Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 94 The World's Number One Thief's Announcement
"I'm even more handsome now."

Zhan Zhao looked at his face in the bronze mirror.

At the age of sixteen, his features had lost their childishness, and his face was as sharp as if carved by a knife. His profile, bathed in the morning light, seemed to be coated with a layer of frost. His skin was white, which he could not tan from years of martial arts training, and it exuded a kind of resilience, like polished jade.

His brow bone was high and prominent, and his two sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, which did not appear rugged, but instead made his whole face look even more heroic and imposing.

If described in a single word, it would be "sharp".

It is not the youthful arrogance that is displayed, but the refined and restrained sharpness that has been tempered.

But in the blink of an eye, Zhan Zhao's demeanor changed again.

The sharpness between his brows had completely subsided, but his dark eyes remained clear and bright. The coldness of his star-like gaze had faded, and as his eyes moved, they seemed to melt ice and snow like the warm sun in March, revealing a gentle elegance that was captivating.

If we consider it in a single word, it is "harmony".

It's not a deliberate attempt to be approachable, but rather a gentle and peaceful demeanor that naturally emerges after experiencing the world.

"My cultivation of the Six Minds Clarity Technique has advanced another level!"

"Thump-thump—thump-thump!"

Just as he was experiencing the changes the cultivation technique was bringing to his temperament, a knock came at the door, and Gu Lin's voice rang out from outside: "Senior Brother! Senior Brother!"

Zhan Zhao put the mirror away, got up and opened the door. Looking at the former "Zhong Kui" who had changed into a monk's robe and whose features were quite peaceful, he said with some helplessness, "I told you not to call me senior brother..."

"Since you entered the temple first, it's natural to address me in this way."

Gu Lin had always been called Senior Brother by his junior brothers and sisters since he was a child, and this was the first time he had ever called someone that.

Even though the other person was ten years younger than him, he didn't mind and walked in.

Previously, Zhan Zhao lived in the monks' quarters of eight novice monks, and Chen Xiuhan was his roommate.

However, in the case of Zhong Kui Tu, he temporarily served as the chief constable in the Six Doors for a period of time, attracting the attention of everyone in the Daxiangguo Temple.

At this point, it would be too conspicuous to squeeze in with the other seven young novices. No matter how precious the space in the temple is, separate monks' quarters must be arranged.

Gu Lin, who had just entered the temple, was given a private room as soon as he entered, which happened to be right next door, because his battle record was verifiable.

Gu Lin initially kept to himself and was quite aloof, still immersed in the grief of Pei Handeng's passing.

It wasn't until recently that I finally came out of it.

As the letter says, no longer confined to the past, but fully embracing a new life.

Leaving home to practice Buddhism is also a kind of new life.

"The temple is preparing to ordain me, issue me a certificate, and bestow upon me a Dharma name..."

He then earnestly asked for advice: "I am not familiar with Buddhism and feel that I am unable to fulfill the responsibilities of a monk. I am also unwilling to refuse the temple's kindness. I wonder what you thought back then, and whether you could teach me?"

Zhan Zhao knew everything else, but this was the one thing he couldn't answer: "I haven't shaved my head, I don't have a Buddhist name."

Gu Lin glanced at his hair under the monk's cap. He could understand practicing with hair, but he was a little puzzled by the lack of a Dharma name: "Senior brother has been in the temple for several months now, why don't you have a Dharma name?"

Zhan Zhao smiled and said, "When I was temporarily acting as the Divine Constable, I didn't have a title either. Isn't it normal not to have a Buddhist name?"

Gu Lin blinked.

These two things don't seem to be the same thing, do they?
Moreover, since he doesn't have a Dharma name, it's actually not very convenient to address him within the temple.

But finding that the other party was unwilling to talk more, Gu Lin changed the subject: "Senior brother, are you going to listen to the morning class? I have some questions about the Pure Tathagatagarbha and would like to ask the monk who is giving the lecture."

