“Giddy-up!”
“Giddy-up!”
After galloping for a long time, many of the horses had reached their limits. Some had foundered, exhausted. The evil men could only abandon these horses and continue on their way.
“Hurry! I have another stud farm up ahead!” Gu Hai called out.
“Yes!” The evil men quickly followed.
Soon, everyone arrived at the stud farm.
An old stud manager stood respectfully at the entrance with three thousand horses already saddled and prepared.
“Whoa!” Gu Hai stopped along with the many horses with him.
“Master, I received the letters from the messenger pigeons that Master sent a few days ago and started preparing the moment I saw the fire beacons. These are our best horses. Master, would you like to rest for a while?” the old stud manager said respectfully.
“There’s no need. This matter is urgent!” Gu Hai nodded.
The three thousand evil men swapped horses. Then, Gu Hai swung his horsewhip and immediately galloped away. The old stud manager bowed respectfully in Gu Hai’s direction.
Along the way, the evil men swapped horses several times.
Some days later, they finally arrived.
“We’ve reached Hulao Pass!” Chen Tianshan said.
The evil men had rushed all the way. After Hulao Pass’s gates opened, they galloped to the Gu Residence.
As they traveled through Hulao Pass, their anxious hearts slowly relaxed.
The town appeared to be fine.
“Adoptive Father!” Gu Qin and Gu Han came out to greet the group when they received the news.
“Good that you are fine!” Gu Hai released a drawn-out sigh.
“Adoptive Father, this is thanks to Bodhisattva Lian Sheng. Otherwise, the ordinary people in our small town would have suffered a calamity!” Gu Qin immediately said.
“Bodhisattva Lian Sheng?” Gu Hai’s expression changed.
When he turned his head, he happened to see Bodhisattva Lian Sheng standing not far away. As Bodhisattva Lian Sheng looked at Gu Hai, he pressed his palms together and gave a slight bow.
Gu Hai bowed back. On the way to the Gu Residence, Gu Qin updated him, telling him about what happened. By the time they reached the Gu Residence, Gu Hai had a rough understanding of the situation.
“Many thanks to Bodhisattva Lian Sheng. Otherwise, who knows how many people would have died in this small town?!” Gu Hai said, feeling extremely grateful.
“Mister Gu, I said before that we would meet again soon!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng responded with a smile.
“Oh?” Gu Hai’s expression changed.
“Speaking of which, I do have a matter that requires Mister Gu’s permission!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng said gravely.
Gu Hai appeared somewhat suspicious. Nevertheless, he still gestured and said, “Bodhisattva Lian Sheng, please come inside. We can speak more in my Gu Residence!”
“That’s fine!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng nodded.
After Gu Hai invited Bodhisattva Lian Sheng into the residence, Gu Qin led the evil men in, as well.
The four legates followed behind Gu Hai.
However, when Shangguan Hen saw Bodhisattva Lian Sheng, he frowned slightly and lagged behind a little, appearing to want to avoid Bodhisattva Lian Sheng’s notice.
The group entered the ritual array.
At this moment, the number of people here in the small town to monitor Gu Hai lessened significantly. Some of them retreated outside the small town. After all, the earlier scene had been too terrifying.
——
In a large hall within the Gu Residence:
Gu Hai and Bodhisattva Lian Sheng sat down. Gu Qin and Gu Han served them tea before sitting down as well.
“Bodhisattva Lian Sheng, many thanks for your help. However, I am unable to repay you. Bodhisattva, if you have a request, just say it. If this humble one can do it, I will do my best!” Gu Hai said gravely.
Bodhisattva Lian Sheng stared at Gu Hai and said, “This humble monk has heard a lot about Mister Gu’s recent activities. You managed to defeat the strong despite your weakness. Truly extraordinary!”
“Bodhisattva Lian Sheng is too polite. What does Bodhisattva Lian Sheng want?” Gu Hai remained unmoved as he looked at the monk.
“I recall that I once mentioned to Mister Gu that I sensed a familiar aura coming from you. I have now found the source of this aura. Hence, I am shamelessly asking Mister Gu for a person!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng said with a smile.
“You are asking me for a person?” Gu Hai frowned slightly.
