Who Changed Heart

Since Chu Xingchen had shown his attitude in both words and actions, it at least made people feel he was completely sincere.

Furthermore, Chu Xingchen's reputation and prestige were now at their peak.

Runan thought for a moment and felt that, no matter from which angle he looked at it, attempting to truly befriend Chu Xingchen this time was an inevitable and highly beneficial course of action.

The most important point was that this might be the only chance.

Runan did not think Chu Xingchen was naive enough to tolerate the Buddhist Sect time and time again.

Having made up his mind, Runan looked towards Wu Wang.

"Although the Buddhist Sect is temporarily stable, the crisis still remains. Chu Xingchen now bears the Mandate of Heaven. Since his sincerity is genuine, the Buddhist Sect naturally has its own magnanimity."

"Regarding the promotion of Hinayana Buddhism, we do not need to strictly follow the drafted terms. What the Buddhist Sect should bear, we will bear ourselves. What we should do, we will do ourselves."

"Acting stingy will only make others feel that the Buddhist Sect is petty."

"Since we are among the Eighteen Immortal Sects, we should display the demeanor of the Eighteen Immortal Sects."

Runan's tone was steady, his voice deep and heavy, yet every word he spoke stirred a sense of surging passion.

Wu Wang immediately cupped his hands and replied.

"I receive the Honored Buddha's decree. However, will there be a Buddha overseeing this matter?"

Runan looked at Wu Wang, a Buddhist Son at the Body Integration Realm, and pondered for a moment. Thinking about the Buddhas currently in the sect, he really couldn't pick one who absolutely wouldn't cause trouble.

The Worldly Buddhas had always held a hostile attitude toward Chu Xingchen. Whether it was pointing his sword at the current Buddhist Sect or protecting the Bright Buddha, every single action had stepped on the red lines of these Worldly Buddhas.

If a Worldly Buddha was sent to promote this cooperation, the chances of a highly unsatisfactory outcome were immense.

Even though Runan had two Worldly Buddhas in mind whom he considered somewhat reliable, he couldn't guarantee that they wouldn't waver due to the interests of other Buddhas.

As for the Karma Buddhas, they were never within Runan's consideration from the very beginning.

What if the promotion of Hinayana Buddhism somehow turned into the promotion of Mahayana Buddhism? When that time came, it would be uncertain whether he, as the Honored Buddha, would have to give up his position.

Especially Ruzhong. If there really was a major change, this senior brother who called him 'junior brother' so affectionately might be the very first to sell out the Buddhist Sect.

Therefore, he couldn't let the Karma Buddhas go. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to blame Chu Xingchen when things went wrong.

After considering all options, perhaps only the Body Integration Realm Buddhist Son in front of him was the most suitable.

He had no past emotional ties, didn't know the specific content of Mahayana Buddhism, and had no conflict of interest with the Worldly Buddhas.

He would be able to follow Runan's orders to get things done.

Runan stared at Wu Wang, sighing helplessly in his heart, and spoke with an expectant tone.

"I have been watching your arduous cultivation until now. I know you possess spiritual and wisdom roots, understand the bigger picture, and handle matters reliably."

"I will not dispatch any other Buddhas to oversee this matter. You shall take full responsibility for it. If there is anything you are unsure of, you may come directly to me."

Hearing this, Wu Wang bowed deeply, pressing his head against the jade floor of the Mahavira Hall, and asked again in a calm tone.

"Then, dare I ask the Honored Buddha: if other Buddhas wish to assist in the advancement of the Dharma, should I follow their orders?"

Runan naturally understood the underlying meaning of Wu Wang's words—if other Buddhas wanted to participate in Hinayana Buddhism or ordered him around for their own interests, should he comply or not?

"You only obey my orders," Runan said with a firm gaze and a steady, powerful tone. "You just need to tell them that if they have any objections, they can come find me! If any Buddha tries to obstruct you, send a message to me."

