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墨書 Inktalez
Yama's Wedding
As Xue struggled against his Inner Demon, Yao Guang had already entered the Great Thunder Sound Temple.
"Strange, it hasn't disappeared," Yao Guang thought, looking down at her feet. She was already inside, and with a puzzled expression, she reached out to touch the wall, which felt solid beneath her fingers. Was this not an illusion? The real sensation transmitted from her fingertips left Yao Guang confused. What was going on?
Just as Yao Guang was pondering this, the great doors of the temple slowly opened. Two monks emerged from within. Although they appeared to be of advanced age, their faces radiated kindness. With their hands pressed together in greeting, they addressed Yao Guang, "Star Lord Yao Guang, Buddha invites you to enter."
With that, they gestured for Yao Guang to step inside.
Yao Guang gazed at the somewhat familiar scene before her; it seemed reminiscent of her previous solitary venture into the West. What was happening? She clearly remembered this event occurring before; why couldn't she break free from this illusion?
Seeing that Yao Guang showed no intention of entering, the two monks repeated, "Star Lord Yao Guang, Buddha invites you to enter."
Well then, when soldiers come, one must defend; when water comes, one must block it. After all, this was not an unknown path—what was there to fear about something that had already happened?
Taking a deep breath, Yao Guang lifted her foot and stepped inside.
The doors of the Great Thunder Sound Temple creaked open as Yao Guang walked slowly along the path leading to Buddha. Everything looked just as she remembered; the temple may not have been adorned with magnificent pavilions or countless jade towers, but the atmosphere within the Great Thunder Sound Temple was comforting. It felt like being gently patted on the head—not too heavy or light—inviting one to relax. She recalled how she had felt immense resentment upon learning that Xue had been demoted to the Underworld. The anger had ignited her killing intent; she could hardly suppress her urge to kill. However, once she stepped onto this path, her hostility gradually dissipated, allowing her to meet Buddha in a calm state.
Now, returning to this path again, Yao Guang's feelings were somewhat different than before. To her now, this place was where Xue had once stayed; it could be considered his former home. It felt like revisiting a cherished location—not just any place but a journey through the hometown of someone she loved.
Every long road eventually reaches its end. As Yao Guang arrived at the end of the path and pushed open the door, she found herself in a space where Buddha and his disciples were discussing Buddhist teachings.
Without fear, Yao Guang pushed open the door. Before her stood numerous Deities, and directly in front of her was Buddha himself, gazing at her with compassion. Beside Buddha stood Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.
"Star Lord Yao Guang, what brings you here?" asked the Bodhisattva.
Yao Guang felt a moment of daze. How had she responded when questioned by the Bodhisattva back then? Now hearing such a question again made her wonder if she should answer as her former self would have. A mischievous thought crossed her mind: since this was an illusion, there was no need to respond in a conventional manner; why not follow her own heart instead?
Yao Guang chuckled, "For the one I love!"
This bold declaration stirred the monks of the Great Thunder Sound Temple into a flurry of whispers. Yao Guang could only hear the murmurs of the disciples around him, "How audacious!" "Amitabha, this is a sacred place; how can one be so reckless!" "Foolish words, foolish words. Amitabha."
Listening to these voices, Yao Guang paid no mind as he gazed at the Buddha before him.
Upon hearing Yao Guang's shocking words, the Buddha did not display any unusual expression.
"Silence, do not disturb your hearts," the Buddha spoke.
The murmurs that had just filled the air vanished in an instant after the Buddha's words, as if no one had spoken at all. Yao Guang couldn't help but sigh; even in this illusion, the rules of the West were far superior to those of the court.
"Buddha, I have come for Xue. I hope you can see my sincerity and allow us to meet," Yao Guang said earnestly.
The Tathagata Buddha looked down at Yao Guang. For some reason, Yao Guang felt a hint of pity in the Buddha's gaze, which was different from before. However, he soon reassured himself; his questions and answers were not the same, so how could the Buddha's responses and reactions be identical to those from before?
"Star Lord Yao Guang, all beings are inherently empty and tranquil; true sincerity has no beginning and is originally pure by nature," the Buddha replied.
"I do not understand your words, nor do I wish to. Just tell me directly: why have you banished Xue to the Underworld? What wrong has he committed? Shouldn't those from the Demonic Path be eradicated instead?" Yao Guang retorted defiantly.
"Star Lord Yao Guang, it seems you have misunderstood my meaning," the Buddha said, slightly surprised.
"What do you mean?" Yao Guang struggled to comprehend the Buddha's words.
"Star Lord Yao Guang, what you just mentioned did not occur. I do not know why you have come to my Great Thunder Sound Temple today, nor how you learned that Wheel King was banished to the Underworld," the Buddha patiently explained to Yao Guang.
