My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion
Chapter 169 - 149 Medicine Master Bodhisattva

Chapter 169: Chapter 149 Medicine Master Bodhisattva

Jinya Pavilion, Pavilion Master’s reception hall.

Steam rose from the tea broth. Two tea girls prepared the tea, performed a courteous bow, and quietly stepped away without uttering a single word. Outside of the tea water being served, there was utter silence. These exceptional tea girls were nothing like the common maids posing as tea girls, flaunting themselves flamboyantly or gossiping while brewing tea. Some even intentionally accentuated their curves. It was precisely because of this distinction that employing such tea girls was a privilege reserved only for the rich and powerful.

Taking a small sip of tea, Min Ning felt somewhat restless, struggling to broach the topic of leaving the capital.

Not to mention Great Yu’s laws were rooted in filial piety, and one must not disobey orders from parents or elders. If the matter were spoken aloud and Chen Yi decided to lash out impulsively, coming to the Min family to demand accountability, grandfather and elder sister would inevitably suffer.

"I certainly didn’t expect that today, the ones meeting me would be Chen Qianhu and Min Qianhu."

The speaker was none other than Li Jisheng, Pavilion Master of Jinya Pavilion. He didn’t possess a wealthy appearance; instead, his sharp and lean features hinted at a shrewd intellect.

Though extremely prosperous, he wore plain cloth garments, adhering to Great Yu’s law banning merchants from donning silk.

"Mr. Li, you need not be overly polite. I am currently investigating matters related to the Joyful Sect. After finishing this cup of tea, I hope Mr. Li would share some insights."

Chen Yi clasped one hand in greeting and said apologetically:

"It’s not that I don’t wish to show Mr. Li courtesy, but the situation is urgent."

"Then Chen Qianhu arrived at the perfect time. Today, I happen to be auctioning off a member of the Joyful Sect."

Li Jisheng caressed the droplets of water on the tea cup and continued:

"This individual initially planned to flee via the waterways, but our Wuyong Building had already stationed agents in the docks. The moment he boarded the ship, we apprehended him, along with some ritual tools from the Joyful Sect."

"Ritual tools from the Joyful Sect?"

Chen Yi asked, puzzled. Ritual tools were typically used for ceremonial purposes.

"Indeed. Among them are some Buddhist statues and Daoist vessels. If Qianhu would like to take a look, I can lead you to them now."

Being a businessman who understood human nature, Li Jisheng discerned that Chen Yi wasn’t one to waste time on pleasantries and catered to his preferences. This facilitated building rapport while binding such a meritorious military officer, whose career prospects were unlimited, closer to Wuyong Building.

"Then I’ll trouble you for that."

Chen Yi drained his tea in one gulp.

Li Jisheng rose from his seat and led the two into a smaller treasure room within the pavilion. Upon pushing open the door, they were greeted by the dense fragrance of sandalwood. The area, which stored various antiques and treasures, was constructed with premium sandalwood.

Leading them to the depths, he pointed to a shelf.

Chen Yi looked up and saw five exceptionally striking statues of Buddhas. Each was no larger than two palms, seemingly crafted from solid gold, with red and blue gemstones embedded in their lotus thrones. The statues wore kasayas of differing designs, and the applied colors varied. Five statues, five distinct hues.

"Is this the Five Buddhas of the Secret Sect?"

Chen Yi spoke.

"Sharp eye—this is indeed the Five Buddhas of the Western Secret Sect."

Li Jisheng stepped forward to introduce the origins of each statue. He explained four in succession, but when pointing to the last Buddha statue for Chen Yi to observe, he remarked:

"However, this particular statue isn’t the Eastern Buddha worshipped by the current Secret Sect."

"What do you mean?"

"The Eastern Buddha currently revered by the Secret Sect is Akshobhya, whereas the Joyful Sect venerates the Medicine Buddha. Both Buddhas are described in Buddhist scriptures as Hierarchs of the Eastern Realm."

