Chapter 1339: Buddha Forest

That was why he needed manpower, the more the better.

An ordinary person like Yang Bo was one type, and an elite like Taoist Tiger was another type.

In fact, Ye Qing was more inclined to recruit elites like Taoist Tiger than an ordinary person like Yang Bo.

For one, Void Stomach City was just too dangerous. Someone like Yang Bo could barely protect himself, much less conduct an effective search. It was unrealistic to expect results from him beyond a very small, very limited area.

Two, it was unrealistic to think that he and Papersmith alone could recruit large numbers of people to their cause in just a short time. It was also time-wasting and energy-wasting.

Therefore, the most time and energy saving method was to seek out the help of an elite like Taoist Tiger. They were strong enough to weather the large majority of the dangers lurking in Void Stomach City, making them very qualified to search for his friends.

Besides that, these people were all influential figures within a certain region of Void Stomach City. It was more effective for them to mobilize the ordinary people of their region than him.

The idea had been sitting in Ye Qing’s head from the moment he learned about Void Stomach City from Yang Bo’s memories. This was also why he sought out Taoist Tiger.

Obviously, he wasn’t going to recruit Taoist Tiger only. He was going to recruit as many elites like Taoist Tiger.

As for whether some of these elites would prove to be beyond his capabilities to command, Ye Qing wasn’t worried. It was extremely unlikely that a Sage existed in Void Stomach City as neither the Yin Horse Carriage nor the city possessed the capabilities to trap a Sage. Going by the same logic, there should be no other Sage or Ancient-class Stranger in the city besides the giant ghoul carrying Void Stomach City in its belly.

What this meant was that he and Papersmith were probably the most powerful existences in Void Stomach City. Combining that with the carrot that was the promise to leave Void Stomach City, and there should be no one they couldn’t wrestle to their cause.

Taoist Tiger was the model example of that. Yang Bo only had memories regarding Taoist Tiger, so he was going to find information regarding the other elites through Taoist Tiger after “persuading” him to his cause. However, Taoist Tiger proved more competent than he thought and offered up the information himself. He either realized what were the obstacles currently standing in Ye Qing’s way, or guessed what Ye Qing was planning when he recruited him. Either way, the man had saved him a lot of trouble.

“You are a smart man, Reverend. I promise I won’t forget your merit if the search for my friend goes smoothly.”

After he was done reading the jade slip, Ye Qing put it away and gave Taoist Tiger a smile.

“I’m glad to be of use, young master.”

Taoist Tiger responded with a smile of his own. Although he had a tiger’s head, his pleasant smile was still quite visible. “There is little time, so I’m going to contact my old friends now. I hope we’ll be able to find your friends as soon as possible, young master.”

“Sorry to trouble you, Reverend.” Ye Qing saluted Taoist Tiger.

“It is no trouble at all.” Taoist Tiger responded with a more elaborate and solemn salute before taking his leave.

As he left, the scattered remains of the giant bone tiger began clattering ominously once more. However, it did not transform back into the giant bone tiger. Instead, it transformed into bone tigers the size of an ordinary calf. White Tiger Monastery was gone just like that, replaced by what looked like an infinite number of bone tigers.

The next moment, the bone tigers fell in behind Taoist Tiger and spread out like a pale tidal wave.They gradually disappeared into every nook and cranny of Void Stomach City.

Papersmith went up to Ye Qing and reported after Taoist Tiger, Yang Bo, and everyone else were gone. “Everything is arranged, young master.”

Ye Qing thanked him. “You’ve worked hard, Old Zhang.”

“It is my duty.” Papersmith smiled. “What is your next plan, young master?”

“We will continue to seek out more people and increase our manpower.”

Ye Qing handed the jade slip Taoist Tiger had given him to Papersmith. “You and I will split up for this step of the plan. I will seek out Old Buddha, Mountain Water Old Man, and Adjoined Blue Grandmother. You will seek out River Guardian, Skinsmith, Mister Ghost and more. Bring them all under my command without exception.”

“What if they refuse?” Papersmith asked.

“Then beat them up until they submit. If even that isn’t enough, then just kill them.”

Ye Qing’s tone was ice cold when he said this. “Also, order them to inform other elites about my cause once you’ve subjugated them. This will allow us to increase the range of our search and locate Chief Fang and the others as soon as possible.”

“A wise decision, young master.” Papersmith nodded.

“We will stay in contact with each other. Notify immediately if you have any news!”

“As you command, young master. Take care.”

“You too, Old Zhang.”

After Papersmith was gone, Ye Qing spread his hand wide like he was grasping the entire sky before slowly clenching it.

In response, the gigantic yin yang fishes slowly shrank in size. The dark clouds and the Rain of Aging began shrinking as well.

A few breaths later, the yin yang fishes were only big enough to fit inside his palm. In fact, they did just that. At the same time, there was a visible, giant hole in the sky almost as if someone had dug out a portion of it.

In fact, that was exactly what happened, and the digger was none other than Ye QIng.

With that done, Ye Qing withdrew his hand and clasped his hands behind his back. He began walking away. He did not care that the hole in the sky looked like the screaming face of a ghoul.

......

Buddha Forest was, as its name would imply, a forest.

It wasn’t trees that made up the forest though. It was corpses.

Although the corpses were lifeless, they looked healthy and lifelike. One could mistake them for a living, breathing person.

Even stranger, the corpses were all wearing Buddhist-like expressions and gestures. Some of them were smiling while touching their index finger and thumb together. Some of them were sitting in a meditative position. Some were holding a Buddhist mudra. Some were wearing a kind and benevolent expression on their faces. Some were angry like Vajras. Some were standing like a Buddha busy delivering people from suffering.

In summary, every single corpse oozed Buddhism and leaked not one lick of resentment or yin qi. They all looked like high monks who had passed away peacefully.

Because there were so many corpses, they stacked up together like a forest. And because every corpse looked like an enlightened monk and oozed Buddhism, people came to call it the Buddha Forest.

The surrounding of the Buddha Forest was free from corruption or tainted air. The atmosphere was tranquil and overflowing with the air of Buddha. Completely different from the filth and chaos of other parts of Void Stomach City, it looked as if someone had carved out a paradise in the depths of purgatory.

Logically speaking, such a sanctuary should be overflowing with refugees and survivors. In reality, not a single soul could be seen anywhere.

It was very simple. The Buddha Forest belonged to the Old Buddha and only the old Buddha. Only the Old Buddha was allowed to live in the Buddha Forest. If someone were to test that theory, they would quickly find themselves joining the many corpses that made up the forest.

But today, one man had audaciously paid the Buddha Forest a visit.

That man was none other than Ye Qing.

Ye Qing took one look at the Buddha Forest before crossing over its boundaries.

As soon as he set foot in the Buddha Forest, a grand Buddhist chant immediately echoed in Ye Qing’s heart. It seemed to be trying to convert Ye Qing into Buddhism.

Ye Qing was unmoved though. He kept walking forward as if he couldn’t hear them.

Seeing that the chanting was useless, the voices slowly turned chaotic and terrifying. The corpses that wore benevolent expressions and oozed Buddhism before began taking on a ghoulish appearance. They bled from their eyes and glared at Ye Qing with hatred.