Chapter 579: Chapter 571: The Schemer, Indeed Buqiu!
Master Tai Cheng was extremely displeased, truly very displeased, his face ominously dark as he looked at Cheng Wenyan, who had been taken care of.
“The temple master, my son is cured now, isn’t he? That Evil Ghost won’t come back anymore, right?” Marquis Changchuan’s complexion was equally grim, as Cheng Wenyan’s ordeal had been horrifyingly brutal.
“That Evil Ghost has been reduced to ash and dispersed soul, but with her disappearance, the karma of your son’s past deeds will not vanish.” Master Tai Cheng turned to Marquis Changchuan and said, “Marquis Changchuan is still robust; perhaps you should consider remarrying and having another child.”
Marquis Changchuan’s face darkened: “What do you mean by this, temple master?”
Master Tai Cheng’s gaze was detached and clear, stating the obvious, that Cheng Wenyan was finished; not to mention his disfigurement, being possessed by Dai Rong, his soul was also partly torn apart by her suppression. Even if he were to regain consciousness, he will be a half-willed fool.
Most importantly, he is enveloped by the karma of his killings, his life will not be long.
“Your son is enveloped by the karma of his killings, burdened with such karmic retribution; it’s impossible for him to live much longer.” Master Tai Cheng said indifferently, “It would be wise for the Marquis to prepare…”
“Say that one more time?” Marquis Changchuan suddenly grabbed Master Tai Cheng’s collar, his eyes filled with ferocity.
Master Tai Cheng, offended, was very angry. He formed a mantra with his fingertips, drawing a wisp of lingering yin energy from the room to strike the back of Marquis Changchuan’s hand while muttering under his breath.
Marquis Changchuan felt a sudden chill on his hand, his face changing as he quickly released his hold, warily saying, “What did you do to me?”
Master Tai Cheng coldly replied, “A small lesson for one who dares offend me.”
“You…” Marquis Changchuan gritted his teeth, took a step back, and said, “It was impertinent of me in my agitation, please do not take offense, temple master. Is there really no hope for my son?”
“Marquis, this is the result of karmic retribution. You, as his father, know well what he’s done. Even you are similarly enveloped in karma.”
Marquis Changchuan’s complexion changed over and over again, he said, “Temple master, save me.”
Irritation flashed in Master Tai Cheng’s eyes as he handed over a Peace Talisman, saying, “Here is a Peace Talisman for the Marquis, for your protection.”
“How much use can one peace charm be? What if another ghost like that woman earlier comes? It will not be enough,” Marquis Changchuan was very dissatisfied.
Master Tai Cheng thought to himself that if not for the fear of being suddenly imprisoned in this damned mansion and unable to leave, he wouldn’t even have wanted to give this talisman to Marquis Changchuan. Oh, the sin.
He looked at Marquis Changchuan and said, “If the Marquis wishes for peace, it would be good to do more charitable deeds to assist those in need, accumulating yin de, and with blessings, the fortune will mostly improve, benefiting future generations.”
Even though he said that, the Changchuan Marquis Mansion was full of sin, especially Cheng Wenyan. It would be difficult for good fortune to befall the descendants. The Changchuan Marquis Mansion was bound to decline. Not to mention good fortune, hoping to avoid the descent of misfortunes would be most fortunate.
Moreover, this father and son were not good people; how could they earnestly tend towards virtue? The blessings exchanged for such insincere offerings would be diluted.
Nonetheless, these were words he would not speak.
Marquis Changchuan gritted his teeth: “If it weren’t for Daoist Xu Gong dying under the temple master’s sword…”
“Marquis!” Master Tai Cheng’s temples throbbed as he rebuked loudly, “That evil practitioner was no good either. Associating with the Evil Path will lead to no good end. Karma and retribution are inevitable, unseen but always present, not unaccounted for—just biding its time.”
As he uttered these words, his head buzzed, his body wavering slightly, followed by a bitter smile.