"This……"

Morning prayers and sermons are normal, but now that they're combined, it's inexplicably making people's stomachs hurt.

Zhan Zhao had indeed stopped attending morning prayers lately, but he explained why: "What the lecturing monks say is still beneficial to novices, but for me it's just listening to koans and stories. However, if you want to study Buddhism and familiarize yourself with the basics, you should still go to listen every day."

"Is it just the basics?"

Gu Lin's expression turned serious as he took out the "Pure Tathagatagarbha": "This scripture is profound and extensive; I'm worried I might misunderstand it."

"Did you notice it too?"

Zhan Zhao said, “The mental cultivation methods in the Pure Tathagatagarbha seem simple, but in fact they are not bound by words and directly point to the human heart. They have endless wonderful uses. The essence of the high monks in the temple’s cultivation is mostly understood from this sutra. It is by no means an introductory text.”

"Then there are no disadvantages to practicing incorrectly?"

Gu Lin said: "I once met a Zen master in Hexi who was giving a sermon. His words have left a deep impression on me to this day. All things have Buddha-nature, but as long as you miss it even slightly, the Buddha's way and your own way will be as far apart as heaven and earth. Then confusion will continue to grow, and you will lose your original nature."

"Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"

Zhan Zhao frowned: "In my opinion, Buddhism has one advantage, which is that everyone can realize it on their own and just cultivate it as they please. If you are cautious and trembling when you cultivate, as if you are walking on thin ice, you will become attached to the 'self' and how can you see your true nature?"

"The previous thought is delusion, which makes one an ordinary person; the subsequent thought is enlightenment, which makes one a Buddha. Junior brother, you are a person with Buddha-nature!"

Gu Lin was still pondering when Jie Wen's laughter came from outside.

Upon seeing the large, fat monk appear, the two bowed in unison: "Good morning, Brother Jiewen."

Good morning, my two junior brothers.

Jie Wen returned the greeting with a smile: "Junior Brother Gu is about to receive the precepts and become a member of the family. Would Junior Brother Zhan like to be a spectator?"

"No need."

Zhan Zhao knew that this person had always wanted to become a monk.

Without shaving one's head or receiving a Buddhist name, one always feels a distance from the Buddhist community.

actually not.

Has Shi Feixuan been ordained as a nun? Does she have a Dharma name? Isn't she a prominent figure at Cihang Jingzhai?
Ok.

Something feels off... Jie Wen mentioned it briefly, but didn't press the matter, and then brought up another matter: "Just now, the Six Doors sent a notice that Su Wuqing wants to visit the temple. Junior Brother Zhan, would you like to see him?"

Upon hearing this name, Gu Lin's expression remained somewhat complicated, though the initial resentment had vanished.

"Su Wuqing?"

Zhan Zhao was somewhat surprised.

The Six Doors have recently been working to restore order and rectify the chaos around Kaifeng Prefecture.

Li Wuxing personally led the Zhenyue Hall, which this month alone wiped out three gangs of roving bandits and two local thugs who were committing crimes, filling the dungeon to the brim.

It's unclear whether he was venting his anger or trying to rebuild the reputation that Han Zhaoye had previously ruined.

Under these circumstances, how could Su Wuqing still have time to visit?
"What time?"

At the appointed time, Zhan Zhao arrived in front of the Zisheng Pavilion.

Amidst the swirling sandalwood incense, Su Wuqing sat alone in a wheelchair, her fingertips lightly twirling a wildflower, her eyes seemingly filled with countless thoughts.

Zhan Zhao walked to the side and said, "When I saw you just now, I was reminded of someone."

Su Wuqing snapped out of her daze: "Who?"

Zhan Zhao described him as follows: "A friend who was blind, yet had a clear mind, never took advantage of others, and always had a radiant smile on his face. He didn't believe that blind people had to live a dejected life, but rather that they were filled with an endless love for life..."

Su Wuqing initially gave a slight bitter smile.

What? I have a friend.

This is pointing to him!

But as they listened, they no longer felt that way; instead, they looked on with longing: "This person must be very happy."

