Ch31 - The Heaven’s Will cannot be infringed

Feng Ci originally wanted to make fun of Pei QianYue slightly.

He’s the Saint Sovereign QianQiu after all. After dominating the cultivation world for so many years, how could anything happen to him so easily? 

He was only playing a tiny little joke, yet Pei QianYue actually ended up feeling scared for him.

However at this moment, while he’s held tightly in Pei QianYue’s embrace, feeling the other’s faintly trembling arms and hearing the other’s raspy, shaky voice, Feng Ci suddenly felt unable to say anything.

 

 

…… Did he really go too far this time?

Feng Ci self-reflected for a moment and raised his arm after a struggle. Patting Pei QianYue on the shoulder, he softened his voice: “It’s alright. I’m fine right now, am I not?” 

Pei QianYue didn’t let go.

 

He buried his head into the crook of Feng Ci’s neck, sounding completely like he was speaking through gnashed teeth: “If you mess around again, next time……”

Feng Ci raised his eyebrow slightly.

Was this how someone speaks to their Master?

 

If he messed around again, then what? Gonna to lock him up?

Despite waiting for quite a while, Feng Ci didn’t hear the continuation of the sentence.

Pei QianYue slowly exhaled and released him.

 

Pei QianYue didn’t bring it up anymore. Not wanting to irritate him again, Feng Ci also didn’t ask about it. Feng Ci rubbed his aching arms that suffered under his snake baby’s tight grip and heard the other say: “How did you know that jumping into the mirror lake was the method to dispel the magic of the secret realm?” 

For once, Pei QianYue’s voice carried a bit of weariness. Feng Ci remained silent for a moment and said somewhat guiltily: “Honestly speaking?”

Pei QianYue: “……”

The atmosphere within the cavern was so heavy that even the air stagnated.

“Wah! So this is the other me!” Feng Ci looked past Pei QianYue and saw the duplicate tied to the side. The duplicate’s hands were restrained. A piece of cloth was also stuffed inside his mouth. His entire person looked subdued and withered. Seeing Feng Ci walk over, he didn’t even respond at all. 

Lu JingMing’s face was born innocent and cute in appearance. Coupled with the duplicate’s current expression, his face carried a temperament that attracted people’s pity and love.

Actually looking much more fitting compared to Feng Ci.

Feng Ci squatted down in front of him and examined him earnestly: “It’s really exactly the same.”

Pei QianYue: “Feng. Ci.” 

Feng Ci froze.

Not good. He really seems to have gotten angry this time. Not even calling Master anymore.

 

Feng Ci cleared his throat and said: “What are you thinking? Of course I had substantial evidence to back my theory.”

“Just think about it. This secret realm is a mirror world. The monks within the secret realm were reduced to monsters with repulsive faces. The temperaments of the duplicates were completely different from you and I. Even the structure of the cavern was built directly opposite. At the intersection point, jumping into that mirror lake looked like sure death. However, inside the mirror world, isn’t the death gate just a living gate?” 

“……The 6 Paths of Reincarnation. Avīci. Living in face of death. This is truly worthy of Great Master Hui Kong’s masterpiece. Quite a Zen-like aesthetic.”

Feng Ci spoke with such zest, even he almost believed himself.

But it was useless if he’s the only one who believed it. From Pei QianYue’s expressionless face, Feng Ci could tell the other’s unspoken implication.

He didn’t believe a single word. 

Feng Ci sighed: “Alright. I was indeed taking a wild guess.”

Pei QianYue’s face instantly turned even more unsightly.

“But that mirror lake below the cliff was clearly placed there for people to jump. Besides that, what other methods can you think of to dispel the magic?” Feng Ci said: “It’s not like I dared to push the duplicate-you down there to give it a try. What if something happened to him, then wouldn’t you……”

Feng Ci paused and said soothingly: “Don’t be angry anymore. Didn’t I gamble correctly?” 

Pei QianYue: “If you wanted to gamble, why didn’t you discuss it with me first?”

Feng Ci, unconcerned: “What’s the use of discussing it with you? Was I supposed to let you jump for me?”

Pei QianYue: “Why not?”

Feng Ci was stunned. 

It’s been a long time since someone said this kind of words to him.

Not just in the 3000 years that he had traveled alone through the Sumeru worlds, but even 3000 years ago, it has always been him in the forefront. The reason was very simple. Only he had powers bestowed by the Heavenly Principles. It was his duty and responsibility. He had no right to hide behind anyone, nor was there anyone there to stand in front of him.

