Chapter 10: The Contest of Buddhist and Taoist Magic

Yao Banjian chuckled lightly without revealing any emotion: "I, a humble Taoist priest, have come here at the request of the filial daughter of the Liu family to perform a ritual for her parents. Unexpectedly, I encountered the master here, so I came to pay my respects. Master, where are you and your disciples headed with your bundles?"

Yao Banjian suppressed his surging blood and shouted: "Demonic monk! I have already given you leeway, yet you do not know what is good for you! Do you think no one knows about your deeds of raising female ghosts to harm others in that dilapidated temple? Today, I shall expose you, a wicked person with a Buddha's mouth and a serpent's heart!"

Amitabha, well said, well said! The half-immortal must not speak recklessly; above one's head, there are deities. The pure remain pure, and the half-immortal should refrain from speaking indiscriminately. Master Ku Cha closed his eyes and moved the Bodhi beads in front of his chest, no longer paying attention to Yao the half-immortal

Yao Bansian shook his head and smiled, saying: "Indeed, a renowned master produces outstanding disciples! Little monk, you are not worthy to debate with this poor Daoist. I shall take it upon myself to properly discipline you on behalf of your master!" With a flick of his long sword, strands of white frost began to form in the air, leaving the onlookers in a state of astonishment. ... Some people secretly broke into a cold sweat for the little monk, realizing that this old Daoist actually possessed the ability to condense qi into frost...

The disciple acknowledges his mistake, saying: "I was wrong, it was my unwarranted anger."

"Stop! Everyone, stop!" Liu Fu gasped for breath as he ran to the banks of the Tiao Creek, where he saw Master Ku Cha supporting the bloodied Long Sheng, who was staring in shock at Yao Banxian. The attack from behind by Yao Banxian that injured the child immediately drew the ire of the villagers of Jima Town. Liu Fu stepped forward to check on Long Sheng in Master Ku Cha's arms, who was already pale as paper and barely breathing.

The villagers saw Master Ku Cha and Chang Sheng standing at the ferry and all turned away with various expressions. Among these people were some who had received the kindness of Master Ku Cha. The people of Ji Ma Town were already aware that the Guandi Temple was the source of resentment, which made them feel somewhat awkward towards Master Ku Cha. Master Ku Cha stood by the water, silent, as the warmth and coldness of human feelings have always been as thin as paper. Master Ku Cha and Chang Sheng waited by the water as boats passed by in a steady flow under the midday sun, yet no one dared to speak a word to the two monks. Master Ku Cha stood by the water, silent, as the warmth and coldness of human feelings have always been as thin as paper. Master Ku Cha and Chang Sheng waited by the water as boats passed by in a steady flow under the midday sun, yet no one dared to speak a word to the two monks

Hahaha... The master has been committing evil here, causing countless deaths, yet he can so easily leave without a care. Last night, I still saw the villagers in the coffin, unable to close their eyes in death. Master, your abrupt departure is truly disheartening! Yao Banjian forced a few dry laughs and drew his sword, pointing it directly at Master Ku Cha. The villagers at the ferry, witnessing this scene, all put down their fishing nets and rowed their boats over...

Changsheng exclaimed, "Master, this Taoist is spouting nonsense and making baseless accusations. Master, he is tarnishing your reputation!"

Venerable Celestial! This humble Daoist, Yao Banjian, bows to you! It is unknown when Yao Banjian arrived by the banks of the Tiao Creek, his purple Daoist robe fluttering in the cold wind.

Master Ku Cha had never met Yao Banxian, but as fellow practitioners, he clasped his hands together and bowed in return, saying: "Amitabha, this humble monk Ku Cha returns the greeting. I wonder what guidance the immortal has to offer?"

Good! Someone come here! First, make sure to keep an eye on them all. I will personally go and search, then make a decision. Anyone who dares to act recklessly will be speared to death by me. Finally, we can avenge the grievances of our town! Afu, Aguo, gather everyone from the town to the Guandi Temple; we must see what strange things are inside!" Liu Tianbao stomped away angrily from the banks of the Tiao River. The fishing villagers, seeing their ancestor in a rage, held their spears to guard the monks and Taoists... Afu, Aguo, gather everyone from the town to the Guandi Temple; we must see what strange things are inside!" Liu Tianbao stomped away angrily from the banks of the Tiao River. The fishing villagers, seeing their ancestor in a rage, held their spears to guard the monks and Taoists...

