Chapter 1837

The stronger one's ability, the broader one's vision. If the Buddha sees everything we do, why, with his power, doesn't he stop people before they commit evil?

Translation: Kongjian said: "The stronger a person's ability, the higher his vision; if the Buddha sees everything we do, with the Buddha's power, why doesn't he stop people before they do bad things?"

We need to keep quotes? Probably keep as is. Use English punctuation.

Hu Xiaotian thinks that since the Buddha doesn't exist, your question hits the point, but he couldn't bear to discourage this monk near demonic obstacle, and whispered: "The stronger the ability, the higher the vision; the Buddha is exalted above; the world we see is merely one of his myriad worlds; in his eyes, worlds are as numerous as dust motes—how could he care about what happens on a speck of dust? If the Buddha had to attend to every matter, wouldn't he be exhausted to death? Even if he could attend to and stop all evil, only good people would remain; if everyone were good, there would be no good and evil, no right and wrong—do you think the world would become better? Or would it become ambiguous, with no distinction between good and evil?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian thought, because the Buddha simply doesn't exist, your question hits the mark, but he couldn't bear to discourage this old monk who is nearly possessed by Buddhist practice, and said softly: "The stronger the ability, the higher the vision; the Buddha is exalted above, the world we see is merely one of his myriad worlds; the Buddha's world is as numerous as dust motes—how could he care about what happens on a single speck of dust? If the Buddha had to concern himself with everything, wouldn't he be exhausted to death? Even if he could concern himself and stop all bad deeds, then only good people would remain in this world; if everyone were good, there would be no good and evil, no right and wrong—do you think the world would become better, or would it become a confusion of right and wrong, good and evil indistinguishable?"

We need to keep as single line.

Kongjian fell silent, pondering for a long time before whispering: "You're someone we shouldn't interfere with worldly matters; let them unfold—good and evil will ultimately be repaid."

Translation: Kongjian, hearing this, was actually speechless; after pondering for a long time, he murmured: "You are someone we ought not to meddle in worldly affairs, letting them develop—will good and evil ultimately meet their retribution?"

Hu Xiaotian felt both laughter and tears; is the old monk worrying too much? He said softly: "Taking care of present matters is the fundament; compared to the whole world, an individual's power is ultimately too small, so we can only manage things around us; compared to history, our lives are truly too short, so we can only attend to immediate affairs. I handle these matters not because I like to meddle, but because I want to eliminate dangers around me, let my surrounding world become orderly, develop in a direction favorable to me, so that I, my beloved, relatives, and friends can live more comfortably."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian really found it both laughable and exasperating; is the old monk worrying too much? He said softly: "Taking care of what's before you is the fundament; compared to the whole world, an individual's power is ultimately too small, so we can only manage affairs around us; compared to history, our lives are indeed too short, so we can only tend to the present; I attend to these matters not because I like to meddle, but because I want to eliminate dangers around me, let my surrounding world fall into order, develop in a direction favorable to me, so that I and my beloved, relatives, and friends can live more freely."

Kongjian was stunned by such blunt and selfish words.

Translation: Kongjian, hearing such frank and selfish words, was utterly surprised.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Dharma is limitless; not using it is pointless. My abilities are limited, but I want to put them to good use. As long as I live this life happily, I don't worry about the next rebirth."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "The Dharma is boundless; not using it is wasted effort. My personal ability is limited, but I want to apply my limited ability where it should be used; as long as I live this life happily and joyfully, I don't care about rebirth in the next life."

Kongjian uttered: "Er..."

Translation: Kongjian said: "Er..."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I just don't get it—Master, you spend so much time worrying; why not go out and do something you can actually do?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I really can't understand; Master, you have so much time to agonize—why not go out for a walk and do more things within your ability?"

Kongjian said: "Think before you act; I can't even figure out what to think, so how would I know what to do?"

Translation: Kongjian said: "Think twice before acting; I, the old monk, can't even figure out what to think, so how would I know what to do?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Thinking without acting means you may die having done nothing you ought to have done."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "To think but not act—perhaps one will die having done nothing that should have been done."

Kongjian sighed: "Benefactor, you are truly out of the ordinary—no wonder everyone praises you; the sins of Yuan Kong have fallen on you, which is actually a fitting refuge."

Translation: Kongjian sighed and said: "Benefactor, you are indeed extraordinary; no wonder everyone praises you abundantly; the karmic sins of Master Yuankong falling upon you can also be considered a good destination."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I bear no grudge against Master Yuan Kong; at that time I acted solely out of self-preservation."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I harbor no ill intent toward Master Yuankong; at that time, the situation arose purely from the instinct to survive."

