Taoist Wang Qingxuan presented a blood-red seal. The seal wasn't particularly impressive, crafted from a stone beneath the Demon-Slaying Rock at the Qingyun Temple, inscribed with six characters: "Slaying demons, determining the universe." It didn't possess much power but could help refresh one's mind when carried.
When it came to Wang Qingzhi, he grumpily handed the wooden pendant Chen Xuanze had given him to the little skeleton. Chen Xuanze didn't dare let Chen Xiaogu accept it and quickly stepped back, saying, "Sir, please don't be polite. I still have a raw piece; I'll carve one for Xiaogu later."
He meant well, and Wang Qingzhi, hearing this, thought Chen Xuanze was saying that the character "Wang" on the wooden pendant wasn't suitable for the little skeleton. Helpless, he had to let it go.
Lü Chonglou, on the other hand, was straightforward. After a sweet "Grandpa Lü" from the little skeleton, he smiled and handed the whetstone he was holding to Chen Xiaogu. Chen Xiaogu didn't hesitate and accepted it readily.
With relatives acknowledged and gifts received, Wang Qingzhi asked, "Xuanze, you just transmitted a technique, right? Tell us about it. I need to make up for the gifts when we return to the bureau. It's not right for a second-ranking official not to give gifts, especially after these seven years with Xiaogu. Chen Xuanze gave a hearty smile, saying, "It's not any extraordinary technique, just something I occasionally obtained called the 'Nine Heavenly Profound Scriptures.'"
Lü Chonglou and Wang Qingzhi were utterly shocked! This wasn't considered a good technique? The Demon-Suppressing Bureau had been collecting it for a full seven years! If it wasn't a good technique, why would they have spent seven years and exhausted all their efforts to gather it? Suppressing his agitation, Wang Qingzhi asked, "Xuanze, tell the truth. Is it the complete Nine Heavenly Profound Scriptures or a fragmented version?"
Chen Xuanze nodded affirmatively, "Reporting to Sir, it's complete, not missing a single bit."
The little skeleton Chen Xiaogu chimed in, "It's the complete version; I can recognize it."
Wang Qingzhi and Lü Chonglou didn't press Chen Xuanze on where he got such a profound technique, especially one so perfectly suited for the Mysterious Bone's Nine Heavenly Profound Scriptures. The Demon-Suppressing Bureau had its share of secrets, and as long as someone didn't betray the bureau, even if they concealed gods and Buddhas in their sleeves... There were still questions to be asked, but they wouldn't press too hard.
San Zang, however, changed his usual act and tugged at Wang Qingxuan's sleeve, gesturing wildly. The translation device, Wang Qingxuan, said, "Chen-ge, San Zang says what you taught him last time could be shared with Xiaogu. It might help him with cultivating the Nine Heavenly Profound Scriptures."
Wang Qingxuan spoke while winking. He was well aware that although Wang Qingzhi's thighs were thick, Chen Xuanze had already gained his favor and was even sharing benefits with San Zang. Rather than irritating Wang Qingzhi, it was better to maintain good relations with his lord.
San Zang, who usually acted ignorant, was now openly urging Wang Qingxuan. Translating, Wang Qingxuan said, "Chen-ge, San Zang mentioned what you taught him last time. Could you share it with Xiaogu? It might be helpful for him in cultivating the Nine Heavenly Profound Scriptures."
Chen Xuanze wasn't hesitant. He had already mentioned the Nine Heavenly Profound Scriptures; there was no harm in sharing a bit more. Of course, the Demon-Suppressing Chart and the fact that he wasn't from this world were matters he wouldn't disclose. With a good-natured smile, Chen Xuanze said, "Certainly, Sir. What San Zang is referring to is a Buddhist scripture called the Heart Sutra that I occasionally acquired. It might not match up to your knowledge, but San Zang has a background from the Killing Life Temple and might have some understanding of the Nine Heavenly Profound Scriptures. So, he suggested I try if this scripture could help Xiaogu."
Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.
Wang Qingzhi remained noncommittal, urging him to recite the sutra. "Recite it, and let me listen to this Buddhist scripture that San Zang claims can break through half a day's realm. Let's see how profound it is."
