Free Web NovelChapter 1451: Chapter 123: How I Embrace Emptiness
"Master... Elder..." Jiang Wang tried several forms of address but finally said, "How are you?"
Once, he traveled thousands of miles, intercepting Zhuang Gaoxian above the Long River, having a fierce battle to save his life.
This time, he did not hesitate to leave the Hanging Monastery to pursue Zhao Xuenyang under the pressure of Jinguo, rescuing him from a dire situation. Although he did not catch up, if not for Ku Jue’s pursuit, Zhao Xuenyang would not have chosen to enter the Ancient Demon Cave, and Jiang Wang wouldn’t have had any chance to save himself...
In ancient times, a master’s care for his disciple was no more than this.
This bond is too deep and meaningful, he truly doesn’t know how to repay it!
And for such a free-spirited True Man of the Age, what could a mere Neifu Cultivator like him do?
"How am I? I’m great, of course!" Ku Jue laughed heartily, "Dear disciple, how did you escape?"
"A friend saved me," Jiang Wang said. "But we’re still negotiating with Jinguo under the guise of my disappearance, so please don’t reveal that I’ve escaped for now. I came to the Hanging Monastery through Jing Li Mage to inform you because I was worried about you."
Ku Jue suddenly widened his eyes, "Ungrateful disciple! You knew I’d worry? Why didn’t you come to see me before leaving Qi Country?"
Jiang Wang was lost for words and simply said, "Your kindness and care for me, I will never forget in my lifetime. I truly don’t know how to repay you."
In the Baoguang Mirror, Ku Jue waved a hand, "Wait!"
"Ah?" Jiang Wang was somewhat confused.
"Wait for me to return to the Hanging Monastery and ordain you!"
Jiang Wang was momentarily stunned.
Ku Jue pointed a finger at him, "Oh, you heartless one, you hesitated!"
"Well..." Jiang Wang asked softly, "Haven’t you already left the Mountain Gate?"
Ku Jue rolled his eyes, "Can’t I just go back again?"
Is that possible??
Jiang Wang was a bit bewildered.
Could a top-level sect like the Hanging Monastery really be so casually left and returned to, as if it were just a game?
It didn’t sound very convincing...
The monk Jing Li beside him was also stunned, but for a different reason, "Master, didn’t you say you left the Mountain Gate to leave the abbot position for me? Why do you want to return now?"
"Jing Li!" Ku Jue said with heartfelt pain, "Your Buddhist heart has wavered, you’re not pure anymore! You don’t want your master just for a mere abbot position!"
"I... I." Jing Li lowered his head in shame.
"What do you mean ’I’!" Ku Jue had a stern face and said seriously, "When the Buddhist heart is clouded, one should diligently cleanse it. Go stand in the corner as punishment!"
Jing Li walked obediently to the corner and stood, feeling very aggrieved in his heart.
Jiang Wang was silent for a moment, then said, "Master, although it’s not appropriate to ask, I really don’t want to hide or mask my feelings from you. I’ve always wanted to ask, why are you so good to me?"
"What kind of foolish question is that!" Ku Jue scolded, "A master taking care of his disciple is only natural and right. You’re my disciple, how can I not care for you?" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"Exactly, exactly." Jing Li hurriedly chimed in, showing loyalty to his master in hopes of gaining forgiveness.
Ku Jue angrily rebuked him, "No talking when you’re standing as punishment!"
Jing Li pouted but kept his mouth firmly shut.
Although scolded, Jiang Wang continued to ask, "Then I’ve wanted to ask, why are you so determined to take me as your disciple?"
He wasn’t doubting Ku Jue’s motivations; if he really distrusted Ku Jue, he wouldn’t ask like this. He just genuinely wanted to know the truth.
Everything has a cause; people can certainly treat someone well without considering gain or loss, can certainly give without reservation, but where does this feeling originate?
