National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

Chapter 272 - 271: One Flower, One World; One Leaf, One Bodhi

Abbot Tonghua’s eyes were exceptionally bright, like sunlight on a clear day, full of a warm glow.

The light washed over everyone, making them feel warm, comfortable, and safe.

When the citizen of the White Elephant Empire met Abbot Tonghua’s gaze, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of guilt.

He suddenly remembered that this very street, all the citizens of the White Elephant Empire on it, and the surrounding buildings had nearly been razed to the ground—utterly destroyed—by that rotting lizard Evil Spirit.

The severed limbs and mangled remains on the ground were the best proof of that.

It was this kind-faced monk and his followers who had intervened and saved them—the very citizens of the White Elephant Empire who now stood here, talking and questioning him.

And now, he was stirring up the crowd, leading the other citizens of the White Elephant Empire to question and doubt Abbot Tonghua.

This was clearly an act of profound ingratitude.

So, after meeting Abbot Tonghua’s bright eyes for only a few seconds, the man looked away, his heart filled with guilt.

"Do not be afraid. The Buddha is merciful. Even if you disagree, I will bring a rebirth, a Nirvana, to the White Elephant Empire.

I will allow the White Elephant Empire to evolve into the Great Western Heaven, to become part of a new and true civilization. You will receive the protection of the Buddhist Sect, and I will never again let you poor people suffer such disasters.

When you grow old, you will be guided to the Western Paradise of Bliss to enjoy endless freedom and happiness.

This is my life’s mission."

As he finished speaking, Abbot Tonghua rolled the Buddha Beads in his hand and chanted, "Amitabha Buddha."

"Fine. I agree.

If you can truly bring our White Elephant Empire the rebirth, the Nirvana, that you speak of.

I don’t expect some grand, glorious future for the White Elephant Empire. Just restore it to how it was before.

All we need is for ordinary people like us to be able to live and work in peace, to live happily.

As for happiness,

all we ask for is a clean house to shelter us from the elements and enough food and drink to fill our bellies."

Perhaps moved by Abbot Tonghua’s words, the citizen of the White Elephant Empire took a deep breath and agreed.

"If you can truly grant our White Elephant Empire a new birth, a Nirvana, and bring happiness to all our people,

it won’t just be him. I’ll join your Buddhist Sect, too. I’ll believe in your Buddha and serve your Buddha."

Other citizens of the White Elephant Empire began to chime in, one after another.

"That is excellent, of course."

The smile on Abbot Tonghua’s lips widened. This was exactly what he wanted.

Everything was proceeding step-by-step, exactly according to Abbot Tonghua’s plan.

The citizens fell silent, watching quietly to see what Abbot Tonghua would do next.

Over ninety percent of the people present had made a wager: if Abbot Tonghua could truly prove he could bring about a Nirvana for the entire White Elephant Empire, they would convert to the Buddhist Sect.

Abbot Tonghua raised a hand and gestured around them. "Look," he said. "This once-bustling street in Bird City is now nothing but rubble. Even the high-rises that are still standing are on the verge of collapse."

Many of the citizens nodded in agreement. It was true that some buildings hadn’t collapsed,

but they were clearly tilting, and others had shattered and cracked near their foundations, in danger of collapsing at any moment.

"Having faith in me will be the best decision you ever make."

Abbot Tonghua smiled faintly and lowered his hand.

"Master, please, I’m begging you, save my child! He’s only three years old!"

A woman cradling a child stumbled forward and fell to her knees directly in front of Abbot Tonghua.

At that moment, her only concern was her child’s safety. She had no time to worry about Nirvana, rebirth, or rebuilding the glory of the White Elephant Empire.

The woman’s eyes swam with tears, her gaze a mixture of desperate pleading and fragile hope.

Abbot Tonghua gave a slight nod, motioning for the woman to lay the child down.

Tears streamed down the woman’s face like pearls from a broken string.

With trembling hands, she gently laid the child on the ground.

The child looked to be only about three years old, but he was already on the brink of death.

More than half his body was a mangled mess, covered in dust and debris.

The child had clearly been crushed by falling debris.

The woman had used all her strength to pull the child from the wreckage, but the sight of his body had nearly made her collapse.

A piece of the child’s lower right abdomen was missing,

part of his lower leg was gone, and some of his internal organs were spilling from the wound. Blood slicked his entire body.

The child twitched intermittently, his breathing shallow and ragged. The situation was dire.

The surrounding crowd parted to create a space, eager to see if the monk could perform a miracle.

A few people in the crowd who were doctors shook their heads helplessly. With the current state of medical science, an injury that severe was impossible to survive.

"One flower, one world. One leaf, one Bodhi."

Abbot Tonghua’s expression was serene, a faint smile always on his lips.

He stood silently before the child and gently pressed his palms together.

In an instant, an indescribably powerful force surged from his body, transforming into a myriad of brilliant colors.

The light was like the first ray of dawn breaking the horizon, yet it was also like the most magnificent fireworks display in the night sky. It was so dazzling that it made the entire area feel like a dream.

The light didn’t just illuminate the area; it seemed to teem with an endless, surging Life Force.

Then, a breathtaking scene began to unfold. A towering ancient tree materialized out of thin air around the Abbot, its presence immense, its lush canopy blotting out the sky.

Every leaf and every branch on the ancient tree glittered with a crystalline light, as if studded with countless tiny stars.

The Green Silk tendrils that dangled from the treetops were soft yet resilient, dancing in the air like the gentle hands of a Celestial Realm deity, tenderly cradling the child in an embrace of love and protection.

As this wondrous scene unfolded, an unprecedented wave of vibrant life instantly filled the air.

Before their very eyes, countless flowers and blades of grass erupted from the ground, bursting into bloom in a riot of color.

The air filled with the faint scent of flowers and fresh greenery, a fragrance that refreshed the spirit and seemed to wash away all troubles and sorrows.

And into this vibrant scene, flocks of birds, Butterflies, and dragonflies fluttered in from all directions.

Some soared through the sky, some flitted through the new foliage, while others danced around the great tree and its gentle, radiant light, adding life and energy to the serene and sacred scene.

At that moment, everyone was utterly stunned by the magnificent scene before them.

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