The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 523 - 399, The World-Honored One Opens His Eyes (6k)

Huff, huff—

The cold wind whipped the flags atop the high platform, the gilded characters for "Challenge" exceedingly conspicuous against the Buddha Light shining down from the heavens.

"Zhao Douan?!"

Atop the platform, the Red Sect Master and Monk Bian Ji, seated across from each other in meditation, both showed surprise on their faces. The latter, even more rarely, lost his composure and shouted out his name.

Below, there was a commotion in the square.

The plump female monk, who had been neglected in the front row, was momentarily stunned; her "wise eyes" fixed on the young man who seemed to descend like a heavenly being, her expression becoming extremely strange.

Prajna Bodhisattva turned his head and glanced at Abbot Xuan Yin beside him.

Hmm... true to form as the chief abbot of the Divine Dragon Temple in the Heavenly Human Realm, the elder monk Xuan Yin merely furrowed his brows slightly, expressing no opinion.

With Xuan Yin's status, he would not be expected to make a statement on such a matter.

"Zhao Douan!" A roar, almost like a tiger's bellow, erupted as Long Shu Bodhisattva suddenly rose to his feet, his beardless face taking on an imposing air:

"Today, we gather for the debate on Eastern and Western Buddhist Law. What are you trying to accomplish by disrupting this event?"

Zhao Douan retorted proudly, looking down at Long Shu Bodhisattva who unknowingly had clenched the crescent-shaped Zen staff in his muscular, sinewy hands.

This was their first meeting, but each was already well-acquainted with the other's likeness.

"You ask a good question, Long Shu Bodhisattva. I, too, would like to ask what exactly was the Divine Dragon Temple trying to do when I traveled south?" Zhao Douan coldly countered.

Long Shu was momentarily stifled by his rage when he heard Zhao Douan continue to speak loudly:

"Furthermore, the Divine Dragon Temple promised to apprehend the criminal monk Da Jing who attempted to assassinate me. Time has passed; where is he now? Have you not found him, or are you sheltering him?"

"Lord Zhao!"

On the platform, Monk Bian Ji couldn't help but rise to his feet and raise his hand to restrain the incensed Long Shu, pressing his hands together in respect:

"Lord, your grievances are justified. Da Jing's actions have brought shame to our Divine Dragon Temple, and our abbot has already ordered monks in various temples to go forth in pursuit of this person. The Divine Dragon Temple has also accepted responsibility for appropriate reparations...

Today is the day of the Scripture Debate. Please, Lord, withdraw for now and once the debate is concluded, come to the temple to discuss the matter."

The other monks, along with the noble spectators, also began to speak up in an effort to mediate.

They all thought that Zhao Douan's unresolved anger from his previous assassination attempt was the reason he was making a scene on this critical day.

By confronting the Divine Dragon Temple in the presence of the Western Regions people, he was venting his frustrations, causing them to lose face.

"It appears everyone has misunderstood. Could it be that you all believe my presence today is solely to stir trouble in the debate and to humiliate the Divine Dragon Temple?" Zhao Douan smiled, "Who in the capital doesn't know of my broad-mindedness? Why would I indulge in such a pointless act?"

Broad-mindedness... The crowd was momentarily speechless, finding no words to respond.

Zhao Douan steadied himself on the flag beside him, his demeanor serious:

"I have come here today not for personal vengeance but to discuss what is reasonable!" freewebnøvel.com

His eyes swept across the monks as he spoke out loud:

"Perhaps you didn't hear me clearly just now, so let me reiterate: I am here only for the debate. In my opinion, your so-called Eastern and Western Buddhism utterly misinterprets the true intent of Buddhist Law, and yet you presumptuously compete for the 'orthodoxy', which is utterly laughable! I am not targeting anyone specifically, but I must say, you... and you..."

Zhao Douan gestured, pointing first toward the Divine Dragon Temple and then toward the Five Directions Monk Group from the Western Regions, his manner haughty:

"You're all trash!"

Boom!

As his words fell, the square erupted into noise. The smirk on the Red Sect Master's face froze in amusement, his eyes reflecting confusion.

This male favorite of the Empress, a military officer of Yu Country, was publicly condemning both Eastern and Western Buddhism as flawed and wanting to join the debate?

Against both parties, intending to refute them together?

"Arrogant!"

"This scoundrel is detestable!"

"Throw him out!"

Many irate young monks were shouting loudly, but Zhao Douan remained unmoving, as if daring them to make a move.

"Abbot... what do you think we should do..." Long Shu Monk faltered, a thought struck him, and his anger dissipated as he turned to seek advice from Xuan Yin.

Initially, he was furious, thinking that Zhao Douan had come looking for trouble with him.

Now realizing that this madman was ignoring him and not engaging him specifically, he suddenly felt no need to get involved, finding it more appropriate to leave the matter for Xuan Yin to worry about.

Prajna Bodhisattva enjoyed the escalation of the drama and suppressing his inward amusement, also suggested:

"Abbot, please make a decision."

Abbot Xuan Yin glanced at them both, then spoke out with a voice that quieted the restless square:

"The Buddha is not one person's Buddha, but the Buddha of all. The debate of Scripture is not the view of just two factions but can encompass everything. Since Master Zhao has his insights, why not give it a try?"

Many were startled, not expecting Abbot Xuan Yin to agree!

Yet upon further thought, it seemed unsurprising.

Zhao Douan's status was too special, and not long ago, the Empress had executed a monk from the Divine Dragon Temple for his sake. At this juncture, any conflict had to be avoided.

Moreover, the traditions of Buddhist debating did not set limits, and it wasn't uncommon for even non-Buddhists to participate in Buddhist debates historically.

"Holy Monk... What do you think..."

Monk Bian Ji's face showed unease.

He had witnessed Mr. Zhengyang succumb without a fight and the emergence of Heart Learning before, knowing how unorthodox Zhao Douan could be.

But since the abbot had spoken, he could only hope that the Western Regions monks would object—if they could refuse and have the Western Regions people remove Zhao Douan, it would be best.

Yet to everyone's surprise, after his initial astonishment, the Red Sect Master's old monkey-like face suddenly turned to gaze steadily at Zhao Douan for a moment, then unexpectedly nodded and said:

"I have long heard that Lord Zhao of Yu Country is deeply learned and has opened a new stream of Confucianism. Since Abbot Xuan Yin has spoken, why don't we postpone our Eastern and Western debate? I would rather hear what insights Lord Zhao has to offer first."

The Holy Monk from the Western Regions agreed too?!