Chapter 361: Abbot Zhikong Doesn't Believe in Buddha

Words : 1089 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

When Lu Ding refused the gifts initially, Kudou thought this matter might be difficult to handle. But Lu Ding's subsequent words opened a bright window of opportunity for him. "How presumptuous of me. Master Lu Tai Sui is occupied with many affairs. This old monk failed to consider that," Kudou said respectfully. "Then I'll take Master Lu at his word. Seeing the heavy casualties at Moon Toad Temple today and the pervasive stench of blood, if not properly dealt with, it might breed future troubles." "Since this old monk has come, I might as well handle the cleanup, saving Master Lu and Deputy Director Ji some trouble." His words carried significant weight and perfectly aligned with Lu Ding's intentions. From this day onward, Great Compassion Temple's path would gradually diverge from the other Buddhist sects in Lingshun - a clear statement of position. As he spoke, the old monk descended and began performing the rites with practiced ease. Truly, professional matters should be left to professionals. On the ground, Master Kudou secretly sensed Lu Ding's presence above him. The sagging skin of his face slowly formed a smile. This was secured now. Thankfully, he had stopped Zhide from calling reinforcements. In situations like this, people usually only remembered who acted first - who would recall the second arrival? While conducting the rites, Kudou silently recited: "Jueming... Zhikong... Zhide... Don't blame me. Helping is kindness, not helping is principle. Our bond isn't deep enough for me to jeopardize Great Compassion Temple's future for your sake." "The most this old monk can do is perform proper rites for you all. May you..." "Cough! Cough! Cough!" The coughing interrupted his thoughts - Zhikong had regained consciousness. Raising his head, the abbot saw Master Kudou chanting the rites. Instantly, hope blazed in Zhikong's eyes. "Master Kudou! You've finally come!" he thought. "Lu Ding must have been subdued by you! We've waited so long for your arrival!" Summoning all his strength, Zhikong reached toward Kudou. Suddenly, someone shouted: "Master Lu Tai Sui! Come quick!" Zhikong froze. Wasn't Lu Ding supposed to be... Before he could finish the thought, he saw Lu Ding floating toward the voice. "Eh?! How... how is he still unharmed?" The disbelieving abbot cried out: "Mas... Master..." Kudou stood abruptly. "Hmm... this position is inauspicious, clashing with malignant forces. Unsuitable for rites. Must move elsewhere." He completely ignored Zhikong's calls. Meanwhile, in Moon Toad Temple's rear courtyard medicinal garden filled with rare herbs cultivated in black jade soil, Lu Ding arrived where Lingshun 749 investigators had gathered. "What's happened? Found something?" Lu Ding asked. An investigator kneeling on the ground stood up. "Master Lu! Look - there's human bone powder mixed in the black jade soil!" Lu Ding landed and scooped up a handful of fertile soil. Another investigator explained: "Master Lu, my cultivation technique 'Bone Engraving' requires bone powder. After prolonged use, I've memorized its scent." He quickly added: "My bone powder is all officially sourced from the Bureau. We feared Moon Toad Temple might have used Bureau-issued powder too, making your trip unnecessary, so we had headquarters verify first." "Our check confirmed Moon Toad Temple never requisitioned bone powder. Moreover, I can confirm these are from ordinary people." Earlier, Deputy Director Ji had said even extreme investigators could be selected for this mission. Hence these rather macabre specialists were chosen. Lu Ding observed the bone-like bamboo growing in the treated soil. Buddhist cultivators using unauthorized human bone powder to nourish rare herbs? Quite intriguing. Had this been found elsewhere, Lu Ding might have thought less of it. But in a Buddhist temple? This contradicted Buddhist principles entirely. Unusual occurrences always hid darker truths. "Go. Collar Abbot Zhikong by the clavicle and drag him here," Lu Ding ordered. Soon, the clinking of chains announced the arrival of the once-respected Zhikong, now dragged ignominiously across the ground. Investigators flung him forward with a thud at Lu Ding's feet. Lu Ding stepped on his chest, crushing already broken bones further. Bending down, he displayed the bone-powder-laced soil. "Abbot Zhikong, care to explain why a Buddhist sanctuary would use human bone powder to cultivate rare herbs?" Seeing the soil, the already mentally battered Zhikong completely succumbed to inner demons. His eyes reddened, face twisting with anguish and violence. "My fault! All my fault! I deserve death!" he screamed. "If not for my reckless ambition! Moon Toad Temple wouldn't... Ah! Kill me! I'm guilty!" "I've failed successive abbots! Failed our scriptures! I'm a sinner!" Had he been clear-headed or the temple unharmed, he'd have kept silent through any interrogation. But circumstances differed now. If he hadn't fed living humans to the Most Violent Victory wasps, they wouldn't have escaped. 749 wouldn't have noticed. Lu Ding wouldn't have come. The temple wouldn't have been purged. Everything traced back to his crimes. Consumed by remorse (not for the dead commoners, but for implicating his temple), his rationality vanished. Seeing this breakdown, the truth was obvious. Lu Ding pressed: "Tell me. What did you do? What are your crimes?" "If you confess honestly, perhaps I'll send you to meet Buddha." At this, Zhikong momentarily regained clarity. "Meet Buddha..." Lu Ding thought it worked - until the deranged monk burst into mad laughter: "What Buddha?! Hahaha! Have you seen one? I certainly haven't!" A lifelong monk who'd never witnessed Buddha could maintain faith before demonic possession. Now corrupted, he'd rather seek ancestral spirits than Buddha. The outburst stunned everyone, including Lu Ding. Damn. A Buddha-denying monk - and an abbot no less! This defied all expectations. Instead of remorseful confession at Buddha's mention, he rejected his own religion. The bone powder discoverer remarked: "Master Lu... he seems to be mocking you." Lu Ding's face darkened with fury. A stomp buried Zhikong deeper into the ground. His secret technique stolen from Yunmeng proved ineffective against the high-level monk. Suddenly, Lu Ding recalled how he and Wutian had tricked Di She at Drowned Corpse Cave - one calling souls, the other interrogating, nearly extracting Di She's bank password. Observing the coughing, laughing, bloodless Zhikong still taunting - "Hahaha! Buddha? I'll see when dead! Who knows afterlife truths? I'll check and haunt you with the answer!" - Lu Ding pointed sharply. "Fine. Let's see how I handle you." Raising his voice: "WUTIAN!"

Chapter 361: Abbot Zhikong Doesn't Believe in Buddha

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