Chapter 167: Countermeasure

Tianyun Temple.

One hundred thousand believers gathered here.

The common folk were beguiled by the monks, gathered here together, forming a lotus pattern and sitting down one after another.

Thirty thousand troops gathered, watching all this, appearing somewhat silent.

One hundred thousand civilians, they dared not act rashly.

The Buddhist sect using this method is nothing but the final step.

Outside the temple.

Gu Jin Nian rode his warhorse, his expression cold, watching all this.

Beside him, Su Huaiyu quietly observed everything, saying nothing.

"Lord Hou."

"Shall we forcibly expel the civilians?"

With Gu Jin Nian's arrival, Wang Peng immediately spoke, asking Gu Jin Nian whether to expel the civilians outright.

"No."

Gu Jin Nian shook his head.

Expelling the civilians is impossible; these people have gathered, already prepared to die, and the harder one pushes, the more likely it will provoke massive controversy.

It must be said that.

The Buddhist sect's move is poisonous, yet also correct, because Gu Jin Nian indeed finds it somewhat tricky.

Forceful coercion.

That means drawing a knife.

If a Buddhist disciple dies, Gu Jin Nian does not care.

But if the dead are not Buddhist disciples but Da Xia civilians, that is unacceptable.

Both morally and logically, it is untenable.

Outside the temple.

Gu Jin Nian quietly watched everything, for a moment truly not knowing what to say.

And beside him, Su Huaiyu could not help but speak.

"Lord Hou, are you worried about something?"

Su Huaiyu's voice was calm.

"The Buddhist sect's methods are too filthy."

Gu Jin Nian replied lightly, his mind racing, pondering what to do.

"It's a bit dirty; reaching this point is also the Buddhist sect's final measure."

"However, this method may seem unsolvable, yet in fact it is not without a solution."

Su Huaiyu nodded; he agreed with Gu Jin Nian, but his words seemed to imply he did not think the matter was without a solution.

"What does that mean?"

Gu Jin Nian looked at Su Huaiyu, curiosity in his eyes.

"Lord Hou."

"When the Buddhist sect employs this move, it means it is their final measure."

"Attacking the people's hearts with the people's hearts, this is the supreme strategy."

Su Huaiyu calmly spoke, reminding Gu Jin Nian of a key point.

Attack the people's hearts with the people's hearts.

On his warhorse, Gu Jin Nian furrowed his brows, as if chewing on the meaning of Su Huaiyu's words.

After a moment.

A flash of light suddenly flickered in Gu Jin Nian's eyes.

"You mean that..."

"Use the Buddhist sect's methods against the Buddhist sect?"

Gu Jin Nian asked aloud.

"Lord Hou, you are wise."

Su Huaiyu nodded; both were clever, and after Su Huaiyu offered a line, Gu Jin Nian immediately thought of a countermeasure.

"This plan is feasible."

Receiving Su Huaiyu's reply, Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but nod.

At that moment, he dismounted his warhorse, and Wang Peng and the others gathered, awaiting Gu Jin Nian's orders.

"Later, the troops will orderly escort the civilians away."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, whispering into Wang Peng's ear; after saying this, he alone walked up to Tianyun Temple.

"Lord Hou, be careful."

Wang Peng called out, reminding Gu Jin Nian to be cautious.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian had already entered Tianyun Temple, and the civilians seated around the Buddhist temple stared at him with hostile gazes.

In their eyes, Gu Jin Nian's destruction of Buddhism was a crushing of their faith, a grave sin.

But regarding Gu Jin Nian's status, they still felt some apprehension, so they dared to be angry but not to speak.

A quarter hour later.

Gu Jin Nian also slowly appeared inside Tianyun Temple.

In the main hall, many Buddhist monks gathered; each monk's face was cold, they had just been chanting sutras, and now, upon seeing Gu Jin Nian appear, they involuntarily cast hostile glances.

Amitabha.

And just then.

Inside Tianyun Temple, the senior monk abbot's voice rang out; he pressed his palms together, gazed at Gu Jin Nian, his face full of compassion.

As the Buddha's name resonated, the disciples also calmed their hearts.

"Patron, you have come all the way, slaughtering my sect's disciples, committing a heinous crime, and inciting widespread popular resentment. Lord, open your eyes and see that the people have already made their choice."

The abbot of Tianyun Temple pressed his palms together, looked at Gu Jin Nian, and continued with the usual Buddhist rhetoric.

But this time, the abbot of Tianyun Temple was extremely shrewd; they summoned some believers, gathered them here, to see whether Gu Jin Nian would dare to kill.

If Gu Jin Nian dares to kill these civilians, then Da Xia's current anti‑Buddhist campaign will be utterly defeated, and the loss will be total.

Facing the abbot's words.

Gu Jin Nian did not answer directly, but looked at the other side and said.

