Chapter 377: I Can Be This Ancestral Master Too!

The Jin army is coming, the Jin army is coming…

I've paid all the general taxes and monthly levies—I even pawned my wife to others—why is there still no end to the taxes?

Ah Yu, where are your bones…

What private histories are you searching for? Can Qin Gui do it, but no one dare speak of it?

Gu Qing, in the clouds, after leaving Hangzhou, gazed farther and farther, seeing Jiankang ravaged by the Jin army—refugees everywhere, some still searching endlessly for their wives' remains; seeing common folk crushed under oppressive taxes, with no hope left; seeing Qin Gui silencing all dissent, filling the land with bitter complaints.

As he drifted through the clouds for a while, a vast gate suddenly appeared before him, guarded by two heavenly deities. Through his talismanic script, Gu Qing knew one was Shen Tu, the other Yu Lei—they guarded the Gate of Ghosts. When Guanyin Bodhisattva drew near, the two gatekeepers swiftly opened the gate, and Gu Qing followed behind, stepping onto the Yellow Spring Road.

"Huh?"

Gu Qing looked left and right, seeing his own soul-body glowing brightly on the dim Yellow Spring Road, its radiance illuminating the path clearly.

"The sun wheel turns, its light boundless."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said: "As the Buddha taught, this is the rising sun that dispels darkness, illuminating the dark valleys of mortal hearts."

The netherworld is also a dark valley of the human heart. Those who suffered in the mortal world hope that after a lifetime of honesty, they will receive good recompense in the netherworld.

"It is said that when the Buddha attained enlightenment, Mara caused two suns to appear in the sky, which the Buddha dispelled with his inner stillness."

Gu Qing said: "The Great Wisdom Perfection Treatise also records that even the brightest sunlight is but a thousandth-billionth of the Buddha's radiance—thus, sunlight is nothing; only the Buddha's light is mighty."

Gu Qing directly placed a high hat on Buddhism.

Guanyin Bodhisattva listened to Gu Qing's argument and smiled: "Then why not quickly take refuge in the Buddha?"

"..."

Gu Qing fell silent and followed Guanyin Bodhisattva into the City of the Wrongly Dead, where wailing ghosts filled the air—some victims of war, others of injustice, their hatred unyielding, their tears endless.

"The twelve links of dependent origination cycle endlessly; suffering in the mortal world never ceases."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said with compassion.

Hearing this, Gu Qing looked around and, relying on Guanyin's divine power, spotted several familiar souls among the millions of ghosts in the City of the Wrongly Dead. He pointed and ordered the netherworld's yin gods: "Add punishment to those few!"

Where Gu Qing pointed, the ghosts instantly understood. Liang Lian and Doctor Shi stood out among the spirits, staring at Gu Qing walking ahead of Guanyin Bodhisattva, frozen in shock.

This mortal playboy and this heartless physician had been killed by Gu Qing and now brought to hell, only to have Gu Qing, with Guanyin's presence, order them punished further… the two felt utterly bewildered.

What merit did they have?!

Wang Daoling's spirit was also there, now meek and submissive—he had merely wished for a clove incense in life, and Gu Qing had summoned the Northern Dipper Star Lord to kill him. Now seeing Guanyin still beside Gu Qing, Wang Daoling immediately ducked his head, prostrated himself, terrified of drawing attention from the petty-minded Gu Qing.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, seeing Gu Qing was unmoved, shook her head. She had brought him through hell to show him that the three realms are like a burning house, suffering cycling endlessly—only by destroying ignorance and afflictions could one attain true purity.

But Gu Qing clearly did not care.

As the Buddha's light spun, all around vanished into blur. Suddenly, Gu Qing came to his senses and saw himself back in the mortal world—but the city was desolate, decayed. Guanyin Bodhisattva, her hand glowing with Buddha-light, gently pointed, sending forth several children, then walked with Gu Qing along the street, saying: "The nine heavens open their palace gates; ten thousand nations bow before the imperial crown. Once, Chang'an was glorious—now it is fallen."

Is this Chang'an?

Gu Qing looked around and said: "The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva vowed: 'If hell is not empty, I will not become a Buddha.' I have seen the netherworld's horrors—I now wish to empty hell. First, the mortal world must be well-governed: justice must prevail, all beings equal. Then the netherworld becomes merely a place of rebirth, no longer needing to judge ghosts' sins—and thus, hell becomes empty."

Gu Qing spoke of his ideal of a well-governed world, sketched out a rough plan, and added: "If the mortal world truly is a burning house, there must be those who fight the fire."

Guanyin Bodhisattva listened to Gu Qing's words and felt his compassion matched that of the Buddha. She slowly nodded, her gaze toward him now holding something different.

"Your words, Daoist, are most profound!"

A voice called out along the street.

Gu Qing turned to see a man hurrying over, bowing to him: "I am Wang Zhongfu, honored Daoist, and this lady…"

Wang Zhongfu?

Gu Qing studied the man from head to toe, unable to suppress a smile.

Isn't this Wang Chongyang of my Quanzhen Sect!

Gu Qing smiled and explained Quanzhen teachings to Wang Chongyang, even claiming he founded the Caobang, and as he spoke, Wang Chongyang nodded repeatedly—every word struck deep within him. His own half-formed ideas, upon meeting Gu Qing, became as bright beacons guiding his path. Overwhelmed, Wang Chongyang knelt and begged to become Gu Qing's disciple.

Gu Qing accepted Wang Chongyang as his disciple and transmitted Daoist scriptures to him: "Study them well. If you have questions, come to Hangzhou and find me."

Master Qiu Chuji, forgive me—this position of Quanzhen Sect's founding patriarch? I can fill it too.

From now on, you call me Master, and I call you Master…

Wang Chongyang wept with gratitude—staying awake all night, he had truly attained immortality.

After Gu Qing took a disciple and transmitted the scriptures, Guanyin Bodhisattva turned her sleeve, and both figures vanished instantly, returning to Hangzhou without notice.

"Gu Qing."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said: "Fahai has cultivated scriptures for a thousand years. Though he once fell into demonic delusion, he will return to the right path. Show him mercy!" After this warning, Guanyin Bodhisattva stood still—but Gu Qing felt their distance rapidly widen, and in an instant, his soul returned to his body.

At this moment, the sun rose, its red disk leaping above the horizon. Gu Qing suddenly opened his eyes, sensing his Golden Core had shattered—within this single night, his Nascent Soul had fully formed.

As his mind turned, Gu Qing felt an intimate connection with the sun in the heavens.

In Jinshan Temple.

Fahai activated the golden bowl once more, seeking to spy on Gu Qing. The moment the light shifted, Gu Qing's form appeared—Fahai instantly felt searing pain in his eyes, his vision blurred, tears streaming uncontrollably.

"What's happening?"

Fahai rubbed his eyes, recalling the scene—the golden bowl had blazed blinding white. When he strained his inner power to look, his eyes nearly bled.

He could no longer spy on Gu Qing!

(End of Chapter)