Chapter 2: The Forgetting Emotion Zen

For two whole hours, Liu Yiyi had been pouring her heart out, recounting the fierce rivalry with her sister Liu Youyou and the painful realization that Ji Chanzi had fallen for Liu Youyou. With every word, her voice dripped with bitterness as she lamented her failures in Foundation Establishment, her rage directed squarely at the “scoundrels” who had betrayed her.

As she finished her tirade, she finally lifted her gaze to He Guang.

In the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, where the tradition of shaving one’s head was not strictly enforced, many women chose the path of Buddhism. Among the throng of female practitioners, He Guang stood out like a radiant gem. Her beauty was striking—her bright, expressive eyes sparkled like stars in a night sky, and her smile revealed a set of pearly white teeth. Dressed in a flowing red robe embroidered with intricate gold patterns, she exuded an ethereal quality that was both alluring and serene, rivaling even the most renowned beauties of the Dayan Sect.

Yet, behind her enchanting facade lay a hint of melancholy, as He Guang’s brow furrowed slightly, radiating an air of compassion mixed with deep concern. In her right hand, she grasped a string of jade prayer beads, each one marked with scratches of varying depths—signs of her inner turmoil. Her thumb flicked the beads rhythmically, producing a jarring, chaotic chime that mirrored her restless thoughts.

Suddenly, her fingers stilled, and with a sharp scrape, one of the beads left a conspicuous mark across its surface, startling Liu Yiyi and sending a shiver down her spine.

It appeared that this Buddhist practitioner had a temperament that could turn stormy.

He Guang raised an eyebrow, her voice cool and detached, cutting through the tension that had settled in the room. “Are you finished?”

Sensing the subtle pressure radiating from He Guang, Liu Yiyi hastily averted her gaze, nodding fervently as if she were a cornered animal.

Just moments before, she had felt emboldened enough to banter with You Xiaowu, who appeared disheveled and seemed like nothing more than a junior disciple. But now, confronted by a senior practitioner at the Golden Core stage—especially one as commanding as He Guang—she understood the importance of humility. The wisest course of action was to remain quiet and unassuming, adopting the demeanor of a timid little quail.

With a graceful sweep, He Guang turned her back and began to pace the chamber, her movements fluid and deliberate. As she walked, the stones beneath her feet crumbled into fine dust, an embodiment of her potent aura. The sight rendered Liu Yiyi even more speechless, her earlier bravado evaporating like dew under the morning sun.

“Indeed, Ji Chanzi acted unjustly in this matter. I would like to apologize on his behalf,” He Guang stated, her tone steady yet resonating with an undeniable authority.

Liu Yiyi quickly waved her hands, her heart racing as she protested, feeling unworthy of such an apology. Deep inside, she longed for Ji Chanzi himself to come and make amends, to personally acknowledge the hurt he had caused. While receiving an apology from a Golden Core elder should have been a moment of triumph, she couldn’t shake the feeling that accepting it might somehow bring misfortune upon her.

With a serene composure, He Guang produced a stick of sandalwood incense from her robe, her movements deliberate and reverent. She retrieved a palm-sized sandalwood censer, carefully dusting off its surface before adding a pinch of fragrant ash from the sacred Daguangming Peak. As she lit the sandalwood, a delicate plume of smoke curled into the air, filling the room with a soothing aroma that began to ease the tension in Liu Yiyi’s heart.

As the sweet scent enveloped them, the atmosphere shifted, and Liu Yiyi felt the weight of her grievances lighten ever so slightly. She watched the smoke dance and twirl, a reflection of her own chaotic emotions, a fleeting reminder that perhaps, amidst the trials of cultivation and rivalry, there existed a path toward healing and understanding.

As the thick smoke curled and swirled through the grand hall, the atmosphere transformed into one of tranquility. The sweet aroma of sandalwood incense wafted in the air, soothing and serene.

“I do not know Ji Chanzi, but as a disciple of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, I assure you that no patient’s inner demons will be disclosed,” He Guang stated firmly, her voice steady.

Liu Yiyi furrowed her brow, acutely aware that this was merely a formality. Deep down, she felt a bubbling resentment; how could her path to enlightenment be severed so abruptly? To be denied the truth was simply unacceptable.

Resolute, she took a deep breath, mustering her courage. “Senior, what if Ji Chanzi had already known that wretched girl and deliberately caused my failure at Foundation Establishment…”

He Guang’s radiant smile broke through the tension in the air, her laughter resonating with the rhythmic sound of the prayer beads clacking in her hand.

“If that were the case, I would personally chop that rascal into pieces and offer him to the heavens!” she declared, her voice both light-hearted and fierce.

