Chapter 473

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Chapter 473: Stones Blocking the Road, How Wonderful

"As far as I know, there are at least three stones blocking the road ahead, although I can’t be certain."

"The first stone, Hujia Grave, I have traveled through a similar place. It’s a territory managed by a significant martial arts sect, belonging to the Ba State. It won’t be easy to pass through here."

"Which faction controls Hujia Grave?" asked Bai Wei.

"Wandering the world, or maybe walking the path of evil and dark magic." The monk rubbed his bald head. "In any case, it will be very dangerous."

"But we can go around it." Bai Wei glanced over and noticed that there were other routes to Xiangyang City, the center of Ba State. Hujia Grave was just one of them, not the shortest one.

"If we can avoid it, that would be best. But I suggest taking this route," said the monk. "This route allows us to hide our identities easily. Though it may seem like a main road, there are countless hidden paths within. I have traveled through seven or eight different routes here."

Bai Wei took note and asked, "What about the second stone?"

"Dark magic and evil paths are like strange and twisted ways. Though they may be difficult to deal with, they are no different from snakes, bugs, and rats. There is always a way to destroy them, even if it means setting them on fire. However, this second stone will be a bit tricky." Yuan Zhen picked up the second stone and put it back down.

"This second stone blocking our way is a lost soul."

"Ba State has absorbed many lands of Liu State, including its former capital."

"The capital of Bi Fang was called Qingyang. Even now, countless tragic souls linger in the air of Qingyang. This powerful resentment lingers for a long time, just like Jiuyin. After death, their bodies turned into mountains and continue to cause disasters. The bones of Bi Fang also nourish countless dark fires."

"I suggest avoiding this stone and taking a detour."

Bai Wei furrowed his brow and said, "So, according to you, we should go from Hujia Grave, avoid Qingyang, and head straight to Xiangyang City. That’s the only route, right?"

"If you don’t trust me, Benefactor Bai, you can choose on your own."

"I’m just wondering if your recommendation might also be known by Yuan Tianjian. You know, what you know, he knows."

The big monk thought for a moment and said, "That’s true… But the reason I suggest that you take Hujia Grave and avoid other main roads is because this route is more hidden. If you take the official road, you’re likely to encounter a third obstacle."

Bai Wei raised his eyes and asked, "An obstacle… not a little stone in the road?"

"No," the monk shook his head. "I have personally fought against this person. His swordsmanship is very strong, and I have never seen anything like it, even from the Shushan Sword Sect."

Bai Wei said, "So, this is what you meant when you said there were flaws in my swordsmanship?"

"To be precise, it’s not flaws. It’s just that Benefactor Bai’s swordsmanship happens to be slightly inferior in terms of speed, strength, finesse, and spirit… I compared it to myself and came to this conclusion. If Benefactor Bai had already gone all out earlier, once the two of you fight, the winner might be decided in just three moves."

The big monk spoke with determination, fearing that Bai Wei wouldn’t believe him. He said, "I can swear with all my heart, there are absolutely no lies."

"I believe." Bai Wei touched his chin and said helplessly, "But since we’ve come all this way, we can’t just stay here and not go."

"Do Benefactor Bai have to get involved in the matters of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom?" Yuan Zhen asked.

"Look at the hungry corpses and the piles of white bones everywhere, look at the wandering souls crying every night, and look at the children being sold just to survive… Aren’t they pitiful?"

"The world is unfair," Yuan Zhen asked, "Do you also want to become one of those influential figures?"

"I am not an influential figure, and matters of state are not suitable for me," Bai Wei said self-deprecatingly, "I am not the one walking in this foreign land, it is the sword in my hand. It’s naive to think that I can create a peaceful world with just a sword."

Yuan Zhen touched his bald head and said, "Is Benefactor Bai willing to give it his all, even if it means failing in the end?"

"I never said that," Bai Wei sat cross-legged with the Yunhu Sword placed on his knee, "With the Sea Tide blocking the waters, I cannot come alone. If I personally come here, the situation may not improve much. If this sword is not enough, I can only rely on myself. What I will do and think at that time, I am not sure. But once I start something, I will see it through."

Bai Wei revealed some of his thoughts that he had never spoken before in front of the monk, "I don’t consider myself a saint, and I didn’t come to stop the civil war in the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. Seeing these dead demon clansmen doesn’t deeply affect me, after all, they are not of my kind. So many generations of influential figures have worked tirelessly, not just for their own benefit. It is not easy for me to resist them with my own strength alone, but if I can bring some peace to this world, I am willing."

The big monk laughed heartily while touching his head, "Isn’t Benefactor Bai here for that female demon?"

Bai Wei asked, "What do you think?"

The monk replied sharply, "Yes or no, it all stems from a thought."

Bai Wei laughed and scolded, "You’re right, but it’s like saying nothing… Well, I can openly admit that I did come for the enchantress."

Yuan Zhen replied, "No harm in that, desire is natural."

"You, a monk, speaking Confucian words?"

