Chapter 479: Buddha-Suppressing Grotto

Mountains undulating, stone cliffs standing a thousand fathoms high.

Stone grottoes were built within the cliff walls, densely packed with Buddha statues inside, some large, some small, some sitting, some standing, in various forms, with vivid expressions.

Walking between the mountain paths, one could see stone Buddhas standing in groups on both sides, some hidden, some visible, mottled and varied, fully displaying the posture of vicissitudes.

The autumn wind was leisurely, carrying fallen leaves dancing, scattering golden yellow all over the ground.

The afternoon sun penetrated the clouds, also plating the stone Buddhas with a layer of faint radiance, carrying five parts of eternity and five parts of Buddhist charm, as if walking through a Buddhist kingdom.

This place was the famous Dazu Rock Carvings.

A group of people walked between the mountain paths.

Sha Lifei wore a squire's robe, sitting on a sliding pole with a big horse and a golden sword, surrounded by servants in front and behind, very imposing.

Lu San wore a bamboo hat, like a servant following behind, very inconspicuous, occasionally pinching the Dharma seal to listen to the movement around.

And in front, there were several elderly craftsmen leading the way.

"During the Tang Dynasty, Wei Junjing, the Military Governor (Military Governor) of Jingnan Army, built Yongchang Fortress on North Mountain, and at the same time built the Northern Heavenly King and Thousand-Hand Guanyin statues. The style of cliff carvings only then began to flourish…"

"Since the Song Dynasty, the style of statue building has become magnificent. To this day, there are more and more statues in the mountains…"

"This is a blessed land. If Squire Sha is willing to invest in building a Guanyin statue, it will definitely increase blessings and longevity, and protect the family's wealth and prosperity for generations."

The old craftsman explained while stealing glances at Sha Lifei.

The Dazu Rock Carvings were famous all over the world. There were naturally many stone craftsmen in this place, and they even formed guilds, huddled together, and set rules.

As the saying goes, all things in the world are for profit.

The stone craftsmen naturally wouldn't work for nothing.

There were also quite a few people who invested in building statues. There were devout monks who begged for alms for decades just to build a Buddha statue in this stone grotto.

There were also wealthy merchants who traveled from thousands of miles away, from places like the capital and Jin Ling, to invest in building Buddha statues to show their devotion to Buddha.

This wealthy guest from Shanzhou was the same. Although his language was vulgar and he looked like a poor man who had suddenly become rich, a country bumpkin, he was quick to give money.

If he could be flattered well, his disciples wouldn't have to worry about food and drink for several years.

Thinking of this, the old craftsman's face became even more humble, and he flattered, "Squire Sha, I wonder how big you want to build?"

Sha Lifei touched his big bald head and laughed loudly, "That naturally the bigger the better, preferably the same as that one in Jiazhou."

Pfft!

A little stone craftsman almost laughed out loud.

The old craftsman glared at him fiercely, squeezed out a smile, and said, "To tell the truth, Squire, the Lingyun Giant Buddha is not easy to build."

"It was built in the early years of the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty and was interrupted several times. The Military Governor of Xichuan donated twenty thousand coins of his salary, and Xuanzong even bestowed the 'Ma Yan Tax,' but it still wasn't enough. It wasn't until eighty years later that the Giant Buddha was completed."

"You are wealthy, that goes without saying, but this time is too long, and you won't be able to catch up…"

The old craftsman did indeed have a way of speaking.

Clearly saying there wasn't enough money, yet finding another reason.

Sha Lifei was purely talking nonsense, but he didn't care when he heard it, touched his chin, and said indifferently, "That's true. However, the Buddha statue I build can be small, but it must definitely be extraordinary."

"When I was in my hometown, I heard about a matter. There was a place where many people died, and strange things often happened. They built a Buddha statue to suppress it, and it was immediately peaceful. I need one like that."

"In this place of yours, is there any such place? If there is a similar Buddha statue, then build one for me according to that appearance."

This was his true purpose.

They had arrived in this place for several days, searching in the mountains, and after several days without results, they pretended to be merchants to get information from the stone craftsmen who were familiar with this place.

The old craftsman was dumbfounded and shook his head, "Squire Sha is joking. This is a Buddhist holy land; how could there be any dead people."

"Besides, that thing, we can't build it either…"

He did indeed say a true word.

Buddha statues capable of suppressing evil objects required "zhuangzang" (filling the interior) and "kaiguang" (consecration), which not only required Mystic Sect craftsmen but also the help of Buddhist disciples.

Sha Lifei narrowed his eyes, "Can't build it even with money?"

The old craftsman answered truthfully, "Can't build it no matter how much money."

"Then forget it."

Sha Lifei suddenly lost interest.

"Don't!"

The little stone craftsman who had laughed secretly was suddenly anxious, "Master, isn't there one near Wangu Town? You also recognize it…"

"Shut up!"

The old craftsman's face changed drastically when he heard this.

