When they learned that Duan Zang had returned safe and sound, several senior monks of the Pure Land were utterly shocked. They had originally assumed they would have to pay a heavy price through negotiations to secure his release. To their surprise, Duan Zang came back safe and completely unharmed!
To prevent themselves from being branded with the crime of collusion, taking him away by force turned out to be a protective measure for Duan Zang instead.
Zhunti's look of disbelief quickly transformed into the helpless acceptance of a fait accompli. The goldfish spirit was still captured, and the demand for a ransom of ten bodhi seeds was obviously far too high for the monks' resources.
Chapter 384