Chapter 273: The Ten Demons

On the reef, those forty or fifty people, regardless of gender or age, all had their eyes tightly shut, appearing dazed and unconscious.

Not a single hair remained on their heads; they lacked only the incense scars of ordination.

Among them were Outer Path Heavenly Beings, scions of noble families, disciples of the Lei Ting Prefecture, several men and women transformed from demonic beasts of the Yao race, and even no lack of people from the Bapailiu Sect.

But the most striking figure

was a youth with a lean, sturdy, and tall build, and a cold, harsh countenance.

This person's appearance was ordinary, revealing nothing extraordinary, yet he concealed a sharp intent within his body, swift as a shadow and a meteor, dazzling as light and lightning, with edges exceedingly keen!

One glance was enough to know his background was extraordinary, absolutely not an ordinary fellow!

"He Dao Lian, a mad scholar of the Xiantianmo Sect, who specializes in torturing and killing the living; coincidentally, I, Old Zhou, specifically read this edition of the New Year's Review and recognized this man as listed among the top twenty of the Purple Mansion realm."

Zhou Ji clicked his tongue, glancing with great interest at the cold-faced youth, and said:

"Among this group, he is likely the one with the highest root nature and the greatest potential...

I originally thought you were beaten into such a miserable state because you kidnapped talented disciples of the Xuehe Sect and offended their people.

But now it seems it is not just the Xuehe Sect; you have also provoked the Xiantianmo Sect?"

"Lu Man of the Xuehe Sect was truly a fine seedling, sharing a unique karmic affinity with me, the Monk, so I could not help but feel a love for his talent; but this lad has close ties with several Heavenly King-level beings, and since one strike failed, I, the Monk, could only settle for capturing a few inferior ones.

But alas..."

Haha Monk chuckled softly, then chanted a true mantra, causing golden lotus secret scripts to instantly manifest on the foreheads of those forty or fifty people.

Buddhist light shone through, magic power circulated, soaring into the void, where colorful flower rain and curling incense smoke could faintly be seen.

However, Zhou Ji swept his gaze across them.

He saw that except for He Dao Lian,

the lotus secret scripts on the foreheads of the others were mostly scattered and broken, unable to form a complete whole.

While he was pondering this, Haha Monk said:

"The reason I, the Monk, came here to commit kidnapping immediately after escaping the Trapped Long Dong is not that I truly disregard my life, but because I received guidance from Yong Yong Wangfu, the Immaculate Light King Buddha; if I wish to certify the Bodhisattva fruit, I must do exactly this."

"Yong Yong Wangfu, the Immaculate Light King Buddha? What did he instruct you?"

Zhou Ji asked in surprise.

"I wonder if you, Leader, still remember that years ago, by a fortunate coincidence, I obtained a notebook from Master Master Kongkong, which recorded his insights into Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.

After obtaining this notebook, I treasured it like a gem, unable to put it down, keeping it tucked in my sleeve day and night, only lamenting that my fortune had finally arrived, allowing me to obtain such a rare opportunity..."

When Haha Monk spoke to this point, he sighed slightly and said:

"Later, when my skills had improved somewhat and I possessed the ability to protect myself, I specifically visited Master Master Kongkong's Dao field several times to pay my respects; although I was never received by him, on the final visit, I was summoned by Master Master Kongkong's eldest disciple, Elder Mu Sou.

Elder Mu Sou not only spoke words of praise for me but also specifically gifted me a scripture."

"Oh?"

At this, Zhou Ji seemed to recall something, his eyes flashing slightly.

"Now that you mention it, I do remember."

After a moment of silence, Zhou Ji spoke solemnly:

"The 'Sutra of Wisdom Severing Emptiness and Nirvana'...

What Elder Mu Sou gifted you back then was precisely that strange book which appears to be a Buddhist canon but is in reality a Heavenly Demon Scripture."

The awakened wisdom obtained through severance is named the Fruit of Wisdom.

The principle of cessation obtained through severance is named the Fruit of Cessation.

All Buddhas and Tathagatas do not give rise to afflictions; this is named Nirvana. All wisdom encounters no obstruction in the Dharma; this is being a Tathagata.

'Nie' speaks of non-birth, 'Pan' speaks of non-extinction; non-birth and non-extinction are named Great Nirvana...

Although the 'Sutra of Wisdom Severing Emptiness and Nirvana' appears to be a Zen scripture revealing Buddha-nature, speaking of perfect completeness and a vajra treasure vault,

the principles within the scripture are not simple, secretly harboring malicious intent.

When Zhou Ji first heard the name of this scripture,

Haha Monk was already deeply harmed by it, trapped in an obstacle of views, struggling bitterly yet unable to find liberation...

"Though the ten thousand years spent in the Trapped Long Dong were hard to endure, the tribulation punishment of golden wind and fierce fire also eliminated my previous demonic nature.