"The Buddha says, the benevolent are compassionate, compassion resides in the heart. I, the Lord, actually have a doubt and hope the abbot can resolve it; if the abbot can clear my doubt, I will withdraw my troops immediately."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, saying so.

"Patron, are your words true?"

The abbot of Tianyun Temple opened his mouth, not expecting Gu Jin Nian to say that.

"I, the Lord, will not deceive you."

Gu Jin Nian said calmly.

"Very well, Lord, please pose your question."

The abbot extended his hand, inviting Gu Jin Nian to set a question.

He is a senior Buddhist monk, versed in dialectics, and naturally would not disregard Gu Jin Nian.

"May I ask, abbot?"

"If you find yourself in a desert, unable to use any magical power, thirsty for several days, and only one sip remains in your flask, with only one day's journey left to escape the desert…"

"If you drink this sip, you will be safe; if you do not, you will die here. At that moment, you encounter a destitute civilian also lost in the desert, thirsty for days, on the brink of death."

"What would the abbot do?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke, raising a Buddhist principle.

Upon hearing this, no senior monk needed to answer; the other monks scoffed one by one, their minds instantly forming an answer.

"Reply, patron."

"I, the venerable monk, will give the water in the flask to the other; this is Buddhist compassion."

He said so without any hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jin Nian nodded, quite satisfied, but for a moment the abbot of Tianyun Temple slightly frowned, having sensed the trap in the question.

"Then may I ask the senior monk, if you encounter one hundred thousand destitute civilians in a desert, and you possess some magical power that could summon a great river to save them, but at the cost of sacrificing yourself, what would you do?"

"If the abbot can answer, I will withdraw my troops immediately."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, standing with his hands behind his back, a gentle smile in his eyes, looking at the other as he asked.

The question was posed.

The abbot of Tianyun Temple turned pale; not only him, but each of the other monks' expressions also changed.

They had not yet grasped the previous question, but now they instantly understood this one: Gu Jin Nian was not merely asking, but pressuring.

The desert represents the current situation, and water symbolizes life and death.

The hundred thousand people in the desert are the same hundred thousand people here.

If the Buddhist sect is compassionate, Da Xia's anti‑Buddhist purge would mean that these people, should they rebel, would be slaughtered by the Da Xia Dynasty, and the sect's way to save them is to let them leave this place.

Attack the people's hearts with the people's hearts.

Use Buddhist doctrine to overcome Buddhist doctrine.

Gu Jin Nian's simple question placed every monk in Tianyun Temple in a dilemma.

If they refuse, that would contravene Buddhist law, making them not true Buddhists; even if Gu Jin Nian does not kill them and withdraws, the sect still loses, and loses utterly.

If they agree to give, they must grant these civilians a way out, but then the Da Xia iron cavalry would mercilessly trample forward.

This simple question made them feel a chill deep in their hearts the more they contemplated it.

Tianyun Temple fell into deep silence.

Time passed bit by bit.

After roughly half a watch, Gu Jin Nian's voice finally rose.

"It's almost half a watch; abbot, have you still not thought of an answer?"

Gu Jin Nian asked, while walking toward the other.

Having reached this point.

The abbot of Tianyun Temple indeed fell silent.

He did not know how to answer.

Facing Gu Jin Nian's relentless pressure, finally beads of sweat formed on the abbot's forehead.

His complexion turned grim, his gaze averted, unwilling to look directly at Gu Jin Nian.

"If the abbot cannot answer, then I, the Lord, will deem all of Da Xia's Buddhist sects to be false Buddhas, and the murderous sins they have caused will be solely the abbot's responsibility."

Gu Jin Nian's voice sounded in his ear, eerily strange, causing the abbot to swallow a mouthful of saliva.

He was frightened, his eyes full of terror.

Finally, under this intense pressure, the abbot of Tianyun Temple spoke.

"May I save all living beings as my purpose."

In the end, the abbot of Tianyun Temple chose to save the common people; he still possessed some conscience.

After receiving that answer, Gu Jin Nian nodded.

"Since saving the masses is the priority, I ask the abbot to speak out."

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

Upon hearing this, the abbot of Tianyun Temple wore a look of despair.

"By the order of this old monk, disperse the common people and let them leave."

His voice caused some monks to gasp in shock.

Gathering the people was meant to make Gu Jin Nian uneasy, but now ordering the people to disperse—won't that bring misfortune upon them?

"Disperse."

The abbot of Tianyun Temple spoke.

His expression remained unchanged.

Then, looking at Gu Jin Nian, he said, "Benefactor, may the two of us meet alone for half an hour."

He spoke, as if he had something to tell Gu Jin Nian.

"Very well."

Gu Jin Nian agreed outright; regardless, the other's final choice was to protect the people, which earned Gu Jin Nian's respect.

