ROHYX Chapter 827 : Drastic Measures

After a long silence, Han Jianming asked Qiu Shi, "Mom, is worshipping Buddha the most important thing to you? Do your children's ...

After a long silence, Han Jianming asked Qiu Shi, "Mom, is worshipping Buddha the most important thing to you? Do your children's lives and futures no longer matter to you? Is that it?"

Qiu Shi's expression turned decidedly ugly as she demanded, "What kind of thing is that for you to say? What do you mean, worshipping Buddha is more important than your life and future? Are you trying to dig out my heart¹?" Han Jianming's words had been extremely harsh.

Han Jianming responded, "If you truly consider my future important, why did you still persuade Yuxi to let that child live? Don't you realise that once this child is born, my entire life will be ruined?" With his reputation in ruins, what prospects could he possibly have?

Qiu Shi replied, "The Buddha said, 'Saving one life surpasses building a seven-storey pagoda²'." Besides, this child was her own flesh-and-blood grandchild. How could she possibly bring herself to be so cruel?

Han Jianming's expression became extremely unpleasant as he pointed out, "So, in Mom's heart, your son's future is worth even less than that lump of flesh in Ye Shi's womb? Mom, don't you know how much effort your son has put in over the years to restore the Han family's fortunes? And merely because of this ridiculous reason, you've placed me in such a predicament?"

Qiu Shi would not tolerate those words. "Ming-er, you mustn't behave so disrespectfully. Offending the Bodhisattva will bring disaster upon you."

Han Jianming was so furious that his eyes turned red. "Mom, have you fallen into a demonic delusion³? Have you?" Ignoring Qiu Shi's changing expression, Han Jianming continued, "Leaving aside what happened today, let's talk about Ye Shi. Mom, if you truly cared about your son, you would have made her terminate the pregnancy as soon as you found out she was pregnant. Yet not only did you fail to do so, you even protected her. Mom, you would never have behaved this way in the past." Since Qiu Shi would not allow Ye Shi to terminate her pregnancy, he had no choice but to do it himself. Even a vicious tiger will not devour its own cubs⁴, yet he had to kill his own child. As a result, he would bear the reputation of a man with a cruel heart and ruthless hands⁵. If he did not kill the child, however, future troubles would be endless. Whichever path he chose, he would find himself in a difficult position.

Qiu Shi had always cherished Han Jianming and Han Jianye as dearly as her own eyes⁶. In the past, how could she possibly have allowed her son to find himself unable either to advance or retreat⁷? She would certainly have resolved the matter at the earliest opportunity. It was precisely because the change in her behaviour was so drastic that Han Jianming felt so distressed.

Qiu Shi replied coldly, "So, you're blaming me now?" She simply did not want to commit the karmic sin of taking a life. Why was everyone acting as though she had committed a mistake as great as the heavens⁸?

Han Jianming didn't respond to Qiu Shi's question. Instead, he said, "You said just now that more than 200,000 people were killed or wounded when Yun Qing attacked Haocheng. But what you don't know is that, for years, tens of thousands of people have died in the Northwest every year. Some died in battle, while others starved to death or perished from abuse and oppression. Over the course of more than ten years, far more than 200,000 people have died in the Northwest. Yet today, the Northwest enjoys favourable winds and timely rains⁹, and the common people live in peace and work in contentment. Mom, do you still believe Yun Qing is burdened with deep and heavy sins?" Without Yun Qing, the Northwest would not have had peace and stability. Of course, most of the credit for the region's remarkable development actually belongs to Yuxi.

Qiu Shi was momentarily stunned before saying, "Even so, it would still be wrong to create more karmic sin through killing¹⁰." The prospect of tens of thousands of people, sometimes even a hundred thousand, dying so readily was distressing for Qiu Shi to contemplate.

