Volume One: The Revival of All Things, Perpetual Spring in Every Season Chapter Thirty-Three: Parting Teachings, Yet Again Into Delusion

Zhou Sheng seemed to be in excruciating pain, black energy coursing through his body. Mo Wen tried to approach, hoping to use his Buddhist internal energy to dispel the sinister aura, but the old Daoist blocked him with his steel trident, holding it across Mo Wen’s chest.

“Are you looking for death, boy? I know you possess Buddhist cultivation, capable of driving out filth and evil from the world, but it’s useless against these ghostly things. Save your breath! I’ve locked him here, hoping that before the ancestral master, these evil spirits might be gradually erased.”

The old Daoist was so angry his beard bristled and his eyes bulged, his face comically fierce as he called the rat statue ‘ancestral master’—truly a rat transformed! Mo Wen sighed; Zhou Sheng was being constantly assailed and corroded by the mysterious energy, and though he was present, he could do nothing. His mind stirred, and disregarding the rat Daoist beside him, he called loudly, “Zhou Sheng, listen! I have a method of internal cultivation here—remember it well, practice it day and night, and maybe it will help.”

Prompted by Mo Wen, Zhou Sheng clenched his teeth and struggled to stay conscious. Mo Wen slowly recited the scripture taught by the ascetic monk, repeating it several times. As Mo Wen chanted, the cave’s righteous energy grew dense, and his voice thundered like a great bell, startling the rat Daoist.

When the recitation ended, Mo Wen glanced at the rat Daoist with a smile. “What do you think of this Buddhist internal cultivation, senior? Buddhism speaks of cause and effect; I teach the scripture to save a man, and you learn alongside him for your own benefit—no matter!”

The rat Daoist was instantly furious, his beady eyes bulging in exasperation. “Nonsense! I have no interest in Buddhist things. Ha! Since you’ve mastered Buddhist cultivation, and Zhao Tiansheng accepted you as a disciple, you must be something special!”

Seeing he had no intention to stay, Mo Wen looked at Zhou Sheng again. “Boss Zhou, take care of Auntie yourself. For now, I’ll help look after her until you return! Believe in yourself!”

Zhou Sheng’s cracked lips moved, silently reciting the scripture Mo Wen had just taught. Mo Wen did not linger, stepping out of the cave with the old Daoist following. Suddenly, the rat Daoist chuckled, “Boy, I know Zhao Tiansheng never came. You can’t even lie properly! Don’t you know your master despises Buddhist disciples?”

Mo Wen gave an awkward smile; fortunately, the rat Daoist meant no harm. He straightened, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply. “No offense, senior. My master never mentioned the past. You possess great powers—please, don’t hesitate to enlighten me!”

His flattery pleased the rat Daoist, who stroked his short whiskers and spoke with pride. “Your master’s wife died at the hands of the Buddhists—what do you say to that?”

Taking the opportunity, Mo Wen quickly asked, “Which eminent monk killed my master’s wife, and what was the reason?”

But the rat Daoist came to his senses, flung his trident, and it brushed past Mo Wen, tearing off half his sleeve.

“You’re trying to trick me! Get lost—ask your master if you want answers!”

Mo Wen smiled, thanked him repeatedly, and the rat Daoist, impatient, flicked his sleeve. Mo Wen found himself at the mountain’s edge.

Lin Xi was squatting on the ground, glancing down the cliff from time to time. Mo Wen’s sudden appearance startled her.

“How did you get out? Sneaking around like that—you nearly scared me to death!”

Though she complained, her beautiful eyes were full of mirth. She patted her chest, then noticed Mo Wen was missing half his sleeve.

Mo Wen smiled wryly. “A rat bit it off!”

Lin Xi assumed he didn’t want to talk about it. Seeing he was unharmed, she let it go. Mo Wen didn’t rush to descend the mountain, but returned to the summit of Zhulong Peak to see the old monk again.

“Master Wuwo, what is that black energy?”

