex terrain. There are many mountains, with flowing springs and waterfalls, as well as rocky forests. There are many foxes, jackals and wild beasts in the mountains. Every winter, , there will be some princes and nobles going into the mountains for hunting.
Jiang Chen came in the morning light. He was an extraordinary person. He did not come here to hunt. He came here to wait for someone, someone who could become his revengeful blade!
In autumn and winter, the scenery in the mountains is particularly interesting. Jiang Chen traveled all the way until dusk, when he came to stay overnight at a ruined temple called Qiuyue Temple.
Since the destruction of the Great Zen Temple, Buddhism has declined, and the Qiuyue Temple has naturally declined. Today, no one comes to offer incense. In addition, the property in the temple has been confiscated by Emperor Qian, and there is no income. Those who The monks walked away and scattered, and there was only one old monk left in the temple.
At dusk and sunset, the Western Mountains at night are cold and deep. From a distance, the shadows of the trees are whirling, like ghostly shadows, which makes people feel creepy. The screams of night owls and the strange laughter of foxes and wolves that come from the mountains from time to time are even more eerie. I feel uneasy.
"Um?"
In the guest room, Jiang Chen, who was meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes. With a stern gaze, he saw a white shadow flying through the temple, looking like a ghost in the dark night.
Of course it was not a ghost, but a person, a person in white clothes. Because he was riding the wind and moving very fast, he looked like a ghost.
"Interesting, let's take a look."
As his thoughts moved, his body moved accordingly. Jiang Chen floated out of the guest room and chased after the white shadow where he disappeared. He was already a martial artist, and his speed was far beyond ordinary people's imagination, but it was not short. In just a few breaths, he caught up with the white shadow, but he didn't get close. He just stayed far behind the white shadow.
After walking in tandem for about a while, Jiang Chen chased the white figure to the depths of the Western Mountains, before a dark valley. In the valley, there was a faint light of fire. Looking far ahead, I saw a large bonfire in the middle of the valley, and dozens of snow-white foxes were sitting around the bonfire. These foxes, half-crouching and half-sitting, look like humans, each holding a book and making strange sounds, as if they are reciting, just like schoolchildren in a private school.
Standing next to the group of foxes was a woman in red clothes. Although the distance was far away and it was dark night, Jiang Chen could still see clearly. The woman was very beautiful, even a little too beautiful to look like a mortal!
At this moment, the white shadow stopped next to the woman in red, but it was an extraordinary and handsome young man.
Valley, bonfire, fox reading... If Jiang Chen couldn't figure out what was going on in this scene, then he, the reincarnated great master, would be too incompetent.
At this moment, I suddenly heard the man in white say loudly: "Brother, I have been following you for a long time, why don't you show up and talk to me?"
The woman in red clothes had obviously not found any trace of Jiang Chen. After hearing the words of the man in white clothes, a look of surprise appeared on her face. However, she was not a mortal after all. Although she was not panicked, she just stood aside silently. Interjection.
"interesting."
Although Jiang Chen followed secretly all the way, he did not hide his aura. It was just an ordinary person. If he was a ghost-level master, he would still be able to find his traces if he paid a little attention. Therefore, he was not surprised by this. . With a slight smile on his face, he floated out and entered the valley when his body was disillusioned.
"hiss!"
When they first saw Jiang Chen's figure, the man in white and the woman in red couldn't help but shrink their pupils. They looked at each other and saw the shock and fear in each other's eyes.
That is definitely not an ordinary body technique, but the application of the rules of heaven and earth. Only a supreme being with the highest level of cultivation can achieve this step. Apart from other things, at least the two of them are not sure.
"I don't know what my brother's name is. What's the point of following me here?"
The man in white bowed his hands in a salute, and while asking, he couldn't help but think to himself: "It's strange, I know countless masters in the world, and even if I haven't seen them, I know their general appearance, but I have never seen this person, and I don't know how. Where did such a peerless master appear out of nowhere?"
As the saying goes, don't hit the smiling person, follow him and reappear, and the other person is so polite. Jiang Chen naturally can't be rude, and immediately responded: "Jiang Chen, I took the liberty to come to visit, please don't take offense."
"Brother, you are joking."
The man in white clothes smiled and said: "My dear Bai Ziyue, the name of the person next to me is Yuan Fei. In the mountains and wilderness, it is an honor for us to have such an expert as Xiongtai come here."
"Bai Ziyue? Concubine Yuan?"
Jiang Chen was silent for a moment, then smiled and said: "It turns out that these two are actually the White Ape King and the Fragrant Fox King among the eight famous demon immortals in the world. I'm disrespectful. I'm disrespectful."
Bai Ziyue said in surprise: "So brother knows our identities?"