Han Jianming felt that Qiu Shi had truly fallen into a fog of delusion¹¹. "Mom, it isn't that Yun Qing wants to create karmic sin through killing¹⁰. The entire realm has already descended into chaos. Even without Yun Qing, the killing would continue. The difference is that those other people kill solely for power, status, gold, and silver, whereas Yun Qing and Yuxi can give common people a life of peace and contentment. Mom, what you're accumulating is small goodness¹², while Yun Qing and Yuxi are accumulating great virtue¹³."

Qiu Shi was furious. "Leave! I'm tired and want to rest." She didn't want to quarrel with Han Jianming, much less debate it with him. Therefore, she decided that if she didn't see it, she could consider it clean¹⁴.

Han Jianming was no fool. How could he not realise that his mother was deliberately avoiding him? He wanted to say more, but Qiu Shi had already risen and was heading toward the inner room. Seeing this, Han Jianming could only say helplessly, "Mom, in that case, have an early rest. I'll come and see you again tomorrow."

The following day, Han Jianming told Yuxi about Qiu Shi's condition. After explaining everything, he added with a bitter smile, "Had I known that worshipping Buddha could also cause someone to fall into a fog of delusion, I would never have allowed Mom to take up Buddhist worship in the first place." Unfortunately, it was too late to regret it.

Yuxi asked, "Was Mom like this when she was still in the capital?" She had previously corresponded regularly with Qiu Shi, and apart from her growing compassion and desire to help others, Yuxi had noticed nothing amiss. Now, however, something was clearly wrong with Qiu Shi.

Han Jianming shook his head. "No. When she was in the capital, Mom always conducted herself with proper decorum. She even personally managed Dad's funeral arrangements, and nothing went wrong."

After hearing this, Yuxi said, "Dage, someone must have bewitched Mom and clouded her mind¹⁵. That's why she's behaving so strangely." Yuxi could find no other explanation.

Hearing this, Han Jianming thought carefully for a moment, but still shook his head. "That's impossible. I know everything about everyone Mom has been in contact with. Those who harbour sinister intentions have absolutely no chance of getting close to her."

Yuxi laughed coldly. "What if Mom was bewitched by those so-called eminent monks who have attained the Way¹⁶?" Because of what Monk Liaotong had said before, Yuxi had developed a deep dislike for famous Buddhist masters who always seemed eager to thrust themselves into the spotlight. Of course, Yuxi still greatly respected truly eminent monks like Master Huineng, who were highly virtuous and highly esteemed¹⁷ and had compassion in their hearts. Unfortunately, far too many people in this world craved fame and praise, while people like Master Huineng were exceedingly rare.

Han Jianming's pupils contracted sharply. "That genuinely hadn't occurred to me. If your suspicions are correct, then these people really stop at nothing." Those culprits had even begun using monks. Whoever had conceived such an idea was certainly resourceful. However, anyone who could persuade these eminent monks, who had attained the Way¹⁶, to agree to such a scheme must have formidable methods, especially the person behind the curtain¹⁸.

Yuxi proposed, "From now on, don't let Mom go to temples to worship Buddha. She should stay at home instead! If Mom wishes to hear an eminent monk explain the Buddhist scriptures, we can invite a trustworthy one to the residence to teach her." As far as Yuxi was concerned, this was a relatively minor matter.

Han Jianming hesitated somewhat before asking, "But if we do that, won't we lose the chance to catch the mastermind?" He would not feel at ease as long as the person secretly orchestrating everything remained free.

Yuxi stated, "Right now, Mom is our most important concern. We can let the instigator roam freely for a few more days. One day, I'll catch him." With that vow, she sighed again. "The person behind the curtain was coming after me. Mom has suffered this undeserved misfortune because of me! Fortunately, however, I was that person's target. Otherwise, there's no telling what might have happened to Mom." They had originally thought years of Buddhist worship had given Qiu Shi the heart of a Bodhisattva¹⁹. They had never imagined that someone with ulterior motives had deliberately manipulated her into becoming like this.

Han Jianming thought for a moment before saying, "In that case, we should also arrest the monk who has been teaching Mom the scriptures. Perhaps we can obtain some clues."

