Volume One, Chapter Thirty-Five: Striking It Rich May Not Necessarily Be a Good Thing

Chapter Thirty-Five: A Windfall Isn’t Necessarily a Blessing

Tu Zhe spoke calmly, “If you wanted to know, you would have known already. If you wanted to covet it, you’d have done so long ago. The reason I’m showing you is because I’m willing to let you see.”

A strange brilliance flickered in Mara’s eyes.

Interesting words, this kid. “I’m willing to let you see”—so, is he challenging me, or does he trust this old man completely?

Tsk, are you a cunning fox or a pure-hearted child? Either way, I like it; I’m even a little moved, honestly.

Mara made no pretense, sending his spiritual sense directly in, his expression indifferent, as if nothing in the world could stir his interest.

Indra fixed his gaze upon Mara’s face, as if hoping to read flowers blooming there.

But when Mara’s spirit entered the second layer of the Vajra Stupa, a sharp glint flashed deep in his eyes, his pupils contracting in a split second, and his lips twitched ever so slightly.

Almost immediately, he withdrew his spiritual sense. Seasoned as he was, he couldn’t help but fall silent for a few heartbeats before restoring his composure, then chuckled, “There are a few fine treasures here, but that’s all—just rare items not native to our little world. As for the rest—ha—nothing much, really...”

Moksha glanced impassively at Tu Zhe, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

Indra, meanwhile, shut his eyes tight, hiding the turmoil within.

A few fine treasures? Who are you trying to fool? Is there any artifact in all the heavens and realms that could move you? If you’re moved, what does that mean?

It means that thing defies the very order of heaven. Tu Zhe, you lucky rascal. But in this world, treasure belongs to the worthy, and the unworthy lose it. Are you one of the worthy, boy? I can’t quite say you are.

Tu Zhe’s intelligence was not to be underestimated. Though all three great figures tried to mask their reactions, to act as if nothing had happened, were they really subtler than the politicians of old Earth? Hardly.

Struck it rich?

That much was certain.

But was it a blessing or a curse?

Where fortune dwells, misfortune lies in wait; and where misfortune lurks, fortune may be found.

As for Indra’s character—would he ever let me off? His righteous oratory in the Tribunal was mere theater, and not even as convincing as our old student council president at Peking University.

He might fool others, but not me. A gentleman on the outside, harboring secrets within—do I not know your schemes? If you claim to be reciting sutras with pure intent, only those fools on Mount Sumeru would believe you, not me. Just look at all that’s happened since my birth—haven’t you had a hand in every incident? If you say you’re not after my ring, that’s like saying a cat isn’t interested in fish. Even if the world hailed you as the most upright elder in all the heavens, I’d never let my guard down.

The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

Mara broke the silence. “Well then—Tu Zhe, tell me, would you like to take me as your master?”

Indra’s eyes flew open. What’s this troublemaker up to now? Vouching for Tu Zhe or giving him insurance? Since when is that how things are done? Is he deliberately trying to provoke me? Am I supposed to just take this?

Indra couldn’t help but groan.

Mara shot him a look. “What’s the matter, little brother Indra? Toothache? I have some ibuprofen here, and a tincture for toothache—want a couple?”

Your grandmother!

Indra was so stifled he didn’t know what to do, forcing a smile. “Just joking, Lord of the Realm. I’m merely envious of your good fortune, finding such a promising disciple...”

Mara laughed. “Then why not take him yourself?”

Indra quickly waved his hand. “A gentleman does not steal what another cherishes. Please, continue, Lord of the Realm...”

Don’t sully the word “gentleman,” will you? If you’re a gentleman, then I must be a saint.

Ignoring Indra, Mara turned his gleaming gaze on Tu Zhe, awaiting his response.

Tu Zhe wasted no time grasping Mara’s intention and immediately stepped forward, falling to his knees. “Master, please accept your disciple’s obeisance!”

Mara burst into hearty laughter. “So I’ve taken a disciple now? Very good! Get up, then. Since you’ve acknowledged me as your master, I ought to give you a gift, shouldn’t I?”

Mara pondered for a moment, then waved his hand. A beam of light entered Tu Zhe’s sea of consciousness.

At once, a flood of information and sigils appeared in Tu Zhe’s mind.

Mara said, “First, I’ll give you the Samaya Seal, the Night God Seal, and the Great Summoning Seal to cultivate. The Samaya Seal will help you comprehend the traces of past, present, and future; the Night God Seal will greatly enhance your offensive power; as for the Great Summoning Seal—ha—best to master this one. Should you ever face something insurmountable, it will summon unfathomable aid. Once you’ve mastered these, I’ll teach you the rest.”

Tu Zhe bowed in gratitude.

Indra’s toothache grew worse.

Arming him to the teeth, are you? Trying to wipe out any thoughts I might have. The Samaya Seal? That takes centuries to achieve mastery. The Night God Seal—if you practice for ten thousand years, maybe you’ll rival me. But the Great Summoning Seal—hell, even I don’t have that. What if you summon some demon god? Would I dare make a sound then?

Let’s not dwell on Indra’s silent misery. At that moment, Moksha spoke up.

“Tu Zhe, I’m taking the pup with me...”

Tu Zhe replied coldly, “Lord Deva, that’s impossible—unless you kill me!”

The pup nodded emphatically. “That’s right, I won’t leave Rascal Bro unless you kill me!”

Moksha forced a bitter smile. “What would it take for you to give up the pup?”

Tu Zhe declared firmly, “Even if you offered me all the heavens and realms, I wouldn’t give him up. Lord Deva, I understand your feelings, but that doesn’t mean I can forsake what I hold dear. The pup is priceless to me—he is family.”

The pup licked Tu Zhe’s cheek and cried, “Never abandon, never give up! The pup and Rascal Bro will always be together!”

Moksha suddenly erupted, “But he’s my family, too—just like my own daughter...”

Mara patted Moksha’s trembling shoulder, “Calm down, brother, calm down. It’s not as if this can’t be discussed. Tu Zhe is the pup’s brother—that makes him your family too, right? Since we’re all family here, surely we can find a solution, can’t we?”

Moksha nodded with a wry smile. “I got a bit carried away... lost my composure...”

Mara took over the negotiation. “Here’s a suggestion—what do you think? You know the pup’s current condition isn’t great, and you can’t restore him on your own. Lord Moksha, you’re not certain you can either, since the situation is still unclear. But the pup lived in Yama Heaven for a long time; perhaps a familiar environment would help him recover his memory. So, why don’t you and the pup go live in Yama Heaven for a while? Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?”

Moksha immediately agreed. “That sounds good to me!”

Tu Zhe looked at the pup, full of inquiry.

The pup shook his little head. “Wherever Rascal Bro goes, I go!”

Tu Zhe bowed to Moksha. “Then I’ll trouble you, Lord of Yama Heaven...”

Inside, Indra let out a silent howl: No, absolutely not—

But he dared not say it aloud, could he?

Ah, well...