257: Chapter 256 Nanneng Monk 257: Chapter 256 Nanneng Monk Tideng Monk was a regular visitor, having come several times before, so the two of them easily entered the temple, led directly to the Zen Hall by a monk.
But Master Nanneng was not in the temple, and according to the monks, he had gone out to visit a friend and would not return until evening.
“Shall we wait or just leave a visiting card and come back tomorrow?” Tideng asked, still feeling somewhat anxious, hence the suggestion.
Hou Niao chuckled, “Wait!
Since we’ve entered the temple, why leave empty-handed?
Monk, you still lack experience.
In such government-related cases, regardless of right or wrong, it’s essential to grasp the momentum; you can’t act like a genuine visitor.”
Tideng Monk looked displeased, “So what you’re saying is, even if this matter has nothing to do with Jianjia Temple, we should still act as if, if you’re not honest, I could frame you just to implicate you?”
Hou Niao nodded, “A teachable child.”
Looking around the Zen Hall, actually unable to discern anything, “Fetch the receptionist monk; we must properly admire such a renowned Xionger Temple.”
Tideng Monk’s eyelid twitched, “You’re looking to sniff out the Demon Fox, aren’t you?
Suit yourself, but I must warn you, apart from Master Nanneng, the others here are common mortals who know nothing of Cultivation.
You can’t use Cultivation methods against them, or when the master comes back and finds fault, don’t say I didn’t help you.”
Hou Niao waved his hand, “I’ve seen that already, don’t worry, I’m not one to bully the weak and fear the strong.”
Once the receptionist monk was brought, he led the two everywhere in the temple, missing no spot.
Hou Niao was in high spirits, but as he had promised, he did not use any Cultivation methods, nor did he probe in his speech, acting like a true pilgrim, even sincerely offering incense and praying in the Great Hall.
While he was kneeling in prayer, Tideng Monk was curious, “Would a disciple of the Demon Sect also pray to Buddha?”
Hou Niao grinned, “I pray to the ‘Demon’!”
…Elixirs once poisoned, and even the green lamp was a demon.
Tideng Monk’s gaze hardened.
Although the Sword Cultivator was often crude and cold, sometimes his words provoked deep thought.
Comparing Buddha to a demon, another person might immediately react angrily, but not him.
He would carefully compare Buddha and demon, then find their differences and similarities, momentarily unsure of the distinction?
The entire day, Hou Niao observed with great interest, and Tideng accompanied him with neither resentment nor regret, only straining the receptionist monk, who knowing both were Cultivators like the Abbott, dared not offend and had to thoroughly explain everything, supplementing lack of architectural beauty with history, finally making it through to dusk when Master Nanneng finally returned.
In the Zen Hall, a young monk brewed fragrant tea and quietly withdrew; the three people in the hall faced each other, somewhat silent.
Nanneng Monk was thin but radiated health with a rosy face; cloaked in a vast monastic robe, his silhouette elongated by the candlelight, carried a certain pressure, reminding Hou Niao to constantly alert himself that this was a master of the Tongtian Realm, ranked in God Sensing among the Buddhist Daoist traditions, existing at the same level as his Uncle Master Yu Zhengxing.
Tideng Monk felt it necessary to break the silence; he feared that the longer it lasted, the more eerie the atmosphere would become.
“Master, I have come to introduce a friend.
Hearing of the great virtue residing in Jianjia Temple, we specifically came to listen to your teachings…”
Master Nanneng waved his hand, “No need for pretense.
The Buddhist family does not speak falsehoods or engage in flattery; the person you brought is not a friend but a public servant, the guardian of Xionger Town in Shan Country.
He didn’t come to listen to my teachings, rather to hear my testimony.”
Tideng Monk awkwardly closed his mouth.
He was most afraid of encountering such situations.
If Master Nanneng clearly refused to cooperate, how could they, two junior cultivators, possibly contend with a high-ranking individual whose realm was two levels above theirs?
Master Nanneng ignored him, only looking towards Hou Niao with a calm expression, but his words left no room for negotiation.
“Amitabha, a monk should not speak falsely.
I’ll be direct, whether it was the Demon Fox or not, it did not do it.”
Hou Niao’s expression remained unchanged; he had anticipated the Buddhist high priest’s reaction.
Indeed, the most difficult part of the whole affair was not proving that the Demon Fox was the culprit but convincing Nanneng to cooperate with them.
With such a high-ranking individual hindering them, what could they possibly uncover?
“Master is straightforward, and so shall I be.
Let’s cut to the chase.
Regardless of whether or not it was the Demon Fox, it definitely was!”
Tideng Monk felt a tightness in his chest.
What he feared most had indeed occurred.
He had prepared countless contingencies for such a situation, but now he found none of them useful.
Nanneng Monk was as placid as an ancient well, “Oh?
I would like to know how you plan to ascertain its guilt?”
Hou Niao did not hesitate, “If Master does not hand it over, I will announce the crimes of the Demon Fox throughout the entirety of Xionger, leaving it no room to argue.
Concurrently, I will report to the sect and request support, for the Demon Fox’s backing is not something I can tackle alone.”
His firm endorsement of his powerful backing surprised Tideng Monk, who had thought this man intended to handle the matter on his own.
Yet, Master Nanneng was not surprised, “I’ve heard that Guardian Hou was once a Capital Commandant before he entered the path and seems to have not forgotten his old trade.
You’re quite skilled at making the innocent guilty.”
Hou Niao frankly replied, “I dare not deceive Master.
During my time in criminal investigation, three out of ten cases had no suspects found, but with upper pressures, either for performance or pressure, I had no choice but to pin the crime on one of the suspected felons.
This way, everyone was satisfied, and a piece of trash was eliminated.
Why wouldn’t I do it?”
Master Nanneng watched him, “But the real criminal would escape.”
Hou Niao was unmoved, “The real criminal won’t escape.
As long as they feel safe, they would eventually resurface and commit a crime.
Then, I would find another reason to capture them.
Given enough time, no criminal could escape.
The only regret might be the charges being somewhat mismatched, but it doesn’t matter in the end.”
Nanneng felt somewhat irritated, as this youngster was difficult to deal with.
He had his sources about the intricacies of these great powers, knowing that Hou Niao’s patronage was the notorious inspection system of the Quanzhen Sect, a faction particularly ruthless and hard to handle in the sect.
This prevented him from dispatching the young man using the simplest method.
Indeed, he had brought back the Demon Fox, and he was unclear whether it had committed the alleged act.
He did not want to succumb to pressure so easily, but offending the Sikong System of the Quanzhen Sect over a Demon Fox did seem unworthy, didn’t it?
Looking at Tideng Monk, “Is your nephew here with the same attitude?”
What Tideng Monk feared most was this question.
He now deeply regretted coming here with this madman, putting him in a dilemma.
He had to answer, and ultimately, he chose the approach most beneficial to his own cultivation,
“The rules of the Temple can bind the laws.
The heart as Buddha shall not pass the torch.”