"Monk Tongji is actually a murderer!"
Almost everyone was in an uproar when they heard the news. Previously, everyone believed in the Great Mercy Temple and its monks were merciful. However, when they learned that Monk Tongji had shaved his head to become a monk for fear of punishment after killing someone, they couldn't help but be shocked. When they thought of the tragedy of the Zhao couple, their impression of the Great Mercy Temple plummeted. After all, the Buddhists had always claimed to be merciful. Now, they were secretly hiding murderers. The contrast was too great.
"How is this possible?" some believers said in disbelief.
"This is the testimony of Legalism's Professor Han. There is sufficient evidence." More people believed in Han Zheng. Han Zheng had repeatedly popularized Legalism in the legal column of the Mo Journal. He had chosen classic cases to educate the world. He had already gained a large number of loyal Legalism fans.
This was also Han Zheng's intentional guidance. These fans of Legalism were probably the seeds of Legalism in the future.
"You may know a person's face but not his heart. Even Buddhist temples have places to hide evil." Everyone couldn't help but sigh. No one had expected Legalism to stand out and deal a fatal blow to the Great Mercy Temple.
When the Mo Journal blew up Chang 'an City, Constable Cao Li of Chang' an had already led his elites to the Great Mercy Temple.
"This is an important place of Buddhism. You can't just barge in!" Abbot Ci 'en shouted when he saw Constable Cao barge in.
Constable Cao couldn't help but sneer when he saw Abbot Ci 'en. It was fine if others didn't know the details of the Great Mercy Temple, but as the constable of Chang' an county, Cao Li was well-informed. He naturally knew that the Mo Journal's report was all true and that the source of all this was Abbot Ci 'en.
"Abbot, please forgive us. Monk Tongji is involved in a murder case. How can the Chang 'an county government sit by and do nothing? Where is Monk Tongji? I have something to ask him. Abbot, please make it easy for me. " Cao Li's mind turned as he thought of a plan. The Buddhists were highly respected. If they forcefully stopped Tongji and let him escape, even he wouldn't be able to do anything. He would have to go back and be punished.
"Constable Cao, the Zhao couple committed suicide. It has nothing to do with Tongji." Abbot Ci 'en was slightly relieved but still frowned.
The Mo Journal's news had not reached the Great Mercy Temple. Ci 'en naturally didn't know that Constable Cao had another purpose.
"Of course I know that, but we still have to follow the procedure. Please lead the way, Abbot Ci 'en." Constable Cao said vaguely. It would be bad if the Great Mercy Temple received the news in advance and let Tongji go.
"My colleague is meditating in the backyard. Please come with me," Abbot Ci En said without hesitation.
The backyard of the Great Mercy Temple.
Abbot Ci En led Constable Cao and the others in. Ci En pointed to a meditation room and said, "This is where the Tongji meditates."
The monk Tongren who was at the side immediately understood. He went forward and patted the meditation room, saying loudly, "Tongji, the abbot and Arrester Cao of Chang 'an are here. You should come out for now!
Tongji, who had been facing the wall, was now sleeping soundly on the soft couch. The room was fully furnished with everything one could think of. It did not look like he was facing the wall in poverty at all. When he heard the knock on the door, he woke up abruptly.
"Constable Cao!" Tongji's heart trembled. He couldn't help but feel a great sense of fear. Back then, he had no choice but to escape to Buddhism to escape the pursuit of the constables. All this time, his legs would go weak whenever he saw the constables. Even after so many years, that feeling still shrouded his heart.
"I am facing the wall and meditating. I have come to recite sutras for the Zhao couple. Please go back!" Tongji's voice came from behind the closed door. He forced himself to be calm.
Abbot Ci 'en nodded. He turned to Constable Cao and said, "Lord Cao, Tongji has repented and is facing the wall to reflect. Please go back!"
Constable Cao sneered and said, "If everyone can be absolved of their sins by facing the wall to reflect, then why do we still need constables? Go!"
Following Cao Li's order, a group of constables suddenly broke into the meditation room and quickly grabbed Tongji, whose clothes were disheveled.
"What are you all doing? I'm a Buddhist. You people are really going too far!" Grandmaster Tongji said sternly.
Abbot Ci 'en's face suddenly darkened. He stopped Cao Li and said, "Lord Cao, what is the meaning of this? This old monk has already explained that the Zhao couple's death was suicide. The Great Mercy Temple has already punished Tongji. Lord Cao, why do you still want to force us?"