Naturally, he has also experienced fear before. No one can avoid feeling afraid in the face of death. But he didn’t have a choice.

The Heavenly Principles never gave its chosen envoy any opportunities to decline. 

By this point, Feng Ci has already considered this normal— facing dangers alone, resolving difficult challenges alone. This was how he had lived all of these years. Who would have imagined, after returning to his homeland many years later, he’d actually meet someone willing to experience danger for him.

Must be getting old. It’s really very easy to get jabbed in the heart by certain words now.

 

A slight smile emerged from the depths of Feng Ci’s eyes. He looked away and said softly: “I got it. Next time I won’t.”

Hearing his promise, Pei QianYue’s expression finally alleviated slightly. After pacifying his family’s baby, it was time for them to search for the secret realm’s exit. 

The current status of Hanshan Temple was still unknown. They had already delayed too long inside here.

Before Feng Ci said these thoughts out loud, there was a sudden noise behind him.

A spiritual light appeared, floating in midair inside the cave. The silver-white glow was a round swirl that expanded continuously. A black robed figure walked out of that glow.

It was the duplicate Pei QianYue, who was following Feng Ci this entire time. 

Feng Ci raised his brow: “Wow, you can actually follow over here.”

Although this duplicate was a product of the secret realm, in reality, he has never done anything to harm Feng Ci. Compared to monstrous monks outside, who wanted the lives of all intruders, this duplicate seemed more like a guide and advisor inside the secret realm.

After all, Great Master Hui Kong was a benevolent Buddhist monk. When he created the secret realm, he also left a path of survival for the intruders.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

The duplicate slowly landed and walked towards Feng Ci: “Mast—” 

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After the magic behind the separate spaces was dispelled, the connection between the duplicate and real person also vanished.

Pei QianYue raised the sharp sword again and directly chopped off the other him’s head. 

Feng Ci: “……”

Even before the body of the duplicate fell to the ground, it transformed into sand and dissipated into the void.

Feng Ci pinched his brows: “I know you can’t tolerate him, but at least you should test him first. What if the connection between you guys hasn’t disappeared?”

“I took a gamble.” Pei QianYue said calmly: “Learned that from Master.” 

Feng Ci fell silent. It was a while before he said seriously: “Xiao Hei, I really underestimated you before.”

Feng Ci: “You’re even more petty than I imagined.”

 

In every sense.

The fake Pei QianYue was killed by the real deal. The fake Feng Ci naturally also didn’t escape this fate. 

Pei QianYue kept his promise. First he chopped off both of the fake Feng Ci’s hands and then killed him. Feng Ci suddenly felt very glad he hadn’t recovered his real body yet. Watching this body, which belonged to someone else, getting abused and slaughtered was not as traumatizing.

After doing all of this, Feng Ci guided Pei QianYue to find the mirror lake inside this space. Exactly as he predicted, the location of the mirror lake has now transformed into the exit of the secret realm.

The two people jumped down into the exit of the secret realm.

A familiar bell tolled in his ears. Feng Ci opened his eyes, however, they didn’t return to Hanshan Temple. 

Or he should say, they didn’t return to the real Hanshan Temple.

The environment before them seemed to be wrapped in a thick layer of white gauze. The light and shadow of the surroundings were blurry. Only the monk wearing a scarlet red kasaya at the center appeared clear and distinct.

This seemed to be a bedroom. The monk sat at the center of the room. His face still looked very young, but his facial hair and brows were already completely white.

He slowly turned the string of Buddhist beads in his hand as he quietly recited the holy scriptures. 

This was a memory.

Behind Feng Ci, Pei QianYue said quietly: “It’s Hui Kong.”

Even if he didn’t say anything, Feng Ci would have guessed it.

After jumping out of the exit of the secret realm, his cultivation and spiritual powers have also returned to his body. He was able to tell with just one glance that the cultivation level of this monk before them was extremely high, even almost comparable to Pei QianYue. 

To have this kind of cultivation level in Hanshan Temple, there’s no one else besides Great Master Hui Kong.

Not to mention, this secret realm was created by Great Master Hui Kong. If anyone’s memory was stored here, it could only belong to Hui Kong himself.

Inside the room, it was possible to hear the distant and prolonged toll of the bell inside the monastery, which was accompanied by Hui Kong’s quiet recitation. Hearing this made one’s heart feel calm and tranquil. However, with an extremely light sound, the string of Buddhist beads inside his hand suddenly snapped.

The Buddhist beads scattered all over the floor. Hui Kong opened his eyes, a hint of sorrow flowing within them. 

The sound of the bell within the monastery also stopped at this time.

