Chapter 737 - I’ll Kill On Your Behalf
Chapter 737: I’ll Kill On Your Behalf
Fa Hua waved his hand as a signal for the others to leave.
“Abbot!” The twelve vajras and the Three Seats would not leave.
Hui Neng had suffered a hit and was heavily wounded. He was ghastly pale.
“Get out!” Fa Hua said sternly.
The monks had no choice but to turn around and leave.
Lu Zhou was not even worried about exposing his identity as a golden lotus cultivator, but Fa Hua was ordering his disciples to leave.
After the monks left the Great Strength Hall, Fa Hua sighed heavily. “To tell you the truth… I disagreed with Junior Brother Fa Kong’s actions. I’m also against the research about the other worlds that’s being conducted by the Sky Martial Court. The Buddha is merciful, and all lives are equal. Why must the strong trample on the weak? Not many know about the existence of the golden lotus domain. When I learned about it, I did all I could to oppose it. Alas, Fa Kong was stubborn… I’m both surprised and unsurprised by his death.”
Lu Zhou regarded Fa Hua with surprise. He did not expect Fa Hua to have such thoughts. The brigands of the world would not utter words like all lives were equal. Moreover, everyone had their own definitions of the word equal. In the end, he nodded and asked, “How much do you know about the golden lotus domain?”
“All I know is that the golden lotus domain is weak. When Fa Kong was still around, he told me that. Fa Kong and I rarely saw eye to eye. Hence, we don’t often speak to each other. The Sky Martial Court is researching the other worlds and discovered the golden lotus domain some time ago. They sent some of their men to investigate as well. Fa Kong worked with the Sky Martial Court. He was tasked with killing the strongest person in the golden lotus domain.” After Fa Hua finished speaking, he pressed his chest and coughed.
“Since you’re against it, why didn’t you stop Fa Kong?” Lu Zhou asked.
Fa Hua sighed heavily again. “You might not know this, old benefactor, but I suspect the Sky Martial Court’s Master is a Ten-leaf cultivator.” When he mentioned the Ten-leaf cultivator, a hint of fearful respect could be seen in his eyes. Moreover, there was a hint of helplessness as well.
Something stirred in Lu Zhou. This was by far the most important piece of information he had received since arriving in the red lotus domain. With this information, it meant that he could not do as he pleased just because he was a Nine-leaf cultivator. He could not stand against a Ten-leaf cultivator at this moment. At the same time, he felt puzzled. Since there was a Ten-leaf cultivator around, why did they not send the most powerful cultivators they had in the Sky Shuttle? Would that not have been a better plan?
When Fa Hua saw that Lu Zhou was deep in his thoughts, he asked, “Did Fa Kong truly attack you, old benefactor?”
“I don’t have a habit of lying,” Lu Zhou said.
Fa Hua shook his head and said, “Karma and sins. Since you’re here for revenge, old benefactor, I have nothing more to say.”
“You haven’t answered all my questions yet.” Lu Zhou glanced at Fa Hua before he rose to his feet and paced around with his hands on his back.
“Do you mean the other golden lotus cultivators?” After asking the question, Fa Hua said with a hint of uncertainty, “A few months ago, there were rumors going around that there was a great battle between a golden lotus avatar and a red lotus avatar at the Thousand Willow Monastery.”
“The Thousand Willow Monastery?” Lu Zhou turned to look at Fa Hua.
“It’s only a rumor. It’s said that the Ninth Temple’s Grand Elder fought against two golden lotus cultivators with his treasure, the Square Box. However, the Sky Martial Court and the Flying Star House stepped forward to dispel the rumor. I have no clue about how true the rumor is…” Fa Hua said, “However, based on what I understand about how the Sky Martial Court operates, the rumor is probably true.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. He committed the names the Thousand Willow Monastery and the Ninth Temple to memory. He recalled the many notifications he had received about his two disciples killing elites in the red lotus realm. It was not surprising that they would have to expose their avatars when fighting against elites. However, why did the Sky Martial Court and the Flying Star House want to keep the matter a secret?
“The Ninth Temple’s Grand Elder fought those two on his own?” Lu Zhou asked.
“You shouldn’t underestimate the Ninth Temple, old benefactor. They’re as powerful as the Sky Martial Court! The grand elder, Zhu Xuan, is said to be the person who’s closest to breaking through to the Nine-leaf stage in the last 50 years… Apparently, he had broken through to the Nine-leaf stage while he was fighting the two golden lotus cultivators and suppressed both of them,” Fa Hua said.
Little Yuan’er could no longer hold back. She waved her fist and angrily said, “Master, let’s go to the Ninth Temple now. I’ll show them for daring to beat my senior brothers!”
‘Senior brothers?’ Fa Hua was frightened when he heard Little Yuan’er’s words. He looked at the old man in front of him and studied him again. The old man seemed like an erudite man. His actions seemed experienced as well. Suddenly, realization dawned on him. He asked in shock, “Are you here to look for your disciples, old benefactor?”
Lu Zhou did not answer Fa Hua. Instead, he asked in return, “If you knew, why didn’t you answer me earlier?” Inwardly, he thought to himself, ‘Must you only submit after tasting pain.’
Since entering the Blood Sun Temple, Lu Zhou could tell the old monk was not a rash person. The old monk was probably used to biding his time and knew when was the right time to advance and retreat. The old monk did not choose to battle just because he had the karmic fire or because he had the advantage of being on his home turf. Clearly, the old monk was intelligent.