Indeed, this series of misfortunes—could it be the Heavenly Dao punishing him for shielding his pestilence-stricken disciple, leading him into these disasters, being forced into a place of sin, touching karma without reason, and in the end, suffering backlash without any benefit?
A colossal loss.
This is the retribution inexorable.
The Changchuan Marquis too realized that things weren’t peaceful at Jinhua Temple, and thus sneered, “The temple master really practices righteous detachment even from kin. I wonder if Daoist Taiyang is still hopping around or harboring hatred for the temple master in the shadows.”
Master Tai Cheng sneered, “If I were you, My Lord, I’d sooner call for the Imperial Physician to attend to your son with medicine, so he at least awakens to some comfort.”
Stung by the remark, the Changchuan Marquis subconsciously turned to his gruesomely injured son, his eyes filled with rage and his fists crackling.
Observing his contorted face, Master Tai Cheng said, “I shall return to the temple first.”
A sinister look wafted from the Marquis’s eyes, wanting to leave behind this useless being. What a broken Jade Plate, it couldn’t even protect his son, and you dare to call yourself a ‘master,’ pah, rubbish!
He truly wronged Master Tai Cheng—had it not been for a hint of telekinesis slyly left by Qin Liuxi, Dai Rong would not likely have withstood that Magic Artifact.
Master Tai Cheng, sensing the deep malice from the Changchuan Marquis, added, “Remember, My Lord, to erase karma and barriers of causality, you must do more good deeds, amassing blessings that benefit your descendants. Especially for those who died at Mr. Cheng’s hands, do take care of their families.”
The Changchuan Marquis bit his lip and said nothing, but swallowed the command to the guards to seize him.
If not now, then when?
Upon leaving these final words, Master Tai Cheng hurried off. Grandmaster above, once his disciple returned, he would go into solitary reflection and steer clear of the mess in this damn mansion!
Once back at the temple, he released Daoist Taiyang, bidding him to find a blessed land far away to establish a branch temple or to remain single—just not to stay in Shengjing.
Daoist Taiyang, observing such sudden actions, felt something odd and inquired what had transpired.
Master Tai Cheng replied with a bitter smile, “You made a mistake, yet I still shielded you. Heavenly Dao has meted out punishment; I’ve been schemed against and suffered backlash. I must retreat and can no longer protect you. If you still remember your mentor’s words, from now on, abstain from using evil magic. If you err again, be sure to cherish your cultivation.”
Daoist Taiyang’s face darkened—was this blaming him?
“Who dares to scheme against my senior brother from behind?”
Master Tai Cheng said, “Leave tonight.”
Daoist Taiyang donned a black robe and as night fell, he left Jinhua Temple.
Master Tai Cheng stood before the spirit tablet of the former Jinhua Temple Master, lit a stick of incense, and murmured, “Master, your unworthy disciple has failed to follow your last words. I do not wish to see Jinhua Temple destroyed in my hands.”
After self-reflection, he respectfully lit incense and washed his hands. Then he began divination with the Da Yan Skill—he needed to see who was scheming against him, to fight if possible or guard against them if not.
The master of calculations did not include himself; he first calculated for Daoist Taiyang, guessing that since his junior disciple’s incident, all had gone awry. This plague of a disciple must be the source.
The Da Yan Skill is extremely taxing on spirit, energy, and cultivation. It’s not something that reveals its answers in an instant. Master Tai Cheng calculated for two hours, and after spitting out a mouthful of blood, he finally fixed his gaze on the blood-covered figure.
From Li City, the direct disciple of Qingping Temple, Buqiu!
Pfft.
Another mouthful of blood from Master Tai Cheng aged him by years, he gritted his teeth, “Master Chi Yuan, you damn old thief, if you have a grudge against me, face me directly. What kind of man sends his disciple to scheme against me?”
At this very moment, Master Chi Yuan was observing the stars at night, suddenly feeling a chill at his neck. He pinched and calculated, feeling alarmed—someone was cursing me. Best to sleep off this affliction and let him curse until he doubts his life!