The Golden Buddha Manifests

Before long, the monk returned quickly, followed by a group of people.

The leader was an elderly monk, about sixty years old, wearing a red robe, with a kind face and relaxed features.

He was followed by seven or eight monks, all of whom were respectful and walked in unison.

The old monk walked up to Yang Xiao, put his hands together, and bowed slightly.

"This humble monk Huiming, abbot of Golden Buddha Temple. Greetings to all benefactors."

His voice was gentle and mellow, with a reassuring rhythm.

Yang Xiao sized up Huiming.

This man was dressed in a red kasaya, with a kind face and a peaceful aura; he certainly had the air of a high-ranking monk.

Abbot Huiming

"Yang Xiao, Deputy General of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, has come to pay a visit while passing through Cloud Fir Commandery." Yang Xiao returned the greeting with clasped hands.

Upon hearing Huiming, a strange light flashed in Huiming's eyes.

Demon Suppression Division Deputy General Division?

"So it's Deputy General Yang. This humble monk has failed to greet you properly." He was secretly on guard, but showed no sign of it on his face, only offering a slight smile.

"May I ask what brings Deputy General Yang?"

Yang Xiao glanced at Huiming, then spoke.

"I've heard that Golden Buddha Temple has gained quite a reputation in recent years for praying for blessings and warding off disasters for the people of Cloud Fir Commandery."

"I took this opportunity to visit the temple while passing through, to offer incense and pray for blessings, and to thank Golden Buddha Temple for its efforts in helping the disaster-stricken people."

Upon hearing this, Huiming was slightly taken aback.

He had initially thought the Demon Suppression Division had come to cause trouble, but it turned out they were there to offer prayers and blessings?

Huiming secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

"Deputy General Yang, you are too kind. This humble monk is merely doing my small part to pray for the people and ward off disasters; it is simply the duty of a monk."

"Since Deputy General Yang is so inclined to offer incense and pray for blessings, this humble monk shall personally accompany him."

He stepped aside to make way, gesturing an invitation.

"Please, everyone."

The Golden Buddha Temple is extremely popular with worshippers.

Inside the main hall, a towering golden Buddha statue stands, incense smoke swirls in the censer, and the air is filled with the rich scent of sandalwood.

Pilgrims came in an endless stream, men, women, and children, all with devout expressions, kneeling before the Buddha and kowtowing to pray for blessings.

Some people were muttering incantations, some were in tears, and some were silently praying with their hands clasped together.

On both sides of the main hall, monks stood in neat rows, chanting scriptures in deep, melodious voices.

The entire hall was enveloped in a peaceful atmosphere, and from a distance, it did indeed resemble a "Buddhist holy site."

Yang Xiao walked through the hall, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings.

The golden Buddha statue gleamed with golden light, appearing solemn and sacred under the candlelight.

The devout expressions on the faces of the pilgrims and the chanting of sutras by the monks all appeared orderly and well-organized.

"Deputy General Yang, please."

Huiming led the way with a respectful attitude.

"This humble monk has already arranged a vegetarian meal and private rooms. It is getting late, and you have all come from afar, so why don't you rest for a while?"

Yang Xiao nodded.

"Thank you for your help, Abbot."

The group passed through the main hall and headed towards the back courtyard.

Along the way, Yang Xiao noticed that many pilgrims looked at Huiming with reverence and awe.

Some people even knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Huiming.

"Abbot Huiming, you are a reincarnation of a Living Buddha!"

"Thanks to Golden Buddha Temple, my wife's illness was cured!"

"The abbot was merciful, Golden Buddha appeared and saved our whole family!"

Huiming smiled, clasped his hands together, and nodded slightly to the worshippers.

"Esteemed benefactors, there's no need for such formalities. This humble monk is merely acting on behalf of the Golden Buddha to transmit the Dharma and pray for the well-being of the people."

"It is all due to the Golden Buddha's compassion, and has nothing to do with this humble monk."

