https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-161-160-Seeking-Fortune-and-Avoiding-Calamity-Steering-Clear-of-Danger/12586615/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-163-The-Talented-and-Virtuous-Lei-Zhangshi/12586903/
Chapter 162: Only the Victim Can Forgive
Chapter 162: Only the Victim Can Forgive
The Lin clan disciples were now on high alert, and not just Lin Zongquan. The others also quickly sensed that something was amiss.
At this moment, they could no longer afford to maintain their original tacit understanding and cooperation. They hurriedly regrouped and fought while retreating.
Even if it meant that Zhou Zihang and the other Celestial Master's Mansion disciples would take advantage of the situation to inflict casualties, they had no other choice.
The biggest threat to them right now was the lone assassin in the mountains!
"Did they only set up an ambush on Mount Daqing, or is there also one at Jiuyuan Lake?"
At this moment, Lei Jun, dressed in an apricot-yellow Daoist robe, stretched his neck slightly, returning to his original form. His height instantly increased by a notch.
He sped up and quickly caught up to the Lin clan disciples.
He threw out a chain explosion talisman.
However, its power was far greater than the chain explosion talismans used by Zhou Zihang and the others.
A vast sea of fire engulfed the mountains.
Thanks to protective spiritual treasures bestowed by their clan elders, a few of the Lin clan disciples, including Lin Zongquan, managed to escape with difficulty. The rest were swept up by the flames and instantly devoured.
Lei Jun did not stop and continued the pursuit.
After crossing a hill, he saw Lin Zongquan and the others fleeing downhill. Lei Jun took out another talisman.
It was the Flying Fire Talisman.
The firelight flew into the sky and then descended.
It even calculated the lead and fell precisely on top of the last few Lin clan disciples.
However, Lei Jun frowned slightly, sensing something amiss.
As expected, just as Lin Zongquan and the others were about to despair, a clear Buddhist light in a crystal-like color appeared above their heads, transforming into a transparent lotus flower.
The lotus flower blocked the falling stream of firelight.
The flames exploded with a loud bang!
The power of Lei Jun's Flying Fire Talisman was even greater than the chain explosion talismans used by Zhou Zihang and the others.
However, the master of that Azure Jade-colored lotus flower was no longer a lower-third-layer cultivator like Lin Zongquan and the rest.
Instead, he was a direct descendant of the Buddhist sect's Saint Land, the Hanging Temple, and his cultivation and strength far surpassed that of De Xiang, whom Lei Jun had encountered in Qilu Valley.
Lei Jun scanned the area with his eyes, spotting a young monk with a bitter expression and a haggard appearance walking towards them from the distance.
It was none other than Yong Xiang, the monk he had met earlier from the Hanging Temple.
Back then, Lei Jun could see Yong Xiang, but Yong Xiang could not see him.
However, just as Lei Jun had seen a portrait of Yong Xiang, the monk also seemed to have seen a portrait of Lei Jun, as he stopped and placed his palms together. "Greetings, Lei Daochang of Longhu Mountain. I am Yong Xiang, a monk from the Hanging Temple."
Lei Jun did not return the greeting, his gaze fixed on Lin Zongquan and the others as he continued walking towards them.
Upon seeing this, the Lin clan disciples turned around and attempted to flee again.
However, their bodies were suddenly frozen in place.
On the feet of each person appeared a small, delicate, crystal-colored lotus flower.
The lotus flowers seemed to take root, immobilizing Lin Zongquan and the others.
They turned their heads to look at Lei Jun, who resembled a god of death, and then at Yong Xiang, who had saved them but now kept them immobilized. Their faces betrayed a mix of shock, anger, and fear.
Yong Xiang's actions did not stop Lei Jun in his tracks.
He continued to approach Lin Zongquan and the group.
"I beg you to spare their lives, Lei Daochang," Yong Xiang said, his palms still pressed together as he stood between Lei Jun and the Lin clan disciples.
Lei Jun raised an eyebrow, "I wasn't aware that the Hanging Temple and the Lin clan of Jiangzhou were affiliated."
