The villain also has spring 2

Chapter 1899, 11898: Karma in This Life

Chapter 1899, 1.1898: Karma in This Life

"What you mean, my lord, is that the sword-forging woman, Honghua, not only opened her third eye but also forged a divine sword. Both of these originate from the divine power of the 'Jade God in the Stone.'" Princess Chang'an, Li Huixin, whispered, "But I wonder what the origin of this god is?"

"Legend has it that they were transformed from the stone Nuwa left behind to mend the heavens." Looking around at the rows of Vajra statues in the dilapidated temple, their severed limbs mended, Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty seemed to understand something: "The stone that mended the heavens..."

Upon hearing the words "Heaven-Mending Stone," Princess Li Huixin of Chang'an immediately realized: "Sister Ying, do you perhaps think that the sword-forging woman Honghua also possesses the 'Nuwa's Heaven-Mending Technique'?"

"Otherwise, why would she waste her energy reattaching the severed limbs of the Vajra Subduing Demon Statue?" Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty glanced again at the unmoved Hunyuan Golden Elixir on the hilt of Dugu Sword. Clearly, the Vajra Subduing Demon Statue still held no magic. Could it be that it was because she hadn't opened her Heavenly Eye?

"Turning decay into magic must be achieved through the extraordinary arts of immortals." Sai Xiaoqing, a female general of the Later Tang Dynasty, advised her good friend not to worry: "Forge divine weapons first, then make plans."

"Very well." Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty nodded happily. Focusing on the main storyline first was the right choice. After all, "serendipitous encounters" were the main theme of martial arts battle royale games. The difference between a perfect start and a disastrous start is immediately apparent.

“The 'Jade God in the Stone,' whose whereabouts are unknown, must be of great help to the sword-forging skill of the sword-smith Honghua.” Princess Li Huixin of Chang’an spoke with profound meaning: “In other words, obtaining the ‘Sword Guide’ can forge a divine weapon.”

“In that case, we sisters will lend her a hand.”

Thus, with the assistance of Sai Xiaojing, a female general of the Later Tang Dynasty, Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty began to defend the dilapidated temple. Both women were heroines of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, remarkable women skilled in military strategy, battlefield tactics, and strategizing to achieve victory from afar. Had they not been women, they would surely have been remembered in history. Now, their joint defense of a dilapidated temple leaking from all sides was truly a waste of their talents.

"I heard that the wolf demon has come to steal the divine weapon you forged, young lady." Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty spoke frankly: "Now my two sisters and I are in the same boat with you. I wonder if you have any suitable weapons that my second sister can borrow."

"Could it be that you have also come for the Wu hook?" The sword-making woman, Honghua, remained wary.

"No," Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty shook her head and said, "I came here only to slay demons and monsters. However, if we can obtain divine weapons to help us, we will naturally achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"I see your sister is more of a warrior than a chivalrous knight. A battle axe is more suitable for her." A glint flashed in the sword-forging woman's eyes, as if she could see right through the three of them. Had she opened her third eye?

"Very well." Princess Xiahou Ying of Jin, settling for second best, asked, "If that's the case, where is the battle axe?"

"Although it is not yet fully forged," said the sword-forging woman, using a strategy of first praising and then criticizing, "it is still usable."

Soon, the sword-forging woman, Honghua, brought over a double-edged battle axe of purple and gold: "This weapon is called the 'Jia Yuan Divine Axe,' originally the divine weapon wielded by Jia Yuan, the temple master of this place. Previously, Jia Yuan was tricked by the thousand-year-old wolf demon Granny Yun and died. After his death and the destruction of his god, the battle axe also lost its divine power and became nothing but scrap metal. If you don't mind, you can take it for a while."

"Thank you." Sai Xiaojing, a female general from the Later Tang Dynasty, gathered all her strength and picked up the axe with one hand. She tried wielding it a few times, creating a flurry of shadows with wide, sweeping movements. It was clearly a general's combat technique.

"Obtaining the inner core of a 500-year-old wolf demon will allow you to regain your sharpness." The sword-forging woman, Honghua, had no doubts: "Success or failure hinges on tonight."

"Don't worry, young lady, we've got you covered," said Xiahou Ying, the eldest princess of the Later Jin Dynasty, her voice firm and resolute.

As they were talking, Princess Chang'an, with her delicate skin, fair complexion, and frail body, interjected, "It's still early, how about we gather around the fire and have a drink?"

“Alright,” the sword-forging woman, Honghua, readily agreed.

The four sat around the sword-forging furnace. Over a glowing red ember, Sai Xiaojing, the female general of the Later Tang Dynasty, placed the wild game she had just hunted near the dilapidated temple on the grill. Once it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sizzling with oil, she took it out and shared it. Watching wisps of spiritual energy seep from the grill and enter the Hunyuan Golden Core embedded in the Dugu Nine Swords, the sword-forging woman, Honghua, nodded gently: "So this bead can absorb the spiritual energy of beasts."

