Embers Ad Infinitum

Upon hearing Zennaga’s answer, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen were pleasantly surprised. Even Jiang Baimian felt the same.

In fact, she wasn’t too sure that the other party would agree. She only made the request based on a certain feeling, and that feeling came from her observation and memory of Zenaga’s words and actions.

“Thank you, Zen Master!” Shang Jianyao extended his hand out the window and waved it twice with a sincere expression.

Zennaga said without any change in expression, “Patrons, please lead the way.”

He turned the black motorcycle around, got on it again, and twisted the throttle.

Bai Chen used the alley beside them and skillfully turned the car around, driving toward Old K’s residence in the Red Wolf Zone.

Jiang Baimian pondered for a moment and sat in the passenger seat. “Zen Master, the enemy of our companion has quite the background. There’s some hidden mystery about him. If we rashly visit him, I’m afraid we will encounter someone or something we shouldn’t encounter. When that happens, it might not end well even if you stop us.

“We went to the Golden Apple Zone previously because we wanted to visit a noble. He’s that person’s guest and often participates in secret gatherings. He might know something. When we get a general understanding of the situation from him, we’ll know what to be wary of, when to strike, and what actions to take.”

Zennaga—who was riding beside the car—made his voice sound in Jiang Baimian and the others’ minds. “Just carry on with your arrangements. If something is wrong, I will stop you.”

“Alright, Zen Master.” Jiang Baimian heaved a sigh of relief.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao said with a puzzled expression, “Zen Master, I find you merciful. Why don’t you think of a way to resolve the problems regarding First City’s slavery, the factories’ environment, and the intensity of labor? Why don’t you try to lead the lower-class citizens and foreign wanderers in the Green Olive Zone to have a dialogue with the nobles and help them obtain more rights and production resources to build a beautiful new world together…”

S-stop talking… Jiang Baimian shouted weakly in her heart. She didn’t know much about the Crystal Consciousness Church’s philosophy and Zennaga’s ideals. If the other party really claimed to be benevolent and compassionate, then Shang Jianyao’s questions were no different from repeatedly slapping Zennaga.

Those with poor self-restraint might fly into a rage out of humiliation and make the Old Task Force wish they were dead. Those with better self-restraint would probably have their blood vessels throb.

Furthermore, the price of the Subhuti domain was a certain probability of mental flaws.

While Jiang Baimian was worried, Long Yuehong was trembling slightly. He saw veins bulging on Bai Chen’s right hand, which was holding the steering wheel.

How can Hey speak without considering the situation? This might kill us!

Long Yuehong wasn’t angry despite his inward roar. He knew that Shang Jianyao didn’t do it on purpose—he just couldn’t control himself.

If he could control it, it wouldn’t be considered a price.

This time, Zennaga was silent for a long time. He was so silent that the three Old Task Force members—other than Shang Jianyao—began considering whether they should burn their bridges and attack.

Finally, he sighed and said, “I can’t beat them.”

“…” This answer was so honest that it left Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen’s mouths half-open. They didn’t know how to respond.

Before Shang Jianyao could speak, Zennaga added, “Besides, our Crystal Consciousness Church’s focus is on the tempering of one’s mind and the cultivation of one’s consciousness. Mercy is only a form of self-awareness and understanding after one can see their true nature. Not every monk is like that, but those monks won’t care about such trivial matters and won’t stop you.

“Namo Annutara-Samyak-Subhuti, This Penniless Monk is no longer young and has seen many things. This Penniless Monk deeply believes that no matter how terrible the order is, it’s still better than having anarchy. Before having the confidence to establish an effective system, it’s best not to use other people’s lives to achieve your ambitions.”

“That’s the case for the nobles. For low-class citizens and wilderness nomads, resistance happens only because they can’t survive,” Shang Jianyao replied as though he was in a debate.

Zennaga fell silent again.

Jiang Baimian cleared her throat and deliberately changed the topic. “Zen Master, is one of the commandments of the Crystal Consciousness Church not to lie?”

“That’s right. A monk does not lie,” Zennaga said truthfully. “However, one can choose not to answer.”

He rode the black motorcycle and leaned forward slightly, allowing his gray robe to freely flutter in the wind. Apart from his bald head and the prayer beads in his hand, there was nothing wrong.

After a few seconds, Zennaga said, “You seem to have a certain understanding of the suffering that exists in the Ashlands.”

Shang Jianyao replied without hesitation, “Everything we do is to save all of humanity.”

Zennaga didn’t immediately respond as though he was listening to Shang Jianyao’s heart to see if his thoughts and words were the same.

After a while, Zennaga sighed and said, “Patron, it’s rare for you to have such great ambition. This Penniless Monk didn’t even dare to have such a fantasy when I was young. Now, I’m even more conservative.”

Are you praising Shang Jianyao for having a pure heart, or are you mocking him for being overly ambitious and unrealistic? Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but mutter inwardly.