"How can that be? I came here precisely because you banished Xue to the Underworld to argue with you!" Yao Guang was confused as to why things seemed to have strayed from their original course. This was exactly why he was here; why did this Buddha seem completely unaware of his purpose? Yao Guang remembered how he had insisted on seeking justice for Xue and how he had been furious upon learning that Xue had been banished to the Underworld. In a fit of rage, he had caused a scene in the Great Thunder Sound Temple, which led to his punishment—being struck by Thunder Whip and banished to the mortal realm. This was an illusion; everything here was false. Yao Guang reassured himself that it was normal for things to be different from before.
“Star Lord Yao Guang, what you speak of is indeed an illusion. Where is the Wheel King?” Buddha called out Xue's title.
“Disciple is here!”
Yao Guang stared intently at the emerging Xue. This was... this was Xue! Yao Guang knew she wasn't mistaken; although he looked different from usual, the expressionless man before her was indeed Xue. She had never seen the Xue who cultivated in the West like this. The Xue in this illusion, the one who descended to the mortal realm, and the one in the Underworld were all the same person, yet also not the same. Xue stood far away, radiating a golden light. Yao Guang understood that it was the light of Buddha, enveloping him entirely, creating an inexplicable sense of separation. This feeling made Yao Guang very uncomfortable.
“Wheel King, do you recognize this Star Lord Yao Guang?” Buddha asked kindly as he looked at his disciple.
Xue glanced lightly at Yao Guang. That one glance sent chills through her heart; his gaze was no different from that of someone looking at ants on the ground, as if he had never acknowledged her presence at all.
“Buddha, I do not know this person,” Xue's words made Yao Guang feel as though she were in hell.
This place was an illusion, it wasn't real—Yao Guang kept telling herself. Therefore, Xue couldn't possibly look at her like a stranger.
“This is fake; it’s all an illusion!” Yao Guang shouted.
“Sentient beings cling to the illusory appearances and distinctions, hence it is called delusion; it refers to their thoughts arising from chasing after illusions. It may be difficult to discern what is false; thus, thoughts continue to arise endlessly, causing turmoil in the heart with these illusions, hence it is called delusion,” Buddha continued to look at Yao Guang and added, “Star Lord Yao Guang, can you still distinguish between illusion and truth? Is what you believe to be truth truly real? You claim this place is an illusion; does that mean everything here is fake?”
Buddha's words struck Yao Guang like a blow to the head, leaving her bewildered.
Is this real? No, no, this is fake. If it’s fake, then why didn’t she shatter it like she did earlier? If this is real, then what about everything that came before?
Yao Guang helplessly looked around; there were still those countless Deities gazing at her with pity. Why? Why do they look at her like that? What has happened to her...
Instinctively, Yao Guang searched for Xue's figure. Xue, why do you look at me like this? You promised you would protect me! Why—why do you look at me with such unfamiliar eyes?
“Star Lord Yao Guang, your obsession runs too deep; there are reasons for your existence in this world, and emotions can weigh down this life.”
"No, this is not my obsession," Yao Guang shouted in confusion.
Avalokiteshvara looked at Yao Guang and descended from the lotus throne. "Star Lord Yao Guang, do not be overly attached. Let go of the obsession in your heart, and you will be able to turn around." Avalokiteshvara's words illuminated Yao Guang's mind.
"You want me to let go of my feelings for Xue. But there was love between Xue and me; it is not merely an obsession as you claim."
After hearing Yao Guang's words, Avalokiteshvara shook his head. "If you cannot let go, you will suffer."
"I do not know you well. I hope Star Lord Yao Guang will not cling too tightly. Regardless of how our fates began, today I must sever this bond."
"Xue, what are you talking about? I don't understand," Yao Guang said, looking at the unfeeling figure who claimed to sever their connection. This was not Xue; it couldn't be. Although Xue was cold, he had never spoken to her like this. The man before her, high and untouchable, was not Xue. Yao Guang glanced at the figure beside Buddha, draped in a monk's robe—was this truly the Xue from the West? So this was the Xue who had been said to have killed so many from the Demonic Path without changing expression. When she had heard of Xue's achievements, she had thought him a true hero. But such coldness, when faced with her, was unbearable. Yao Guang smiled bitterly.
"Xue, even if you are a fake, I do not wish to hear you speak to me so coldly," Yao Guang said calmly.
Xue furrowed his brow. "You willingly immerse yourself in the mundane world; what does that have to do with me?"
Xue's words echoed clearly throughout the Great Thunder Sound Temple.
Yao Guang turned away from Xue; he was nothing but a counterfeit that she did not want.
"Buddha, all forms seen by mortals are illusions. Illusions are said to be false and not true; they do not mean absolute non-existence. Therefore, what I see here is false; it is indeed false!" Yao Guang looked at Buddha and spoke firmly.
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