Cao Li revealed a strange smile and said, "Abbot Ci 'en, I'm afraid you haven't read today's magazine! The Tongji in front of us is a murderer from 16 years ago. He has been on the run since. This constable can't catch him. "
"What?" The group of monks from the Great Mercy Temple couldn't help but be shocked. They looked at Tongji in disbelief. Only Tongren Monk and Abbot Ci 'en on the side were not too moved.
"I've already become a monk. I'm no longer a person of the secular world. You can't catch me!" Tongji was extremely frightened. He didn't expect that the incident from 16 years ago would still come back. He actually confessed without being pressed and took the initiative to shout it out.
Many monks from the Great Mercy Temple heard this and immediately stopped helping. They all hesitated. Now that Tongji had confessed without being pressed, killing people was also a great sin in Buddhism.
"Do you think Buddhism or national law is more important? If everyone commits a crime and becomes a monk, what's the use of national law?" Cao Li shouted angrily. If Tongji had become a monk and became wholeheartedly good, he would have been soft-hearted. However, not only did Tongji not change, he continued to do evil and forced the Zhao couple to their deaths. It could be said that he deserved it.
"Abbot, save me!" Tongji's face was pale. He couldn't help but turn his head to ask Abbot Ci 'en for help, just like 16 years ago.
Abbot Ci 'en shook his head helplessly and said, "Yesterday's cause, today's effect. What should come will come. You have already escaped for 16 years. It's time to pay."
He could save Tongji once, but he couldn't save him a second time. Now that the Great Mercy Temple was targeted by the Mo Journal, if he sheltered Tongji again, he might not be able to protect the Great Mercy Temple.
Tongji's face suddenly turned pale. In the end, his last reliance, Buddhism, had also abandoned him.
"Goodbye!" Cao Li saw the hesitation of the monks and immediately put shackles on Tongji without hesitation. He cupped his hands and said goodbye.
After the group of yamen runners left, the entire Great Mercy Temple fell silent. This was probably the first time since the establishment of the Tang dynasty that the government imprisoned a monk from a Buddhist temple. Although Tongji had his own way of seeking death, it was a great blow to the reputation of Buddhism.
"Go and find today's Mo Journal for me!" Abbot Ci 'en suppressed his anger and said. Although he had cultivated his mind for many years, this was the first time he was so angry.
Soon, a young novice monk ran out and came back in a hurry, handing Abbot Ci 'en a copy of the Mo Journal.
"Legalism! The School of Mo is really bullying us Buddhists! "
Looking at Han Zheng's signature on the Mo Journal, Abbot Ci 'en couldn't help but say angrily.
"Abbot, what should we do now?" Tongren asked anxiously. Although he didn't get along with Tongji, Tongji's arrest would be a great blow to the reputation of the Great Mercy Temple.
Abbot Ci 'en took a deep breath and said, "The most important thing now is to restore the reputation of the Great Mercy Temple."
"Restore reputation?" Tongren couldn't help but pause and look at Abbot Ci 'en at a loss.
Abbot Ci 'en looked up at the sky and said with pity, "Back then, after Tongji killed someone, his ferocious nature was triggered. I think he came to the Great Mercy Temple to kill and rob. Under the influence of my Buddhist teachings, he suddenly repented, put down his butcher knife, shaved his head, and became a monk. I think it's because my Buddhist teachings weren't good enough that I couldn't completely influence the demonic nature in Tongji's heart. That's why today's disaster happened. Amitabha.
Amitabha. "Tongren suddenly came to his senses. He clasped his hands and said," Abbot, you are merciful and used your body to overcome the demonic nature. You are really our role model. "
Abbot Ci 'en sighed and said, "If I don't go to hell, who will? I will take responsibility for Tongji's mistakes. I will step down from my position as Abbot Ci' en and meditate for ten years. The position of Abbot will be taken over by your Tongren."
"Abbot!" Tongren looked at Abbot Ci 'en in disbelief.
Ci 'en said firmly, "This matter has been decided."
"Yes!" Tongren said helplessly.
Both of them knew that if they wanted to restore the reputation of the Great Mercy Temple, someone had to take responsibility for Tongji's mistakes. Abbot Ci 'en was the best candidate.
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