98: Escape, return to the clan

Jiang Yan gave the little monk a thumbs up; to be honest, a Buddha Son was indeed extraordinary.

If this question were given to an ordinary Novice Monk to answer, they might not have an answer even after a year or two.

After all, it took hundreds of years of discourse to arrive at a relatively correct answer.

"Is Benefactor a Blood Sunset Sect Disciple?" Heartless asked.

Jiang Yan had no intention of hiding it and nodded, admitting, "Monk, are you planning to follow me into Hell?"

"Amituofo." Heartless pressed his palms together and smiled. "Since Benefactor says it is Hell, why do you still wish to go there?"

Jiang Yan smiled and asked back, "Monk, do you know of a high monk who once said: 'Until Hell is empty, I vow not to become a Buddha; only when all sentient beings are saved will I attain Bodhi'?"

"Amituofo. Such a grand vow has already attained the Bodhisattva fruit," Heartless said with admiration, palms pressed together.

"Then, have you cultivated a grand vow?" Jiang Yan continued to ask.

"Amituofo." Heartless's expression turned serious and his tone flat. "This humble monk once wanted to make all people believe in Buddha, but even the Buddha could not achieve such a grand vow. Therefore, I only seek to save others and save myself."

"Oh, not greedy at all," Jiang Yan teased with a laugh. "A pity, you cannot save me. Because though my actions may be dark, I live my life in the light."

Heartless suddenly laughed upon hearing Jiang Yan's words, because both of them thought of themselves in that way.

Seeing Heartless laugh, Jiang Yan understood what he was thinking.

"Monk, come have a drink. Let's toast to our ideals." Jiang Yan picked up a wine cup and filled it for Heartless.

"What is Benefactor's real name?" Heartless did not touch the wine cup but asked seriously.

"A name is just a label. You can call me Wu Jie, or you can call me Wu Lao." Jiang Yan waved his hand with a smile and drank from his cup.

"Amituofo. Benefactor Wu, those are truly reckless words." Heartless pressed his palms together.

Jiang Yan set down his wine cup and asked with a smile, "Zen is dead, but people are alive. Since you are named Heartless, may I ask, Monk, are you truly Heartless?"

Heartless closed his eyes in contemplation. He naturally understood the meaning behind Jiang Yan's words and why Jiang Yan told him to call him whatever he liked; it was just that this couldn't be explained with Zen, for being lawless and heavenless was Jiang Yan's true intent.

"The Heart Sutra says, 'No aging and death.' The Six Paths of Reincarnation are an endless cycle. I presume Benefactor has already found his true self?" Heartless asked.

Jiang Yan nodded noncommittally. He indeed had the right to do so now; after all, even the life span of two in the Nascent Soul Realm was not as long as his. Thus, regarding 'No Aging,' he might truly have some right to speak.

Seeing Jiang Yan actually nod, Heartless was very curious. How could a Cultivator at the tenth level of Foundation Establishment dare to discuss the Dao of Longevity?

One must know that he was in the Core Formation Realm. Whether in terms of life span or cultivation, he far surpassed the Jiang Yan before him, yet the other's certain manner caused doubt to arise in his heart.

"Monk, if you want to discuss Buddhist principles, then drink with me." Jiang Yan said, taking another cup. "If you insist on trying to save my soul, I advise you to give up. Although I don't know what your methods are, if you want to capture me, you'd better dismiss that idea."

"Amituofo." Heartless pressed his palms together with a smile. "Please rest assured, Benefactor Wu. On this flying boat, This humble monk will not take action."

Hearing Heartless say this, Jiang Yan decisively ignored him. Thinking he could get something for nothing from him... what a beautiful dream. Sensing that Jiang Yan was starting to find him annoying again, Heartless's lips curled into a smile: "Benefactor Wu, do you really not wish to discuss Buddhist principles with This humble monk?"

"I am a vulgar man, not as noble as a Great Master, and I dislike discussing Buddhism. However, I do enjoy cursing people," Jiang Yan laughed, setting down his wine cup.

He was a very casual person; if he liked talking to you, he'd chat for a bit, but you couldn't push your luck. At this moment, Heartless's actions were doing exactly that.

Could he continue to tolerate the other party? He retorted directly. After all, he cultivated the Dao; if he didn't strike back, his heart would become clouded.

"Amituofo. Benefactor Wu, you are attached to appearances again. This humble monk was only..."

Jiang Yan waved his hand and stood up. "Don't 'only' me. I don't want to hear your 'onlys.' If you're willing to drink with me, we can chat. If not, then leave."

With those words, Jiang Yan decisively chose to leave. He just wanted to find a quiet place to enjoy the scenery along the way.

"Benefactor Wu, please listen to This humble monk." Heartless hurriedly stood up and chased after Jiang Yan.

Realizing he couldn't shake Heartless off, Jiang Yan decisively took out two Spirit Stones and rented a private room on the second floor.