Soon, all the monks left, and in the main hall only Gu Jin Nian and the abbot of Tianyun Temple remained.

"Amitabha."

"May I ask, benefactor, why you seek to destroy the Buddha?"

After the others departed, the abbot of Tianyun Temple directly asked Gu Jin Nian the reason for his anti‑Buddha stance.

"The imperial decree has explained everything; does the abbot not understand?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke, looking at his counterpart and gave an answer.

"The decree states that the Buddhist sect could be reformed, placing it under the Ministry of Rites; as for the number of monks, the sect could also be adjusted. Why, my lord, must you eradicate Buddhism?"

The abbot of Tianyun Temple did not understand; he was indeed puzzled.

At first, his thought was simple: it was a Buddhist command to bring a hundred thousand people here, essentially setting a checkpoint to see whether Gu Jin Nian would dare continue the slaughter.

But now, with Gu Jin Nian's straightforward question, he realized Gu Jin Nian was no ordinary person—not because of his status, nor because Gu Jin Nian is a later saint of Confucianism and Daoism.

Rather, Gu Jin Nian's understanding of Buddhist doctrine surpasses his, and using his own strongest field, he defeated him, causing the abbot of Tianyun Temple to become like this.

He was neither greedy for life nor fearful of death, nor anything else; he simply could not comprehend why Gu Jin Nian wanted to eradicate Buddhism.

He also hoped to dissuade Gu Jin Nian, urging him to adopt a gentler approach.

Hearing the abbot's doubt,

Gu Jin Nian fell slightly silent.

But after a moment, Gu Jin Nian spoke again.

"I, the Lord, can see that the Master truly has a compassionate heart; therefore, I shall no longer conceal my intentions."

"My eradication of Buddhism today targets not a minor Buddha but a false Buddha. In the Master's view, placing the temples under the Ministry of Rites to oversee them and approve monks would prevent temples from tax evasion and stop ambitious youths from entering Buddhism."

"It appears noble, but in reality it is useless."

"Because the Buddhist sect has become a tumor; the heavenly Dao cycles, flourishing then declining. The sect has long prospered, becoming one of the great world religions, yet it has lost its original purpose. Heaven's Mandate now emerges, and the sect stirs restlessly."

"They even dare to contravene natural law, seeking to grasp Heaven's Mandate, just as in the crisis of Jiangning County; may I ask the Master, why did the Buddhist sect not appear in the Jiangning crisis?"

"Furthermore, in the war between the Xiongnu State and the Da Xia Dynasty, was there no trace of the Buddhist sect?"

"The Master should understand that my actions are not to destroy Buddhism but to purge it. I believe there are still virtuous ones within the sect, yet as it grows stronger, some have already birthed inner demons."

"The weak give rise to inner demons, wielding knives against the even weaker."

"The strong give rise to inner demons, reaching for worldly affairs."

"If I truly am as the world says, driven by personal greed and a momentary rage, why should I care about these hundred thousand people? Why issue a decree that laypeople not be killed?"

"Do you believe it? If any other lord came, he would certainly cut the roots and the weeds."

Gu Jin Nian voiced the thoughts in his heart.

This is why he seeks to eradicate Buddhism.

"The Buddhist sect is one of the great world religions; such a presence, if left unchecked, will inevitably cause a great disaster. Gu Jin Nian has no duty to aid them, yet the sect has already extended its hand into the Da Xia Dynasty."

"Therefore, from any standpoint, Gu Jin Nian must eradicate Buddhism."

After finishing his speech, the abbot of Tianyun Temple fell silent instantly.

"The weak give rise to inner demons, wielding knives toward the even weaker."

"The strong give rise to inner demons, reaching for worldly affairs."

He understood, fully grasping Gu Jin Nian's intent to eradicate Buddhism.

Especially the few sentences Gu Jin Nian mentioned—the crisis of Jiangning County and what the Buddhist sect has done over the years—though he had not entered the core, he was still a person of some standing within the sect and understood a bit.

He knew some things, but not many; now Gu Jin Nian has laid the sect's unsavory deeds on the table, leading him to a complete enlightenment.

"Amitabha."

"It is this old monk's attachment,"

"Lord, may I have half an hour? I will persuade them to return to lay life."

The abbot of Tianyun Temple understood, clasped his hands together, and said to Gu Jin Nian,

"Very well."

Gu Jin Nian agreed; the other party could reason, which was the best outcome.

Soon, the abbot of Tianyun Temple walked out of the main hall.

His voice rang loudly as he urged the people to leave and also persuaded the other monks to return to lay life.

But what he did not anticipate was.

Most of the civilians did not choose to leave; they still insisted on staying here for two reasons: first, their faith in Buddhism; second, some monks were unwilling to go, refusing to leave even in death, and they also urged other civilians to resist here.

