Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 161: Only victims can talk about forgiveness

The Lin clan disciples were vigilant. Not only Lin Zongquan, but the others quickly realized something was wrong.

They abandoned their original coordination and strategy, retreating while fighting back. Even though this left them vulnerable to attacks from Zhou Zihang and the other disciples of Tianshi Mansion, they could not afford to care.

At the moment, the greatest threat to them wasn't the Tianshi Mansion disciples but the lone killer lurking in the forest!

“Did they only set up an ambush here on Great Green Peak, or are there also people stationed at Jiuyuan Lake?”

Lei Jun, clad in a yellow Daoist robe, loosened his neck slightly. His body returned to its original height, instantly towering taller.

He sped up, quickly catching up to the Lin clan disciples. With a flick of his wrist, he threw another Chain Blaze Talisman.

This one was far more powerful than the Chain Blaze Talismans used by Zhou Zihang and his peers. A vast sea of fire erupted, engulfing the mountain.

A few Lin clan disciples, equipped with protective treasures bestowed by their elders, barely managed to survive by sacrificing their spiritual items. The others were swallowed by the flames, their screams silenced in moments.

Lei Jun didn't stop, continuing the chase.

He leapt over a ridge and spotted Lin Zongquan and the others fleeing down the mountain. Raising another talisman, he released a Flying Fire Talisman.

A fiery light soared into the air, then descended precisely where the last few disciples were running. Lei Jun had even calculated their trajectory.

Yet, he frowned slightly, sensing something amiss.

Sure enough, just as Lin Zongquan and the others were about to despair, a pure, glassy Buddha's Light condensed above them, transforming into a crystalline lotus flower.

The lotus flower blocked the descending flames.

The fire erupted with a thunderous boom!

Lei Jun's Flying Fire Talisman was even more destructive than the Chain Blaze Talisman.

However, the radiant lotus flower wasn’t created by Lin Zongquan or any other Lower Heaven cultivator. Its source was a Middle Heaven direct disciple of Xuanyan Temple—a sect of the Precepts Tradition of Buddhism—who surpassed even the De Xiang monk Lei Jun had encountered at Qiluo Valley.

Lei Jun's gaze shifted, landing on a young monk with a sorrowful expression and a gaunt face walking toward him.

This monk was none other than Yong Xiang, a direct disciple of Xuanyan Temple, whom Lei Jun had seen before.

At that time, Lei Jun could see Yong Xiang, but Yong Xiang could not see Lei Jun.

However, it was clear that Yong Xiang had seen Lei Jun's portrait before. He stopped, pressed his palms together, and bowed. “Is this Daoist Lei of Mount Longhu? This humble monk, Yong Xiang of Xuanyan Temple, offers his respects.”

Lei Jun didn't return the courtesy, keeping his gaze on Lin Zongquan and the others while stepping forward.

The Lin clan disciples turned to flee again, but they were all frozen in place.

A delicate, glassy lotus flower had appeared beneath each of their feet, rooting them to the spot.

The disciples looked back at Lei Jun—their dreaded killer—and Yong Xiang, who had both saved and immobilized them, a mix of fear, anger, and confusion in their eyes.

Yong Xiang's intervention did not stop Lei Jun. He continued walking toward Lin Zongquan and the others.

“Please, Daoist Lei, show mercy,” Yong Xiang said, standing between Lei Jun and the Lin clan disciples, his palms pressed together.

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. “I hadn’t heard that Xuanyan Temple and the Lin clan of Jiangzhou were allied.”

Yong Xiang shook his head. “Xuanyan Temple has no intention of intervening in the conflict between your sect and the Lin clan. This humble monk is merely passing through and cannot bear to see more blood spilled.

Revenge begets revenge; karmic entanglements only deepen the ties of hatred. Daoist Lei, you are a man of great wisdom and virtue. I implore you not to lose yourself in a sea of killing and vengeance.”

Lei Jun scrutinized Yong Xiang.

This monk gave him a different impression than De Xiang. Yong Xiang likely wasn’t a member of the Lin clan who had joined Xuanyan Temple. Even if some noble families infiltrated Xuanyan Temple, it couldn’t be so thoroughly compromised.

Yong Xiang also didn’t leverage the name of Xuanyan Temple for his actions.

But…

Lei Jun had no intention of changing his mind. “Though I am a Daoist, I’ve heard of a Buddhist saying: ‘If I do not enter hell, who will?’...”

Before Yong Xiang could reply, Lei Jun continued, “In that case, I’ll trouble you to act on my behalf, sending these people to hell instead?”

Yong Xiang sighed. “Daoist Lei, revenge only deepens the cycle of hatred. Your sect and the Lin clan were not always bitter enemies. If this continues, both sides will only commit more atrocities.”

Zhou Zihang and the other disciples of Tianshi Mansion arrived just in time to hear Yong Xiang's words. Their faces darkened.

