Chapter 200
Chapter 200
Under everyone’s shocked gaze, Ghost Buddha Faceless slowly opened his monastic robe.
Then he plunged both hands into his own abdomen and pulled outward with all his strength.
Countless white bones spilled from his body, scattering across the entire courtyard.
Among them were more than ten cross-legged skeletons that shone with faint golden light.
Ghost Buddha Faceless performed three kneels and nine bows to the bones, blood streaming without end from his empty eye sockets.
“Namo Amitabha Buddha. Layman Hua, these are all the innocent lives this humble monk once harmed. Among them… among them are fourteen of my senior brothers!”
At those words, Ghost Buddha Faceless again struck his forehead against the ground and prostrated himself before the skeletons.
“The evil thoughts that consumed this humble monk entangled them as well, denying them release for more than a thousand years. I beg you, layman, to deliver them with your boundless compassion. This humble monk will be grateful beyond words!”
Hua Jiunan looked at the grim white bones, infinite pity rising in his heart.
Ignoring Ghost Buddha, who lay prostrate on the ground, he rose and put on his Daoist robes.
His Copper Coin Sword traced symbols through the air as he began to chant.
“By the Celestial Master’s command, I deliver your lonely souls; ghosts and specters of every kind, all four forms of life receive this grace.
“Those with heads shall transcend; those without shall be reborn. Those slain by spear or blade, those drowned or hanged by rope;
“Those who died in light or darkness, those wronged and unjustly slain; creditors and bitter enemies, children whose lives were taken;
“Kneel before my altar as the Eight Trigrams shine. Be purified and sent forth, reborn in another realm.
“As man or woman, bear what is yours. Wealth and honor, poverty and lowliness-all are called forth by your own deeds.
“By this command, all gathered souls, be reborn at once! By this command, all gathered souls, be reborn at once!”
As Hua Jiunan chanted, waves of green light flew from his body and merged with the skeletons.
One indistinct figure after another condensed amid the scattered bones.
They first formed neat ranks and bowed deeply to Hua Jiunan in unison.
Then, under Eighth Master Chang’s terrified gaze, they lifted him together and retrieved the dagger trapped beneath the black pot.
The first figure seized the dagger and stabbed Ghost Buddha viciously.
The blade entered the exact spot where Ghost Buddha had stabbed him long ago.
Afterward, the shadow handed the dagger to the figure behind him. He bowed once more to Hua Jiunan, then slowly sank into the ground and vanished.
The same scene repeated again and again.
Of course, some figures merely gave Ghost Buddha a light punch. Others only spat at him, bowed to Hua Jiunan, and dissolved into the wind.
No matter how the figures treated him, Ghost Buddha only continued kowtowing to them. Weeping tears of blood, he recited the Ksitigarbha Rebirth Mantra until the final figure sank into the earth.
After taking more than a hundred stabs, Ghost Buddha had become almost completely transparent.
He swayed unsteadily as though he might vanish at any moment.
Chen Daji could not bear the sight and tried to step forward to support him, but Deaf Granny stopped him.
“All things have their cause and effect. You brat, do not interfere recklessly! If Ghost Buddha wishes to be reborn, he must endure today’s retribution!”
As she spoke, fourteen phantoms glowing with faint golden light emerged from the fourteen cross-legged skeletons.
They bowed deeply to Hua Jiunan in unison. Then they walked one by one past the kneeling Ghost Buddha, gently stroked his head, and vanished with a smile.
Ghost Buddha could no longer contain the grief in his heart. He broke down sobbing.
“Namo Amitabha Buddha. Senior Brothers, Faqing is guilty! Faqing wronged you! Faqing has missed you so much!”
A gentle breeze stirred, and Heaven and Earth grieved with him.
Hua Jiunan pointed the Copper Coin Sword forward and said softly, “Great Monk, please come forth.”
A great monk with a compassionate face appeared from nothing.
It was Fajie, Ghost Buddha Faceless’s eldest senior brother.
Fajie pressed his palms together and bowed to Hua Jiunan.
“Namo Amitabha Buddha. This humble monk thanks you, benefactor, for rescuing me from the boundless sea of suffering.”
Hua Jiunan bowed in return.
“You are compassionate, Great Monk. There is no need for thanks.”
Monk Fajie walked slowly to Ghost Buddha. Reaching out with both hands, he helped his endlessly kowtowing junior brother to his feet.
He said nothing, merely gazing fondly at his youngest junior brother.
Tears of blood welled from Ghost Buddha’s empty eyes. He trembled as he tried to speak, but Fajie stopped him with a smile.
Then Fajie straightened Ghost Buddha’s disheveled robe, just as he had after waking him in the old days.
“Faqing, your senior brother will go on ahead and attend our teacher.
“Once I am gone, remain beside Layman Hua and cultivate.
“Remember to take care of yourself. You must not be willful again.”