Chapter 32: One Thought for Buddha, One Thought for Demon

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“Zhou City, at last I have returned.”

The Daoist youth, having completely altered his appearance, walked into Zhou City.

Contrary to what Qin Changsheng and the others had expected, he had not devoured other people to break through into the Divine Transformation realm. Instead, he had put away the strange peachwood sword and transformed himself into a vigorous young cultivator, brimming with youthful energy.

He entered Zhou City.

In the end, Qin Changsheng and the others had underestimated him. They had assumed he would become a slave to power and embark on an endless spree of devouring. But at this critical juncture before entering the Divine Transformation realm, unless he found truly worthwhile prey, he was unwilling to make a hasty breakthrough.

To achieve Divine Transformation, one must first transform the mortal self. This was the long process of insight that many had to undergo when breaking through into that realm. Even though he had once possessed a powerful Great Dao, after living a second life, he did not wish to follow the same failed path as before.

Moreover, in this life he had obtained this strange sword. He believed it was Heaven granting him a chance to rise again. In his previous life, he had not been fated to die. Now that he had returned through rebirth, every injustice would be avenged, and every grudge repaid.

“I wonder how many of those old acquaintances are still alive. I wonder what expressions you will wear when you recognize me after I devour your souls.”

The Daoist youth gazed at the familiar city before him and drew a deep breath.

“The world sees only the laughter of the newcomer. Who ever remembers the tears of the one left behind?”

“I have returned in this life. Everyone who betrayed me—wait for me to come to your door and collect what is owed.”

The Daoist youth entered Zhou City and was just preparing to find somewhere to settle when, at the end of the street, he saw a handsome monk. The monk wore no shoes. Though he walked barefoot, not a speck of dust clung to him.

In his hands he held a golden alms bowl. His features were dignified and solemn, and he looked both sacred and beautiful...

At the sight of the monk, the Daoist youth’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He remembered the strands of hair severed by Buddhist light. The Daoist youth stopped, lifted his head, and looked toward the monk. The monk smiled and looked back.

“Monk, you are blocking my way.”

The Daoist youth’s expression turned cold. Clearly, he had little patience or goodwill toward this monk’s appearance. The moment they met, murderous intent had already arisen in his heart.

“Benefactor, this humble monk greets you.”

The young monk remained kind and benevolent, appearing harmless, as warm and gentle as the morning sun.

But to the Daoist youth, that benevolent expression seemed hypocritical and laughable.

“I do not recall ever knowing any monk. You need not show me courtesy. If you have any sense, step aside.”

“We will keep to our own affairs. The road is broad beneath Heaven; let us each take our own side.”

“If you insist on meddling, do not blame this Daoist for showing you no mercy.”

The Daoist youth was not one for beating around the bush. Since he understood the monk’s purpose, and knew that this was the monk who had helped Qin Changsheng and the others sever their karmic ties, he expressed his position plainly and directly.

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After returning, he had thought for a long time. He understood that Qin Changsheng had been bluffing, but he had also realized that Qin Changsheng truly possessed the power to threaten him. Thus, he had not continued pursuing Qin Changsheng and Nanguo Ruoxi.

In the end, there was no great hatred between him and Qin Changsheng. Their relationship was simply that of hunter and prey. The prey would always be there; when to hunt was for the hunter to decide.

Those who competed with him for his prey, those who had persecuted him—those were the ones he hated most.

That was why the Daoist youth had entered Zhou City.

He intended to relive everything from the past here and complete his transformation into the Divine Transformation realm.

Only by returning to this place, where the waters ran deepest and the fires burned hottest, could he understand what sort of path he truly wished to take.

And now, an inexplicable monk had appeared.

This infuriated the Daoist youth.

“Why must you be angry, Benefactor? Perhaps my appearance will prove to be a good thing for you.”

The monk Wuling shook his head. He did not move aside, but merely pressed his palms together and uttered, “Amitabha.”

The two faced each other, no more than ten feet apart. For a moment, they entered into a standoff.

“That may be a good thing for you, but it is not necessarily one for me. I hate meddlesome bald donkeys like you most of all. If you hope to cultivate a better next life, why not kill yourself now and go straight there? Must you prattle on endlessly? Aren’t you tired of hearing yourself?”

The Daoist youth unleashed his power. His eyes turned gray as he walked directly toward the monk.

“Nothing in this world is truly unrelated to us.”

“All causes and effects arise from their reasons. Why not lay down the butcher’s knife and become a Buddha here and now, Benefactor?”

The golden alms bowl in the monk’s hands suddenly blazed with Buddhist light, shining directly upon the Daoist youth...

Yet this Buddhist radiance, capable of dispelling all threatening forces, produced no reaction whatsoever when it fell upon the Daoist youth. He shook his head.

“My heart is clear and open. How can you, monk, save me?”

The Buddhist light filled the sky, yet it had no effect on him. The radiance that purified all things passed straight through his body, making him appear utterly spotless and immaculate.

It was a bizarre sight. Even the young monk was greatly startled, staring at the Daoist youth in disbelief.

“How can one who wields such evil power possess a Dao heart and body so clear and undefiled?”

It was too strange, far beyond the monk’s understanding.

This young man possessed an extremely evil power, yet he was completely immune to the Buddhist light that banished evil.

Moreover, although he used evil power to devour the souls of countless people, he possessed a Dao heart that was pure, lucid, and untainted.

It was as though someone had fallen into the mire yet emerged without a trace of filth upon him.

And the fiend before him had somehow achieved this inconceivable union.

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“I never expected that, while venturing through the mortal world, I would encounter two people with clear and undefiled Dao hearts on the very same day.”

“Is this fate?”

The way the young monk looked at the Daoist youth finally changed.

Hearing this, the Daoist youth burst into laughter.

“To encounter that freak Qin Changsheng and me at the same time? You truly are an interesting monk. What a pity, though. The only person in the entire world who might be able to kill me is Qin Changsheng. You cannot stop me.”

After hearing only a few words, he understood that the person the monk referred to was Qin Changsheng. He knew that Qin Changsheng possessed a clear and undefiled Dao heart. Back when they had traveled together, he had failed to deceive Qin Changsheng.

“What if this humble monk insists on stopping you?”

Monk Wuling pressed his palms together. A tremendous Buddhist radiance burst from his body, condensing in the blink of an eye into a colossal Dharma form. It was as if a gigantic Buddha were seated behind him.

That Buddha possessed supreme majesty. Its radiance illuminated all things, and its solemn, dignified appearance was terrifying to behold.

At last, the Daoist youth was halted by the Buddhist light. The powerful golden Dharma body transformed into a force of suppression that descended upon him. The Daoist youth, who had been strolling away as casually as though in his own courtyard, let out a soft sound of surprise.

“I underestimated you.”

“Benefactor, lay down the butcher’s knife and become a Buddha here and now.”

“Today, let me guide you into Buddhahood.”

“Amitabha. Blessed indeed, blessed indeed.”

The monk began chanting the scriptures once more.

But halfway through the chant, the Daoist youth suddenly let out a strange, mocking laugh.

Monk Wuling saw the Daoist youth imitate his gesture, pressing his palms together.

“Amitabha. Monk, why not pick up the butcher’s knife first, then consider becoming a Buddha?”

In the space of a single thought, the Daoist youth’s power transformed into the form of a Buddha.

All of Monk Wuling’s attacks became ineffective once again.

“One thought, Buddha; one thought, demon?”

Monk Wuling abruptly raised his head.

“Who are you, truly?”

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