Yuxi nodded. "You can arrest that monk, but don't cause a commotion." As an eminent monk who had supposedly attained enlightenment¹⁶, he must have many followers. Everything about Qiu Shi was just conjecture, and they had no evidence. If those followers learnt about the matter, it would cause considerable trouble.

Han Jianming nodded. "I'll proceed carefully and leave no trace."

After returning home, Han Jianming questioned Mama Li. She told him everything she knew, down to every five and ten²⁰, without concealing the slightest thing.

The thought that someone had schemed against his own mother right beneath his very eyelids²¹ left Han Jianming seething. He had arrested the two monks who had privately lectured Qiu Shi on the Buddhist scriptures.

Two days later, Han Jianming informed Yuxi of the results. "It was that monk called Ci'en who bewitched Mom." Monk Ci'en enjoyed considerable prestige throughout the Northwest.

Han Jianming was so frightened by the incident that he broke out in a cold sweat all over his body²². Fortunately, they had discovered the matter early, before the influence on Qiu Shi became too profound. Had they discovered it another six months or a year later, the consequences would have been too dreadful even to imagine.

After a moment's thought, Yuxi asked, "Did he reveal who the hidden instigator was?" In truth, Yuxi suspected that the monk wouldn't reveal the person's identity.

Han Jianming shook his head. "No, he merely claimed that he had been encouraging Mom to devote herself wholeheartedly to virtuous conduct. I even had him tortured, but he still refused to admit anything."

Yuxi told him expressionlessly, "Tell Mom that the mastermind behind the scenes is Yan Wushuang, and that he intended to use her against me. Also tell Mom that the person who used Er Ge back then, nearly resulting in one death and two lives lost²³, was also Yan Wushuang." He had used the same scheme twice, and each time he had nearly succeeded. By this point, even Yuxi couldn't help but admire the man's ingenuity.

Han Jianming asked, "But what if it isn't Yan Wushuang?" After all, Monk Ci'en still hadn't revealed a single word about the mastermind.

Because of what had happened back then, a barrier had risen between her and Er Ge, and that barrier might never be broken, even over a lifetime. Now, that person had resorted to his old trick again, and had almost succeeded once more. At that moment, Yuxi's entire body radiated with intense anger and aggression. "There can be no one else but him. He enjoys using these despicable, underhanded methods more than anything." After a brief pause, Yuxi continued, "Torture is useless against people like Ci'en. Go and tell that old bald donkey²⁴ that if he refuses to reveal the hidden mastermind, I'll have every monk at Huaye Temple arrested and then make them die one by one right before his eyes."

Recalling Yuxi's earlier warning about causing too much commotion for fear that it would lead to serious trouble, Han Jianming hesitated before asking, "Shouldn't we discuss this with Meifu²⁵ first?" This was no small matter.

Yuxi shook her head. "There's no need. Someone's already gone so far as to plot against you, and yet here you are, worrying about this and that, too afraid to make a move. Isn't that just pathetic?"

Seeing this, Han Jianming nodded and agreed.

There was a saying: one does not shed tears until one sees the coffin²⁶. At first, Monk Ci'en thought Han Jianming was merely trying to frighten him. Only when he saw the prison filled with monks from Huaye Temple did he realise Han Jianming was serious.

Han Jianming placed a blade against the neck of Jiexin, Monk Ci'en's favourite disciple, and threatened, "If you don't talk, he'll be the one to die." After saying this, Han Jianming turned to Jiexin and continued, "Every grievance has its source, and every debt has its rightful owner²⁷. That old bald donkey²⁴, Ci'en, harmed my Mom but refuses to reveal the mastermind behind it. That's why I'm turning my blade on all of you²⁸. When you reach Yama's Hall, tell King Yama that it was Ci'en, that old bald donkey²⁴, who caused your death."

Jiexin was not afraid of death. Even with a blade pressed against his neck, he would not retreat even half a step. However, after hearing Han Jianming's words, he shouted, "Don't you dare slander them! My master is devoted to helping others, and he has saved more lives than anyone could count. He has never hurt a single person!"

