Corpse Recovery Diver-Chapter 1267 - 230_9

The young man also saw the various individuals Sun Baishen met during his travels across the world, many of whom he'd already encountered on his way here.

Some of them had received favors from Sun Baishen, while others chose to follow this man known to the world as the "Buddha's son" for further progress.

Sun Baishen often said, "I am not a Bodhisattva."

Yet, they all called him Bodhisattva.

Later, a figure appeared, and the memory image sped up tenfold, as if some force was deliberately obscuring his past.

Li Zhiyuan resolutely abandoned the retrieval of other scenes, focusing solely on this segment.

In this segment, Sun Baishen met a young man, who would later become True Monarch Pu Du.

Their relationship was the closest, considering each other confidants. They led their core followers, traveling the world, slaying demons and eliminating evil, while together completing the deduction of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra.

When Sun Baishen took his followers to deal with an epidemic in a village, and the villagers knelt and called him Bodhisattva, he reiterated once more:

"I am not a Bodhisattva."

True Monarch Pu Du then spoke up, "Since you can't see the True Bodhisattva, then be the Bodhisattva they can see."

Sun Baishen agreed.

In the following scene, Sun Baishen discovered this peculiar spot near the sea and rallied his followers to establish a temple on this site.

With True Monarch Pu Du's assistance, Sun Baishen founded a lineage here, developing the Yin God system. When he sat upon the Lotus Platform and was worshiped as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, he conferred titles to his followers as True Monarchs and aided them in passing their powers through their bloodlines for summoning.

...

With the end of the second memory, Li Zhiyuan ascended to the eighth level, initially expecting that the third memory would depict Sun Baishen's betrayal scene, but this was not the case.

The third scene was brief, so brief that it consisted of only an angry shout.

Sun Baishen sat on the Lotus Platform, raising his head upward:

"You clearly have done nothing. By what right do you extract merit from here, unearned and a thief!"

...

With the end of the third scene, Li Zhiyuan stood before Sun Baishen.

His appearance seemed unchanged from the first memory scene, but upon closer examination, a faint dark hue could be seen subtly seeping beneath his skin. His body had long been devoid of life, yet he persisted.

No one can truly live vibrantly through the ages.

True Monarch Pu Du's voice again sounded at the ear: "Now, since you've come, help 'him' start the Divination."

Li Zhiyuan placed his finger at Sun Baishen's brow.

His skin was smooth; the sensation felt like touching Buddha Skin Paper.

The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra operated within Li Zhiyuan's mind, and the boy's fingertips gradually transformed into various colors.

From beginning to end, he felt no resistance from Sun Baishen.

Soon, Li Zhiyuan saw the "color" within Sun Baishen was white.

If Li Zhiyuan were to start the Divination now, then the black from outside would backflow into Sun Baishen's body.

The boy began the Divination.

True Monarch Pu Du's voice once more broke the silence: "Good, very good, just this..."

The next moment, True Monarch Pu Du's voice abruptly stopped.

For the black from outside was not absorbed by Sun Baishen but rather, the remaining white within Sun Baishen frantically surged outward becoming black.

In an instant, the black outside thickened and became dense, while the original grayish-white hue in the hall turned dark at this moment.

Li Zhiyuan had performed Divination, but it was a reverse Divination.

True Monarch Pu Du, far from being wrathful, spoke in a majestic tone: "Do you know what you are doing?"

Li Zhiyuan nodded and replied: "I know, I'm polluting these merits, lest they be stolen."

Merit is extremely precious.

Jianghu people light lamps and traverse Jianghu, initially very few aimed to compete for the Dragon King; most sought to amass merit by doing so, like the Xiong Shan couple.

Merit also made White Crane Child willingly change jobs to pursue greater profits.

The establishment and operation of this place are due to the sect's Divination Child who slays demons and eliminates evil, thus obtaining merit, which these True Monarchs use to extend their lives and push themselves to the manifestation of the "Physical Yin God."

Li Zhiyuan withdrew his hand and turned to descend the steps.

True Monarch Pu Du: "By doing this, you risk facing divine retribution."

Li Zhiyuan: "Retribution, who's giving me retribution?"

After descending the steps, the young man approached True Monarch Pu Du, who still held the scroll.

Why was the record of Sun Baishen's encounters with each True Monarch destroyed in the Main Registrar True Monarch Temple?

Because they were well aware Sun Baishen, whom they collectively elevated as Bodhisattva, was not the real Bodhisattva. This was an erasure of their original sin, attempting to cleanse themselves.

Why was the later Official General Chief System more complete, better suited for passing on, easier for higher-ups to manage, with such great progress?

Why could these True Monarchs launch a rebellion without hesitation, and what assurance and substantial benefits motivated them?

Why did the monkey listen so well to True Monarch Pu Du?

Why did the monkey on the outer bridge not know its identity while the confined True Monarch Pu Du was aware of his existence?

Why was the child in pain on the bridge and initially didn't come out in the Gatekeeper True Monarch Temple, yet Li Zhiyuan wasn't angry?

All these whys stem from the fact that although Sun Baishen was undoubtedly a false Bodhisattva, the true Bodhisattva, or a wisp of the Bodhisattva's spirit, has actually been hidden here all along!

He accompanied Sun Baishen in creating this place, supplemented the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra alongside Sun Baishen, and assisted in establishing this system and lineage.

Upon revealing his identity, the True Monarchs immediately abandoned the false Bodhisattva they collectively raised, dreaming to aspire under the true Bodhisattva.

But his intent was merely to destroy the old systems not entirely his own, to rebuild a brand new system solely belonging to him.

Therefore, everything here shall be thoroughly buried, including these True Monarchs, for they witnessed the impure side of the Bodhisattva.

True Monarch Pu Du's voice remained calm and steady: "The Monkey Head said you are as smart as Sun Baishen; actually, you're not. Sun Baishen has always failed to see who I truly am, while you have already recognized me."

Li Zhiyuan continued walking toward True Monarch Pu Du.

True Monarch Pu Du: "Knowing my identity, you should be even clearer about how to act."

Li Zhiyuan: "Hmm, I know, so now, how should I address you?"

True Monarch Pu Du: "Do not call out my name, or everything will be unmanageable; you know the consequences."

Li Zhiyuan: "Very well, indeed."

True Monarch Pu Du: "Go back up and set everything right; I can give you another chance."

Li Zhiyuan: "You know, for a long time I was afraid due to my illness that one day I'd wake from sleep and the human skin on my face falls off, but I never expected there'd be..."

True Monarch Pu Du: "What else is there?"

Li Zhiyuan spread open his right hand, initially a mist of blood appeared in the palm, followed by black Karmic Fire, fingers curled, the fire burning upon his fist.

The young man swung his fist, striking directly at True Monarch Pu Du:

"Something this shameless!"

———

This chapter is 15.5k words, making up for yesterday's shortfall. Please vote for monthly tickets!