Under the sky

Chapter 292: Brightness in front of the Buddha

The Awakening and the Unknown sit opposite each other.

"Juekuan is old. I will promote Juewen to be the head of Guanyin Academy. In this way, the heads of three of the four courtyards will be lay monks. Juekong will believe that the poor monk is really determined to reform." Juejian said, "The newly appointed Liao Wu The abbot is Jueru's sixth disciple, and his martial arts skills are among the best among those of his generation."

Juejian continued: "Juekong is Juekong's right-hand man. He has followed Juekong for more than twenty years and persuaded him to scare him away. The three senior monks in Ksitigarbha Yuan are all lay monks, but there is no danger. As long as Juekong changes sides. , you will be able to feel empty-handed." He paused and asked the unknown question, "Is Jue Wen credible?"

Ming Ming shook his head and said: "I feel that it is difficult to understand the thoughts of Grand Master Uncle. It is not appropriate for the abbot to treat him as one of his own."

Juejian nodded: "Finally, there is Ping. Compared with the three monks of Ksitigarbha, this person is more troublesome. But it is not difficult to deal with him. His family has been domineering in Jin and has committed many things."

"Uncle Jueguan said that Abbot Jueji suppressed the crimes committed by Master Liaoping's relatives. Master Liaoping did not dare to disobey the Chief Juekong. My disciple suggested that the Chief Juekong handle the matter on his own."

Juejian nodded: "It's up to you. We have mobilized 2 horses to aid Hengshan, almost all of them are lay monks. We only need to kill Juekong to control the Henan area. The rest can be decided by propaganda."

He had already had a plan in his mind. He had made this decision as early as last year when he came to see him at an unknown date and offered him a strategy to destroy demons. As long as the lay monks believed that Juekong's death would not affect their status, he could appease the lay monks. With his heart in mind, he slowly consolidated the four courtyards and eight halls in the hands of the righteous monks, and slowly drove out the lay monks.

If you want to destroy the demon, you must first disguise yourself as the demon's companion.

This is why brothels were opened widely, family members of lay monks were allowed to visit, and the rule that non-monks were not allowed to enter was even abolished.Today, his reputation among lay monks is growing. The time has come, and the unknown arrival is God's will. So Juejian eased Juekong's suspicion and asked Juewen to resign his position as the head of Guanyin Temple, which made Juekong lower his guard. , focusing on how to separate Shaolin and Buddha.This was a major reform, and it would take three to five years to successfully move the center of power from the Shaolin Temple. He believed that this would be enough for Juekong to think hard and avoid being distracted and suspicious.

For Awakening, everything is still under control.The most important thing is the timing of action. If you are too late, things will change. The sooner the better, but it is not easy.He didn't know Juekong's background, but he knew that Juekong's martial arts was definitely the best in Shaolin.

"When is the right time to take action?" Juejian asked Mingwu's opinion.

"During the Chinese New Year, most of the lay disciples in the temple will leave the temple. The first opportunity is before the Lantern Festival." Ming Wei replied, "But you can't leak it in advance before then. The three uncles are not good at concealing things. If they are leaked, they will be defeated."

Juejian was deep in thought. There was less than a month left before the New Year. It was too hasty, especially when the three monks of Wenshu Monastery didn't know what they were planning. Currently, the only one who was colluding with him was Woli Dajuekuan.Juejian said: "I'm afraid it's too much of a rush, I will depend on the situation. During this period, it is not an option for you to hide in the Ciguang Pagoda. I will find an opportunity to let you enter the temple, so there is no need to hide."

Unknown Ming replied respectfully: "Disciple will choose an appropriate time to return to the temple."

It has been nearly half a month since Ming unknown came to Shaolin.He arrived at the Buddhist capital first. Although it was not difficult for him to sneak into Shaolin, too many people in the Shaolin Temple recognized him, and his long hair would undoubtedly reveal his identity. Unlike the Kunlun Palace, Shaolin had secret rooms to hide in. He was on Shaoshi Mountain. After hiding for half a month, he finally met Jueguan when he was leaving the Shaolin Temple.

Jue Guan was surprised by Ming's unknown and hidden appearance, and only thought that he was trying to avoid being wanted.Ming Wuxi said that he hoped to enter the Shaolin Temple to meet Abbot Juejian. This Wo Li Dao knew that the abbot valued this young disciple very much, and even knew that all of Juejian's actions in the past two years were inspired by Ming Wuxi, so he secretly transported Mingwu into Shaolin in a carriage. , it is not difficult to use his identity to cover up the unknown and enter Shaolin.

