Chapter 268
Chapter 268
Hearing Hua Jiunan’s question, Ah Da waved his hands in alarm.
“Young master, please understand. We did not make Second Master Chen’s statue. Even with courage as vast as Heaven, we siblings would never presume to decide such an important matter. After returning, the Great General went to the City God that very night and exchanged his own hidden virtue for two divine seats.”
Under ordinary circumstances, hidden virtue could not be exchanged for divine seats. The reason would be explained later.
Quick-tongued Ah San, who adored Eighth Master Chang, interrupted.
“The Great General said that without Second Master Chen building his temple, guiding incense here, and taking up arms in his defense, he could never have escaped the Underworld Court’s pursuit, much less reunited with his wife and the young master. How could such a debt go unpaid? He therefore wished to become sworn brothers with Second Master Chen and share the honor and hidden virtue of his divine seat.”
The three Oldling Spirits bowed to Chen Daji.
“These old servants, Ah Da, Ah Er, and Ah San, greet Young Master Ji.”
Chen Daji was usually reckless, but he was kindhearted and respected the old. Three white-haired elders bowing to him badly frightened him. Imitating Eighth Master Chang, he darted behind Hua Jiunan.
“Elders, please don’t be so polite. You’re making me sweat and shake! And don’t call me young master. Call me Little Rooster, or little bastard. Grandmother, Eighth Master, and my dad all do. It sounds friendlier…”
The explanation enlightened Hua Jiunan. He gently pulled Chen Daji forward and bowed solemnly.
“Daji, thank you. Thank you, Uncle Chen. Without your help, my family might never have reunited.”
This only made Chen Daji more flustered.
“Boss, what are you doing? Dad and I didn’t do much! Besides, you and Grandma saved his life. Without you, that giant zombie would’ve clawed him to death long ago…”
As they thanked one another, Wuxin spoke timidly.
“Namo Amitabha. The Buddha said: every sip and every peck is ordained beforehand. Whether a bond begins beautifully or ends in sorrow, the causes lie in the past. Brother and Benefactor Chen are simply repaying each other’s kindness and bringing good causes to fruition.”
The little monk walked softly to the statue of Hua Jiunan’s mother.
“Brother, is this your honored mother? This young monk will recite scriptures and pray for her for three days, helping her leave the sea of suffering and reach the Other Shore.”
The childishness vanished from Young Monk Wuxin’s face. He sat within the General’s Temple with solemn dignity and began reciting the Guanyin Heart Sutra.
“When Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva practiced the profound Perfection of Wisdom…
“Shariputra, form is no different from emptiness, and emptiness no different from form. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Sensation, perception, formation, and consciousness are likewise.”
His voice was quiet yet carried far, echoing across the mountains like morning bells and evening drums.
Wandering ghosts and strange spirits throughout the mountains stopped what they were doing and bowed toward the General’s Temple. Then they sat cross-legged to receive the cleansing of the Dharma.
In a flash of inspiration, Hua Jiunan bowed deeply to his mother’s statue and sat beside Wuxin. He began slowly reciting the Daoist Wondrous Scripture of Taiyi’s Salvation from Suffering and Protection.
“Within the Heaven of Subtle Purity stands the nine-colored jade hall. Ascend the throne of seven treasures and release great radiance. Gather all spirits and teach with Heaven, O Celestial Worthies of the ten directions.
“Lords of the Dao, Elder Lords, Sovereign Lords and Primordial Ladies, venerable elders and sages, and the countless hosts of immortals all come before the throne to hear the wondrous Dharma proclaimed.
“Then Brahma praises its goodness, and Shakra sings in joy. Celestial music sounds of itself and arrives with the light.”
Miraculously, though Hua Jiunan and Wuxin recited separately, their voices did not conflict. They blended in extraordinary harmony.
The wandering ghosts and strange spirits in the mountains were overjoyed and bowed again. Awed by the majesty of the Valiant Great General, they dared not approach too closely to receive the teaching.
Those inside the temple benefited even more.
Eighth Master Chang stretched his body around Hua Jiunan and Wuxin to protect them. His serpentine face shone with delight, as if he had attained the Dao and would be able to run even faster. He had only one regret: his Eldest Brother was not present to hear the young master physician and the young monk recite together.
The three Oldling Spirits swayed their heads in appreciation. Karmic energy rose from their bodies, faintly showing signs of dissipating.
Only Chen Daji remained bewildered, looking left and right without knowing what to do. Everyone had been fine a moment ago. What had suddenly gotten into them?
Then he thought: everyone else was busy, so he could not stay idle. He took off his coat, used it as a rag, and began cleaning, complaining all the while that the “rag” was too small and nowhere near as useful as Eighth Master Chang’s tail.