A Buddhist School Arhat.
An existence beyond the first grade, transcending the mortal world, whose might shook the worlds in all ten directions.
Śarīra were left behind when eminent monks entered nirvana, containing a legacy of Buddhist teachings. Some also said they served as a means of reincarnation.
Beings such as Arhats and true immortals were like clouds and mist in the heavens-ethereal and impossible to fathom.
People knew only the names of immortals and Buddhas. Even if they met one face-to-face, they would not recognize them without the requisite karmic connection.
Zhou Yi had slain countless demons, but only three of their memories involved true immortals or Arhats. Each had been no more than a fleeting glimpse, yet it had branded itself deep into their souls.
"Congratulations, Master! You will surely attain Arhatship one day!"
"This humble monk dares not claim the credit. Without your guidance, benefactor, how could I have overcome my Heart Demon and comprehended the Great Dao?"
Fahai channeled his Buddhist power. The Arhat Relic hovered above Zhou Yi's head, and endless Buddhist light began cleansing his flesh and purging evil baleful energy.
Zhou Yi's face was now aged and his hair snowy white, no different from the other executioners who had suffered years of erosion by baleful energy.
In truth, it was merely a disguise. There was not a trace of baleful energy in his body; instead, it was pure and flawless, almost an innate Dharma body.
Zhou Yi circulated his magical power, drawing strands of baleful energy into his body through his feet before letting the Śarīra purge them. Fahai, wholly focused on casting his spell, noticed nothing unusual.
A short while later, the baleful energy had grown exceedingly sparse. Zhou Yi's white hair turned a dark gray, and his hunched back straightened.
"Thank you for saving my life, Master. Without your wooden fish, I would have died who knows how many times over these years."
Zhou Yi took the wooden fish magical implement from his robe. After eight years of exposure to baleful energy, the Buddhist light within it had dimmed.
The baleful energy in the Punishment Office Prison was far from ordinary, condensed from the slaughter of countless demons and ghosts over many years. Never mind mortal executioners—even ordinary cultivators who stayed too long would suffer declining cultivation at best, or cultivation deviation at worst.
"No need for such courtesy, benefactor. If you ever have need of this humble monk, you need only ask."
Having forcibly activated the Arhat Relic, Fahai's breathing was somewhat erratic. "You will be leaving the Punishment Office before long. This is the Golden Light Temple's Buddha Disciple Token. The gates of Buddhism will always stand open to you!"
"Thank you, Master."
Zhou Yi accepted the Buddha Disciple Token, an antique-looking golden token with the three characters for Golden Light Temple in ancient seal script on the front and a Buddha's Dharma image on the back.
This time, his gratitude was heartfelt. Fahai clearly knew of some of the Punishment Office's dirty dealings and had left him the Buddha Disciple Token in advance to safeguard his life.
Zhou Yi's original plan had been to fake his death, then find an opportunity to leave the Demon-Slaying Bureau.
The Demon-Slaying Bureau's underground prison appeared loosely guarded, but in fact security was lax within and tight without. Escaping would not be easy. Restrictions surrounded the prison on every side, and the only exit was the opening at ground level outside the Ministry of Works.
Quite apart from the layers of formations and strict guards at that opening, the Ministry of Works itself housed countless experts. After all, it stored demon essences and could be called an immense treasure vault.
Now that he had the Buddha Disciple Token, he could leave openly as an executioner. Once his ten-year indenture expired, even the Demon-Slaying Bureau could not forcibly keep him.
"This humble monk will await you at the Golden Mountain Temple, benefactor. We can sample the temple's Bodhi Spirit Tea together."
As Fahai's voice lingered in the air, his body vanished like a dream, an illusion, a bubble.
Regardless of how fast such a spell was, its sheer flair was a hundred times more impressive than an escape light. Zhou Yi could not help envying it. It had to come from the Arhat's legacy.
No hurry! I'll have escape techniques, and immortal artifacts too. I'll have it all!
Riding Clouds and Driving Mist, Soaring Body, Concealing Traces, and even the legendary Rainbow Transformation Technique among the Heavenly Gang arts are all renowned great divine abilities!
Zhou Yi could not help letting his imagination soar: Wind-Fire Wheels beneath his feet, the Taiji Banner in his hand, a single somersault carrying him a hundred and eight thousand li...
After leaving, Fahai made a special visit to the Demon-Slaying Bureau to inform them that Zhou Yi was his friend and ask them not to make things difficult for him when his ten-year term expired.
A ten-year executioner!
They retrieved Zhou Yi's file. Sure enough, he was a displaced refugee recruited nine years ago, and he was still alive.