Jue Jian saw Ming WuXiu, feeling happy and worried at the same time. He reprimanded Ming WuXi for assassinating the stinky wolf for being too reckless and ruining his great future.Peng Qianqi is the chief helmsman of the Beggar Clan in Jiangxi. Even if Shaolin wants to deal with the situation, it will be difficult for him to deal with the situation.He said to Ming Wei: "Buddha's teachings save sentient beings by saving tens of millions of people. Killing rape and eradicating evil is no more than the bravery of a single man. He can only save a dozen people. He cannot use his useful body to carry out such a useless act."

Ming's answer was unclear: "My disciples don't kill people, they act to save people. Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda, not to mention that Li Jingfeng is a righteous man."

When Juejian heard that he was trying to save people, his temper immediately softened.Although Ming Wuxi was wanted, he was able to protect him in Shaolin territory. He happened to have to deal with Juekong, so he left Ming Wuxi to discuss important matters.The Ciguang Pagoda is the most loosely guarded in the temple. Only disciples will pass by it in the early morning every day. At that time, they can hide in the mezzanine on the top of the tower. At other times, they can enter and exit at will.

However, Juejian did not wait for the opportunity.As expected, many lay disciples took leave before New Year's Eve. However, a heavy snowfall blocked the roads in Henan and blocked the food route sent to Hengshan for reinforcements.The matter was so serious that Juekong went to inspect it in person on the evening of the 28th. He was gone for seven days and returned on the sixth day of the lunar month. Juekong thought it was too urgent and simply slowed down.

He had a better opportunity in mind than the Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year was never the biggest celebration in Shaolin, the Buddha's birthday was.

They still have to wait for hundreds of days.

Before that, the world was changing rapidly.

■

Kunlun year 91, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Lantern Festival.

Due to the military deployment in the south, Shen Yuqing ordered to reduce expenditures. There will be no lantern festival in Qingcheng this year. Everything will be kept simple. However, as usual, there will be no curfew for three nights from the evening of the [-]th to the [-]th, and the people are still decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, and it is very lively.

Although there was no lantern festival, Shen Weichen became more playful and led everyone to release sky lanterns together.

"Hurry up, whoever flies away first loses!" Shen Weichen shouted, holding a sky lantern in his hand, which was full of energy just after it was lit.

The sky lanterns of Shen Yuqing, Xie Gubai, Li Jingfeng, Zhu Menshang and Amao were lit up one after another. Each of the six held the rim of the lantern with their names written on it. Shen Yuqing also wrote a prayer for national peace and prosperity, peace for the people, and peace for the world. .

Shen Weichen smiled and said: "Count to three, let's play together, see who gets blown away first and you lose!"

Zhu Menshang said: "If you don't bet, what's the point of winning or losing!"

Li Jingfeng said: "Doctor Zhu, don't always think about gambling, nine times out of ten you will lose!"

Shen Yuqing saw that the sky lantern in his hand was about to fly up, so he said: "I'm starting to count! One, two, three, let go!"

The six people let go at the same time, and six sky lanterns slowly rose from the school field in front of Juntian Hall.This was Amao's first time to release a sky lantern, and he couldn't help but stare at his own one in fascination, just watching it fly higher and higher.

Everyone looked up and Zhu Menshang said: "Jing Fengqian has a good eye. You must be fair in this game and don't be partial."

Shen Weichen smiled and said: "Jingfeng is not Dr. Zhu, he must be fair!"

Zhu Menshang snorted: "That's not necessarily the case."

I saw six sky lanterns floating in the air. The two lanterns of Shen Yuqing and Xie Gubai were very close to each other and flew the highest. Shen Weichen's followed behind, only missing the top of the lantern, followed by Li Jingfeng and Zhu Menshang's. The Mao ones are the most backward.Amao was so angry that he wanted to scold his mother, but Li Jingfeng said: "Don't worry, fly high first and disappear earlier. You have the best chance of winning."

Shen Yuqing smiled and said: "The third brother is cursing me and the eldest brother to lose?"

Shen Weichen smiled and said: "Brother, don't be complacent, maybe my sister will catch up from behind."

Before he finished speaking, Shen Weichen's sky lantern suddenly caught fire, perhaps because it was too close to Shen Yuqing. Shen Weichen exclaimed, and the lantern soon turned into ashes, and it was unknown where it fell.

Shen Weichen said dejectedly: "Why am I the first to lose..."

Seeing her sadness, Li Jingfeng smiled and said, "I'll give this to my little sister. The one I burned just now is considered mine. If I lose, I lose."

