Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

Chapter 2054 - 1501: Amitabha, Benefactor Shandan, Please Release Me and Grant Me One Thousand Jin of Gold!

"The deity has arrived! He is at the zenith of the Red Kingdom, watching us, the Ainu Maoshili, with red eyes, watching the Gummy People with whom we share a common ancestor!...""Praise the Chief Divine! I will offer you my most fervent devotion, offer the bloodiest and most vivid sacrifice!..."

"Chieftains of the Beiyu and Ishikari Tribes! Please hold down their bodies for me! This sacrifice is not only for the Chief Divine, but also for the suffering you have endured over the centuries, for the future unification of the Ainu tribes..."

"Good! Chief Divine, bless us! Lower the knife!..."

The thin cloud layer blocks the sun in the sky, yet everyone can still see the sunlight. A golden figure, bathed in sunlight on the Divine Platform, swings down the red stone dagger. The surrounding Ainu chieftains tremble all over, filled with excitement and fear, yet inspired by some new will, tears flowing chaotically. At the entrance to the Divine Platform, three distinguished Mages collapse in terror, crying their hearts out. Over twenty Monk Soldiers, faces ashen as death, go to greet the reincarnation they refuse to surrender to...

"!!... No!!"

"Hwa!..."

With a "hwa" sound, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong heavily pulled down the beast-hide tent’s curtain, shielding the bloodstains outside. The cheers of the warriors from various tribes exploded suddenly, like the summons of Izanami, the Lord of the Netherworld, which the tent could no longer block out. Then, amidst the feverish and fearsome shouts outside, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong smiled faintly and looked at the two seated monks within the tent.

"Mizhu monk! Your scream just startled me! Your Buddhist Law cultivation truly needs improvement, it requires studying under Master Juehui! You see, Master Juehui is unmoved, merely chanting the Rebirth Mantra with lowered eyes, treating the lives and deaths of other monks as nothing..."

"... Yes... Yes!... I will definitely learn... I will definitely learn from the master..."

Monk Mizhu, faces white as a sheet, likewise sits collapsed in the corner of the tent, body still trembling uncontrollably. "Mi" is a name commonly used by low-level disciples in Buddhist sects, related to "Amitabha Buddha." As for "Zhu," it usually refers to "thoughts and intentions," concerning control over emotions and desires.

Yet at this moment, amidst the colossal fear between life and death, Monk Mizhu has completely lost his composure, unable even to sit upright! After all, the ones just offered up on the blood-red altar, sacrificed by Shandan Invaders and Ezo Barbarians together, were the other three Tiantai monks with the "Mi" title from the fleet. In other words, whether he will be sent to that blood-red altar and become the next sacrifice for the "Evil God" hangs solely on the whim of the Shandan Invaders!

"Master Juehui, what have you considered? Five hundred jin of gold, five thousand jin of gunpowder, in exchange for letting you, a high monk with deep Buddhist Law, go back... I suppose, given your status in the Tiantai Sect, surely someone will come to redeem you?..."

"Namo Amitabha! I return my life to the Infinite Light Tathagata!..."

Master Juehui, pressing his hands together in the lotus hand gesture, again recited a Buddhist scripture. As long as the knife isn’t at his throat, his deep and composed Buddhist Law appears flawless. He opened his benevolent eyes and looked at Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong. After a moment, he sighed and spoke.

"Masumi! You also come from the Tiantai Sect, received monastic initiation scars, and were granted a Buddhist name as a disciple! Seeing monks from my sect facing execution, for you not to save them is one thing. But not even uttering a few scriptures to pray for their peace in the afterlife, are you unwilling to do that?"

"... Chief Divine bless! Master Juehui, please do not call my former name again. At present, I have returned to the Chief Divine of the East, restored my name from the Martial Family. Please call me by my real name, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong!"

Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong emphasized seriously, then sat cross-legged opposite Master Juehui. He gazed into Juehui’s eyes and questioned.

"Master, why do the monks face today’s karmic consequences, do you truly not understand? Where is this place? Is it the mountain gate of the Tiantai Sect? You and the monks appearing here, is it truly to spread Buddhist Law?"

"Today’s vile result, naturally stems from yesterday’s vile cause. Blinded by gold, you brought the Tiantai Sect’s fleet, brought five hundred monk soldiers, came with murderous intent... surely, you did not foresee the possibility of today’s scene happening?..."

"..."

Master Juehui lowered his gaze, sealed his lips tight. With his "Buddhist heart" fully aware, he exists beyond the emotion of "regret." The gold was not secured, losing the Large Ship, monk soldiers, and disciples, is an irreversible conclusion, regret is simply useless. No matter how many times it repeats, it would only be a reenactment following his heart. And now, since the Shandan People have not killed him and are demanding a ransom, there is something to be negotiated. His silence at this moment is patiently waiting, waiting for the real terms offered by the Shandan People.

"Master Juehui, you have seen it too. The Shandan Golden Clan originates from the Northern Land, maintaining the ancient sacrificial customs of the Yin Dynasty. They do not keep idle men, nor do they keep enemy monks. If it wasn’t for me speaking on your behalf, you would have been sent to the altar right now. Not to mention, I specifically requested the Lord Priest to leave you a disciple to convey messages..."

Speaking of this, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong flashed a look at Monk Mizhu, who was silent, unable to stop shivering. Then, he mulled for a while before speaking again.

"Master Juehui, as the abbot of the Omi Grand Temple, and being a descendant of the ’Superior’... Let’s not speak of gold for now, but can you not even produce the ransom of five thousand jin of gunpowder?... If this doesn’t work, then with my ability, I can only protect you alone. As for Mizhu Monk, he can only be sent to the Shandan Golden Clan’s altar, to pay the price with his life for you rashly wielding the knife, to atone with his own life!"