Chapter 46: The Boundless Dharma, A Ten-Year Promise

A person often makes friends with the most unexpected person at the strangest time and place, without even knowing how such feelings arise. (Gu Long)
……
Liu Yi sat dumbfounded across from Jue Gui, watching as Jue Gui examined the “Qiankun Mirror.”
As he looked, Jue Gui sighed, “Tragedy… such tragedy. How can so many souls and spirits not ascend to paradise or be reborn as their first offspring? Yet they are trapped in Fengmo Town. Why?”
Liu Yi quickly asked, “Master, can you free the souls in the mirror?”
Jue Gui nodded. “Of course. It’s not difficult. But does Master Liu know the concept of ‘cause and effect’? Everything has its rise and fall. One fall brings about another rise. I can free these souls, but I’m worried that a great calamity will strike the three realms.”
Liu Yi waved his fan. “Master, you’re overthinking it. Remember, all things in heaven and earth are connected; all things are governed by yin and yang. Everything has two sides—just as there’s the path of evil, there’s the path of good. There are bad people so that there can be good people. Things always counterbalance each other. Just like these souls today, there must be something to counter the ‘Qiankun Mirror.’ Any unknown calamity will surely have its opposite side as well.”
Jue Gui looked at Liu Yi and nodded. “Master Liu has a kind heart. I have a side question for you.”
Liu Yi waved his fan. “Please go ahead, Master.”
Jue Gui stared at Liu Yi, as if pondering or making a decision. Suddenly, he said, “I wonder, since Master Liu is known in the martial world as a talented scholar from the south, have you ever learned any advanced martial arts?”
Liu Yi didn’t understand why Jue Gui asked this. After thinking for a moment, he replied, “I must say I’ve never really dealt with martial arts. But lately, due to some trivial matters, I got involved in this world of conflicts and accidentally learned some basic skills.”
Jue Gui nodded. “Oh, I see! Please don’t blame me for being verbose, Master Liu. I have another question.”
Liu Yi smiled and nodded. “Please ask, Master. As long as I know the answer, I’ll definitely tell you.”
Jue Gui also smiled and looked at Liu Yi. “Have you heard of a man named Wei Lingfeng from the demonic sect twenty years ago?”
Liu Yi nodded. “Yes, I have.”
Jue Gui nodded again. “Then do you know why Wei Lingfeng died?”
Liu Yi looked at Jue Gui, unsure why he was asking. He replied, “I’m not entirely sure. I heard it was because of a woman.”
Jue Gui nodded. “That’s right. Wei Lingfeng led a life of both righteousness and wickedness, acting according to his own desires. But he shouldn’t have fallen in love with the daughter of the Divine Gate’s leader.”
Suddenly, Jue Gui stopped speaking and turned to Liu Yi. “If you were Wei Lingfeng, what would you do?”
Caught off guard by Jue Gui’s sudden question, Liu Yi was confused and didn’t know how to answer. He stammered, “I… I’m not him, Master.”
Jue Gui suddenly became very serious. “If you were him, what would you do?”
Looking at Jue Gui’s serious face, Liu Yi pondered for a moment before saying, “I think… I would kill everyone who tries to stop me from being with her.” Though brief, his words were firm and resolute, leaving no room for doubt.