Chen Xuanze didn't find it surprising. Old Han, the gatekeeper, had been watching him for a long time. Even if Wang Qingzhi didn't know the contents of the Heart Sutra or the Dao De Jing, he was aware of San Zang and Wang Qingxuan's breakthrough. Chen Xuanze complained inwardly about San Zang practicing that ridiculous silent meditation.
Great Bodhisattva, practicing the profound Prajnaparamita, sees that the five aggregates are all empty, transcending all suffering. O Shariputra, form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness are also like this...
Chen Xuanze's recitation lacked any poetic charm and could even be described as poorly recited. This was evident from the twitching muscles at the corner of San Zang's eyes. However, the little skeleton, Chen Xiaogu, didn't think so.
At this moment, Chen Xiaogu's bony lower body was already sitting cross-legged on the boat, hands clasped together, involuntarily activating the Nine Heavenly Profound Scriptures. Unlike Wang Qingxuan, San Zang, Chen Qianqian, and the others, this was the first time Lord Wang had heard this Heart Sutra.
Wang Qingzhi had a diverse education, as evidenced by his attempt to use the Mysterious Bone to plan for the Tianlong Temple. Standing there now, Lord Wang shook his head and body like he was intoxicated, his red robe fluttering.
After reciting it once, Chen Xuanze looked at the meditating companion bone, Chen Xiaogu, and continued reciting until the third time, at which point San Zang gestured to him.
Wang Qingxuan, acting as a translation device, said, "Chen-ge, it's enough. Three times. Now, it depends on how much he can comprehend."
Chen Xuanze nodded and stopped reciting. Seeing Chen Xuanze stop, Lord Wang spoke, "I heard there's also the Dao De Jing? Xuanze, don't hide anything from me."
Today, Lord Wang had opened up, sending both the Dragon Slaying Spear and the Mysterious Bone. Not collecting some interest would be truly heartbreaking. This wasn't about taking advantage of Chen Xuan's situation.
Whether it was the Dragon Slaying Spear or the Mysterious Bone, either was equivalent to a second-ranking official. It was evident that Lord Wang had high expectations for Chen Xuanze, as he was willing to give such valuable items. Chen Xuanze wasn't hesitant and recited the Dao De Jing, which was much better than the Heart Sutra.
Each time he recited the Dao De Jing, Chen Xuanze gained some insights. The Dao De Jing was lengthy, around five thousand words. Reciting it each time, Chen Xuanze became engrossed. Lips moving, the verses alternated between being as faint as mosquitoes and as loud as bells, exceptionally profound.
The Twelve-Year Cicada was operating on its own, and some of the obscure parts disappeared. Thanks to the increased progress in the Twelve-Year Cicada's comprehension, each time Chen Xuanze recited, he gained a little more.
Profiting from the advancement in the Twelve-Year Cicada's comprehension, Chen Xuanze's recitation made Lord Wang, who was sitting cross-legged, also start to ponder deeply.
When Chen Xuanze recited the fifth chapter, "Heaven and Earth are not benevolent, treating all things like straw dogs," Lü Chonglou, standing nearby, fell into a profound state.
A two-foot-long spear appeared from Lü Chonglou's body. The spear body enveloped Lü Chonglou. The spear wasn't long but seemed substantial. The spear wasn't high, but its sharpness pierced straight into the sky.
The cold gleam flickered, dissipating the fog lingering on the river surface. When it was about to finish reciting the Five Thousand Words of the Dao De Jing, Wang Qingzhi had to wave the Autumn Water Sword, moving the boat more than ten feet horizontally.
Otherwise, Lü Chonglou's bewildering manifestations would overwhelm the boat. "The sage's way is to act without contending," as the last sentence from Chen Xuanze fell, Lü Chonglou, suspended above the river, abruptly disappeared.
Above the sky, nine long spear shadows flashed, then turned into nine dragon shadows, raging in the vast sky. A rolling thunder echoed without any visible lightning. In the Daoist realm, the Nine Heavens.