Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 355

Volume 3 - Chapter 76: Judgment of Right and Wrong, Let the World Decide

Lin Wujing bowed slightly and said, "Buddha Lord, he is extremely stubborn. Despite his flesh already rotting under the burning of the Tenfold Karma Fire, he refuses to reveal anything. He spent a long time at Tianmen Pass and has close ties with the Fist Saint of the Li family. I suspect he might have handed the item over to them!"

The Buddha Lord’s gaze seemed to shimmer with a radiance resembling a golden wheel and bright moon—vast, deep, and brilliant like a restrained galaxy. He said, "If the Li family possesses this sacred relic, they will not resort to burning their ancestral souls in the initial attack on Qingzhou."

Lin Wujing's eyes flickered. "Perhaps they view this relic as more precious than their ancestral spirits. After all, it is a treasure left behind by the Sage. If they can decipher its mysteries, they could glimpse the Dao itself… If not for that boy… Li Qianfeng studied under me for ten years. He could have descended the mountain to seize the True Dragon Seat and made the Li family the guardians of a great province, spreading incense for our Buddhist Sect and converting the masses!"

The Buddha Lord sighed faintly. "But everything was disrupted by that demonic star. When Li Junye fell that day, a general star fell from the heavens, and a demonic star ascended. This is the calamity of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty."

Lin Wujing narrowed his eyes and remained silent for a moment before saying, "If the sacred relic isn’t with the Li family, it must be at Tianmen Pass. However, after the demonic star’s incarnation dissipated, I searched Tianmen Pass thoroughly but found no trace of it. Unless it’s with that demonic star himself!"

"A thief collaborating with the demonic star… The Divine General Mansion has lost its glory, demons and monsters surround them. Before the catastrophe strikes, we must retrieve the sacred relic. Only then can our Buddhist Sect descend from the mountain to save the world!" The Buddha Lord spoke gravely.

Lin Wujing nodded slightly. "I will try to convert him again." After bowing to the Buddha Lord, Lin Wujing left the Boundless Spirit Realm and headed for a secluded mountain.

Behind Boundless Mountain, a narrow path wound into a dark cave abode. The damp stone floor echoed with the drip of water, each drop carving into the rock. At the cave’s deepest point was a dungeon where the heat from a magma-like fiery pool radiated outward. Iron chains clinked in the air.

Suspended above the fire pool was a figure, his tattered clothes barely clinging to his body. His arms and legs were bound with heavy iron chains, and attached to the chains was a weighty black iron ball. The chains had cut into his skin, leaving his legs and arms deeply lacerated, his hair disheveled and unkempt.

In the molten pool below, red serpent-like figures swam back and forth. Occasionally, the lava splashed onto his body, causing his flesh to sizzle, steam, and pit. Yet, the prisoner showed no sign of pain, even as the searing heat burned his flesh.

As Lin Wujing approached, exuding Buddha’s light, a large crimson flood dragon emerged from the fiery pool. Its body was covered in dense scales, and it flicked its tongue as it spoke in a delicate, feminine voice: "Greetings, Bodhisattva."

The flood dragon prostrated itself before Lin Wujing, its voice soft and honeyed. Lin Wujing’s expression was cold as he turned to the prisoner and asked, "Still unwilling to confess? Even the Tenfold Karma Fire cannot convert you. Do you understand the weight of your sins?"

The chains clinked softly as the figure raised his head slightly, revealing mocking, bright eyes. "Save your breath. You will never obtain that sacred relic."

"The Buddha Lord has promised that if you return the item, you may enter Boundless Mountain and join the Buddhist Sect. He will even absolve your sins," Lin Wujing said coldly. "You wander alone and have committed countless mistakes in your youth. Yet, if you repent, there’s still time. With the Buddha Lord’s intervention, even the emperor would grant you clemency, allowing you to renounce the world and live a tranquil life."

"Hah!" The prisoner chuckled darkly. "If I wanted power, why wait until now? If I sought rank, I’d already be a marquis. Why feign holiness? Your Buddhist Sect preaches detachment, yet fights over incense offerings with such fervor. Hypocrisy at its finest!"

