But this top-grade Spiritual Root blood is meant for "myself" to steep in wine...
The Fire Buddha was being so "generous."
Mo Hua was at a loss for how to respond.
Thank you?
Could that dead, somewhat insane Evil Formation Master have said "thank you"?
And by saying so, wouldn't it seem... a bit petty?
After all, as a Second Grade High-Rank Evil Formation Master, shouldn't he keep up appearances?
Thus, Mo Hua said, "Those of us who enter the Dao through the Demon path, regard commoners as nothing, erecting the Holy Temple for a grand undertaking, how can it be seen as a hardship? Venerable, you underestimate Yuan..."
The Fire Buddha fell silent for a long while, as if shocked, and then praised:
"Master Yuan usually delves into Formations in silence, but truly, your heart contains Qian and Kun, and you are not an ordinary person..."
"Do you wish, Great Master, to convert to the Buddhist Law?"
Mo Hua froze for a moment.
Did the Fire Buddha want to convert him to Buddhism?
"No, that's not right; he doesn't know 'I' am 'me'; he wants the dead 'Master Yuan' to convert to Buddhism..."
But to convert to Buddhism?
Mo Hua said, "I'm afraid I don't have the 'root of wisdom' that the Venerable speaks of..."
"No," the Fire Buddha solemnly said, "Master, your root of wisdom is extraordinary, just unpolished and subtle before..."
That's because the "Master Yuan" who was chatting with you before hasn't died yet, so he was being unpolished and subtle...
Mo Hua still tactfully declined:
"Yuan delves into Evil Formations, refining Formations with human flesh and blood, the karmic killing too heavy, I fear I lack the fate for Buddhism..."
"Master Yuan is mistaken!" the Fire Buddha continued to persuade "Mo Hua": "The Buddha says all beings are equal..."
"All beings are equally born; naturally, they are equal in death."
"People will die, so what does it matter if a few people are killed? What if the karmic killing is heavy?"
"It is merely escorting those who will die sooner to their fated demise."
"If one practices Demon ways, killing is inevitable."
"After killing, resentment and Evil Qi inevitably cling, corrupting the original nature..."
"In believing in Buddhism, one quiets the thoughts of resentment, suppresses the Evil Qi, and guards the original heart..."
"It is said, 'Lay down the butcher's knife, and immediately become a Buddha.'"
"When killing, use the blade for a swift end; when not killing, put the knife down temporarily to cultivate the body and mind..."
"Even if one kills countless people, chanting 'Amitabha' allows for peace and justification."
"If one does not kill, does not commit evil, with a clear conscience, no sins to redeem, what use is it to abstain from meat, to chant Buddha's name?"
...
Mo Hua was shocked.
This Fire Buddha was truly a talent.
What exactly was his practice...
Could this really be called "Buddhism"?
"What are your thoughts, Master Yuan?" the Fire Buddha sent the message again.
Mo Hua inwardly scoffed.
Go ask "Master Yuan", don't ask me.
I can't possibly agree on behalf of the dead "Master Yuan"...
Mo Hua, feeling somewhat vexed, then went along with the Fire Buddha's statement:
"Is the Buddhist Law really so profound?"
"Indeed, it is profound!"
"Can it calm my post-wine wickedness, restrain my post-wine madness?"
"The master can try..."
Mo Hua vaguely said, "Another day, I will surely seek the Venerable's guidance and explore the profundities of the Buddhist Law together..."
"Good." the Fire Buddha said, "Master Yuan is busy with many matters, I shall not disturb further, another day we shall discuss the Dao."
Afterward, the Fire Buddha went silent, busy with something unknown.
Mo Hua grew solemn.
He had struck up a conversation with the Fire Buddha...