Chapter 97: I Will Guard You
In the midst of the noisy temple, Qiao Wan was trying to communicate with the three-eyed demon beast in front of her.
A strand of her consciousness quietly drifted towards the demon beast.
Then she stopped and tentatively "knocked on the door", wanting to make the demon beast think that she had no malicious intent.
However, the other party didn't pay any attention to her, maybe they didn't have the energy to do so.
This demon beast was tormented day and night by the Taixuan Temple, and its mental defenses were even weaker than she had imagined.
With almost no effort at all, Qiao Wan slipped inside.
Once inside, she saw a hazy gray sky and red stars hanging upside down.
The demon beast was lying in the middle of the dark red stars like blood.
As soon as Qiao Wan entered the demon beast's consciousness, it instantly bristled its fur, all three eyes opened wide, baring its teeth and assuming a defensive posture, roaring like thunder!
"Who?!"
After thinking for a moment, Qiao Wan walked up to it, sat down with a thump, and let out some demonic energy.
Demonic energy?!
How could there be demonic energy?!
The three-eyed demon beast was confused. Its three eyes blinked in shock as it looked at the young boy in front of it.
Qiao Wan pondered for a moment and carefully chose her words, "Do you mind if I talk to you for a moment?"
The three-eyed demon beast didn't let its guard down because of the magic aura surrounding her. It looked at her skeptically and spoke in a rough and aggressive tone, "Go away!"
Qiao Wan thought for a moment and decided to unleash her magical power.
A surge of magic power swept through the air! The three-eyed demon beast trembled, causing more blood to flow.
Qiao Wan silently apologized in her heart, "I'm sorry, Mr. Demon Beast. I didn't mean to."
But the situation outside was already so messed up.
Thinking of the image of Cen Qingyou stepping on a nail, Qiao Wan's face remained expressionless, burning with anger.
I can only endure it for now and inconvenience you.
The three-eyed demon beast looked up in terror, "Who... who are you?"
Qiao Wan answered uncertainly, "Are you your boss?"
The three-eyed demon beast: ?
Qiao Wan: Mei Kangping...
The three-eyed demon beast: Prime Minister Mei?!
In the blood-red eyes of the three-eyed monster, there shimmered a bewildering light.
Is this person in front of me Mei Kangping?
Indeed! Who else but Mei Kangping could possess such a powerful aura!
The eyes of the three-eyed monster lit up with excitement, revealing a cute and silly expression. "Master, are you here to save me?!"
He...
The second half of the sentence was swallowed back by Qiao Wan.
Let's just call her "Mei Kangping".
Qiao Wan boldly assumed a role, recalling the appearance of Mei Kangping while producing a folding fan. With an unaffected face, she put on a mysterious expression and arrogantly waved the fan. "I'll find a way to save you. Can you cooperate with me in this act?"
She imitated perfectly, with the right tone and manner.
The urge to punish someone and the undeniable power of Mei Kangping made it clear that it was indeed him!
Mei Kangping was ready to strike!
The three-eyed monster said enthusiastically, "I will follow your orders, Master!"
After finishing negotiations with the three-eyed demon beast, Qiao Wan withdrew her spiritual consciousness and left.
Separating from the crowd, she walked into the hall and glanced around expressionlessly, saying, "Who the hell told you that demons cannot be transformed!"
Everyone in the hall was stunned.
Lu Dechang frowned and asked, "Who are you?!"
Seeing that things were already halfway done and an unexpected guest arrived, Taixuan Temple, Fanxin Temple, and Sun Tao College all had unpleasant expressions.
Qiao Wan took a step forward, pointing at the demon beast on the ground, "Didn't you say that as long as we transform this demon beast within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, it would be considered a success?"
Lu Dechang felt a pang in his heart!
However, after seeing that the young man in front of him was dressed in white without any other sect symbols, he relaxed a bit and confidently said, "This is the place for the three teachings to discuss matters. It's not up to an outsider like you to act recklessly!"
Qiao Wan remained unperturbed, "I am also a disciple of Venerable One Miaofa."
Disciple of Venerable One Miaofa? When did Venerable One Miaofa take in this disciple?!
Lu Dechang sneered, "How come I didn't know when Venerable One Miaofa took in another disciple?"
Qiao Wan calmly tapped her forehead. The golden Buddha seal left by Miaofa in her sea of consciousness floated out of her forehead. Qiao Wan rolled up her sleeves, revealing the lotus swastika pattern.
