Gongsun Jing had been reincarnated as a human.
That was the answer the young novice monk gave.
The Seventh Master questioned him politely. "Master Huixin, Gongsun Jing was an orthodox disciple of Daoism who had undergone the Rite of Transmission and received the Ordination Register. By rights, he should have reported to the Three Great Emperor-Officials and no longer fallen under the Underworld's jurisdiction. How did he enter the cycle of reincarnation?"
The young novice said calmly, "After Benefactor Gongsun passed away, he did indeed report to the Three Great Emperor-Officials. He passed the assessments of the Heavenly Official, the Earthly Official, and the Water Official. In recognition of his great merit, the three emperors permitted him to join the ranks of the immortals, so that he could leave suffering behind and attain bliss, never again enduring the suffering of reincarnation."
"But Benefactor Gongsun made his own choice. He voluntarily gave up that opportunity."
The Seventh Master and I were both startled. "He gave it up?"
For those who cultivated the Dao, the ultimate goal they aspired to was ascending to immortality.
It was just like monks taking their vows in the hope of reaching the Pure Land as soon as possible.
To put it more crudely, it was like a beggar dreaming of becoming a billionaire.
That was incredibly difficult, as hard as climbing to heaven, yet Gongsun Jing had made it that far.
Since that was the case, why had he willingly given it up?
"Because of that Ghost King."
The young novice explained steadily, "After Benefactor Gongsun guided the Ghost King toward redemption, the Ghost King came to understand the gravity of her sins. Fortunately, her repentance was sincere, and she prepared to go to the Underworld to answer for them."
"But before any of that could