Chapter 430: 436. Chapter 436: Sea of Bitterness

436. Chapter 436: Sea of Bitterness

Airis suddenly burst forth, not because she had made preparations.

Quite the opposite, Airis had not accumulated enough strength; this action was launched hastily.

The reason is simple.

This brothel was designated to host the annual Unobstructed Assembly of Great Virtue City, receiving the eminent monks of all famous temples in Great Virtue Prefecture.

The seventeen girls undergoing training, still unfinished products, were also required to attend and provide accompaniment.

If any high‑ranking monk who fancied this took a liking to one or several of the girls, the fortunate girls chosen would have to accompany the eminent monks with cheerful smiles while they studied the Blissful Buddhist Dharma.

White lotus can grow in the mire, but it may only be admired from afar, not trifled with.

Airis had means to protect herself, but with so many cultivated monks surrounding her, it would be troublesome to keep her first batch of followers under her sway.

Thus, Airis wanted to flee.

However, before leaving, she simply decided to go all out—slaughter this brothel and burn its sins away in a fire.

A fire breaking out in the city could not be taken lightly.

Especially since the brothel designated to host the Unobstructed Assembly was reduced to ashes in the blaze, it could not be disregarded.

The city lord's mansion and the famous temples outside the city each sent people to inspect the situation.

After an investigation, the city lord's retinue concluded that this was the work of a bandit stronghold on some mountain, and decided to report to the city lord and launch a large‑scale operation to exterminate the bandits.

The emissaries from the famous temples, however, stood before the water vat, gazing at the clear, translucent water and the white lotus quietly blooming within.

"Namo Amitabha Buddha."

After a long while, the young monk with handsome features pressed his palms together, recited a Buddhist chant, turned, walked a few steps, and came to the place where Airis had entered the fire.

"Is it a Buddha's enemy?"

The young monk muttered to himself, "Or perhaps a Buddha's calamity?"

He lifted his gaze to the sky, where three great suns hung in the firmament; his expression was complex—filled with compassion, yet also a desire nearly overflowing, and a deep‑seated pain hidden in his eyes.

"I hope it is the Buddha's enemy, not the Buddha's calamity!"

With a sigh in his heart, the young monk decided that after returning to the mountain, he would no longer engage with the mortal world, would retreat into seclusion to cultivate, and await the day when the dust settles.

Whether it be the Buddha's enemy or the Buddha's calamity, both are a great catastrophe.

Of course, the waves that the latter can stir up far surpass those of the former.

Meanwhile, Airis led sixteen girls and twenty‑three courtesans who had sincerely sworn allegiance through the fire to arrive at the foot of a mountain.

This mountain is named Liang Shan, a place name Airis heard from Gui Gong, and after some inquiry and scouting, she confirmed it as their settlement.

"Let's rest first."

Not rushing up the mountain, Airis found a mountain hollow and gave her orders.

Upon sudden drastic change, whether older women or young girls, their hearts were uneasy, pounding wildly.

Having received Airis's orders, they hurried to find a clean spot to sit and calm their emotions.

Airis paid no heed to these people, instead adjusting her own state to adapt to her surging power.

It was not that Airis's status was insufficient to wield power equivalent to a third‑rank witch; rather, the different systems required an adjustment period.

What she now uses is the "Unborn Parents Revered God Method" left behind by that "I," relying on resentment and faith to achieve the White Lotus Holy Mother, even the Unborn Old Mother.

Now, faith has a seedling, and resentment has found its source.

What Airis needs to do is to quickly master this power, rather than be mastered by it.

Otherwise, even if Airis did not wish to become that "I," nor to become the White Lotus Holy Mother who, in the ninth trial of the special wasteland world disturbed after, ultimately destroys myriad worlds, she would still have to lose her nature and become that "I" or the White Lotus Holy Mother that destroys countless worlds.

At least having prior experience, Airis quickly completed her adaptation.

The girls and women who could calm their minds had done so; those who could not needed no further attention. Airis rose and headed up the mountain.

Seeing this, the girls and women hurried to follow.

Liang Shan had once been occupied by a band of brigands, who later killed a monk, provoking a Buddhist temple.

Liang Shan, which the city lord's mansion and the great clans had been unable to subdue for years, was utterly wiped out in a single night.

The raging fire burned for three full days, reducing everything on Liang Shan—people, insects, birds, beasts, trees, and grasses—to flying ash before it finally died down.

More than ten years later, Liang Shan had somewhat recovered vitality, yet no bandits dared to occupy it again.

Everyone was rumoring that the Buddha Lord had placed a curse upon Liang Shan.

Anyone who went up the mountain would die suddenly.

