Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 307 - 204: Buddha or Demon

Chapter 307: Chapter 204: Buddha or Demon

Duang——

A deep and muffled bell chime resonates outside the West Gate of Shuipang County.

A couple hastily makes their way up the green mountain, the man young and handsome, the woman pregnant, with their attire indicating a not insignificant origin.

Gazing up from their vantage point, they see a temple radiating golden light almost within reach, a look of excitement on both faces. According to Lord County Magistrate, there resides in Longevity Temple a high monk who has attained the Way, who specializes in resolving the suffering of the common folk.

Moreover, this high monk, having devoted many years to Buddhist practice at Vajra Temple, happened upon this place and saw Longevity Temple in long disrepair. Thus, he took the initiative to lead his disciples in renovating the temple and settled down here.

The couple appears quite excited. Right from the beginning of the pregnancy, they had sought the services of a fortune-teller, but the prediction was dire: their child was a harbinger of death, doomed to curse parents and family alike.

Enraged by this fate, the man upended the fortune-teller’s stand on the spot. Such a cold splash at a time of joy would provoke anyone, but the fortuneteller was unbothered, simply gathering up the scattered divination tools.

"If you do not believe, go consult Sir Ma, the Magistrate’s advisor, for another reading. If you mistrust me, you should still trust an official appointed by the court. I’ll not argue with you. Better to rid yourself of this curse soon; otherwise, on the child’s birth, a bloodbath awaits."

With that settled, they had no choice but to consult Sir Ma themselves. Holding a not inconsiderable status within the county, they were swiftly granted an audience.

But the prophecy Sir Ma divined agreed almost entirely with that of the fortune-teller’s!

Indeed, their child was a bane, a lonely star. Either promptly abort the child to forestall death in the womb, or seek a high monk for a blessing to dispel the malevolence – a task beyond any but the most enlightened, who could only be found in large temples.

Furthermore, the child would undoubtedly be a son. If the malignant influence could be erased, his future would be unhindered; even the pursuit of immortality would not be beyond reach. The single conundrum remaining was where to find such a high monk.

The couple grew pale with fear, kneeling and fervently inquiring where such a powerful clergy could be found, regardless of the cost.

Initially, they only considered aborting the child, reasoning they could have more children, but the entire family’s lives must not be risked, especially since Sir Ma confirmed the child to be a lonely star, destined to bring calamity to the entire household.

Coincidentally, Lord County Magistrate was present that day, and upon hearing the commotion inside, came to look and offered advice after learning of the situation. As the local official, he felt it his duty to help his constituents.

Initially hesitant, the Magistrate seemed to want to provide counsel but was uncertain. Prompted by the husband, the advice eventually given was that beyond the West Gate, some sixty miles from Shuipang County, stood a temple.

Its full name was Golden World Longevity Temple.

Within resided a high monk who had once been a disciple of the renowned Vajra Temple, reputed to have studied extensively under the tutelage of Master Guang Neng himself. A truly enlightened clergy, he would surely have the power to break this curse.

However, this master was somewhat peculiar, only granting an audience to those with sincere hearts. If the couple’s intentions were true, they must not divulge their quest to anyone but journey to the mountain alone.

Taking the County Magistrate’s word as gospel, they followed the given directions. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, the golden temple could be clearly discerned in the distance.

Finally, after a laborious trek, they stood on the mountain trail, the man carrying a heavy pack that evidently contained many offerings as a token of gratitude.

Any price was acceptable if it could save their child. Though everyone said the child was a calamity that would doom the whole family, they equally recalled that last prediction.

If they could dispel this ominous force, he would achieve greatness; academic and spiritual pursuits would be within easy reach. With this hope, they spared no effort, for having an immortal in the family would elevate their whole clan.

"Husband, we’ve finally arrived, but why does the area feel so gloomy?"

The woman covered her nose. The mountain wasn’t steep, and people of this era, less finicky than those of modern times, would commonly walk tens of miles to market – a mere trifle.

Even with her belly already bulging, walking a few steps to climb a not-so-tall mountain was still easy, but her nose seemed to have caught a whiff of something that made her feel like retching, her heart filled with unease.

"Why is there a strange smell around here, ugh... my dear, does that accomplished high monk really live here..."

"Hush! Don’t speak nonsense!"

He hurriedly covered his wife’s mouth.

The surrounding mountains were beautiful, and there was a Buddha Light flickering on the mountain top. From a distance, the view of the Buddha statue felt warm, but once they entered the mountain, they realized the temperature inside seemed rather cold and gloomy.

The trees around were tall, the shortest being ten feet, and the tallest several times that. Even though the sunlight was brilliant overhead, it still couldn’t penetrate the thick forest, making one feel a bit chilly.

"Isn’t it just like this in the mountains? A bit of coldness is normal, especially since it’s only April."

"But this strange odor..."

"It’s perfectly normal for there to be strange smells in the mountains. The high monk can manage people, but can he keep the birds and animals from defecating around here? Relax, let’s go, we’re almost there."

"Okay."

She obediently nodded, following her husband, although the narrow path looked quite eerie, surrounded by stone Buddhist scriptures markers, some covered in vines, looking awe-inspiring at a glance.

Yet these everywhere Buddhist scriptures did not bring any sense of security. The further they went, the more bizarre carvings they encountered, resembling wolves but not wolves, tigers but not tigers, dogs but not dogs, lions but not lions.

The couple quickly advanced, and the ornate gate appeared before them. Raising their hands to knock, the heavy doors opened automatically without a breeze, as if by themselves.

Initially frightened into taking a few steps back, upon seeing the old monk inside, radiating with Buddha Light, and the towering Buddha Tower behind him, their faces suddenly lit up with excitement and thrill; this was a true monk, the living Buddha made manifest!

Walking forward a few steps, the high monk at the gate simply put his hands together, bowed in greeting, and upon seeing the woman stroking her big belly, he showed an even kinder smile.

"Laypeople, please come inside."

Without hesitation, the couple stepped into the temple, and in that moment, they completely forgot all the eerie things around them.

The doors slowly closed with a heavy thud, and green mountain once again fell into silence, even the Buddha Tower within the temple gradually lost its golden radiance, fading into dimness.

After a while, a stone statue not far from the temple moved without warning.

Crack!

Crack!

The movements became larger and larger until the sculpted stone statue transformed into an older man who glanced apprehensively at the Buddha Tower towering into the clouds; if he counted this couple, that made eighty-seven people.

He turned to leave, but the sound by his ear stopped him in his tracks, standing still like a petrified chicken.

"Why the rush to leave, guest? Since you are an old friend of Purple Cloud Immortal Palace, why not..."

"Join this old monk for a conversation inside the hall."

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