Ruzhong looked at Runan, who offered no reply, and simply smiled faintly before turning his gaze to the wall beside him.
To suppress a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator, the formation not only had to be of the highest caliber — the materials required were naturally the finest available.
And the material used here was Suppressing Deity Wood, prized so highly that a thousand spiritual entities could not easily trade for it.
The Buddhist sect had spent an enormous sum to gather enough, bleeding their coffers dearly for the effort.
Within the somewhat silent formation space, wish-power flowed in all directions. The walls, constructed from smooth Suppressing Deity Wood, had actually been etched with all manner of wishes and prayers by that very wish-power.
Some begged for health, willing to scatter their entire fortune for it.
Some craved wealth, even if it meant giving up everything they had.
Lusting for power, lusting for love, lusting for beauty, lusting for pleasure.
All of human life is greed.
Yet there were also those who prayed for others' health, for others' peace, for others' happiness.
People are good as well.
Whatever the case, a thousand years always leaves its marks behind.
And wishes were no exception.
"Wish-power is a tangled mess of all manner of delusions." Ruzhong sighed softly. "A thousand years of it flowing through — anyone would lose themselves in it. But he has not. Perhaps only by comprehending all living beings can one attain true enlightenment."
Runan's gaze flicked over, but he did not answer. Instead, he asked:
"So, what deal did Chu Xingchen make with you? What offer did he put forward that you could not refuse?"
"He did not negotiate any terms with me, nor did he speak any words to sway me." Ruzhong smiled gently. "He toils on behalf of all living beings. I merely saved him a few extra steps."
"Now the Great Dao is severed. You and I, as cultivators, cannot achieve True Immortality."
"Better to yield some advantage, then. It won't kill either of us, and it may grant this world a few more years of peace."
"If you must put it in terms of a deal — that is the offer he made through his actions alone."
Runan said nothing more at that and turned to leave.
"Wait." Ruzhong called out.
Runan turned back to look, and saw Ruzhong wearing a relaxed smile as he said:
"I'm not like him. Lock me up here much longer and I'll go mad. Driving me mad wouldn't be a wise decision, now would it?"
Runan gave no reply and simply walked away.
Ruzhong watched until the departing figure had vanished completely, and then an indecipherable emotion flickered deep in his eyes.
The main hall of Zhengyin Dharma Temple.
Runan had only just arrived at the main hall when an arhat came to report:
"Boruo True Buddha has arrived at the front gate and says he wishes to discuss matters."
Runan asked: "Why didn't he just come in?"
The arhat immediately replied:
"True Buddha Boruo said that since you are the Honored Buddha, propriety must be observed."
Runan raised a hand. "Let him in."
The arhat withdrew at once to carry out the order.
A short while later.
A young monk entered the main hall, wearing a plain kasaya with no fine garments, a warm smile on his face.
Upon entering the hall, he first performed a proper Buddhist salutation toward Runan, then spoke:
"Boruo requests an audience with the Honored Buddha."
Runan raised a hand, his expression gentle.
"There's no need for such formality. I recall assigning you to manage affairs in the Central Continent for the time being. What brings you here?"
Boruo's expression was earnest. "The matter has already spread back to the Great Thunder Temple, and I happened to be inspecting the area near the Pudu River. When I heard the news, I came straight here."
Runan did not respond immediately. Instead, he studied Boruo's expression carefully. Seeing that it remained as composed as ever, he slowly asked:
"Do you have thoughts you wish to share with me, or are you here to bring me news?"
Boruo's demeanor was open and frank. Without the slightest hesitation, he said:
"Naturally, I have some thoughts. As for news — even if I say nothing, the Honored Buddha would already know."
Runan asked again:
"Then what thoughts do you have?"
Boruo drew in a soft breath, as if confirming something in his heart before speaking:
"Regarding the Evil Buddha matter, I certainly understand the Honored Buddha's intentions. The very foundation of our Buddhist sect rests upon the Karma Buddhas."
