Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 216 - 178: Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Divine Monk!_2

Chapter 216: Chapter 178: Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Divine Monk!_2

"This bald donkey speaks ill of me right to my face, if it weren’t for the sake of Emperor Tathagata’s dignity, see if I wouldn’t punch him to death!"

Defrocked Monk Maha He Kuangyang turned his head and glared at the abbot of True Buddha Temple, but in the abbot’s eyes, there was no sign of Maha He Kuangyang, as if he were talking to the towering tree.

"How strange! Who is he talking to?"

Li Ping’an watched with surprise at the abbot’s odd behavior.

Just then, the towering tree actually spoke:

"Do not talk nonsense, this person is honest-hearted, naturally possessing the Buddha nature and mind. Though currently stubborn and mired in complexity, he will eventually find purity, and his achievements will be extraordinary, surpassing you all. Remember my words and do not hinder him."

The abbot of True Buddha Temple complained:

"The Abbot is merely covering for his shortcomings, surely it’s because of Zen Master Zhizhen’s face that he allows this man to stay. Even if we heed the master’s words today, what will we do if this wild monk continues like this in the future?"

The towering tree spoke again:

"I often tell you to break your obsessions; with no obsessions in your heart, actions become innocent. Your obsessions are too deep, that’s why mediocre people trouble themselves!"

Behind the tree, Maha He Kuangyang couldn’t bear to listen any longer and threw a punch at the towering tree, scattering leaves everywhere and cursed at the abbot of True Buddha Temple:

"Are you deaf, old monk? If you chew on my name behind my back again, I’ll send you to nirvana right now!"

The abbot of True Buddha Temple did not engage with Maha He Kuangyang, but pointed at Mahaparinirvana and said to the towering tree:

"Master, listen to this, the wild monk does such things and you do not call him out. When you do, he threatens to kill and set fires, utterly obstinate! Utterly obstinate!"

"Enough already, is that it!"

Maha He Kuangyang could not afford to lose face in front of his brothers and was about to get up and beat the abbot good, had it not been for Li Ping’an’s great efforts to restrain him, the abbot would have been in for a sound thrashing today.

The towering tree spoke again:

"Enough, you may go down. I will handle it tomorrow!"

"Yes!"

After giving Maha He Kuangyang a stern look, the abbot of True Buddha Temple left reluctantly.

"Brother, today I spared him for your sake, otherwise you’d see how I’d deal with that wretch!"

Maha He Kuangyang kept grumbling, but Li Ping’an noticed something unusual:

"Brother, don’t be angry, how can this tree speak human language? There must be someone else here, let us get up and look for him."

"You make sense; the person has been speaking up for me, I must thank him."

The two got up to search for the person behind the tree, but Li Ping’an and Maha He Kuangyang, upon reaching the spot where the abbot had been talking, looked forward, backward, left, and right and could not find the so-called "person."

"Strange indeed! Where is the person who spoke up for me just now? Why is there not even a shadow?"

Maha He Kuangyang said with confusion:

"Could it be that the old monk was deliberately spooking us, actually meaning to disgust me? No! I will go and settle the score with him now!"

"Brother, wait a moment!"

Although Li Ping’an could not see anyone, the towering tree had indeed made a human voice, so where was the problem?

"Secluded Cave!"

Li Ping’an immediately used his Divine Power: Insight into the Hidden and squinted at the towering tree, and to his shock, he saw a person inside the tree, although he could not discern the person’s realm.

"Brother, there’s someone in the tree roots."

Li Ping’an approached the base of the towering tree, bent down, and forcefully parted the twisted, beard-like roots. Indeed, hidden inside was a clean-shaven monk who looked to be in his twenties, sitting in meditation among the roots, silent.

"Good heavens! So it was this little monk who spoke for me!"

Maha He Kuangyang was truly surprised and slapped Li Ping’an on the shoulder in praise:

"It’s your keen eyes, brother; otherwise, I would never have known there was a person hidden inside this tree."

