Chapter 67: Soul-Stirring Shui Deng Festival

  The Jade Buddha Temple is just around the corner, with bright lights shining inside.

  As night falls, the most beautiful time of the Water Lantern Festival has just begun. Groups of men and women, or parents with their children, hold all sorts of water lanterns in their hands, such as pagodas, boats, lotus flowers, etc. The original "water lantern" was made by folding a long banana leaf into a blooming lotus flower shape, putting in a bundle of incense, a coin, and inserting a candle representing the light of hope.

  In recent years, luxury water lanterns have been developed, with cardboard shapes added, and the water lanterns are dyed in bright colors, and many flowers are added. Some even make small boat shapes. On the river surface, there are large and small exquisite lanterns, delicate and small water lanterns, probably only as big as a palm, while larger and more majestic ones require two or more people to lift together before they can be put into the slow-moving river water to drift with the waves.

  Among them, lotus-shaped water lanterns are the most numerous and beautiful.

  In the middle of the water lantern, incense sticks, fresh flowers and colorful small paper flags are inserted to show respect for Buddha. In addition, some people also put a few coins on the water lantern, symbolizing generosity. Before releasing the water lantern, everyone will close their eyes after lighting the incense sticks, murmuring words in their mouths, either praying for a peaceful and happy family or wishing for their children's academic progress. However, more young men and women come to release water lanterns together, mostly for love prayers, hoping to find true love soon and have eternal love.

  More tourists came to visit, they surrounded the Jade Buddha Temple and bought local handmade water lanterns from temporary shops. They planned to release the lanterns into the water when the time comes, praying for their own safety and happiness in the coming year. Tianlong arrived at the shop front and also bought a water lantern, holding it in his hand and paying attention to the movements around him. He didn't find anyone suspicious, everything seemed normal.

  Ying Tianlong understood that beneath the normal surface was an extreme abnormality. The people of "Hua Qing Bang" were definitely mixed in with the crowd, perhaps as young companions, merchants or peddlers, or even elderly people or lovely girls. They were waiting for something, and Luo Guoyong still had many details that he hadn't revealed. Now it was a critical moment, any carelessness would lead to failure.

  Seeing Feng Ai Jun's Chinese Martial Arts Friendship Exchange Team never leaving his side for a moment, Tian Long's mood was slightly better.

  The most exciting moment has finally arrived, it's time to release the floating lanterns. According to Thai custom, before releasing the lanterns onto the river, people kneel down and pray with their hands clasped together, murmuring words of prayer. The riverbank is crowded with people, under the light of the lanterns, various colorful ethnic costumes shine with the most dazzling beauty in the world. Especially the slender and beautiful girls are the most lovely. They are now kneeling devoutly by the riverbank, praying silently, while the young men standing behind them gaze intently, carefully searching for their dream lover.

  The water lanterns seemed to be put into the water together under someone's command, and everyone gazed at their own water lanterns floating with the current, feeling extremely excited.

  The Lantern Festival happens to be after the rainy season, and under the bright moonlight, a round mirror hangs high in the sky. The river is filled with lanterns floating on the water, twinkling like stars in the Milky Way. At this moment, the heavens and the human world are reflected in each other, creating a fascinating scene. Anyone who witnesses this beautiful sight will remember it for their whole life.

  Cheers filled the air.

  As soon as Dragon King threw the water lantern into the river, Luo Guoyong pulled him and whispered: "It's coming."

  Ying Tianlong looked in the direction he was pointing, and saw an old monk standing in a corner of the courtyard wall, wearing a kasaya, with his hands clasped together, eyes closed, muttering to himself. Perhaps Thai monks were as common as cow hair, and no one noticed him. Luo Guoyong pulled Ying Tianlong towards him, Ying Tianlong turned back and exchanged a quick glance with Yin Tao, Yin Tao understood and immediately followed closely behind, paying attention to the surroundings.

  Feng Ai Jun also sensed it and called on the Chinese Martial Arts Friendship Exchange Team's warriors to quickly disperse, guarding the exits in groups of three or two, and rapidly closing in on Ying Tian Long and his group.

  Luó Guó Yǒng came before the old monk, also with his hands clasped together, reciting: "Awaken to the impermanence of the world. The country is fragile and ephemeral. The four great sufferings are empty. The five skandhas have no self. Birth and death change and transform. Falsehood has no master. The mind is the source of evil. The body is a prison of sin. Observing thus, gradually depart from birth and death..."

  It turned out that Tianlong had heard it before, this is "The Buddha Speaks of the Eight Great Human Realizations Sutra".

  The old monk slowly opened his eyes, still muttering to himself: "Life in the world is like being in a thorny forest, if the heart doesn't move, people won't act rashly, and if they don't act rashly, they won't get hurt; but if the heart moves, people will act rashly, hurting their bodies and bones, thus experiencing all kinds of suffering in the world."

  This is one of the top ten famous phrases in Buddhist scriptures.

  "Alas, wealth and beauty are what people crave, yet they cannot bear to part with them."

  "No, it's about believing and understanding, understanding and practicing, practicing and proving. Gradually cultivating step by step can also lead to enlightenment. Although sudden and gradual methods differ, they both reach the same shore. Emptiness is color, color is emptiness. Put down your butcher knife and become a Buddha on the spot. Amitabha Buddha, good, good." The old monk had a sorrowful expression as if sympathizing with heaven, but his eyes were fixed firmly on Luo Tianlong.