Bodhisattva Lian Sheng turned to look at Gu Han.
“Gu Han?” Gu Hai asked, feeling puzzled.
“I want to take Gu Han as my disciple, and I require Mister Gu’s permission first.”
“Oh?” Gu Hai said, feeling surprised.
“Bodhisattva Lian Sheng, why are you doing this?” Gu Han spoke up at this moment.
“Gu Han, do you have a feeling of familiarity when you see me?” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng asked with a smile.
Gu Han frowned heavily, not refuting him. Then, he nodded.
“Then, this is right. I have been searching for you for a long time already!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng said with a soft sigh.
“I don’t understand. Would Bodhisattva Lian Sheng dispel my doubts?” Gu Han shook his head.
Gu Hai and Gu Qin also looked at Bodhisattva Lian Sheng.
“One thousand two hundred years ago, three monks chanted the scripture and studied Buddhism every day. However, the three slowly realized that the Buddhist Dao in the world was very different from their understanding of Buddhism. The enlightened would become a buddha. Their thoughts would transcend everything mundane, uninfluenced by it. Their path of Buddhism would come to fruition. Not influenced by the mundane means that if one became a buddha, they would lose the fundamental emotions, becoming heartless and emotionless. All living things suffer in bitterness, seeking Buddhism to be saved. However, if a buddha were heartless and emotionless, how could they pity the living? If they saw all living beings as ants, why would they save all living things? Would all living things want such a buddha? If all living things do not need buddhas, then what is the purpose of a buddha’s existence?” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng said with a frown.
“Oh?” Gu Hai frowned slightly.
“Hence, these three monks headed for the Spirit Mountain Holy Land to pay their respects to the Lord Buddha and seek answers!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng said while reminiscing.
“Questioning Buddha?”
“Yes, questioning Buddha. However, instead of obtaining an answer, the three monks ended up labeled as heretics. Two of them suffered from calamities, dying. Only one monk remained, continuing to wander the world in confusion!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng sighed.
“Bodhisattva Lian Sheng is the survivor?” Gu Han frowned.
Bodhisattva Lian Sheng nodded. As he looked at Gu Han, he said, “Yes. You are the reincarnation of one of my two close friends. You have his earthly soul. Hence, you find me familiar when you look at me. Back then, we studied Buddhism together and went to question the Lord Buddha together!”
Gu Han’s expression turned stiff, conveying his unwillingness to acknowledge this revelation as he turned his head to look at Gu Hai.
Gu Hai did not rush to answer, remaining silent for a while. A hush fell over the large hall.
Bodhisattva Lian Sheng did not speak, either, just waited quietly.
Gu Hai could not tell whether this story was true or not. However, if Bodhisattva Lian Sheng wanted to wrest Gu Han away, Gu Hai could not stop him. This pointed to Bodhisattva Lian Sheng sincerely wanting to take Gu Han as a disciple.
After some silence, Gu Hai turned his head and asked, “Gu Han, what do you think?”
“Adoptive Father, this child does not know. However, this child would like to stay by Adoptive Father’s side!” Gu Han replied with a complicated expression.
Gu Hai remained silent for a while before shaking his head. “I have already entered the world of cultivators. The future is full of uncertainties. It might go smoothly, but we must not put all our eggs in one basket. Gu Han, this is an opportunity for you. As your father, I feel that you can take Bodhisattva Lian Sheng as your master!”
“Me?” Gu Han showed reluctance in his eyes.
Gu Qin remained silent at the side, not interrupting.
Bodhisattva Lian Sheng looked at Gu Hai, some gratitude showing in his eyes.
Gu Han stared at Gu Hai, seeing the determination in Gu Hai’s eyes.
“Adoptive Father, I’ll listen to you!” Gu Han eventually said in a serious tone after a deep breath.
After inhaling deeply, Gu Hai said, “Begin the apprenticeship ceremony, then!”
Gu Han stood up and went to kneel before Bodhisattva Lian Sheng.
“Master, please receive three kowtows from this disciple!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Gu Han kowtowed heavily three times.
