Descending the mountain meant entering the world. Though Ethan Shu had not read many Buddhist scriptures, he understood the nature of this world. As recorded in the Agama Sutra, there are four great continents: East Victory Divine Continent, South Jambudvipa, West Bull and Cart Continent, and North Kuru Continent. At the center stands Mount Sumeru, towering millions of feet high, reaching into the outer heavens. Surrounded by salty seas, these four continents are perfectly positioned.
East Victory Divine Continent itself comprises nine provinces. Ethan Shu's current location, the Kingdom of Yan, is one of the Seven Kingdoms of the Central Province! Because of Mount Sumeru, this world is also called the Sumeru Great World, one of the Three Thousand Worlds in Buddhist doctrine. Upon learning this, Ethan Shu was awestruck by the grandeur of this vast world.
In the Sumeru Great World, besides Buddhist cultivation, there are also paths of Dao, Sword, Martial Arts, Demonic Arts, Evil Arts, and many other external disciplines. Countless cultivation sects exist here. There are even ancient Buddhist temples scattered throughout the Sumeru Great World. As a poem goes, "In Jambudvipa lie four hundred and eighty temples, with towers and pavilions shrouded in mist and rain."
Ethan Shu left the Black Mountain. The nearest settlement was a small town with a few hundred families, quite bustling. He aimed to form good karma there to restore Huiming Temple and revive its incense offerings.
As he entered the town, the sky was dull and overcast. Darkened slate stones lined the street, and people hurried home as night approached. Although his handsome appearance as a monk caught attention, no one dared approach him.
"The whole town is shrouded in demonic energy. Though Master subdued the Black Mountain, other demons have clearly taken root here."
Ethan Shu surveyed the skies over the town and shook his head.
He stopped a passerby and asked, "Kind sir, do you know where to find the local squire's residence?"
The man, momentarily stunned by Ethan Shu's refined, chiseled face, stammered, "The squire's house? Oh, Saint Monk, you must be looking for Squire Li's place—it's to the east." "Follow the main r the grandest house in the east belongs to him." The man, his face fearful, whispered, "Saint Monk, I'd advise you to find an inn to stay at for the night." "They say demons roam the town at night, catching people to eat!"
Ethan Shu smiled serenely, put his palms together, and uttered a Buddha name, "Amitabha. Good sir, this humble monk has come precisely to exorcise demons."
"You look so refined and scholarly. Preaching would suit you, but demon-hunting… not so much." "Going after demons? Won't you be delivering yourself as a fresh meal?"
With that, the man hurried off. Watching him leave, Ethan Shu chuckled softly, "This humble monk always seeks to subdue demons with virtue, only resorting to force when words fail."
The sky grew darker, with rolling clouds suggesting an impending storm. Ethan Shu quickened his steps toward Squire Li's house. "A vortex of demonic energy has gathered over the squire's mansion—it's incredibly thick!"
He knocked on the door of the grandest residence in town. Soon, one of Squire Li's servants opened the door, momentarily astonished at the sight of Ethan Shu. It seemed the monk's presence had graced the house.
"Amitabha. This humble monk seeks alms. May I trouble you to inform your master?"
"Please wait here, Saint Monk. I'll announce you right away." Ethan Shu's refined bearing, purple-gold monk staff, and brocade kasaya made the servant hesitant to delay.
Ethan Shu had cultivated the Cleansing and Muscle-Tendon Transformation Sutra to the sixth level, enhancing his hearing to supernatural levels. A slight movement of his ears allowed him to clearly hear the conversation inside.
"Master, there's a monk outside seeking alms." "Alms? Give him some rice and vegetarian dishes and send him off." "Sir, the monk looks extraordinary, with an air of a saint." "A saint? Saints aren't so common! Let me take a look."
Shortly, Squire Li—a burly man with a square hat—came out to greet him. At first glance, he knew his servant had not exaggerated; Ethan Shu truly resembled a saint.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Saint Monk. Would you like alms in the form of food, or perhaps incense money?" Squire Li asked with a friendly smile.
"Incense money."
Ethan Shu's gaze briefly swept toward the mansion's depths.
Squire Li shifted his bulky form to block Ethan Shu's line of sight. "Would ten taels of silver suffice?"
Ethan Shu replied calmly, "One hundred taels of gold. I seek your assistance in restoring Huiming Temple on Black Mountain to honor a great saint and keep the incense burning continuously!"
Squire Li's expression shifted several times. The first shift was due to Ethan Shu's audacious demand for one hundred taels of gold! Ten taels of silver could comfortably support a family in the Yan Kingdom for a month. One hundred taels of gold was equivalent to one thousand taels of silver! Even as a wealthy squire, Squire Li couldn't easily produce that much.
The second change was upon hearing the words "Black Mountain." The mountain was infamous, a forbidden zone for the villages within a hundred-mile radius. No one who entered had ever returned. And here was a monk asking him to renovate a temple on Black Mountain—a certain death wish.
Squire Li's previously amicable face darkened, a storm brewing within.
"Get out! What madness is this? Where did this crazy monk come from, demanding an outrageous sum?"
"Someone, chase this monk out!"
Squire Li called more servants to expel Ethan Shu.
Ethan Shu smiled and replied, "There is no need for anger, sir. With your considerable wealth, restoring a temple should be no difficulty." "Furthermore, you needn't worry about demons on Black Mountain. This humble monk has already purified it." "And I do not ask for this contribution without reason." "I seek to form good karma with you."
"If you're willing, I can resolve the troubles in your household."
Squire Li, face darkened, growled, "Are you still here?"
"Ah Fu!" he barked.
"Yes, master," replied a servant named Ah Fu.
"Remove him!"
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