Chapter 369: Two Great Tricksters
“You’re quite the smooth talker, making distinctions between inside and outside the wooden hut.”
“Not as smooth as you, filling the hut with lies.”
The two exchanged telepathic messages, each convinced the other was bluffing.
Bodhisattva Xiangxiang wasn’t actually displeased with Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu’s methods. If Yuan Wuxing had taken an unorthodox approach, these two had completely broken conventional thinking to view the problem from entirely new angles.
This was precisely the kind of thinking Buddhism encouraged.
Even though Bodhisattva Xiangxiang wanted to curse Jiang Li for deceiving her.
“Would you two consider joining our Buddhist order?”
The Bodhisattva felt these two Divine Transformation cultivators possessed both wisdom and Buddhist nature. If they entered the Buddhist path, they could at least attain the status of Bodhisattvas or Arhats.
Both had altered their appearances and concealed their cultivation levels, appearing as ordinary Divine Transformation cultivators to outsiders.
Jiang Li waved his hand dismissively. “No thanks.”
Before becoming the Human Sovereign, Venerable Sumeru Buddha had repeatedly invited Jiang Li to join Buddhism, convinced of his profound Buddhist nature and seeing him as the next Buddha Lord.
But Jiang Li had always politely declined, much to the Venerable Buddha’s regret.
“I’d like to give it a try,” Bai Hongtu said eagerly. Having grown thoroughly bored as Dao Sect Master, he felt it was time for a change of pace – to showcase his talents in the Buddhist order.
Worried Immortal Elder Changcun might break Bai Hongtu’s legs, Jiang Li pulled him aside and refused on his behalf.
“This man has improper intentions and would likely disrupt the Buddhist order’s tranquility. Best not.”
Bodhisattva Xiangxiang wasn’t concerned – she doubted Bai Hongtu could possibly disturb the entire Buddhist order. But seeing Jiang Li’s firm stance, she reluctantly dropped the matter.
The first trial had awarded many participants with the Diamond Sutra, yet they remained hopeful, believing they could still impress in the second trial and attract the legacy’s attention.
As Bodhisattva Xiangxiang scattered bodhi leaves, everyone found themselves in isolated pocket dimensions.
They discovered themselves practicing cultivation in a forest, where a hawk demon pursued a pigeon in the sky. Cornered, the pigeon spotted a cultivator and flew into his sleeve, hoping for sanctuary.
“The second trial begins now: protect the pigeon from being eaten by the hawk demon.”
…
One cultivator, seeing the hawk demon’s low Foundation Establishment cultivation, sneered contemptuously.
“A mere Foundation Establishment hawk dares act so arrogantly?”
He prepared to kill the hawk and save the pigeon.
Instead, a copy of the Avatamsaka Sutra appeared in his hands, sparing the hawk’s life.
Noticing the cultivator’s confusion, Bodhisattva Xiangxiang explained: “To kill one life to save another contradicts Buddhist principles.”
Both hawk and pigeon were creatures raised by the Buddhist order, not mere illusions.
…
Yuan Wuxing protected the pigeon but knew he couldn’t harm the hawk.
“Heaven values all living things. Why not spare this pigeon?”
The hawk retorted: “If I spare this pigeon, it lives but I starve. Does Heaven only favor pigeons, not me?”
Gritting his teeth, Yuan Wuxing offered: “I’ll exchange an equal weight of my own flesh for the pigeon’s life.”
“Very well.” The hawk produced a scale, placing the pigeon on one side and indicating Yuan Wuxing should begin cutting.
Yuan Wuxing drew a small knife and began slicing his flesh slowly.
Strangely, despite being at the Divine Transformation stage, Yuan Wuxing couldn’t numb the pain, enduring the agony as he cut portion after portion.
Moreover, his wounds refused to heal.
The scale still tipped toward the pigeon’s side as the hawk stated impassively: “You haven’t cut enough.”
Yuan Wuxing had no choice but to continue his painful sacrifice. Yet no matter how much he cut, the scale never balanced.
He finally understood – Buddhism taught equality among all beings. Trading part of himself for the pigeon’s life was inherently unequal. Only by offering his entire life could the scales balance.
Yuan Wuxing admitted defeat: “I cannot give my life for the pigeon’s. I withdraw from this trial.”
Yet after waiting, no consolation prize appeared from the secret realm.
The hawk explained with a smile: “Though you didn’t sacrifice your life, comprehending this truth is rare enough.”
It returned Yuan Wuxing to the Beings’ Secret Realm, where his wounds healed instantly.
…
“Dare steal my meal!” Bai Hongtu kicked the hawk demon away, sending it spinning dizzily through the air.
Regaining balance, the still-dizzy hawk charged at Bai Hongtu without waiting to recover.
“What are you doing?!” the hawk shrieked in horror as Bai Hongtu started a fire to roast the pigeon. Was this man completely inhuman?
“Obviously eating the pigeon. Should I eat you instead?” Bai Hongtu replied matter-of-factly.
The hawk couldn’t comprehend this logic – didn’t this man want to pass the trial?
Both creatures were raised by Buddhists, and the hawk considered the pigeon its sworn brother. It couldn’t just watch its brother get eaten.
“Then eat me instead!” the hawk growled.
Bai Hongtu considered this. “Fine, but I’ll only eat as much of you as the pigeon weighs.”
The hawk produced the scale and began cutting its own flesh, grimacing in pain.
“Not enough,” Bai Hongtu observed impassively as the scale still favored the pigeon.
The hawk kept cutting under Bai Hongtu’s relentless “not enough” comments.
Finally, the hawk jumped onto the scale itself to achieve balance.
Seeing its resigned expression, Bai Hongtu smiled reassuringly: “Did you really think I’d eat you? Recognizing all beings’ equality is rare. You may go.”
The hawk bowed in thanks – then paused mid-bow, realizing their roles seemed reversed.
…
“Why must you eat the pigeon? Can’t you abstain?” Jiang Li asked the hawk curiously.
Exasperated, the hawk produced its scale. “If I don’t eat it, I’ll eat you. Choose.”
Jiang Li pondered. “If you eat me, will you promise never to eat the pigeon?”
“Of course.”
“How can I trust you? You seem quite bloodthirsty.”
“I promise.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I swear.”
“Still don’t believe you.”
The hawk sighed. “Then what do you propose?”
“Write a pledge never to eat pigeons again, and I’ll believe you.”
Jiang Li produced paper and ink, drafting a pledge for the hawk to stamp with its talon.
Eager to end this ordeal, the hawk stamped immediately.
“Done. Now can I eat you?”
Jiang Li pocketed the pledge. “Of course not – I’d like to keep living.”
“Then I’ll eat the pigeon!” the hawk threatened. Didn’t this man want to pass the trial?
Jiang Li displayed the pledge. “You promised never to eat pigeons.”
The hawk glared. “That was conditional on eating you!”
“The pledge mentions no conditions.”
Only then did the hawk realize it had been tricked.
…
Bodhisattva Xiangxiang clasped her hands in relief. “Thank goodness we didn’t let those two join our order.”