Zhu Menshang said: "You just said you were fair, are you being a swindler?"

Li Jingfeng shook his head: "I volunteered, I don't count as a scumbag."

Shen Weichen held Li Jingfeng's arm, raised his chin slightly, and said proudly: "Doctor Zhu, don't be jealous, your lamp is about to fly away!"

Zhu Menshang rolled his eyes and looked up at the sky, where only firelight remained from the five lamps.He asked Amao: "Which one is mine?"

Amao said: "The one on the right."

Xie Gubai's sky lantern suddenly shone brightly and then disappeared. Zhu Menshang hurriedly asked: "What's going on?"

Li Jingfeng said: "Brother's lamp started burning by itself."

Zhu Menshang smiled at Xie Gubai and said, "Full of bad ideas, retribution is coming." Xie Gubai smiled and said nothing.

At this time, there were only four lights left in the sky, and Li Jingfeng's lamp was also extinguished.Li Jingfeng said regretfully: "My little sister's sky lantern was blown out by the wind again."

Shen Weichen said disappointedly: "Why did we still lose?"

Zhu Menshang said with a smile: "Aren't you a man of great fortune? Why did you lose to me?"

Li Jingfeng smiled and said, "My luck in this life has long since run out."

Zhu Menshang raised his eyebrows: "You know again?"

Li Jingfeng gently shook Shen Weichen's hand and said with a smile, "I just know."

The last three o'clock lights were about to disappear, and I don't know if there was a strong wind, but the two lights of Zhu Menshang and Amao flew away, one to the left and the other to the right. Zhu Menshang screamed in panic.Three points of light disappeared in the dark sky. Zhu Menshang asked Li Jingfeng: "What happened?" Li Jingfeng looked at it for a while and said: "Doctor Zhu and A Mao have flown to nowhere, but the second brother's sky lantern is still there, so It was the second brother who won." Shen Yuqing smiled and said, "This is luck, not even Cheng Rang can say that."

Zhu Menshang spread his hands and said, "I'll lose any bet! Okay, let's go watch the lanterns!" He held Shen Yuqing in his arms and said, "I don't have a girl to accompany me this year, so don't let me die because of the injustice."

Shen Yuqing did not want to disturb the people, so a group of six people left Qingcheng through Ruyi Gate.I saw the streets decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, as bright as day, with people lighting sky lanterns and setting off firecrackers. People were walking shoulder to shoulder. Children were holding lanterns and playing along the road. Girls were dressed up in fancy clothes. Some people were carrying benches and sitting at the door to "swear". .

This scolding is also a custom in Qingcheng. Whenever there is something unsatisfactory or someone you hate during the year, you will take a bench and scold at the door. Even if the scolded person hears it, he cannot talk back.Li Jingfeng heard that most of them were scolding Huashan for invading Qingcheng. Some were scolding them for starting a war and mixing in some trivial neighborhood matters. There were also some scolding local officials, some scolding the punishment hall, tax revenue, and profiteers. There were also two households. Neighbors, two elderly people moved a bench and started scolding each other.

Larger businesses and prominent figures hang up lanterns at the door to attract customers or show off their wealth.Shen Lianyun arranged a colorful tiger-headed lantern in the square, nine feet long and five feet high.Xiangyang helped the Xu family build three large lantern boats on the Chongqing River. The Song family and Chang family in Sifangmen each had lanterns on display.

Li Jingfeng pulled Shen Weichen into a crowded place, making three twists and turns. After passing three streets, Shen Yuqing and others disappeared.

Shen Weichen said: "My brother and the others are behind."

Li Jingfeng pulled Shen Weichen away and said with a smile, "I did it on purpose."

Shen Weichen knew that he would leave Qingcheng tomorrow, so he deliberately found a chance to be alone today, smiling without saying a word.

The two of them followed the crowd and heard thunderous shouts in front of them. They couldn't help but get curious and squeezed into the crowd. It turned out that they were helping to build high-rise ironworks in Xiangyang.I saw iron flowers splashing, shooting stars like waterfalls, flowers blooming like thousands of layers, the sky was full of brightness, the crowd of onlookers cheered loudly, and the sound of firecrackers was deafening.

Li Jingfeng said loudly: "Let's squeeze in!"

The two of them pushed forward shoulder to shoulder, but the crowd was overwhelming and they were separated. Shen Weichen looked around hurriedly, and saw that the darkness was full of human heads. He didn't know where Li Jingfeng had gone. He was worried about where to make an appointment to meet, but Li Jingfeng didn't know where to go. Na squeezed in and shouted: "Little sister, you can't make it!"