Kongjian said: "Maybe everything is fated."

Translation: Kongjian said: "Perhaps everything is predestined."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Master, could you tell me where my friend is?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Master, could you please tell me where my friend is?"

Kongjian replied: "Your friend? How would I know which one you mean?"

Translation: Kongjian said: "Your friend? How would this old monk know which one is your friend?"

Hu Xiaotian, seeing no need to hide it, said solemnly: "Ji Feihua!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian also had no need to conceal, and said in a low voice: "Ji Feihua!"

Kongjian said: "Ji Feihua?" He shook his head: "I don't know her."

Translation: Kongjian said: "Ji Feihua?" He shook his head and said: "I don't know her!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart sank; his first thought was that Kongjian was lying, but then he realized a venerable monk like Kongjian would hardly deceive him. Ji Feihua originally bore the surname Chu—perhaps they deny it for that reason? Hu Xiaotian said: "A few days ago I saw Master Yuan Mu at the Great Xiangguo Temple."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian's heart sank; his first thought was that Kongjian was lying, but then he realized that, given the stature of the eminent monk Kongjian, he could hardly deceive himself; Ji Feihua originally bore the surname Chu—could they be denying it because of that? Hu Xiaotian said: "A few days ago, I saw Master Yuankong at the Great Xiangguo Temple."

Kongjian asked: "How did that little monk tell you?" Although Yuan Mu is of high standing in Tianlong Temple, Kongjian refers to him as a little monk; normally Hu Xiaotian would have laughed, but now, concerned for Ji Feihua's safety, he couldn't.

Translation: Kongjian said: "How did that little monk tell you?" Yuankong holds an extremely high seniority at Tianlong Temple; in Kongjian's mouth he also becomes a little monk; normally Hu Xiaotian would have laughed, but now, because he worries about Ji Feihua's safety, he cannot laugh.

Hu Xiaotian said: "He told me Ji Feihua is trapped in Tianlong Temple and wants me to exchange the Heart Sutra of Prajna Paramita with him."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "He said Ji Feihua is trapped in Tianlong Temple, and he asked me to exchange the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra with him."

Kongjian frowned: "Did he really say that? A Buddhist disciple shouldn't resort to any means."

Translation: Kongjian furrowed his brows: "Did he really say that? How can a Buddhist disciple resort to any means?"

Seeing Kongjian's sincerity, Hu Xiaotian wondered if he truly knew nothing; if so, then everything must be Yuan Mu's secret plot. Hu Xiaotian said: "If that's the case, I'll take my leave, senior." As he turned to go, Kongjian said: "You can't go."

Translation: Seeing that Kongjian did not seem to be feigning, Hu Xiaotian wondered if he simply had no knowledge of this matter; if so, then everything might be Yuankong's secret scheming? Hu Xiaotian said: "If that's the case, junior dares to disturb senior; farewell!" As he turned to leave, he heard Kongjian say: "You cannot leave!"

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed: "Why?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in astonishment: "Why?"

Kongjian said: "I promised someone that I would detain any visitor, releasing them only after three days."

Translation: Kongjian said: "Because this old monk promised someone that whoever comes, I must detain him, and only after three days may I release him."

Hu Xiaotian felt a sudden alarm—had someone anticipated his arrival here? No, he came of his own accord; who could know him so well? Did they foresee his trip to Lieyun Valley, his visit to Bu Wu's mural cave, his discovery of the finger holes in the wall, his breaking through the rock into this cavern? Yuan Mu? Impossible—when he first arrived at Tianlong Temple, Yuan Mu wasn't even there, so he couldn't have known his actions. Kongjian?

Translation: Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a sudden alarm—it seems someone had anticipated his arrival here? No? Clearly it was he who voluntarily walked in; who would understand him so well? Did they predict he would come to Lieyun Valley? Or go to the cave where Bu Wu painted murals? And then coincidentally discover the finger holes in the wall, break through the rock and enter this underground cavern? Yuankong? Impossible—when he first came to Tianlong Temple, Yuankong was clearly not in the temple, so naturally he wouldn't know of his actions; Kongjian?

Hu Xiaotian looked at the old monk before him, calm and unhurried, and asked: "Are the two holes in the wall made by you poking with your fingers?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gazed at the old monk before him, unhurried, and said: "Are the two holes in the wall made by you poking with your fingers?"

Kongjian shook his head honestly and said: "Not me!"

Translation: Kongjian honestly shook his head and said: "Not me!"

Monks don't lie; this monk Kongjian wouldn't deceive him. Hu Xiaotian suddenly realized something—his heart clenched, a surge of hot blood rushing to his head; perhaps he had made a grave mistake. This is a trap, and the schemer is neither Yuan Mu nor Kongjian.

