The road from Qianlv Town to Jinling was not easy, but flying would be much faster.
Monk Miaohua returned to Hanshan Temple in Jinling early.
Upon his return, Miaohua immediately hurried to see Abbot Yansong.
Abbot Yansong was the most senior eminent monk in Hanshan Temple. He was a contemporary of the late Heavenly Master Zhang Yin, but he did not appear as spirited as the Heavenly Master had in his lifetime.
Before the giant Buddha statue, Abbot Yansong sat cross-legged, holding a staff carved from a wooden stick. He could barely support his body with the help of this staff.
The years had left too many marks on Abbot Yansong's face. When his eyes were closed and he remained still, he seemed to merge with his surroundings, like a quiet old pine tree.
Miaohua, with three martial monk disciples, walked quickly into the hall and knelt before Abbot Yansong.
"Abbot, Miaohua has returned."
Abbot Yansong was not Miaohua's master. Miaohua's master was Grand Elder Benheng Chan Shi of Hanshan Temple, and Benheng Chan Shi had to call Abbot Yansong his martial grand-uncle.
As for those senior to Benheng Chan Shi, they had all gone to see the Buddha.
Abbot Yansong seemed not to have heard Miaohua's words, showing no reaction.
At this moment, Miaohua's master, Benheng Chan Shi, appeared outside the hall holding a broom. Seeing Miaohua and his group return, he put down the broom, walked into the hall, and stood beside Abbot Yansong.
"Continue your report. The Abbot is listening," Benheng Chan Shi said calmly.
Miaohua nodded and continued his report: "Your disciple was ordered to track the whereabouts of Abbot Shiming's evil Buddha. The clues led to Side Temple in Qianlv Town, Huizhou. However, we were a step too late; the evil Buddha had already been taken by someone else."
Benheng Chan Shi frowned and asked, "The evil Buddha contains immense malevolent thoughts. If the person who obtained it is not powerful enough, or their mind is not firm, they will undoubtedly be controlled by the evil Buddha. Who has such ability to take the evil Buddha?"
Benheng Chan Shi was more concerned about whether that person had been controlled by the evil Buddha.
Once the evil Buddha found a new host, it would likely begin to wreak havoc again.
Miaohua replied, "Your disciple inquired with Abbot Haixin of Side Temple and obtained some information. I learned that the person was heading north, and I have dispatched Chang Ji and others to search along the way."
"Then why did you return?" Benheng Chan Shi asked, confused.
"After that person took the evil Buddha, they did not seem to be controlled by it. Your disciple worried that the person's strength was not shallow, so I planned to return to gather some helpers, then patrol from north to south to intercept them with Chang Ji and the others."
"Hmm, you are indeed thorough."
Benheng replied on behalf of Abbot Yansong. After asking a few more questions, he dismissed Miaohua.
After Miaohua left, Benheng Chan Shi was about to continue sweeping the courtyard gate when he was stopped by Abbot Yansong, who had not spoken until then.
"Benheng, Miaohua's karmic burdens have grown heavier."
It turned out Abbot Yansong had been awake all along and had seen through Miaohua's violation of the precept against killing during this outing.
Benheng Chan Shi hesitated and inquired, "Miaohua is devoted to Buddha, but his thoughts are somewhat extreme. I hope Martial Grand-Uncle will forgive him."
"It is of no use if this old monk forgives him. You must ask if Buddha forgives him, and if Bodhisattvas forgive him."
"You have always known that Miaohua has been violating the precept against killing. Why have you never disciplined him?" Benheng asked, not understanding.
"Karma has its own destiny. As you said, Miaohua is devoted to Buddha. Since he is devoted to Buddha, what reason do I have to discipline him?" Abbot Yansong said in a low voice, "In the hearts of ten thousand people, there are ten thousand Buddhas. We can only advise Miaohua, not discipline him. You, Benheng, will have to put in more effort and enlighten Miaohua."
Benheng Chan Shi sighed, "Martial Grand-Uncle, perhaps I am not suited to teaching disciples? Miaoji betrayed the sect, Miaohua is trapped in killing karma, Miaoyou is troubled by love, and even Chang Shan, whom you favored, has gone astray."
Abbot Yansong was silent for a moment: "...Then let Miaoyou go and guide Miaohua."
Benheng Chan Shi remained silent for even longer.
So... Martial Grand-Uncle, you also suspect it's my problem???
Benheng Chan Shi's high blood pressure increased by a few more points.
...
The second thing Miaohua did upon returning to Hanshan Temple was to summon his youngest disciple, a young novice monk, and ask him to check on Chang Shan's situation.
Because Chang Shan had a good relationship with Yan Shouyi, and after the relationship between the two sects deteriorated, Chang Shan often clamored to go down the mountain to find Yan Shouyi, Benheng Chan Shi had confined Chang Shan.
Miaohua did not know Yan Shouyi's purpose for traveling in the direction of Jinling. He worried it was related to Chang Shan, so he specifically sent the young novice to test Chang Shan.
After sending off the young novice, Miaohua met with several other people.
Yong Yong from Dongchan Temple, and Jie Jing and Jie Xuan from Yonglü Temple.
The three were all experts among the Buddhist clergy in the Jinling region. Coupled with Miaohua himself and his disciples, Miaohua was confident they were enough to deal with Yan Shouyi.
Yong Yong, Jie Jing, and Jie Xuan were all staunch opponents of civilian sects. Upon hearing from Miaohua that he had located Yan Shouyi, the three were extremely excited!
They had a good relationship with Miaohua, and now with mutual benefit involved, they would certainly keep their mouths shut about the matter.
Of course, when it came to dealing with Yan Shouyi, the three would also spare no effort!
"Senior Brother Miaohua, you said Chang Ji is tracking Yan Shouyi. Where is Yan Shouyi now?" Yong Yong couldn't help but ask.
Miaohua sneered and took out his phone to contact Chang Ji.
Soon, he received a reply: The truck Yan Shouyi was traveling in had entered the Jinling area!
Entered Jinling!
Jinling was Hanshan Temple's territory, filled with their informants. It could be said that from the moment Yan Shouyi entered Jinling, he was completely exposed!
Miaohua put down his phone and said in a low voice, "This time, Yan Shouyi will surely come but not return!"
...
"Sir, your delivery!"
A delivery man brought hot mala tang. Yan Shouyi and Brother Yang quickly finished it by the truck.
After finishing lunch, Yan Shouyi wiped his mouth and said to Brother Yang:
"I'm going into Jinling to pick up a few people. Brother Yang, you drive the truck to the north exit of Jinling and wait for me... Remember, if you see any monks approaching, just drive away without a second word. Don't wait for me."
"Monks, are they bald like me?" Brother Yang pointed to his shiny bald head and asked.
Brother Yang only realized much later, after leaving Side Temple, that his head had been shaved. Yan Shouyi lied, claiming that Brother Yang had insisted on shaving it himself after falling unconscious, and Brother Yang didn't suspect anything.
Yan Shouyi smiled, "Not necessarily. Be wary of nuns too."
Brother Yang hesitated for a moment and asked, "The gang you provoked, could it be Shaolin Temple?"
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Without explanation, Yan Shouyi put on a jacket, flagged down a taxi by the roadside, and left.
Not long after, Chang Ji followed in a car.
Sitting in the car, Chang Ji was extremely curious: Yan Shouyi's destination seemed clear, but where exactly was he going?