Chapter 10

In the midst of the air, a loud sound echoed as Hu Hai's demon-subduing mace struck downward, emitting ten thousand rays of golden light, pressing down the golden wheel floating in the air with a yellow glow.

The face of Hei Wuchang, masked, revealed no expression, but his body clearly wavered, and he let out a muffled groan. The golden wheel swayed precariously, and he struggled to support it.

Hu Ming's coiled dragon staff struck the golden wheel of Bai Wuchang. Despite Hu Ming's youth, Bai Wuchang staggered back several steps. Hu Ming, not letting up, swung his staff in a powerful strike, the staff glowing with golden light, whistling as it cleaved toward Bai Wuchang.

Caught off guard, Bai Wuchang let go of the golden wheel, which flew toward Hu Ming.

He intended to take Hu Ming down with him, but Hu Ming turned the tip of his staff, drawing an arc, transforming the strike into a grass-seeking snake technique. With a clang, the golden wheel was deflected away.

At this moment, they heard Mo Xian's shout. Both paused, and Hei and Bai Wuchang retreated. Behind Mo Xian, voices rose as many people rushed over.

Hu Hai and Hu Ming exchanged a glance. Hu Hai chanted a Buddhist mantra, his voice like a lion's roar. The black and white Wuchang felt as if struck by lightning, their ears ringing and their minds blank.

Hu Hai then raised his sleeve, and golden light surged forth, fragrant wind enveloping the ground, covering Mo Xian and the others. With a boom, the light vanished, and the group disappeared.

Baili Cong and his men arrived just in time to see the golden light flash and the people vanish. His Black Sun Tathagata Seal struck, but the large, dark-brown hand, about ten feet in diameter, hit nothing but air.

Baili Cong, filled with anger, shouted, "Buddhist Light Escape! Who are they?"

"It's Hu Hai and Hu Ming. They took the people away," Hei Wuchang coughed, saying.

"Useless!" Baili Cong coldly scolded his men, suppressing his anger. "It's the old bald monk Zhitong of Guhua Temple, relying on his position as the leader of the Theravada, actually opposing me. I will destroy Guhua Temple!"

"Your Majesty, no! The Buddhist sect is powerful. Although it is divided into Mahayana and Theravada, they are united against outsiders. The Theravada includes the Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika, and the Mahayana includes the Yogacara, Madhyamaka, Tiantai, Huayan, Chan, Pure Land, Vajrayana, and Vinaya schools. Buddhism makes up three-quarters of the world's religions. On the surface, they follow the king's rule, but in reality, they are an independent kingdom, beyond the control of Dahan, let alone a vassal state like me. To oppose them would make me a public enemy of the entire Buddhist community. We need to wait a while," Bai Wuchang said, enduring his injuries.

"The dignity of our state and the dignity of the Yama Hall cannot be trampled upon! Can I bear this?" Baili Ming said through gritted teeth.

"The Yama Hall, though upholding the true lineage of Buddhism, is called a heretical sect by the Buddhist masters. To restore the true lineage of Buddhism is our goal. The Buddha said that in the Dharma-ending Age, heretical masters will be as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, and the children of the heavenly demons, wearing robes, will corrupt the Dharma and turn believers into followers of demons."

Baili Cong's face was dark and light, remembering what the Lord of the Netherworld had said: in the Dharma-ending Age, the Buddha would transform into the Black Sun Tathagata, performing the wrathful Vajra deeds, purifying the world with the Great Purification Spell, but out of compassion for sentient beings, he would send Vajra protectors, hence the emergence of the Lord of the Netherworld, to stop killing with killing.

Baili Cong laughed coldly, "How is the plan progressing?"

"Your Majesty, everything is proceeding according to plan!"

About three miles outside Luoyi City, a golden light flashed, and five people appeared. Mo Xian felt the golden light, and the world spun, making him feel nauseous. When he regained his composure, he found himself in a different place.

He was still dazed when Lvyi already bowed, "Thank you, Masters!"

Hu Hai's face was pale; using the Buddhist Light Escape had drained him. He chanted a Buddhist mantra, "Namo Shakyamuni Buddha, sir, please do not be too formal. This is the karmic retribution of our Buddhist sect."

