Chaos Spirit Field

Time flew by, and after a long and arduous journey, Zhao Shanhe and his companions finally reached the human kingdom. Yuan Hong, returning from exploring the path, reported to Zhao Shanhe, "Master, the Bhikkhu Kingdom is about three hundred miles ahead."

Zhao Shanhe frowned slightly, counted on his fingers, and thought to himself, "A saint really should not be underestimated. What needs to be faced must be faced. Well, let's move on."

As night fell, the group arrived outside the city of Bhikkhu. Suddenly, a young figure galloped out of the city, heading straight for Zhao Shanhe's horse. He seemed to want to kneel in greeting, but an invisible force prevented him from doing so. Helplessly, he stood up and said urgently, "I beg you, venerable monk, to show your mercy and persuade our king to forgive those five hundred innocent children."

Zhao Shanhe looked at the young man and slowly spoke, "Heaven and earth are unkind, treating all things as straw dogs. Sages are also unkind, treating the people as straw dogs. While I was able to persuade the king of the Bhikkhu Kingdom to spare those five hundred children, have you ever considered what will happen in the future?"

Hearing this, the visitor was stunned and speechless for a moment, muttering to himself: "The monk is right. I really have never thought so deeply..."

Zhao Shanhe gazed deeply into the distance and said slowly, "If you don't think about the future, you'll have immediate worries. If you can figure it out, you can come to the Big Buddha Temple to find me. Amitabha."

When the man disappeared from sight, Tianpeng showed a puzzled look on his face and couldn't help asking, "Master, why didn't you let that man kneel down and salute you just now?"

Zhao Shanhe smiled faintly and replied softly, "This man is an old acquaintance of mine from many years ago. His status is special, so it is difficult for me to accept his generous gift. Let's set off for the Big Buddha Temple and settle down first."

Soon, they arrived at this magnificent and solemn temple. Upon hearing that a group of monks from other regions had come to stay, the abbot, not wanting to be neglected, hurried out to greet them. The abbot, draped in a cassock and bearing a solemn appearance, clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Amitabha! Abbot Yuanqiu of the Great Buddha Temple greets all the eminent monks. I wonder where you are from and where you are going."

Zhao Shanhe clasped his hands together in return, then spoke aloud, "I, Xuanzang, come from the Great Zhou of the Eastern Land. This journey westward is to the Great Leiyin Temple in the Western Paradise to study Zen and discuss the Way with the Tathagata Buddha. Passing by here on the way, and seeing that it is getting late, I have come to your temple to rest and ask the abbot to take me in."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Qiu's eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile: "So the four of you are the famous pilgrims who are seeking Buddhist scriptures. I'm so sorry! Please come into the temple and rest." As he spoke, he stepped aside to make way and invited everyone into the temple.

As soon as he entered the Great Buddha Temple, Tianpeng couldn't help but exclaimed: "Master, you see that the Bhikkhu City is dilapidated, but this Great Buddha Temple is so magnificent and beautiful. It's really hard to understand!"

Zhao Shanhe said, "A mountain isn't famous for its height, but for the immortals who inhabit it. A river isn't famous for its depth, but for the dragons who inhabit it. People are foolish, always thinking that building a splendid temple will attract the true gods. In reality, the true gods value sincerity. The Western religion is good at maintaining the status quo, but lacks the ability to innovate. They hold onto the golden rice bowl of Xiniu Hezhou, but fail to educate the people and develop the population. It's truly tragic and lamentable."

In the middle of the night, Zhao Shanhe said to the person outside the door, "Come in."

A young man came in. It was the young man who stopped the horse in the evening. He walked into the house and said, "Zhao Hao greets the master."

Zhao Shanhe said, "Donor, there's no need to be so polite. You've figured it out."

Zhao Hao said, "I am an orphan, born and raised by nature. I passed through the country of Bhikkhu and learned that the king of Bhikkhu wanted to use the hearts of 500 children as medicine. I couldn't bear it. I beg the master to show mercy and help me."

Zhao Shanhe shook his head and said, "It's recorded in Journey to the West that the Kingdom of Bhikkhu is also known as the Kingdom of Children. The princess of this Kingdom of Bhikkhu suffers from a heart disease and needs the hearts of five hundred children as medicine. If I want to save these children, I will have to exchange my own heart for theirs. What would I do if I were you?"

Zhao Hao fell into deep thought. He said, "If this is the only way, I'm willing to exchange these five hundred children."

Zhao Shanhe shook his head and said, "All living beings are equal. Doesn't that mean my life is not a life?"

Zhao Hao said, "Monks are born with compassion in their hearts. The Buddha cut his flesh to feed an eagle, so why can't you follow his example?"

Zhao Shanhe replied, "So I am not the Buddha. I feed on human hearts, which are demons. Why do you want to force me instead of dealing with them?"

Zhao Hao was speechless for a moment. He said, "Master, I beg you to give me some guidance."

Zhao Shanhe said, "Kings, princes, generals, and ministers are all born with special talents. You are a natural emperor, so go ahead and do it. My three disciples will help you deal with the demonic matters. As for the rest, it's up to you. As the saying goes, a righteous man has many supporters, while an unrighteous man has few. If we don't solve the problem from the root, more incidents with children are inevitable."

Zhao Hao left, and Zhao Shanhe said to one side, "Little Daji, why are you coming to me instead of following your new master?"

Daji said, "I have come to seek the Master's guidance."

Zhao Shanhe said, "Just follow the Saint's instructions. The battle for the Human Emperor depends on your own ability. I'm a man of old times. I used to think I had it all figured out, but now I realize that a Saint is still a Saint. This is the only chance for the Fox Clan to clear its name. Go ahead."

After Daji left, Nuwa appeared in Zhao Shanhe's room. She jokingly said, "Xuanzang, what do you think of Zhao Hao?"

Zhao Shanhe said bitterly, "The Saint knows that I value family ties, so he played the emotional card well. Actually, there's no need to go to such great lengths. I have no interest in the throne of the Human Emperor."

Nuwa said: "This is called being prepared for any eventuality."

Zhao Shanhe jokingly said, "The saint really wants to be prepared for any eventuality. In fact, getting rid of this poor monk is the only way to solve the problem from its root. Just like the country of monks, the root of the problem lies with the king."

Nuwa said, "The King of Bhikkhu is just meat on the chopping block. You are different from him. I am not sure I can defeat you."

Zhao Shanhe sighed helplessly and said, "You saints have figured out my weaknesses. After the Journey to the West, Zhao Shanhe will go to the Heaven Beyond Heaven."

Nuwa then asked, "Where is Zhao Zilong?"

Zhao Shanhe sighed and said, "If possible, it would be best if he goes too. Demon Ancestor Luohou is always a hidden danger. He is a close relative of the cosmic pests."

Nuwa said, "We will need your help when the time comes."

Zhao Shanhe replied, "My karma with Zhao Zilong has been fully repaid, and we no longer have any connection. Your Majesty, please seek another expert. Perhaps Tongtian Sect Master would be pleased."