225 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

### Chapter 225: The Demons Are All Sages! Seeing the bandit-like men approach him, Master Han's heart tightened with apprehension. Master Han turned to look at his hired guards nearby, only to find that they had moved far away, pretending to be asleep, acting as if none of this concerned them. "What are you doing? I paid you to protect me!" Master Han shouted indignantly. "Come now, Master Han, you didn't pay them much. Why would they risk their lives for you?" the scarred man laughed. "Relax, we're not bad people. We just want to have some fun with the ladies." "You... You dare not act recklessly! Let me warn you, I am an official scholar appointed to Liangsha County! If you harm me, are you not afraid of the imperial crackdown?" "Imperial court?" The scarred man was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "What imperial court? Look at what the Qi State has become today! It's you corrupt officials who've driven the people to this desperate state; otherwise, why would we have turned to banditry? Now with uprisings everywhere, they can't control us! How laughable it is that you officials have to hire your own protectors!" Han Ziming furrowed his brows: "Indeed, the court is in peril, but as scholars, it is our duty to restore the nation. I, Han, vow to make sure everyone has enough to eat!" "Curse you! If we had believed in you corrupt officials, we'd have starved long ago. Worry about yourself first, scoundrel." The scarred man impatiently raised his long knife, ready to strike at Han Ziming's head. But just then, a girl in monk robes stepped in front of them. The scarred man halted his knife, looking at the young nun: "Nun, what is your intention? Trying to meddle?" "Kind sirs, please desist in your wrongdoings. It is not too late to lay down your weapons," Wang Xin implored, hands joined in a gesture of prayer. "Lay down our weapons? You monks all talk the same nonsense!" the scarred man chuckled. "I won't quarrel with you. Move aside, nun, or I won't be so lenient!" "Amitabha." Wang Xin chanted a Buddhist blessing. "The consequences of our actions follow us like shadows. A single evil thought breeds a cycle of karma. By harming others for our desires, one will eventually fall into a sea of suffering. Buddha's compassion teaches: 'Commit no evil, and perform all good deeds.' A single thought of kindness begets countless blessings; a single thought of malice brings endless troubles. If you commit evil, not only do you taint your pure heart, but you also sow the seeds of future suffering. Like lighting a lamp in a dark room, it reveals one's sins. Why not turn back now?" "What nonsense are you spouting?" Zhang San scoffed at Wang Xin. "Are you moving, or will you make us show you what for? Our big brother's sparing you, don't be ungrateful, or you'll be drinking with us! Don’t think we’re really afraid of your temple!" "A drinking monk? Hahaha, that might be interesting!" "Especially a female monk!" "And one as pretty as her!" "What a unique taste indeed!" The other bandits joined in the jeering. Listening to their taunts, Wang Xin remained silent and unperturbed, blocking their path without flinching. "Nun, I am sparing you out of respect, but if you remain obstinate, don’t blame me!" warned the scarred man, also intrigued by her. Truth be told, he was indeed tempted, especially as he looked closely at her face, feeling as though she did not belong in the mortal world. "I implore you all to cease your misdeeds," Wang Xin continued, her eyes pure and unyielding. "So much chatter!" The scarred man shook his head, about to push Wang Xin aside. Although he didn’t dare harm her, he planned to tie her up elsewhere, certain the temple wouldn't trouble him for it. Yet, as soon as he reached out, before his fingers could graze her robes, a blood-red knife light flashed, severing the scarred man's hand, sending a spurt of blood that did not touch Wang Xin at all. "Ah!!! My hand! My hand!" The scarred man howled, stumbling back as he clutched his arm. Everyone turned to see the previously resting man grasping a long knife, standing up slowly. Gone was his earlier calmness; the aura he emitted now filled everyone with dread. They wanted to flee, but found themselves paralyzed. Xiao Mo approached them, cold sweat drenching their backs. Especially the scarred man, he couldn’t comprehend it. The spirit-testing stone had detected he didn't even have a Foundation Establishment cultivation, hadn’t it? But this man's power exceeded any Foundation Establishment cultivator he'd ever seen! "Could it be—" The scarred man stared at Xiao Mo in astonishment, as if he’d understood something. This man—is he a Golden Core immortal? Why would a legendary Golden Core immortal appear in a decrepit temple? "Spare us, Immortal, spare us." As Xiao Mo drew near, the group’s knees went weak, collapsing in a kowtow. "Refrain from committing evil deeds; perform deeds of kindness, understand?" Xiao Mo stated as he relieved them of the bloodthirsty pressure bearing down on them. Yet there was a conspicuous absence of genuine admonishment in Xiao Mo’s tone. "Yes, Immortal, we understand!" They hurriedly knocked their heads on the ground, their foreheads bloodied against the rocky ground. "From now on, we’ll wash our hands of wrongdoings and do good deeds. We beg for the Immortal’s mercy!" Listening to their pleas, Wang Xin lowered her gaze, her lips subtly pursed. "Wang Xin, it seems I have won." Xiao Mo remarked to the girl beside him, "This time, I persuaded them to do good." Wang Xin remained silent, her head bowed. "Do you know why the profound wisdom you speak of fails to move them, yet my simple words do?" Xiao Mo turned, gazing at the Buddha statue in the worn-out temple, continuing. "You devote yourself to Buddha, surpassing the knowledge of worldly men a thousandfold, even beyond me—not even worth comparing. But do you realize why Buddha statues wear benevolent expressions, while their protectors, the Dharmapala, appear fierce?" Wang Xin raised her head, her eyes meeting Xiao Mo's. "It’s quite simple!" As Xiao Mo’s words settled, his blade unsheathed, sweeping across; a blood-red arc slicing the temple through. All the bandits dissolved into a bloody mist, leaving nothing behind. A streak of lightning split the night sky, illuminating the benevolent Buddha, contrasting the fearsome Dharmapala. Amongst the rumbling thunder, Xiao Mo’s icy voice echoed through the dilapidated temple, weightier than the thunder itself. "Behold a child clutching gold amid chaos, the world reveals its demonic nature." "Stand beside a smiling Buddha with a fierce Dharmapala; and all demons become saints!" (End of Chapter)