While the villagers were still whispering to each other, Yao Banjian took off the Yin-Yang fish hanging from his waist and silently recited a spell towards Master Ku Cha's back

In the early dawn of Jima Town, the cold wind was biting. Master Kucha, accompanied by his disciple Changsheng, respectfully lit a censer of incense before the fallen door panel of the Guandi Temple. Ten years may have caused the villagers of Jima Town to forget the two boat thieves... Amidst the curling blue smoke, Master Kucha once again witnessed the tragic scene of Zhang Wei and Wang Fuxing, wrapped in fishing nets, being pressed against the door panel by the Qing soldiers, who cruelly sliced their flesh piece by piece with knives

Master, be careful... Longsheng caught a glimpse of the force coming from behind Master Kucha and, without hesitation, leaped forward to shield the old monk. His entire body was struck by a bolt of lightning, sending him several feet away and rendering him unconscious. The old monk turned around and glared fiercely at Yao Banjian, using both hands to press against Longsheng's Baihui and Lingtai points to perform a rescue.

Amitabha, my apologies! You, evil one, dare to speak such nonsense here. I, a humble monk, have devoted myself to Buddhism ever since I broke my precepts and committed murder ten years ago. Today, if you do not provide an explanation for Changsheng, I vow not to rest! The usually compassionate Master Kucha, with his kind eyes and gentle brows, is now filled with righteous indignation. If it were not to save the life of the uncertain Changsheng, Master Kucha would likely engage in a serious contest of skills with the old Taoist.

The ancestor Liu Tianbao shouted: "Everyone, search carefully for me; we must not overlook any corner! Old Daoist Yao said there is a source of resentment in the temple, so dig three feet into the ground to find it for me..."

In the crowd, he shouted, "What do you mean! As long as there is evidence to prove that this monk is up to no good, I, Liu Tianbao, will have him torn to pieces!" The ancestor Liu Tianbao, supported by Liu Gui, also arrived at the Tiao Creek. The ancestor shot a glare at Liu Fu and scolded him.

Before dawn, fishing boats were already breaking the ice and casting nets at the ferry. Regardless of the many strange occurrences in the town, life must go on. If one catches fish, it is proper to exchange them for money in Huzhou Prefecture. If luck is on their side and they catch big fish, they can treat themselves at the Chaoyin Tower in Huzhou Prefecture, or enjoy a performance and some fine wine at the Xiaoxiang Pavilion on North Street. It is said that several courtesans have arrived at the North Gate, which is the most beautiful thought for ordinary villagers.

Liu Fu understood the general meaning from the fragmented words, and it seemed that both parties had their reasons. He stood up and performed a formal bow, saying: "Master Ku Cha, please remain calm; this matter is not yet clear. Masters, please do not take action just yet. May I ask what evidence the half-immortal has to claim that Master Ku Cha has harmed anyone? As a just person, I should persuade others with reason"

Yao Banjian sat cross-legged in a calm demeanor, while Master Kucha remained motionless, using Buddhist energy to resolve the Yin-Yang talismans afflicting Changsheng. The two figures resembled wooden sculptures, yet the villagers present could sense the distinctly different energies clashing against each other. ... Master Kucha's energy, while focused on saving a life, was evidently slightly inferior. After the duration of a stick of incense, blood began to seep from the corner of Master Kucha's mouth ...

Yao Bansian's face was as solemn as water: "The old layman insists that I, the poor Daoist, must provide evidence. In that case, I can only offend the divine might of Lord Guan. Where there is resentment, there will surely be disaster. As long as the old layman takes people to the Guan Di Temple and searches carefully, there will definitely be gains!"

"Demon monk! You have gone too far in deceiving me and destroying my treasure. I shall let you see the truth!" Yao Banjian glared with fury, raising the Yin-Yang fish with one hand. A bolt of thunder and fire shot out from the black-and-white copper plate, aimed directly at Master Ku Cha's back.

Liu Fu shouted, "What is all this about?"