Yong Xiang shook his head. "The Hanging Temple has no intention of interfering in the conflict between your sect and the Lin clan of Jiangzhou. I am merely passing by and could not bear to see you shed blood. Vengeance begets vengeance, and karma entangles. You possess great wisdom, Lei Daochang, and I truly do not wish to see you sink into the sea of bitter obsession and murderous karma."
Lei Jun glanced at him up and down.
Yong Xiang gave him a different feeling than De Xiang.
The former did not seem to be a member of the Lin clan of Jiangzhou who had joined the Hanging Temple.
Even if the Hanging Temple had been infiltrated by the secular clans, it was unlikely that everyone within it had been compromised.
Yong Xiang also did not flaunt his affiliation with the Hanging Temple.
However...
Lei Jun had no intention of changing his mind. "Although I am a disciple of the Xuanmen, I have heard a Buddhist saying: 'If I don't go to hell, who will?'..."
Yong Xiang was about to speak further when Lei Jun continued, "Since that is the case, how about you send them to hell on my behalf, Master Yong Xiang?"
Hearing this, Yong Xiang sighed. "Lei Daochang, vengeance and grudges only deepen the knot of enmity. Thousands of years ago, your sect and the Lin clan of Jiangzhou were not as deeply enmity-bound as they are today. If this continues, both sides will only create more bloodshed."
Zhou Zihang and the other Celestial Master's Mansion disciples finally caught up and heard Yong Xiang's words, their faces twisting in anger.
"Master, your words are unreasonable!" Zhou Zihang exclaimed. "If we're talking about karma, it was the Lin clan of Jiangzhou who first caused trouble for our sect all those years ago. How many of our fellow disciples have died at the hands of the Lin clan over the years?"
He glared at Lin Zongquan. "Not to mention others, but my junior disciple had never dealt with the Lin clan before. Yet, he died under this barbarian's sword during his travels. Are you saying his death was for nothing?!"
Yong Xiang chanted a Buddhist mantra. "The Buddha is merciful. This Daoist cultivator is consumed by anger and resentment, which is detrimental to his cultivation. If Junior Brother Xian were still alive, he would not wish for this.
All beings suffer. Only by letting go can one attain freedom, and only by forgiving can one attain liberation.
In the endless cycle of reincarnation, there will come a day when you and Junior Brother Xian meet again.
Lei Jun turned his head to glance at Lin Zongquan and the other Lin clan disciples, saying, "These benefactors, please also put down your butcher's knives. The Jiangzhou Lin clan has a long history of scholarship and has established itself through knowledge, not slaughter."
"I will take you back to Hanging Temple and enlighten you with the teachings of Buddha, helping you to reform and start anew. I hope that you will also find your way back and, in the future, assist in quelling the hatred between the Lin clan and Longhu Mountain."
One of the Lin clan disciples opened his mouth as if to speak, but Lin Zongquan, standing beside him, pulled him back, and they all remained silent for the time being.
The group of Celestial Master's Mansion disciples, on the other hand, wore expressions of displeasure.
It was Zhou Zihang, whose eyes had been blazing with fury just moments ago, who now forced himself to calm down.
He considered that although Master Yong Xiang claimed to not represent the Hanging Temple, if a conflict were to break out between their groups, the outcome would be unpredictable.
At present, the Celestial Master's Mansion was in the midst of a fierce battle with the Jiangzhou Lin clan, and it would be unwise to create additional enemies.
If Master Yong Xiang kept his word and took Lin Zongquan and the others back to Hanging Temple instead of releasing them midway, it might be an opportunity for the Jiangzhou Lin clan and Hanging Temple to develop conflicts, which could benefit the Celestial Master's Mansion.
The decision on how to handle this situation rested solely with Brother Lei... Zhou Zihang thought, turning to look at Lei Jun.
And then his eyes widened, nearly popping out of their sockets.
Because...
Lei Jun's figure, empowered by the Heaven General Talisman, suddenly surged, his stature becoming as tall and majestic as a true heavenly general descending upon the mortal realm.
