Subduing Monsters by Force

His answer was undeniably darkly humorous: if the person was already dead by the time he finished his task, how could he possibly get an answer?

Or perhaps, having no answer is also an answer.

Xilai clasped his hands together, bowed, and said, "Without the sacrifices of the previous generation, we would not exist. If we are unwilling to sacrifice, how will the next generation continue? Rights and obligations are ultimately one."

Hongdou asked, "Aren't you scared?"

The old monk said, "I fear death, but I fear the moral condemnation within my heart even more. Compared to the unease in my heart, death is not such a terrible thing. People worship Buddha, seeking nothing more than peace of mind. Rather than living in daily torment, it is better to die peacefully, so that when I meet Buddha in the Glazed World, I can hold my head high and say, 'This disciple has never forgotten your teachings.'"

"Just want peace of mind..."

Hongdou read it once, then fell silent.

Si Ming, on the other hand, sat down cross-legged and chatted with a group of old monks about everyday matters, inquiring about their reputation and past deeds when they were wandering the martial arts world, listening to their unforgettable love stories from their youth, and asking for their advice on martial arts.

The group of old monks were clearly not yet at the point of being detached from emotions and desires. They chatted with Si Ming for two hours. Perhaps because Si Ming was close in age to their grandsons, they felt a sense of reminiscing about their "old days" with a younger generation. They were all intrigued. Some talked about how talented and intelligent their grandsons were, some boasted about how beautiful their wives were in their youth, and some even claimed to have been heroes who roamed the martial world and sought revenge in their youth. The rest of them cursed them, saying they were all just bragging.

What's this about monks not lying? They've even faced death head-on, so what's a little lying? They can still hold their heads high and brag to Buddha, as long as they don't compromise on the big picture.

Fahong panicked a bit and quickly pulled Si Ming away. He was afraid that if they continued chatting like this, these seniors might get the idea that they should abandon their duties and go home to see their families. Although he was the abbot of Glazed Temple, these were all his senior uncles and aunts. Could he really refuse them all without any sense of decency?

It doesn't matter if he's called heartless. Since he's taken on the heavy responsibility of abbot, he's prepared to bear the criticism. If he doesn't shoulder this responsibility, who will?

Si Ming sighed. He had previously found it very awkward for monks to get married, which was far from the image of Buddhist School disciples in his mind. Generally speaking, if anyone in China heard about a monk getting married, they would subconsciously have two thoughts: one is that this guy is a fake monk, and the other is that Buddhism has produced another scoundrel who does not abide by the rules.

But now he feels that it is very necessary for monks to marry. If these monks did not marry or have children, had no worries, and only cared about themselves, would they still be able to make such selfless sacrifices as they do now?

Perhaps there are a few truly virtuous individuals among them, but I think most people would hesitate. Sacrificing for one's family or descendants evokes a sense of duty and responsibility in everyone. While they may not have the courage, they at least feel that their death would be worthwhile. But if it were to sacrifice for complete strangers, I fear only a few exceptionally enlightened individuals would step forward.

Thinking about it from another perspective, those "monks" who have no attachments are quite frightening in a certain sense, because they don't care about anything except their own lives. No one can predict what such a person will do.

Just as Si Ming was lost in thought, Hongdou clenched her fist, made a decision, and turned to Fahong, saying, "Although I still can't understand what you're doing, I'm willing to help you."

Upon hearing this, Fahong's face lit up with joy. His long and painstaking efforts had finally paid off. He quickly clasped his hands together and thanked her, saying, "Excellent, excellent! Thank you so much for your help, Madam. The entire Glazed Temple will be deeply grateful."

Without Hongdou, their plan was to seal the Purple-Pupiled Spirit King. But sealing something meant that the opponent could escape sooner or later. History is full of examples of great demons breaking through seals and wreaking havoc on the world. In comparison, it was obviously more reassuring to kill the opponent completely.

Hongdou cautioned, "But I'm not good at fighting. If you're hoping I'll deal with him, I'm afraid I can't."

Fahong said, "Please rest assured, Madam. All you need to do is deliver the fatal blow at the last moment. There's no need to worry about anything else. I will create the opportunity for you later."