"You claim to convert the masses, yet without incense offerings, who would pity your so-called compassion? Gold statues for your Buddha, while the streets are strewn with corpses. Tell me, which is truly merciful?" His sneer was biting.

Hearing the mockery, Lin Wujing smiled faintly. "Converting the masses is the great Dao. The suffering you see is the result of their own karma. These tribulations are the trials of life. You, blinded by mortal desires, fail to understand this truth."

The prisoner laughed, "I am a mortal! Why should I transcend? Spare your sermons for the naïve youths. I’ve lived long enough to see through your façade. If I could be fooled by your words, then my life would have truly been in vain."

Lin Wujing's face darkened. "A mere thief, yet you dare to ridicule the world? You refuse to serve as an official or a general and disdain fame and fortune. Yet, you steal and harm others for personal gain. Is this not the path of a demon?"

The prisoner burst into laughter. "Yes, I steal, I rob. So what? This world is as it is—some seize power and become emperors; others fail and are called thieves. I choose to live as I please. You call me a thief, I call you hypocrites. Let the world judge my deeds. I fear nothing!"

Lin Wujing exhaled deeply, his gaze frosty. "Your demonic nature runs deep. Only reincarnation can offer redemption. You sought refuge with the Divine General Mansion, but they cannot protect you. They are struggling to preserve their ancestral honor."

The prisoner’s laughter ceased abruptly. He narrowed his eyes. "The Li family is in trouble?"

Lin Wujing sneered, "You’re concerned about them while you can’t even save yourself? Save your theatrics; no one here will believe your loyalty. Even Li Qianfeng, the Buddha Lord’s direct disciple, would see you as a stain on the Divine General Mansion’s legacy. He would be the first to strike you down."

The prisoner’s gaze flickered but did not press further. He knew Lin Wujing wouldn’t divulge anything meaningful. After a moment of silence, Lin Wujing said coldly, "You are indeed a thief with exceptional insight, always targeting valuable treasures. You even recognized the extraordinary potential of the Divine General Mansion’s so-called 'demonic child.' But what of it? After the war in Liang Province, that child was honored as a third-class duke and promoted to Chief Commander—a position of the highest rank. Do you truly think he would abandon his glory and reputation to plead on your behalf?"

The prisoner seemed briefly dazed before letting out a low chuckle. "Impressive. As expected of him..."

Lin Wujing’s voice hardened. "Hand over the sacred relic, and you can end your suffering. Do not continue down this foolish path. No one is coming to save you."

The prisoner glanced at him, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "I don’t need anyone to save me. Death? What of it? I’ve already experienced the finest wines and the most beautiful sights this world has to offer. What is death to me? You call him the 'demonic child'? If I escape, I’ll make sure the whole world knows who the master of the Ancient Demon Hall truly is!"

Lin Wujing’s expression shifted, his eyes growing cold. "Burn him! Let the flames devour him!"

The lava in the pool churned violently as fiery waves surged upward, engulfing the prisoner in searing heat. His flesh burned, and smoke rose as the fire scorched his body. Yet instead of screams, only laughter echoed through the cavern. Lin Wujing’s gaze was icy as he realized the man’s resolve was unyielding. It would take unimaginable agony to break his spirit.

...

In Qingzhou City, Li Hao left the Divine General Mansion and wandered through the bustling streets. He purchased snacks for Xiyan, the Candlefire God, and himself, then visited an old friend in the mountains. At the Tangong Academy, he shared tea with Song Yufeng in the main hall and prepared a barbecue by the emerald lake for Song Qiumo. He also played a few games of chess with Shen Yunqing and others.

The disciples of Tangong Academy flocked to him with questions, which Li Hao answered casually. To the disciples of the White Hall, Li Hao still seemed like a teacher of Tangong Academy. This visit to Qingzhou had been fulfilling—eating well, drinking happily, and reconnecting with friends. When it was time to leave, he avoided a grand farewell, simply bidding farewell to Song Qiumo before quietly departing.

As he passed by the city’s vibrant red-light district, he noticed the plaque at the entrance of a well-known establishment. On it were verses he had drunkenly scribbled during a past escapade. Smiling faintly, he felt no lingering attachment and took to the skies.