Fa Hua wiped away the blood from the edge of his lips with his sleeve before he said, “Old benefactor, I only used half of my strength in that last palm strike.”
“You deliberately held back your strength?” Lu Zhou was puzzled.
“You’ve seen the Three Seats… The Palm Zen Hall’s First Seat, Hui Neng, is the injured one. The other two are the West Hall’s First Seal, Hui Jue, and the Back Hall’s Hui Sheng.” At this point, he lowered his voice and used Primal Qi to project his voice to Lu Zhou, “Those three are from the palace.”
Lu Zhou’s eyes widened imperceptibly. “Are you saying those three are sent here to keep an eye on you?”
“There are many sects under the heavens. A Nine-leaf cultivator can tip the scales in the other direction greatly, and those with karmic fires are one in a million… How can the four seas remain peaceful if the ruler doesn’t have a trick or two? The palace has its own methods. Although the Blood Sun Temple has two karmic fire users, it can’t possibly stand up against the entire world,” Fa Hua said.
“With your cultivation base, why didn’t you become a high official that governs the lands? Or, you could’ve freely roamed the lands. Who would stand in your way?” Lu Zhou asked.
“I have no interest in an official career… Although the palace is powerful, its movements are still restricted by the nobles. The nobles originated from the major sects. They keep each other in check. That’s how the monarchy functions. Moreover, the Blood Sun Temple is close to my heart. I can’t possibly abandon this temple and roam the lands,” Fa Hua said emotionally.
Lu Zhou felt he knew too little about the red lotus domain. The power struggles in the red lotus domain were not simple at all. In fact, it might be even more complicated than those in Great Yan previously. Perhaps, he needed to have a longer chat with Fa Hua.
At this moment, voices rang from outside the Great Strength Hall.
“Abbot!”
Lu Zhou and Fa Hua turned to look.
They were none other than the First Seats of Blood Sun Temple’s West Hall and Back Hall, Hui Jue and Hui Sheng.
Fa Hua’s expression returned to normal. He asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Senior Brother Hui Neng is in a serious condition.”
“Alright.” Fa Hua rose to his feet with great difficulty.
Upon seeing this, Hui Jue and Hui Sheng hurried over and supported Fa Hua.
Now that Lu Zhou was paying attention, it did seem like these people were keeping an eye on Fa Hua. ‘How interesting… and unexpected…’
Hui Jue straightened a palm in front of his chest and said to Lu Zhou, “Regardless of your origin, old benefactor, I’m sure you’ve vented some of your frustrations after hurting the abbot. I hope your misgivings have lessened as well. Would you like to stay the night so that you can have another conversation with the abbot after he recovers?”
Lu Zhou understood the meaning of Hui Jue’s words. He shook his head and said, “No, thanks. I have something else to do.” Then, he looked at Fa Hua and said, “I didn’t kill you because of your cultivation base. I’ll look for you again once I’ve dealt with my matters.”
Fa Hua. “…”
Lu Zhou motioned to Little Yuan’er and Conch.
The two young girls responded and obediently followed him out of the Great Strength Hall.
However, the trio from the Evil Sky Pavilion had barely taken two steps away from the hall when the 12 vajras and 1,000 monks surrounded the Great Strength Hall.
Meanwhile, Hui Neng and Hui Sheng carried Fa Hua out.
Fa Hua said sternly, “Stand down. They’re not to be obstructed.”
The monks retreated.
However, Hui Neng suddenly said, “Abbot, they’re foreign golden lotus cultivators… Don’t you think that…”
Lu Zhou who was just beginning to walk away suddenly came to a halt. He turned around with his hands on his back and looked at the two monks before he looked at Fa Hua. He said, “Your Buddha is merciful, and surely, he’s able to differentiate between good and evil. Fa Hua, have you ever killed someone?”
“Amitabha. The Blood Sun Temple’s monastic rule is that we’re not to kill. Indeed, the act of killing is the gravest sin of all. Of all merits, sparing lives ranks first.”
After Fa Hua finished speaking, Lu Zhou said indifferently, “In that case, I’ll kill on your behalf.”
There was a flurry of movements.
Grand technique.
Then a golden lotus bloomed under Lu Zhou’s feet as nine golden leaves spun around it.
The other monks were frightened when they saw the golden flames shrouding the golden lotus.
Lu Zhou struck with both palms.
The power of past lives.
Two golden Great Seal of Fearlessness shot out.
At this moment, Hui Neng and Hui Sheng finally realized the two palm seals were meant for them.
Whizz! Whizz!
The two monks immediately summoned their red lotus avatars. At the same time, they raised their arms to defend themselves.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
An explosion of energy rang in the air as the two palm seals seemingly struck Hui Jue and Hui Sheng’s arms at the same time. Both of them reeled back and spat out blood. How could two Eight-leaf cultivators withstand the attacks of a Nine-leaf golden lotus cultivator with karmic fire and extraordinary power?
Bang! Bang!
Hui Jue crashed onto a huge pillar to the left while Hui Sheng crashed against the pillar on the right in front of the Great Strength Hall. They broke the rhyming couplet engraved on the rock pillars.
The first verse read: The lotus from pure soil carries the weight of the world and Buddha.
The second verse read: Buddha, bright as the pearl, is the way to samadhi and enlightenment.
Crack!
The words shattered and fell.
Hui Jue and Hui Sheng died immediately!