Chapter 349 Beautiful Spider Spirit VS Cold and Ascetic Monk 53
The news that the emperor had conferred the title of Prince of Wei on the palace spread like wildfire, causing an uproar throughout the capital.

The discussions of the people were like flying catkins in spring, quickly spreading through the streets and alleys of the capital. Every teahouse and every market became the center of heated discussion.

"Have you heard? The King of Wei, the Sixth Prince who returned from Buddhism, actually has two children!"

An old man in plain clothes was holding a teacup, with a look of surprise in his eyes.

"Tsk tsk, this is really big news. Didn't he grow up in Wanfo Temple and devote himself to Buddhism? How come he suddenly has a bloodline inheritance?"

A young scholar nearby shook his head, obviously quite curious about the matter.

"Hey, who knows? Maybe the Buddha couldn't stand it and let him continue the incense."

A woman selling flowers interjected, with a teasing smile on her face.

These discussions quickly spread to every corner of the capital.

It not only alarmed the ministers in the court, but also deeply touched the peaceful Buddhist land of Wanfo Temple.

After Xuanji returned to the royal family, it was changed into Huguo Temple.

The abbot, Master Huikong, was meditating and chanting scriptures in the Zen room when he suddenly heard the urgent ringing of a bell outside the temple. He was startled and knew that something important was happening.

"Abbot, it's bad. News has come from the capital that Prince Xuanji of Wei actually has a son, and heirs have been canonized as the crown prince and princess by the emperor!"

A young monk rushed in, breaking the silence in the room.

Master Huikong opened his eyes, a barely perceptible fluctuation flashed across his eyes, and then he regained his composure and said calmly, "Take me to see Brother Abbot."

In the abbot's room, several elders have gathered together and the atmosphere is solemn.

Master Huikong stepped in and asked directly, "Is this true?"

"It is absolutely true. The imperial decree has been issued and the people of the capital are talking about it."

An elder handed over a copy of the imperial edict.

Master Huikong took it, read it carefully, and frowned.

After a moment, he put down the paper and said in a deep voice: "I watched Xuan Ji grow up. He has a strong character and extraordinary wisdom. How could he do such a thing? But the Buddhist precepts are strict. If this is true, we have to investigate."

"What the abbot said is very true, but Xuan Ji is now in a high position, what should we do with him?" another elder said worriedly.

Master Huikong pondered for a moment and decided to go down the mountain himself to find out what was going on.

He knew very well that this was not only related to Xuan Ji's personal honor and disgrace, but also to the reputation of Buddhism and its future inheritance.

Outside the Prince of Wei's palace, Master Huikong was wearing a cassock, holding a Zen staff, and walking steadily.

Upon seeing this, the palace guards did not dare to delay and reported it immediately.

Not long after, Xuan Ji hurried out, and when he saw his master, his eyes were slightly red, and he bowed and said, "Disciple Xuan Ji, greetings to the master."

Master Huikong felt mixed emotions as he looked at his once most proud disciple.

He said nothing, but just stared at him, as if trying to penetrate Xuan Ji's heart.

"Master, I am guilty. Please punish me."

Xuan Ji couldn't hide the truth from his master, and had already guessed his master's intention. He knelt on his knees, touched the ground with his forehead, and spoke in a trembling voice.

Huikong's eyes were complicated, with a flash of pain in them. He said in a deep voice: "Xuan Ji, please get up. I have something to ask you."

Xuan Ji stood up as he was told, but he didn't dare look his master in the eye. He whispered, "Disciple is here."

"Two kids, what's going on?"

Huikong's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Xuan Ji knelt down again and said in a deep voice: "Master, I have violated the Buddhist rules and my crime is unforgivable. These two children are indeed my own. But I have no intention of returning to secular life. I just want to raise them myself in the Prince of Wei's mansion."

Upon hearing this, Huikong's expression became even more serious. He closed his eyes and sighed, "Xuan Ji, you have been a Buddhist since you were young and have practiced for many years. You should have no worries. Why did you make such a big mistake?"

Xuan Ji kowtowed, his voice choking with sobs: "I know that I have committed serious sins, and I dare not ask for forgiveness, Master. But I have love in my heart, and I cannot bear to see the children wandering outside, without anyone to rely on. I am willing to bear all the punishments, and I only ask that Master allow me to continue to raise them."