Hearing this, Wu Wang slowly straightened up and looked at Runan.

"I receive the Honored Buddha's decree. I will definitely handle this matter with care."

Runan nodded gently and said with expectation.

"The heavy burden of the Buddhist Sect can now perhaps be entrusted to you, my disciple."

Wu Wang performed another Buddhist salute and replied calmly.

"This disciple understands."

"Damn, where did this monk come from to dare set such conditions? Does he not know my name? Did he come here to take advantage of me?"

Chu Xingchen held the jade token in his hand, sensing the divine sense signatures of his own useless disciple and some wretched monk on it. He couldn't help but complain, "You really dared to sign this thing. If people saw this, those who don't know the truth would think Runan had completely won me over."

Li Yingling was cracking melon seeds in her mouth, reaching for a teacup with one hand. Hearing her master's shocked tone, she acted leisurely and said.

"If the Buddhist Sect dares to offer, this disciple naturally dares to accept. Didn't Master say that to destroy someone, you must first make them arrogant? Since I, your eldest disciple, swallowed my pride to this extent, the Buddhist Sect will surely become arrogant to the extreme."

Chu Xingchen couldn't help but roll his eyes at this useless disciple and said.

"Do you really think your Master doesn't know what happened? Could I not know who negotiated the terms with these monks?"

Hearing this, Li Yingling spat out a melon seed shell and chuckled lightly twice.

"Ha... Master knows?"

"How could I dare not know?" Chu Xingchen threw the jade token at Li Yingling's head. "If I didn't know, next time you'd dare pack your Master up and send me to the Buddhist Sect!"

Li Yingling reached out and caught the jade token Chu Xingchen threw, showing a somewhat exaggerated, flattering smile on her face.

"Master~ What kind of talk is that? Who in the entire sect doesn't know that I respect Master the most? How could I pack Master up and send you away? Wouldn't Mistress come looking to settle the score with me?"

Chu Xingchen waved his hands repeatedly with a look of disgust. "You don't even count as a leaky cotton jacket anymore. You're more like a hemp rope now; sooner or later, you'll hang your Master from a tree."

Hearing this, Li Yingling looked pitifully at Xie Lingyu, who was beside them, and said.

"Mistress, listen to what Master is saying. Clearly, Master himself never intended to genuinely work for the Buddhist Sect. I was just going with the flow, yet Master blames me, the one who is earnestly getting things done."

Seeing this, Chu Xingchen showed no weakness. He gently placed a hand on Xie Lingyu's shoulder and said in a sorrowful tone.

"Lord Lingyu, listen to what this rebellious disciple of mine is saying. What does she mean by 'never intended to genuinely work for the Buddhist Sect'? We still have to get the preliminary things done first. This rebellious disciple I took in only knows how to cause trouble for her Master every day... I am still heavily injured and haven't recovered. Lingyu, as her Mistress, you have to stand up for me."

The tea in the cup Xie Lingyu was holding sloshed around. Her expression was quite helpless; the two of them, one on the left and one on the right, acted as if they really expected her to be the judge.

However, this was not the first time, and Chu Xingchen didn't act like this only with his eldest disciple.

Xie Lingyu reached out and pushed away the clinging Chu Xingchen, then lowered her head and calmly took a sip of tea.

Before she could even swallow the tea, the two started bickering again.

"Master acting cute is so disgusting!"

"You acting innocent is even more disgusting."

"Master said I was cute before! Fickle Master!"

"You're the fickle disciple! Who was the one always saying she was on the best terms in the world with her Master?!"

Xie Lingyu swallowed her tea and leisurely turned her gaze to look at the two of them.

Neither of them had a combative expression on their faces; instead, they were both smiling happily.

What arguing?

They were simply putting on a show for her to demonstrate their great master-disciple relationship.

Xie Lingyu smiled helplessly, but she also felt a warmth in her heart.