For a time, the Demon-Slaying Bureau was thrown into an uproar. Since the Punishment Office Prison had been built, not a single executioner had ever walked out of it.
That was also why many officials who lost court power struggles were thrown into the Punishment Office rather than the imperial prison.
What should they do with Zhou Yi?
With no precedent to follow, the matter was reported up through successive ranks until it finally landed in the hands of the commander, the Prince of Chu.
"An executioner of ten years, exquisite workmanship, skill approaching the Dao... What a pity. A promising seedling for the Martial Dao."
The Prince of Chu issued his decision: release Zhou Yi according to the contract, and in recognition of his ten years of demon-slaying service, make an exception and assign him to the Ministry of Works.
"Your Highness is most wise!"
This would neither violate established precedent nor incur Master Fahai's displeasure.
The Ministry of Works was a department so fat it dripped grease. Were it not underground, many aristocratic clan scions would fight until their heads bled to get in.
For Zhou Yi, a commoner without rank, assignment to the Ministry of Works was an enormous reward.
During morning roll call.
Captain Wang announced the reward before everyone. In less than another year, Zhou Yi would become an official of the Ministry of Works.
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness. Thank you, Captain Wang."
The changes in Zhou Yi's body had also drawn the executioners' attention over the past few days. When asked why, he only said an immortal master had bestowed a blessing on him.
Only now did everyone learn that Zhou Yi had actually been there for more than nine years.
The newly arrived executioners thought little of it, but those who had been there for around six months wore expressions of utter disbelief.
"Old Zhou, you're... incredible!"
"So it really is possible to live ten years!"
"And afterward, you'll even be an official in the Ministry of Works!"
"Congratulations, congratulations!"
Sharing his plight, all the executioners found hope in Zhou Yi's example. A subtle change came over their vitality and spirit, as though a little more life had stirred within them.
Qi-Reading Technique!
Magical light flashed through Zhou Yi's eyes as he looked at each executioner. The grayish-white aura signifying decline had faded slightly, and several excited executioners had gained a thread of green vitality.
Hope and fighting spirit can influence a person's aura, which in turn stimulates their potential for life.
Suddenly.
A streak of blood-red light in the crowd caught Zhou Yi's attention. It belonged to Feng Jun, an executioner who had arrived only recently.
According to the Qi-Reading Technique, bloody light above the head foretold a violent death.
Unlike decline or a shortened lifespan, violent death generally came from an unforeseen mishap.
An unforeseen mishap in the Punishment Office... Could Feng Jun encounter some troublesome demon today that even the Punishment Office's restrictions can barely hold?
Zhou Yi pondered this and decided to follow Feng Jun and take a look. If it was nothing too difficult, he would lend a hand.
Over the past few years, Zhou Yi had helped his colleagues slay demons and had secretly intervened to save them on many occasions.
"All right, quiet down, everyone. Once Old Zhou joins the Ministry of Works, he'll still have plenty of dealings with you."
This was precisely the effect Captain Wang wanted: to give the executioners a sliver of hope.
Recently, the number of demons in the Punishment Office had surged. The workload kept growing heavier, and the executioners' death rate kept climbing. Even with the Demon-Slaying Bureau improving their food and lodging, the threat of death inevitably left them dispirited and shirking their duties.
Captain Wang knew perfectly well that effort and fighting spirit alone could never keep someone alive for ten years. The key was to befriend an immortal master of the upper third grade.
"Wang Laosan, cell C-17, cell C-9."
"Bai Laoliu, cell B-4, cell C-32."
"Zhou Yi, cell B-17, cell B-3."
"Feng Jun, cell B-24, cell C-3."
With their duties assigned, the executioners scattered.
Previously, it had been rare for each person to receive two assignments. Now, it was rare for anyone to receive only one.
Zhou Yi memorized Feng Jun's cell numbers, then first finished his own assignments: a corpulent wild boar spirit and a vividly colored venomous spider.
Leaving a magical illusion of himself in place, he headed straight for the cell door and saw a bloody light drift out of the cell, then slip into another nearby cell.
Zhou Yi frowned and opened cell B-24. Inside lay only the corpses of Feng Jun and the Leopard Spirit. He stepped forward to examine them.
Their essence, vitality, and souls have all been devoured completely. What a formidable evil art!
He then cast a concealment spell and watched from the shadows. A long time later, he saw Han Er emerge from a cell carrying the remains of a fish demon and head toward the Demon Refining Cavern.
Thank you all for your support~ Please bookmark~ I'll slack off more at work and do my best to post two updates.
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