I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-431

The Floating Buddhist Temple was grand and sombre-looking, glowing faintly with light. The righteous aura it exuded was indescribable and probably could bind any demonic being. The soft sound of a gong and Buddhist chanting could be faintly heard which contained the truth of the universe. The place could cleanse the minds of cultivators and make them calm and pacified.

Monks were sitting everywhere pondering on the Dharma. All of them were surrounded by a golden Buddha aura which made them appear extraordinary. They did not mind the visitors walking inside the temple, only sparing them a glance before returning to cultivate, as if Dharma was their only focus.

Gu Changge and Jiang Chuchu walked side by side, their robes fluttering in the air and making them resemble an Immortal couple. Many powerful experts followed behind, including Gu Changge’s subordinates and cultivators from Mortal Palace. Meanwhile, Chosen Monk Jin Chan walked ahead of them to lead the way.

While Jin Chan looked calm on the outside, he couldn’t help feeling surprised. He had never expected Gu Changge to come to the Demon-Burying Abyss since the man wasn’t one to sacrifice himself for anyone. He wouldn’t even care if the chaos spread everywhere in the world. He was much more selfish and cruel than Jin Chan himself and would only make a move when it benefited him immensely. That was why Jin Chan felt doubtful and kept a mental eye on Gu Changge.

However, he did trust Jiang Chuchu. Even if they hadn’t met that often, he admired her righteous attitude back at the Immortal Academy. However, he didn’t trust the explanation that Gu Changge was only here to accompany her.

Soon, Jin Chan led the group through the area into the depths of the Floating Buddhist Temple. A mighty energy billowed in the air as Buddha aura surrounded the mountain, giving the place an air of sacredness and peace. Towers with spherical roofs stood before them, with many beasts meandering around below, all seemed to be at peace and not ferocious at all. Instead, they were much more gentle than humans and contained some sort of Buddhist aura. Any bloodthirsty beast surrounded by the Buddha Qi of the place would lose their savage nature, becoming gentle and tame.

“It’s said that the Buddhist Mountain has a Deliverance Sutra which could tame everything including savage animals and artifacts. The black mountain in front of the Buddhist Mountain once bound a Monkey Demon known as the Heavenly Chaos Saint. The Buddha had to chant day and night for ten thousand years for it to eventually lose its wild nature and follow the Buddha. He was then given the name Heavenly Chaos Buddha and now guards the Buddhist Mountain gates. I’m not sure if that’s true, though.”

Gu Changge glanced around at the beasts resting around the pagodas, sounding interested. He already knew where the Deliverance Sutra came from since it had been an incomplete chapter that came from his Demonic Manipulation Urn. After being completed by a high-level monk via deduction, it became a new technique which was claimed to be able to tame everything and couldn’t be countered.

Many cultivators ended up following the Buddha because of this, resulting in a crusade against the Buddhist Mountain in the Upper Realm. However, the Buddhist Mountain abilities were very strange yet superior to the usual secret techniques of the other Sects. Its numerous believers could be found in the Upper Realm and the Lower Realms as well. Their number was comparable to that of Mortal Palace believers. Several Sect Masters had even studied in the Buddhist Mountain and followed the Buddha when they were younger, thus giving the place plenty of connections with many different Upper Realm Sects.

There were also many great treasures inside the Buddha Mountain, some of which contained powerful energy. A Buddha had once appeared with a Demon-Killing Staff and killed a member of the Eternal Overcast Royal Family. His power was comparable to the Mortal One back then. Thus, it could be said that the Buddhist Mountain was much more mysterious than Mortal Palace and Sky Emperor Mountain.

“Oh, that happened a very long time ago. Now the Buddhist Mountain gate is no longer guarded by him but by his descendants for many generations. As for the Deliverance Sutra, that’s just rumours created by the outside world. Very few could gain access to the highest sutras in the Buddhist Mountain.” Jin Chan smiled.

Gu Changge wasn’t surprised by that. The Buddhist Mountain’s way of acting (as though they always held the high ground) was similar to his own and so he couldn’t say much. He just wanted to know how close the connection was between the Deliverance Sutra and his Demonic Manipulation Urn, as well as whether he could alter the Sutra so those tamed by the Buddhist Mountain would be under his control. However, that was just a passing thought; he would have to find the original copy of the Sutra first. He didn’t have time for them otherwise. Thus, this matter would be put on hold.

“I heard that the Heavenly Chaos Saint was tamed because he didn’t respect the Dharma and looked down on the Buddhist Mountain. A cultivator with great abilities transformed his hand into a black mountain to bind him in front of the Buddhist Mountain and make him listen to Dharma day and night.” Jiang Chuchu, thinking that Gu Changge was interested in the matter, immediately informed them of what she knew from the ancient records.

“You are actually mistaken. It wasn’t because he didn’t disrespect the Dharma, but because he was far too stubborn and disregarded the rules. The Buddhist Mountain thus chose to teach him a lesson and rehabilitate him. He was so grateful that he decided to guard our gate to repay in kindness.” Jin Chan turned to correct her.

