Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 560: Chapter 340: Accountability_2

The Earth Immortal Realm’s ethos, although inclined toward the law of the jungle, makes the South Observance Continent, with its hodgepodge of the Three Teaching Sect members, a place where might is revered, but this doesn’t mean that all cultivators here are selfish, merciless, and devoid of righteousness.

Even among the nine sons of the dragon, there are no two alike, let alone among thousands of people.

Therefore, within the South Observance Continent, there are still many righteous Daoist cultivators like True Person Ziyang and Peony Fairy, who have become friends of Wuzhuang Temple, and also key members of today’s Pill Origin Gathering.

It could be said that those cultivators who could enter Wuzhuang Temple and take part in this grand Pill Origin Gathering are the pillars of righteousness in the South Observance Continent. Even the least among them leans toward the Righteous Path. Those demons and evil ones have long scattered like birds and beasts.

It’s also for this reason that Cloth Sack Arhat and Pagoda-carrying Arhat find themselves in a predicament, for the cultivators present at this Pill Origin Gathering represent the power of the Righteous Path in South Observance, and any misstep could tarnish the reputation of Buddhism.

Demon Evil Cultivators tarnishing the reputation of Buddhism could be dismissed as a frame-up or slander, but if they were to be collectively boycotted by righteous Daoist cultivators…

As strong as Buddhism may be, it still isn’t powerful enough to dominate the righteous Daoist cultivators of South Observance Continent while also taking care of West Bovine He Continent matters, let alone fabricate truths and invert right and wrong.

So, it is no wonder the two are in such a difficult position.

Now, Peony Fairy’s recent remarks have provoked a wave of anger, directing the finger of blame squarely at them.

Those seated here are all men of the Righteous Path, discerning of good and evil, upholding propriety, integrity, and a sense of shame. How could the actions of Buddhism not provoke widespread anger?

With this move, Peony Fairy has pushed those two to the moral low ground and aims to use the power of the South Observance Righteous Path to force them to concede, ensuring this matter is settled once and for all, preventing them from using it to trouble Wuzhuang Temple in the future.

This woman… such cunning!

“Amitabha!”

With a deep sigh, Cloth Sack Arhat stood up, “We two indeed came here for this reason!”

“Oh?”

As they responded, Peony Fairy’s beautiful eyes shifted, “Are the two Venerables intending to hold my elder brother accountable?”

“Not at all, not at all!”

Cloth Sack Arhat shook his head, “Although the Golden-Furred Lion is the mount of Great Mercy Bodhisattva, it did not heed the teachings of the Bodhisattva. With its demon nature hard to change, it took advantage of the Bodhisattva’s retreat and arduous preparation for the Eightfold Celestial Tribulation to quietly descend to the Lower Realm and wreak havoc. We ourselves only learned of this today. Zhen Yuan’s removal of the beast was an act that eliminated harm for the common folk, a deed of boundless merit. We admire it profusely, so how could we possibly seek to assign blame?”

Between the lines, their stance was clear. While showing weakness, they also shifted the responsibility, defining the nature of the matter.

Indeed, the wisdom of an Arhat Venerable is extraordinary, quick-witted and brilliant.

The two were very clear that this was not a claim they could acknowledge. Under any circumstances, they could not admit to it, as this would completely sully Buddhism’s reputation among the righteous cultivators of South Observance.

Fortunately, though Peony Fairy was aggressive, she did not reveal the inner secret of the Golden-Furred Lion’s descent as a demon, allowing them and Buddhism to retain some face and room to maneuver. Clearly, she also did not wish to see Wuzhuang Temple and Buddhism become true enemies and spark a conflict.

Thus, they conceded, agreeing on the nature of the matter, showing weakness to Wuzhuang Temple, and simultaneously shifting their own responsibility. This middle way allowed them to downplay a serious matter and dissolve it entirely.

In the face of the forces of Buddhism, to bow so low before the people of Earth Realm, to make such a concession, the name of Wuzhuang Temple in the South Observance Continent will surely rise to new heights.

To ascend to a position by being stepped on, to gain fame and profit from others, such a sensation is indeed unpleasant.

But, unpleasant as it may be, for the greater good, the two could only swallow their pride and concede.

As the Buddhist contingent gave way, Peony Fairy smiled radiantly, no longer aggressive but raising her wine cup, “Worthy of the respected figures of Buddhism, monks of great virtue indeed. You truly understand the situation and discern right from wrong. This young lady offers a toast to the two Venerables!”

Having said that, she drank the beautiful wine in her cup in one gulp, firmly setting the tone for the matter.

With this, the matter reached an appropriate stage.

Buddhism is, after all, Buddhism. The words of the two just now, although showing weakness and conceding, also invoked Great Mercy Bodhisattva and particularly emphasized the forthcoming “Eightfold Celestial Tribulation,” which was obviously a warning.

One should not go too far!

The big issue has been downgraded, and the minor one resolved – a barely satisfactory conclusion.

But at this stage, they cannot stay at the Pill Origin Gathering any longer.

“Amitabha!”

Cloth Sack Arhat sighed once more, looking at Xu Yang, “That scourge’s death is not to be regretted. However, the Purple-Gold Bell it stole is a Buddhist treasure vital to the Bodhisattva’s cultivation. I wonder if Zhen Yuan could return this object so that the two of us may also have an explanation when we depart.”

“Hmm!”

With a curious glance, Peony Fairy turned to Xu Yang, “What do you think, elder brother?”

Asking for the return of the Purple-Gold Bell might seem somewhat pushy, but since the two had already defined the nature of the matter and shifted the blame, it was not considered too excessive, at least within the tolerance of the cultivators from South Observance.

Peony Fairy also viewed it similarly. A Medium-Grade Immortal Artifact was nothing of consequence to Wuzhuang Temple. As long as Buddhism gave enough face, returning it was no big issue.

“Since it belongs to the Bodhisattva, it should indeed be returned,” said Xu Yang, who had been silent all this time, finally breaking his silence and looking at the two, “However, the Golden-Furred Lion descended as a demon and wreaked havoc for over five hundred years, causing untold suffering. Shouldn’t the Bodhisattva also provide an explanation?”

“Hmm!?”

At these words, everyone’s gaze sharpened, and both Cloth Sack Arhat and Pagoda-carrying Arhat furrowed their brows.

What did he mean?

An explanation, what kind of explanation?

Could it be that he still wanted to pursue the Bodhisattva’s responsibility?

After Buddhism has conceded this much, are you still being so aggressive?

The two were shocked and angry but couldn’t make a scene, so they had no choice but to stiffen up and say, “The Bodhisattva, in deep retreat and meditation, was cultivating the Buddhist Law to greet the Heavenly Tribulation and, due to a moment of negligence, allowed this scourge to escape to the Lower Realm…”