"A person who is optimistic and accepting of their fate will naturally live a happy life."

Zhan Zhao said, "You can actually do that too; you don't have to hold up the Six Doors all by yourself."

Su Wuqing gently shook her head: "The patient did not hold up the Six Doors on his own."

In the case of Zhong Kui Tu, the performance of the Four Great Constables can be said to be unworthy of their names, given the special circumstances.

Zhao Wujiu is a fake from the start, Li Wuxing is poisoned and banned from the start, and Zhou Wuxin is essentially fooled by the fake Zhao Wujiu and the real Su Wuqing. How can we fight?
Can't fight.

The real Four Constables would obviously not be at this level.

Therefore, Su Wuqing was indeed not holding on alone.

"There may be many talented people within the Six Doors, but compared to you, the gap is too great, so you will have to shoulder the real responsibilities alone."

However, Zhan Zhao still believed that Su Wuqing's position was too special: "If anything were to happen to you, the Six Doors would probably not only decline, but might even be completely ruined."

Could this really be how things developed? And so, Bao Zheng appeared later.

Bao Zheng: I've made my move!
As a result, the Kaifeng Prefectural Government Office, which has little presence now, has taken over from the Six Doors and become the face of the imperial court's law enforcement agency?

Su Wuqing, unaware of what the man was thinking, also brightened up and looked over: "Actually, there is a way..."

"Don't even think about it."

Zhan Zhao gave a direct four-word answer, followed by a stern warning: "Don't try to trick me into agreeing!"

"Will not."

A gentle smile appeared on Su Wuqing's pale face: "Thank you for your concern, Brother Zhan. I thought you would hate me, but I didn't expect you to treat me as a friend..."

"Friends?"

Zhan Zhao waved his hand: "You didn't come here just to say this, did you?"

Su Wuqing instantly composed himself and said seriously, "Brother Zhan, are you aware that the monk with karmic debts is about to return to the Great Xiangguo Temple?"

"A monk burdened with karmic debts?"

Zhan Zhao only learned about this special group when Ding Jue accused the wicked monk Lu Shisi of murdering his entire family during the morning poisoning case.

But he really wasn't sure what the situation was: "Bearing sins and wanting to repay them, so he travels the world as a monk burdened with sins, persuading people to do good and accumulate merit?"

Su Wuqing shook his head slightly: "Buddhism does not recognize the offsetting of merits and demerits, but it does recognize that in the process of accumulating virtue and doing good deeds, if a person can sincerely repent, all sins can be eradicated."

After a pause, Su Wuqing gave an example: "Gu Lin was taken into the temple by Master Jiewen, perhaps so that he would become the seventh monk to bear the burden of his past 'Zhong Kui' karma."

"I see."

Zhan Zhao nodded: "In any case, monks who bear karmic burdens have the function of punishing evil and promoting good, which is not bad."

Su Wuqing said, "All sentient beings are subject to karma; sin is enlightenment..."

"If a monk burdened with karmic debts can transfer his unfinished evil karma to himself in order to stop the cycle of evil karma, it is indeed a great wisdom and a great practice!"

"However, not everyone can do this. Some monks with bad karma have long since turned to vigilante justice, and their temperaments are often strange, with some even going out of control."

"Fortunately, Daxiangguo Temple is the head of Buddhism, not just because of its name, but also because of a very important thing."

Zhan Zhao asked, "What is it?"

"Buddha's Weapon - 'Abstaining from Killing'!"

“Monks with karmic burdens return to the temple every year to receive the precept of ‘killing’ and be tested on their repentance. If they show any signs of delusion, the temple will send them into seclusion to cultivate and comprehend the Dharma. Only after passing the test of ‘killing’ can they venture out into the world again.”

After laying the groundwork, Su Wuqing took out a letter and handed it over: "Just yesterday, Bai Xiaofeng, the 'Number One Thief Under Heaven,' sent a message that he wanted to take your temple's 'Rule of Killing'!"

(End of this chapter)