"Does this prove anything?"
But, it does seem to be Venerable One Miaofa's seal.
Qiao Wan glanced around.
These few people in front of her were clearly determined to save face for the Great Hall of Light. When it came to talking big, she might not be able to outdo them.
The only way was to show them!
"You say you can purify this demon within the time it takes to burn incense?"
Fanxin Temple sneered, "Little immortal friend, if you don't have the ability, I advise you not to make empty promises. It won't end well for you."
Qiao Wan said, "I didn't say I want to face this demon alone. I know my abilities are weak and I can't do it alone. What I meant was that I want to face this demon together with my fellow disciples."
Qiao Wan turned around and pointed at the monks of the Heart Hall of Light behind her. She spoke with a confident and determined tone, saying, "Just now, we disciples of the Great Hall of Light wanted to give in! We didn't want to start a conflict with your sect. But since your sect has been pressing us relentlessly and going too far, we, the Great Hall of Light, have no choice but to stand up for ourselves!"
The monks of the Heart Hall of Light were all stunned! They almost cursed out loud.
"We didn't!" "We didn't do anything!"
Are they here to resolve the situation or to cause trouble?
Upon hearing this, the members of Taixuan Temple burst into laughter.
They thought Qiao Wan was someone important, but now it seems like she's just causing chaos! This is perfect, they don't need to intervene because the people from the Great Hall of Light are pushing themselves into a corner!
After Qiao Wan said this, all the monks from the Heart Hall of Light felt overwhelmed.
"Admit it, did they pass the test?"
"If you don't admit it, aren't you just making a fool of yourselves?!"
But in front of them, this young boy had a calm expression, seemingly unaware of how outrageous his actions were.
Qiao Wan pointed her finger casually and called out a few people, saying, "Senior brothers, please step forward."
The Heart Hall of Light senior brothers who were called out looked at each other.
Meanwhile, the other groups stood there with crossed arms, waiting to see a joke unfold.
Whether they confess or not, it's the same result.
Forget it, let it go.
The group of Heart Hall of Light senior brothers clenched their teeth and walked over.
Maybe this young boy really has a solution.
Qiao Wan asked, "First of all, let's establish what qualifies as a successful test."
These groups are just causing trouble, so it's better to clarify things beforehand to avoid any future denials.
Taixuan Temple glanced at the three-eyed demon beast lying on the ground.
Sensing the other's gaze, the beast turned its head and let out a roar of anger!
Taixuan Temple's expression darkened.
The animal is still a bit stubborn, even after being locked up for so long, it hasn't been tamed.
That works out perfectly.
Thinking about this, Qiao Wan from Taixuan Temple had a confident smile and swung her dusting cloth, saying, "This animal is not easy to tame. If my immortal friend can successfully convince it to turn to good and embrace Buddhism within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, then we can consider it a successful transformation."
Qiao Wan didn't hesitate to agree, saying, "Alright, but I have a request."
Fanxin Temple replied eagerly, "Tell me!"
Qiao Wan said, "I want to release it first."
Lu Dechang couldn't bear it anymore and stood up, saying, "Outrageous! If you release this monster, can you take responsibility?!"
Qiao Wan looked up without flinching and said, "If we want to transform this monster, we first need to let it know that the Heart Hall of Light means no harm. But can't the seven families in the Heart Hall of Light together handle one single monster?!"
Why did she agree so readily?! Could it be that this person in front of me really has some way to do it?
Three families looked at each other, their expressions finally becoming a little serious.
Confused faces filled the Heart Hall of Light.
Qiao Wan spoke firmly, "Senior brothers and sisters! We can no longer hide our incompetence at this point! Let us recite the repentance text that Venerable One taught us right here!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the disciples of the Heart Hall of Light, who had held some hope, felt their hearts sink like they were in an icy cave.
What nonsense hiding incompetence!
You have no idea how ridiculous it is to force something that doesn't fit.
At this stage, the senior brothers and sisters of the Heart Hall of Light could only grit their teeth and put on an expression of "profound and unfathomable," sitting down.
We can't expose our own faults, right?!
Although Qiao Wan's face looked profound and unfathomable, every disciple of the Heart Hall of Light was thinking.
Will reciting the repentance text really make a difference?
Reciting the repentance text is useless!