He asked himself, his attitude towards Ku Jue wasn’t good. Initially, it was suspicion and caution, then resistance and avoidance, and later, though moved and close, he still insisted on his own path, unwilling to join Buddhism.
Why did Ku Jue treat him so well from the beginning?
"Of course, it’s to find an unparalleled genius, to boast in front of those bald donkeys... ah no." Ku Jue switched to an inspiring expression, "Of course, it’s to find someone destined to inherit my teachings and save all living beings with me! You’re the one in a million unparalleled genius!"
This is... too far-fetched.
The topic of "saving all living beings" is too grand, and therefore, floating in the air.
But if Ku Jue doesn’t want to say the real reason, Jiang Wang can’t force him to.
He just bowed deeply through the Baoguang Mirror to the yellow-faced old monk who had given so much, "Please forgive me, it’s not that I’m ungrateful, but I’m burdened with a sea of blood; I truly cannot let go!"
Rejected once again...
On the other side of the Baoguang Mirror, Ku Jue was furious, "You just said you didn’t know how to repay me! Now that I’m teaching you, you won’t listen?!"
He was so angry he started to curse, "You heartless little bastard!"
Jiang Wang didn’t lower his eyes or avoid; he looked earnestly at the yellow-faced old monk, baring his heart, "Your kindness to Jiang Wang is beyond words, I’ll repay in any way possible, life or death, what does it matter?
But I cannot follow you into the Empty Gate.
I escaped from the ghostly hometown not to flee from the world, not to cling to life, not to let go of everything... but to be able to embrace it all one day, to go back!
I will go back one day, with a sword in hand, no matter how long the road, no matter how many stand in my way, no matter how much blood stains this weapon... every time I close my eyes, I see the spirits of my hometown calling out to me..."
Jiang Wang’s eyes reddened slightly, "Master Ku Jue, the souls of hundreds of thousands weigh on my shoulders, how can I let go of everything?"
Ku Jue could of course feel his sincerity, which only made him more frustrated.
"Jing Li!" he shouted.
Jing Li the monk didn’t respond.
Ku Jue was practically jumping with rage on the other side of the Baoguang Mirror, "All right, rebellious disciples! Are you all rebelling? When your master calls you, you don’t even respond!"
Jing Li spoke in a small, aggrieved voice, "You told me not to speak."
"And you dare talk back!?" Ku Jue was utterly furious and, if not for the distance, might have taken action.
"Then what do you want me to do!" Jing Li said, pouting.
"Hit him."
"Huh?"
Ku Jue pointed at Jiang Wang, "Hit him for me! Teach this stubborn disciple a good lesson!"
"Let’s not do that..." Jing Li shrank back, "Little brother is quite pitiful too; my heart aches for him when I hear it."
Ku Jue was unmoved, overbearing, "Do you not listen to your master?"
Jing Li pursed his lips, "I do listen." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"Then why are you still standing there?" KJue commanded, "Give him a good beating!"
Jing Li clasped his hands together respectfully towards Jiang Wang, "Little brother, forgive me."
However, Jiang Wang neither ran nor dodged; he even closed his eyes with a wry smile, "If this can ease Master’s anger, I am willing to take this beating."
"Still using tricks on me! Do you think I’m stupid?" Ku Jue’s anger was not abating, "Jing Li, get moving quickly!"
"Okay, Master, but if I act now, I won’t be able to maintain the Baoguang Mirror." Jing Li said, undoing the Dharma Seal in his hands, wiping away the Baoguang Mirror and ending this exchange.
"Use the Great Compassion and Benevolence Palm I taught..." Ku Jue’s urging stopped abruptly.
And Jing Li turned around with great momentum, facing Jiang Wang directly.
He was always the most obedient.
The entire Hanging Monastery mostly thought Ku Jue was unreliable.
Only he revered Ku Jue as a deity, taking Ku Jue’s casual words as gospel.
At this moment, his right hand was raised high...
But merely landed gently on Jiang Wang’s forehead, deeming it already done.
"Don’t feel sad..." he said softly.