Li Jisheng narrated slowly:

"The reason behind this divergence, it is said, stems from when the Joyful Sect stole cultivation techniques from Puhan Monastery. What they took was a scripture among scriptures, an ancient text that identifies the Hierarch of the Eastern World as the Medicine Buddha."

As Min Ning listened to Li Jisheng’s mention of the Western regions, she recalled a prophecy her grandfather once told her—one supposedly left behind by Master Zhihui...

"I’ve heard of a Bhikkhuni who traveled across the Western nations preaching the Dharma,"

Min Ning uttered.

"She was even revered as the reincarnation of the Medicinal Bodhisattva."

"Min Qianhu is correct. That Bhikkhuni was none other than Master Zhihui, canonized during the Western Jin dynasty."

Li Jisheng replied.

Chen Yi, upon hearing "Medicinal Bodhisattva," thought of the Medicine Buddha worshipped by the Joyful Sect.

It was unclear whether there was some connection between the two...

After all, "medicine" appeared in both names. Could there be a lineage tying them together?

Chen Yi silently stored these words in his mind, then asked after a while:

"But... why would the Joyful Sect, a partial martial arts sect, venerate Secret Sect Buddha statues?"

"I initially had no idea either, so I ordered my men to interrogate the Joyful Sect heir. The man was like a mute, remaining tight-lipped and refusing to speak. Thus, I had no choice but to feed him the Chaotic God Pill to induce disorientation before extracting fragmented information."

Li Jisheng paused and cleared his throat before continuing:

"Everyone knows the Joyful Sect entertains heroes from all over. Since that is the case, though measures may be taken to prevent offspring, there are bound to be incidents where some conceive. So how does one deal with such a large number of progeny? If left unchecked, they could eat the Joyful Sect into ruin.

Thus, the Joyful Sect colludes with the Demon Sect. The Demon Sect has long regarded the human flesh as an unholy creation, and within its teachings lies a secret technique to extinguish the physical body while preserving the spirit even before a baby is fully formed in the womb.

With spirits accumulating abundantly, they naturally need to be transcended. Due to the Joyful Sect’s stolen cultivation techniques from the Western regions, they adopted Secret Sect Buddha statues for worship."

Li Jisheng’s explanation clarified much of the matter for Chen Yi.

Though the pieces of information were plentiful, he couldn’t yet connect them all.

It seemed he would need to visit the Joyful Sect’s mountain gate personally someday.

"And speaking of time, the auction of the Joyful Sect heir should be starting soon. Though we are acquaintances, everything must proceed according to protocol—highest bidder wins. Additionally, there will be other items on auction, including antiques, martial arts techniques, and weapons. If Qianhu is interested, you’re welcome to bid as well. By the way, there’s one matter I must warn Qianhu about."

As Li Jisheng led the pair out, he suddenly turned back as if recalling something.

"May I ask what it is?"

"It’s said that the Prince of Annan has offered a large sum as a bounty for your life."

..................

Inside the ground-floor hall of Jinya Pavilion.

The attendees all wore veils, seated at their tea tables. Outside the pavilion, passing figures were none other than armed Protectors of Jinya Pavilion, among whom were several highly skilled martial artists. Within the hall, there were nine tables. Chen Yi glanced around and immediately noticed several noteworthy individuals, including a pair of lovers clad in blue and yellow, the Western monk he had encountered previously, and a figure who seemed to be an expert from the Prince Mansion.

The hall was extremely quiet, as though everyone was patiently awaiting something. However, Chen Yi detected a faint tension in the air—the reason being none other than the kasaya of Wuxiang Zen Master, an item that had deeply stirred the emotions of Jianghu.

Li Jisheng gradually stepped forward before the crowd, escorted by a frail and listless man dressed plainly—this was none other than the captured heir of the Joyful Sect, Xue Qingsheng.

"I trust everyone here understands this person’s identity. Jinya Pavilion has no intention of creating suspense or dragging things out. Now, we present him before you—highest bidder wins."