In an instant, the Tianyun Temple Abbot was somewhat shocked, and he gradually understood the grave mistake Gu Jin Nian had spoken of.

Time passed bit by bit.

After the Tianyun Temple Abbot's efforts, fewer than a quarter of the Buddhist monks chose to return to lay life; as for the civilians, half left, while the rest remained here.

Gu Jin Nian quietly watched all of this.

Half an hour passed.

He said nothing.

"Lord, give me another half hour, give me another half hour."

The Tianyun Temple Abbot spoke at a rapid pace, hoping Gu Jin Nian would grant him another half hour, because he believed he could persuade them successfully.

He did not want these monks to be sacrificed in vain.

"Fine."

Gu Jin Nian still stood with his hands behind his back, agreeing.

Thus, the Tianyun Temple Abbot continued his persuasion, speaking until his mouth was dry, invoking Buddhist teachings and reasoning, almost as if he were about to act.

But that half hour only managed to persuade about two hundred monks to return to lay life; the civilians fared better, with over two thousand leaving.

At this moment, the Tianyun Temple Abbot looked at Gu Jin Nian; before speaking, Gu Jin Nian nodded.

Understanding the Abbot's intention, Gu Jin Nian promptly agreed.

Thus.

Another half hour.

Still another half hour.

As the discussion went on, not only did no one choose to leave; on the contrary, some monks returned.

"Yes."

"Returned."

Some lay disciples, for reasons unknown, came back again; their numbers were considerable, and within less than an hour, almost all had returned.

They not only returned themselves, but also brought some civilians back.

With this scene unfolding,

the Tianyun Temple Abbot could no longer contain himself.

"Why have you all returned?"

His roar rose, having painstakingly tried to dissuade them from leaving, yet they returned, even bringing civilians back.

The roar echoed, and these monks showed no fear; on the contrary, some monks turned to the Abbot and said,

"Abbot, you have been fooled by Gu Jin Nian; behind us are the common folk. If we leave, wouldn't we be allowing demons to run rampant?"

"Abbot, your mind is already chaotic, disturbed by Gu Jin Nian; awaken quickly."

These voices rang out.

The Abbot's thought was simply to have more people choose to leave; as long as they depart, they can live, free from trouble—this is the virtue of a good life.

What he did not expect was that his painstaking effort would be treated like donkey liver and lungs.

But the Tianyun Temple Abbot did not become angry.

He only showed a helpless and painful expression.

He was not angry at their insults, but their actions made him fully understand what Gu Jin Nian had meant earlier.

These Buddhist disciples had been completely controlled, manipulated by certain people.

They formed a malignant tumor, attaching itself within Buddhism.

Before, he only roughly understood; now he understood completely.

"Do you know why this lord gave you time?"

At that moment, Gu Jin Nian's voice sounded behind him, saying.

The Tianyun Temple Abbot remained silent, but his eyes streamed with tears.

"Because this lord knows they will not leave; you cannot persuade them—words ultimately cannot match a battle blade."

"It is a base flaw of human nature; until the moment of death, one will never realize one's error."

"As long as this lord's battle blade does not fall, they will never believe this lord would dare to act."

"But the true tragedy is that after the battle blade falls, they still think they are right—that is the real sorrow."

"Their whole lives have been deceived."

"Therefore, they have no need to remain in this world."

"You should leave; as for the matters here, this lord is present."

Gu Jin Nian spoke calmly, stating the core and all the reasons.

These people are beyond cure.

Yet the Tianyun Temple Abbot did not choose to leave; he silently watched everything.

After a brief moment, the Tianyun Temple Abbot turned, his gaze turning blood‑red, shedding thin streams of blood‑tears.

Gu Jin Nian frowned.

Because the other's eyes were filled with murderous intent, but not toward him.

"Benefactor."

"Leave quickly."

"This is my karmic debt; I will resolve it."

He spoke, just a single simple sentence, causing Gu Jin Nian's expression to change.

He could tell what the other side intended to do.

But Gu Jin Nian did not hesitate, leaving directly; the Tianyun Temple Abbot had already become possessed.

To be precise, it wasn't possession.

Rather, he refused to accept the fact and thus chose extremism.

At this point, even trying to persuade Gu Jin Nian would be difficult, and besides he had no need to persuade anyone.

Gu Jin Nian left Tianyun Temple.

Some monks and villagers who saw the scene couldn't help but be overjoyed, subconsciously thinking that Gu Jin Nian would never dare to act recklessly.

But just as Gu Jin Nian stepped down from Tianyun Temple,

a roar rang out.

Puff puff puff puff.

In the next instant, heads fell to the ground one by one.

Inside Tianyun Temple, ghosts wailed and wolves howled in an instant.

