Chapter 88: Deviation

“You haven’t heard of it? That’s fine, this humble monk will explain it to you. The meaning of this phrase is actually…”

Bian Chunzhou blinked his clear, wide eyes. “What is it?”

Seeing that someone was playing along, Bushi immediately got excited. “The meaning of this phrase is actually very simple. Cultivation shouldn’t be bound by rigid forms. Most monks shave their heads, but those with hair can still revere the Buddhist Dharma just like any monk. By the same token, a layperson can remain unstained by the dust of the world. The mortal world is like a dream; to dream within a dream, truth becomes falsehood and falsehood becomes truth…”

Bian Chunzhou’s eyes spun like dizzy spirals. “Master, stop chanting, please stop!” What kind of obscure language was this? It was so beautiful, it felt like he had returned to Liujiang Peak on Yonglu Mountain.

Seeing this, Bushi sighed regretfully. “Benefactor Bian’s affinity with Buddha is rather shallow.”

Instead of being saddened, Bian Chunzhou was delighted. “Thank you for the guidance, Master. I’m good to go again.”

…These two were actually quite interesting. One was lively, the other reserved, yet they could still be close friends. Bushi paused for a moment, then chased after them, clutching his prayer beads. “Wait for this humble monk! You two are going the wrong way!”

Were they going the wrong way? Of course not. Although Wen Xu was pretending to be blind, he was not bad with directions. He had already asked about the location where the Hehe Sect disciples were staying early this morning.

Unfortunately, they arrived a bit late. The sparring match between Chen Zui and a disciple from a friendly sect was already drawing to a close. They had fought quite fiercely, and both sides had walked away with a few scrapes. But perhaps they bonded through the fight, as Chen Zui had made a friend who was a fellow battle enthusiast.

This Qi Refining peak disciple of the Hehe Sect was named Zeng Qianshan. He had also come out with his elders to see the world. His build was actually on par with Chen Zui’s, but he had a very cheerful personality. After the fight, he even slung an arm around Chen Zui’s shoulders, calling him a good brother. By the looks of it, he was eager to swear a blood oath and become sworn brothers on the spot.

But as soon as he asked his sworn brother’s age, this cheerful older brother immediately disowned him. “You’re only twenty? For real?”

Chen Zui was puzzled. “Why would I lie about that? Hold on a second.”

With that, he rushed over to Bian Chunzhou. Bian Chunzhou understood immediately and performed a quick water-and-fire shaving technique. The rough, forty-year-old man instantly transformed into a clean-cut college student. Zeng Qianshan’s expression changed on the spot, and he declared that his brother’s disguise technique was truly top-tier.

Thus, while they didn’t become sworn brothers, they could still be friends.

Since they had nothing to do today, and they had heard that Sifang Evernight City, which bordered the Suitian Sword Sect, was a very fun place, the group agreed to go down the mountain to hang out. Of course, Chen Zui didn’t really want to go, but the minority had to yield to the majority.

Among them, the one most enthusiastic about wandering the streets was a certain monk.

“Amitabha. This humble monk only cultivates Buddhism and has not taken monastic vows. Benefactor Bian must not slander me.”

Bian Chunzhou had heard long ago that Buddhist cultivators were different from monks, but he didn’t really know the exact difference. “You can cultivate Buddhism without taking vows?”

“Of course. Cultivating Buddhism refines the body, and the Buddha shapes a golden body, so cultivators naturally follow suit. As for taking vows, this humble monk’s heart remains in the mortal world, so how could I take vows? You jest, Benefactor.” Bushi was already born with striking, noble looks, and his subtle smile at this moment possessed a soul-stirring beauty. Bian Chunzhou thought to himself, Thank goodness I’m straight. If this guy went to the Hehuan Sect, then… Amitabha, what a sin, what a sin.

“What was Benefactor thinking about just now? Why are you looking at this humble monk with such apology?”

…Bian Chunzhou wished he were blind right now.

Fortunately, although he wasn’t blind, he had a blind friend. Before he even realized it, Wen Xu stepped in front of him. “Fellow Daoist Bushi, you saw wrong.”

Seeing Wen Xu pay attention to him, Bushi immediately leaned in. “Oh, how do you know I saw wrong?”

“I don’t. I just side with my own, right or wrong.” Wen Xu suddenly found “being himself” a bit addictive. How should he put it? It seemed that even if he was slightly sharp-tongued or rude, no one would criticize him for it. He hadn’t felt it much back on Yonglu Mountain, but after coming out and meeting more people, he finally truly realized that the cultivation world was completely different from the former Bizhou Prefecture.

It wasn’t just Yonglu Mountain; the entire cultivation world was completely different from his former world.

With this thought, Wen Xu actually found the endlessly chattering Bushi beside him a little less annoying.

That was, until the long-haired Buddhist cultivator spoke up shamelessly. “Siding with your own over what is right is a fine trait. Tell me, Little Grand-Uncle Master Wen, does this humble monk have a chance to become one of your ‘own’?”

“Why? Do you want to switch sects?”

Hearing this, Bushi actually propped up his chin and seriously considered it. “I wouldn’t mind, but I’m afraid the prayer beads in my Grandmaster’s hand wouldn’t agree.” After all, if he were abducted by Yonglu Mountain, his Grandmaster would definitely charge up the mountain with his snapped prayer beads to fight the Dragon Venerable to the death.

Sigh, I wonder what happened back then to make my usually good-tempered Grandmaster hold a grudge to this day. I’m so curious, but Grandmaster keeps his mouth shut tight, so there’s no way to pry anything out of him.