Jiang Chuchu eyed him and fell silent, knowing that it was no use elaborating when she was here in the Buddhist Mountain. She knew that it was merely their opinion and that many forces had records of the true proceedings. Gu Changge wasn’t surprised by the shamelessness of the Buddhist Mountain, since he would have done it as well. Any force would take a terrifying guard seriously after all.

Soon, they arrived at a temple compound. Jin Chan told the other monks to leave as soon as they arrived so Gu Changge and his group could rest here for the day, which they promptly did.

Gu Changge and the others would leave for the Demon-Burying Abyss tomorrow to deal with the great demon catastrophe inside. The Buddhist Mountain would also send many accomplished Buddhas to join them too.

“Chosen Monk Jin Chan seems crafty, but I’m not sure if it’s just me mistaking him,” Jiang Chuchu said to Gu Changge with a frown after the monks had left.

She had the Nine Immortal Souls Talent and thus could sense energies very acutely. She had used it to uncover Gu Changge’s true identity, and now she could sense something suspicious about the Chosen Monk Jin Chan. The monk might have ulterior motives for going to the Demon-Burying Abyss.

Gu Changge nodded in agreement. “We need to watch him closely during the journey or he might cause issues. It will be terrible if things go wrong and he releases the bound great demon inside.”

He didn’t expect her to say that, but now he had thought of an excuse. If Jin Chan was suspected, all Gu Changge needed to do was prove those suspicions and Jin Chan wouldn’t get involved.

“The Demon-Burying Abyss has bound many great demons before. I’ve heard that Jin Chan has gone there once, so is there a connection?” She did not doubt his words as she didn’t trust Jin Chan either.

Those great demons would cause havoc in the Upper Realm upon being released. There might even be beings that surpassed even the Nirvana Realm. [As a monk, would Jin Chan be so daring as to risk everyone’s life for his own goals? Does he really not care about the rules of Buddhist Mountain?]

“Who knows?” Gu Changge smiled.

“You’ve already said your piece. Just be more careful for now.” Jiang Chuchu nodded in assent, looking thoughtful.

“So, this concludes the issue. However, there’s another problem before us. Do we sleep together or separately?” He changed the topic, looking at her awkwardly.

She looked at him, heat rising to her face. [This is the Floating Buddhist Temple! A sacred place of Buddhist Mountain. What is he thinking?]

“I think we should sleep separately.” She did not dare refuse him outright, adopting a tentative tone while studying him. He hadn’t demanded anything back at Mortal Palace, but she was still anxious since she had agreed to his condition.

“Fine.” He was just teasing her and did not have any other intention. However, he did put on a sad and disappointed look when he saw her expression and shook his head.

She was a little conflicted about it, feeling regret towards him. She was already his woman. Thus, warming his bed was just part of her duties, but she had a natural aversion towards those kinds of things and couldn’t accept it at once.

Gu Changge did help her a lot by dealing with many issues, yet she did not repay him in any meaningful way. She couldn’t help but think she owed him somewhat.

“Why don’t I compensate you?” Jiang Chuchu frowned, hesitating a little before enquiring carefully. That was the only compromise she could think of.

“How?” He looked at her curiously, making her blush.

She stepped forward and suddenly moved in. She felt both warm and cool like jade yet felt soft, tasting fresh and sweet. As soon as she was done, she immediately fled with a red face while her clothes fluttered around her. This was the first time she had been so daring.

Gu Changge touched his lips as if there was still a trace of that sweetness on them. “Am I really that easily satisfied?”

He shook his head after watching her disappear, the warm look in his eyes fading back to its usual calmness. He then returned to his abode, putting up several runes into the nearby void to prevent anyone from spying, before sitting down.

Strands of golden light flashed between his eyebrows before a tiny golden human walked out. It glowed brightly and had a similar gaze to his albeit even colder.

Something also glowed from inside its sleeve. It was the Primeval True Feather which had been refined to now have an unrivalled sharpness.

That golden figure quickly stepped into the void and disappeared.

It was then that he opened his eyes, looking thoughtful. He wasn’t concerned that anyone would discover his Primordial Spirit since he had the Power of Void. As long as there weren’t any monks here who were well-versed in this Talent, he wouldn’t be found. However, he did conceal his energy just as a precaution. He had sensed someone looking at him when he entered the temple, who had looked away at once when he looked back in their direction. This was a very powerful being accomplished in the Dharma, so Gu Changge knew he needed to be cautious.

Gu Changge wanted to know why the Chosen Monk Jin Chan wanted to go to the Demon-Burying Abyss. If the monk had the same intention as him then he wasn’t interested; Jin Chan might be looking for something inside. The monk had gone there once and was said to have nearly died there. Now that the seal was weakening and chaos was erupting inside the Abyss, he could take advantage of the situation and get what he wanted. If so, Gu Changge now had a scapegoat who he could blame for the broken seal in the Abyss.

In a side temple not far from the compound, the lights have all been lit. Buddha aura illuminated the walls, and the strings of Buddhist beads glowed even brighter in the light. An elderly monk with white eyebrows long enough to reach the floor was knocking on his wooden fish, the sound of his chanting filled with an indescribable aura and seemingly resonating.

