paranoianovel Chapter 120 Giving Dharma Ceremony
Chapter 120 Giving Dharma Ceremony
"Is it referring to something..."
For some reason, Fang Hongxuan subconsciously had this thought, and then it flowed like a gushing spring, never able to dissipate.
Huiyin, who was on the stage, was about to rise and personally investigate Fang Hongxuan, whose fate was supposedly unpredictable, but was stopped by the fortune-telling monk. The monk leaned close to his ear and spoke again, and Huiyin's expression changed several times.
"Still unable to calculate?!"
If Fang Hongxuan's obviously abnormal fate had only slightly attracted Huiyin's attention, then the appearance of two people whose fates could not be calculated completely aroused Huiyin's curiosity.
It's important to know that there are only two situations in which a person's destiny cannot be considered significant.
Firstly, his cultivation level far surpasses that of the fortune-telling monks.
Secondly, this person's destiny is unusual, requiring a thorough examination of their bones and skin, as well as consulting the "Book of Human Skin" to determine the exact weight of their destiny and the specific interpretation of their fate.
In reality, sitting cross-legged on a high platform and flipping through the book of human skins cannot provide an accurate assessment; it can only yield a general conclusion.
However, this was sufficient, since bringing people with decent fates back to the Great Temple as provisions did not require excessive precision. Only when each branch of the household clearly needed additional manpower would the fortune-telling monk select from the tortured but physically intact slaves.
With genuine methods of spiritual practice being taught, and all those chosen being men of unwavering resolve, there is naturally no need to worry about loyalty.
The reason for this is nothing more than that the people who have suffered so much have one day gained the rights of the perpetrators. Before they can overthrow the perpetrators at a higher level, they will treat their former companions who shared a room with them even more frantically and cruelly!
This is human nature, and there's no way to unravel it!
To this day, which of the eight hundred monks who remain in Daruo Temple has not endured such hardships? As a result, Daruo Temple has become increasingly magnificent, and its incense offerings have become increasingly prosperous.
...
Seeing the envious and jealous looks from the crowd around them, Fang Hongxuan and Daoyuan silently followed the martial monk backstage. Although the agile martial monk was extremely curious about Daoyuan's attire and style, he did not ask any questions.
"Ah...you child, why are you dressed like this? Have you perhaps already converted to Buddhism?"
A deep voice came from beside them. Fang Hongxuan and Daoyuan turned around at the same time and found that Huiyin, who was two zhang tall, was looking at Daoyuan with even more curiosity in his eyes.
"Amitabha Buddha, my Dharma name is Zhineng, and I am a disciple of Master Huikong. If you do not believe me, you can check my identity in the genealogy. As for this person, he is a lay disciple of Master Huikong, named Fang Hongxuan..."
"Huikong...it must just be a coincidence that they share the same name..."
Fang Hongxuan felt a slight unease, lost in thought.
"So it turns out to be a junior disciple I've never met before, hehehe... Then I'll stand with them and wait until the charity ceremony ends today before going to Da Ruo Temple with them."
Although Huiyin had a gentle expression, Fang Hongxuan could clearly feel that the evil intent emanating from him was many times stronger than before!
"That bastard..."
After observing the two, Huiyin hurriedly returned to the high platform and, together with the fortune teller, continued to search among the crowd for the so-called destined person.
Just then, a hunchbacked old man happily stepped forward. He excitedly took Fang Hongxuan's hands, muttering incoherently.
"We truly have an extraordinary connection; even after converting to Buddhism, we still managed to bump into each other!"
Fang Hongxuan also had a very good impression of the old man, and he also gave him a friendly look.
"Old man, weren't you planning to go to Daruo Temple to fulfill a vow to your grandson? Why did you suddenly decide to convert to Buddhism?"
The old man first stroked his beard, then chuckled.
"My grandson is cared for by my son and daughter-in-law, so this old man thought it best to serve the Bodhisattva and Buddha. Perhaps reciting Buddhist scriptures for the three of them would be more effective. That's why I'm considering taking refuge in Buddhism. If I'm truly blessed, it might save them some food and allow me to live a few more days..."
As if he had reached a sore point, the old man covered his face and burst into tears.
As for Fang Hongxuan, he already knew that all the previous excuses were just pretexts to cover up the family's dire situation. Seeing that the old man still had some money to spare, he figured that his descendants were not cold-hearted people, but rather that the world was so difficult that the family was struggling to survive.
Therefore, the old man, frail and elderly, had no choice but to go to Daruo Temple alone in search of a glimmer of hope.
"Is it because they know the chances are slim, and they can't bear to see others suffer, that they're so generous in paying those exorbitant tariffs for us...?"
Fang Hongxuan felt this so deeply for the first time, and for a moment he even forgot what words to use to comfort this kind-hearted old man who was living a miserable life.
He took deep breaths and exhaled repeatedly before he was able to calm his chaotic thoughts.
"It just so happens that you, sir, have lent me your help, but I do not even know your name yet."
"Hey, why bother with formalities? My surname is Dou, and my original name was Dou Yan'an... It's only because you're so kind as to call me 'Old Man' that you do me a favor. If someone else were to call me 'Old Beggar'."
Dou Yan'an chatted with a smile, showing no sign of timidity or apprehension whatsoever.
"钭..."
"Sir, are you perhaps from Qingzhou?"
As if remembering Yan Chengrui's request, Fang Hongxuan tentatively inquired.
"Eh, could it be that you are skilled in divination? My ancestors were indeed from Qingzhou, but due to unforeseen circumstances, this branch of my family was forced to migrate to Cangzhou. Although I can contact the main branch once in a crisis, that is a means that can only be used in times of great calamity..."
"And who are you, Dou Ziqiao of Qingzhou?"
Dou Yan'an scrutinized Fang Hongxuan for a long time before letting out a long sigh.
"If it weren't for the fact that I find you inexplicably kind, I would have thought that my enemies had come to kill me..."
"Dou Ziqiao... is my grandfather. It's just a pity that my mother was of low status. If it weren't for my grandfather's kindness, I probably wouldn't have lived to adulthood. Since my grandfather disappeared sixty years ago, my branch of the family has been severely suppressed, to the point that we went to Cangzhou and could never return to our hometown..."
"Sixty years... another sixty years... what exactly happened sixty years ago?!"
"Dou Ziqiao has disappeared, how am I supposed to find him?... Oh well, I'll deal with it when the time comes, perhaps he'll return then..."
Even Fang Hongxuan, who was usually calm and collected, was moved at this moment. It wasn't until Dou Yan'an spoke several more times that Fang Hongxuan's mind was pulled back to reality.
"My esteemed friend, do you truly believe that this old man, at his advanced age, can still comprehend the Dharma and attain enlightenment of emptiness?"
"Amitabha Buddha, benefactor. Buddha is inherently formless..."
Dao Yuan, with a kind and gentle expression, fiddled with the beads, and then spoke up to explain on Fang Hongxuan's behalf.
"Hahahaha..."
Upon hearing this, Dou Yan'an burst into laughter again, his face showing great joy.
...