Han Jianming stared sinisterly at Monk Ci'en. Seeing Monk Ci'en close his eyes, Han Jianming let out a sinister cackle. "Your own disciple is about to die before your eyes, yet you remain completely unmoved at heart²⁹? So this is the Great Master Ci'en, who supposedly keeps compassion in his heart³⁰?"

Footnotes Full List

1. 挖我的心 (wā wǒ de xīn) — to dig out my heart; to cause someone profound emotional pain
2. (救人一命胜造七级浮屠 (jiù rén yī mìng shèng zào qī jí fútú) — saving one life is better than building a seven-storey Buddhist pagoda; saving a life is an act of immense merit
3. 入了魔障 (rù le mó zhàng) — entered a demonic obstruction; become trapped in an obsessive or deluded state of mind
4. 心狠手辣 (xīn hěn shǒu là) — a vicious heart and merciless hands; utterly cruel and ruthless
5. 当成眼珠子似的疼 (dàng chéng yǎnzhūzi shì de téng) — to cherish someone as though they were one's own eyeballs; to love and protect someone as something extraordinarily precious
6. 进退两难 (jìn tuì liǎng nán) — both advancing and retreating are difficult; being trapped between two equally difficult choices
7. 天大的错误 (tiān dà de cuòwù) — an error as great as the sky; an extraordinarily serious mistake
8. 造杀孽 (zào shāniè) — to create the karmic sin of killing; to incur grave negative karma by taking lives
9. 入了迷障 (rù le mí zhàng) — entered an obstruction of bewilderment; become mentally trapped by mistaken beliefs
10. 积的是小善 (jī de shì xiǎo shàn) — what is accumulated is small goodness; performing limited acts of personal virtue
11. 积的是大德 (jī de shì dà dé) — what is accumulated is great virtue; accomplishing good deeds that benefit countless people
12. 眼不见为净 (yǎn bù jiàn wéi jìng) — what the eyes do not see is considered clean; avoiding something unpleasant brings peace of mind
13. 蛊惑迷了心智 (gǔhuò mí le xīnzhì) — to be beguiled until one's mind and judgement become lost; to be psychologically manipulated into distorted thinking
14. 得道高僧 (dé dào gāo sēng) — an eminent monk who has attained the Way; a monk reputed to possess profound spiritual enlightenment
15. 德高望重 (dé gāo wàng zhòng) — high in virtue and heavy in prestige; possessing outstanding moral character and commanding widespread respect
16. 菩萨心肠 (púsà xīncháng) — the heart and disposition of a Bodhisattva; an exceptionally compassionate and merciful nature
17. 一五一十 (yī wǔ yī shí) — one five, one ten; to give a complete, detailed and truthful account
18. 眼皮底下 (yǎnpí dǐxia) — beneath one's eyelids; right under one's nose, without one's knowledge
19. 吓出了一身的冷汗 (xià chū le yī shēn de lěng hàn) — to be so frightened that one's entire body breaks out in cold sweat; to be deeply alarmed by a narrow escape from danger
20. 老秃驴 (lǎo tū lǘ) — old bald donkey; a contemptuous insult directed at a Buddhist monk
21. 不见棺材不掉泪 (bù jiàn guāncai bù diào lèi) — one will not shed tears until one sees the coffin; a stubborn person refuses to yield or acknowledge danger until the consequences become unavoidable
22. 冤有头债有主 (yuān yǒu tóu zhài yǒu zhǔ) — every grievance has a head, and every debt has an owner; responsibility for wrongdoing belongs to the person who caused it, and vengeance should be directed at that person
23. 拿你们开刀 (ná nǐmen kāi dāo) — to take a knife to you; to make someone the first target of punishment or retaliation
24. 无动于衷 (wú dòng yú zhōng) — not to be moved within one's heart; to remain emotionally indifferent despite witnessing something distressing
25. 慈悲为怀 (cí bēi wéi huái) — to hold mercy and compassion within one's heart; to make kindness and compassion one's guiding principle

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