Chapter 458

Liu Junyan's words made me feel strength, giving me the courage to affirm myself.

I lifted my gaze to look at him and said seriously, "But if I and the Seven Halls Yama have no problem, then the problem seems even greater."

One who dares to snatch a person from the Seven Halls Yama's hands, dares to smear his existence without restraint; one who can alter others' memories across lifetimes, disturb their minds—how formidable must his ability be?

He is stronger than Diluan.

Diluan might make me feel hard to deal with, but this person, however, makes me feel chilled.

Liu Junyan also grew solemn: "A single Hēimǎng, yet it possesses such ability?"

Yeah, that guy's true form is clearly a Hēimǎng.

No, that's not right—his body is a Hēimǎng, but from the neck up it's very strange.

I pondered: "At first sight of the Hēimǎng's body, I thought of Liu Zhengfeng, but upon seeing his head……"

"Impossible to be Liu Zhengfeng." Liu Junyan said firmly, "To put it precisely, even if his outward form is Liu Zhengfeng, his inner self must have long been replaced."

I suddenly understood: "In other words, Liu Zhengfeng was very likely seized long ago; the other party not only controls his flesh but also made a series of alterations."

This explains why Liu Zhengfeng looks consumptive, yet Second Master Liu always fears him.

Second Master Liu becoming a patchwork monster is likely also their doing.

They are all experimental subjects.

Including the instigator himself.

This matter still needs careful investigation; it can't be rushed.

I've said all I needed to Liu Junyan, then took his hand and asked, "Āyàn, what about you? Do you have anything you want to tell me?"

What is destined to come will always come; what must be faced still has to be faced.

Liu Junyan blinked slightly, then realized what I was asking: "Yes, Xiao Jiu, that moment has already arrived."

Indeed.

I really wanted to willfully ask him, "Can you not go?"

But when the words reached my lips, they turned into: "When are you leaving? I'll help you pack."

I let go of him, fumbled to open the wardrobe: "Summer's almost over, should I bring some warm clothes? Ten years… the cycles of cold and heat, you'll be traveling everywhere—how can I carry all this? Maybe I should bring more money; buy what's lacking on the road, take a bag, pack some daily necessities……"

I took the bag and went to the washstand; his things there weren't many, but once taken away, it felt half empty.

My heart also instantly felt empty, my nose soured, I wanted to cry.

Behind me, Liu Junyan silently embraced me, pulling me into his arms again.

I held back my tears and said, "Don't worry about leaving; Dang Pu has many people helping me, I and the child will be fine—ten years… will pass in a blink, and when the time comes, just remember to come home."

As I spoke, my voice began to tremble uncontrollably.

Even though Liu Junyan hasn't left yet, I already feel myself starting to miss him.

I've long grown accustomed to his presence; it's hard to imagine how severe my withdrawal would be if he suddenly left, or how long it would last.

"Not leaving for now."

Liu Junyan then suddenly said:

"Huh?"

I widened my eyes in disbelief: "How long is 'temporarily'?"

"Still uncertain." Liu Junyan lifted his hand to pinch my cheek, saying, "Right now there's a mess of unfinished business, and you haven't reached Nirvana yet—how could I possibly walk away and leave you in peace?"

I frowned: "But Empty Silence Abbott didn't say……"

"Are his words an imperial decree?" Liu Junyan said matter-of-factly, "Even if it were an imperial decree, for you I'd dare to oppose it."

The corner of my mouth twitched, and tears instantly filled my eyes.

Liu Junyan embraced me, speaking earnestly: "When I first merged with the Copper Coin Person, perhaps due to the influence of the Buddha Dharma, or perhaps due to interference from Diluan's evil aura, Empty Silence Abbott's influence on me was indeed great; I have taken practicing the Buddha Dharma as my duty, and I have also prepared myself to walk the world for over ten years."

But the last time we went to Mount Song, we solved many mysteries, and it also brought about a huge change in my state of mind; Xiao Jiu, you should remember Empty Silence Abbott's definition of the Three Bodies of the Buddha, right?

I certainly remember: "The Dharma Body Buddha is the Buddha Dharma itself, the Reward Body Buddha is one who spreads or promotes the Buddha Dharma, and the Manifestation Body Buddha is one who practices the Buddha Dharma."

"Yes." Liu Junyan continued, "Empty Silence Abbott also said that there is only one Dharma Body Buddha and one Reward Body Buddha, but Manifestation Body Buddhas can be many; every person in the world who voluntarily practices the Buddha Dharma can be regarded as a Manifestation Body Buddha."

Therefore, a Manifestation Body Buddha need not be a Buddhist; the burden of practicing the Buddha Dharma cannot fall on a single person either; Xiao Jiu, I am not a monk, let alone a Buddha—I only need to do what I am capable of, and that is enough.

As the saying goes, "If one cannot sweep a single room, how can one sweep the world?" I feel that everything we are doing now is already walking this path, right?

No…… Why do I feel that what he says makes sense?

"Of course, I also couldn't possibly do nothing."

Liu Junyan's hand rested on my slightly bulging belly, gently stroking: "The little one is destined to be a Buddhist; I must do my utmost to clear obstacles ahead for him, so when the time comes to go out, I will still go, but I won't be away for ten years."

I asked: "Under what circumstances will you go out?"

Liu Junyan replied: "When the first Golden Scale gives me feedback."

I suddenly realized: "So the purpose of scattering the seven Golden Scales outward is this?"

"'The so-called Nine Dragons Pouring Crown momentum—they assume the true dragon resides in Zàng Qū.' Liu Junyan said, 'The eight Formation Arrays that disperse Dragon Qi in the Linghai Dragon Palace also confirm this; they scattered the Dragon Qi outward merely as a stopgap, the ultimate goal being to draw it into Zàng Qū. Now this northern Dragon Qi has already been sealed by me deep in the Linghai Forbidden Ground, guarded by the Bādà hùfǎ, and the remaining seven Dragon Qi have also been marked by me with Golden Scales—they won't be able to stay hidden for long.'"

Thus, after returning from Mount Song, every step Liu Junyan took outward was carefully calculated.

Although there were many variables along the way, we managed to get past them all, albeit with some stumbling.

Next comes his—and our—counterattack moment!

I realized that Liu Junyan is truly like a divine needle that stabilizes the sea.

No matter how chaotic the situation, as long as he is present, he has the ability to turn the tide and control the overall situation.

My emotions have completely stabilized; I only feel hungry and tired, but I still want to first check on my senior sister's condition.

Yet I didn't expect the Big Family to be waiting anxiously for us outside.

I remember that when I left, it had only just grown dark.

Li Qingying said she would prepare breakfast and wait for our return.

The food went from cold to hot, then hot to cold again; we stayed in Ice Sea for a day and a night, and now it's evening again.

A room full of the wounded.

I went to see Yu Nian; her condition was still very bad.

Bái Sōnglán said to me: "Xiao Jiu, Yu Nian can merge with the Buddha Eye, or perhaps she can also merge with those... in your fridge... Want to give it a try?"