"Abbot, Abbot, what are you doing?"

"The Abbot is possessed, the Abbot is possessed."

"Abbot, why are you killing me?" "Don't kill me, don't kill me."

"Run, the Abbot is possessed."

Screams rose one after another; they never imagined that the one killing them would be their own Abbot.

Many monks and villagers fled; if they faced Gu Jin Nian, they would be unafraid, because they believed they were on the side of justice.

But now, facing the Tianyun Temple Abbot, they are terrified and fearful, because they feel death would be unjust.

It's just that a formation was set here; the villagers escaped, but the monks who possessed Buddhist teachings could not escape at all.

Two double‑hours.

A full two double‑hours.

Fresh blood dyed the temple red.

It looked extremely terrifying.

Inside Tianyun Temple, only the Abbot remained.

He stood there alone, looking at the corpses strewn on the ground, his eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness.

Finally, the Tianyun Temple Abbot's gaze fell upon Gu Jin Nian.

"Please, benefactor, continue onward."

The Tianyun Temple Abbot let out a roar; after speaking, a blaze of karmic fire spread over his whole body, and together with the entire temple, it ignited.

Outside the temple,

30,000 elite stared dumbfounded at the scene.

Tianyun Temple's tens of thousands of monks and a hundred thousand followers were solved like that by Gu Jin Nian's few words? Moreover, the killer wasn't Gu Jin Nian but the Tianyun Temple Abbot?

What kind of existence is this? They looked at Gu Jin Nian, inexplicably feeling a bit scared.

"Leave five hundred elite to erect a monument for the Tianyun Temple Abbot."

Watching the great fire of Tianyun Temple, Gu Jin Nian spoke slowly, left those words, and then left directly.

Thus.

Thirty thousand iron cavalry continued onward, now less than three double‑hours away from Guiyang County's Puhan Temple.

As for the Tianyun Temple incident,

in one double‑hour, it spread throughout the Eastern Wilderness Realm.

Da Xia's eradication of Buddhism itself attracted countless attention; many wondered how Gu Jin Nian would resolve the Tianyun Temple matter.

After all, a hundred thousand followers were there.

If forced, it would inevitably create murderous sin.

Yet no one could have imagined that Gu Jin Nian would not act, but the Tianyun Temple Abbot would act, slaughtering the monks.

When the matter reached the Da Xia Dynasty, civil and military officials fell silent completely.

Gu Jin Nian solved the matter with the best method.

Yet this seemed somewhat unbelievable.

However, the Buddhist sect, upon learning of this at once, felt only anger after the initial surprise.

"Gu Jin Nian has a huge connection with demonic paths, deceiving the Tianyun Temple Abbot, slaughtering monks, framing others—this is terrifying; it is demonic."

This is the shared stance of the three great Buddhist temples.

They racked their brains but could not understand why the Tianyun Temple Abbot would do this.

They couldn't figure it out, and it remained incomprehensible.

So they blamed all the fault on Gu Jin Nian.

But no matter how they said it,

the problem that follows is the biggest problem.

Puhan Temple.

This is Gu Jin Nian's final stop.

Now, throughout Da Xia's lands, all monks are under the control of the Lord of State Stabilization.

Now they just wait for Gu Jin Nian's single command.

As long as Gu Jin Nian chooses to kill.

Da Xia's war blade will fall without hesitation; at that moment, heads will roll.

If one chooses not to kill.

Then this eradication of Buddhism will also end in failure.

For the people of the world, choosing the latter is best; although the unlucky one might be only Gu Jin Nian, if choosing the former, the unlucky ones would not be just Gu Jin Nian.

The forces involved, I fear, spread across the world.

Inside Puhan Temple.

Three monks gathered in the main hall; before them stood an incense burner, on which drifted several wisps of green smoke.

And the green smoke also formed four humanoid figures, standing tall in the treasure hall.

"Pay respects to the divine monk."

Gazing at these four figures, the three senior monks of Puhan Temple all bowed in worship.

"Puzheng, Puyun, Puxin, the great change of Buddhism's future lies upon you three."

"This time, Gu Jin Nian goes to Puhan Temple; no matter what, we must force Gu Jin Nian to act; after he acts, our Buddhism will obtain Heaven's Mandate's blessing."

"If the Da Xia Dynasty eradicates Buddhism, it will surely incur heavenly punishment; although Buddhism may sacrifice part, overall, on the path of Heaven's Mandate, we already hold the winning ticket."

"When Buddhism obtains Heaven's Mandate and gives birth to the Eight Realms Ancient Buddha, we will then summon the Ancient Buddha, with supreme power, to resurrect you from the Eight Treasures Pool, grant you new life, and bestow fruition, to become a great flourishing Buddha."

The divine monk's voice sounded, full of temptation.