Juegui shook his head and said softly, “Amitabha! What a grievous karma! I never imagined the resentment from three lifetimes could be so profound—even more stubborn than that of Weilingfeng!”
Liu Yi didn’t understand why Juegui said this, but he also didn’t know how to ask.
Juegui paused for a moment and said, “I have one last request, and I hope Master Liu will definitely agree to it.”
Liu Yi quickly replied, “Please go ahead, Master. As long as I can do it, I will definitely agree.”
Juegui nodded and said, “After we part this time, we might never have the chance to meet again. I would like to ask Master Liu to come to the Buddhist temple in ten years to meet with me. It would be a chance to talk about the changes over the years and see how Master Liu has changed.”
Liu Yi nodded and said, “Please rest assured, Master. As soon as I have time, I will come to visit you.”
Juegui smiled and nodded. Suddenly, he noticed a dark red jade piece hanging around Liu Yi’s neck—only a small part was visible, but it was clearly dark red…
Juegui stopped smiling and said, “Master Liu, may I borrow that red jade piece you’re wearing for a moment?”
Liu Yi knew he only had that small piece of red jade hanging around his neck; he didn’t have any other jade. He quickly took off the red jade from his neck and handed it to Juegui.
After receiving it, Juegui examined it carefully. After observing for a long time, he just shook his head, unable to speak. Unconsciously, his left hand took out another red jade piece of the same color, with the same carving, but the carvings on the two pieces were opposite to each other. Juegui placed the two pieces together to see what was on them. Suddenly… a red light flashed, and the two red jade pieces tightly fused together, forming one complete piece with no gaps visible.
Juegui exclaimed, “How is this possible?” But he quickly calmed down because after the two pieces merged, he saw the upper body of a person.
Watching the two pieces combine, Liu Yi remembered what Uncle Jiu had said and thought to himself, “Could this red jade be one of the other three pieces?”
Juegui looked at the figure on it but couldn’t figure out anything and shook his head. “Since Master Liu seems destined to be connected with this half of the red jade, I’ll give it to you as a gift. I hope you’ll take good care of it.” With that, he handed the fused half of the red jade to Liu Yi.
Liu Yi looked at the red jade—it was twice its original size, and the upper body of a person was clearly carved on it. Who was this person? So familiar… Where had he seen him before… Yes, in a dream. That’s right—the person attacked by six knights was him. Although his face couldn’t be seen clearly, he felt it was definitely him.
Seeing Liu Yi in a daze, Juegui asked, “Master Liu, is there anything wrong?”
Liu Yi quickly shook his head, put the red jade back on himself, and said, “No, I just suddenly thought of a question.”
Juegui asked eagerly, “Is it related to this jade?”
Liu Yi shook his head and said, “No, it’s about those twelve people on the twelve pillars in the Mahavira Hall. I wonder who they are…”

Jue Gui said softly, “If we’re to talk about it, this can be considered a myth, a legend. That battle was the first clash between good and evil. Those twelve people were the hosts of the twelve constellations in the heavens. When they fought against the demon gods—Nie Ren—alongside Pangu and Nüwa, their souls were destroyed and their bodies severed. Later, they were taken in by the Western ‘Tathagata’ as his twelve guardians, becoming protectors of Buddhism…”

Liu Yi remained silent, as he remembered that dream, the one he had in Miaojiang—those men in black. Could they be the demon gods? And why would such a legendary story appear in his dreams? Why?

Liu Yi regained his composure and nodded, saying, “I never thought there were such legends in the world.”

Jue Gui looked at Liu Yi and asked, “If you were a demon god, what would you do?”

Liu Yi smiled and replied, “How could that be? If I were a demon god, those immortals and righteous people would have chased me all over the mountains by now.”

Jue Gui said, “Well, my questions are done. Now I’ll use the ‘Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra’ to liberate these trapped souls. Please wait outside, Lord Liu.”

Liu Yi nodded and said, “The master is too kind.” With that, he stood up and walked outside, closing the door behind him.

Jue Gui looked at the ‘Qiankun Mirror’ in his hands and sighed…

As for Liu Yi, he was completely confused by Jue Gui’s questions. Instead, he gazed at the red jade around his neck. Previously, when it was just one piece of jade, he hadn’t felt anything. But now that the two pieces were together, he sensed a faint warmth spreading through his chest.

Just then, Liu Yi heard the sound of Buddhist chants coming from the meditation room. Turning around, he saw yellow light emanating from inside. He exclaimed, “The world of martial arts is truly amazing—there are all kinds of people. But who is the greatest in this world?” Standing outside, Liu Yi looked at the sun in the sky and calculated the time. It was already noon. If everything went well, he should be able to reach the Snowfall Formation before dark. He really needed to celebrate—finally, he had no more worries.

Finally, the door opened, and Jue Gui stepped out, still sweating slightly, clearly having expended a lot of energy. He handed the ‘Qiankun Mirror’ to Liu Yi and said, “The trapped souls are gone now. You can rest assured.”

Liu Yi took the mirror and quickly bowed gratefully, saying, “Thank you, master. I will never forget this kindness.”

Jue Gui smiled kindly and said, “There’s no need to thank me. You’re also working for the people. But remember your promise to me—come to the Buddhist temple in ten years.”

Liu Yi nodded and smiled, saying, “I’ll bring my wife and children to visit you then. Don’t cause any trouble, master. I take my leave.” With that, he turned and walked toward the side room.

Jue Gui smiled and nodded, watching Liu Yi walk away. Shaking his head, he said, “I hope you really won’t come alone by then.”

Liu Yi returned to the side room, packed up his things, and handed the mirror to Shui Er. The group then bid farewell to the monks in the Mahavira Hall under Li Ling’s leadership.