Chapter 400: Chapter 50: Discourse with Kunpeng, Dialogue with Shakyamuni, Return!

Outside the restaurant, a clamor began to swell. Many people turned to look, their eyes drawn to a giant, sixty feet tall, who was approaching. His appearance caused an uproar.

At sixty feet tall, his palm alone was the size of an average person. Though the giant, clad in a Buddha Robe, walked slowly, each step made the green flagstone street rumble.

Meanwhile, inside the restaurant, a heroic-looking young man approached. Little Peach Spirit, her mouth full of food, mumbled indistinctly:

"Uncle Kun, if you’d been any later, I would’ve finished everything..."

The heroic young man smiled, casually pulling up a chair and sitting down. Lu Xuan, amused, tapped Little Peach Spirit on the head.

"All you know is eating, all you do is eat... It seems that’s one thing that will never change."

"What’s wrong with eating!" Little Peach Spirit mumbled. "Doesn’t Ah Zheng always say that food is the most important thing for the people?"

As she spoke, she took another loud slurp of noodles.

"Besides, what did you mean, ’never change,’ Brother?"

"Take a guess."

Lu Xuan’s expression was gentle. ’Little Peach Spirit loves to eat, and so does Xiaoyan.’

Just then, the sixty-foot-tall giant in the Buddha Robe reached the restaurant. His head was level with the fourth floor, directly facing the group seated by the window.

The giant spoke in a gentle voice.

"Benefactors, this humble monk has arrived."

"Come inside to talk," Lu Xuan said, cupping his hands. The giant nodded, and with a shimmer, he shrank to the size of a normal person. He leaped into the restaurant and took a seat at the table.

The entire restaurant erupted in an uproar. Many customers on the same floor were terrified, whispering amongst themselves in shock and awe at the monk who could change his size at will. One person wondered aloud in disbelief:

"Is that a monk from the Buddhist Sect? How dare he appear so openly...?"

Twenty years ago, after the First Emperor burned the books and purged the Buddhists, all the temples within the Great Qin’s borders had fallen into ruin. Nine out of every ten monks were gone, and those who remained didn’t dare to walk about in the open...

The Government was watching closely!

An old regular at the restaurant clamped a hand over the man’s mouth and warned:

"Quiet! Someone who can change size at will must be an extraordinary high monk. He could be a Vajra, or even an Arhat!"

Amidst the discussions and gasps of shock, many customers fled the restaurant in a panic, leaving the entire place deserted.

The monk shook his head helplessly and glanced at Ying Zheng.

"Benefactor, this is the trouble you have caused."

Before Ying Zheng could reply, Lu Xuan said calmly:

"Senior, that’s not quite right. The word of the Lord of Men is law. He declared that Buddhism would no longer be permitted within the borders of Great Qin and gave the monks a century to depart. If some monks chose not to leave, who is there to blame?"

The monk shook his head, his expression full of worldly compassion.

"Master Profound Yellow, you once walked the earth during the Spring and Autumn Period. You should understand that the contention of a hundred schools of thought is the proper path. Absolute domination by a single school is never a good thing. Only when Daoism and Buddhism coexist and compete in the Human World can a truly prosperous scene be achieved."

"I know," Lu Xuan admitted with a nod. "That is why the ban on Buddhism will only last eighteen thousand years. Back then, the Medicine King Buddha severed eighteen thousand years from the Qin Dynasty’s destiny. This is a proportional retaliation. If Zheng’Er didn’t do this, the Immortal Gods would only look down on the Human World even more."

"Perhaps," the monk sighed.

Lu Xuan didn’t argue with him, instead saying peacefully:

"Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, you and I have already made our pact. Today is the last time we will discuss the details. I will be leaving for a while—perhaps a few hundred years, perhaps a few thousand."

The heroic young man glanced fearfully at the monk, and his gaze toward Lu Xuan became even more respectful. He said slowly:

"Emperor, please speak freely. I am listening."

"When a divine presence soars from the Netherworld, you, Fellow Daoist, will lead the great waves of the North Sea to strike the Northern Celestial Court. You only need to hold back the one from the North Pole Celestial Court. Your payment will be as we previously discussed... However, I do have one more question."

Lu Xuan took a sip of tea, his eyes fixed on the heroic young man as he asked gently:

"Twenty years ago, when I first came to find you, you agreed to everything I said without hesitation. Can you tell me why?"

Hearing this, Ying Zheng also turned to look at this Daluo Giant Demon who had dominated the North Netherworld for countless years. The heroic young man pondered for a moment before speaking bluntly:

"A hundred years ago, during the upheaval at the Peach of Immortality Banquet, I was outside the ruins and witnessed what happened within."