Previously, when Li Ping’an first arrived at True Buddha Temple, he noticed that the temple was built simply and without adornment, unlike other temples that appeared respectable and luxurious. There were few monks within, and they never swindled people’s money or possessed women under the name of Buddha’s teachings.

Looking at the monk sitting still within the tree, resembling deadwood yet harboring the essence of spring’s burgeoning new life, dressed in tattered robes that yet shone brightly, and having earlier spoken on behalf of Mahaparinirvana, the Monk Who Broke Precepts, always speaking true Buddha logic, Li Ping’an concluded that this monk must indeed be a person of high attainment and respectfully asked:

"May I ask, Mage, what is your dharma name?"

Mahaparinirvana followed by speaking:

"Yes, yes, you just spoke up for me, I was just about to thank you."

The monk did not open his eyes but simply replied indifferently:

"The old monk’s dharma name is not worthy of mention."

Surprised, Mahaparinirvana touched his bald head and said:

"You clearly look no more than thirty, aside from our temple’s Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk, I have met all the other monks. How come I do not know you?"

Only then did the monk slightly open his eyes and said with a gentle and amiable smile:

"This old monk is one hundred and eighty years old this year, it is only because of the spell I practice that I appear so young."

"What? One hundred and eighty years old?"

Li Ping’an and Mahaparinirvana both exclaimed in surprise, exchanged glances, and suddenly realizing something, they tremulously said:

"It is widely known that the Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk is one hundred and eighty years old, could you be...?!"

"Indeed, this old monk is really the Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Old Monk, not any Divine Monk; those are all empty titles, unworthy of mention!"

"Disciple Mahaparinirvana pays respect to my master!"

Upon learning the true identity of the Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk, Mahaparinirvana immediately knelt down in a proper manner, saying with utmost respect:

"Please forgive your disciple for the rudeness, disturbing my master’s meditation here."

"It’s of no consequence, no consequence, the worldly sounds do not reach my ears, it’s not at all disturbing, not at all."

After saying this, the Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk then turned to Li Ping’an and gestured with his hand, saying:

"Little benefactor, this old monk offers his regards."

"I am Li Ping’an; how dare I accept such generous kindness from the Supreme Tathagata."

Li Ping’an was about to kneel down to the Supreme Tathagata to ask him to help with a matter.

"Little benefactor, as a disciple of the Taoist sect, you only bow to Sanqing and need not kneel to me. We are fated to meet; in the future, just seeing me seated will suffice."

"Thank you, great master!"

Li Ping’an immediately sat down respectfully in front of the Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk, contemplating that the celebrated and highly-regarded Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk was right before his eyes. Why not seek his guidance about the Book of the Earth? The Book of the Earth was a conundrum for Li Ping’an, whom, despite studying it time and again, could never fathom a single word. Such an extraordinary opportunity like today’s must not be missed.

"Great master, being a person of profound knowledge, surely you’ve seen and known much. As you mentioned, our meeting is fate; could you possibly help me with a matter?"

The Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk waved his hand courteously and said:

"Within my abilities, I will certainly help. Little benefactor, speak your mind. Mahaparinirvana, take a seat as well."

"Yes, Master."

Mahaparinirvana then dared to sit next to Li Ping’an but without his previous nonchalance, instead sitting properly and dare not utter another word.

"Great master, wait a moment."

Li Ping’an immediately went back to the Zen Master Mahaparinirvana’s chamber, took the Book of the Earth from a pile of Taoist texts, and then hurriedly returned. He sat down in an orderly manner and once again respectfully asked:

"May I inquire if the great master knows the origin of this book?"

Li Ping’an offered the book with both hands. Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk took the Book of the Earth, glanced at it, and immediately knew the book’s origin. With considerable curiosity, he asked:

"Little benefactor, where did you acquire this Book of the Earth?"

Li Ping’an did not dare to deceive his true teacher, but also could not reveal the whole truth, so he replied in a roundabout way:

"This book was given by a friend of mine. I have had it for more than half a month now, but so far, I have been unable to see the words in this book. It gradually became a knot in my heart; I thought that one day I would meet an insightful person to ask about it. It was unexpected to meet the Supreme Tathagata today, hence I have brazenly come to seek your advice."