Outside the hall, You Xiaowu pressed his ears against the door, twisting the prayer beads in his fingers with fervor—over ten thousand times, it seemed. The mood inside was clearly not good, and he was anxious to hear more.

Suddenly, the door swung open, catching You Xiaowu off guard, and he stumbled headlong into the hall. When he looked up, he was met with He Guang’s impassive gaze, her eyes glimmering with unspoken meaning.

His heart sank. This was not good.

He Guang lifted her foot and pressed it down on his back, causing You Xiaowu’s spine to cry out in protest.

With a slight lift of her foot, You Xiaowu realized that she intended to kick him out. Outside were mostly novices who had only been in the sect for a short time. If they saw him in this position, where would he hide his face?

In a moment of panic, he wrapped his arms around He Guang’s leg, rubbing against her desperately. Seizing the opportunity before she could react, he grinned and said, “Senior Sister, don’t kick me out! I know where Ji Chanzi is!”

He Guang raised an eyebrow, silently signaling him to get off her leg.

Realizing he had pushed his luck far enough, You Xiaowu let go, dusted off his hands, and stood up, casually brushing the dirt off her pant leg.

“A day ago, Ji Chanzi followed Liu Youyou back to the Dayan Sect,” he informed her.

You Xiaowu liked to think of himself as the little oracle of the Buddhist community; wherever there was gossip, there he would be, and wherever he was, there would be gossip. In the realm of cultivation, there was nothing he didn’t know, except for the things he chose not to learn. Of course, for someone as nosy as him, there were few matters that didn’t pique his interest.

Before He Guang could respond, he blurted out all the intel he had gathered.

“Ji Chanzi entered the Forgetting Emotion Temple at the age of six and has never left the mountain. It’s impossible for him to have known Liu Youyou beforehand. Six months ago, the secret realm of Shanggu was opened, specifically for those at the Foundation Establishment stage, and many disciples from the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect attended, including Ji Chanzi.”

“In the secret realm, he encountered Liu Youyou. He was injured by a demon beast, and she rescued him. Sparks flew between them, and they hit it off.”

He Guang raised her eyelids, casting a questioning glance at You Xiaowu, as if asking: How do you know all this so clearly?

You Xiaowu sheepishly scratched his head. “Ji Chanzi is a disciple of the Forgetting Emotion Temple and shouldn’t be swayed by emotions. For him to fall for a girl—that’s a big deal! It’s causing quite a stir in the cultivation world!”

In truth, there was something else he hadn’t revealed. Inside the secret realm, Liu Youyou had flirted with more than just Ji Chanzi.

He Guang pondered for a moment, weighing her options. She quickly realized this was not a matter she could decide on her own. Although she held a significant position in the Law Enforcement Hall, Ji Chanzi was a disciple of the Forgetting Emotion Temple, and any decisions regarding him needed to come from the temple’s leader.

As the sandalwood incense burned down to its last flicker, He Guang extinguished the remaining ash with a delicate touch.

Turning to Liu Yiyi, she saw that the girl was lost in thought, her expression dreamy and slightly dazed in the swirling smoke. Liu Yiyi’s wide eyes had a charming, almost silly innocence to them, which made her oddly endearing.

He Guang playfully tapped Liu Yiyi’s forehead. “As for Ji Chanzi, I promise I will get to the bottom of this for you. But first, we need to find his master.”

The Forgetting Emotion Peak lay to the west, shrouded in a dense forest that encapsulated one of the quietest corners of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect. Forgetting Emotion Zen was also one of the least populated sects, as very few dared to embark on the arduous path of severing their attachments and desires in a world filled with temptation.

Among the countless peaks of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, aside from the summit where the peak masters resided, disciples were generally free to visit other peaks to make friends and exchange insights. However, the Forgetting Emotion Peak was unique—it was ensconced in a protective formation that barred entry to those not affiliated with that sect unless formally announced.

Outside the formation, He Guang cast a sidelong glance at You Xiaowu.

As the devoted underling of his senior sister, You Xiaowu instantly understood the unspoken implications. It would be beneath her dignity to knock on the door herself; he would have to do it for her.

At the edge of the formation stood a young monk clad in a simple white robe, his eyes closed and his lips turned down in a slight frown. This was the classic expression of a disciple from the Forgetting Emotion Zen—neither happy nor sad, detached from worldly concerns.

Judging by the extra downturned corners of his mouth, the young monk seemed to be a recent arrival, his expression more akin to a sour lemon.

You Xiaowu waved at him enthusiastically.

The monk cracked one eye open to glance at him before shutting it again. When he raised his hand, his robe shifted to reveal a patchwork of varying sizes and colors—each patch a different fabric, an eyesore in its own right.