“If…”

Wen Xu already regretted paying attention to this guy. He had thought Bian Chunzhou was talkative enough, but he hadn’t expected… there was always someone more talkative. He had been too naive.

The group of five went down the mountain. Bushi had the highest cultivation, but even he was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Since the five of them came from three different major sects, the guard at the city gate couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances. What in the world? With the Five Sects Conference just around the corner, were the disciples of the major sects actually this harmonious and friendly?

It was truly rare. Didn’t they usually glare at each other like fighting cocks? Unable to make sense of it, he took another couple of looks.

Sifang Evernight City sounded like it had an exotic flair, but it was actually two cities joined together. If one looked down at Sifang Evernight City from a high vantage point, its overall shape resembled the Chinese character “吕” lying on its side. There were five connecting gates in the middle, named “Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu^[1].” The smaller area was Sifang City, the main city where ordinary citizens lived under the protection of the Suitian Sword Sect. It was also the northernmost trading city on the continent, with countless merchant caravans coming and going.

The larger half was the sub-city, also known as Evernight City. True to its name, Evernight City had no curfew and no patrols. The entire city was built around a massive martial arena. Depending on their cultivation levels, cultivators could compete in different arenas. Winning earned them points, which could be exchanged for spirit stones, magical treasures, pills, and other cultivation resources.

Thus, every year, cultivators from all over the continent would come on “pilgrimage,” which was how Sifang City got its name.

Originally, the main city and the sub-city were not separated. However, as an endless stream of cultivators poured into Sifang City, the city lord eventually joined forces with the Suitian Sword Sect to partition Evernight City off to the side. From then on, unless they were participating in martial combat, residents of Sifang City were strictly forbidden from entering Evernight City.

The city they entered today was, of course, only Sifang Main City. To enter Evernight City, one had to fill out a special jade talisman at the gates. Chen Zui and Zeng Qianshan were quite interested in the Evernight City martial arena, but since the Five Sects Conference was tomorrow, they had no chance to go in and broaden their horizons today.

Bian Chunzhou thought to himself, As if I don’t know you. “Forget about it. If you dare go back covered in injuries today, the Sect Master will definitely come have a heart-to-heart with you tonight.”

Chen Zui: “…I’m not afraid of that.”

“Does your Sect Master really micromanage you that much?”

Thinking of certain official jade slips from Sect Master Peak recently, Bian Chunzhou decided to preserve a bit of dignity for Sect Master Gu. “No, not really. It’s just that our Sect Master is a very nice person.”

Zeng Qianshan believed him without a doubt. “I see. Still, Junior Brother Chen is exceptionally talented, so it is only natural for your Sect Master to show him extra care.”

“…Haha, Senior Brother Zeng is absolutely right,” Bian Chunzhou agreed sheepishly. “Let’s catch up. Fellow Daoist Bushi has already pulled Wen Xu far ahead.”

Honestly, the moment he looked away, that Buddhist cultivator from Kudu Temple had stolen him away! This would not do.

Bian Chunzhou immediately chased after them, only to find that Bushi had actually taken Wen Xuxu to… watch some drama?! What was so interesting? Let him see too!

Though it was drama, very few people had gathered. This was because the ones causing the scene were a group of cultivators. Judging by the insignia on their cuffs, they seemed to be from some cultivation clan who had brought people to participate in the Five Sects Conference.

There were countless cultivation clans in the cultivation world; new ones were born and old ones perished every year. The best way to identify a clan was by the insignia on a cultivator’s cuff, which was usually embroidered on the left sleeve. If a clan disciple had joined a sect, the sect’s mark would be placed above the family insignia.

The group before them had an unfamiliar insignia on their cuffs but no sect mark, showing they were indeed from a cultivation clan. Clans like this, coming to the Five Sects Conference to “gild their names,” were currently countless in Sifang City. The major inns and taverns had long been fully booked, and even the astronomically priced short-term courtyard rentals had no vacancies left.

Naturally, Wen Xu and Bian Chunzhou knew nothing of this. After all, the former was a newcomer to the cultivation world, while the latter… was essentially a “rebranded launch.” Both were still in their learning and exploring phase.

“Wu’er, will you stop making a scene? I’m really busy. The Five Sects Conference is extremely important to the Zhou Family.”

The man spoke with obvious insincerity. Although he was handsome and had a pleasant temperament, perhaps because Bian Chunzhou had already seen Bushi’s divine looks and was used to seeing Wen Xuxu’s handsome face, he felt this man was only average. The girl named Wu’er was so pretty and charming; why did she have to fall for a guy like this?

“I’m making a scene? Am I the one who wants to make a scene? You clearly promised me… Young Master Zhou, is it because you still can’t forget Sister Yu?”

The man surnamed Zhou’s expression changed, but he quickly masked it. “Don’t let your mind wander. You aren’t a cultivator, so don’t run around these next few days. Once the Five Sects Conference is over, I will definitely fulfill what I promised you.”

“Can I still trust you, Young Master Zhou?”

The man’s brow furrowed tightly, and sadness seemed to spill from his eyes. “Wu’er, A-Yu is already dead.” Having said this, he reined in his emotions, reached into his robe, and pulled out a protective amulet. “I won’t let you down.”

Was this supposed to be coaxing? It was clearly charity. Yet, the girl named Wu’er was actually placated. She took the amulet and obediently returned to the nearby inn.

Bian Chunzhou scratched his head. “I thought they said cultivators rarely get involved in romance?”

“What? Is there such a saying?” Bushi pressed his palms together. “Amitabha. There are plenty of infatuated men and resentful women outside Kudu Temple. Every time this monk passes by, I hear fresh stories.”

Bian Chunzhou: …Good grief, is the information gap really this massive?