Feng Ci’s brow twitched. He had an approximate guess as to what this memory pertained to.

 

But Great Master Hui Kong didn’t actually do anything. He only got up and picked up the scattered Buddhist beads on the ground one by one.

A moment later, a red little fox jumped in from the unlocked window. 

The little fox landed and transformed into a 7-9 year old child. He quickly ran to Hui Kong’s side to yank on his sleeve: “Master, there’s someone really mean and scary outside. A lot of Shixiongs…… a lot of Shixiongs died in his hands. Jing Chen-Shixiong is also dead. What should we do!”

Great Master Hui Kong finally picked up the last Buddhist bead.

He cupped those 108 Buddhist beads in his hands and returned to his original position. Putting both palms together, he softly recited Amitābha.

The little fox demon(妖)’s voice was young and tender, clear and bright, and carried a sob: “Master, let’s escape. That person is so scary……” 

But Great Master Hui Kong shook his head.

When he opened his palms again, that string of Buddhist beads was restored to its original state.

He placed the Buddhist beads around the little fox demon(妖)’s neck and rubbed his head: “It’s too late.”

“Why?!” The little fox demon(妖)’s tears poured out of his eyes: “We can escape right now. There’s still enough time!” 

Hui Kong continued to shake his head.

Just at this moment, the door of the room was blown open.

A brilliant white light came in from outside. Feng Ci looked over and only managed to see a tall and blurry figure walking inside, the light behind them as backdrop.

Before the white light completely engulfed this entire room, he heard Hui Kong’s last words. 

“Because…… the Heaven's Will cannot be infringed.”

“Master?”

A familiar voice called out next to his ear. Feng Ci abruptly opened his eyes and saw Pei QianYue close in front of him.

The latter was holding his arm, expression somewhat panicked. 

Feng Ci dazed off for a moment and then slowly discovered in the aftermath that it was no longer an endless white in front of his eyes: “We’re outside?”

“Yes.” Pei QianYue released his arm, saying: “We seemed to have been kicked out.”

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Feng Ci fell silent.

Right now, they were standing on the highest floor of the pagoda. There was no cover in all directions. The faint breeze blew at the silver bells under the eaves, making them chime. Feng Ci looked outward. The fog seemed to have been blown away by the wind and the solemn and austere old Buddhist temple finally revealed its original state. 

Inside the temple, the shriveled and charred corpses of monks could be seen scattered everywhere. They had all died from being drained of their spirit energy.

Sure enough, the monks of Hanshan Temple have already been dead for a while.

The memory that they saw inside the secret realm was Great Master Hui Kong’s memory right before his death.

But why did they have to be kicked out right at that exact moment? 

Feng Ci closed his eyes and attempted to recall the figure that he saw inside the secret realm.

He couldn’t remember anything.

The familiar sound of the bell was still ringing slowly. Feng Ci turned his head and saw a large bronze bell.

Clearly no one was striking the bell, but that bronze bell still continued to toll one after another. The sound of the bell lingered and reverberated, neither too fast nor too slow. 

Beneath the bronze bell, sat a monk.

It was Great Master Hui Kong.

He pressed his palms together and gave them a Buddhist greeting: “Esteemed guests, you have come afar. This monk apologizes.”

The monk was no longer clear and distinctive as he was in the memory. His body was in a half transparent state, only a remnant of his soul remaining. 

Feng Ci walked over swiftly and questioned: “Who killed you? Why didn’t you let me see it?”

Hui Kong’s voice was tranquil: “This monk has never concealed anything from you.”

“What you’re trying to say is……” Feng Ci frowned: “Someone tampered with your memories?”

Hui Kong recited Amitābha quietly, not answering. 

Feng Ci took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He then asked: “Then what’s going on with this place? Is it an illusion?”

 

When he noticed the strangeness of Hanshan Temple last night, he actually already had a guess.

But he didn’t understand. 

How could there be an illusion in this world that even he and Pei QianYue couldn’t see through?

Hui Kong said warmly: “Stop hiding already. Come out.”

As soon as he spoke, a little fox walked out from behind him.

Ears drooping, the little fox hardly dared to look at the two people in front of it. As soon as it felt Feng Ci’s gaze, it retreated behind Great Master Hui Kong again, only revealing a fluffy little head. 

Hui Kong rubbed its head with a smile.

“So it’s you?” Feng Ci finally remembered. In the past, he has indeed heard that the fox clan were best at creating illusions in this world. They had an innate talent for illusions that mortals could only dream of reaching.