Huikong opened his eyes, a trace of pity flashed across his eyes, but he immediately regained his determination: "Since you have violated the precepts, you must be punished. You should follow me back to the Wanfo Temple, and practice in seclusion to atone for your previous sins."

Xuan Ji was horrified when he heard this, and he quickly pleaded: "Master, if I leave, who will take care of the two children? I am willing to practice in seclusion in the Prince of Wei's mansion, chanting scriptures and reciting Buddha's name every day to atone for my sins." Hui Kong pondered for a moment, and finally compromised: "Well, considering that this is your first offense, and your circumstances are excusable. You will stay in the Prince of Wei's mansion, but you must strictly abide by the rules and not set foot in the secular world again. In addition, the Buddhist rules cannot be abolished, and you must be whipped thirty times here as a warning."

Xuan Ji had mixed feelings, but he was mostly filled with gratitude and respect for his master.

He kowtowed again, his voice firm: "Disciple obeys your command, and will strictly abide by the precepts and live up to Master's high expectations."

After he finished speaking, he stood up slowly without any hesitation, took off his gorgeous clothes, revealing his muscular back, which was shining with crystal luster under the sunlight.

He knelt on the ground again, with his back to the crowd, his face firm and his back straight.

When the servants in the palace saw this, they looked reluctant. Some sobbed quietly, while others bit their lower lips tightly, fearing that any noise would disturb the solemnity.

Abbot Huikong took the disciplinary staff from the monks. The disciplinary staff was made of a special material that would not hurt bones and muscles, yet could cause people to feel intense pain as a form of punishment.

He held the staff in his hand and stood beside Xuan Ji, his face solemn, his eyes full of pity and kindness, "Xuan Ji, do you know your mistake?"

Xuan Ji said calmly, "I know I am wrong, and I am willing to accept the punishment to atone for my sins."

Huikong sighed softly, slowly raised his staff, and said in a deep voice: "Xuan Ji, each of these whips is a warning to you for breaking the precepts, and also a spur to your future practice."

"Snapped."

As the first blow fell, a crisp sound rang out in the air.

Xuan Ji clenched his teeth, but still couldn't hide his groan of pain.

His back trembled slightly, but he never wavered.

Battle after battle, each one was like a heavy hammer hitting the hearts of everyone present. In a blink of an eye, the backs of the soldiers were covered in blood and flesh, which made people feel unbearable.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence in the yard.

After hearing the news, Emperor Xuanwu hurried to the Prince of Wei's Palace and happened to witness this scene.

His face instantly turned livid, and he shouted angrily, "Stop, my son, how can I allow you to humiliate me like this!"

Huikong and Xuanji opened their eyes at the same time. The former bowed slightly while the latter struggled to get up but was unable to do so due to the pain.

Huikong faced Emperor Xuanwu, respectfully but firmly: "Your Majesty, Xuanji has violated a serious Buddhist precept. As his master, I have the right to punish him. I hope Your Majesty will understand my intention to uphold the Buddhist precepts."

Emperor Xuanwu glared at Huikong, then looked at Xuanji, and said distressedly: "Xuanji, why are you so stubborn? You are already the King of Wei, why do you have to endure this pain?"

Xuan Ji looked at his father, shook his head slightly, and insisted through gritted teeth: "Father, although I am the King of Wei, my faith in Buddhism has not changed. I am willing to be punished to show my determination, and I am even more willing to raise An An and You You here and watch them grow up healthily."

Emperor Xuanwu's anger subsided a little. He looked at his son's bloody back and felt distressed: "Why...why are you doing this?"

Xuan Ji smiled, his voice a little weak: "Father, I have my own plans. Please rest assured, I will not disappoint you, nor will I bring shame to Buddhism."

Seeing this, Huikong nodded secretly in his heart and continued to carry out the remaining beatings.

Every time the stick fell, it was crisp and dull.

"Snapped."

"Snapped."

"Snapped."

……

Xuan Ji knelt there with his back straight, never uttering a single groan, and clenched his teeth.

His back was already a bloody mess, and sweat mixed with blood dripped onto the ground and fell into the dust.

Emperor Xuanwu couldn't bear it and turned his back.

He was afraid that if he continued watching, he would be unable to resist the urge to catch this bald man and give him thirty beatings as well.

After the beating, Xuan Ji was covered with bruises, but he seemed to have gained some kind of relief, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Huikong sighed, put down the staff in his hand, and walked forward to apply medicine and bandage Xuanji's wound personally.

The master and the disciple looked at each other in silence, everything was implied.