After leaving the city and traveling a short distance, his gaze fell on a roadside tea stall. Intrigued, he descended and walked toward it with the Candlefire God.

The tea stall was modest, with an elderly proprietor busy cleaning dishes and wiping down tables. Nearby, a simple canopy shaded three tied horses. Two young men and an older man sat beneath it, sipping tea. When the stall owner saw Li Hao approach, he called out cheerfully, "Customer, care for some tea? My tea is inexpensive, and the steamed buns are excellent!"

The three others glanced at Li Hao and then quickly turned their gazes away when they noticed the Candlefire God behind him, disguised as a young man but emanating a chilling aura. The trio, familiar with the ways of the world, knew better than to provoke someone who appeared dangerous.

Li Hao observed the tea stall owner closely and said, "I’m well-acquainted with the roads around Qingzhou, yet I’ve never seen a tea stall here before."

The owner chuckled, "Just because you haven’t seen it before doesn’t mean it wasn’t here. There’s always a first time for everything."

"When did you set up shop here?" Li Hao asked, taking a seat at one of the tables.

"Just recently," the owner replied with a smile. "I used to run my stall near Liang Province, but my granddaughter wanted to help me, so I moved closer to home."

As he spoke, a young girl wearing a simple blue dress stood up from behind the steaming baskets of buns. Her attire was unassuming, but her presence was striking. She bent over, searching for something, then called out, "Grandpa, I can’t find the paper liners!"

"Check under the basket!" the old man answered before turning back to Li Hao with a grin. "Customer, what would you like to eat?"

Li Hao studied the girl as she stood up, holding the paper liners with a cheerful smile. Her features were delicate and bright, her complexion like polished jade. Though she seemed like a noble lady, her manner was friendly and approachable, almost like a neighbor’s daughter. When their eyes met, Li Hao felt as though she could see through him, a strange sensation stirring in his heart. He quickly looked away and nodded.

Li Hao recalled meeting the tea stall owner before, back in Liang Province, but he hadn’t found anything suspicious at the time. Now, encountering the same stall here in Qingzhou, he couldn’t help but feel something was amiss. Despite his subtle probing, he sensed no trace of demonic or murderous aura from the owner or the girl, though their presence was undeniably unusual.

When the girl walked over with a lively step, she sat opposite Li Hao and asked with a gentle smile, "Weren’t you afraid to visit Qingzhou City with all the recent demon activity?"

"If you aren’t afraid, why should I be?" Li Hao replied, sipping his tea calmly.

"Of course we were afraid! But once the demons were dealt with, we dared to come out," she said, laughing. "My grandpa always says, 'Great fortunes are found in great risks.' To do business, one must compete with heaven, earth, and people. Isn’t that true?"

Li Hao nodded thoughtfully. "That’s an interesting perspective."

"My name is Ying Xiaoxiao," she said, her smile bright and genuine. "What should I call you?"

"You may call me Haotian," Li Hao replied, carefully observing her reaction.

Ying Xiaoxiao seemed unaffected by the name and asked curiously, "What’s your surname?"

"I have no surname."

"How could anyone not have a surname?" she asked with a chuckle.

Li Hao smiled faintly. "Even without a surname, one can still live a good life."

Ying Xiaoxiao tilted her head in thought, her smile fading slightly. Before she could respond, the old man brought over a steaming basket of buns. "Careful, they’re hot!" he warned cheerfully.

Ying Xiaoxiao immediately urged Li Hao to try one. Her clear eyes gleamed with anticipation, waiting for his reaction. Li Hao smiled, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat. "Still as delicious as before," he remarked.

"Good to hear, customer!" The old man laughed.

After finishing his tea and buns, Li Hao left a silver coin on the table. "Until next time," he said, standing to leave. "I hope to taste these buns again someday."

"Come back anytime, and you shall!" the old man replied, tidying up as Li Hao departed.

...

When the surrounding area grew quiet, the tea stall owner rolled up the stall with a wave of his hand, storing it in his sleeve. The elderly man and Ying Xiaoxiao vanished from the roadside.

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