Moreover, in Hui Kong’s memory, the little fox had clearly been able to transform into human form. Yet right now, it didn’t even have the strength left to transform.

Feng Ci finally understood: “In order to create this illusion, you used up all of your spiritual energy?” 

The little fox quietly whimpered and dove into Hui Kong’s arms.

Hui Kong stroked its fur and said warmly: “It should be said that I was the one who helped Xiao Hu create this illusion.”

Feng Ci: “Why?”

Hui Kong said: “Because this is his wish.” 

The string of Buddhist beads that Hui Kong left for the little fox in the end contained all the cultivation he had accumulated in his lifetime. He had bestowed it entirely to the little fox, to protect its life, and also to complete one of its unfulfilled wishes.

But the little fox only had one wish.

It wanted everyone inside Hanshan Temple to live again.

“There’s no such thing as resurrection in this world, therefore the Buddhist beads helped Xiao Hu create this illusion.” Feng Ci said: “No wonder I didn’t sense anything at first.” 

Great Master Hui Kong’s lifetime of cultivation plus the fox clan’s unique and innate talent in the Art of Illusion— even Feng Ci would have great difficulty breaking through this magic.

The little fox nested in Great Master Hui Kong’s arms, stroked so comfortably that its tail trembled.

 

Hui Kong lowered his gaze: “Xiao Hu’s illusion here has consumed the power of the Buddhist beads and also his hundreds of years of cultivation. Right now, his memories are muddled, Divine Consciousness unclear; he has practically transformed back to an ordinary fox.”

“All of the monks within this monastery were killed unjustly. Although their spirits have dispersed already, their resentment continues to remain, until it reaches an uncontrollable state every night. I had no choice but to open the Endless Tower and lock the resentful energy within it. Xiao Hu practically can’t even remember who he is, but still instinctively worries that his action might bring danger to strangers. Therefore, he attempted to warn the two of you to leave as soon as possible.” 

So far, everything they’ve encountered since arriving at Hanshan Temple matched.

“So it’s like that.” Feng Ci crouched down in front of Great Master Hui Kong and touched the little fox’s head: “You’ve worked hard.”

Inside Hui Kong’s arms, the little fox raised its head.

It blinked its bright, dark black eyes a few times. Then it turned its head to glance at Pei QianYue, who was standing behind Feng Ci, and while the other was off guard, it quickly licked Feng Ci’s palm. 

This adorable act made Feng Ci laugh: “Don’t be afraid. We’re about to leave soon. He won’t bully you.”

Hui Kong tilted his head upwards and looked at the reverberating bronze bell over him: “After the sound of this bell stops, the illusions of the monks will be released from the Endless Tower and Hanshan Temple will return to its former appearance. If you want to leave, it’s best to do it before the bell stops.”

Feng Ci acknowledged with an ‘okay’ and stood up. However, he didn’t leave in a hurry.

“But before we leave, I still have a question to ask you, Great Master.” Feng Ci said: “What does it mean…… The Heaven’s Will cannot be infringed?” 

Hui Kong fell silent.

Feng Ci stared at the person in front of him and asked slowly, word by word: “You clearly had the opportunity to leave before you died. Why didn’t you leave? You had the ability to create an illusion that even I have trouble discerning. Were you truly unable to do anything to that murderer? Also, who was the person who tampered with your memory? Was it to prevent others from knowing the truth, or was it to simply……in fear that I’d see the murderer’s face?”

Hui Kong fell silent for a very long time.

After a long time, he pressed both palms together and recited Amitābha: “Some questions, you already know the answers clearly in your heart. Why keep asking? As for others, the mysteries of the Heavens cannot be revealed. Excuse me, but this monk cannot say anymore.” 

When Feng Ci and Pei QianYue left the Endless Tower, there was already a faint light in the horizon.

In the early morning, the mountains were shrouded in hazy mist. They stepped over the corpses lying around in Hanshan Temple and arrived at the widely opened gates of the monastery. A small monk laid next to the door. His corpse was completely shriveled up, original appearance no longer discernible.

Next to his body, laid a fallen broom.

Feng Ci stared at that corpse for a moment and closed his eyes. 

“LangFeng City…… It’s fine to temporarily not return there, right?” Feng Ci suddenly asked.

Pei QianYue: “What Master means is……”

 

“Let’s go to the mortal realm.” Feng Ci raised his head and looked into the distance. Between the mountains and rivers, the morning Gusu City was still sleeping peacefully. “Didn’t you say you wanted to accompany me to the mortal realm? Let’s go take a look.”

“Okay.” Pei QianYue said: “Anything Master says.” 

