I Have A Sword-Chapter 1287: The Scheme

The gates opened automatically for the Nine Continents Master.

The Nine Continents Master smiled faintly and walked in. What first came into view was a small courtyard paved with time-worn ancient stones. At the end of the courtyard stood a grand hall, empty and devoid of any Buddha statues.

There was an old monk in the distance. For some reason, he was dressed in a Daoist robe, even though he held Buddhist prayer beads. The monk had kind and compassionate eyes, resembling a living Buddha naturally commanding reverence.

A young novice monk was sitting behind the old monk, and he was mimicking the old monk's posture while chanting scriptures with his hands folded in prayer.

The young monk looked up and saw the Nine Continents Master.

The Nine Continents Master approached the old monk and said, "Grand Zen Monastery Abbot, long time no see."

The old Abbot opened his eyes and remarked, "When we first met, you were like a lotus, unstained by the dust of the secular world. But now, you are burdened with karma and are filled with hostility."

The Nine Continents Master smiled and asked, "How can one avoid karma when one is living in the world of the Great Dao?"

"Every pursuit is an illusion."

"Hahaha." The Nine Continents Master chuckled and replied, "There are three thousand Daos in existence. As long as I seek my Dao with a clear conscience, it will be enough."

The old Abbot's face remained kind as he added, "The sea of Dao is vast and boundless. How can there be a shore?"

"I've already reached the shallow end of it. If I can't take another step forward in this life, how can I be satisfied?" the Nine Continents Master asked. He then smiled and said, "Grand Zen Monastery Abbot, I didn't come here to debate Buddhist teachings with you.

"With your wisdom, I'm sure you are already aware of the reason behind my visit."

The old Abbot folded his hands in prayer. "Any one of them can dominate an era as an eternal prodigy. I have no enmity with them and have no reason to fight to the death. The vast expanse is vast, but the Ancestral Dao intends to rule everything. Its actions are truly excessive."

The Nine Continents Master calmly replied, "Proving your own Dao."

The old Abbot looked at him.

The Nine Continents Master said, "The Ancestral Dao has promised that if you assist it, it will help you prove your Dao."

The old Abbot remained silent for a while before shaking his head.

The Nine Continents Master added, "It is willing to open Grand Zen Monastery branches throughout all civilizations for you to spread Buddhist teachings and obtain disciples."

The old Abbot's face remained calm, but his right hand began fiddling with his prayer beads.

The Nine Continents Master stared at the monk, waiting for an answer.

After a while, the old Abbot shook his head and replied, "The karma in this matter is too great, and it is beyond my capacity.

"A single misstep will lead to death and eternal damnation. Moreover, the Ancestral Dao only values us because those Dao Defiers are a threat to it.

"If we help it eliminate those Dao Defiers, we will surely become its enemies. As the saying goes—'When the birds are gone, the bow is hidden; when the cunning hare dies, the hounds are cooked.' Surely, you understand that."

Hearing the old Abbot's words, the Nine Continents Master wasn't disappointed at all. Instead, he smiled and replied, "I understand, but some things must be done."

The old Abbot looked at him silently, showing a hint of curiosity.

The Nine Continents Master suddenly smiled. "Since you've refused that deal, let's discuss a new one."

He sat in front of the monk and began tracing something with his finger.

The old Abbot's face changed drastically. He looked at the Nine Continents Master in disbelief. "You..."

The Nine Continents Master withdrew his hand and calmly asked, "Abbot, will you accept this deal, even if it will surely lead to a loss?"

This time, the old Abbot did not hesitate. He folded his hands in prayer. "A myriad beings are suffering, and I shall save them."

The Nine Continents Master nodded. "Please get prepared, Abbot."

With that, he turned around and left.

The old Abbot closed his eyes and chanted a Buddhist mantra. Then, he turned to the young novice monk beside him.

"Wu Dao, come here."

The young monk approached the old Abbot. "Master, are you leaving?"

The old Abbot nodded. "Yes."

"Will you return?"

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"It is uncertain."

The young monk froze.

The old Abbot smiled and said, "You once asked why the temple has no statues. Today, I will answer you—we are our own Buddhas. Seek not from the outside. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

The young monk hesitated before asking, "Master, why are you not going to come back?"

The old Abbot looked up at the starry sky and remarked, "The karma is too great for me to suppress."

The young monk urged, "Then, don't go."

"If I don't go to hell, who will?" The monk smiled gently. He then handed a Buddhist scripture to the young monk, saying, "Once I'm gone, go to the back mountain. There is a teleportation array there, and it will lead you to the Milky Way.

"Once you're there, go to Mount Fanjing and find a sweeper called the Great Daoist Brush Master. Tell him that I sent you to listen to his teachings."

The young monk's eyes were filled with reluctance. "Master..."

"Our time as master and disciple ends here. There's no need for sorrow." He patted the young monk's head and left.

When the old Abbot disappeared—

Buzz!

—the time-worn bell within the ancient temple tolled once again after what seemed like an eternity.

***

The spacetime around the Nine Continents Master distorted, and he soon found himself staring at an orange-red planet. He bowed slightly toward the planet and said, "Greetings, senior."

A voice emanated from the planet. "What do you want?"

The Nine Continents Master replied, "I want you to come out."

"Hahaha." The voice chuckled. "You sure know how to scheme."

The Nine Continents Master remained silent.

"Our Dao is different; we're not on the same road, do you understand?"

"Yes." The Nine Continents Master nodded slightly and turned around to leave.

"But I can lend you a hand." The voice added.

The Nine Continents Master was delighted and bowed. "Thank you, senior."

With that, he turned toward a distant blue planet.

"No, stop." The voice echoed, sounding urgent. "Don't approach it."

The Nine Continents Master paused. Then, he nodded and disappeared into the cosmos.

Silence descended once more...

***

There was a light drizzle falling on Mount Fanjing. It was October, so Mount Fanjing was particularly cold. Although winter had yet to arrive, it was fiercely cold, so the tourists were clad in thick clothes.

The Great Daoist Brush Master was sitting on a stone chair before a game board.

He silently contemplated his next move while fiddling with the black and white stones in his hands.

The rain intensified, pouring down like a tempest.

Tourists hurried into the hall for shelter.

Just then, a lady sat across from the Great Daoist Brush Master.

The Great Daoist Brush Master quietly looked up at her.

The lady picked up a white stone and placed it on the board, instantly reviving a disadvantaged position.

The Great Daoist Brush Master merely smiled and placed a black stone, turning the tides once again.

The lady waved her hand, turning the board into dust. Then, she stared at him without a word.

The Great Daoist Brush Master remained silent.

Outside, rain poured like dragons descending from the sky.

After a long while, the Great Daoist Brush Master nodded slightly. "Alright."

The lady stood up and walked into the rain.

The rain abruptly ceased as soon as she stepped into it, leaving everyone amazed.

***

A white-robed lady was sitting quietly on a recliner somewhere within the Time River. Just then, the white clouds in the sky took on a faint red hue, and footsteps echoed behind her, prompting the white-robed lady to open her eyes.