Dongdu Public Cemetery.
The young monk Wuchen used the last of the money his master left him to buy a good burial spot for his master.
"Master, you always repeatedly warned me not to enter the mortal world."
"But why did you ask me to journey into the mortal world before you died?"
"Disciple, though I cannot comprehend, I have chosen to follow your final wish."
"Let this disciple see for himself, if this mortal world is truly as terrible as you said."
Looking at his master's photo on the tombstone, Wuchen suppressed his sorrow, clasped his hands together, and continuously chanted the Ksitigarbha Sutra.
"Master, disciple is leaving now."
Wuchen slowly opened his eyes, turned around with a determined gaze, and left.
......
Dongdu Tanshishan.
Gu Xiaolai came to this place for no other reason than to ask a confidant and powerful friend from his past to take action one last time.
"Old friend, it is not my wish to disturb you, but I am truly at my wit's end."
Gu Xiaolai hesitated for several seconds, then walked in with unwavering resolve, his hatred for Zhao Yunhai and the Zhao clan deepening in his heart.
However, when Gu Xiaolai emerged, he was accompanied only by a young man.
This young man was his old friend's disciple, and his old friend had passed away some time ago.
Gu Xiaolai harbored serious doubts about whether this young man was capable.
Yet, as a direct disciple of his master, a formidable expert, he shouldn't be too incompetent, right?
"My master owed you a favor, and I am here to repay it. I don't think you need to doubt me."
"Whether I succeed or not will cost you nothing."
"However, I must make it clear beforehand: I will not do anything evil."
Lingyun said with full confidence.
Though Gu Xiaolai found it difficult to trust him, he had no other choice. If this failed, he would seek someone else.
"That Zhao Yunhai acts with arrogance and strikes with merciless brutality. The Nine Provinces have suffered under the Zhao clan for too long. We who resist the Zhao clan have sacrificed too much."
"Just last night, my wife and children were killed in our home."
"Not only me, but those who worked with me, their loved ones and families, without exception, were all murdered."
"His cruel methods are abhorrent, his heart more wicked than any in this world."
"If this man is not eliminated, who knows how many more will die by his hand in the future."
Gu Xiaolai's face was filled with profound grief. Thinking of his wife and children, tears involuntarily streamed from his eyes.
Lingyun felt a pang of sympathy upon hearing this. Such a venomous individual was indeed a menace to the world.
"You were unable to eliminate him. Is it because he himself is a powerful expert, or perhaps he has strong protectors around him?"
Lingyun had to voice his questions.
Furthermore, he still needed to investigate carefully whether the facts were as the other party described.
"We paid a great price and have confirmed that his strength surpasses the peak of Houtian."
As Gu Xiaolai said this, he watched the young man's expression. Seeing no change on his face, he felt a little relieved.
Either this young man possessed monstrous strength beyond Houtian, or he was simply ignorant and fearless.
Knowing his old friend's character, he would never find an ignorant and fearless disciple.
Gu Xiaolai believed the former and thus became more enthusiastic.
......
Zhao Yunhai spent about a week in Dongdu with Yang Hui.
During this week, Zhao Yunhai did not contact the young monk Wuchen. Instead, it was the young monk Wuchen who took the initiative to call him.
"Benefactor Zhao, this humble monk has a few questions."
The young monk Wuchen stood before Zhao Yunhai, clasped his hands together, his fingertips tracing the string of Buddhist beads around his wrist.
Zhao Yunhai glanced at the young monk Wuchen with curiosity, then suddenly smiled.
"Ask whatever questions you have."
The young monk Wuchen bowed in Buddhist礼, "Amitabha, may I ask if Benefactor Zhao has killed anyone since arriving in Dongdu?"
"Yes," Zhao Yunhai replied, peeling fruit with a knife, his gaze fixed on the young monk Wuchen.
He saw no need to conceal such matters. If the young monk Wuchen ultimately could not accept it, then so be it.
The young monk Wuchen was surprised by Benefactor Zhao's decisive answer and was momentarily stunned.
"Then may I ask if Benefactor Zhao killed good people or bad people?"
The young monk Wuchen had many questions and continued to ask.
Zhao Yunhai knew that the young monk Wuchen had heard some things from somewhere, so he continued,
"In my eyes, I kill only those who deserve to be killed, regardless of whether they are good or bad."
"I recall that in your Buddhist tradition, you do not speak of good or bad, but only of karma."
"A person's karma is the standard by which your Buddhist tradition distinguishes between good and bad."
The young monk Wuchen, on the other hand, fell into contemplation.
"A hundred people speak, a hundred people enlighten. Hearing it from Benefactor Zhao has given this humble monk further insight."
After a full minute, the young monk Wuchen bowed deeply.
Despite being only twelve years old, the young monk Wuchen possessed a sound mind, surpassing that of many ordinary adults.
His only deficiency was in experience and worldly knowledge.
"May I ask Benefactor Zhao, this humble monk has one last question. I implore Benefactor Zhao to enlighten me."
On the young monk Wuchen's small, tender face, his eyes brimmed with intense curiosity.
"Ask away," Zhao Yunhai said, handing the peeled apple to the young monk.
The young monk Wuchen carefully held the apple and asked, "May I ask Benefactor Zhao, why did you kill those people?"
Zhao Yunhai stuck the fruit knife into the fruit basket before him, stood up, and gently stroked the young monk's shaven head, saying slowly,
"Those who wish to kill me, I kill."
"Those who resist me, I kill."
"Those who harbor hatred, I kill."
"Young monk, in this world, killing is often the simplest solution, the most brutal, the most primitive approach."
"As for why I killed them, it is because those people resisted me and the Zhao clan, attempted to kill me, failed, and were killed by me."
"It is as simple as that."
Zhao Yunhai spoke in a light, dismissive tone, his eyes carrying an undeniable dominance.
"Amitabha, thank you, Benefactor Zhao, for answering these three questions for this humble monk."
The young monk Wuchen's heart was no longer filled with hesitation. He recounted some of the things he had heard in the past few days.
"Lingyun? Is this person your friend?" Zhao Yunhai focused on a key figure.
"A friend I met just a few days ago. He was also the one who told me some things about Benefactor Zhao."
"Perhaps he saw that this humble monk had some strength and wanted to invite me to deal with Benefactor Zhao together."
The young monk Wuchen spoke truthfully.
The young monk Wuchen followed his conscience and decided to be honest with Benefactor Zhao about some matters.
At least in his heart, he believed that Benefactor Zhao's actions were not wrong.
It was merely a matter of differing standpoints.
Compared to the newly acquainted Lingyun, the young monk Wuchen leaned more towards Benefactor Zhao, who had offered him assistance on the high-speed train.
This was because some of the things Lingyun said were difficult for him to agree with.
All worldly fortunes are destined.
No matter how overbearing Zhao Yunhai's family was, it was not a reason for them to attempt assassination first.