A bead of sweat formed on Kong Ren's forehead.
Letting them continue to make a fuss like this, tarnishing the reputation of the Heart Hall of Light, it would be better to stop here and cut the losses.
Just as Qiao Wan took a step forward, Zen Master Kongding suddenly blocked her way, almost imperceptibly.
Let's see.
Let's see what this young person can do.
The entire Heart Hall of Light was waiting to see what Qiao Wan would come up with.
As the confession scriptures echoed in the hall, Qiao Wan, ignoring everyone's gaze, gracefully sat in front of the three-eyed demon beast and calmly poured chicken soup [comforting words].
"Kindness is a virtue."
"It is a bright color in the world, a beacon between people."
And so on, repeated over and over again.
Inside the Heart Hall of Light, the candlelight flickered.
The monks sat down on the floor, with a look of compassion in their eyes, and the sacred Buddhist music gently played.
They thought there would be some other skill, but it turned out to be chanting!
One person from Fanxin Temple couldn't help but burst into laughter, looking at Zen Master Kongding and the others, saying, "So this is the method your temple uses to subdue demons. It seems that we at Fanxin Temple could easily subdue seven or eight of them every day."
空忍's face turned black with anger and he couldn't take it anymore. Suddenly, from the crowd, came a voice of terror from a disciple of Fanxin Temple.
"Look... look, Elder... you see..."
Lu Dechang was startled by the words.
With everything ready, Qiao Wan dived into the mind of the demon beast. She raised her hand and said, "Begin!"
In front of everyone's eyes, the unyielding three-eyed demon beast, who had always resisted authority, staggered to its feet! Not only that, but it also bent both knees and knelt firmly towards the group of monks at the Heart Hall of Light.
"Today, listening to all the Zen Masters' teachings, I have had a sudden enlightenment!"
"I am willing to take refuge in Buddhism from now on and abandon evil for goodness!"
Inside and outside the Heart Hall of Light, there was a sudden silence.
Fanxin Temple's eyes widened.
What... what a joke!
"How could a demon be converted in just the time it takes to burn an incense stick?"
空忍 was taken aback for a moment, but then burst out laughing, saying, "Why can't it be done?! According to the Buddha's teachings, evil thoughts disappear instantly. Isn't that possible?!"
Finally, they came out.
The three-eyed demon beast licked its paw anxiously, snorted, and turned to the three pale-faced people in the hall, with a sinister smile and drool dripping from its mouth, saying, "The Great Hall of Light's teachings are even better. It convinced me. I now embrace Buddhism and strive to do good. You thieving monks, don't you agree?!"
"I swear before this Buddha right now that I will eliminate evil and promote goodness from this day forward. All evil will be eradicated!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the beast swung its claw and charged towards the direction where the three families were!!
The disciple from Fanxin Temple at the front didn't react in time and let out a scream, terrified to the point of peeing and crapping themselves, "Duty, duty... d-duty officer!!"
As the dark shadow swooped in, the entire Heart Hall of Light was thrown into chaos in an instant!
"This is absurd!!"
Taixuan Temple, Fanxin Temple, and Sun Tao College were furious!
In the blink of an eye,
all sorts of precious objects floated up and appeared in the Heart Hall of Light.
The monks in the Great Hall of Light's eyes lit up, grabbing their weapons and angrily shouting, "This monster has converted to Buddhism, it is our mountain guardian beast of the Great Hall of Light! How dare you, followers of the Heart Hall of Light, try to harm our mountain guardian beast?!"
Having been suppressed for so long from occupying the dominant position, the monks in the Heart Hall of Light had reached their limit!
A fight broke out, and who was afraid of who?!
Amidst the chaos, Cen Qingyou looked up
and met the gaze of a young boy with dark eyes.
In the midst of the mayhem, the flame of a lamp flickered twice in front of the Buddha, casting a warm light in the boy's eyes.
The boy in white clothes, stained with blood, stood with his feet in a pool of blood, looking up at the young boy in front of the Buddha.
The young boy forced a smile, somewhat uneasy but bright, and reached out his hand amidst the chaos, saying in a low voice, "Second Young Master, come here!"
Even if everyone fears you, dislikes you, and wants to get rid of you quickly, so what?!
And I will help you cross over!
And Venerable One Miaofa and so many other people in this world are willing to help you cross over!
If you give me a ribbon, we'll be friends!