“Good! Good! Gu Han, in the future, you will follow Master to study Buddhism, to become a true buddha. You became my disciple today, but Master does not have anything good on him now. I’ll give this Demon Subduing Bracelet to you first!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng said, feeling moved.
As Bodhisattva Lian Sheng spoke, he held out a bracelet.
Gu Han looked at Gu Hai.
“This is something given by your elder; you cannot decline. It is from your master; just accept it!” Gu Hai nodded.
Gu Han nodded and carefully received the bracelet.
“This Demon Subduing Bracelet contains a compressed space. You can use it to store your miscellaneous belongings,” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng said with a smile.
“Yes!” Gu Han nodded.
“Many thanks, Mister Gu, for granting me this. Since I have already taken in Gu Han, I have to take my leave. Time will not wait for me. I sense that the other one of my close friends reincarnated to the west. That aura is faint; I have to bring Gu Han over immediately!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng said gratefully as he looked at Gu Hai.
“Would you wait for another half a day? Since Gu Han is leaving, please permit me to pack some things and leave some instructions for him,” Gu Hai asked seriously.
“That is fine.” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng nodded.
Gu Qin rushed about, collecting many things for Gu Han and tidying up all sorts of things.
Meanwhile, Gu Hai spoke to Gu Han alone.
“Adoptive Father, you told me to take him as my master, but I—” Gu Han said with a frown.
Gu Hai thrust out his hand, interrupting Gu Han. He shook his head and pointed to the ink and brush at the side.
Gu Han’s expression changed. Then, he nodded.
“Gu Han, Bodhisattva Lian Sheng is a very benevolent person. Many of the people I met say so. He has also helped me several times; he should be a very kind person. After you leave with him, learn from him properly. Do not waste time,” Gu Hai said.
At the same time, Gu Hai used the brush to write something on paper.
“I have not interacted much with him and cannot figure him out yet. Judge for yourself whether he is good or bad. However, if he is sincerely taking you as a disciple, learn from him properly and grow stronger. I cannot let your adoptive mother’s calamity in my Gu Residence happen again.”
“Yes. Adoptive Father, rest assured. I will properly learn from Master.” Gu Han nodded seriously.
“You are about to leave. I got your first brother to prepare many things for you. Take a look when you have time. With these things, at the very least, you can have a more comfortable life.” While Gu Hai spoke, he wrote again.
“Remember, everyone has their desires. I do not trust a person with no desire. While you can’t distrust him, you cannot fully trust him. Always think before you act.”
“Yes. Many thanks, Adoptive Father. This child will remember!” Gu Han again nodded gravely.
Creak! The doors suddenly opened.
“Adoptive Father, Second Brother, I have already prepared the things for Second Brother!” Gu Qin stepped into the room.
“Gu Han, be careful on your journey. Let’s meet in the Divine Continent in the future!” Gu Hai exhorted. At the same time, he wrote on the paper again.
“I do not know much about cultivating Buddhism. However, I have six words for you. This phrase might be useful, but it might be useless as well. Remember it and comprehend it on your own in the future.
“Om Mani Padme Hum!”
[TL Note: Om Mani Padme Hum is from the Avalokiteshvara Mantra. In Chinese, it is written as six characters, one for each syllable.]
After writing that, Gu Hai immediately tossed the paper into the fire.
Om Mani Padme Hum?
Confusion flashed in Gu Han’s eyes, but he still nodded seriously and said, “Yes!”
When the paper completely burned up, the three walked out of the room.
Many items filled the courtyard outside this room, and Bodhisattva Lian Sheng waited at the side.
Gu Han extended his hand and collected all the items into his Demon Subduing Bracelet with a wave.
“Mister Gu, I’ll be bringing Gu Han away, then!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng smiled as he looked at Gu Hai.
Gu Hai nodded.
“Second Brother, take care!” Gu Qin said with some reluctance.
Gu Han nodded to Gu Qin. Then, he turned and knelt to Gu Hai and kowtowed thrice before standing up.
“Let’s go!” Bodhisattva Lian Sheng stretched out his hand and waved.
Whoosh!
Bodhisattva Lian Sheng carried Gu Han into the sky and disappeared into the horizon in the blink of an eye.