Lu Xuan came to a realization.

"I see."

He relaxed and broke into a smile, then turned to the monk.

"Senior, as per our agreement, when the heavens change, Spirit Mountain will stay out of it. Afterward, regardless of success or failure, when the great journey to the West you spoke of begins in the future, I will not stand in your way."

"Merciful!" The monk smiled. "Benefactor, you can rest assured. Spirit Mountain will not interfere."

After a pause, he continued in a persuasive tone:

"Furthermore, if you, Benefactor, are willing to leave Hangu Pass once more after this matter is concluded and fulfill the pact we made ten thousand years ago, Spirit Mountain will stand with the Qin Dynasty when the heavens change."

Ying Zheng and the heroic young man, listening from the side, were both confused. ’Leave Hangu Pass? A pact from ten thousand years ago?’

’What was all this about?’

While the emperor and the demon were puzzled, Little Peach Spirit had no reaction at all, continuing to shovel mouthful after mouthful of the delicacies on the table.

At this moment, Lu Xuan, wearing his ancient Bronze Mask, shook his head.

"My master instructed me to attend to this matter only after I have achieved the [Celestial Realms] state. I will not defy his words."

"Is that so..."

The monk sounded a little regretful.

"I can see that you, Benefactor, could have entered the [Immortal] realm long ago, yet you have delayed your breakthrough. Is it because you wish to attain the Upper Grade?"

’Upper Grade?’

Ying Zheng was confused, having no idea what this concept meant. The heroic young man’s expression flickered for a moment before returning to normal.

’It would be strange if this man *wasn’t* aiming for an Upper Grade Immortal Body!’

Lu Xuan didn’t try to hide anything, nodding as he said:

"That is correct. The Emperors of the Four Extremes, the one from Jasper Pool, and I are all making our moves against each other. I know there is almost no chance of winning this game, but at the very least, it can help me attain the Upper Grade and build a deeper foundation for the future. This time may not succeed, but what about next time?"

The monk smiled.

"In truth, Benefactor, you have walked down a divergent path. But as for how it will turn out, that is something you must ultimately comprehend for yourself."

He paused, then added softly:

"This time, if your plans fail but you understand *why* you lost, then next time, what you wish to accomplish will surely succeed."

"I’ll take that as a good omen," Lu Xuan said with a smile. "I know that this attempt is doomed to fail. The foundation of the Human Race is too shallow. The path ahead is a dead end."

"But someone has to be the one to break open this dead end. A foundation, as it’s called, is not built in a single day. It is accumulated bit by bit."

"Some things must be done, and simply doing them is enough, regardless of success or failure, victory or defeat."

With that, Lu Xuan drained the tea in his cup.

After setting down his cup, he made no effort to hide his words from Shakyamuni Buddha or the Daluo Kunpeng. He looked at the contemplative Ying Zheng and said directly:

"Zheng’Er, during the time I am gone, you must prepare your own contingency plans. Besides building the Great Wall and erecting the Celestial Platform, your main focus should be on [Accumulation]. What is spent in this generation will benefit those to come."

"Uncle Zhong, I understand."

Ying Zheng snapped out of his thoughts and nodded solemnly.

"The construction of the First Emperor’s Mausoleum has already begun, and the Apang Palace is also in preparation. I have also dispatched the alchemist Xu Fu overseas to search for the trail of the Three Sovereigns."

"Good." Lu Xuan smiled and nodded.

Little Peach Spirit continued to happily devour the delicious food.

The four of them began to talk and discuss, speaking of Immortals and Buddhas, debating the nature of Daluo.

In this restaurant, before a square table, sat an [unprecedented] First Emperor, a Daluo Celestial Demon who had existed since the Creation of Heaven and Earth, a Spirit Mountain Buddha with one foot already on the level of the Dao Fruit, and finally, Lu Xuan.

With just a few words, these four individuals decided the grand course of the next ten thousand years.

They confirmed that all necessary actions were decided upon and that contingency plans were in place.

The blades were being sharpened, the armor was being forged.

All that remained was to use the Great Qin’s remaining ten thousand years of destiny to make the blades sharp and the armor strong.

Then,

they would raise the full might of Qin and smite the heavens!

Regardless of success or failure, they would make the Immortals, Buddhas, Gods, and Ghosts understand that though the heavens are above, the immortals are not superior to humanity!

Only by beating those in the heavens until they hurt, until they were afraid, could future generations have a moment’s peace and another Human Emperor rise among them!

A fire blazed in Lu Xuan’s eyes. He unconsciously tightened his grip on his teacup, killing intent rising in his heart, when a soft little hand rested on his.

