Chapter Six: The Thousand Mercies, Great Compassion Hand

Little Moon felt her soul wrench with pain and let out a heart-rending scream as she fell to the ground once more. Her intention had been to perish together with Li Qing and that bald monk, so these despicable men could not use her to threaten her elder sister. As long as her sister escaped back to Ten Thousand Demon Mountain and alerted the Demon King, with his temperament, he would surely rally all the demons, great and small, to wipe out the human race. These two top human cultivators had gone to such lengths, and certainly not merely for a single high-grade demon core.

Mei Die watched, agony twisting her heart. Her best friend had come to this because of her own ignorance and foolishness. Gritting her teeth, she spat out a demonic talisman, determined to slay Huiming at any cost and save Little Moon.

The talisman shuddered in the air, transforming into a giant fist as black as ink, which thundered toward Huiming, the very fabric of space trembling in its wake.

A vague sense of mortal danger struck Huiming—a feeling he had not tasted in thousands of years. Startled, he thought, “This is a talisman forged by the Demon King in the Soul Refinement stage, endowed with tremendous power. It clearly seals within it the Demon King’s full-strength blow. Though the Four-Tailed Fox cannot unleash its full might, it’s enough to slay any Nascent Soul cultivator in an instant.”

Yet Huiming showed not a flicker of panic, his voice cold as he declared, “Demon, do you think a single punch from the Demon King will finish me? With the Sky Net spirit treasure bestowed by my master, watch as I collect your treasure!”

With that, his golden kasaya billowed and soared into the sky, transforming into a golden net that spun swiftly, ensnaring the black fist within it.

With a gesture of his left hand, Huiming retrieved the Sky Net, while his right hand blazed with Buddha’s light and struck fiercely toward Mei Die. “Heaven-Opening Palm, second form of the Thousand Mercies and Great Compassion!”

The giant hand, held at bay in the air by a pillar of wind, merged with Huiming’s second hand and pressed downward, unstoppable as a falling mountain.

Little Moon cried out, “Sister, run! Don’t mind me—tell Father, let him come and save me, and slay these two shameless villains!”

Mei Die saw her father’s trump card so easily captured, and sensed she could not withstand Huiming’s Thousand Mercies and Great Compassion. She realized she was powerless to turn the tide. Clearly, these two had gone to great pains to capture her, determined to win at any cost. Now, only by returning to Ten Thousand Demon Mountain and begging her father for Little Moon’s rescue was there hope.

With that, she spat out another talisman. Demonic energy roiled around her, spinning madly, just as the colossal Buddha hand crashed her into the earth.

The ground shook violently. A giant handprint, sixty feet deep, appeared where she’d been.

Huiming swept the pit with his spiritual sense—no trace of Mei Die remained. A flash of greed glinted in his eyes as he intoned, “Amitabha, the Demon King truly is wealthy! Even a maid serving the princess is granted a ten-thousand-mile teleportation talisman—a priceless escape treasure! The princess herself must have even more miraculous artifacts. Benefactor Li, perhaps you’d let this humble monk see for himself?”

“Master Huiming, although my teacher granted me the Sky Net and taught me how to use it, he did not impart the method to release it. I’m afraid I cannot help you further.

But, Master, you did not slay the demon fox. If she escapes back to Ten Thousand Demon Mountain, the consequences will be dire. Our plan could be ruined. How will you answer to the abbot then?” Li Qing said helplessly.

“Have no fear, Benefactor Li. We are ten thousand miles from Ten Thousand Demon Mountain, and from the fluctuations of her escape, she has gone in the opposite direction—south instead of north, and only farther away.

Moreover, after being struck by my Thousand Mercies and Great Compassion, even if she survives the teleportation, she’ll have to use all her power to seal my palm force, reverting to an ordinary wild fox. If hunters don’t skin and eat her, she’ll fall prey to other beasts. There’s no need to worry—her death is certain. Imagine, a Four-Tailed Fox devoured by wild animals. How pitiful! Amitabha!” Huiming explained confidently.

Relief filled Little Moon’s heart, seeing her sister had escaped. With the nine-glass-lamp, a sacred demon relic, to protect her, her sister would surely be safe.

With that, she said, “Li Qing, you despicable scoundrel, you lied and deceived me. If you have the courage, release me and let’s fight fairly. If I lose, I’ll have no complaints—do as you will.”