After the three senior monks of Puhan Temple finished hearing this discourse, their eyes could not hide their joy.

"We are willing to act for the sake of all living beings under heaven."

The three spoke in unison, their eyes resolute.

"Good, in the future you may reside in the Buddha's realm; then even we four must respectfully address you as Buddha above."

"The task of saving all living beings is entrusted to you; you must not disappoint Buddhism's expectations."

The four great divine monks nodded in satisfaction; thereafter the green smoke dissipated.

Afterwards the three withdrew their gaze, glanced at each other, and their hearts still held some fear and dread.

Although they believe in an afterlife and also believe the words of the four divine monks, now having to pay with their lives, they naturally are somewhat unwilling.

But they clearly understand that this matter must be handled by them.

And at this moment.

A voice also sounded from outside.

"Abbot."

"Gu Jin Nian has already led thirty thousand elite troops to completely surround our Puhan Temple."

The voice sounded.

The three did not rise, but waved their hands, opening the main hall.

All that could be seen was.

After the main hall doors opened, inside Puhan Temple, monks filled the seats; all monks awaited Gu Jin Nian.

Unlike Tianyun Temple, the monks inside Puhan Temple each emanated Buddha light, and the temple's formation had already been activated.

They are not simply waiting for Gu Jin Nian to come and kill him; rather they wish to debate the Dharma and mind with Gu Jin Nian.

To probe out the strongest martial force of the Da Xia Dynasty.

Relying on just one Gu Jin Nian is completely insufficient.

"The liberation rite, commence."

Master Puzheng spoke.

He had a blank expression, his demeanor calm as he spoke.

At this moment.

Outside Puhan Temple.

The thirty-thousand-strong army, day and night, finally arrived at the Yin hour.

Outside the temple.

The thirty-thousand army drew their war blades, completely sealing off the surroundings of Puhan Temple; with a single command, these thirty thousand elites would surge in like ferocious tigers, killing any monk they saw.

Outside Puhan Temple.

Not a single monk was present; only Gu Jin Nian and his companions rode on warhorses.

"Lord Marquis, the temple interior has already been laid with formations; be careful."

Wang Peng spoke, reminding Gu Jin Nian of the situation inside the temple.

However, Gu Jin Nian showed no fear at all, but instead waved his hand.

At that moment, Xu Jinming understood, and stepped forward a few paces, his voice resonant like a bell.

"The Heaven's Mandate Marquis of Da Xia has arrived; the monks of Puhan Temple come to pay respects."

The voice rang loud.

It also brimmed with overbearing aura.

Displaying the marquis's might.

And as this voice sounded, the gates of Puhan Temple slowly opened, but there were no monks; it was pushed open by magical power.

Puhan Temple is far larger than Tianyun Temple, covering nearly a thousand mu, with nine main halls inside the temple complex and a hundred other halls.

As the gates opened.

A terrifying chanting voice sounded; strands of golden Buddha light seeped out from the temple; in less than half a moment, Puhan Temple burst forth with golden radiance a hundred zhang tall; just this display already set it apart.

Puhan Temple is one of the most important temples of Buddhism in the Da Xia Dynasty.

Moreover, everyone knows that the Da Xia Dynasty intends to eradicate Buddhism, taking Puhan Temple as the final battle; Buddhism likely has already prepared all countermeasures.

"Amitabha."

"Marquis, your grand arrival is a blessing to this temple, but a salvation ceremony is being held inside; please forgive us for not coming out to greet you. If you don't mind, you may personally enter the temple to view."

"The voice of Abbot Puzheng sounded, cold and detached."

"Release Qingxian and the Yaochi Immortal Maiden, and this marquis will give Puhan Temple one chance."

"Those who take the blood oath to return to secular life shall not be killed."

"Outside the temple."

"Gu Jin Nian's voice sounded."

"He did not rush to exterminate the Buddha."

"But he wanted to first rescue the Qingxian Immortal Maiden and the Yaochi Immortal Maiden before speaking."

"Please, marquis, enter the temple to discuss in detail."

"Abbot Puzheng's voice sounded, still demanding that Gu Jin Nian enter the temple before speaking."

"Marquis, you must not enter; Puhan Temple has likely set up a heavenly net and earthly trap inside."

"If the marquis enters, there may be trouble."

"Wang Peng spoke up, immediately advising Gu Jin Nian not to enter."

"Since you've come, there's no need to worry about what tricks the Buddhist sect might play."

"Gu Jin Nian, however, appeared quite composed."

"He simply did not dismount, but rode his war horse into Puhan Temple, with Su Huaiyu following beside."

"But just before entering the temple, Gu Jin Nian's voice also sounded slowly."

"Convey this marquis's order."

"If this marquis suffers even the slightest harm inside, the iron cavalry will charge in, and immediately send word to His Majesty, asking the emperor to dispatch troops to conquer the Western Desert Buddhist Kingdom."

