Chang Shan's confinement had only recently occurred, and he had remained aware of the outside situation during that period.
These were extraordinary times, and Chang Shan never dreamed that Yan Shouyi would leave Rongcheng, let alone appear at the back mountain of Hanshan Temple.
"For personal reasons, I must head north," Yan Shouyi explained briefly.
Chang Shan remained anxious, "You should leave quickly. If the Abbot or Master Ben Heng discover you, you won't be able to get away."
"Don't worry."
Yan Shouyi appeared very calm, sitting directly by the stream and idly playing with the cool water.
"My Dharma Body is currently conversing with Abbot Yan Song, and Senior Ben Heng is guarding outside. No one knows my true body has come to find you," Yan Shouyi stated.
Hearing this, Chang Shan relaxed slightly.
However, he still found it strange. Why would Yan Shouyi come to Hanshan Temple?
Could it be that he really wanted to save me? Surely not!
Chang Shan was straightforward but not foolish. He knew he was not worth Yan Shouyi risking himself for, especially since being confined posed no life-threatening danger.
Sensing Chang Shan's confusion, Yan Shouyi grinned and began to recount the entire sequence of events.
From his accidental entry into Side Virtue Temple, eliminating Ru Nan, being invaded by the Evil Buddha, to Miao Hua later killing Abbot Hai Xin, and now his assault on Hanshan Temple...
Chang Shan was so shocked upon hearing that he had crippled Yong Yong and others' arms that his jaw nearly hit the ground.
"My original plan was, if Hanshan Temple were to make a move against me, I would use my Glacier Dharma Body as bait, and my true body would come to the back mountain to find you and abduct you as a hostage, thereby preventing Hanshan Temple from daring to touch me," Yan Shouyi chuckled.
Chang Shan: "...Amitabha, Brother Yan, that's not good."
I considered you a brother, and you intended to kidnap me!
However, after careful consideration, Chang Shan felt that if it were to help a brother, even being kidnapped wouldn't be a big deal.
"But the situation has changed now," Yan Shouyi said. "I was previously unsure of Abbot Yan Song's stance. Now, I've learned from my Dharma Body that Abbot Yan Song doesn't intend to be my enemy. Miao Hua certainly won't continue to pursue me, so there's no need for me to abduct you as a hostage."
Chang Shan blinked and asked, "Brother Yan, you're not planning to save me anymore?"
"You're only confined, with no immediate danger to your life. Why would I save you?"
"..."
Subsequently, Yan Shouyi showed a troubled expression:
"Abbot Yan Song is currently asking me if I want him to help remove the Evil Buddha within me. I'm undecided. What do you think?"
Without hesitation, Chang Shan made his decision, "Of course, you should have it removed. Do you want to be influenced by inner demons? Inner demons are no good things."
Yan Shouyi unceremoniously took off his shoes and dipped his feet into the stream.
"Three months ago, disciples from the renowned sects besieged me, demanding I hand over my child. I was at my wit's end then, and handing over the child was the only option. However, due to the inner demon, I made a different decision; I didn't abandon my dignity."
"On the way to Jinling, I concealed my identity and encountered many ruffians. When I dealt with them, I had no psychological burden. In the past, I would never have acted personally in such matters; I would have had Xue Kai handle it."
"Yong Yong and the others ambushed me mid-journey. Under normal circumstances, I would have found a way to resolve it peacefully, but they wouldn't have thought that way. Without the influence of the inner demon, overcoming these matters would have been exceedingly difficult."
"I fear being controlled by the inner demon, yet I also worry that without the inner demon, I might not be ruthless enough, being too merciful to enemies, which could instead harm those close to me."
Listening to Yan Shouyi recount his troubles, Chang Shan's heart also calmed.
He sat beside Yan Shouyi and said with a frown, "Are you seeking to counter violence with violence?"
"Isn't this also a method?" Yan Shouyi chuckled bitterly. "The disciples of the renowned sects only want my life now; no one is willing to listen to my explanations."
"If that's the case, I believe it's better not to remove the inner demon," Chang Shan stated, surprising Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi glanced at Chang Shan with surprise, thinking: Ever since Chang Shan broke his vows, his courage has indeed grown significantly...
"In this chaotic world, we are all at the mercy of circumstances. We can only consider other things after we can protect those close to us," Chang Shan clasped his hands together. "Amitabha, that is my understanding."
"Alright, I'll have my Dharma Body inform Abbot Yan Song that Chang Shan advised me not to remove the inner demon!" Yan Shouyi said with a playful smile.
Chang Shan: "...Brother Yan, that's not good."
"Heh heh heh, I was just joking. How could I betray my brother?" Yan Shouyi patted Chang Shan's shoulder.
In truth, he had already arrived at an answer in his heart, but he was concerned that this answer was influenced by the inner demon, which was why he confided in Chang Shan, hoping to receive a calmer and more rational judgment.
Now that he had the answer, there was nothing more to hesitate about.
Suddenly, Yan Shouyi remembered something and couldn't help but look around. "When disciples of Hanshan Temple make mistakes, do they all come here for contemplation?"
Chang Shan nodded, "Yes, but recently, it's only been me here."
"Senior Ben Heng just asked Miao Hua to come here for contemplation. Why isn't he here?" Yan Shouyi's brow furrowed.
At that time, Ben Heng had used the power of the precepts and hadn't dispatched anyone specifically to escort him. Could it be possible that Miao Hua never actually arrived at the back mountain?
A sudden, ominous premonition struck Yan Shouyi.
...
Inside the main hall of Hanshan Temple.
The Glacier Dharma Body shook its head, refusing Abbot Yan Song's offer:
"Abbot, I feel that currently, the benefits of the inner demon outweigh the drawbacks. Therefore, I plan to keep the inner demon for a while longer... or, perhaps, I can seek you out again when I return?"
Abbot Yan Song stroked his white beard and pondered for a moment.
Suddenly, he reached out and pointed towards Yan Shouyi's brow.
"The inner demon is still weak now, and there is still a possibility of removing it. As it grows stronger, even this old monk may not be able to deal with it! A long pain is worse than a short one. Let me make the decision and remove the inner demon for you!"
Damn, you old fox!
He was ready to act all along; why bother asking me and making me agonize over it!
Yan Shouyi found himself unable to move, left to be at the mercy of Abbot Yan Song.
At this point, Yan Shouyi no longer had any choice.
But there was a problem...
This was not his true body, but a Dharma Body. The inner demon resided within his true body. How could it be removed from his Dharma Body?!
Yan Shouyi quickly spoke, "Abbot Yan Song, please be gentle!"
Abbot Yan Song, perhaps fearing Yan Shouyi's resistance, interrupted him directly, "Without removing the inner demon, this old monk cannot fully trust you! I hope you can understand this old monk's good intentions!"
"I understand... but this isn't my true body!" Yan Shouyi exclaimed helplessly.