This was not merely a rumor; indeed, some people who could no longer bear life wanted to go to Liang Shan to hunt and reclaim land.

However, the game was indeed hunted, the wasteland was indeed reclaimed, but not long after, those who went up the mountain would see their health deteriorate and then die untimely.

As such examples multiplied, the claim that Liang Shan was cursed by the Buddha Lord spread widely and was firmly believed.

So, is Liang Shan actually cursed by the Buddha Lord?

Airis came to an inconspicuous cliff face on the mountainside and silently regarded the wall, as smooth as a mirror.

"Heh! Compassion!"

A hint of a sneer curled her lips as Airis raised her right hand and pushed forward toward the cliff.

In an instant, a five‑fingered palm print, with exceptionally clear palm and finger lines, appeared on the mirror‑smooth cliff face.

At the center of the palm, a cloth inscribed with a Buddhist verse was ground to fragments and scattered on the wind.

The girls and women could not discern how exquisite Airis's move was, how lightly it bore great weight, or how admirable it was.

They only felt that Liang Shan had instantly become different.

From its previous half‑dead state, it suddenly burst forth with vigorous vitality.

Even the air they breathed became much fresher.

Even the birds' chirping began to sound lighter.

「Let's go, we're going up the mountain. 」

Airi Si didn't give much time for sentiment, she put down her hands and continued forward.

The girls and women hurried to catch up.

Soon, the group arrived at the peak of Mount Liang.

「Logging, building houses, reclaiming land, planting, and animal husbandry. 」

She coldly uttered five words, and Airi Si took the lead in action.

The sixteen girls didn't think about anything else, they immediately followed suit.

The women, who had been raised like caged goldfinches in brothels since childhood, accustomed to the 'easy' life of making money at a glance, looked at each other in dismay.

But thinking of the fate of those who dared not or did not want to enter the fire.

Even if the women were reluctant in their hearts, they still joined in the work.

After just a few bouts of work, their delicate but pampered white hands were split open, their backs ached, and they panted.

If they could, the women would really like to drop the task and quit.

However, faced with the threat of death, the women had no choice but to follow Airi Si in doing hard labor, building a new Mount Liang stronghold.

Time passed like that, day by day.

Half a month later, Mount Liang was completely renewed.

On the peak, a dozen or so crooked wooden huts were built, barely habitable.

Everywhere suitable for opening fields was cleared and planted with rice, wheat, beans, vegetables, and fruits.

They also built several cattle pens, pigsties, sheep pens, chicken coops, and duck sheds, raising cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, and ducks.

Although these structures and chores were not very proper, and the possible harvest might be scant, the girls and women derived a great sense of accomplishment from them.

「It turns out labor is such a beautiful thing. 」

Their hands grew rough, their faces tanned, their waists thickened, their arms grew stronger, and the women's spirits changed. Just as the women and girls alike were filled with hope for the day their labor would bear fruit, Airi Si gave another order to go down the mountain.

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

Now is the time for the girls and women who have initially become sparks to expand their ranks.

Airi Si's demand of the girls and women is simple: to tell the poor people oppressed, exploited, and humiliated by Buddhist temples and monks the principles she has taught them over the past half month.

Whoever can bring five people back to Mount Liang becomes a Squad Leader;

whoever can bring ten people back becomes a Platoon Leader;

whoever can bring one hundred people back becomes a Centurion.

There is no upper limit.

Squad Leaders, Platoon Leaders, Centurions, and the like are merely titles, with few privileges; they can only manage and command subordinates of the corresponding numbers.

But just this much made the girls and women, especially the women, very excited.

They had always been ordered around by others; now they could actually command and manage others?

? ￠o

Such days really feel like a dream.

The girls and women grabbed some gold, silver, fine silks, dry rations, and water, then rushed down the mountain.

Airi Si stood on the peak, gazing at the descending troop, her eyes filled with some pain and some confusion.

Using an evil-leaning authority to overthrow another extremely evil authority— is that right or wrong?

「I am right. 」

After a long while, Airi Si whispered to herself, 「I am right! 」

The confusion and pain in her eyes vanished, a faint red light flashed by imperceptibly.

White Horse Temple.

After half a month in the Dharma Hall, Lin Ke finally obtained permission to end his secluded cultivation, leave the Dharma Hall and even the White Horse Temple, and relax.

Lin Ke had no intention of relaxing, but he still left the Dharma Hall and went to the Guest Hall.

「Master. 」

Having entered Monk Yuanzi's meditation chamber, Lin Ke saluted and greeted.

「Please sit. 」

Monk Yuanzi pointed to the futon before him and said softly.