There was a noise behind them. It was that little fox who had followed over.

“Coming to see me off?” Feng Ci bent down to pick the little fox up, petting it on the head.

The little fox was still a little afraid of Pei QianYue. It stared vigilantly at him. Fortunately, Pei QianYue was simply too lazy to pay any attention to it and only asked: “Does Master have any plans regarding Hanshan Temple?”

Feng Ci knew what he was referring to. 

Hanshan Temple was exterminated. The spirits of the monks within the monastery have already dissipated. The resentful energy was also controlled by the secret realm that Great Master Hui Kong left behind. Temporarily, it shouldn’t cause any big issues, but this was still not a long term resolution. Not to mention, this place was too close to Gusu. In the future, there might be unsuspecting outsiders who stray here accidentally.

Should they destroy this illusion or let it continue.

Feng Ci didn’t rush to answer. Instead, he lowered his head and asked the little fox: “You know the illusion will disperse sooner or later once the spiritual energy is consumed, right?”

The little fox raised its head and looked at him. Its eyes were filled with ignorance and innocence. 

“But you still chose to do this.” Feng Ci said softly: “You just want to be together with them, right?”

Finally, the first ray of light spilled from the skies.

The ringing inside the monastery stopped.

Feng Ci raised his head and looked over. That corpse that had fallen in front of the temple suddenly moved. The originally shriveled and charred skin recovered at a speed that was visible to the naked eye, blood and flesh returning to this body. 

The little monk stood up and looked around in confusion. Then he picked up the broom that had fallen by his side.

The little fox’s eyes brightened. It suddenly struggled free from Feng Ci’s arms and hopped energetically towards the temple.

As it ran, it swept up the fallen leaves outside the temple. The little monk yelled towards it: “Xiao Hu, you messed up the leaves that I just cleaned up!”

The little fox ignored him. 

With a wave of its tail, he swiftly jumped through the temple gates and was grabbed by a hand: “Finally caught you. Where did you run off to last night?”

The little fox kicked its legs as it’s carried inside by Jing Chen: “Let’s go. Come to morning class with me. Shifu said listening to the holy scriptures is good for your cultivation.”

 

The ancient temple doors slowly closed under the morning light, hiding the gradually awakening Hanshan Temple behind the gates.

Feng Ci withdrew his gaze and said: “Send someone to seal this place.” 

At least before the spiritual energy of the illusion was consumed, he didn’t plan to destroy it, nor did he have the right to destroy it.

Pei QianYue acknowledged him softly.

Finally, the two people left Hanshan Temple on flying sword.

Even after traveling through the layer of clouds, Feng Ci continued to look back at that ancient and austere Buddhist temple. 

“Consuming hundreds of years of cultivation just for a dream. Do you think it’s worth it?” Feng Ci asked.

Pei QianYue hugged Feng Ci in his arms and raised his big wide sleeve to block the cold morning wind for Feng Ci: “That’s his own choice, there’s no worth or not worth to consider.”

Feng Ci gave a ‘oh’ and didn’t reply.

He still felt somewhat upset. 

Perhaps because he had seen way too much life and death these years, when facing death and passing, Feng Ci can feel pity but wouldn’t find it impossible to accept.

Not to mention, mortals had to die one day. The lifespan of demons(妖), however, was very long.

“But if it were me, I wouldn’t make that kind of decision.” Pei QianYue suddenly said.

Feng Ci tilted his head back and looked up at Pei QianYue: “If it were you, what would you do?” 

Pei QianYue: “Continue to cultivate. Seek vengeance and kill the enemy. Then find a way to search for his reincarnation.”

But there’s actually no reincarnation in this world.

The deceased soul would return to the heavens and earth and head to another world. Over there, there were souls from hundreds and thousands of worlds. They dispersed there, gathered again, and returned to the world when needed.

This process might cycle repeatedly for a very long time. By the time the soul returns to the world, it will no longer be the same appearance or personality as it was originally. It might not even exist in its original world. 

Wanting to find ‘the reincarnation’ was simply impossible.

Feng Ci didn’t explain too much however and only asked: “If you couldn’t find him?”

 

Pei QianYue lowered his head slightly.

Feng Ci felt an invisible formless gaze landing on him. Absent-mindedly, he realized that he might have said the wrong words. He looked away and was just about to change the topic when he heard Pei QianYue speak softly, his voice still extremely clear and distinct in the whistling wind. 

He said: “Then I’d just die with him.”

The author has something to say:

Xiao Hei: Confessing to the wife in a fancy way everyday!

Feng Ci: My son is so filial www 

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