Chapter 217
The Mithila Kingdom.
In the Bharata mythology familiar to Hebe, it should have been located in what is now Nepal, at the Himalayas.
However, in the Lostbelt updated to the Vedic Age, the Mithila Kingdom, located near the Ganges Plain, is also listed among the Sixteen Kingdoms.
It is simply closer to the Snow Mountain Pure Land compared to other countries.
What's even more intriguing is that the Mithila Kingdom is also the birthplace of Sita in the original mythology.
Hebe gazed at the scene within the halo, slowly withdrawing her gaze from Sita.
The story of Zhongyou and Gouwei was something Hebe had heard in Hebe previous life, which is why Immortal Zhongyou was also revered as an ancestor by many poor people and tribes.
But this is the Bharata Lostbelt, where the sages believe they are manipulating the correct history.
The friends taught the Shudra -like Gouwei Shudra how to practice asceticism and become an immortal... This step was intolerable to the immortals.
The Brahmin Immortal can tolerate the conflict between Zhongyou and Jiyu because it does not involve the foundation of the immortals.
After all, they were all Kshatriya, the Aryans of yesteryear.
If we're really talking about social standing, how could these traitorous Brahmin sages be any more noble than our friends?
Not to mention, after his friends were promoted from Kshatriya to Brahmin Immortal, they openly targeted the Immortal Jiyu.
Even the Lord of Life, Kashyapa, noticed this. Jiyu's death did cause a great uproar among the immortals, but it did not have any substantial impact.
Yes, a noble Brahmin Immortal, one of the Seven Great Immortals, has died. But so what?
Wasn't the one who killed Ji Yu also a noble Brahmin Immortal?
For immortals of the same status and position, the reason of "the great sin of Brahminicide" is not applicable.
Moreover, Ji Yu's personality was not exactly good to begin with.
Furthermore, his arrogant and domineering sons further fueled the displeasure of the other immortals.
It's fair to say that among the immortals who were discussing Ji Yu's death, there was probably more schadenfreude than anything else.
However, the fact that the friends were teaching the Gouwei, who was Shudra, was tantamount to undermining the foundation of the entire Dharma caste system.
In Hebe's eyes, at least six immortals were heading towards their friends.
Kashyapa, the Vedic patriarch, had not yet responded.
These are the first immortals to come spontaneously to question their friends about their actions.
The Great Radiant Light floated silently.
Hebe remained silent.
"... almost all immortals have their own Forest of Asceticism."
Under the shade of the trees by the roadside, the Immortal Zhongyou taught Sita, Hanuman, and the Gouwei monk.
They were still about half a day's journey from the capital of the Mithila Kingdom. At this distance, they could already see the golden city walls adorned with five-colored silk, and the banners standing on the city walls fluttering in the wind.
The Snow Mountain Pure Land stand silently in the distance, witnessing all the changes in the world.
The road leading to the capital had been watered and swept by people from the Mithila Kingdom forty-nine days ago, and it was now extremely clean.
On the road, vehicles of all kinds came and went in an endless stream.
Whether they were Kshatriya adorned with gold and silver or Brahmin dressed in white with bows and arrows slung across their shoulders, they all wore excited smiles.
"The Forest of Asceticism is to the hermits what a city-state is to the Kshatriya, or a temple to the Brahmin."
The Immortal Zhongyou, lovingly stroked the Gouwei. "Even a lowly caste, once he resolves to build Forest of Asceticism, cannot be stopped by Brahmin."
Why is this happening?
Sita asked.
During this time, both she and Hanuman have come to truly appreciate the erudition and kindness of the Immortal Zhongyou.
He was indeed imparting everything he had to himself without reservation, as if he knew his days were numbered.
"The answer is simple."
The Immortal Zhongyou smiled bitterly, "Because the act of 'building Forest of Asceticism's is something Brahma is happy to see; but the sages may not be happy to see it, especially when it is done by the lower castes."
The ideas of the immortals and Brahma were actually contradictory.
This was merely speculation in the past.
It wasn't until the Immortal Zhongyou emerged from the Kurukshetra and saw the widespread suffering that the matter was truly resolved.
The three of them were speechless for a moment, exchanging bewildered glances.
This is a secret that no other immortal would ever reveal.
The friends then explained in detail how to build, maintain, and expand the Forest of Asceticism.
He talked non-stop from morning to afternoon.
"... These are all the methods to become an immortal, but ultimately it all comes down to arduous cultivation."
With the help of the Gouwei immortal, Immortal Zhongyou stood up and spoke earnestly to his students.
"I do not know what the immortals who preceded me did regarding the Dharma; perhaps many of the rules concerning the Dharma are wrong."
"Perhaps even the Dharma itself is gradually decaying."
