Chapter 989: Fuxia (I)
Mount Qingdu had seen increasing construction in recent years, with pavilions and towers rising in great numbers. After the Li Family's main bloodline moved away from the mountaintop, the cultivation chambers within the Qingdu Cave Dwelling became a secluded place for cultivators by the lake to enter seclusion and break through. It was quiet, undisturbed, and above all, safe.
Li Xuanxuan emerged from the hall at the mountaintop, followed closely by Li Zhouming, grandson of Li Ximing. The child had truly poor innate ability; after all his efforts, he remained stuck at the second stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm. With Li Ximing currently in seclusion, the boy could only tag along and lend a hand to Li Xuanxuan.
When the old man arrived at the hall, a stag was kneeling before it. Its fur was slick and glossy, but it was kneeling with unwavering stillness. The stag had tears streaming from its eyes.
The white ape watched from the side, its eyes calm but tinged with sorrow. Kongheng stood with palms pressed together, murmuring sutras. His brows were tightly furrowed, and he looked deeply troubled.
Li Xuanxuan had already heard the full story. Though rarely angered, the old man could no longer hide his displeasure and said urgently, "A Buddhist cultivator? If you have a problem with my family, come at us directly. Why take your anger out on a mere mortal?"
Li Chenghuai stood to the side and spoke in a soft, helpless tone, "This matter has stirred up quite the uproar. News has spread across all the towns along the eastern shore, and people are on edge. No one dares enter the mountain anymore. Some are even trying to erect temples, claiming that they won’t suffer such disasters if they worship the Revered One."
"Absurd!" exclaimed Li Xuanxuan. He then let out a sigh, while the white ape gently stroked the stag’s back.
Only after a long moment did the ape speak, "Zhao Xie is the most stubborn of them all. He has always toyed with human lives, taking pleasure in doling out so-called karmic retribution. He never understands the pain of others. Only when pain befalls him does he erupt in fury, forgetting compassion, forgetting mercy, and raising his blade in the name of righteousness."
The old ape rarely spoke at such length, and the hall instantly fell silent. Kongheng felt stifled at this. He paused, then murmured, "Senior... they too teach people to do good. They’re just too overbearing... Not all of my Dao are like this..."
The old ape let out a sigh and said no more, only replying, "What Master Monk says is true."