Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 184 - 166: Three Forces Join Forces to Annihilate!_3

Chapter 184: Chapter 166: Three Forces Join Forces to Annihilate!_3

Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana then said,

"I come from the Wutai Mountain Qingliang Temple, with a recommendation letter from my master, Zen Master Zhizhen, here. He instructed me to come here and become a disciple under the Emperor Tathagata Dragon Tree Divine Monk at the True Buddha Temple."

The Reception Monk was somewhat surprised that the esteemed Zen Master Zhizhen would take on such a disciple, but it wasn’t appropriate to probe deeply, so he politely said,

"Since it’s a letter from master uncle Zhizhen, we should go together to the Abbot and report this."

"Thank you, fellow brother."

The Reception Monk then led Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana directly to the abbot’s office at True Buddha Temple, unwrapped the bundle, and took out the letter, holding it in his hand.

Soon enough, they saw the abbot of True Buddha Temple come in with two novice monks and sit on the meditation chair.

The Reception Monk stepped forward to greet him and reported,

"Abbot, this monk says he comes from the Wutai Mountain Qingliang Temple, brought here by master uncle Zhizhen with a letter from Zen Master Zhizhen, reaching our master."

The abbot of True Buddha Temple said,

"Ah, it’s been a long time since master uncle Zhizhen sent any Dharma posts, I’ve been looking forward day and night and today it finally arrives."

The Reception Monk then turned to Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana and said,

"Brother, present the letter to the Abbot."

Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana immediately presented the letter; the abbot of True Buddha Temple took the letter, opened it, and saw it written:

Emperor Tathagata Dragon Tree Brother, currently our temple has monk, Mahaparinirvana, who has had many hardships; previously he killed someone in order to save others, took refuge under my wing to avoid prosecution, and later left our temple to wander the earth, at one time turning to banditry and claiming a mountain as king.

Latterly he joined the Thirty-Six Rebel Factions, then was enlisted back, and finally was ordered by decree to fight rebels, establishing great merit, yet he could not stand the corruption of the Great Tang Imperial Court and once again wandered the Jianghu, with nowhere else to turn, took up monasticism again, this time truly and sincerely, without any deceit.

However, today due to drunkenness, he caused a disturbance in the monks’ hall, could not get along with the monks in the temple, and also due to killing a local bully to avoid prosecution, he is specially instructed to come to this upper temple; it is most fortunate to take him as a disciple, how lucky! How lucky!

Brother, you must not hesitate; although this monk has killed many and likes to drink, eat meat, and stir up trouble, in the future he is sure to achieve great enlightenment and ascend to nirvana, please keep him around, cherish, cherish!

The abbot of True Buddha Temple frowned upon reading it, especially at the mention of eating meat and drinking, and killing people, feeling an instinctual revulsion, but out of respect for master uncle Zhizhen’s face, he couldn’t outright refuse. However, he was only the abbot of True Buddha Temple; it was up to the Emperor Tathagata Dragon Tree Divine Monk, the superior abbot, to decide on keeping him, so he immediately found an excuse to get Mahaparinirvana away.

"The visiting monk should go to the monks’ hall to rest for now and eat some vegetarian food."

"I just had a lot of meat with good brothers in a tavern, I’m already full and not hungry at the moment."

The abbot of True Buddha Temple felt a headache coming on hearing this and found another excuse:

"You go ahead and drink some tea in the monks’ hall while I inform the Emperor Tathagata Master then I will come to see you!"

Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana thanked him, picked up his bundle, took the Zen Staff and Buddhist Blade, and followed the novice monk away.

"Just wait here for me while I take the letter to inform the Emperor Tathagata Master!"

Though the abbot of Buddha Bone Temple wasn’t fond of Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana, he dared not conceal the truth, so he went alone to the backyard meditation room to meet with the Emperor Tathagata Dragon Tree Divine Monk and report the matter.

Soon, the abbot of Buddha Bone Temple returned with a troubled expression, and the Reception Monk urgently asked,

"What did the Emperor Tathagata Master say?"

The abbot of True Buddha Temple helplessly said,

"This Zen Master Zhizhen really has no sense, this Mahaparinirvana is clearly a Demon Lord who kills without blinking, they couldn’t keep him calm in Wutai Mountain Qingliang Temple, yet they pushed him to the Emperor Tathagata Master’s disciples."

"Even the Emperor Tathagata Master is strange, actually agreeing to take that monk as a disciple, but if we let him stay here and he disrupts our monastic discipline and disturbs our practice, how could that be acceptable?"

The Reception Monk also hadn’t expected the Emperor Tathagata Dragon Tree Divine Monk to actually accept Mahaparinirvana, such a heartless Demon Lord, and responded helplessly,

"Even our disciples see that monk and not a single one looks like a monastic; how can our temple accommodate him?"

"Let it be, since the Emperor Tathagata Master has approved, you and I shouldn’t refuse, but to make this Demon Lord leave our temple sooner, I do have a plan!"

The Reception Monk asked in return:

"What strategy does the Abbot have?"

"Since the monk has just arrived, he will surely not dare to be presumptuous, but if he stays longer, he will undoubtedly cause trouble. Don’t introduce him to the Emperor Tathagata Master yet, arrange for him to stay in the meditation room closest to where the Emperor Tathagata Master cultivates Buddhism. The Emperor Tathagata Master prefers silence, and if that monk makes any disturbance, it will surely alarm the Emperor Tathagata Master, who will then drive him out of the temple!"

"Understood, I will go manage that now!"

The Reception Monk then went to the monks’ hall to find Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana and led him to arrange accommodations, intentionally placing him in the meditation room closest to the Emperor Tathagata Dragon Tree Divine Monk.

Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana had his quarters settled and unpacked his luggage, but he wandered around True Buddha Temple, meeting many monks, but never seeing the Emperor Tathagata Dragon Tree Divine Monk.

When night fell, and it was time for the monks to perform evening prayers, Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana was called to the monks’ hall to participate in reciting scriptures and preaching with the other monks.

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But Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana couldn’t stay put and soon felt bored; he muttered to himself,

"Instead of staying here with these wooden heads chanting the Death Recitation Scripture, I’d rather go find my sworn brother to drink and eat meat; that would be more enjoyable!"

Defrocked Monk Mahaparinirvana then quietly escaped the meditation room, took his Zen Staff, climbed over the wall, and went to Fallen Dragon Pit to find Li Ping’an.

...

Meanwhile, in a residence in Fallen Dragon Pit, Li Ping’an was still unaware that three powers were looking for him, yet he was in the house fiddling with a newly bought iron sword.

"I, too, am indulging in the thrill of being a Sword Immortal!"