According to the original plan, the Purple-Pupiled Spirit King needed to be severely injured and his actions sealed off to ensure the seal could be successfully performed. Now, the only change is that the sealing process will be handled by Hongdou instead, which is not a major change.

When Si Ming saw that Hongdou had agreed, he knew that he would not need to take care of her anymore. Glazed Temple would treat her like a princess and take care of her in every possible way. In addition, in order for the plan to proceed smoothly, they would also hone her martial arts skills, at least to ensure that she could successfully deliver the final blow.

Then he turned to Xilai and said, "Next, it's time for me to set off. It's time to make 'Wutian' famous throughout the martial world."

On the mountain path north of the Southern Martial World, Si Ming had obtained the complete Vajra Demon-Subduing Power and the Asura Divine Power, also said goodbye to his hair. He disguised himself and changed his appearance, making his face more fierce to avoid being recognized by anyone who had seen the leader of the Heavenly Martial Alliance. In addition, he was wearing the monk's robe of a Wuzi generation monk from the Glazed Temple and quickly moved through the mountains and forests.

"I made such a huge sacrifice; I absolutely have to make them compensate me afterwards."

Si Ming touched his bald head and sighed. Monks at Glazed Temple could marry and have children, and monks were just as worldly as laymen. Therefore, there was no such thing as lay disciples. Regardless of whether they were inner or outer disciples, they all had to shave their heads, which dashed Si Ming's plan to keep his hair by becoming a lay disciple.

Just then, the sound of two footsteps came from behind. It was a monk and a nun. The man was fat and had big ears, while the woman could be described as pretty. The two were holding hands, and it didn't seem like they were traveling, but rather like they were eloping.

"Senior brother in front, are you also heading to Alan Temple to help in the battle? Why don't we travel together?"

The Monster Race and the Glazed Temple have been fighting each other for years, but the fighting is divided into three scales: minor friction, major conflict, and war. Minor friction happens every day and no one pays much attention to it, but war only happens once every few decades. Therefore, what everyone usually pays attention to is the major conflict. This time, the Monster Race gathered its forces and surrounded the Alan Temple, intending to annihilate it. The martial arts practitioners in the vicinity who heard the news rushed to the rescue.

"Oh, you're going to Alan Temple too? Didn't your master try to dissuade you?"

Si Ming glanced at them briefly and found that their cultivation level was at the second-rate level of the martial arts world, but they were obviously inexperienced and newcomers to the martial arts world. Therefore, they might not be able to win even against a third-rate martial arts opponent, and they would basically be cannon fodder on the battlefield.

"Our master also went to Alan Temple, but left us there, so we decided to sneak over there," the young nun said.

The fat-faced monk hurriedly said, "Junior sister, why did you tell everyone about this?"

"Don't worry, senior brother. There's no turning back now. We've already come out, and even if Master finds out, he can't send us back."

"That makes sense. Junior sister is indeed clever, resourceful, and possesses both beauty and talent."

"I'm nowhere near as good as my senior says. He's just always praising others. How annoying."

Si Ming watched coldly from the side. What were these two up to? Although they were flirting and showing affection, because of his low looks, he didn't feel hurt at all.

"Gentlemen, it's very dangerous ahead. The Monster Race are serious this time. I've heard that many renowned experts have already sacrificed their lives. If you don't have an elder to guide you, please prioritize your own safety and don't gamble with your lives."

"It is precisely because it is dangerous that we must go. How can we be cowards who fear death!" the fat-faced monk righteously refused.

"Senior brother, you have such backbone! I wasn't wrong about you, senior brother, you are the real hero."

It's impossible to reason with a suicidal person like that; what could Si Ming say but let the two of them show off their affection by his side?

After traveling for several dozen miles, the fat-faced monk looked up and exclaimed with delight, "Hey, there's an inn ahead! Junior sister, let's go in and rest for a while. Don't tire yourself out!"

"My senior is so considerate."

Watching the two novices push open the door and enter the inn without a second thought, Si Ming was completely dumbfounded. An inn suddenly appearing in the deep mountains and forests seemed suspicious no matter how you looked at it.

"Forget it, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. You two are lucky to have run into me."

Chapter 375 Violent Monster Extermination

"Welcome, welcome! Welcome to our Gao Family Inn, three venerable monks. Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

A man who looked like a waiter came forward.