What Kind of Nursery Rhyme Is This

To think that what goes around truly comes around in this world.

Chu Xingchen looked at Runan's sincere face, feeling not a shred of emotion in his heart, but rather a bit of disgust.

He really didn't know if he should say that Runan was indeed the Venerable Buddha specially selected by the Buddhist sect; besides being equally shameless, his ability to learn was exceptionally strong.

Bai Xuanling looked at Chu Xingchen with a teasing gaze. This kid played the innocent act to absolute perfection, but now he was being played by someone else. It was quite an interesting turn of events.

"Since fellow Daoist is so sincere, I will also speak frankly today," Chu Xingchen said, looking as if he were pouring his heart out. "Actually, I also understand fellow Daoist. In your heart, the Greater Vehicle Buddhism is the ultimate foundation of the Buddhist sect in the future, right?"

"If the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism is heavily promoted now, it will probably be even more difficult for you to promote the Greater Vehicle Buddhism in the future."

"After all, fellow Daoist cultivated all the way from a Buddhist Disciple to a Venerable Buddha. When it comes to Buddhist principles, you surely understand the gap between the Lesser and Greater Vehicles."

"Fellow Daoist's difficulties are my difficulties. I will definitely help with this!"

"Li Junzi is also willing to step onto the path of a Sub-sage for this matter!"

Although Chu Xingchen had his suspicions before, he hadn't been entirely sure what Runan truly thought of the Greater Vehicle Buddhism deep down. Now that these words were spoken, everything became clear.

After all, Chu Xingchen would never believe that Runan would actually harm the interests of the Buddhist sect just to repay some favor.

If he truly cared about feelings that much, Runan wouldn't have actually harbored murderous intent towards the Bright Buddha.

Runan, this Venerable Buddha with thick eyebrows and big eyes who had constantly suppressed the Karma Buddha and the Bright Buddha, actually favored the Greater Vehicle Buddhism very much in his heart.

Bai Xuanling forced down the strange feeling in her heart, looked at Chu Xingchen's "it's all for your own good" expression, and revealed a similarly gentle smile.

She sighed in her heart—it was truly impressive that Chu Xingchen could spout such nonsense, calling black white while pretending to be doing it all for his sake.

As expected, the chosen favored son of heaven was truly at the pinnacle in every sense of the word.

Runan obviously didn't expect Chu Xingchen to say such things. The gentle expression on his face stiffened slightly. Perhaps he truly didn't expect someone to be this shameless.

Seeing Runan remain silent, Chu Xingchen pressed the attack:

"Could it be that I misunderstood fellow Daoist's meaning, and you don't actually intend to switch to the Greater Vehicle Buddhism?"

"If that's the case, tomorrow I will personally escort the Bright Buddha to the Great Thunderclap Temple."

Runan fell silent again. Although he had said he wouldn't acknowledge these words once they left Wanhua Ridge, there were some things that couldn't be said even if they weren't acknowledged.

"Alright," Bai Xuanling interrupted, cutting into their conversation. "One is more shameless than the other, and one has a blacker heart than the other. Since your goals are the same, that's enough."

"Go back to your respective homes. Seeing you sit together and chat like this is torturing me instead."

Runan stood up, performed a Buddhist greeting, and said:

"Since that is the case, I will no longer disturb you."

Chu Xingchen also stood up, cupped his hands in return, and said:

"See you."

"See you," Runan nodded slightly, then turned and transformed into a golden light, departing.

Chu Xingchen watched the golden light speed away and shook his head rather helplessly:

"No wonder Runan is a Venerable Buddha. He is indeed an outstanding figure, comparable to Sect Leader Lu, who has no bottom line when praising people."

Bai Xuanling sneered. "Compared to you two, Lu Xuan's thick skin is like Cui Hao compared to San Dong."

"I should be a bit better than San Dong, right?"

"You are Cui Hao!"

As Runan traveled in a golden light, the gentleness in his eyes completely faded away, leaving only a bit of helplessness. Then, he sighed softly.