With so many disciples in the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, it was not surprising that even such a shabby monk could find his place among them. Perhaps he couldn’t survive on another peak and had come to the Forgetting Emotion Zen to try his luck?

You Xiaowu cupped his hands together to form a trumpet shape and shouted, “Little monk! I need to see your sect leader. Come and open the door!”

The young monk sneered inwardly, thinking, With your appearance, you think you can just waltz in to see our leader? However, he couldn’t deny the aura of authority in the other’s demeanor; the confident tone made him hesitate, unsure if trouble was brewing.

After a moment of deliberation, the young monk walked over, standing outside the formation. “What business do you have with our sect leader?” he asked cautiously.

You Xiaowu shrugged and smiled broadly. “It’s quite inconvenient to discuss this from behind the formation. Why not let me in so we can talk properly?”

At this moment, He Guang, growing impatient, strode forward and said, “I am He Guang from the Zen of Anger. May I ask you to open the formation?”

Noticing the exquisite and elegant quality of her robe, the monk’s tone became more respectful. “The sect leader has stipulated that only with his permission can outsiders be allowed entry.”

He Guang pressed her palm against the outer wall of the formation, a jolt of pain shooting through her hand like lightning as she felt a burning sensation.

A mix of frustration and amusement bubbled within her. If they were going to be so unyielding, then there was no reason for her to show them any courtesy.

“As for the ruckus at the entrance, I believe you’ve heard something about it. I’m here to inquire whether your esteemed Ji Chanzi will be held accountable? And if so, how exactly? Should we follow the regulations of the Law Enforcement Hall, or will your peak handle this personally?”

The young monk’s face paled suddenly; the incident had escalated far beyond anyone’s expectations.

Just days ago, Ji Chanzi had sent a message stating he had found a soulmate in life and could no longer continue his practice of Forgetting Emotion Zen.

The disciples of the peak were caught in a whirlwind of emotions—both worried and relieved. They were worried that this news would severely damage their reputation, but they were also relieved because Ji Chanzi’s departure might open up opportunities for them to compete for the coveted position of Zen master.

In response to this upheaval, the Zen master had remained silent, taking no action. No one knew what he was thinking—whether he had given up on Ji Chanzi or was merely waiting for him to reconsider.

The young monk, stammering an excuse, hurried back up the mountain to consult with the Zen master.

Before long, he returned, panting heavily. “The Zen master is in meditation and refuses to see anyone.”

He Guang frowned, her irritation rising. “Not seeing anyone is one thing, but at least a word in reply would suffice. I’d appreciate it if you could make one more trip to find out how we should proceed.”

Though the Zen master hadn’t explicitly stated his intentions, the underlying message was clear. The young monk replied in a dull, monotone voice, “The Zen master is in meditation and does not wish to be disturbed.”

He Guang understood: the Forgetting Emotion Zen master didn’t want to get involved, nor did he care to involve the Law Enforcement Hall in the matter. It seemed he truly looked down on them.

She shouted, her voice echoing through the peak, “He’s been cooped up in the middle stage of the Mahayana for three thousand years! What’s the rush? If Ji Chanzi is dead, it’s unlikely he’ll even reach the later stage of Mahayana!”

The young monk and Liu Yiyi were stunned into silence. How could she dare to mock a Mahayana expert right under his nose?

The stages of cultivation were clear: Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Mahayana, and Tribulation Crossing.

The chasm between the Golden Core and Mahayana stages was vast, filled with insurmountable time, innate talent, and even the bones of countless beings.

You Xiaowu chimed in, trying to mediate the situation. “Senior Sister, at least have a little patience. He is a senior in the Mahayana stage!”

Disciples of the Zen of Anger were notoriously quick to anger; when they exploded, they could unleash their fury without regard for their own well-being, all for the sake of venting their immediate frustrations.

He Guang let out a laugh, her tone mocking. “What’s so impressive about the Mahayana stage? Give me a thousand years, and I could reach Mahayana too!”

She was acutely aware that the Forgetting Emotion Zen master practiced the highest form of forgetfulness and would never take her provocations to heart.

She understood that the Forgetting Emotion Zen master practiced the supreme art of ultimate emotional detachment, and he would never let her provocations rattle him.

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. The dark shadows of her inner demons tugged at her anger, and reciting the calming mantra proved futile against the rising tide of her emotions. In a fit of exasperation, she slammed her palm against the array, and with a crack of thunder, a flash of lightning erupted, sending forth a wave of charred energy that filled the air with the acrid scent of singed earth.

At that moment, from the mist-shrouded peak above, a voice resonated—a voice both ethereal and commanding, echoing with an air of authority. “Disciples of Forgetting Emotion Zen are all part of the Wanfo Sect; let all matters be entrusted to the Law Enforcement Hall.”