“What nonsense is this, Master?” Zhou Zihang barked. “If we're talking about cause and effect, wasn’t it the Lin clan who first troubled our sect? How many of our fellow disciples have fallen to their hands over the years?

Not to mention, my junior brother, who had no prior dealings with the Lin clan, was killed by this scum while traveling. Are you saying his death should be in vain?”

Yong Xiang intoned a Buddhist chant. “The Buddha is compassionate. This anger and hatred harm your cultivation, Daoist Zhou. If your junior brother’s spirit watches over you, he would not wish to see you consumed by vengeance.

All beings suffer. Release your hatred, and you will find peace. Forgiveness is the path to liberation. The cycle of reincarnation ensures that no bond is ever truly severed.”

He turned to the Lin clan disciples, saying, “I urge you to put down your blades as well. The Lin clan has a legacy of learning and scholarship, not bloodshed.

I will escort you to Xuanyan Temple, where you will be cleansed by the teachings of Buddhism. May you turn from your misguided path and work to mend the rift between your clan and Mount Longhu.”

One Lin clan disciple opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by Lin Zongquan’s stern glare. The group remained silent, their expressions dark.

The Tianshi Mansion disciples, however, were visibly displeased.

Surprisingly, Zhou Zihang, who had been the most furious moments ago, forced himself to calm down.

He considered that while Yong Xiang claimed not to represent Xuanyan Temple, any conflict with him could lead to unforeseen consequences. With the war against the Lin clan ongoing, provoking Xuanyan Temple was unwise.

If Yong Xiang truly honored his promise to take Lin Zongquan and the others to Xuanyan Temple and not release them, it might even sow discord between the Lin clan and Xuanyan Temple, benefiting Tianshi Mansion.

The decision ultimately rested with Senior Brother Lei. Zhou Zihang turned to look at Lei Jun—and his eyes widened in shock.

Lei Jun’s figure, enhanced by the Heavenly General Talisman, suddenly grew into a towering form like that of a celestial general descending to the mortal world.

He took a single step forward and appeared directly before Lin Zongquan.

Yong Xiang sighed as the glassy Buddha's Light formed a protective lotus flower around Lin Zongquan and the others.

Lei Jun pulled out a short staff that extended into a long weapon of radiant light. He brought it crashing down on the lotus flower.

The lotus shattered.

Yong Xiang hurriedly created more lotus flowers, layering them over each other for protection.

But Lei Jun’s attacks were relentless.

Though Yong Xiang managed to shield Lin Zongquan temporarily, he had to concentrate all his efforts on a single target.

Lei Jun, however, moved swiftly to another Lin clan disciple.

With a swift strike, the staff fell.

“Bang!”

Blood splattered as the disciple’s head burst like a melon.

Even the seasoned Tianshi Mansion disciples were momentarily stunned into silence.

Yong Xiang’s expression grew even more sorrowful. “Daoist Lei, do you not trust this humble monk? I am willing to swear a solemn vow before the Buddha that I will not release these individuals. Should I break my vow, may I fall into the endless cycle of suffering.”

Lei Jun replied coolly, “Buddhist vows are not to be taken lightly. I believe your words, monk.”

As he spoke, Lei Jun moved to another Lin clan disciple and struck. Another life ended.

Yong Xiang, overwhelmed by Lei Jun’s speed and ferocity, could only watch helplessly as another disciple fell, then another.

In moments, only Lin Zongquan remained alive.

Yong Xiang sighed deeply, sitting cross-legged on the ground.

The glassy Buddha's Light formed a lotus platform around Lin Zongquan, shielding him completely.

Yong Xiang himself, however, made no effort to protect himself.

Lei Jun calmly approached the lotus platform.

“Daoist Lei,” Yong Xiang said, “you resent Lin Zongquan for killing your sect’s disciples. But have you not also shed the blood of his clan? I do not fault Mount Longhu’s Daoists but urge you not to lose yourself in hatred.”

Lei Jun replied, “When you get the chance, monk, make sure to say the same to the Lin clan.”

He grabbed the lotus platform, lifting it effortlessly off the ground.

Within the platform, Lin Zongquan remained unharmed, still protected by Yong Xiang’s Buddhist powers.

But Lei Jun carried the platform over to Yong Xiang.

The monk pressed his palms together and closed his eyes. “If my death can help Daoist Lei let go of his hatred, I am willing to give my life.”

Lei Jun’s voice was calm. “Though I dislike you, I have no intention of killing you today. I simply want to tell you two things.

First, only the victim has the right to forgive the perpetrator. If the victim is dead, it’s up to the living to send the guilty to meet them in the afterlife. Whether forgiveness is granted is for the deceased to decide.

Second...”

Lei Jun kicked Yong Xiang in the back.

The monk, unprotected by his Buddha's Light, flew a great distance away.

Separated from the platform, his Buddhist power over Lin Zongquan weakened rapidly.

With one swift motion, Lei Jun struck Lin Zongquan's head, ending him.