The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 14 Little Western Paradise, Leiyin Temple

Du Yuan smiled and tapped his chest, saying:

“Your previous actions were difficult to judge as right or wrong, so I will not comment on them today. But you have asked me for a way to seek liberation.”

At this point, Du Yuan turned to look at the distant fields and said:

“For example, those fields, since you bought them with your own money, you can’t just give them away for nothing. You can allow them to continue cultivating them for you, and set a standard so that they can get their land deeds back.”

This made Master Zhuang feel uncomfortable; the land owned by the local gentry was truly their lifeline.

Even if someone were to buy it back at the original price, it would still be heartbreaking.

But since the Living Buddha had spoken, and it was something he had asked for, Master Zhuang was still prepared to comply.

"For example."

Du Yuan drew out her words as she walked outside the courtyard, stepping on the muddy path:

People burn incense and worship Buddha, hoping for divine protection, but often they spend a lot of money and gain nothing in return.

"After all, people's hearts are corrupt, and what they seek is mostly for profit and fame, which is truly despicable. That's why immortals and Buddhas close their eyes and do not see the filth."

"If Master Zhuang were willing to donate some stones to repair the alleyway, the neighbors would feel more comfortable walking on it, and the thought of him would be more heartwarming than the incense in the temple."

Finally, Du Yuan looked at Master Zhuang and smiled deeply:

"The so-called accumulation of virtue and good deeds brings blessings to the family."

Master Zhuang said with delight:
"So, so my three children..."

Du Yuan shook her head and then nodded, saying:

"As I said before, you have a scale in your heart, and so does heaven and earth. Whether it can be accomplished or not is not up to me, but up to you, them, and heaven and earth's conscience!"

Master Zhuang's eyes lit up as he listened, and he quickly wrote everything down. He had actually considered building bridges and paving roads, but he immediately gave up the idea because he felt there was no benefit in it.

Unexpectedly, the real benefits are these invisible and intangible things, yet they are essential in every aspect.

It's better to guide people toward profit than to guide them toward good.

It's realistic, but also very useful.

With a ruddy complexion, Master Zhuang bowed to Du Yuan in sincere admiration:

“In the past, I was greedy, angry, foolish and dull, only knowing how to accumulate money and goods, regardless of whether it was against my conscience or whether I had any virtue. Today, I am very fortunate to have been enlightened by the Living Buddha.”

"Otherwise, I fear I will die without ever knowing what I did wrong, which will surely implicate the village and leave me with no face to meet my ancestors in the afterlife!"

Master Zhuang picked up the Ganoderma lucidum again and said:
“Living Buddha, please accept this gift this time, because I sincerely want to thank you for your guidance.”

Du Yuan shook her head again.

He has already received the best reward for his trip to Qiaoshui Town!
Furthermore, after today, Master Zhuang will definitely spend a lot of money, so Du Yuan is unwilling to take his things anymore.

Master Zhuang said anxiously:

“Living Buddha, how could I, your disciple, not express my gratitude for your guidance?”

The servants and villagers around also cried out for help:
"Please accept this, Living Buddha!"

Du Yuan waved her hand again, but only to shut them up and to fulfill her original purpose.

Du Yuan said to Master Zhuang:

"In that case, may I ask you a favor, Master Zhuang?"

Master Zhuang immediately and solemnly declared:
"Not to mention one, ten, or even a hundred, it wouldn't be a problem!"

"It's nothing serious, I just can't find my travel permit. Could you perhaps help me out, Master Zhuang?"

Upon hearing this, Master Zhuang and the villagers around him were deeply moved by the Living Buddha's compassion.

This is because it is obvious that the Living Buddha did not want to accept their offerings, nor did he want them to be attached to them.

Master Zhuang was initially delighted, but then his expression turned bitter as he said:

“Living Buddha, I do have a travel permit at my residence that you can use, but, but…”

"Just what?"

"However, that was prepared for me by a swindler named Master Ziyun. He wanted to use it to travel to the capital to participate in the World Waterway Dharma Assembly. It was a grand event that the Emperor was preparing to pray for the world during the severe drought in the southwest."

Du Yuan suddenly realized:
"So the name on this travel permit is his?"

"No, that's not it. I got this from the prefectural government through my eldest son's friendship with him. It's specially prepared for all the Dharma Masters."

"Compared to ordinary travel permits, these lack a place of origin and name, yet they are not limited to a single prefecture or route, allowing passage to all roads throughout the land. The only problem is, those are intended for Taoist priests, not for you, Living Buddha."

A travel permit for a Taoist priest?!

So, does this mean I can finally shed my identity as a monk?!
Isn't this perfect!
Du Yuan immediately said:

"It doesn't matter!"

"In that case, I'll send someone to fetch it right away!"

"Okay, I'll wait here."

The butler left in a hurry.

Feeling there was still plenty of time, Du Yuan asked:
What's causing the severe drought in Southwest China?

"Living Buddha, you don't know?"