With a single step, he reached Lin Zongquan and the others!
Master Yong Xiang sighed as the azure jade Buddhist light transformed into lotuses to shield Lin Zongquan and his companions.
Lei Jun produced a short rod, its tip extending with a radiant glow to become a long staff, which he swung down onto the lotuses.
The azure jade lotuses shattered instantly.
Master Yong Xiang quickly gathered more lotuses, layering them to provide protection once more.
But Lei Jun's attack was too strong.
Even if Master Yong Xiang wanted to ensure the safety of Lin Zongquan and the others temporarily, he had to concentrate a large number of lotuses on a single person.
However, Lei Jun turned and moved to another Lin clan disciple.
His hand rose, and the rod fell.
"Bang!"
It was like smashing a watermelon.
Blood splattered everywhere in an instant.
Even the Celestial Master's Mansion disciples were stunned by the sight.
Master Yong Xiang's expression turned grimmer as he witnessed this, and he said, "Lei Daochang, you don't trust me? I am willing to take an oath before the Buddha. If I secretly release these benefactors, may I fall into the cycle of reincarnation and never attain rebirth."
"Those who uphold the precepts and make vows to cultivate in Buddhism consider vows made before the Buddha to be vastly different from ordinary speech. Therefore, Monk, I believe these words of yours," Lei Jun replied as he turned and smashed another Lin clan disciple's head.
Master Yong Xiang shook his head, saying, "Lei Daochang, do you suspect that I'm favoring these benefactors from the Lin clan? I happened to come across this situation today. If it were the other way around and a Daoist from the Celestial Master's Mansion was in danger, threatened by someone from the Lin clan, I would also intervene."
Lei Jun nodded, "I'll believe you for now."
This didn't stop him from shattering the head of a third Lin clan disciple.
Master Yong Xiang intended to stop him, but Lei Jun's attacks were too fierce, so he could only protect one person at a time.
Moreover, Lei Jun's movements were too swift.
Although Master Yong Xiang's Buddhist techniques were swift, generated from his mind, he still couldn't simultaneously protect more than one person.
Thus, he could only watch helplessly as four of the Lin clan disciples were killed by Lei Jun, leaving only Lin Zongquan.
Master Yong Xiang sighed and sat down with his legs crossed.
The azure jade lotuses condensed, transforming into a lotus platform that completely shielded Lin Zongquan.
The Hanging Temple disciple himself, however, did not bother with any protection.
Lei Jun calmly walked up to the lotus platform.
"Lei Daochang, you resent Lin Zongquan for killing your fellow disciples, but aren't the hands of your fellow Daoists also stained with the blood of the Lin clan?" Master Yong Xiang sighed. "I don't intend to blame the Daoists of Longhu Mountain, but I hope that you won't indulge in the bitterness of slaughter and hatred."
"Monk, remember to say the same to the people of Jiangzhou later," Lei Jun said.
As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed the lotus platform, lifting it directly off the ground.
Lin Zongquan, within the lotus platform, remained unharmed for the time being.
Master Yong Xiang's Buddhist power was still protecting him.
But then Lei Jun carried the platform over to Master Yong Xiang.
The monk pressed his palms together and closed his eyes, saying, "If my death can make you let go of your obsession, then I am willing to accept it."
Lei Jun replied calmly, "Although I don't like you, I don't intend to kill you today. I just want to tell you two things.
Firstly, only the victim can forgive. Aside from the victim, no one else has the right to forgive the perpetrator on their behalf.
If the victim is deceased, then what we living beings can do is send the perpetrator down to meet the victim, and whether or not to forgive is up to the victim.
As for the second thing..."
Lei Jun flew up with a kick, striking Master Yong Xiang in the back.
Without the protection of the azure jade Buddhist light, Master Yong Xiang was sent flying far away.
Beyond a certain distance, even with his exquisite Buddhist cultivation, the lotus platform protecting Lin Zongquan quickly weakened and dissipated.
Lei Jun raised his palm and brought it down on Lin Zongquan's forehead!
(End of Chapter)
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