As for whether Zennaga could hear her, she did not know.

Zennaga continued, “Your thoughts and words are one. Your heart is clear, your will is firm, and there is a natural luminance from it. It’s a pity that stubbornness is also arrogance. If you can’t realize this, you will never have your consciousness be crystalline. Patron, if you are interested in Buddha Tathāgata’s orthodox path, I am willing to be your guide.”

F*ck… Long Yuehong never expected Shang Jianyao to gain Zennaga’s admiration. Shouldn’t a normal person scoff at his words or treat them as a joke? Considering that the Awakened in the Subhuti domain might also have mental problems, is this considered mutual appreciation among mental patients?

Just as these thoughts flashed through Long Yuehong’s mind, he wished he could take out a hammer and knock himself unconscious. This would be heard!

With Mind Reading constantly a threat, the richness of his thoughts far exceeded the limits of his speech.

Zen Master, what’s your Crystal Consciousness Church’s Holy Communion… Jiang Baimian muttered inwardly.

“Zen Master, what’s your Crystal Consciousness Church’s Holy Communion?” Shang Jianyao asked with interest.

Bai Chen pursed her lips as though she was suppressing a smile. She seemed to have guessed that Shang Jianyao would ask the question as well.

Zennaga answered truthfully, “We don’t have Holy Communion; we only have Holy Artifacts. The Holy Artifacts are Bodhi and Tower. As for food, we avoid spicy and stimulating food. There are no other restrictions, but we can’t eat the prey we kill with our own hands.”

Hot pot and barbecue are considered spicy and stimulating, I suppose? At least most of them are… Long Yuehong subconsciously thought about what such precepts could restrict.

Shang Jianyao sighed and said with a compassionate expression, “Zen Master, perhaps I am not fated with Subhuti.”

Zennaga didn’t insist. He drove the motorcycle and continued following the Old Task Force to the Golden Apple Zone.

…

At the edge of the Golden Apple Zone, in a villa belonging to a certain family.

The Old Task Force and Zennaga observed the area from afar and waited for their target, Phelps, to come out.

Having attended Old K’s secret gathering last night, the noble scion probably couldn’t get up in the morning. Therefore, the Old Task Force chose to come in the afternoon. After waiting for a while, they finally saw their target through the binoculars.

Phelps—who had black hair, blue eyes, and slightly drooping cheeks—walked out of the villa’s main entrance and boarded the car. He covered his mouth and yawned.

His two bodyguards got into the car one after another and protected him well.

The car started and drove along the road in the garden and out the gates.

In the distance, Bai Chen stepped on the accelerator and followed Phelps from a distance.

Seeing that the Red Wolf Zone was in sight, Bai Chen sped up and caught up to her target quickly. Then, she overtook him.

Phelps’s driver didn’t think much of it. He was just wary that the other party would suddenly turn and obstruct his path.

Suddenly, he felt an unbearable grievance.

This crappy car actually dares to overtake me! Watch me overtake you! The driver stepped hard on the accelerator.

With a loud boom, the car in front just happened to make a turn.

Bang!

Phelps’s vehicle slammed into the side of the Old Task Force’s rented car.

Fortunately, the driver was trained. He stepped on the brakes and turned the steering wheel in time to reduce the severity of the accident.

During such a collision, Long Yuehong felt dizzy and was almost injured even though he had his seatbelt on.

On the other hand, Shang Jianyao—who was closer to the collision spot—had an outstanding physique. He pushed open the car door and jumped out, completely unaffected. He glanced at the dented rear of the car and suddenly rushed toward Phelps’s car, shouting, “Do you even know how to drive?”

As a noble, Phelps naturally wouldn’t say, “It’s all my driver’s fault.” He only gave the bodyguard beside him a look.

The bodyguard immediately got out of the car and lifted the corner of his shirt, revealing the pistol at his waist.

Shang Jianyao revealed a terrified expression and shouted at Phelps in the car, “Look, your car is damaged, so is mine. You have companions, so do I. So…”

His words were like the expression of a frightened person who was both stubborn and flustered.

Phelps’s expression changed as he said to the bodyguard, “Forget it. It’s someone I know.”

Although the bodyguard had been with Phelps for several years, he hadn’t grown up with him after all. Compounded by the influence of Inference Clowning, he didn’t have any doubts.

Upon seeing Phelps, Shang Jianyao grumbled, “Isn’t your driver being too rash? Forget it, forget it. With our relationship, there’s no need to fuss over this matter.”

Phelps nodded in satisfaction. “No problem.”

At this moment, Shang Jianyao looked around and deliberately lowered his voice. “I think I saw you go to Maschar Street last night…”

He didn’t state his position, nor did he ask what the gathering was about. He only casually mentioned it.

Phelps suddenly turned vigilant. He looked around and whispered, “A rave party to please Mandara…”