Jiang Chen smiled and said: "The eight great demon immortals are famous all over the world. Although Jiang is ignorant, he has heard about the origins of the two of them. However, Jiang did not expect that the two of them would be so elegant and come here to teach a group of foxes how to read. !”
Before Bai Ziyue responded, Concubine Yuan on the side had already responded: "Brother Jiang is joking, it's not because we are leisurely and carefree, but because our alien cultivation is completely imitating human beings. Humans are the favored sons of heaven and have endless wisdom. Fox Yao Only by understanding human nature and understanding principles can one practice cultivation. After various chances and coincidences, one must accumulate wisdom before one can cultivate like a human being!"
At this time, the foxes beside the campfire had stopped reading and looked at Jiang Chen. Their eyes were wary, but mostly curious.
"It's a chance to meet here."
While Jiang Chen was speaking, he took out a jade slip out of thin air and placed it on his palm. With a push of his true power, light suddenly burst out. Many words emerged from the light, forming a mental text.
This mental technique is not very profound, but it can concentrate one's mind and hold one's soul. It is very useful for the cultivation of the soul, and is most suitable for use by foxes whose foundation is still shallow.
As ghost immortals, Yuan Fei and Bai Ziyue can naturally appreciate the beauty of this mental method. Although it has little effect on them, it is the most important mystery for these foxes with shallow intelligence. Wonderful method.
Originally, according to normal cultivation methods, there were only five or six people among this group of foxes who could open their spiritual wisdom and truly embark on the path of cultivating the soul. However, if this mental method existed, it would not be surprising that all these foxes would It can open up spiritual wisdom and successfully embark on the path of spiritual practice.
Unable to hide the surprise in her heart, Concubine Yuan quickly bowed to Jiang Chen Yingying and said, "Thank you sir for teaching me this wonderful method. I am so kind and kind. I don't know how to thank you!"
"It's just a superficial thought, so there's no need to thank you."
Jiang Chen responded with a smile: "Miss Yuan, you don't have to be so polite. Otherwise, it would seem that Jiang's behavior is like seeking repayment for kindness."
Concubine Yuan quickly stood up in response, but heard Bai Ziyue say: "Sir, this article may seem superficial, but in fact it is profound and profound, and it is not the whole article. As the saying goes, if you know a corner and get a glimpse of the whole picture, you can imagine that the complete work The Dharma is so profound and unfathomable, aren't you afraid that we might have evil intentions because of it?"
"Ah!"
Jiang Chen responded with a smile: "Jiang believes that the two of you are not people who are motivated by wealth. Besides, Jiang thinks that he has some means. Even though Mr. Bai and Miss Yuan are among the eight great fairies in the world, they may not be able to keep Jiang. certain."
As soon as these words came out, the surrounding atmosphere suddenly condensed. There seemed to be a vague aura coming from Jiang Chen's body. Bai Ziyue and Yuan Fei also looked solemn, each secretly using their magic power, and the three of them were wrestling. There was an inexplicable reaction in the void, causing ripples.
"Sir, please do not be angry."
At this moment, an old fox stood up like a human, with his hind legs on the ground and his forelimbs cupping his hands. He walked crookedly over and saluted Jiang Chen, "Sir, the kindness of teaching the Dharma is bestowed upon everyone in our fox clan." It is hard to repay one's life. Both Concubine Yuan and Mr. Bai are decent people and will never covet Mr.'s skills. Please rest assured." He spoke with a stiff voice and a strange accent, but his words were clear and understandable. .
Jiang Chen restrained his breath and said with a smile: "Jiang has no intention of doing anything, just stretching his muscles."
"Sir, you are here. It would be rude for us not to go far to welcome you." The old fox first greeted Jiang Chen politely, and then said to Bai Ziyue and Yuan Fei, "It's late at night, and we are not here to entertain guests. In this place, Concubine Yuan and Mr. Bai can go to the stone room in the valley to entertain guests!"
Concubine Yuan suddenly understood and said hurriedly: "Thank you, Mr. Tu, for reminding me." Then she turned to Jiang Chen and said with a hint of apology: "I did not entertain you well and neglected this distinguished guest. I am being unreasonable. Please come in with me, sir." After that, she turned around and led the way, followed by Jiang Chen and Bai Ziyue. After a while, they came to the south of the valley. There was a cave cut into the south stone wall. The three of them entered it. The foxes followed the three of them and also entered the cave. Hole.
Jiang Chen looked around and saw that the cave was large and wide, with a radius of five to six hundred steps and as high as five or six people. After walking in, it felt like a palace and he didn't feel restricted at all.
There are many small holes drilled into the stone wall of the cave, and oil lamps are lit in the small holes. I don’t know what kind of oil it is. It has this fragrance but no smoke. The whole cave was illuminated as brightly as day, and the firelight did not waver at all.