"I don’t mind these things, if they make sense," said Yuan Zhen seriously. "Even going to a hand workshop is fine. Adults benefit from it physically and mentally a few times a day, it’s mentioned in the health textbook."

Bai Wei, amused but helpless, reminded him, "You should show a little empathy towards my noble intentions and help with my business promotion."

"I can’t empathize, because I’m not noble," sighed Yuan Zhen. "All I can do is help when I see injustice and ensure I do good without harming the innocent or public property. I work as a laborer at the construction site and donate any small savings to the Hope Project. But that’s not something noble, just simple acts within my means. I can’t understand how Benefactor Bai is noble."

Bai Wei exclaimed, "You, as a monk, do something extraordinary… It’s completely different from those high-ranking monks who can speak eloquently."

"One dragon-shaped coffee table costs thousands of dollars, while one divination session costs tens of dollars. Of course, this business requires good communication skills. I, the big monk, don’t know how to make money like this." The big monk touched his abs. "Just getting enough food and drink every day is already difficult. Thinking about the big things in the world is too far-fetched."

Bai Wei fell silent, then smiled. "Buddhism should be like this… In this chaotic world of violence, it has nothing to do with you as a monk."

"So, if Benefactor Bai gets angry for a woman, I understand. But if not, there’s nothing I can say," Yuan Zhen honestly replied.

"What you just said is as good as not saying anything at all."

"If I have to speak the truth, I still think… I hope Benefactor Bai won’t be deceived by the demons and will return to the country soon," Yuan Zhen thought for a moment.

"Hmm?" Bai Wei raised an eyebrow. "Monks also discriminate?"

"No, no, you misunderstand. I merely think it’s better to keep the good fortune for ourselves," the monk explained.

"Huh?"

"The current birth rate in the Ming Country is a significant social issue. Benefactor Bai, with extraordinary abilities, shouldn’t waste his potential in this Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom by marrying several wives and having children. Why struggle hard for a few demons," he said.

"Hiss…" Bai Wei was somewhat convinced, although just a little, "I admit you have a point, but it’s absurd and inappropriate for a monk like you to speak of this matter."

"So, I said it, these are the harsh truths I shouldn’t have said in the first place," Yuan Zhen shrugged, "But Benefactor Bai insisted on hearing it."

This monk has no ambitions to save the world. He is content with building a wall or a brick, and saving the country is too distant.

Moreover, even if you are a Buddha, you must first stand on the other shore by yourself, otherwise how can you help others cross?

Bai Wei said, "Honestly… you truly are a compassionate monk who embodies the teachings of Buddhism."

"I still have a long way to go." Yuan Zhen pulled his tattered sleeve and then earnestly advised, "Benefactor Bai, the Demon Kingdom is like hell. We must not stay there for long. If we stay too long, we’ll become like King Yama, unable to leave."

King Yama made a solemn vow, saying, ‘Unless the hell is empty, I will not attain Buddhahood.’ But how can one save others and lead them to the other shore while being in hell?

The most terrifying thing is not being in hell, but gradually turning oneself into hell.

Other people are their own hell.

The monk warned Bai Wei that if he gets involved too deeply, he won’t be able to escape. The flames of hell will burn his mind. If he jumps into this place called Shura Hell, it will be difficult for him to stand alone. To have one, he must defend a country. To defend a country, he must fight against other countries.

Bai Wei thought about it and realized that it was true. The more he gets involved, the deeper it becomes. From thinking about Liu Xiaowan, to the kingdom of Bai Ze, and even to the political balance in the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, it’s like a small action that affects his whole body. In the end, everything leads to this journey westward.

There are obstacles along the way. It is very likely that this journey will not be easy, leading to the Western Heaven… It won’t be a paradise, but a tough and challenging path.

Bai Wei chuckled.

"I could say some grand words about serving the country and the people, but you would probably find it awkward. How can an ordinary person like me from the Ming Country have such lofty ideals? Besides, this place is full of monsters. Helping them stand up might even lead to a war with the Ming Country. It’s a shameful act of digging a pit for future generations."

"But…"

"To be honest, I really want to save them. In my eyes, there isn’t such a big difference between humans and monsters."

"No one should be born to starve or freeze to death. No one should be born to be treated like a slave."

"I don’t expect to save everyone, and I have considered the possibility of failure. It’s inevitable that there will be bloodshed and sacrifice. If they are destined to bleed, sacrifice, and die, then it’s better to die for noble reasons. To die on the road is still better than dying in the dirt like an insignificant ant."

"I see this as a form of liberation."

Yuan Zhen didn’t know how to respond. He realized that although both of them saw the same scenery, they had completely different answers.

He wanted to leave hell because he didn’t want to become a part of it.

But Bai Wei was different. He had long been in hell, engulfed in flames, yet he stood tall, gazing at the pure land from the top of the sea of blood.

The great monk slowly put his palms together and used a universal phrase, "Amitabha Buddha."

Bai Wei also joined his palms together in return and said, "Well done, well done!"

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