Seeing this, Heartless shook his head with a bitter smile and pressed his palms together: "Amituofo. Benefactor Wu, we will still be traveling together on the road ahead."

Jiang Yan didn't know how terrifying a persistent monk could be, but he was indeed feeling wonderful right now, because the flying boat was just passing by the Twin Spirit Ravine.

This place was the territory of the Hundred Flowers Valley and the Lingxian Sect. It was a place that all male Cultivators wanted to visit.

These two Sects were not only composed entirely of female Cultivators, but there were also rumors that any male Cultivator who could enter these two Sects was a person of profound fortune.

Jiang Yan knew he didn't have that kind of luck, so he could only look at the beautiful scenery a bit more.

A day later, the flying boat docked at Lingxian Workshop, a place also known as Yin Spirit Ferry.

It was the central area for five Sects, and the Blood Cloud Sect was among them.

When Jiang Yan stepped off the flying boat, Heartless appeared by his side.

Glancing at Heartless, Jiang Yan walked away, while Heartless followed closely behind.

'Interesting. I don't believe I can't shake you off.' Jiang Yan thought, immediately quickening his pace. Right after, he activated an Escape Talisman.

Heartless smiled and likewise took out an Escape Talisman.

As the two of them used evasion techniques over a dozen times in succession, Jiang Yan helplessly turned back to look at Heartless: "Monk, I have a whole pile of Escape Talismans here. Are you sure you still want to follow?"

"Amituofo." Heartless pressed his palms together and smiled, taking out a Storage Pouch full of Escape Talismans. "Benefactor Wu, This humble monk has many more here. You might as well try."

Seeing the Escape Talismans Heartless displayed, Jiang Yan cursed in his heart. He had seen shameless people, but never anyone this shameless.

In the past, he always felt that as a Talisman Master, he would definitely have plenty of these things. But compared to a wealthy Buddha Son like this, he was just a poor laborer.

"Sigh, tell me then, how do you want to play this? A fight? Or do you just want to perform a rite for my soul?" Jiang Yan asked helplessly.

"Benefactor Wu, both you and I are very confident people, and we share similar characters. If I can save your soul, it will show that I am not far from becoming a Buddha. I hope Benefactor Wu will fulfill my wish," Heartless said, palms pressed together.

'Damn!' Jiang Yan cursed inwardly. He should have guessed it long ago; after all, this monk was clearly following him intentionally. One could even say that since meeting this monk, the other had already set his sights on him.

Just as he was about to curse Heartless, a poem suddenly came to mind.

Jiang Yan said with a smile, "Monk, since you are so certain, how about I gift you a poem?"

Hearing this, Heartless smiled and pressed his palms together: "Amituofo. I didn't expect Benefactor Wu to not only be proficient in Buddhist principles but also understand the way of literature."

Jiang Yan's expression became solemn as he took a step forward and recited loudly: "Solid ice remains even in summer, the Dragon-Elephant reaches the azure sky. Clouds seal the path to the stone chamber, peaks shine beyond the rain's summit. Night Zen practiced near the tiger's den, cold rinsing at the Dragon Spring. Our future meeting is not for a set day; when we meet, we should trust in fate..."

While Heartless was deep in thought about the Concept of the poem, Jiang Yan immediately activated Blood Shadow Ghost Evasion, followed by the Cloud Breaking Art, and used three consecutive Escape Talismans before finally rushing back to the Blood Cloud Sect.

When Heartless smiled and pressed his palms together, ready to offer praise, his expression froze slightly. He realized that the target he was following had actually disappeared.

"Amituofo. Benefactor Wu is truly talented; it's a pity he hasn't entered our Buddhist fold. Benefactor Wu, we shall meet again another day!"

Heartless glanced in the direction of the Blood Cloud Sect, then turned and floated into the sky.

Jiang Yan arrived at the Spiritual Object Hall. After turning in his mission, he hurriedly called Elder Yan out.

"Old Yan, I've been targeted by a stinky monk. Do you know what method he used to track me?" Jiang Yan asked quickly.

Upon hearing this, Old Yan looked puzzled. He sized Su Chen up and down, then began to circle around his body.

Jiang Yan didn't dare move at this moment; he really feared that the monk had placed a mark on him.

"What is that monk's cultivation level? Which temple is he from?" Elder Yan asked.

"Core Formation Realm. He should be the Buddha Son of the Dragon Elephant Temple." As Jiang Yan spoke, he suddenly remembered the other's name. "Oh, right, he's called Heartless."

Hearing that it really was the Buddha Son of the Dragon Elephant Temple, Elder Yan was very surprised. He hadn't expected Su Chen to dare provoke such a person.

But on second thought, considering Su Chen's current mission, he understood what had happened.

Elder Yan stroked his beard and pondered, "It's likely a Buddha Seal mark. You'll need to find the four Peak Masters to help you remove it."