"But I can confirm that asceticism is always the right thing to do."
The friends said it with absolute certainty.
This statement marked the end of his lectures.
He waved his hand, removing the illusionary veil. "Let's go, let's go into the city."
The guards at the city gate had already set their sights on the group of friends.
Friends, Sita and Hanuman are naturally without any problems.
But the Gouwei was stopped when it tried to enter.
"The lowly Shudra are not allowed to enter the sacred Mithila Kingdom."
The guard said earnestly and firmly, "Please forgive us, otherwise the grand event will be ruined."
"It's alright, I'll wait for you outside."
Gouwei swallowed hard and handed the water bottle to his friends with both hands.
The friends did not take the water bottle, but instead looked at the guard.
"I'd like to ask you, what is your caste?"
The four guards then simultaneously raised their heads and proudly replied, "We are of the Kshatriya caste..."
"Is that so? But aren't the Kshatriya also just gatekeepers? Is it because you are the lowest of the Kshatriya castes?"
The Immortal Zhongyou's voice boomed like thunder. "Tell me, are those who serve the nobles in the city Brahmin or Kshatriya? Are those who sweep and clean the Imperial Road for dozens of days Brahmin or Kshatriya?!"
The guards were both anxious and annoyed by the reprimands of the Immortal Zhongyou, yet they were speechless.
The Immortal Zhongyou sneered and strode forward.
The Gouwei supporting the water bottle, was momentarily stunned.
Hanuman walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Come on, child!"
With the towering Hanuman beside him, the Gouwei passed smoothly through the city gate.
Upon entering the city, everyone's gaze immediately fell upon the high platform standing in the city center.
This is the national treasure of the Mithila Kingdom, Divine Bow, according to legend, was used by Shiva and destroyed three great cities of the Asura with a single arrow.
This Divine Bow was placed on the high platform, open to anyone to try it out for seven days.
If one can lift it up, it proves that that person is capable of becoming the ruler of the four corners of the earth!
Sita saw the Divine Bow, her arms trembled involuntarily. She could feel the impulse within her, the desire to lift the Divine Bow!
If he had only been joking before, now Sita was absolutely certain that he would lift the Divine Bow.
"It's mine, and only I can be its master."
Sita thought to himself.
Of course, this idea was not unique to Sita.
All the Brahmin and Kshatriya present shared this idea.
Amidst the commotion, several princes went together, stepped onto the high platform, and bowed to King Mithila Kingdom.
They then reached out and grasped the Divine Bow, about to lift it with force, when their expressions suddenly changed.
The Divine Bow in his hand had become as heavy as a mountain, and his own strength was rapidly draining away.
If we don't let go, it won't just be a matter of losing face, but a matter of life and death!
The princes failed one after another, but there was little laughter from the audience.
This is because, over this period of time, enough people have already experienced the power of this Divine Bow.
We're all equally rotten, so let's not laugh at each other.
The Immortal Zhongyou's expression was calm. He was about to gesture for Sita forward when his gaze fell on the next challenger.
This Kshatriya was over two meters tall, wore bull horns, and had little gold ornamentation.
To be honest, apart from his tall stature, this Kshatriya was nothing special.
Yet, the Immortal Zhongyou could sense a faint sense of familiarity emanating from him.
When exactly did I meet him?
Under the silent gaze of his friends, the tall Kshatriya strode onto the high platform.
"Ha!"
He smiled and gave the king a casual bow.
He then turned to look at the crowd gathered below the stage, slightly raising his chin.
"Gentlemen, there's no need to waste any more time. I am the sole chosen one of Heaven, none of you are... This Divine Bow is destined to be mine!"
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Where did this guy come from? How dare he be so arrogant?!"
"Was there such a person among the princes of the Sixteen Kingdoms?"
The crowd erupted in chaos, with some immediately wanting to draw their swords and bows and fight this fellow.
The king of the Mithila Kingdom also looked troubled, and quietly turned to ask his attendant, "Where exactly did this Kshatriya come from?"
"Your Majesty, this king calls himself the King of Huayang. He comes from the south and is not among the Sixteen Kingdoms."
"The Lord this small state has actually come in person?"
Mithila Kingdom was in a bind.
However, on the high platform, the "Huayang King" still wore that arrogant smile.
He reached out and grasped the Divine Bow, his expression changing slightly.
The audience saw it clearly and immediately began to mock. "That's it? That's it? Don't embarrass yourself."
The Huayang King cast a cold glance at the crowd.
For some reason, those Kshatriya who had intended to mock him were all silenced by the chilling aura emanating from him.
Freed from the distractions of the surrounding environment, Huayang King grasped the Divine Bow with both hands.
"Rise!"
Cracks gradually appeared on the high platform, and stones shattered and scattered in all directions.