Mo Wen was direct, but the old monk’s expression grew grave. He shook his head and spoke slowly. “I do not know. If my junior brother succeeds in taking the next step, perhaps he could rid himself of these things.”

Mo Wen’s eyes shone. According to Master Wuwo, reaching the realm of Great Freedom would save Zhou Sheng?

Seeing Mo Wen’s thoughts, Master Wuwo sighed. “He must practice the purest Buddhist internal cultivation, and reach the realm of Great Freedom.”

Mo Wen’s hope was dashed, his face darkening. But the old Daoist’s words offered a glimmer. “Once you achieve Great Freedom, you’ll fear nothing of those things.”

Great Freedom! Mo Wen didn’t know how much longer Zhou Sheng could endure. Even if he reached it himself, it couldn’t be done in a short time.

“Are there any other monks in Buddhism who have attained Great Freedom? If someone could help, I would be deeply grateful!”

Master Wuwo slowly rose, his prayer beads turning as if recalling old memories. After a long silence, he sighed. “Buddhist internal cultivation is divided into pure and gentle methods. My junior brother and I each follow a branch. As for the pure method, I fear that in this world, only you have mastered it.”

Mo Wen was silent for a while, then bid farewell to Master Wuwo, leaving the mountain with Lin Xi. Along the way, Lin Xi saw his dejection and quickly tried to comfort him. Mo Wen smiled. When they reached the halfway pavilion, the young driver was still waiting. Just as Mo Wen was about to get in, Sword Dog suddenly dashed into the cedar woods.

“Kid, there’s good stuff here!”

Sword Dog, ignoring Mo Wen’s warnings, was so excited he spoke like a man. Luckily, no one else noticed—only the driver looked astonished.

Mo Wen was helpless; the dog’s nose was simply too sharp. He chased after Sword Dog, with Lin Xi following.

Sword Dog wandered through the cedars, winding here and there, getting far from the main road. He finally stopped under a cedar, his eyes fixed on the trunk, drooling.

Mo Wen and Lin Xi caught up and looked at the tree. About three meters up, a jet-black lingzhi mushroom grew from the trunk. Sword Dog scratched at the bark with his paw, staring greedily.

“Kid, fetch it down for me and I’ll treat you to good food and drink from now on!”

Sword Dog was impatient but couldn’t climb trees. Lin Xi burst out laughing at his eagerness.

Mo Wen leapt up and picked the black lingzhi. Sword Dog, unable to wait, bit it and gulped it down in a few bites.

Sword Dog licked his paws, thoroughly satisfied. “You two bumpkins don’t recognize it, do you? This is called ink fungus. If humans eat it, they die, but for me, it lets medicinal power settle in my body, making transformation much easier.”

Seeing Mo Wen’s indifference, Sword Dog bared his teeth. “I’ve worked for you for days and got nothing decent to eat. Once I transform, I’ll tear down every dog meat restaurant in the human world!”

Mo Wen couldn’t help but smile. The two, with Sword Dog, turned back, only to realize—were they lost?

Sword Dog sniffed around, eventually flopping down on the ground. “Damn, I knew ink fungus wouldn’t be easy to get. We can’t go back—give up!”

Lin Xi was annoyed and tugged Sword Dog’s ear, dragging him up. “Find the way! This is all your fault, you greedy mutt!”

Sword Dog stood reluctantly. “It’s useless. Where ink fungus grows, reality bends—you can’t get out. If only Coal Ball were here!”

They searched for a while, but no matter which direction they walked, they ended up circling the same spot. Mo Wen grew anxious—would they be trapped here forever?

Lin Xi sat against a tree, gave Sword Dog another kick, and complained, “Stupid dog, now I’ll have to waste Grandpa’s treasure!”

Mo Wen watched as Lin Xi pulled a yellow talisman from her bosom, about palm-wide and half a foot long, with strange symbols on both sides.

Lin Xi pinched the talisman between her slender fingers, muttering incantations. The talisman spontaneously ignited, and Lin Xi tossed it into the air.

“Break!”

With her command, the world shifted.