I Truly Am The Villian Chapter 2209: 2208: The Buddha Country Is Gone, but the Demon Race Remains

Xu Zimei regarded the elderly man with a knowing smirk.

The old man, remarkably thick-skinned, continued his pitch, “Esteemed sir, this incense possesses a truly delightful aroma, and the blessings of Buddha are indeed potent. You should certainly partake.”

“And what if it proves to be ineffective?” Xu Zimei inquired.

“Should it fail, you are welcome to dismantle this very temple,” the old man declared with unwavering assurance.

Xu Zimei surveyed the crumbling structure of the temple.

A chuckle escaped him, “Is demolishing it truly necessary?”

“It’s already in ruins; what tangible difference would its demolition make?”

Upon hearing Xu Zimei’s sentiment, the old man quickly cautioned, “Sir, you should be mindful of your words; the Buddhas in the heavens are listening.”

“I have heard whispers that the Barefoot Monk of Cloud Interval Temple is nothing but a charlatan,” Xu Zimei commented.

He cast his gaze downwards.

The Barefoot Monk was, in fact, shoeless.

Furthermore, he carried a rather potent odor, as if he had foregone bathing for many years.

“A charlatan?”

“Sir, how can you cast such baseless accusations?” the Barefoot Monk countered hastily.

“The essence of Buddha resides within the heart; belief, or disbelief, is entirely your prerogative.”

“Very well, I shall indulge your claim for once,” Xu Zimei stated abruptly.

To the Barefoot Monk’s utter astonishment, Xu Zimei accepted the incense and casually relinquished several hundred Spirit Stones.

Witnessing this unexpected transaction, the Barefoot Monk found himself momentarily bewildered.

“Did he actually purchase it?”

It was common knowledge that Cloud Interval Temple's prestige had severely declined over the years, and faith in the Buddha Monk had waned considerably.

Payment for such costly incense was virtually unheard of.

His initial offer had been purely rhetorical, never anticipating an actual sale.

However, as his gaze settled back on Xu Zimei.

He could not shake the unsettling intuition that this individual was far from a devout follower.

Just what was his background, and what was his true objective here?

While the Barefoot Monk lost himself in contemplation, Xu Zimei drew nearer to the Jade Buddha.

He lit the incense sticks and placed a few before the statue, yet he offered no bow.

For him, offering incense was sufficient; in his lifetime, he would bow to no one, save for his parents.

…

Observing the Jade Buddha, cleaved in twain by a distinct sword mark, Xu Zimei posed a question: “Have you never considered mending the statue?”

“Lack of funds,” the Barefoot Monk responded with blunt honesty.

“Does your Buddha not provide any financial assistance?” Xu Zimei probed.

“If the worship is so remarkably effective, could you not petition for wealth?”

“Amitabha,” the old man intoned, pressing his palms together and shaking his head gently.

“For those who have renounced the worldly path, all material possessions are ephemeral. How can one supplicate for external gains?”

“Cloud Interval Temple is quite dilapidated and unsanitary; why not undertake some tidying?”

Xu Zimei persisted.

“That has no bearing on financial matters. You could clean the temple yourself.”

“If tidying is truly beyond your willingness, then perhaps closing it down earlier would be more appropriate. Why maintain it in such a state?”

In response to Xu Zimei’s persistent questioning, the Barefoot Monk’s subtle smile vanished.

He discerned that Xu Zimei harbored a specific agenda for his visit, and was no mere benevolent pilgrim.

Thus, he remarked, “You seem to possess a multitude of inquiries, sir.”

Xu Zimei harbored no interest in engaging in veiled conversations.

He simply extended his hand and retrieved the other fragment of the Divine Soul, which represented the Third-Eye Demon Monarch.

At this moment, the Divine Soul was demonstrably corrupted and tainted, resembling a completely comatose Spiritual Body.

Upon beholding this other fragment of the Divine Soul, the Barefoot Monk’s jaw dropped, remaining agape.

“I have purchased the incense, and you claimed it to be exceptionally effective. Now, I request you fulfill a wish,” Xu Zimei stated.

“I wish for the Buddha Lord to assist me in purifying this Divine Soul.”