The pilgrims were moved to tears upon hearing this.

Before long, the group arrived at the side room in the backyard.

Huiming personally arranged the vegetarian meal and ordered the monks to take Yang Xiao and the others to the side rooms to rest.

"Abbot Huiming, I have another request."

Yang Xiao suddenly spoke, interrupting Huiming's departing steps.

"I've heard that Golden Buddha Temple is famous for its Golden Buddha that can cure illnesses and calamities. May I observe the Golden Buddha healing?"

"Of course." Huiming nodded in agreement, his expression compassionate. "Every evening, the Golden Buddha will emit light to heal the ailments of sick worshippers."

"If Deputy General Yang is interested, he may join us in observing, so that he can serve as a witness for the Demon Suppression Division."

Yang Xiao's heart skipped a beat; this was exactly what he wanted.

"That's excellent."

Huiming smiled slightly, "Then please, Deputy General Yang, accompany this humble monk."

There is a spacious platform on the Back Mountain of Golden Buddha Temple.

At the very center of the platform, one can directly face the enormous Golden Buddha that is said to have appeared overnight.

The Golden Buddha is several tens of feet tall, half of its body is buried in the mountain, and its whole body shines with golden light, making it particularly eye-catching in the dim environment.

By this time, a considerable number of worshippers had gathered around the platform.

Some carried stretchers, some helped patients squat in corners, and some simply found an open space to kneel on the ground and kowtow to pray for blessings.

Yang Xiao stood at the edge of the platform, his gaze fixed on the Golden Buddha statue.

The Golden Buddha has a kind and solemn face, with its eyes slightly closed, as if looking down upon all living beings.

The golden light emanating from its entire body cast a hazy glow around it, a soft and warm light that unconsciously brought a sense of peace to those around it.

Let's begin.

At Huiming's command, the surrounding monks began chanting sutras.

The deep, melodious chanting echoed in the night sky, carrying a strange rhythm.

As the chanting began, the light emanating from the Golden Buddha began to shift.

The originally soft golden light gradually brightened, enveloping the platform.

Several patients lying on stretchers were carried to the area directly beneath the Golden Buddha.

Yang Xiao's gaze swept over the patients.

Some were pale, some had edema all over their bodies, and some had persistent coughs; they were clearly quite ill.

As the Golden Buddha's light enveloped the patients, it gradually seeped into them.

The patient's complexion began to change.

The pale face gradually regained its color, the swelling in the body gradually subsided, and the person who had been coughing incessantly gradually quieted down...

Moments later, the patients actually showed signs of improvement!

"The Golden Buddha has manifested its power!"

"A Living Buddha! This is a Living Buddha!"

"The Golden Buddha is merciful and saved our whole family!"

The surrounding worshippers knelt down, kowtowing to the Golden Buddha, tears streaming down their faces.

The Captain behind Yang Xiao all stared intently, their expressions solemn as they watched the golden Buddhist light withdraw from the worshipper.

The group all sensed something was wrong, but they exchanged glances and said nothing in front of everyone.

Yang Xiao didn't speak, he just stared at the Golden Buddha.

He caught a whiff of decay from the incense-filled air around him, carrying a chilling and eerie scent.

Like some kind of evil creature that has been fed, it is greedily devouring something.

While those patients who were "cured" appeared to have improved complexion, Yang Xiao noticed that their vital essence seemed to have suddenly diminished.

It felt as if some external force had directly ripped it out of my body.

"Deputy General Yang, how is it?"

Huiming's voice sounded beside him.

"The Golden Buddha is indeed efficacious." Yang Xiao withdrew his gaze, his expression somber, but a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "This trip up the mountain has truly broadened my horizons."

Upon hearing this, Huiming smiled with satisfaction.

"Deputy General Yang flatters me. This humble monk is merely acting as a substitute for the Golden Buddha in transmitting the Dharma."

"It's getting late, Deputy General Yang, why don't you rest early? We've prepared a welcome feast for you."