Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 8: I finally understand. You all have extraordinary backgrounds.

'Please wait, it's creepy...'

'Huh? You want me to investigate a case?'

The person who transmitted the message was none other than Zen Master Chihong.

The message conveyed was a request for Zhan Zhao to secretly investigate the truth behind the poisoning case.

This was primarily based on trust—trust that he wouldn't be the murderer.

After all, the deceased Hu Xiba had a verbal altercation with him, and although it is far-fetched to say that he killed him because of this, it should still be investigated.

But Zen Master Chihong seemed quite at ease, and at the same time, he knew how to act appropriately.

Instead of exchanging secrets in public, they left each other room to maneuver.

If it can be found out, that's naturally the best outcome.

It can't be found out, and nobody else knows either.

"The novice monk was poisoned during morning prayers; the nature of the crime is heinous, and this matter concerns the safety of everyone in the temple."

Without hesitation, Zhan Zhao used the "Clarity of Mind Technique" he had just figured out, his lips trembling slightly, and replied, "This disciple will do his best!"

"what?"

Zen Master Chihong looked over in surprise: "How long have you been studying the Pure Tathagatagarbha?"

Zhan Zhao was somewhat puzzled and replied, "I have only been in the temple for ten days."

"Good, good, good!"

Zen Master Chihong was deeply moved, and his voice revealed obvious satisfaction.

After the head monk of the Ksitigarbha Temple left, Jiewen, who resembled Maitreya Buddha, approached and smiled, saying, "Junior brother is indeed very wise. If you need anything, just tell your senior brother."

"Don't dare."

Zhan Zhao didn't actually agree with this seniority, but now was not the time to argue; the case took priority: "I want to know about the deceased Hu Xiba's experiences and interpersonal relationships before and after entering the temple, as well as the identity and background of the other young novice monk."

"it is good!"

As the two were communicating telepathically, Zhan Zhao's sleeve was gently tugged. Chen Xiuhan came to the side and whispered, "Let's go, we can't stay here any longer."

Zhan Zhao nodded and followed him to the side hall.

As soon as they entered the hall, a buzzing sound arose, and the group of novices began to discuss among themselves.

Meanwhile, the other monks in the same monastery gathered together, and someone anxiously asked, "Since Hu Xiba was poisoned to death, won't he suspect us?"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Chen Xiuhan immediately said, "That guy is a bully who has offended many people. What does it have to do with us? Besides, it's not just him. Does Cheng Ruoshui have any conflicts with us? Wasn't that child also poisoned?"

"Oh...yes, yes!"

Upon hearing this, the other novices echoed his sentiments, looking as if they had been relieved.

Zhan Zhao watched from the sidelines.

His initial assessment was that Chen Xiuhan and others who lived in the same monastery were not suspects.

The reason is simple: they entered Mingguang Hall together just now, and if they had done anything wrong, it wouldn't have escaped his notice.

But since the topic has come up, Zhan Zhao asked, "Is Cheng Ruoshui that child?"

"It was the little novice monk you saved, brother. The Zen master said the poison was so potent, yet you were able to save him. You truly have remarkable skills!"

Chen Xiuhan's tone was filled with both admiration and envy: "Once the case is closed, the temple will definitely not forget it!"

Zhan Zhao learned martial arts to uphold justice and seek revenge. Saving a life was indeed gratifying. He then asked, "This child is so young, could he have gotten into some deadly trouble?"

Chen Xiuhan frowned: "Cheng Ruoshui and I entered the temple around the same time, about half a year ago. She is usually quiet and reserved, completely different from Hu Xiba. She doesn't seem like the type to make a mortal enemy of someone."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Does he know Hu Xiba?"

"do not know."

Chen Xiuhan shook his head: "At least I have never seen the two of them have any contact."

Looking at his other roommates, he received negative answers from all of them. As Zhan Zhao's gaze shifted, it landed on a quiet corner.

The monk Dingjue, who was giving the sermon, lowered his head and remained lost in thought.

Clearly, not every monk could bear to witness his disciple die before his eyes.

And no one dared to approach; they all kept their distance.

Zhan Zhao thought for a moment, then walked over and said in a low voice, "Lecturer."

Dingjue's body trembled, and he came to his senses, putting his hands together in prayer: "Amitabha, this humble monk is unworthy of such a title..." "How can you not be worthy of preaching the Dharma, imparting knowledge, and resolving doubts?"

Zhan Zhao said, "The poisoning was not the lecturer's fault. The most urgent task is to find this person as soon as possible and prevent him from harming more innocent people."

"Yes! We must not harm the innocent!"

Dingjue nodded.

