"When the Buddha was preaching the Dharma at Jetavana in the Shravasti Kingdom, there was a kingdom called Kaushambi, whose ruler was named King Evil-Born."
Xuanzang's voice was not loud, yet it drowned out Tuo Jie's roars.
"When this king was born, his kingdom suffered one ominous phenomenon after another: earthquakes, darkened skies, and malevolent ghosts wailing in the night. His parents feared that his fate was so unyielding it would bring death to his kin, so they named him 'Evil-Born.'"
"When he grew up, he proved violent and bloodthirsty, consumed by false views. He believed neither in karmic consequences nor reincarnation, only in his own martial might."
Xuanzang lowered his eyes, his gaze resting on Tuo Jie's contorted face.
Tuo Jie's breathing was harsh and heavy. He could not take any of it in, yet Xuanzang's words seemed to carry an irresistible force, drilling their way into his ears.
"After Evil-Born grew up, he became violent and bloodthirsty, consumed by false views. He believed neither in karmic consequences nor reincarnation, only in his own absolute power."
Xuanzang took half a step forward. Tuo Jie shrank back a little farther.
"Throughout his kingdom, whenever he encountered anyone with a shaved head or anyone who practiced cultivation, he would beat, berate, and banish them at best, or execute them on the spot at worst. His subjects feared him as they would a tiger, not daring to raise their voices on the roads lest they provoke his wrath and bring death upon themselves."
"The Buddha felt great compassion, for he knew that beneath this utter wickedness, a faint root of goodness from a past life still remained."
"When that root of goodness ripened, the king could surely be delivered."
"So he sent his disciple Katyayana to guide and transform this king."
"The