"Gu Jin Nian spoke, this is not to threaten the Buddhist sect but to tell them not to play any tricks."

"Otherwise, both jade and stone will be burned together."

"Subordinates obey the order."

"All the soldiers shouted in unison."

"The morale was high and spirited."

"Thus."

"Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu rode their war horses into Puhan Temple."

"The entire Puhan Temple is larger than imagined; at a glance, several hundred mu of flat land, and atop the three incense burners, the incense flourishes even more."

"The war horses galloped swiftly."

"Upon entering, the most conspicuous thing was a merit box."

"Seeing this box, Gu Jin Nian's eyes were full of contempt."

"When did merit become something that could be bought with gold and silver? This is truly the Buddhist sect's greatest ridicule."

"Past the merit box, the main hall of Puhan Temple soon came into Gu Jin Nian's view."

"On the main hall, tens of thousands of monks in robes chanted sutras; a faint golden Buddhist power flowed down from their bodies, gathering in the central area."

"And in the central area, there were two figures."

"One was the Yaochi Immortal Maiden."

"One was the Qingxian Immortal Maiden."

"They were bound by golden iron chains, these being the Buddhist fetters that imprisoned them both."

"The Yaochi Immortal Maiden was fine, but the Qingxian Immortal Maiden was extremely exhausted."

"She is a demon tribe member; in this place, at every moment she feels as if being cut by a thousand blades, the vast Buddhist power imprisoning her, her complexion pallid, utterly exhausted, and only upon seeing Gu Jin Nian did her eyes gain a hint of spirit."

"Seeing this scene, Gu Jin Nian's anger grew even greater."

"Jin"

"The Qingxian Immortal Maiden opened her mouth, showing extreme weakness."

"She wanted to say something, but could not."

"The Yaochi Immortal Maiden opened her beautiful eyes, looking at Gu Jin Nian; her gaze held no worry anymore, for she believed Gu Jin Nian could rescue them."

"Be at ease."

"I have come to rescue you."

"Gu Jin Nian spoke lightly, yet gave them a great sense of security."

"Amitabha."

"At this moment."

"Above the main hall of Puhan Temple, the three figures of Abbot Puzheng appeared before Gu Jin Nian's eyes; Abbot Puzheng pressed his palms together and uttered an 'Amitabha'."

"In that moment, all the monks bowed their heads and chanted the Buddha's name."

"The vast sound condensed immense golden Buddhist power, weaving chains, as if seeking to imprison Gu Jin Nian."

"Heaven and earth changed at this moment."

"The entire Puhan Temple also shot forth golden light, mighty and grand."

"A powerful aura permeated, and at this moment the voice of Abbot Puzheng also sounded."

"Gu Jin Nian."

"You, as a marquis of Da Xia, moreover a sage of the Confucian-Dao lineage, able to proclaim the establishment of destiny for the people, this old monk admires you."

"But I never expected that after leaving the Kong Family's Main Residence, you gave birth to inner demons, slaughtering three hundred thousand Xiongnu border troops, causing killing intent to arise within, violating the heavenly way, intending to act against heaven, to exterminate Buddhism and sever righteousness."

"Your myriad sins have been sensed by the heavens, but the Buddhist sect possesses the virtue of cherishing life; today I, Puhan Temple, gathering the strength of sixty-eight thousand monks, plus the vastness of the Buddhist sect, will deliver you over to become mortal, cleansing your heart."

Returning to the space between heaven and earth, the bright and vast universe.

Submit to the law!

Abbot Pu Zheng showed almost no hesitation; he gave Gu Jin Nian no time to react, and he didn't want to waste words.

As soon as he arrived, he intended to forcibly deliver Gu Jin Nian.

This deliverance ritual was not meant to deliver the Qingxian Immortal Maiden, nor the Yaochi Immortal Maiden; it was prepared specifically to deliver Gu Jin Nian.

The Qingxian Immortal Maiden is the Holy Maiden of Qingqiu.

The Yaochi Immortal Maiden is moreover the Holy Maiden of Linglong.

To be frank, even though the Buddhist Sect fears no two major powers, it still does not wish to offend them; imprisoning them for a period has already reached its limit.

Using them as bait is precisely to deliver Gu Jin Nian.

This is the plan of Puhan Temple.

And as Abbot Pu Zheng's voice sounded,

In an instant, the entire Puhan Temple trembled.

Golden light shot up to the heavens, turning into clouds, intertwining divine radiance, intending to directly imprison and deliver Gu Jin Nian and the others.

"May I ask, are the Buddhist Sect's methods really this despicable?"

But, at this moment,

A figure appeared.

Accompanied by a soaring sword intent, the golden firmament was split in two.