Shen Weichen complained: "There are so many people here, what should I do if I get lost?"

Li Jingfeng said loudly: "No matter where my little sister is, I can always find her!"

Shen Weichen laughed and said, "I don't believe it!"

Since establishing their love in Chongqing River and expressing their feelings to each other, Li Jingfeng is no longer as cautious and cautious as before. It is the first time his love is full of passion, and he is more restrained in front of others and talks sweetly in private.

The two watched the iron flower for a while. When the performance was over and the crowd gradually dispersed, Shen Weichen pulled Li Jingfeng and said, "Follow me, I have something for you!"

Li Jingfeng didn't know why, so he followed Shen Weichen to an iron shop.There was no business during the Lantern Festival, and an old man was sitting in front of the door admiring the lanterns. Shen Weichen stepped forward and said, "Uncle Ding, why are you alone?"

This old man was Blacksmith Ding who had worked with Shen Weichen to create the original intention. When he saw Shen Weichen, he stood up and said respectfully: "Miss, okay! Quanzi went to the street to help forge molten iron. Are you here to get the sword?"

Shen Weichen nodded, and Li Jingfeng asked: "Have you used this to repair your original intention?"

After the New Year, Shen Weichen borrowed Li Jingfeng's original intention.The original intention was to go through many battles, and there were many damages on the sword. Li Jingfeng only said that Shen Weichen wanted to repair it, and he did not doubt it.

Blacksmith Ding took an iron box and handed it to Shen Weichen respectfully: "Black gold black iron is extremely difficult to forge. I am really lucky to have come across this strange iron. The success of this sword depends on Blacksmith Gan and the eldest lady."

Li Jingfeng was very surprised, what Xuan Tie, what Gan Blacksmith, could it be the senior Gan Tiechi?He then heard Shen Weichen say: "This is a gift from me. Open it and take a look."

Li Jingfeng took the iron box and felt it was heavy. When he opened it, he found that it was not the original intention.Inside was a new sword, more gorgeous than the original one. The scabbard was wide and simple, made of leather, with only the words "original intention" carved in wood.

Li Jingfeng raised the new sword, it was heavy in his hand, much heavier than the original one, and he pulled out the sword again. The blade was about three fingers wide, the spine was thick, and the blade was about four feet long, a few inches longer than before.This sword was thicker, wider and longer than ordinary swords. Li Jingfeng used it and found it much easier to use. He asked in surprise: "What was the original intention of that sword?"

Shen Weichen smiled and said: "It's in your hands."

Li Jingfeng didn't know why, so Shen Weichen explained: "This original intention is smelted with the old original intention, and it is made with black gold black iron. It uses the style designed by senior Gan."

It turned out that Shen Weichen had heard the story of Gan Tiechi before and knew that he was a famous craftsman, so he wrote a letter of [-] miles and rushed it to Sanlong Pass to ask Gan Tiechi for advice on how to forge black gold black iron so that he could design a weapon for Li Jingfeng.Gan Tiechi went to the third master to ask about the subtleties of the Nine Orders of Dragon City. According to the third master's explanation, he designed the original intention of the nine-movement sword technique, and rushed it along with the black gold black iron forging essentials from eight hundred miles away.

Shen Weichen asked Li Jingfeng for the original intention and asked Blacksmith Ding for help. Based on the original intention, he added new steel and two black gold black iron bars and re-forged it.After teaching Li Jingfeng martial arts every day, she secretly went to the iron shop to forge the original intention, and it was not completed until yesterday.

Blacksmith Ding said: "This sword was made by the eldest lady. I was just helping. The eldest lady put in the most strength." He then smiled and said, "This is not a joke. The eldest lady is really very strong. It's a pity that I am not capable enough and it was a waste." Good material.”

There is a sense of sigh in these words. Black gold black iron is difficult to forge. If this sword was forged by Gan Tiechi himself, it would be a magic weapon with blowing hair and broken hair. However, neither blacksmith Ding nor Shen Weichen has such ability. This sword is heavy and solid, but sharp. It's not as good as an ordinary weapon.

Shen Weichen said: "I think you don't like killing people, and it suits your temperament that the sword is not sharp. The original intention of this sword is restrained, steady and thick, rigid and unbreakable, strong and unyielding, even if it hits heavy weapons such as maces, meteor hammers It won’t deform or break, and you don’t have to tie your hands and feet when fighting with others.”

Li Jingfeng was moved and didn't know what to say for a moment, so he just said: "Thank you, little sister."

