Chapter 550: I Will Definitely Protect It This Time! (5)

Chapter 550: I Will Definitely Protect It This Time! (5)

Chung Myung slowly turned his head to the side.

The Great Living Buddha.

This title signified more than simply the position of the Palace Lord of Potala.

Put simply, the Great Living Buddha was a living deity and wielded power greater than that of a king. The respect shown to this person wasnt due to their position as the Palace Lord but truly sprang from the hearts of others, acknowledging their rightful authority.

Naturally, the abbot of Shaolin held much respect in the Central Plains as well. Yet, one cannot dare to compare this honor with the intense gaze the people bestowed on this young boy.

Yet, such a highly regarded individual

Is merely a child?

Brat!

Mouth! Mouth! Control you both, you bastard!

The disciples from Mount Hua hastily tried to hush the surrounding noise while Chung Myung stared in shock at the boy known as the Dalai Lama.

But they claim him to be the Great Living Buddha!

Sasuk, can you believe it? Really?

Ku, uh!

Baek Cheon gave a conspicuous cough, avoiding eye contact. He found himself torn between lying and telling the truth.

Chung Myung glanced at the child before turning to the Panchen Lama.

This kid no, chi no, not even that, so youre saying this one is the Great Living Buddha?

The Panchen Lama simply smiled and nodded.

Yes.

Uh, then you mean the kid is the head of Buddhism and the Lord of the Potala Palace, one of the outer palaces? The same Great Living Buddha who is considered to be higher than the King of the land? NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

Yes.

Upon hearing this, a smile crept upon Chung Myungs face.

Haha. The abbot of Shaolin made the same assertion. It seems all these noble monks have a knack for duping people. How preposterous!

Imbecile! Mind your speech!

I advise you to hold your tongue.

The disciples of Mount Hua tried to dissuade him. Still, Chung Myung couldnt comprehend why the situation was becoming more complex and looked confused.

What are they saying?

If the boy had been the child of a king, Chung Myung would have accepted it, but this position had been assigned with no consideration to lineage.

Yet, it was inconceivable that this child was the Great Living Buddha, the spiritual leader, the terrestrial embodiment of Buddhism.

How much could this child possibly understand?

Just think about it.

What would the worlds people think if a three-year-old were named the Shaolins abbot?

No one would regard him as an authority, instead behaving however they pleased.

Since the Panchen Lama has said it, we have no choice but to believe it.

At that moment, the Panchen Lama quietly slid the teacup towards Chung Myung.

Still your mind.

The tea tastes good.

Chung Myung jerked in surprise yet obediently took the cup and sipped from it.

The disciples of Mount Hua looked on in shock.

Hes so docile.

Goodness, Chung Myung is actually obeying someone.

Indeed, no one is superior to Buddha.

Observing Chung Myung sipping tea contentedly, the Panchen Lama pressed his hands together in respect. Capitalizing on this gesture, Baek Cheon interjected,

I apologize. My fellow disciple happens to have a particularly fiery

Its alright. I understand the concept may be difficult for the people of the Central Plains to grasp. Even those who follow the path of Buddha might not comprehend it.

The Panchen Lamas gaze lingered on Hae Yeon. As Hae Yeon was chanting under his breath, it signified that even he, too, found the concept difficult to understand. The Panchen Lama nodded as though comprehending everything.

Have you ever encountered the concept of reincarnation?

Chung Myung gave a nod in response.

Im not familiar with Buddhist teachings, but I understand reincarnation. It means when a person dies, theyre reborn as a new individual.

The Panchen Lama nodded in satisfaction.

Youre intelligent.

Hehe, I wouldnt say smarthehehe!

Watching Chung Myungs back shake with laughter at the compliment, the disciples all sighed.

The Panchen Lama smiled and resumed speaking.

Right. Reincarnation means that when you die, you are reborn. Not only humans but animals and insects as wellwhen they die, they are given another life and repeat their existence.

His eyes were soft.

Why?

Because they couldnt escape.

They couldnt escape?

Yes.

The Panchen Lama held the rosary beads in his hand.

Life is a vast circle. All beings within it journey through eons of time, committing sins, accumulating merit, learning, and gaining awareness.

Are your questions now answered?

Yes, I apologize for the barrage of questions upon our first meeting. When my curiosity piques, I tend to be straightforward.

One who seeks will always find. Do not fret. A Buddhist is simply a person whose existence is dedicated to providing answers.

This differs greatly from the Shaolin monks.

Kuahhham!

Why? Did the tea go down the wrong pipe?

Ugh Taoist.

Although Hae Yeon groaned in pain, Chung Myung didnt even glance his way.

The Panchen Lama replied, smiling.

I wish we could converse more, but its quite late. Lets rest for the night and chat again tomorrow.

Yes. We were being rude at such a late hour.

You are too courteous.

Hehehe, thank you.

Excuse me.

Mr. Panchen Lama.

It appears you lacked insight were you certain that child was the Great Living Buddha?

Doubt began to take root in Baek Cheons heart.

The Lamas generously offered their expansive tent to the disciples of Mount Hua. They insisted on not having another tent set up, consequently leaving the disciples with no choice but to occupy the provided space.

All the occupants entered the tent with a hint of unease. However, this discomfort was short-lived as overwhelming fatigue swept over them. Before they could engage in conversation, each disciple succumbed to sleep.

The deep dawn approached.

Tatatak.

Chung Myung stealthily emerged from the tent and seated himself by the fire near the pond, tossing in firewood. Sparks scattered gently into the darkness.

Chung Myungs mind was in turmoil over the recent conversation.

Reincarnation

He toyed with the fire, prodding it with a stick and shaking his head.

A different thing.

In Taoism, you become one with nature upon death. Only ancestors who assisted in ascending to the realm of sages contributed to the flow of the world.

But

Where do I fit in?

The Taoist doctrine provided no explanation for Chung Myungs predicament. The reincarnation that the Panchen Lama mentioned didnt align with his circumstances.

Even the Great Living Buddha, famed as a reincarnation, lost his memory upon reincarnating into the world. Wasnt it odd that the Buddha didnt retain memories when returning to Earth?

So, what am I?

He sighed while gazing skyward.

I dont know, sect leader Sahyung.

He had been trying desperately not to dwell on this issue, but having speculated about the rebirth of the Heavenly Demon and now seeing this Buddha, his thoughts were in turmoil.

I

Just then

He swiveled his head around.

Flinch.

At the sight of the person beside him, he jolted in surprise.

Wha

The Young Great Living Buddha stood there, observing him. Close enough to be a single step away.

A surprised Chung Myung tried to speak, but he couldnt. He did not believe in reincarnation, yet he sensed something special within this child.

Chung Myung pondered for a moment before he finally spoke.

So you are the Great Living Buddha

Uhhh

Uh?

At that moment,

Tears began to stream down the face of the child who clasped his hands together.

Chung Myung was rendered speechless by the sullen, sorrowful face before him. The atmosphere became so heavy that speaking seemed impossible.

What happened? Why?

The pain in the childs eyes was evident. Wordlessly, he continued.

Poor child. Why are you navigating this harsh path alone? Are you truly prepared to walk for countless years on a path thats no different from hell? Alas

What

What did he just say?

It is a path from which one cannot stray. How, just how, did this pitiful child end up there? Why?

The childs voice, otherworldly and haunting, whispered through the ears of Chung Myung.

How

What was this child saying?

How

Chung Myungs expression began to fracture from his prior impassive state, and deep within, his soul started to scream.

A most desperate and heart-wrenching scream.