sinovels Chapter 402 - 236: Mountain Lord Ancient Bell, Severing the River!
Chapter 402 - 236: Mountain Lord Ancient Bell, Severing the River!
"Are your old acquaintances from those two families?"
"It’s time to go."
"Have you finished handling your affairs?"
The young girl asked a series of questions, and this time the doctor shook his head, "There’s still one thing left, I need to make a trip to Vajra Temple."
"Vajra Temple?"
Hearing about going to Vajra Temple, a trace of worry instinctively flashed in Li Lu’s eyes. Even she had heard of the great reputation of Vajra Temple.
Vajra Temple, one of the Five Great Powers of Cyan Cloud, has remained steadfast for hundreds of years despite the rise and fall of the great powers of Cyan Cloud.
Previously, Su Mu also inquired with Li Zhihe and Shangguan Ke about the situation of the Qingzhou forces, and Shangguan Ke mentioned that Vajra Temple within Qingyun County likely holds the Buddhist Dharma heritage from Longfu Temple, a top force in Qingzhou.
The figure of Zen Heart also immediately appeared before his eyes.
"The journey to Vajra Temple... must not be taken lightly."
He is now a wanted man in the Three Counties, and at present, Su Mu does not know what kind of attitude Vajra Temple holds towards him. However, he does not wish to give up easily on the opportunity in the Vajra Secret Realm and is willing to take some risks.
...
Jinmen Mountain, once a nameless mountain, housed the founding of Vajra Temple within its peaks.
Whenever night falls, the sound of monks chanting sutras echoes throughout the valley, with flickering golden light converging at the summit, never dispersing.
The mountain gates of the monastery are perpetually closed, opening only for ten days at the change of each season during the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter equinoxes.
Over time, the nameless mountain became known as ’Golden Gate,’ and over hundreds of years, it has become one of the now-renowned Five Peaks of Cyan Cloud.
In the tranquil small town at the foot of Jinmen Mountain, bandits dare not intrude. As a result, Buddhism thrives in the town, with nine out of ten households venerating the Vajra Arhat, and the gentry families sparing no expense to bring the Bodhisattva Buddha from the mountain to safeguard their homes, offering incense day and night.
Su Mu booked a room for Li Lu in a guesthouse in the town below the mountain and gave her some money.
"You stay here in the town, and I’ll come to pick you up after I come down from the mountain."
"Take care and don’t end up dead on the mountain."
Su Mu nodded lightly, unfazed by Li Lu’s sharp tongue. Although it was not the time for the monastery to be open, several townspeople still gathered at the foot of the mountain, burning incense and praying for their families.
On his way, Su Mu faintly sensed flickering pale golden light in the town, resembling destiny, yet not quite the same.
"Is this the Buddha’s light?"
As he walked to the mountain’s base and looked up, the pale golden radiance became even more pronounced, moving with the mountain breeze, and the incense fragrance filled his nostrils.
Su Mu ascended the steps, and the people at the foot of the mountain merely glanced at him before looking away. Unfamiliar with the rules of Vajra Temple, they were accustomed to seeing people try to climb the mountain and enter the monastery, though none succeed as all are stopped by the monks. They believed Su Mu would not be an exception.
The mountain steps were steep, reaching into the clouds after a thousand steps, revealing a strange tiger-shaped rock, weathered and inscribed with the three characters ’Vajra Temple.’
After several thousand more steps, he stood before the mountain gate, where two five-zhang Vajra statues loomed, their black polished stone eyes glimmered dark red in the sunlight, seemingly glaring.
Upon Su Mu’s arrival, a little novice monk wearing a gray monk’s robe emerged from the monastery.
"Benefactor, the mountain gate is not open today; please return down the mountain."
"I am acquainted with Zen Heart of your esteemed temple and have come today to pay a visit with a Dharma Seal."
Su Mu didn’t waste words, taking out a small ochre yellow jade lotus seal from his hand.
"The Jade Lotus Seal?" Upon hearing Zen Heart and seeing Su Mu produce the seal, the little novice monk’s expression immediately changed, hurrying forward. "Please hand this seal to me, and I will report to the abbot at once. Please wait a moment, benefactor."
"Alright."
The little novice monk took the Jade Lotus Seal and hurriedly turned towards the mountain gate.
Before long, the monastery gate opened, and through the incense smoke, three figures strode down the bluestone steps together.
Leading the way was an old monk clad in an ochre yellow kasaya, with a face resembling a full moon and full eyebrows. His steps seemed slow yet were nimble like a dragon. His sleeves brushed past, causing the whistling mountain wind to momentarily still.
The two elders wearing sea-blue monk robes behind him were also extraordinary, with the right one as thin as a withered pine, eyes gleaming with electric-like sharpness; the left one was broad-minded with a generous physique.
"As expected of Vajra Temple with its Qingzhou heritage, two of the Sixth Grade, and the other one..."
Su Mu squinted slightly, feeling a bit astonished. The two old monks trailing a step behind exuded a powerful aura, surpassing either of the Lin Family siblings, not merely Sixth Grade initiates.
The leading yellow-robed old monk, of whom Su Mu found somewhat unfathomable, had a faint Buddha’s light shimmering between his brows. In his yellow sleeve was a string of smooth sandalwood Buddhist beads, producing an ethereal sound.
"This humble monk is Zen Jing, these are my two junior brothers, Zen Enlightenment and Zen Ming. Benefactor Li, please enter!"
The old monk’s mouth did not move the slightest bit, but his ancient voice reached the ears, and he stepped aside, gesturing invitingly.
Benefactor Li!
Su Mu’s eyes flickered; he decided to accept the circumstances.
"Alright, today I am honored to disturb you masters."
As he stepped through the monastery plaque, Su Mu suddenly felt as if he had entered another realm, a faint, formless power pervaded above the vast monastery, not martial momentum, nor destiny.
The three old monks led Su Mu to a secluded meditation room in the backyard. The three first put their palms together and bowed to Su Mu, then all four sat cross-legged on palm leaves.
"Amitabha, benefactor Li, for your assistance to our little junior brother, this humble monk is deeply grateful. May I ask the purpose of your visit today?"
"I have long heard of the Vajra Temple’s renowned name. Zen Heart once mentioned to me a secret technique of Vajra Temple that can enter the Vajra Secret Realm, and I have come today to seek guidance."