"We ourselves climbed upon fortune's currents to cross over and become Buddhas. Today's situation may well be the fruit of yesterday's causes."
"Tracing it all back to the beginning — the situation in the Western Niu Continent has grown so severe that we only realized it after the fact. Our sect's greed has long since crossed the line."
"Honored Buddha, matters have reached this point — there can be no further retreat. But the truth or falsehood of this matter cannot easily be concealed from the other Buddhas, and we are in a time of turmoil besides. The Buddhist sect cannot afford upheaval right now. If we try to suppress this completely, I fear it will only breed further trouble."
Runan lowered his gaze. "Are you suggesting that I chose the wrong person?"
"I would never presume such a thing." Boruo immediately bowed in response. "It is simply that the other Buddhas do not believe. But the root of this matter does not lie solely with the Evil Buddha."
Runan was silent for a moment before asking:
"What are you referring to?"
"Chu Xingchen!" Boruo raised his eyes, his expression turning serious as he spoke without delay. "Since the Honored Buddha has already spoken, the truth of the Evil Buddha has been decided and cannot be changed. But no amount of maneuvering in place will quell the other Buddhas' dissatisfaction."
"Better to make an example of Chu Xingchen instead. After all, whether it was the Evil Buddha's escape, or the current concealment and protection of the Evil Buddha — it all stems from his hand."
"There are two further advantages to this approach."
"First — punishing Chu Xingchen and demonstrating the Buddhist sect's current stance toward the Evil Buddha may do more to settle the other Buddhas' hearts."
"Naturally, the stance of the Three Sects must also be taken into account. Any punishment must be measured — neither too heavy nor too light."
"Impose a penalty upon him and have him lie low for two years. This will inevitably invite pressure from the Three Sects, but that pressure is necessary."
"Second — only under pressure can the other Buddhas' dissatisfaction be suppressed, uniting everyone outward rather than turning them to blame one another."
"Give it time. Once the storm passes, the Buddhas will come to understand the Honored Buddha's intentions — and see all the more clearly who the enemy truly is."
Runan raised his gaze, looking at Boruo's earnest expression — a man who seemed to be genuinely troubled on his behalf.
His words were blunt and unguarded, which made him seem all the more sincere.
If he were a Karma Buddha, Runan would naturally take him at his word, believing him to be speaking from the heart.
But Boruo was not. A Secular Buddha, yet willing to act against the interests of Secular Buddhas.
The silence stretched long.
Boruo seemed to sense the reason for Runan's hesitation, and spoke again with respectful sincerity:
"Only if the Buddhist sect remains prosperous and enduring will we have a future on the path to immortality."
"I have been in the Buddhist sect for a very long time now, and I understand better than most how difficult the Honored Buddha's position is. I have been entrusted with important tasks time and again, and I carry a heart full of gratitude and the desire to repay that trust."
Runan stared at Boruo, his mind cycling through memories.
Among so many Secular Buddhas, there were naturally those who, after advancing to Tribulation Transcendence, were content and satisfied. There were also those who were truly grateful and repaid the sect with sincere devotion.
But very, very few were like Boruo.
He truly seemed to have entered the Buddhist sect in earnest — studying the sutras diligently, seeking the Buddha with all his heart.
And precisely because of that, Runan had assigned Boruo no small number of tasks.
And every single task assigned, whether difficult or not, Boruo had never once made an error — often even exceeding expectations.
That was naturally a good thing. The Buddhist sect had gained a Buddha who could handle matters reliably.
He could certainly be used. But vigilance had to be maintained at the highest level all the same.
Those who could get things done were necessarily meticulous in their thinking.
Those meticulous in their thinking necessarily harbored ambitions deep within.
Those who harbored ambitions deep within did not seek immediate gain…
Which meant… they were calculating for the future.
Boruo raised his eyes and spoke once more:
"I am willing to serve as the vanguard in this matter, to ease the Honored Buddha's burdens."
His words fell silent, and Runan, after a long pause, finally spoke:
"Then make your arrangements first, and show them to me."
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