The cave is surrounded by wooden bookshelves, and there are volumes of books on the bookshelves, including large books, small books, manuscripts, lithographs, woodcuts, and paper books. The quality is also various, including bamboo paper, sandalwood paper, silk books, parchment scrolls, and even iron coupons for alchemy books!
On the four walls, in addition to dozens of large bookshelves, there are countless books with yellowing paper stacked under the corners. There are incomplete ancient books and scriptures.
Even a conservative estimate of the number of books in this stone room would be as many as 100,000 volumes.
Seeing that Jiang Chen seemed to be interested in this room full of books, the old fox said nervously: "Sir, this is a joke. This book has never been sorted out since it came here. We foxes don't have hands. Concubine Yuan and Mr. Bai are both busy people. I don’t even have time to sort it out. Ever since I brought the books, they’ve just been piled up randomly. It makes Mr. laugh!"
"It doesn't matter."
Jiang Chen waved his hands and said: "There are countless people in the world who don't love books. As foxes, you are able to preserve these books so well, which is considered extremely thoughtful!"
"Tripitaka, Avatamsaka Sutra, Purana Sutra..."
Jiang Chen walked to a large bookshelf and took out a few books. He opened them and saw that they were all Buddhist scriptures. He picked up the pages and flipped through them briefly, then thought to himself: "The contents of these classics are different from those of other worlds." The contents of Buddhist scriptures are roughly the same, but there are some differences. If you study them carefully, you may gain something."
"This is Daizenji's book."
Seeing Jiang Chen reading a book, Concubine Yuan seemed to have a puzzled look on her face, so she interjected: "Actually, these books were brought out of the temple when the Great Zen Temple in Zhongzhou was annihilated."
"Dachan Temple?" Jiang Chen was no stranger to this. Back then, the reason why his Jiang family was annihilated by Hong Xuanji's troops was because he was implicated in the Great Zen Temple: "No wonder, what is recorded in the book They are all Buddhist scriptures, but it is a pity that the former most holy place in the world has long since disappeared."
"yes!"
Hearing Jiang Chen's words, Mr. Tu couldn't help but sigh: "Back then, there were tens of thousands of monks in such a large Zen temple. Every autumn, there were thousands of monks who went to the countryside to collect rent. The main halls were built one floor after another. Horse races and incense were lit, and the lights were on day and night. Unfortunately, they were attacked by the army, the glorious temple was burned to the ground, and the treasures were stolen. Alas, success or failure, rise and fall, is really a dream. Now I can only watch. This room of classics can only recall the glory of the Great Zen Temple back then!"
Bai Ziyue said: "Dachan Temple is located in the middle of the Daqian Dynasty. It is a thousand-year-old temple that has reached its peak. It is said that this temple covers an area of thousands of hectares and has majestic and vast halls. Every morning, Buddha and Bodhisattva are worshipped. The fragrant little monk has to ride a horse to get here. At the same time, this temple is also a holy place for martial arts, a holy place for practice, and a holy place for wealth. There is no need to pay taxes in Buddhist temples, there are many fields, and the incense is at its peak. After thousands of years of accumulation, wealth can be Enemy country.”
Concubine Yuan continued: "It's a pity that 20 years ago, because the Dazen Temple contacted the elders of the previous dynasty to rebel, it was captured by the army, and the thousand-year-old temple was burned to the ground. Moreover, this temple's thousand-year accumulation, almost all After the wealth was plundered by Emperor Qian Yang Pan, the financial stability of the Daqian Dynasty was unprecedentedly stable, and this prosperous dynasty was created just now!"
Jiang Chen listened to Concubine Yuan and Bai Ziyue talking to each other, and recounted the disaster of the Great Zen Temple in the past. It turns out that these two people were still demons twenty years ago and could only transform into human forms with their thoughts. When the army destroyed the Great Zen Temple, the two people hid on the sidelines and witnessed the destruction of the Great Zen Temple. They had no idea what happened that day. Naturally very clear.
"In this temple, the monks are not engaged in production, but they have the wealth of the country. It is time for the Great Zen Temple to be destroyed."
Hearing the two men talking, Jiang Chen suddenly sighed. Even though he and Emperor Qian had a feud for genocide, he could not help but applaud the other party's move.
Bai Ziyue and Yuan Fei discussed this matter with Jiang Chen until the fifth watch, when the sky was about to light up, Yuan Fei woke up from a dream and hurriedly stood up and said to the three of them: "It's getting late, I'm still here." You have to go back to the palace, otherwise it will be bad if you are discovered!" As she spoke, she jumped out of the cave, and disappeared after a few ups and downs...
(End of chapter)