  Ying Tianlong let out a cold laugh, "You're all just pretending to be ghosts and gods. You should all go to hell, climb the mountain of knives and descend into the sea of fire, that's where you'll end up." However, he secretly admired Chen Fu's arrangement. The person wasn't even in the Jade Buddha Temple, the way they made contact had nothing to do with the temple, and the password was something they had prepared long ago. On the surface, it looked like they were discussing Buddhist scriptures, but in reality, the two of them had already made contact.

  "The donor has arrived late, but has he encountered some trouble?" asked the old monk.

  "It's hard to say in one word, but it shouldn't be too late, right?" Luo Guoyong replied.

  "Are you kidding me? Is this the person you've brought?" The old monk looked at Ying Tian Long.

  Lu Guoyong nodded.

  The old monk gazed at him with piercing eyes, muttering to himself: "To uphold the scriptures and precepts is to do good. This means: one, not killing; two, not stealing; three, not committing adultery; four, not speaking falsely; five, not using flowery language; six, not speaking harshly; seven, not speaking with a forked tongue; eight, not being greedy; nine, not being angry; ten, not being foolish."

  Ying Tianlong replied even more bluntly: "I won't go to hell, who will?"

  The old monk's body shook, and he lowered his head in silence.

  Lu Guoyong took off his glasses, wiped away his beard, and the old monk looked at him for a few moments. His lips moved, and Lu Guoyong leaned in with his ear. In just an instant, Lu Guoyong's face turned slightly unnatural: "Why make things so complicated?"

  "Master Chen's instructions before he left are also being followed by me according to the rules."

  He left without looking back and disappeared into the crowd in an instant.

  Lu Guoyong was a bit distracted and forgot to put his glasses back on, with the beard still stuck to them. As he prepared to leave with Xiang Tianlong, a group of people came from the west. One of them suddenly looked up and bumped into Lu Guoyong face-to-face. The man was overjoyed and exclaimed: "Brother Luo, I've finally found you!"

  Lu Guoyong was shocked and blurted out: "A Jiang, you bastard, how dare you betray me."

  People from all around quickly gathered over.

  Ying Tianlong saw the situation was urgent, so he went up to pull Luo Guoyong and left, but they were surrounded by a group of people. At first glance, these people didn't seem like good guys, they must be "Hua Qing Bang"'s thugs.

  Yin Tao also quickly walked over, Feng Ai Jun commanding the Chinese Martial Arts Friendship Exchange Team's warriors to surround the scene on the outside.

  Lu Guoyong pushed away Ajiao's outstretched hand, and Tianlong also started to take action. First, he pushed away a few people who were surrounding them, and the two sides immediately clashed and fought in unison.

  The people of "Hua Qing Gang" were only a dozen or so, but they were well-trained. Seeing that Ying Tianlong had only three people, they didn't take it seriously. Their target was Luo Guoyong. Before long, they knew they had encountered a real enemy. As soon as Ying Tianlong exerted his strength, every time he struck out with his palm, someone would cry out and fall to the ground. Yin Tao's lightness skill was even more incredible, and in the blink of an eye, "Hua Qing Gang" was defeated and fled in disarray. Ying Tianlong aimed at his target, lifted his foot and kicked with force, Ah Jiang's body flew out and heavily fell onto a protruding bluestone by the roadside, rendering him paralyzed and unconscious.

  The warriors of the Chinese Martial Arts Friendship Exchange Team also gathered around, deliberately shouting loudly: "So many people bullying a few people is unfair."

  "We are Chinese tourists here for sightseeing, they are Thai underworld."

  "Hooligans, dare to bully us Chinese people, brothers, let's go."

  This sentence actually gave the fight a reason, and the warriors of the Chinese Wushu Friendship Exchange Team were like tigers coming down from the mountain, fighting fiercely. The people from "Huaqingbang" couldn't withstand it and retreated in disorder.

  "Quickly withdraw, the police will arrive soon."

  Ying Tianlong pulled up Luo Guoyong and ran, Feng Aijun led the way in front, Yin Tao cut off behind, and the three of them cooperated seamlessly.

  Suddenly several big men flashed out from the roadside and blocked the way, shouting: "Leave Luo Guoyong behind and let you go."

  This should be a heavyweight figure of "Hua Qing Gang", with a martial arts background, and the person also looks fierce and rough, rubbing his fists and coming over.

  Yin Tao pulled out copper coins from his waist and shot them out. All of a sudden, someone shouted "Ah!" and was hit first, clutching their belly and squatting down on the spot. The copper coins kept coming, hitting the second person, the third person... although they weren't fatal wounds, they were enough to make them drink a potful.

  Ying Tianlong took the lead, punching hard and knocking down the scoundrel who was running at the front. The rest of them were stunned, not expecting their opponents to be so ruthless. For a moment, they didn't dare to come up again.

  Ying Tianlong and his men managed to evade the second line of defense.

  The streets were suddenly in chaos, people shouting and dodging everywhere, the "Water Lantern Festival" quickly became a "Terror Festival". In the distance, police rushed over, sirens blaring, police cars wailing, what a commotion.

  Ying Tianlong and his three companions quickly escaped from the scene under the cover of darkness, and after seeing that no one was chasing them, they made their way to a high-walled courtyard in a remote area. Feng Aijun came to a tightly closed gate and knocked lightly a few times, whereupon the gate opened quickly, and the four of them slipped inside.

  Outside was still bustling with people, chaotic and noisy.