The incident of the monk and the old Taoist clashing at the ferry quickly spread. The old Taoist's long sword was broken by the monk. The villagers from Jima Town, who rushed over upon hearing the news, were momentarily unsure of who was right and who was wrong, with some busybodies even pointing fingers at the old Taoist. It seemed that the villagers believed the monk to be more formidable than the Taoist, which left Yao Banjian with no face to show.

Master Ku Cha smiled and said: "Amitabha, for a monk, the whole world is his home, and everywhere is a land of joy."

Master Ku Cha said with an open smile: "Amitabha, in ancient times, Bodhidharma crossed the river on a reed, yet today, we have a monk swimming across the river. Ten years ago, I carried you across the water, little did I know that two great righteous men had already been imprisoned in the ancient temple and tortured to death. It is indeed time to depart; all gatherings under heaven must eventually come to an end. Changsheng, let us go!"

Changsheng followed Master Kucha with a burden on his back to the ferry terminal. After learning about the events that occurred ten years ago, he no longer felt the same attachment to Jima Town as he once did

Yao Banjian looked at the crowd and shouted: "Infinite Heavenly Sovereign, it is not that this humble Daoist seeks trouble without reason. It is just that if we let them go, Jima Town will never know peace again! If you all are willing to die without understanding, then this humble Daoist will say no more. On the fifth day of the twelfth month, you will naturally see corpses all over the town, and by then, who knows how many families will be shattered and ruined!"

Master Ku Cha continued to treat Chang Sheng with both hands, and spoke with resentment: "Amitabha, this poor monk and his disciple were just about to cross the river and leave this place. Who would have thought we would encounter this evil being? The evil being not only provoked us with words but also severely injured Chang Sheng using the Zhengyi Yin Yang talisman!"

The ancestors, accompanied by several hundred clansmen from Jima Town, arrived at the Guandi Temple. Looking at the dilapidated temple, the people of Jima Town felt an enduring sense of guilt. Years ago, after capturing two boat thieves and reporting them to the authorities, the Qing soldiers took them to the original monk, who imprisoned the two thieves here. The Xiang Army general brutally executed them and took away many villagers from the town to escort supplies for the attack on Huzhou Prefecture, resulting in heavy casualties among the villagers, which has remained a painful memory for Jima Town

Changsheng followed Master Kucha slowly along the frozen riverbed. In such weather, swimming to the riverbank was by no means an easy task. However, Changsheng knew that his master would not ask anyone for help; the river water was cold, and human hearts were even colder than the river water.

You are talking nonsense! My master only knows how to practice medicine and save lives, and has never harmed anyone! You... you are maliciously slandering my master without any distinction between right and wrong. I... I will fight you... Changsheng, young and impetuous, could not tolerate Yao Banshen's slander in front of everyone. He stepped onto the ice, leaped up to the riverbank, clenched his fists, and glared angrily at Yao Banshen.

Yao Bansian laughed heartily and said: "Infinite Heavenly Sovereign, this humble Taoist has never been here before. It is absolutely impossible for me to have any enmity with the great monk; I am merely fulfilling my duty by speaking frankly. Since Liu Lirzheng does not believe this humble Taoist, he will naturally find out in a few days! After all, it is not this humble Taoist who will die. Lirzheng, it is not difficult for me to provide you with solid evidence, but..."

Amitabha, my young disciple, your words lack weight and I hope for your understanding. If the disciple has erred, the master naturally shares the blame, but there is no need for you to take on the role of a teacher! Every word spoken by Master Ku Cha carries the weight of a thousand pounds; as soon as he finished speaking, the long sword in the old Taoist's hand shattered into two pieces. In an instant, Yao Bansian's face turned ashen; had it not been for Master Ku Cha's mercy, his lion's roar from the Buddhist teachings would have been enough to shatter the old Taoist's heart and end his life on the spot!

Amitabha! Changsheng, the teachings of Buddhism state that not contending is compassion, and not discerning is wisdom. In the world, one should remain like a lotus, calm and elegant, untainted and unblemished, viewing the superficial with indifference. When one's conduct is upright, there is no fear of shadows being askew; if others had true evidence, they would not be shouting here. In the future, you must engage in deep reflection and meditation, and be cautious not to fall into the trap of anger and baseless resentment!" Master Kucha spoke earnestly to his disciple Changsheng.