Chang Ji and the other four martial monks, upon receiving Miao Hua's command, did not hesitate. They dragged Abbot Hai Xin and the other two away and began their punishment.
The sticks struck the two young monks, causing them to grimace in pain. Yet, they continued to crawl towards Abbot Hai Xin, shouting, "Don't hit our Master! Master is old, hit us instead!"
"Disrespectful to the Buddha warrants punishment!" Miao Hua's heart was as hard as iron, showing no consideration for Abbot Hai Xin's condition.
Abbot Hai Xin was already at death's door after receiving a few blows. Chang Ji, who was responsible for beating him, saw this and a flicker of compassion crossed his eyes.
Unexpectedly, while he hesitated, Abbot Hai Xin managed to muster strength from somewhere, effortfully bringing his hands together in prayer.
"Buddha… Buddha saves all beings… why… can't he save me…" Hai Xin asked weakly.
Miao Hua's gaze grew fiercer, and he shouted at Chang Ji, "What are you waiting for? Abbot Hai Xin has not yet understood the true meaning of Buddha. Continue the beating!"
Chang Ji gritted his teeth, "Master, if you strike him again, Abbot Hai Xin will die. And then we won't be able to find out the whereabouts of that expert."
This was the truth. Chang Ji also knew that his master wouldn't truly intend to beat Abbot Hai Xin to death, so he deliberately offered him a way out.
As expected, Miao Hua immediately showed signs of backing down.
He raised his hand, and all the martial monks ceased their beating. The two young monks quickly scrambled to Abbot Hai Xin's side, checking on his condition.
Seeing Abbot Hai Xin's near-death state, the two martial monks were filled with rage:
"You… you from Hanshan Temple have gone too far! Why do you get to believe in Buddha while we don't? Buddhist teachings are there for all to see; how one understands them is their own business. How can it be that whatever you say goes? You call our Master a demonic monk, but we think you are the demonic monk, the demonic monk!!"
Miao Hua paid no mind to the two young monks. He calmly uttered a single sentence: "Monks should guard their speech."
In an instant, the two young monks obediently shut their mouths, no longer hurling insults at Miao Hua.
Miao Hua raised his hand again, and the two young monks were dragged to the backyard. They offered no resistance.
At this moment, Miao Hua walked to Abbot Hai Xin's side and coldly repeated, "Monks do not tell lies!"
Abbot Hai Xin's face showed signs of struggle. He was clearly trying to control himself, to resist Miao Hua's monastic precepts.
This internal struggle was immensely painful. Abbot Hai Xin was merely an ordinary person who practiced the most common Buddhist teachings. Logically, he should have been incapable of resisting the Zen monk Miao Hua.
However, because of his unwavering resolve and his deep regard for his promises, he could barely hold on.
But this resistance was ultimately like a stone trying to break an egg.
"Monks do not tell lies!"
"Monks do not tell lies!"
"Monks do not tell lies!"
Miao Hua repeated this three times. Each utterance was like thunder striking Abbot Hai Xin.
Finally, Abbot Hai Xin, unable to bear the strain, slowly released his clasped hands and collapsed onto the ground.
"That expert… was a one-eyed young man. He first used a black long saber against the abbot… then killed Ru Nan with a bronze long sword… the Buddha statue was taken by him… he seemed very wary of people mentioning his identity… but the abbot recognized him, saying he was from Rong City… he was following a truck driver and headed north overnight…"
After saying all this, Abbot Hai Xin seemed to break down, tears streaming down his face, and he fainted on the spot.
Zen monk Miao Hua, having received the news, straightened his body expressionlessly.
"Master, who was that expert?" Chang Ji couldn't help but ask.
Zen monk Miao Hua's eyes held a strange look. He seemed to be thinking, to be weighing the pros and cons.
Chang Ji was Miao Hua's most favored disciple. Therefore, no matter what happened, Miao Hua would tell Chang Ji and offer him guidance.
"He uses a saber to slay demons and a sword to eliminate evil. This so-called expert, who also comes from Rong City… Chang Ji, who do you think he could be?" Miao Hua asked in a probing tone.
Chang Ji was no fool. He immediately recalled the name he had heard dozens of times a day for the past three months.
"You suspect that expert is Yan Shouyi?!" Chang Ji exclaimed in surprise.
"Not suspect, it's certain!" Miao Hua said coldly. "From Rong City, one-eyed, wielding both saber and sword – who else could it be but Yan Shouyi? Even if someone deliberately imitated him, their appearance can be imitated, but can their strength be imitated? Ru Nan was aided by the Evil Buddha within him, yet he was so easily killed. That person must be Yan Shouyi!"
The master and disciple then fell into silence.
Three months ago, Yan Shouyi had gone on a killing spree outside the Folk Research Association, directly causing the major sects and the folk cults to tear off their masks and formally declare war.
Since then, conflicts between the two factions had been constant. Whenever they met, it was a fight to the death.
Hanshan Temple had been observing from the sidelines, but recently, they could no longer refrain from entering the fray.
And Yan Shouyi, the "prime instigator," had reportedly been hiding within the Rong City Folk Research Association for three months, never stepping foot outside Rong City, earning him the mockery of the major sects as a coward.
Now that Miao Hua had learned Yan Shouyi had left Rong City and intended to head north, this was huge news.
News significant enough to shake both factions!
What was Yan Shouyi's purpose in this trip?
Could it be that he was representing the Folk Research Association to negotiate cooperation with the Witch God Mountain in the northeast?
The five major powers within the folk cults were not to be underestimated. If they were to form an alliance and cooperate fully, it would pose a considerable threat to the major sects.
Miao Hua was now in a dilemma, debating whether or not to report this matter.
Yan Shouyi was currently a valuable prize. Anyone who could capture or kill him would undoubtedly achieve fame and perhaps even lasting glory!
Miao Hua did not know if Yan Shouyi still had any experts by his side, but he believed that he alone could not handle Yan Shouyi.
However, if he sought help, the matter would inevitably become complicated. With experts from all sides converging, and chasing Yan Shouyi, he might not gain any advantage.
Alas, this damned Yan Shouyi. Go north if you must, but why did you have to steal the Evil Buddha too!
Miao Hua was extremely troubled.
Regarding Yan Shouyi, Miao Hua had other concerns.
Miao Hua's senior brother, who was also the former favorite disciple of the current Abbot of Hanshan Temple, Abbot Yan Song – the martial monk Miao Ji – was already a member of the Folk Research Association.
Furthermore, the newly promoted outstanding disciple, Chang Shan, also had a close relationship with Yan Shouyi.
For various reasons, although Abbot Yan Song had ordered Hanshan Temple to go and suppress the folk cults, he had specifically mentioned not to engage in conflict with members of the Folk Research Association.
Especially not to engage with Yan Shouyi.
If Miao Hua wished to make a move against Yan Shouyi, he would undoubtedly face opposition from within his own sect…
"Master, what should we do?" Chang Ji asked in a low voice.
Miao Hua pondered for a long time, finally making up his mind:
"This matter is known only to heaven and earth, you, and me. Do not report it to the temple. Also, the Evil Buddha was stolen by a demonized Taoist. I will now inform some of my close friends to go together and retrieve the Evil Buddha, and at the same time, kill the demonized Taoist. Do you understand?"
Chang Ji blinked in surprise, then finally nodded, "Your disciple understands."