Jin Chan stood behind him with a neutral expression.

“Your mind is distracted.” The elderly monk’s voice was calm and undisturbed as his back faced him.

“Uncle Ancestor Master.” Jin Chan shook his head. “Truly, I am.”

“Because of the arrival of Gu Changge’s group?” the elderly monk asked. Even though he hadn’t left the temple for a long time, he knew a lot about the outside world, including who had come to the Floating Buddhist Temple today.

Jin Chan nodded without denying anything. “Yes. I don’t know what his intention is for going to the Demon-Burying Abyss, but my Buddha Heart keeps telling me to stay away from him since he’s dangerous.”

The elderly monk sighed. “He is truly formidable. You won’t be able to beat him even with all your abilities. I noticed that as soon as he entered the temple today. Of course, he might have noticed me as well, so I quickly diverted my attention.”

Jin Chan was taken aback and looked disbelieving. He couldn’t argue against the elderly monk saying he couldn’t beat Gu Changge, but now even the elderly monk did not dare continue observing him? That was unbelievable! After all, Uncle Ancestor Master had studied the Six Techniques of the Buddhist Mountain very carefully.

The Six Techniques of the Buddhist Mountain were terrifying abilities in the Buddhist Mountain, including the Heaven Peering Eye, All-Hearing Heavenly Ear, Mind-Reading Technique, Karmic Technique, God’s Boundary Technique, and the Omniscience Technique. Achieving the first two allowed one to see everything visible and hear everything in the world.

Jin Chan had merely had a first glimpse into cultivating the All-Hearing Heavenly Ear, while his Uncle Ancestor Master’s understanding of that path was far superior to his. His master could see anyone or hear anything he wanted within a range of ten million kilometres if he so wished, but even he did not dare to observe Gu Changge.

“There must be something else in the rumours from the Border Marker Sea.” Jin Chan sighed, looking sombre. Gu Changge manifesting in the Border Marker Sea had shocked many in the younger generation including him, but he knew that Mortal Palace had a secret technique which could use the Power of Faith to manifest a Dharma Body from an infinite distance away. That technique had nothing to do with the wielder’s level of cultivation but now it seems Gu Changge hadn’t achieved that using the secret technique.

“He probably doesn’t know about the secret of the Buddhist Mountain, so you don’t have to worry. You are fated for the Zen Robe, so no one can take that away from you. You took that into the Abyss, so only you can bring it back up again,” the elderly monk continued.

His closed eyes opened abruptly to look towards something, divine light flashing and interweaving to illuminate the void. His eyes were completely white and devoid of any colour, gaze sharp enough to penetrate time and observe the six realms.

“What is it, Uncle Ancestor Master?” Jin Chan asked in surprise.

“The seal in the Demon-Burying Abyss could probably hold for half a year at most. You must use the Buddhist Bone to bind it after removing the Zen Robe or the Buddhist Mountain will be immediately destroyed.” The elderly monk looked more grave than he had ever been.

Jin Chan nodded, understanding what he meant. The Buddhist Mountain had a special Rebirth Technique which ensured that monks accomplished in the Dharma could retain their wisdom during rebirth after passing. His past self had been the monk who had founded the Floating Buddhist Temple, but his memories hadn’t been awakened yet.

According to the Buddhist Mountain, he still lacked a trigger, which was the Zen Robe he had brought into the Demon-Burying Abyss. The Zen Robe was the most sacred item of the Buddhist Mountain which contained extraordinary Dharma. Thanks to innumerable powerful monks chanting continuously, it had developed great Buddhata which could bind everything demonic. As for why it had ended up in the Abyss, it was an embarrassment for the Buddhist Mountain and no one had ever mentioned it.

“I understand, Uncle Ancestor Master.” Jin Chan became calm. The Zen Robe was his trigger and also part of his fate. It would be against the Buddhist Mountain’s proclaimed fate if anyone else took it and would result in unimaginable disaster.

“I’m leaving then.” He retreated respectfully and left the place.

“Mmm.” The elderly monk suddenly frowned, looking puzzledly at a certain spot in the void. He felt like someone was staring at them from that direction, but nothing was there when he turned to look. This confused him. How could he be mistaken with his level of cultivation? Also, who could openly scrutinise him in this temple? He didn’t think Gu Changge had that ability.

[Will something befall me?] He shook his head, once again knocking on the wooden fish at a moderate pace with a sigh. He didn’t know if he could survive if the seal in the Demon-Burying Abyss was broken. That was his fate which he couldn’t avoid, so he had to face this.

He took life and death very lightly since the Buddhist Mountain’s Rebirth Technique could protect their accumulated wisdom. In fact, death would be just like a long period of sleep to him.

Silavin: I would like to note that the demons from this abyss and the demons from the Demon World are different. Though, we call them both demons.

The Demon World one is more like Demon Beast – Like Zhu Bajie. Sorta like half animals.

Meanwhile, these great demons are more like the western demons.

The issue is, there are demi-humans in this novel but the author doesn’t call them demons. So, I’ll just follow the chinese way, which is that both of them are called demons.