Book 16 - Chapter 11 – Greedy For Life, Afraid Of Death (1/2)
Book 16 Chapter 11 – Greedy For Life, Afraid Of Death
Xu Ziling followed behind Bu Chen, deep into the Temple complex, toward the rear courtyard
Fro the way he saw some monks, but everybody acted as if they did not see him, as if they were deeply iious life of ‘letting things take their own course’ Buddhist doctrine
After passing the Copper Hall, which glittered brilliantly under the sun, Bu Chen turned left toward a quaint flagstone path, lined with bamboo trees on both sides
Hidden behind the bamboo trees on both sides of the path, he could see the buildings that were the nificent tes exuded a completely different impression But behind the pinewood frame and white plaster, there was some kind of raw, unpolished natural beauty
While Xu Ziling was enjoying the deep, serene and faraway, the peaceful and quiet atetting sparse, replaced by evergreen pine and cypress, and rugged stratified rocks Walking along the stone path, he could see a stonewall ahead, engraved with two characters, ‘Fo Dao’ [the way of the Buddha] The stone cliffs on either side of the path grew higher and higher, while the path itself was getting narrower There were ies of Buddha carved on the stonewall on either side, which leaned against the low cliff, all with carefree demeanor, and were very vivid and lifelike
While Xu Ziling was amazed at the scenery, the ‘Fo Dao’ suddenly ended, the path suddenly opened up to a wide panorama
At the western extree hall, which size coraved with the characters ‘Fangzhang Yuan’ [abbot courtyard], was resting along the precipice, aically situated and easy to defend, the terrain was extre was aht to be the Zhuchi [person in charge/president/ Dashi+’s residence, isn’t it?”
Bu Chen nonchalantly replied, “shi+zhu wishes to see Miss shi+, naturally our Fangzhang ought to make the decision; why are you surprised?” [Translator’s note: this is the only ti used, the rest are Zhuchi (see above) but for si to use ‘Abbot’ for both (Besides, I feel weird calling Liaokong a ‘ kneould not be this easy to see shi+ Feixuan He could only sigh inwardly as he followed Bu Chen cli the stairs to enter the courtyard
The Abbot Courtyard was divided into three sections: front, center and rear Entering the door, he elcomed by a spacious but empty reception roo on talls; apparently they were the portraits of the enerations
Bu Chen asked Xu Ziling to wait here, while he proceeded into the inner roo browsed the portraits on the wall Although the portraits were all different, so was meticulous and very detailed; the expressions were sole everything, the faces were kind, showing the appearance of great coreat sorrow of those who helped people fro and cala the na the silence, and other pertinent infored according to their date of service When looking at the last portrait on the left wall, Xu Ziling’s heart was shaken; he walked closer to examine the portrait carefully He saw an old monk whose beard and eyebroere entirely white, with deep wrinkles crisscrossing his face He appeared to be at least 70-soht was because the portrait had at least 80, 90 rese; it would be the portrait of Liao Kong when he grew old
While he was pondering whether the portrait was Liao Kong’s father, whichhis father’s ‘cassock and alms bowl’ [usually passed on by a Buddhist master to his favorite disciple], he was shocked to find that the inscription next to the portrait only listed the date of taking the oath, without the date of death He could not help sucking in a mouthful of cold air
Could it be that the old Liao Kong turned back into a child? From the old man in the portrait back to a man that looked to be in his forties? This fact was really extre
Bu Chen’s voice came from behind, “That is the portrait of our huo; at that tiate of Dhyana cultivation, hence he had sohed and said, “It’s really hard to believe that there is indeed divine skill and secret or in the world”
Bu Chen called one of the many names of Buddha with clasped palms and said, “Dharma has no boundary; turn around and reach the shore Our hu respectfully for Xu shi+zhu in the center courtyard Please!”
Xu Ziling turned around and saw that Bu Chen did not show any intention to lead him in Thereupon he had no choice but to cup his fist in salute to express his gratitude, and walk toward the center courtyard alone
‘Bang!’
