Zombie Bodyguard
Chapter 143 - 142 Relic Tower Forest

Chapter 143: Chapter 142 Relic Tower Forest

Fanyin Temple was large in scale, with buildings and temples built along the mountain terrain. The yellow glazed tile roofs shone faintly under the moonlight, resembling the halo behind a Buddha statue, solemn and serene.

Lin Tian ran up the last few steps and stood in front of the heavy wooden door about to knock when the door creaked open by itself.

Could it be an automatic door? Or was it equipped with a camera? Had temples become so advanced these days? Just as Lin Tian was filled with questions, the door opened, revealing a young monk behind it.

This young monk appeared to be only about thirteen or fourteen, dressed in loose hemp clothes, with rosy lips and white teeth. How was it that there were still children becoming monks in this era? Becoming a monk wasn’t easy in modern society; one needed specific qualifications, with some universities even offering courses in Buddhism.

However, his bald head bore no scars of ordination, suggesting he might not be a formally ordained disciple.

"Little master, greetings!" Lin Tian said, imitating what he had seen in TV shows and movies, pressing his palms together in a reverent manner.

"Master Lin, greetings. I dare not accept the title of master; this humble monk is known as Xing Yun," said the young monk, his face showing slight embarrassment as Lin Tian addressed him as ’little master,’ looking like a pure-hearted child.

But why did he know someone was coming? Lin Tian curiously asked, "Little Master Xing Yun, how did you know my name?"

"Two female devotees who came to fulfill their vows are waiting for you in the back mountain. An elder monk instructed me to guide you," the young monk answered, pressing his palms together and nodding, gesturing for Lin Tian to come in.

Entering Fanyin Temple revealed another world entirely. Behind the door was a small square with three large bronze tripods, in which incense burned, enveloped in swirling smoke. At the center was a treasure hall for offering to Buddha, lit by many oil lamps, illuminating the entire hall.

The prosperity of a temple’s spiritual offerings could be seen by the incense and oil it burned. Fanyin Temple still had ongoing offerings at night, usually receiving many donations of merit money from pilgrims; perhaps Mrs. Xiao had donated a generous amount during her last wish-making visit.

Yet there was a peculiar phenomenon here - Lin Tian saw people who were practicing with their hair intact. He asked again, "Little master, are they lay disciples of Fanyin Temple?"

"They are not lay disciples, only here to experience monastic life," Xing Yun answered readily, yet he refrained from giving opinions on any matter.

Though young, this monk’s nature appeared well cultivated. Lin Tian, who had seen many who readily spewed opinions, found the young monk’s simplicity and tranquility refreshing.

"Little master, what is your secular name? You can’t just have a monastic name, right?" Lin Tian asked curiously, wondering how the young monk had ended up in the temple.

"Having left the secular life, my secular name is no longer mentioned," the young monk responded.

Moved, Lin Tian replied, "Little master, the Buddha said, ’Form is no different from emptiness, emptiness no different from form. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.’ Not mentioning it is the same as mentioning it. If your mind is empty, how could there be attachment to mentioning or not mentioning?"

"This..." The young monk clearly had not expected Lin Tian to speak such words. He paused, staring blankly into the night sky, then his face lit up with understanding.

He clasped his hands together, gave Lin Tian a bow, and said with great sincerity, "Master Lin, your words were like a sudden and enlightening strike to me, and I have learned much from them. Thank you."

Really? Could it be that I have the potential to be a mentor? Last time, after chatting aimlessly with Xiao Manxue, she had a sudden insight too. It’s quite miraculous. Then why haven’t I realized the truth myself? Lin Tian couldn’t understand.

"Amitabha..." Suddenly, someone chanted a Buddhist mantra. Lin Tian looked up and saw a Tower Forest in the distance, which was probably the place where the relics of past high monks were enshrined. At the entrance of the Tower Forest, an old monk was sitting with a piercing gaze directed at Lin Tian. Standing in front of the old monk were two beautiful women—weren’t they the Xiao sisters?

It seemed that the old monk had overheard the conversation between Lin Tian and another, which greatly surprised Lin Tian. Given the distance, it would be impossible for an ordinary person to hear them, let alone an elderly man. Could it be that he had encountered a legendary enlightened monk?

"Master Lin..." the old monk began, and although they were far apart, his voice came through very clearly, "Xing Yun is fortunate to meet Master Lin tonight, and he has gained an insightful enlightenment, good indeed, good indeed."

The old monk was truly extraordinary. The sound of his voice, softly spoken, travelled clearly, astounding Lin Tian. What kind of skill was this?

The two quickly walked over, and Lin Tian nodded to the old monk, saying, "I have seen the great master."

Then he turned and quietly asked Xiao Manxuan, "Second Miss, you called me saying you were in big trouble—what exactly is the matter? Did you sneak into someone’s Relic Tower Forest?"

Relic Tower Forest is usually a sacred place in a temple, more important than the Scripture Pavilion. The sisters were at the entrance of the Tower Forest, and an old monk was sitting there—it looked like they had been caught. The old monk obviously heard Lin Tian’s words, but he just smiled and said nothing.

"Not at all. My sister and I had just offered incense and recited scriptures in the hall in front, and then we wanted to visit the Tower Forest. We were just looking from the outside; we did not go in," explained Xiao Manxuan.

"Then why would the old Zen master stop you?" Lin Tian became even more curious. If they were just looking from the outside, they shouldn’t have violated any taboos of Fanyin Temple, as many visitors looking to offer incense would admire the Tower Forest from outside. Why had the old Zen master come out?

"Don’t be hasty, let me finish," Xiao Manxuan responded, speaking in parts, "My sister and I were just looking from the outside, and then the old Zen master came out. He said there’s something inside that is fated for me, inviting me to enter the Tower Forest to retrieve it. You see, it’s in that highest tower. I didn’t dare go alone and wanted my sister to accompany me, but the old Zen master didn’t allow it, so I called you."

The situation was indeed complex. Considering the old Zen master didn’t seem like a swindler, could there really be some bizarre object? Lin Tian noticed that the highest tower seemed to have a different style compared to the surrounding towers, older looking even with signs of repairs.

"Old Zen Master, may I accompany this female supplicant inside?" Lin Tian referred to Xiao Manxuan as a female supplicant, which felt quite awkward, but it seemed disrespectful not to do so before the old Zen master.

"Yes, Master Lin has brought Xing Yun the opportunity of enlightenment. You are related to Buddha; please, both of you proceed inside. The item is on the seventh floor of the tower." Surprisingly, the old Zen master agreed very promptly, causing Lin Tian to pause.

"I am a zombie, an Evil Demon to you. How could I be related to Buddha?" Lin Tian could not fathom what was on the old Zen master’s mind.

However, Lin Tian, bold and skilled, was not afraid of encountering any issues. Since Fanyin Temple was officially registered, how could there still be problems with it? Thus, he took Xiao Manxuan’s hand and walked into the mysterious Relic Tower Forest.

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