Shen Weichen said: "You said that as long as you have the original intention, I will recast it. The sword is still the same sword, but I think you have changed a lot in the past two years, and the sword has to be reborn from the ashes before it can match you. Don't blame me for making my own decisions. "

Li Jingfeng shook his head: "I can't afford the kindness you do to me."

He remembered his original intention, and the two of them thanked Blacksmith Ding, bought a pot of wine and went to the Chongqing River.Shen Weichen lay on the grass on the shore, with his hair loose, and rested his head on Li Jingfeng's lap to watch the lightship.The lights along the coast were like fireflies dancing. Li Jingfeng was afraid of the cold weather and heavy dew, so he took off his cotton-padded jacket and put it on Shen Weichen, and took a wine glass to pour her wine.The two of them chatted without a word, and slowly drank a bottle of wine. During the Lantern Festival, there was no rush, and even until the third watch, there were still many tourists coming and going.Shen Weichen's whole body felt warm and comfortable, and she fell asleep unconsciously. Li Jingfeng did not disturb her, and rubbed Shen Weichen's hair in a daze, watching the lights on the shore gradually dimming.

Shen Yuqing, Xie Gubai, Zhu Menshang, and Amao saw that Li Jingfeng and Shen Weichen were separated. They each knew it well and did not look for them. They just wandered around.Shen Yu looked at the joy and happiness of the people in Qingcheng and thought: "Why are there people disturbing the peaceful and prosperous times?" He also thought of last year's Lantern Festival, when Su Yinzheng walked up and down, holding his hand and not letting go, and couldn't help but smile.

Although Amao is naughty, he is still a child. The excitement of the Lantern Festival is rare. He doesn't say anything, but he stops and looks. Zhu Menshang is afraid that she will get lost, so he has no choice but to follow. He can't help but secretly hate Li Jingfeng and go alone. Be happy and happy, leaving the child to your own care.

Amao saw a revolving swing. It was different from ordinary swings. It was a big wheel with four seats. Three strong men were rocking the wheel beside it. The swing rotated up and down with the rollers. It was another novelty that Amao had never seen before.Zhu Menshang saw her fascinated and asked, "Boss, how much does it cost for a ride?"

The boss hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Twenty cents a time."

Zhu Menshang paid the money and said deliberately: "It's too expensive."

Amao said firmly: "It's something to deceive children."

Zhu Menshang smiled and said: "I didn't tell you to play, I wanted to play myself."

The boss said hurriedly: "Sir, it will collapse when you sit on it and you can't shake it."

Zhu Menshang complained: "All the money has been paid." He patted Amao on the shoulder and said, "It's an advantage for you. Go in line." Amao snorted and obediently stepped forward to line up.

Shen Yuqing looked on with a smile, turned around and saw Xie Gubai was silent, and asked, "What are you thinking about, brother?"

Xie Gubai said: "I was thinking that the Lantern Festival is lively and people gather together, so the news about Dian Cang Na will spread faster."

Shen Yuqing frowned: "Tonight's Lantern Festival Lantern Festival, if we postpone it all night, it won't affect the overall situation. Brother, please save your worries."

Xie Gubai casually responded yes.

The four of them walked around for a while, taking in the fun, and then returned to Qingcheng to rest after midnight.Li Jingfeng and Shen Weichen returned at the fourth watch, reluctant to leave, hugging each other in the cold wind for a long time before going back.

At noon on the second day, Li Jingfeng had already packed his luggage, and Amao also bundled the medicine bag and medical books into a bag and carried it on his back.Shen Yuqing and others came to see them off. When they were three miles outside the city, Li Jingfeng said goodbye to everyone. When it was Shen Weichen's turn, Shen Weichen said, "Before I leave the country during the Chinese New Year next year, you have to come and celebrate the Lantern Festival with me again."

Li Jingfeng was filled with reluctance, nodded, hugged Shen Weichen, and whispered: "I started missing you before I left."

Shen Weichen whispered: "Me too."

Even though they were reluctant to leave, they still needed to say goodbye. Shen Weichen gently pushed Li Jingfeng away and said, "Go." Li Jingfeng and Amao each mounted their horses and waved goodbye to everyone.

When everyone returned to Qingcheng, Shen Weichen was depressed, Shen Yuqing couldn't help but comfort him, and Zhu Menshang couldn't help but tease him.

At the second watch, Shen Yuqing was resting in the study when she suddenly heard the sound of a gong. She was surprised when Mrs. Chu rushed to the door of the study. Before Shen Yuqing could ask, she exclaimed: "Yu'er, you Dad is missing!"

(End of this chapter)