All that could be seen was a white‑robed middle‑aged man slowly descending before Gu Jin Nian.

The man formed a sword seal; his sideburns were snow‑white. Though middle‑aged, he was very handsome, and likely even more so in his youth.

This is Mister Dongfang.

He can also be called the Eastern Sword Saint.

His appearance caused astonishment throughout the crowd.

Even Abbot Pu Zheng and the others couldn't help but frown, not because they feared the Eastern Sword Saint, but because they felt disappointment and had not expected this.

It seemed they were expecting someone else to arrive.

Not the Eastern Sword Saint.

But it must be said that

The Eastern Sword Saint's entrance was incredibly cool—at least he was undeniably handsome.

"Amitabha Buddha."

"Eastern benefactor, this matter does not concern you; it is a matter of the Buddhist sect. Please leave, lest the innocent be harmed. Do not blame the sect for being ruthless."

The arrival of the Eastern Sword Saint did not cause the Buddhist sect any fear. Abbot Pu Zheng spoke, telling the Eastern Sword Saint to depart on his own, as if he possessed great confidence.

"Do you Buddhist sects even have the right to make me yield?"

But the Eastern Sword Saint showed no fear at all; he glanced sideways, hands clasped behind his back, fully embodying the reckless pride of a sword immortal.

He is a Sixth Realm strongman.

A peerless figure under heaven.

Naturally, he fears not the petty Pu Han Temple.

If it were one of the three great temples, he might have some hesitation; but for the mere Pu Han Temple, he cares not.

Seeing this scene.

Abbot Pu Zheng shook his head, then tossed the prayer beads in his hand; the eighty‑four beads transformed into eighty‑four shafts of golden light, sinking into the Pu Han Temple.

In an instant, a terrifying sound erupted.

A golden Buddha rose from behind the Pu Han Temple, towering a full thousand zhang, its grandeur striking fear.

The Buddha's light, covering sky and earth, illuminated half of Guiyang County.

It was terrifying.

"The Buddha's true form."

At that moment, the Eastern Sword Saint slightly furrowed his brow; his eyes indeed showed an unusual hue.

And that was not all.

The next moment.

When the Buddha's true form manifested, a demon‑subduing staff flew from the western desert, piercing the void and attaching itself behind the Buddha's form.

In an instant, the Buddha's light surged tenfold, enveloping the surrounding heavens and earth.

An unprecedented pressure surged forward in an instant.

The blinding Buddha light induced dread, and the wailing of Fairy Qing Qian echoed.

Although the Buddha's true form was not aimed at Fairy Qing Qian.

She is a demon; ultimately she could not withstand such terrifying Buddha power.

In almost a heartbeat, Gu Jin Nian spread his Wen Mansion with both hands, shielding Fairy Yaochi and Fairy Qing Qian, and summoned the Immortal King's jade carriage, surrounded by ancient verses, to block the blinding Buddha light.

"Sword Saint, act quickly; if the Vajra staff merges with the Buddha's true form, you cannot defeat it."

At that moment, Su Huaiyu's voice rang out.

She reminded the Eastern Sword Saint to strike.

He nodded, and a crimson celestial sword instantly appeared in his hand.

A terrifying sword aura spread.

But before the Eastern Sword Saint could act, a voice already sounded.

"Om."

This is a Buddhist chant.

Words of the ancient Buddha.

As this sound rang out, the sword intent that the Eastern Sword Saint had just condensed vanished in an instant.

It was directly dismantled by the merciless force.

"This Buddha's true form has been pre‑refined; it needs no unification and already possesses power comparable to the Seventh Realm."

"A grand move, truly a grand move."

The Eastern Sword Saint drew a deep breath, feeling an unprecedented pressure.

But in the next moment, the Eastern Sword Saint slowly spoke.

"It's a pity that, had it been twenty years earlier, I would surely have fallen here; after my defeat in battle with the Heavenly Devil Elder, I have already devised an undefeatable sword technique, invincible under heaven."

The Eastern Sword Saint's tone was calm, and his expression also turned stern.

Upon hearing this, people couldn't help but frown.

Indeed.

The Eastern Sword Saint is a peerless genius of the sword dao, undefeated in his life, yet twenty years ago he lost to the Heavenly Devil Elder.

He has been despondent for twenty years.

He is no longer ordinary.

The next moment.

Sword intent shatters the heavens.

All that could be seen was the Eastern Sword Saint disappearing from his spot, moving too fast to be discerned.

Everyone stared blankly at all of this.

Outside, the thirty‑thousand iron cavalry felt immense anticipation and tension.

But.

After half an hour.

The sword intent gradually dissipated.

The Eastern Sword Saint's figure also completely disappeared.

At this very moment.

Su Huaiyu couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

"Truly an undefeatable sword technique."

(End of chapter)