"Lvhai Master, can you remove the spirit-sealing spell on my sister?" Lvyi asked.

"This is a spell from a heretical sect to seal spiritual power. Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!" Hu Hai looked at Lvyi, formed the Kusala Spirit Seal with his hands, and a ray of Buddhist light enveloped Lvyi. The black light on Lvyi's body flickered and disappeared. When Lvyi tried to use her spiritual power, it flowed smoothly.

Lvyi bowed again, and Hu Hai waved his hand, "No need to thank us, Miss Lvyi. Your connection with my junior disciple has ended. He has lived two lives, and the karmic bond has been repaid. Take care!"

Hu Ming stood to the side, trying to recall something but failing. He only felt as if he was about to lose something precious, his brows furrowed, lost in thought.

"What do you mean, the connection has ended! My sister has sacrificed so much for him. He only knows how to commit suicide. Moreover, she broke the clan rules for him, paying with true feelings. To end it with just a word of 'karmic bond ended'—what right do you have to say that? He should be the one to say it!" Lvyi's face changed, speaking up for her sister.

Mo Xian, standing to the side, vaguely knew that Lvyi and the little monk had some connection. He recognized Hu Ming as Baili Ming, feeling guilty. It was he who had almost killed him that day, but he was masked and had not spoken.

"Junior disciple, do you recognize this young lady?" Hu Hai turned and asked Hu Ming.

Hu Ming was looking down, silently reciting scriptures, and for a moment did not react. He looked up, gazing at Lvyi, his eyes filled with confusion, "I don't seem to recognize her."

Lvyi's body suddenly swayed, a thread of blood trickled from her mouth, and her face turned pale.

"Sister, what's wrong?" Lvyi was alarmed.

Mo Xian, unable to bear it, said, "Masters, I don't know what's going on, but isn't this treatment of Miss Lvyi too harsh?"

"Namo Shakyamuni Buddha, sir, your life force is depleted, and your lifespan is less than ten years. Moreover, you have committed many killings, sowing evil seeds. It would be better to take refuge in Buddhism, recite scriptures, and repent to seek a better rebirth." Hu Hai did not answer Mo Xian's question but brought up his own issue.

Lvyi smiled, "Thank you, Masters, for saving us. As for Mo Xian's matter, don't worry. My sister and I have some skills."

Although she smiled, her face was calm, but the deep despair in her eyes was heart-wrenching.

"Very well, we will take our leave." Hu Hai's eyes were calm, his tone neutral. He clasped his hands, chanted a Buddhist mantra, and walked away with Hu Ming, who wanted to look back but did not.

Lvyi stood there, silently watching them go until they were out of sight. She then turned, opened her mouth, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Sister, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just a bit of frustration. I feel better now."

"Miss Lvyi, were you injured at the Hou residence?" Mo Xian asked.

"No, just some shock. Thank you, Young Hero Mo."

"Don't say that. I was once a killer for the Yama Hall. Later, I was hunted by the Yama Hall, and it was thanks to the two of you that I survived. A drop of water's kindness should be repaid with a spring of water. Besides, with my abilities, I didn't play a significant role in this matter," Mo Xian said.

"My sister has a good impression of you, Young Hero Mo. What do you think?"

"Sister!" Lvyi protested.

"Thank you, Miss Lvyi, but I cannot."

"Why? Is it because we are different?"

"No! It's an honor that Miss Lvyi likes me, but I cannot harm her. My lifespan is less than ten years, and the Yama Hall will not let me go. In this situation, I might die suddenly on the street tomorrow. What I can do now is to give the Yama Hall a lesson."

"Aren't you afraid of the Yama Hall, this massive organization?" Lvyi asked.

"I'm not afraid of death, but it's a pity I can't eliminate it."

"You alone can't make much of a difference. I have deep enmity with it. Our Hu Family Village was destroyed by it, and now Hu Ming has left me." Lvyi said calmly, her eyes filled with deep sorrow. "By the way, there is a method that might replenish your life force."

"What method?" Mo Xian asked, his heart filled with joy at the news, as humans naturally fear death.

"In the depths of Luoshan Mountain, there is a Guiyan Peak, shrouded in mist. It is said that there is a thousand-year-old jade ginseng there. Obtaining this spiritual herb can replenish your life force."