Sha Lifei touched his chin, his face turning black, "You old man are a builder of Buddha statues, how come you are not honest and still hiding things."

"Hmph! Let's go. I don't believe it. Anyway, in this place, it's not just your family…"

Having said that, he waved his hand, and the servants hired with money immediately turned the sliding pole, preparing to leave.

The old craftsman's face flickered, and he glared at his apprentice fiercely again, then sighed, "Squire Sha, don't be anxious. This matter has a hidden story. Getting involved randomly is just trouble."

"Several decades ago, there was a martial world hero in this vicinity named Cai Jiuyuan. He worshipped the incense of the Maitreya Sect in Jinzhou, then returned to his hometown, led a rebellion, dominated Shu, and called himself the 'Nine Heavens Buddha Lord.' Later, he was wiped out by the Imperial Court."

"Rumor has it that countless people died in battle at that time, and Cai Jiuyuan himself turned into a ghost master to cause chaos. Later, a high monk from Mount Emei built a Buddha grotto, which was then able to suppress it."

"It's been too long. The common people of Wangu Town are now good citizens, living a peaceful life, and are very taboo about this matter. You must not go and ask around randomly."

"There are still some old monks guarding it. This old man is still familiar with them. If Squire Sha is interested, this old man will go and probe the tone first…"

These words made Sha Lifei feel a bit embarrassed.

After all, he wasn't really going to build any Buddha statue.

Thinking of this, Sha Lifei pretended to be impatient, waved his hand, and said, "It's just building a Buddha statue, why is it so troublesome."

"Forget it, I won't play anymore. This one hundred taels of silver is for you to take, consider it hard-earned money for running errands, don't say I don't follow the rules!"

Having said that, he turned and left with everyone.

Watching their departing figures, the stone craftsmen looked at each other.

"No sincerity, what Buddha to build…"

The little apprentice couldn't help but complain.

"Shut up, you talk too much!"

The old craftsman scolded, then shook his head and sighed, "Forget it, look for more. It's almost the end of the year. If we can settle the work early, we can all have a peaceful year…"

………

On the other side, Sha Lifei led people to the intersection, dismissed the servants after paying them, and then entered the dense forest by the road with Lu San.

"San'er, what do you think?"

Sha Lifei hurriedly asked.

"Hard to say."

Lu San shook his head, "According to what Brother Yan said, that 'Corpse Forest' is older. The Heavenly Bamboo illusion monk was a person of the Tang Dynasty, and his tomb was chosen near the Dazu Rock Carvings, which might be related to the 'Corpse Forest'."

"But the location of the 'Corpse Forest' was found in the secret scroll hidden by the saintess of the Wenxiang Sect. This 'Nine Heavens Buddha Lord' is also a person of the Maitreya Sect, perhaps there is also a connection."

"Why think so much."

Sha Lifei shook his head, "It's not easy to have clues, naturally we have to investigate. We'll go tonight…"

Before he finished speaking, Lu San suddenly looked up.

Only to see a black dot in the sky approaching rapidly, flapping its wings and landing with a clatter; it was precisely the falcon Lidong.

Lu San threw out a piece of rabbit meat, comforted it, and then took out the bamboo tube secret letter from under the falcon's feet to check.

After just two glances, his face became solemn.

"Something happened?"

Sha Lifei felt something was wrong and hurriedly asked.

Lu San's face was gloomy. He handed the letter to him and said coldly, "The Prince of Shu's mansion has taken action and issued a reward."

"Brother Yan, in order to buy us time, decided to act high-profile, fought all the way, and will transfer to Neijiang to join us."

"Issued a reward?"

Sha Lifei also finished reading the letter and cursed, "This Prince of Shu's brain was kicked by a donkey. He has a pile of shit on his own ass, why look for trouble with us."

"Not much time, let's go see tonight!"…………

In a corner of the wild mountains, a secluded valley is hidden.

Night falls, the firmament is like ink, without the brilliance of stars, only the swift wind passing through the valley, hitting the wall stones, making a whimpering sound.

At the deepest part of the canyon stands a stone grotto Buddha, about five zhang high, wearing a kasaya, wearing a Vairocana crown, holding a tin staff.

The Buddha statue is exquisitely carved. Although it has been a long time, it is still well-preserved. The facial features are compassionate and solemn, as if quietly watching the canyon.

This is a typical Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue.

But what is different is that on the stone walls around the Buddha statue, there are also carvings of roaring flames, bone-chilling ice, forests of knives, and ten thousand ghosts wailing.

This is the hell phase of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

The so-called "If hell is not empty, I vow not to become a Buddha," carving this form represents the Bodhisattva using wisdom and compassion to transcend the souls of the dead.

Below the stone grotto, there is also an ancient temple, not large in area, eroded by the years, the wall skin peeling off, the beams and pillars long since mottled.

The temple gate is half-open, and a bit of candlelight is dim like a bean.

!.