"From beasts to demons, none can escape the Primordial Golden Elixir." Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty did not deliberately hide anything: "It can also exorcise evil spirits and demons, break curses and detoxify. Even wild animals from places with demonic energy and poisonous miasma can be eaten with peace of mind. There is no need to worry about demonic miasma entering the body."

"How many forms does your Dugu Nine Swords have?" the sword-forging woman, Honghua, asked again.

"The Nine Styles of Dugu: Wind, Fire, Thunder, Lightning, Cloud, Fog, Frost, Snow, and Heaven." Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty truthfully told: "The Nine Styles drive nine swords: Wind Sword, Fire Sword, Thunder Sword, Lightning Sword, Cloud Sword, Fog Sword, Frost Sword, Snow Sword, and Heaven Sword. There is also a special move: 'Nine Swords Return to One, Dugu Extinction'."

"You can control nine swords all by yourself?" This is the key to "Sword Control Technique".

“‘The mind moves with the will, and the environment changes with the mind’; ‘All things are born in three stages, and the great way is simple.’” Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty softly recited the internal energy incantation of the Dugu Nine Swords.

"The Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things." The sword-forging woman, Red Flower, also understood: "The Buddha said: Three thousand are but a single thought."

“Yes. From frugality to extravagance, from complexity to simplicity.” Princess Xiahou Ying of the Later Jin Dynasty laughed and said, “As the saying goes, ‘The sea of ​​suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore;’ ‘Put down the butcher’s knife and become a Buddha on the spot.’ Therefore, one may attain enlightenment sooner or later, and desire may arise before the Buddha.”

The sword-forging woman, Honghua, also had her insights: "First, there is 'sound and color,' then 'no color and form.' This is what is called 'emptiness.' Therefore, 'emptiness is form, and form is emptiness.' This is the cycle of the six realms."

"Hmph! The fate of the Three Realms is already set, so there's no need to trouble the beings of the Six Paths." The voice was far away, but the person was right in front of them.

"Who is eavesdropping!" The sword-forging woman, Honghua, chanted an incantation and remotely retrieved the divine weapon, Wu Gou, into her hand.

"Huh? I thought another blind bald monk had come, looking for death. But it turns out to be a beautiful woman." Before the androgynous voice had even finished speaking, a woman in palace attire stood in front of the temple gate.

"Huh?" Princess Li Huixin of the Later Tang Dynasty couldn't help but exclaim in surprise upon seeing who it was: "And who are you?"

"Who am I?" The woman in palace attire sneered. "Listen carefully, little beauty. I am none other than Gu Xianniang, the renowned master of Huitian Pavilion in the capital."

Huitian Pavilion was actually a famous brothel in the capital, and the madam was Gu Xianniang (Wu Jiali).

From *The Carnal Prayer Mat*. The story goes that Wei Yangsheng, pretending to be traveling for studies but actually seeking pleasure, stayed at Donglai Temple. Whenever a beautiful female worshipper appeared, a young monk would tip her off. Wei Yangsheng would then feign a chance encounter, getting close enough to verbally harass her and secretly sending her erotic pictures to seduce her. However, his physique was too weak to resist. By chance, he received a limb-splitting surgery from a skilled man named Tiancanzi, greatly enhancing his virility. From then on, he couldn't stop himself, successively taking Yanfang (Ayukawa Mari), the silk shop owner's wife, Ruizhu (Zhou Hong), the wife of a vice minister, and his cousin, Huachen (Murakami Reina), into his rooms.

However, he neglected his wife, Tie Yuxiang (Amy Yip), who was left alone at home. He was raped and impregnated by a silk shop owner who, harboring resentment over the theft of his wife, disguised as a servant. He then lured Yuxiang to elope, only to sell her halfway to Gu Xianniang, the madam of Huitian Pavilion, where she was trained to become Qiuyan, the most famous courtesan in the capital, known as the "Rejuvenating Healer." Later, Wei Yangsheng, who had indulged in sensual pleasures until his life was exhausted, sought medical treatment in the capital. When he reunited with his wife Tie Yuxiang at the brothel, everything had changed. The couple recognized each other, the famous courtesan Qiuyan hanged herself, and Wei Yangsheng became a monk. This echoed the Zen koan of "instant karma" discussed between Wei Yangsheng and the Cloth Bag Monk at the beginning: "He who lewds another's wife and daughter laughs heartily, but what about the wife and daughter's lustful intentions? He who lewds another's wife and daughter will also have his wife and daughter lewdly taken by others."

However, none of this matters.

But why is Gu Xianniang also included in the painting?