Translation: Monks do not tell falsehoods; this monk Kongjian should not be deceiving himself; Hu Xiaotian suddenly realized something—his heart felt as if seized by a hand, tightly squeezed, a surge of hot blood rushing to his skull; perhaps he had committed a grave mistake; this is a setup, and the person who arranged it is neither Yuankong nor Kongjian.

Ji Feihua's martial arts are extraordinarily strong; she could defeat Ren Tianying, and even against Yuan Mu she still has a chance. Even if defeated, she could likely escape unharmed. In Tianlong Temple, aside from Kongjian himself taking action, probably no one could detain Ji Feihua.

Translation: Ji Feihua's martial prowess is extraordinarily strong; she could defeat Ren Tianqing; even facing Yuankong she would not lack a chance of victory, and even if defeated, escaping unharmed should not be difficult. Surveying this Tianlong Temple, aside from Kongjian personally taking action, probably no one could restrain Ji Feihua.

Years ago, Ji Feihua was defeated in the imperial palace by three top masters joining forces; she fled at once to Tianlong Temple, hiding in this cavern. This can't be explained by mere familiarity—there must be someone in the temple she trusts, who aided her at the critical moment. Later, to avoid herself, Ji Feihua activated the reincarnation stone, sealing the well mouth, yet she could still escape unharmed. Even Bu Wu's evil nature wouldn't dare harm a seriously injured Ji Feihua; his concerns likely go beyond her, implying another party.

Translation: In the past, Ji Feihua was defeated in the imperial palace by three top experts joining forces; she fled at once to Tianlong Temple, hiding at that time in this underground cavern—this cannot be explained merely by familiarity; there must be someone in Tianlong Temple whom Ji Feihua trusts, and it was this person who helped her at the critical moment; later, to avoid herself, Ji Feihua activated the reincarnation stone, sealing the wellhead, yet she could still escape unharmed. Even Bu Wu's evil nature would not dare to harm a severely injured Ji Feihua; his concerns likely extend beyond Ji Feihua—there must be someone else.

Hu Xiaotian, having realized this, understood something; instead of fleeing immediately, he sat cross-legged opposite Kongjian and asked: "Master, do you know Chu Fufeng?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian, upon thinking this through, understood something; he did not immediately flee, but instead sat cross-legged opposite Kongjian, and said: "Master, do you recognize Chu Fufeng?"

Kongjian nodded: "If I hadn't met him, I wouldn't be content to remain an unknown sweeper monk."

Translation: Kongjian nodded: "If I had not met him, how could I have willingly become an unknown sweeping monk?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I see— the little girl you met is Ling Jiazi, correct?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I understand; the little girl you met is Ling Jiazi, right?"

Kongjian said: "Now I believe it—Benefactor Hu is truly the one destined by heaven."

Translation: Kongjian said: "Now I believe it—Benefactor Hu is indeed the one destined by heaven."

Hu Xiaotian laughed loudly: 'Who told you that? Ji Feihua?' He paused, then added: 'Perhaps you should call her Chu Feihua.'

Translation: Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing: "Who told you this? Ji Feihua?" He paused and said: "Perhaps you call her Chu Feihua."

Kongjian said: 'I don't know her name; I only know her surname is Chu and that she is a descendant of Chu Fufeng. That alone is enough for me to do anything for her.'

Translation: Kongjian said: "I don't know what her name is; I only know her surname is Chu, and that she is a descendant of Chu Fufeng—just that reason alone would make this old monk do anything for her."

Hu Xiaotian said: 'It seems you owe Chu Fufeng a great favor.' The situation is now clear: the mastermind behind the plot is Ji Feihua, with Yuan Mu merely an executor; his earlier actions were meant to lure him step by step into the trap. In fact, they were trying to draw in Qiqi.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "It seems you owe Chu Fufeng a great favor." The situation is now completely clear; the person behind the scheme is Ji Feihua, while Yuankong is merely an executor; his previous conduct was merely to lure me step by step into the trap; precisely, they wanted to draw in Qiqi.

Hu Xiaotian absolutely does not believe Ji Feihua would harm him; even now he still thinks that way, but regarding Qiqi it's hard to say. Ji Feihua also bears the blood of the heaven-chosen; she has seen another skull and understood its message. The more she learns, the more she realizes how terrifying the skull is—she once said she wanted to stop Hong Beimo and Qiqi's actions, and perhaps the simplest direct method is... Hu Xiaotian's heart suddenly sank.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian absolutely does not believe Ji Feihua would harm him; even now he still thinks that way, but regarding Qiqi it's hard to say; Ji Feihua likewise possesses the blood of the heaven-chosen, she has also seen another skull and comprehended its information; the more so, the more Ji Feihua knows how terrifying the skull is; she once said she wanted to stop the actions of Hong Beimo and Qiqi—perhaps the simplest direct method is…… Hu Xiaotian's heart suddenly sank to the valley's bottom.