Furthermore, having cultivated the True Body of the Brahma Wheel Bright King, I have since obtained the Dharma-nature Treasure Mountain and the aspect of reality, no longer tormented day after day by obstacles of views.

Whether this is a disaster or a blessing,

it is truly difficult to say..."

While Zhou Ji was pondering, Haha Monk voluntarily spoke up.

Ignoring the strange look Zhou Ji cast at him, he continued on his own:

"Leader, do you know that the Great Bodhisattva has ten kinds of demons? What are the ten?

They are: the Aggregate Demon, because it gives rise to all grasping; the Affliction Demon, because it constantly mixes and defiles; the Karma Demon, because it can create obstacles; the Mind Demon, because it gives rise to arrogance; the Death Demon, because it abandons the place of birth; the Heavenly Demon, because of self-indulgent pride; the Good Root Demon, because it constantly clings;

the Samadhi Demon, because it long indulges in flavor; the Good Knowledge Demon, because it gives rise to attachment; and the Pu Ti Fa Wisdom Demon, because it is unwilling to let go.

After I temporarily suppressed the obstacle of views and was released from the Trapped Long Dong, Yong Yong Wangfu, the Immaculate Light King Buddha, specifically sent me a letter teaching me how to completely eliminate the hindrance caused by the 'Sutra of Wisdom Severing Emptiness and Nirvana' and cultivate the Bodhisattva fruit!"

Zhou Ji's expression froze, and he hurriedly asked, "How?"

"The Ten Demons!"

Haha Monk pointed at those people on the reef and shouted:

"Once the Ten Demons are separated out, I too shall achieve success in the Extreme Bliss and sit firmly upon the lotus throne!"

Separating out the Ten Demons was not merely separating out Haha Monk's ten types of suffering.

It likewise requires splitting off his flawless holy path, tantamount to dissecting a Dao fruit!

These people on the reef are the "Ten Demons" Ha Ha Monk has chosen for himself, serving as cauldrons to bear the medicine!

And once truly selected as Ha Ha Monk's "Ten Demons,"

though there will be no danger to one's life, one's cultivation will instead surge greatly.

Yet one's upper limit will also be locked; no matter how hard one strives afterward, further progress in cultivation will be nearly impossible...

"Not everyone can bear my ten types of suffering and become one of my Ten Demons.

With the aid of Wu Liangguang Tian's King Buddha, I have already found vessels for seven demons, but for the final Samadhi Demon, Good Knowledge Demon, and Pu Ti Fa Wisdom Demon, suitable candidates remain elusive."

Ha Ha Monk said solemnly:

"Guided by Wu Liangguang Tian's King Buddha, I specifically traveled from Wu Liangguang Tian to Xudu Heaven to find vessels for the remaining three demons. Leader, only you can assist me in this matter; I cannot succeed without you!"

"Among these forty or fifty people here, only He Dao Lian displays a flawless lotus pattern on his forehead... It seems this He Dao Lian could serve as your so-called Samadhi Demon?" Zhou Ji asked.

Seeing Ha Ha Monk nod slightly, Zhou Ji thought for a moment and said with some difficulty:

"You baldy want me to help you; surely you don't expect me to block people from Xiantianmo Sect for you?"

"No, no. This He Dao Lian is hated by both heaven and earth; his death is well-deserved. Xiantianmo Sect will certainly not seek trouble with me! However, let us not speak of this for now."

Ha Ha Monk laughed loudly:

"Leader, that Lu Man shares a significant karmic connection with me; he is perfectly suited to be my Good Knowledge Demon! However, his status is extraordinary, and Xuehe Sect will surely not let this rest.

In this regard, I still need your assistance!"

"..."

Zhou Ji scratched his neck and said, "Even if this person can serve as your Good Knowledge Demon, what about the final Pu Ti Fa Wisdom Demon? What then?"

Hearing this, Ha Ha Monk merely smiled slightly but did not answer.

"I must ponder this carefully..."

After thinking for quite some time, Zhou Ji finally shook his head slowly and sighed:

"Wait a few days, and I will give you my answer.

Until then, do not act rashly; otherwise, if you are beaten to death by Xuehe Sect, do not claim that Laozi is cold-hearted and unwilling to save you!"

Meanwhile.

In the East Sea, aboard a cloud carriage.

After listening to the account, Chen Heng looked at Chen Chan opposite him, his eyes flashing slightly, and suddenly said thoughtfully:

"If what you say is true, that Chen Chen Yushu's 'Scripture of Rearing Humans' was created by Master Master Kongkong, and that he also shared a deep friendship with Master Master Kongkong's eldest disciple, Elder Mu Sou, addressing each other as fellow disciples,

then does that mean Chen Chen Yushu and Master Master Kongkong... were also master and disciple?"

(End of Chapter)