“Sir, even Buddha requires time,” the Barefoot Monk demurred.

“Would you not prefer to return and await a few days?”

“Barefoot Monk,” Xu Zimei addressed him directly.

“What purpose does your continued presence here serve?”

With little left to conceal between them, the Barefoot Monk abandoned his smile, adopting a serious demeanor.

Fixing his gaze upon Xu Zimei, he inquired, “Pray tell, who precisely are you?”

Until certainty regarding the other’s allegiance was established, the Barefoot Monk naturally refrained from speaking carelessly.

Xu Zimei promptly produced the Token bestowed upon him by the Old Longevity Man.

This served as a preliminary gesture of goodwill.

Upon sighting the Token, the Barefoot Monk was momentarily taken aback.

He then inquired, “Are you an old acquaintance?”

“Not an acquaintance; rather, someone bestowed it upon me,” Xu Zimei replied.

“I wish to ascertain if any connection exists between Cloud Interval Temple and the Buddha Country?”

“There is no need for such circumspection; the Buddha Country has already met its demise, what remains to be feared or lost?”

Xu Zimei’s words prompted the Barefoot Monk to fall into deep contemplation.

After a considerable pause, he finally raised his head.

He stated, “There is no Buddha Country; there is only Cloud Interval Temple.”

The implication was clear: the Buddha Country and Cloud Interval Temple were, in essence, a singular entity, yet they maintained a facade of distinction.

“And what of the Jade Mountain Buddha?” Xu Zimei inquired further. “Does he still draw breath?”

“Or has a new Buddha Lord assumed the mantle?”

Sensing Xu Zimei's extensive knowledge, the Barefoot Monk declared, "With no Buddha Country, there is naturally no Buddha Lord."

"Jade Mountain Buddha perished long ago; only I persist now."

"What transpired on Kanglong Mountain in those days?" Xu Zimei inquired.

The Barefoot Monk paused, falling silent for a moment.

He then revealed, "It was the Holy Court. The Buddha Monk harbored a desire to resurrect the Buddha Country, but how could the Holy Court remain indifferent?"

"Their gaze has perpetually rested upon us, the remnants of the bygone era."

Xu Zimei offered no counterargument.

It was undeniable that the Holy Court harbored deep suspicion towards the ancient demons and certain factions of the Demon Race.

This sentiment persisted despite the passage of considerable time.

Had everyone been content to merely bide their time, much like the Barefoot Monk, all might have been well.

However, Jade Mountain Buddha's intention to revive the Buddha Country was something the Holy Court absolutely could not permit.

Xu Zimei had no acquaintance with Jade Mountain Buddha.

Perhaps during the zenith of the Buddha Country's glory, Jade Mountain Buddha had not yet come into existence.

He emerged in an era when the Buddha Country was already in decline.

Alternatively, Jade Mountain Buddha might have been nothing more than an idealist.

Following his demise, the Buddha Country utterly collapsed.

The present Barefoot Monk could well be the sole survivor, lacking the prowess and aspiration befitting a true Buddha Lord.

He was destined only to safeguard Cloud Interval Temple, ultimately facing his end alone within its crumbling walls.

"Who are you?" The Barefoot Monk's bewilderment regarding Xu Zimei's identity remained profound.

After all, knowledge of those ancient secrets was exceptionally rare.

Xu Zimei remained reticent, instead extending his hands.

Wisps of Demonic Qi swirled around his fingertips.

"Demon... Demon..."

The Barefoot Monk whispered, questioning his own senses, as if witnessing a hallucination.

Historical records of the Buddha Country attested that during its most prosperous period, its rise was intrinsically linked to the support of the Demon Race.

This was common knowledge among all inhabitants of the Buddha Country.

Yet, alas, their zenith was fueled by the Demon Race, and their downfall was similarly tied to them.

In contrast to the Buddha Country, the Demon Race seemed to have endured an even harsher fate.

The Barefoot Monk had never conceived of encountering any member of the Demon Race again within his lifetime.

At this juncture, any lingering doubt about Xu Zimei's identity vanished.

"You... you have come for that item?" the Barefoot Monk inquired hesitantly.

This question baffled Xu Zimei, who responded, "What do you mean?"