Master Zhuang was somewhat surprised. This matter was of paramount importance from the beginning, and as the drought worsened, the imperial court failed to effectively manage the disaster.

I heard that there has been a popular uprising over there, with countless refugees wearing yellow turbans and rebelling!
Du Yuan then chuckled self-deprecatingly:

"Having lived so long in the mountains, I've become unaware of what's happening in the world," Master Zhuang said with a sudden realization.
“I see, Living Buddha. The two southwestern prefectures have been suffering from drought for three whole years, forcing the Emperor to hold a grand waterway ceremony to pray for the well-being of the people. That’s why your travel permit was issued.”

"I recently heard that the imperial envoy failed in his duties, which instigated a popular uprising and caused quite a commotion. This angered the emperor, who then cancelled the waterborne Buddhist ceremony. Heh heh, that's why this travel permit has been in my hands all this time!"

Du Yuan frowned slightly as she listened and said:
"Is this travel permit still usable?"

"Of course it can be used; the imperial court has not issued any documents to discontinue the use of this type of travel permit."

That's good.

Du Yuan nodded slightly. "But it's been a drought for three whole years?"

Thinking of Zhou Dahua's zombie form and the horse demon, Du Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Is this merely a natural disaster, or...?
While Du Yuan was pondering, the steward had already run back with the travel permit.

"Living Buddha, your travel guide!"

After receiving the travel permit, Du Yuan glanced at the sky and did not agree to stay any longer, but instead prepared to head to Qing County.

Du Yuan then bid farewell to the reluctant people of Qiaoshui Town.

Under the bright sunshine, Du Yuan's clothes fluttered as she walked.

Many residents of Qiaoshui Town knelt down behind Du Yuan and bowed deeply, saying:
"Respectfully bidding farewell to the Living Buddha!"

Du Yuan didn't turn around, but simply waved.

After the Living Buddha's figure disappeared from sight.

After getting up, Master Zhuang first glanced reluctantly in the direction where Du Yuan had disappeared. Then he picked up the Ganoderma lucidum and examined it for a moment.

With a carefree laugh, Master Zhuang handed it to the butler, saying:

"Old Liu, isn't Zhang the tenant farmer's medicinal ingredient always missing an old Ganoderma lucidum?"

"master?"

The butler was greatly alarmed.

How can the lowly life of a tenant farmer compare to that of a rare and precious lingzhi mushroom, which can be offered as tribute?
Master Zhuang shook his head and smiled:

"If I had met the Living Buddha earlier, perhaps Zhou Da wouldn't have died of illness. Now that I have met the Living Buddha, how can I just sit idly by and watch another life slip away before my eyes?"

"Otherwise, wouldn't I be letting down the Living Buddha's guidance?"

The butler stood there, stunned, as if seeing his master for the first time.

Amidst Master Zhuang's light chuckle.

Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass echoed throughout the entire town of Qiaoshui.

But this sound could not be heard by heaven and earth, nor by the people of Qiaoshui Town.

Only Du Yuan, who had already gone far away, could hear it!

Looking back.

Above Qiaoshui Town, a bead that appeared out of nowhere was cracking and shattering, about to disappear completely.

This is? !
Before Du Yuan could think it through.

He then heard an angry shout:

"who is it!!!"

A furious roar cleaved through the void!

Its sound was like a mountain collapsing from the deepest abyss of the underworld, or like a bronze cauldron shattering from the highest heavens, carrying the ancient and undying power of thunder, and crashing down upon the present world.

It was truly a magnificent display of divine power!

Strangely, the entire world was unusually quiet, as if the sound had never been heard before.

Du Yuan was certain that the voice was directed at her.

Therefore, after a moment of staring.

Under the wrath of Heaven, Du Yuan, her clothes fluttering in the wind, laughed loudly:

"Little Western Paradise, Leiyin Temple!"

"That bald monk has some nerve!!!"

Before the spirit pearl completely dissipated, Du Yuan only heard this curse.

Meanwhile, in an ancient tomb, a coffin residing in a side chamber shook violently.

The spiritual energy, which had become so concentrated as to be liquid, was frantically dissipating from the trembling coffin.

It seemed that the coffin's owner would break out of the coffin at any moment.

But at this crucial moment, a voice devoid of sorrow or joy came from the main hall:
Don't make a mistake for yourself.

An overwhelming rage emanated from the coffin:
"The time is not yet ripe, and I am not afraid. At worst, we will both perish!"

But to His surprise, the voice said:
"Not afraid of the laws of Heaven, you have proclaimed yourself the Western Heaven, how can you possibly stand against you?"

The violently trembling coffin instantly calmed down, and the wildly overflowing spiritual liquid was stopped.

The entire tomb returned to peace.

It was as if nothing had happened.

However, the overflowing spiritual energy, even after passing through layers of arrays, was still able to attract countless water beasts.

They didn't know what this was, only that this place was wonderful!
(End of this chapter)