“Foolish girl. So-called morals and righteousness are just the loser’s consolation. Those who achieve greatness use any means necessary; success is the only measure. Victory belongs to the strong.

If we fought openly, even if I subdued you, I would pay a heavy price. But with a few tricks, you are now my captive, your fate at my whim.

When strengths are equal, wisdom decides victory. Did you think I’d be as stupid as you?” Li Qing sneered, thoroughly satisfied.

“Bastard! Bald monk! You think capturing me will force my father to hand over the nine-glass-lamp? Dream on! The Demon King would never risk the entire demon race for his daughter! Your schemes will be for nothing and will only spark war between humans and demons! How many human cultivators will die because of your stupidity? Be wise—release me now and I’ll pretend nothing ever happened!” Little Moon threatened.

Huiming shook his head. “The humans and demons are both gathering strength. War is inevitable. How many full-scale wars have there been throughout history? History tells us: whoever seizes the initiative, prevails. Your demon race relies on the nine-glass-lamp.

We would never be so foolish as to try to exchange you for it. Instead, we’ll turn you into a puppet. Even if you can’t steal the lamp, you’ll be able to strike a deadly blow against the Demon King himself—even if he survives, he’ll be flayed alive!”

Li Qing said, “Why waste words? I’m eager to see the look on the Demon King’s face when he’s betrayed by his own daughter! Hahaha!”

“Li Qing, calling you a beast in clothes is an insult to beasts. And you, bald monk, committing murder and breaking the Buddhist precepts, you’ll get your retribution. When you try to advance, karmic fire will burn you to death!” Little Moon, knowing these two were immune to both threat and reason, could only curse them bitterly, hoping to provoke them into killing her so she would not become a puppet at their mercy.

Huiming’s face remained calm. “You don’t understand, demon. Though monks are merciful, they will not let evil flourish. Sometimes, killing is necessary to end killing.

Eliminating demons will bring peace to the world. Even the Buddha would forgive me. The Buddha said, ‘If I do not go to hell, who will?’ For the sake of all beings, I can do no less.”

Little Moon spat at him, “Shameless...”

Before she could finish, Huiming flicked his kasaya, and the Sky Net descended once more, enveloping her.

Enchanted runes swirled as the net and web fused together, their power greatly amplified. Even without channeling spiritual power, the treasure itself utterly suppressed Little Moon, leaving her speechless and writhing in agony on the ground.

Suddenly, the nascent soul within Li Qing opened its eyes, a formidable aura erupting as he said coldly, “Master, what is the meaning of this? Do you not trust me, or are you afraid I’ll steal your credit? Remember, this was my plan, and without me, you’d never have fooled Mei Die. Don’t forget—the abbot only asked you to assist, and yet you let Little Moon escape.

If she returns to Ten Thousand Demon Mountain and foils our plan, can you bear that responsibility? Or are you just trying to seize all the glory for yourself?”

Huiming smiled faintly. “Amitabha, Benefactor Li, you misunderstand. As I said, unless one is in the Soul Refinement stage, no one has survived my Thousand Mercies and Great Compassion. Be assured.

I only did this for security’s sake. If a mere maid has such treasures, the Demon King’s daughter must have even greater ones. If she escaped or self-destructed, the plan would be ruined. With the Sky Net and Earth Web united, not even the Demon King himself could escape without the nine-glass-lamp.”

Li Qing thought privately, Bald monk, you’re just afraid I’ll take Mei Die’s treasures for myself—if I can’t have them, neither can you! But my true goal is the nine-glass-lamp.

Outwardly, he feigned realization. “Master, you are right. I was reckless. In that case, let’s report back at once. The longer we wait, the greater the risk.”

Huiming smiled. “That is precisely my thought.”

Li Qing waved his hand, collecting the Sky Net and Earth Web into his spirit beast pouch, then transformed into a blue arc and soared away, vanishing into the horizon in a few flashes.

Huiming’s lips curled into a cold smile as he too took to the air, following close behind.

...

Amidst a dense mountain forest, a vortex of demonic energy suddenly appeared in the air, from which a snow-white fox tumbled heavily to the ground, crushing the wildflowers and grass beneath her.

This seemingly ordinary white fox was none other than Mei Die, transformed into a beast by Huiming’s Thousand Mercies and Great Compassion.

...

End of Chapter Six: Thousand Mercies and Great Compassion.