Ying Jianghong's conjecture was exceedingly dark—
Kuxing, whose extraordinary talent had once given him hope of reaching the summit, had died; Kujue, whose Zen heart had collapsed and who had strayed into True Insight—both had lost the power struggle against Kuming.
Even Kujue's death had been arranged by Kuming of the Hanging Temple. The bloody battle in Tianjing City had been a story engineered by the Hanging Temple to save Ksitigarbha!
On reflection, the Hanging Temple could indeed be called the winner of the entire "Central Escape Zen" incident.
[Holding Ksitigarbha], sealed within the Central Heavenly Prison and regarded by many as the World-Honored One, had escaped in the end.
His death in the Heavenly Sea had vindicated the World-Honored One's name.
The World-Honored One's greatness was beyond question, and his title would never again be shaken.
And [True Ksitigarbha], now walking the Netherworld, had further fulfilled the World-Honored One's original vow and completed his compassion.
The Hanging Temple, which revered the World-Honored One, was able to preserve that reverence. Countless Buddhist disciples, faith stretching through the ages—there had originally been neither flaw nor regret.
Then who were the losers?
The dead King Chujiang, the lonely Yin Guan, the demon-corrupted Lou Yue... all the regrets that could never be revisited!
Now Jiang Wang had to face this question.
He had to face the suspicions Ying Jianghong had laid out regarding the Hanging Temple, face Ying Jianghong's revelation that Kujue's sacrifices back then might not have been pure.
In truth, he had confronted this question long ago—during that bloody battle in Tianjing City. It had been Pinellia's voice, ringing with hatred—
"Is there love or hate in this world without cause? Why was Kujue so good to you? Was he truly good to you?"
Of course, he still remembered True Person