In front of the bronze Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue, several old monks are meditating.

Their monk robes are white and covered with patches. If they weren't washed clean, they would look no different from beggars.

They are all old, their figures hunched, white beards messy, cheeks sunken, covered with age spots.

Looking at it, they are like old zombies.

These old monks were the ones who built the Buddha statue back then. After so many years, only these few remain.

In the canyon, Sha Lifei lowered his body, holding a divine fire spear, occasionally observing the surroundings, his eyes full of vigilance.

"San'er, this place is a bit wrong."

Sha Lifei swallowed his saliva and said in a low voice, "Why do I always feel a chill on my back, as if something is staring at us?"

"Shh, there are people on the mountain, don't look up!"

Lu San pulled his clothes and reminded him in a low voice.

Sha Lifei understood, deliberately pretending not to notice, and said in a low voice, "Are there others staring at this place? What's their background?"

"Don't know."

Lu San said in a low voice, "They used paper puppet techniques, their cultivation is average, but there are many of them, all hiding in the caves above the valley, so I didn't notice when entering the mountain."

Although that was the case, Sha Lifei didn't dare to be careless, thoughtful, and said, "Leaving now would instead arouse suspicion. Pretend to be two small thieves and figure out what's going on first."

After walking not far, they finally saw the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue in the distance, and the dim candlelight below.

Lu San's face changed slightly, and he stopped.

"What's wrong?"

Sha Lifei was startled.

Lu San looked at the distant statue and said in a deep voice, "This place really has a problem; that Buddha statue can suppress divine abilities."

In Wushan, he accidentally dreamed of entering the Goddess Palace and succeeded in building a building, and like Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan, he reached the Third Floor.

At the Third Floor, one can awaken new divine abilities.

Perhaps because of the accidental building of the building, Lu San didn't awaken new divine abilities, but his original ear divine ability became more powerful.

At this time, the range he could hear with his divine ears was twice that of Li Yan, reaching several hundred meters away.

Any small movement couldn't escape his ears.

Besides this, he could not only understand bird and beast language but even hear some information from the plants there.

It could be said that it far exceeded the same level of ear divine ability.

But even so, it was suppressed.

This situation only appeared in those famous mountains and rivers, Daoist temples and Buddhist temples with flourishing incense.

"What to do?"

Sha Lifei asked in a deep voice.

He had rich martial world experience and could handle some things, but when it involved Mystic Sect things, he could only let Lu San handle it.

Lu San pondered for a moment, looked at the distance, and said in a muffled voice, "Go see, we don't have time to drag it out anymore."

"Okay."

Sha Lifei gritted his teeth and gripped the divine fire spear in his hand.

The two walked forward cautiously. Fortunately, nothing happened along the way, and they arrived safely outside the ruined temple.

"Sigh~"

Before they could speak, an old sigh rang out in the ruined temple, "Benefactors, you still won't give up?"

Sha Lifei rolled his eyes and laughed, "Master, you misunderstood. We are not villains, we just want to ask about some things."

An old monk in the ruined temple slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were white, and he had long since gone blind.

And the other old monks were the same.

"Go."

The leading old monk said calmly, "Some things have no fate with you. Getting them is a disaster; why bother, benefactors?"

Sha Lifei was a bit speechless, "Hey, you monk, I already said we are not villains, and you drive people away without asking clearly."

Another old monk spoke, "This place is desolate. Since you are not villains, why come here?"

Sha Lifei replied, "Came to find something?"

The old monk said, "Is that thing yours?"

Sha Lifei shook his head, "No."

The old monk sighed, "Isn't that the same?"

"You…"

Sha Lifei suddenly had a big head.

He was also good at talking, but he felt that he couldn't communicate with this old monk at all; he couldn't even get to the point.

Lu San suddenly looked behind him, couldn't bother with nonsense, bowed in a deep voice, "Masters, we are

He could already tell that these monks were old and not any kind of experts; he estimated they were not far from death.

Who would have thought that the old monks would ignore them completely after listening.

Lu San was helpless and had to say, "We are looking for the 'Sita Forest'."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the monks finally changed slightly.

The leading old monk was silent for a moment, "Come in."

Sha Lifei and Lu San exchanged glances, and cautiously, one after the other, entered the dilapidated temple.

To their surprise.

There were no formations here, no mechanisms.

It was just a crumbling, shabby, dilapidated temple.

At the same time, dense footsteps appeared in the darkness of the canyon.

A group of people holding weapons strode over.

They were all different in appearance—monks, Daoists, men, women, and even men dressed as hunters.

As soon as they appeared, they surrounded the dilapidated temple.

The leader was a fat man who looked like a merchant, with a kind face, but his eyes were unusually cold, "Old monk, we don't have time to waste with you anymore."

"Speak quickly, where is the Buddha Lord's tomb hidden?"

When Sha Lifei heard this, he had a guess in his heart.

These guys are people from the Maitreya Sect...

(End of chapter)