He originally thought Chu Xingchen was truly a sincere person. Now it seemed it was just his own wishful thinking.

He initially intended to seriously promote the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism, so he carefully selected the candidates.

At that time, he also thought Chu Xingchen was genuinely helping.

Now it seemed...

But let it be. After all, even he wouldn't truly dedicate himself selflessly to others now, let alone Chu Xingchen, who wasn't a Buddhist cultivator.

To truly turn the tides and save a desperate situation, being shameless and breaking promises might indeed be necessary conditions.

As for giving up the promotion of the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism, Runan also had his own calculations.

The turmoil in the Buddhist sect had not stopped. If the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism failed, it would also allow the Buddhist sect to temporarily step down from the most prominent position in the storm. Although its reputation would drop a level, what the Buddhist sect needed right now was time to recover.

Secondly, this was also to leave a favor with Chu Xingchen.

I know, I understand you want to use me, but I am willing.

Even if Chu Xingchen's lip service didn't diminish, he would definitely feel indebted in his heart.

Just like how Runan was using this matter now, it could be considered repaying Chu Xingchen for unconditionally helping to stabilize the Buddhist sect.

Naturally, the most important reason driving Runan to do this was that he understood: if Chu Xingchen really wanted to use the Buddhist sect as a stepping stone to help Li Junzi, the Buddhist sect truly had no way to continue promoting the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism.

For something that was impossible to accomplish in the first place, there was no need to fall out with Chu Xingchen again over it. It was more practical to do him a favor at no real cost.

What if Li Junzi really became a Sub-sage and later cursed, "What kind of trash is the Buddhist sect?"

Then the mortal foundation of the Buddhist sect would definitely be absolutely shaken.

Runan was also more willing to believe that as long as Chu Xingchen was willing, perhaps a Sub-sage could truly reappear in the world.

Calculating benefits was one reason, and perhaps it was also exactly as Chu Xingchen had said.

In his heart, he had actually already acknowledged the Greater Vehicle Buddhism.

The golden light flowed, and the Great Thunderclap Temple was already close at hand.

Runan's gaze caught sight of a figure stopping to perform a Buddhist greeting. His movements also halted:

"Wu Wang..."

Wu Wang performed a Buddhist greeting and said with a serious expression:

"Greetings, Venerable Buddha. This disciple is personally preparing to go to Southern Jambudvipa to supervise the promotion of the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism."

"Mm." Runan could only nod slightly. After a brief thought, he still said, "Act according to your abilities. Promoting the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism is no easy task."

Wu Wang's attitude was extremely proper, and he guaranteed with his tone:

"Please rest assured, Venerable Buddha. This disciple will definitely do his utmost."

Seeing this, Runan didn't say much more. If he said any more, he feared this Buddhist Disciple would fight to the death in Southern Jambudvipa. He merely instructed:

"If you encounter difficulties, just come find me at the Great Thunderclap Temple."

After saying that, Runan's figure entered the Great Thunderclap Temple.

Only then did Wu Wang slowly stand up. He glanced at Runan's back, then looked towards the location of Southern Jambudvipa.

Difficulties?

Right now, Southern Jambudvipa was full of difficulties everywhere.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed off alone to Southern Jambudvipa so hurriedly.

Southern Jambudvipa, the Imperial City of the Xuanwu Kingdom.

Cui Hao looked smug, his footsteps a bit swaggering as he headed towards Li Junzi's study.

He pushed open the door with practiced ease, his mouth moving faster than his eyes as he spoke:

"Mr. Li, I made up another nursery rhyme for you today... Uh... Ah..."

Cui Hao's eyes widened, and he stammered:

"Eldest... Eldest... Eldest Senior Sister... Why are you here?"

Inside the study.

Li Yingling held a book in her hands, looking at Cui Hao out of the corner of her eye. She didn't answer Cui Hao's question, but rather said in an unfriendly tone:

"What nursery rhyme did you make up?"