He instinctively turned his head and met Little Peach Spirit’s large, worried eyes.

"Brother," Little Peach Spirit said softly.

The fire in Lu Xuan’s eyes dissipated, and his killing intent subsided. He gently pinched Little Peach Spirit’s cheek and said softly:

"While I’m away, you will go to Spirit Mountain and have this Uncle Shakyamuni teach you principles. Occasionally, you can visit the North Sea to ask your Uncle Kun for lessons on Killing Skills. When you have free time, take a trip to the Netherworld and find your Uncle Fengdu, and have him guide you in your cultivation."

"Okay!" Little Peach Spirit nodded very, very seriously. "I’ll cultivate hard and wait for you to come back, Brother."

Lu Xuan smiled, then turned to Shakyamuni Buddha and bowed.

"From now on, I’ll entrust Little Peach Spirit to you, Senior... Just please don’t turn her into a nun."

"I won’t, I won’t," Sakyamuni Buddha laughed heartily.

The heroic young man also said with a laugh:

"This girl is just my style. I will pass on all the Killing Skills I have comprehended to her."

"Thank you all."

Lu Xuan stood and bowed. Ying Zheng also stood up and teased Little Peach Spirit:

"Of course, don’t forget to come and visit me, either. I’ll make you a princess. How about that?"

"I know, Ah Zheng!" Little Peach Spirit nodded happily.

Including Shakyamuni Buddha, all of them were smiling.

Just then, a sound like muffled drums exploded from outside. Rows upon rows of heavily armored soldiers had surrounded the restaurant.

Their leader was the City Lord of North Sea City. He stood poised in the air, his entire being radiating light like a brilliant Great Sun.

He shouted in a booming voice:

"By His Majesty’s order to exterminate the Buddhists!"

The City Lord, a warrior at the Celestial Human Level, wore a grave expression as he stared at the compassionate-looking monk inside the restaurant. A blade appeared in his hand, and below, eight hundred heavily armored soldiers advanced as one, brandishing their blade-shields. The clang of metal shook the heavens!

Lu Xuan glanced over, his eyes fixed on the heavily armored soldiers who were brimming with Essence, Qi, and Spirit. He then looked at the Celestial Human City Lord, who, though solemn, showed no fear. The smile on Lu Xuan’s face widened.

He remarked with a sigh:

"To have such elite soldiers even in a remote place like the North Sea... Zheng’Er, you have done well."

A smile appeared on Ying Zheng’s face as well. Seeing the greater picture from this small detail, he thought, ’If it’s like this even in the desolate North Sea, what must the other, more prosperous cities be like?’

’What about the truly elite armored soldiers?’

The compassionate monk, on the other hand, showed a sorrowful expression and sighed.

"Banning Buddhism for eighteen thousand years... Spirit Mountain’s fortune is going to be severely cut down."

"You still care about fortune?" Lu Xuan said with a chuckle.

As they spoke, the eight hundred heavily armored soldiers formed a battle array with the Celestial Human City Lord at its head. As their auras linked together, they erupted with a ferocity comparable to an Earth Immortal.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan’s smile grew even wider. He glanced sideways and said: 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Alright, have them disperse."

Ying Zheng nodded. He rose slowly, stepped out the window, and stood in mid-air. Instantly, a Nine Dragon Profound Robe appeared on his body, and a Twelve Pearl Jade Crown settled upon his head. A vast imperial might swept over the entire North Sea City!

The Celestial Human City Lord, the eight hundred armored soldiers, and the countless onlookers all froze in unison.

Then, realization dawned on them. They all hurriedly bowed, their expressions a mixture of fanaticism, excitement, and joyous surprise. There was only reverence, no fear, as they cried out:

"Your Majesty!!"

The shouts were like a ceaseless tide, starting on this long street and then spreading throughout the entire North Sea City.

People surged in from all directions, pumping their fists and cheering, bowing in heartfelt reverence!

In the one hundred and thirty-second year of the First Emperor’s reign, the weather across the Human World was favorable, the people were safe and prosperous, and every household’s granary was full.

Shakyamuni praised softly:

"The last time I saw such a scene of millions of people showing their sincere reverence was during the time of Emperor Yu."

Kunpeng also nodded in praise.

"For these past hundred years, at least, the Human World has enjoyed a golden age reminiscent of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors Era."

Lu Xuan smiled, cupped his hands toward the Buddha and the demon, and kissed Little Peach Spirit on the forehead. His figure flickered, gradually turning illusory on the plane of time itself, until he vanished completely.

"Brother..."

Little Peach Spirit watched his figure disappear into the River of Time and called out with longing, tears suddenly streaming down her face.