Zhan Zhao got down to business: "Hu Xiba and Cheng Ruoshui are both attending lectures in Mingguang Hall. How are their studies going?"

Dingjue paused, seemingly wanting to speak but then stopping himself.

Zhan Zhao knew that these two were both underachievers; otherwise, even if they were dead, he would at least have to say a few words of praise against his conscience.

This is obviously not good, because most teachers don't pay much attention to struggling students; they are more on guard, afraid that the students will cause trouble.

As expected, when asked about his knowledge of the two poisoned individuals, Dingjue sighed, "I am ashamed to say that I know very little about them..."

"When one is lost, a teacher guides one; when one is enlightened, one guides oneself. This cannot be forced. Why should my junior brother Dingjue create trouble for himself?"

Just then, a voice interrupted from the side.

Zhan Zhao turned his head and saw an older novice monk with simple features and a warm face appear beside him. The monk put his hands together and introduced himself: "I am Ding Yi. I have met this junior brother. I am grateful for your help just now, which saved my life. This is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda!"

Zhan Zhao returned the greeting, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Since he has a Dharma name, he must be a monk, but he is wearing the robes of a novice monk, not a formal monk's robe.

Why is this again?
Dingjue revealed the answer: "Zhengming, you have not yet received the ten precepts of a novice monk, nor have you received your ordination certificate. You cannot call yourself Dingyi!"

Dingyi blinked: "I have been in the temple for twenty years, listening to lectures every day and never breaking the precepts. Am I not qualified to receive a Dharma name?"

Dingjue's face darkened, and his tone became stern: "Whether you are qualified to receive a Dharma name is not for me to decide; it is up to the monks in charge of the Ksitigarbha Temple. However, you are not allowed to call yourself Dingyi. Do you understand?"

"Oh!"

Dingyi nodded with his head down, but kept muttering to himself as he left, looking back every few steps.

Zhan Zhao: "..."

Could the pressure in this temple be that great?

One of the novice monks went insane because he couldn't get promoted to a full monk position.
"I apologize for my poor appearance, junior brother. Even the most prestigious Buddhist temple like Daxiangguo Temple cannot avoid such a turbid state."

At this point, Dingjue clasped his hands together and said, "Bodhi has no tree, yet people in the world are all clinging to it!"

Hearing the hint of resentment in the man's tone, Zhan Zhao fell silent.

It seems that not every monk agrees with the environment inside Xiangguo Temple.

Just then, Jie Wenkuan's plump body nimbly slipped into the side hall. His lips trembled slightly, and his voice, carried by his powerful internal energy, came through clearly: "Junior brother, we have found out—Hu Xiba is from Luzhou Prefecture in Shanxi Province. He beat someone to death in the street and was recommended by a local tycoon to become a monk at Puji Temple. Later, he violated the precepts and was transferred to our temple eight months ago."

'As expected, it's a wicked version of Lu Zhishen!'

Zhan Zhao frowned and transmitted his voice: "The Great Xiangguo Temple even accepts people like this?"

“They were taken in by Puji Temple and were difficult to control, so they were sent here.”

Jiewen explained: "The novice monk is the one who diligently cultivates compassion. If he can abide in this state and show sincerity in repentance and confession, he can take refuge in the Buddha. If he does not change his bad habits within a year, he will be expelled."

"That shouldn't be the case!"

Zhan Zhao said directly, "Let's not even talk about whether such a person will truly repent. Even if he does, were the people he beat to death earlier killed in vain?"

Jiewen sighed softly, "Puji Temple sent this person here. Our Great Xiangguo Temple is the head of the Buddhist community, so we can't just expel him directly... Some things are beyond our control!"

Zhan Zhao was still dissatisfied, but he held back for the time being: "Where is the other young novice monk, Cheng Ruoshui?"

Jie Wen paused slightly: "He is from Xiangyang and has not committed any evil deeds."

Zhan Zhao sensed something amiss in his tone and pressed further, "Do you have any grudges against anyone?"

"Cheng Ruoshui's father committed a major crime in Xiangyang!"

Jiewen didn't hide anything: "He has a past connection with our Great Xiangguo Temple. He sent a message saying that he was wronged, but the evidence is conclusive and he can't defend himself. He was also besieged by the combined forces of the three gangs and two factions in Xiangyang, so he could only break through the encirclement temporarily. He entrusted us to take care of his only son..."

Zhan Zhao asked in surprise, "Where is this person now?"

Jie Wen paused again before replying, "He has already fled into the 'Valley of Villains.' It is said that in the latest ranking within the valley, he has become the seventh, following the original six villains."

Zhan Zhao: "..."

I think I understand now.

The novices here all have extraordinary backgrounds!

(End of this chapter)