「Thank you, Master. 」

Lin Ke sat on the futon as he had said, then bowed to Monk Liaochen to the side, 「Senior Brother. 」

「Junior Brother, how is the Dharma Hall? 」

Monk Liaochen asked with concern, 「Is the food to your taste? 」

Hmm……

Such concern is quite genuine.

Lin Ke shook his head and replied, 「Nothing beats the food at our Guest Hall. 」

「Haha, I knew it, our Guest Hall's food is the best. 」

Monk Liaochen threw his head back and laughed heartily, looking very proud.

Monk Yuanzi also smiled, as if the Guest Hall's good food were a rare honor.

After the master and disciple laughed, they got down to business.

Monk Yuanzi asked, 「Have you not yet been to the Bodhi Hall, Wufan? 」

「No. 」

Lin Ke replied truthfully, 「Upon entering the Dharma Hall, the abbot immediately demanded that I cultivate the Heavenly Eye, Heavenly Ear, and Knowledge of Past Lives; I haven't yet had a chance to go to the Bodhi Hall. 」

Hmm.

Monk Yuan Zhi nodded slightly, without asking whether you had succeeded, and said directly, 'Then we won't go for now. Get ready, and go with your senior brother to Broadforest Prefecture. The Prince of Broadforest intends to find a husband for his daughter, seeking a karmic bond with Buddhism. Our White Horse Monastery has long been on good terms with the Prince of Broadforest's residence, so we must send representatives. As for the master, just you and Liao Chen—the Guest Office will assign you as representatives.'

Yes.

Lin Ke agreed, but he felt something odd.

Buddhist monks openly marrying and having children?

Heh heh... interesting.

As he thought that, Lin Ke's heartstrings twitched, and the sense of fate returned.

This trip seems like it will encounter some interesting things.

Broadforest Prefecture, the residence of the Prince of Broadforest.

Mo Li looked helplessly at the veiled Luotesinuo before her and asked irritably, 'Are you sure that if I agree to find a husband, I'll be able to find my husband?'

I'm sure.

Luotesinuo slapped his chest, full of confidence, and declared, 'You are my sister-in-law by marriage, I am your brother-in-law by marriage, and I could never let my brother-in-law wear a green hat! Impossible! Absolutely impossible!'

Hearing Luotesinuo say that, Mo Li's gaze toward him grew increasingly suspicious.

It was full of doubt.

This deeply hurt Luotesinuo, who immediately protested, 'Are you doubting me? Are you doubting me? Am I really that kind of person? Huh? Am I really that kind of person?'

You are.

? c〇

Mo Li coldly spat out a sentence, nearly making Luo Te Si Nuo choke on his own saliva.

After fooling around for a while, Luo Te Si Nuo put away his frivolous attitude and earnestly said, "Don't worry, cheap sister-in-law, I really didn't trick you this time, just like when I said I'd bring you to meet cheap brother-in-law—I didn't lie to you then, did I?"

Okay.

Mo Li grinned, "I'll take it as you not tricking me. But you have to give me a guarantee, otherwise I won't rule out running away from the marriage."

Luo Te Si Nuo's face immediately turned as unpleasant as if he had eaten a fly.

If you walk night roads too often, you'll really encounter ghosts.

Fooling around too much ends up being used to manipulate him.

If it weren't for the fact that facilitating this prince's manor's son-in-law recruitment would greatly aid Luo Te Si Nuo's upcoming plans, he wouldn't bother enduring Mo Li's manipulation.

Alright, I'll give the guarantee.

Luo Te Si Nuo pouted, feeling wronged as he spoke.

While speaking, he also extended his right hand, handing over a thick stack of silver notes.

These were taken by Luo Te Si Nuo during this time after seeing wealthy families hoarding piles of silver they had nowhere to spend, living extremely hard lives; out of goodwill he helped them, taking the money to ease their burden.

Now Mo Li has squeezed out a large sum from him.

When giving a guarantee, a deposit is naturally the most effective.

Mo Li snatched the silver notes from Luo Te Si Nuo's hand and happily began counting them.

With this money, she could buy a few more print shops, print more books, recruit more troops, and accumulate more strength.

After observing for a while, Mo Li discovered that not only Guanglin Prefecture, but many places had become powder kegs.

As long as a spark falls, it will definitely trigger an explosion.

Once the people rise in revolt, the rule of those lofty Buddhist temples and monks will be struck.

No matter how fast the suppression, it will ultimately be internal consumption.

One's decline is another's growth.

As the Buddhist remnants' inner essence is consumed more, the difficulty for wizard and divine civilizations to overcome Buddhist participation decreases.

Lin Ke's mission completion becomes smoother.

Mo Li's heart was wholly set on Lin Ke and his mission, failing to notice a special emotion in Luo Te Si Nuo's eyes.

Seems sorrowful, seems pity.