The wooden door closed behind hih empty roo was sitting cross-legged facing the wall, with his back against Xu Ziling
There was a closed door on either side of this able-to-recover-his-youth, powerful-to-reverse-the-rotation-of-the-sky seniorsome kind of profound-mystery atmosphere
With a wry s spoke deferentially, “Dashi+, please bestow your decree”
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Fro returned to the front reception hall; he was about to enter the ant ‘Beautiful Barbarian Lady’ Linglong Jiao, as always showing him dismissive attitude Both sides did not expect tojust received a bitter lesson froled hard to control hireet her
Against his expectation, this barbarian beauty revealed a rarely seen s side by side with hiht was really brilliant”
Kou Zhong was stunned, “Miss Jiao is really formidable; unexpectedly you are able to fool so long Jiao returned to her cool and detached expression and she spoke indifferently, “Without this little bit of ability, how could I gather intelligence for Shangshu Daren?”
This wo to converse with hie of attitude
Kou Zhong was thinking about finding other topic when fro Kou Zhong, he signaled hi, and the he saluted and said, “Daren is waiting for Kou Ye in the study roo he turned around and left
Halting her steps, Linglong Jiao said, “Shangshu Darento discuss with you alone I’ll see you later”
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Half a day later Kou Zhong ca waited until he closed the door and sat down in an i, “Fortunately last night you did not get beaten by the enemy I had wanted to send people to help you, but ould only fall into their hands, it will be hard to keep up with the”
And then he went on with a cold hu are too despicable”
Kou Zhong pretended to praise hiht noe need to show the ene with the School of the Military’s[1]a schener, the Dugu Clan still cannot do anything to us Therefore, they can only rely on crafty plots andas we are a bit , wang shi+chong said, “Because Qu Ao was routed, Tiele peopleGong join hands, do ant to ht lose the Eastern Capital”
Re said, “Tuli can also be disregarded, si; no matter what, Tuli and Bixuan’s two disciples must pursue him to join the excitement Yin Gui Pai, because they have to deal with shi+ Feixuan, their number one enemy, will not dare to be overtly involved in this conflict Besides, to some extent, they wish you could put Li Mi in order At that ti the Canal”
Astonished, wang shi+chong asked, “How do you know Du Fuwei is going to attack Jiangdu?”
Naturally Kou Zhong did not wish to expose Song Jingang; he said, “I have a bit of friendly relations with the Song Fa Lu at the House of Dong restaurant”
Relieved, wang shi+chong said, “This ives me headache The relationshi+p between Du Fuwei and Shen Faxing has never been good, and now suddenly they becooing up north”
Nodding, Kou Zhong said, “The current situation is obviously the struggle for Yellow River and the Canal; whoever can obtain Guanzhong and Luoyang, two big strategic cities at the sa into his bag We , and then ht to the west At that tiive command to the world, ill dare not to obey?”
wang shi+chong twirled hisfull of hope and excite, beco, will be the new dynasty’s prime minister Are you ready?” he said sole mused inwardly that only a fool would believe you But on the surface he put on a dreashu Daren holds this kid in such a high regard, I naturally arateful But I want to set up a shu Daren putto say”
wang shi+chong chuckled loudly; and then putting on a mysterious expression he said, “Whether we can lure Li Mi into sending out his troops, it depends on toement Let me have you meet my body double first”
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[1] School of the Military, one of the Hundred Schools of Thought of the Warring States Period (475-220 BC)
Liao Kong earing greyon his shoulders The empty spacious hall was quiet and noiseless
Xu Ziling stood with his hands behind his back, as if he had turned into another revered stone statue, aloof and detached frohtest hint of ientle voice spoke softly, “Luoyang’s terotto, three famous scenic destinations, I wonder if Xu shi+zhu has visited the had been speaking about anything else, even Buddhist terory, he would not have been surprised But he was referring to Luoyang’s fa to do with the current affair’s wind, horse or ox It really stumped him that he did not kno to respond
For lack of better option, he modestly asked, “Would Dashi+ bestow libly said, “’Temple’ is the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist te the Eastern Han [25-220 AD] Yongping’s tenth year In those days, when the two seniorback froht back on white horses, hence the name White Horse This became the start of Buddhism in the Central Earth; therefore, the Temple has the reputation as the ‘root of Buddhism’ and the ‘ancestor hall’ For Buddha believer who does not visit this teret”
“Thank you verysaid, “But I do not knohere the White Horse Te replied indifferently, “If Xu shi+zhu is a person with aspirations, you will find out”