Chapter 54: Just Stand There and Become a Buddha
Master Yu Xia found it quite strange.
Just a moment ago, she was bracing herself for a fierce showdown with He Hongyi, ready to fight to the death.
She knew what would happen if she fell into his hands—an excruciating fate that was no better than ending up with the Demon Cultivators.
But ever since a little while ago, a strange aura seemed to envelop the area.
Her senses were dulled to the point that everything around her was pitch-black.
It felt like she had plunged into an endless abyss.
But just when she thought, “Oh great, He Hongyi must’ve learned some new technique,” the darkness seemed to lift.
The surroundings returned to normal, and He Hongyi stood there, as still as ever.
“What kind of trick are you playing?” Master Yu Xia frowned.
He Hongyi ignored her.
His gaze was distant and profound, tinged with the melancholy of one who has seen too much of life’s ups and downs.
Looking at the disheveled valley and trees around him, He Hongyi suddenly appeared a bit sad, bending down to gently caress the grass he had just bent over.
“Alas… what a pity.”
“What an innocent little creature, bowing down because of me.”
“Such a poor thing… I truly should be punished.”
Master Yu Xia was like, “Huh?”
“You must have parents, right?”
He Hongyi muttered to himself, “Seeing you like this, they must be heartbroken, right?”
“It’s all my fault. I have a father too, and I know the pain of seeing family suffer.”
“Why on earth would I do something so inhumane?”
When he got emotional, he even shed a few tears.
Master Yu Xia was bewildered.
She had a clear idea of what a scumbag He Hongyi was; only a lunatic could suddenly get all sentimental over a piece of grass.
“What the heck do you want? Are you trying to insult me?”
She said coldly, “At this point, aren’t you just putting on a disgusting act for show? Who are you trying to fool?”
To her surprise, He Hongyi didn’t get angry at all. Instead, he slowly raised his head, gazing at her with pity.
“Master Yu Xia.”
“I was wrong, I’m sorry.”
Yu Xia: “Huh?”
“The Water Moon Sect has been painstakingly built up by you. How could I resort to such despicable methods to seize it?”
With a face full of sorrow, he said, “I’m really unworthy; I should be punished!”
Saying this, he even slapped himself twice hard enough for Master Yu Xia to be rendered speechless.
After a long silence, she finally asked, “Did you just lose control while using your technique?”
“Not at all.”
He Hongyi seriously clasped his hands together and lowered his head, declaring, “I’ve attained great enlightenment.”
“One must repay their sins after death; karma can’t be escaped.”
“I shouldn’t have harmed you. We’re all born of mothers. If you’re hurt, how much pain must your parents feel…”
Master Yu Xia really wanted to say that her parents passed away long before her nascent soul phase.
But looking at this man, who seemed somewhat deranged, she swallowed her words.
“I also have a father. I know how it feels to watch family suffer while feeling helpless.”
“My father… is living a life worse than death because of my crimes and misdeeds…”
At that thought, He Hongyi clutched his heart in pain, tears streaming down his face.
“How… how can I atone for this sin?”
He lamented, “I was planning to end my life to repent, but my sins are too deep; I cannot face my father if I die.”
“I’ve decided now to do good for the rest of my life; I don’t seek longevity or riches, only to diminish my sins.”
He even looked at Master Yu Xia sincerely, saying:
“Master Yu Xia, you shouldn’t cling to your misguided beliefs either.”
Yu Xia was stunned for a moment: “…Huh?”
“Look at it this way—your Water Moon Sect and the Demon Cult have been at odds for so long, yet there are still so many disciples from both sides fighting each other to the death because of resentments.”
“When will this cycle of revenge end? What’s the point of all this?”
He Hongyi continued, “Why not have both sides sit down, sip some tea, and talk it over? Maybe it could resolve the grudges?”
Are you kidding me, you three-year-old?
This kind of thing isn’t something you can handle with a tea party! Haven’t you lived long enough to realize this?
She couldn’t understand what kind of medicine He Hongyi had taken to be acting like this.
Just a moment ago, he was openly showing his sinister nature, and now he suddenly seems like a benevolent monk ready to save the world.
What on earth happened in just a short incense stick’s worth of time?
But if she had to say something, this was surely good news for her.
Even if he really went crazy while using his technique, her dangerous circumstances had turned into safety.
Yet Master Yu Xia still maintained a level of caution, staring at him and asking:
“So, what do you want to do now? Head back home?”
“No.”
He Hongyi replied nonchalantly, “I want to become a monk.”
Yu Xia: “Huh?”
“When I get back, I’ll convert Qian Kun Que into Ksitigarbha Temple, and let my disciples join me in doing good to repay our sins.”
He shook his head seriously, “I know people won’t understand my actions, and Master Yu Xia, you won’t easily change your view.”
“But one day, you will know that karma is real.”
“Evil deeds bring suffering; good deeds yield results.”
“One must strive to be a good person.”
He bowed deeply, solemnly stating, “Farewell, Master Yu Xia.”
Then, right under her dazed gaze, he soared into the sky and left.
Master Yu Xia was starting to doubt her life choices.
Did he actually just leave like that?
Not an act? He really lost his mind!?
What kind of luck… did she just have?
Honestly, until she saw He Hongyi’s figure fade into the distance, she thought he was just pretending.
Maybe the next moment, this villain would turn around with a wicked grin, knock her unconscious with a club, and say, “Ha! You foolish woman, did you really think I’d let you go so easily?”
And the next moment…
She was knocked out with a club.
Behind her, Young Master Sang looked around to confirm no one was watching before he removed his mask and smirked.
“Hehehe, you gullible fool.”
“Did you really think you got lucky and found a Bodhisattva to save your hide?”
“Sorry, letting you go is the Bodhisattva’s business.”
“I can take you to meet the Bodhisattva.”
(Still just the first chapter, little distractions. I’ll be back home tomorrow.)
(But can you all wish me a happy birthday?)