Luring the tiger away from the mountain—Qiqi has Murong Zhuang and his warriors beside him, but even together they couldn't match Ji Feihua, let alone with Yuan Mu present.

Translation: Luring the tiger away from the mountain—though Qiqi has Mu Rongzhan and those warriors beside her, even combined they could not be a match for Ji Feihua, let alone Yuankong.

Kongjian only needs to detain himself, preventing his escape, for their grand scheme to succeed.

Translation: Kongjian only needs to trap himself, preventing his own escape, and their grand scheme will succeed.

Hu Xiaotian looked at Kongjian, sensing no vitality from him; if he remained silent, Hu Xiaotian felt not even a trace of life—such a near‑mythic high monk, his sole aim was to detain himself.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian gazed at Kongjian, feeling no sound from his body; if he remained silent, Hu Xiaotian could not even sense a trace of vitality; such a near-mythic eminent monk, his purpose is merely to detain himself.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'I must go.'

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I must leave."

Kongjian calmly said: 'You can't leave.'

Translation: Kongjian said calmly: "You cannot leave."

Hu Xiaotian said: 'They are making a grave mistake; by stopping me you become an accomplice!'

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "They are committing a grave error; stopping me makes you an accomplice!"

Kongjian said: 'I cannot become a Buddha because I still have something I cannot let go of; detaining you for three days will free me.'

Translation: Kongjian said: "The reason this old monk cannot attain Buddhahood is because there remains something in his heart he cannot let go; as long as I detain the benefactor for three days, I shall be liberated."

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Just because of that remark, you will never attain Buddhahood in this life!'

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Just because of this statement, you have no hope of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime!"

Kongjian said: 'Although your inner strength is strong, fully integrating and internalizing it for your own use still takes time, so you presently have many shortcomings.'

Translation: Kongjian said: "Although your internal strength within your body is formidable, to fully integrate and internalize all that strength for your own use still requires time, so you presently have many shortcomings."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and nodded: 'Even so, it may be enough to deal with you, old sir.'

Translation: Hu Xiaotian smiled and nodded: "Even so, it may already be enough to deal with you, old sir."

Kongjian said: 'The last time you visited Tianlong Temple, if you had your present cultivation I probably couldn't have detained you; but much time has passed, your inner strength keeps growing yet you still haven't broken through, whereas I broke through the innate realm three years ago—before me you have no chance at all.'

Translation: Kongjian said: "The last time you came to Tianlong Temple, if you had possessed your current cultivation, I doubt I could have kept you; but after so much time has passed, although your internal strength keeps growing, you still cannot achieve a breakthrough, whereas I broke through the innate realm three years ago; before me, you have not the slightest chance of victory."

Hu Xiaotian said: 'So you're saying I can't possibly beat you?'

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "So you're saying I fundamentally cannot defeat you?"

Kongjian said: 'You can't beat me!' He spoke frankly.

Translation: Kongjian said: "You cannot defeat me!" He was simply speaking the truth.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'What did you just say?'

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "What did you just say?"

Kongjian furrowed his brow; he had said quite a few things today—

Translation: Kongjian furrowed his brows; today he has said quite a lot— which sentence does Hu Xiaotian refer to?

Qiqi stared at the round moon outside the window; Hu Xiaotian still hasn't returned, and I wonder if he's run into trouble? He's always like that—loves adventure, loves to act on his own initiative. Fortunately I didn't give him the Heart Sutra; otherwise he definitely wouldn't have honestly confessed about the whole tree-climbing affair.

Translation: Qiqi gazed out the window at the round moon; Hu Xiaotian still hasn't returned—don't know if he's run into trouble? This fellow always likes adventures, likes to act on his own initiative; fortunately I didn't give him the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra, otherwise he would surely not have honestly confessed Yuankong's affairs.

Qiqi sighed, turned around, but saw that there was an extra person behind her. That person was like a jade tree in the wind, his bearing deep as mountains, a pair of bright eyes gazing steadily at her. Qiqi instantly recognized that the person before her was none other than Ji Feihua, who had long been announced dead. The shock in her heart was indescribable; she almost cried out for help, but immediately realized that even calling for help would be useless, for Ji Feihua's martial skill at such close range gave him ample confidence to kill her. (To be continued~^~)