With gentle features,
but there is a fierce scar across his face.
The scar does not make him look vicious; instead, it imparts a sense of compassion born from profound suffering.
"Master Yuan Hui."
Fang Zheng returned the greeting and asked:
"Is Yuanxing present?"
"There are demonic disturbances in the mountains, and Abbot Yuanxing has gone to investigate and has yet to return," Yuan Hui explained:
"For now, I am temporarily handling affairs at Cien Temple. If there is anything improper, I hope the donor will forgive us."
"I wouldn’t dare."
Fang Zheng shook his head:
"It’s already late today. It’s a bit too late to return to the city after descending the mountain. I ask the master to prepare a few ditation rooms for us to rest."
"This..." Yuan Hui looked hesitant.
"What?" Fang Zheng asked:
"Is it inconvenient?"
"It is indeed inconvenient," Yuan Hui said:
"You know, Donor Fang, Cien Temple is currently under renovation and is housing many craftsn. I’m afraid they might disturb you."
"No worries." Fang Zheng waved his hand:
"I am not so delicate."
"Furthermore..." Yuan Hui added:
"There are several guests passing through who have taken up the spare ditation rooms tonight, and there aren’t enough for everyone."
"Hmm?"
Fang Zheng chuckled lightly:
"Master, are you suggesting I’m not welco here?"
"I wouldn’t dare," Yuan Hui quickly waved his hand.
"Then there’s no need to decline." Fang Zheng stepped forward, walking straight into the temple:
"If there aren’t enough ditation rooms, we can squeeze in. We martial artists can manage even if we don’t sleep for a night, can’t we?"
"This..." Yuan Hui laughed awkwardly:
"Donor Fang is indeed right."
Compared to a few days ago, the temple courtyard now had more slabs engraved with scriptures, and felled timber.
Traces of construction work could be seen in the corners.
Lamps had been lit in the main hall, and craftsn who had been busy all day held bowls, sitting under the eaves, silently eating and drinking.
For these artisans, Cien Temple had prepared at dishes, with a faint aroma of at wafting in the courtyard.
So people were seated cross-legged inside the hall.
There were chanting novice monks, traveling rchants taking temporary lodgings while offering incense, and also so Jianghu people.
"Hmmph!"
Shi Bumi glanced around the venue and snorted coldly:
"It’s quite bustling."
"Cien Temple is renowned everywhere; even in Zhaonan Prefecture, eight or nine out of ten have heard of it," Fang Zheng began:
"Travelers, if they have no urgent business, often co here. It’s not unusual."
Cien Temple is the only temple near Gu’an County.
Praying for children, worshipping Buddha, seeking love...
For such desires, the first thought of the nearby people is often Cien Temple.
And it is unlike other places because, with Fang Mansion in the vicinity, the common people in Gu’an County have lived stable lives in recent years.
Prayers cannot be avoided,
Thus, it often remains lively.
"Master... Mr. Fang Sr.?"
Among the resting crowd, a portly rchant pushed aside his guards, looking pleasantly surprised at Fang Zheng:
"It really is Mr. Fang Sr.!"
"I am Sun Run from the Sun Family of the Jade Workshop. I saw you once a few years ago while following my father. I never expected to see you here again."
"Jade Workshop?" Fang Zheng nodded:
"You’re the old man’s grandson, right?"
"Yes."
"You’re so grown up already."
Fang Zheng waved his hand:
"Sit down, no need to stand. I’m going to take a look at the back."
Unknowingly, he was already nearing fifty, and to his eyes, the traveling rchants and Jianghu people passing through Gu’an County were the younger generation.
Alas!
Ti waits for no one!
......
Night fell quickly.
The Cien Temple, bustling and noisy during the day, suddenly quieted down, with only the eternal lamp in the main hall still burning.
The full moon hung high.
Moonlight filtered through the windows, falling right on the Buddha statue in the Great Hero Hall.
"I know you desire blood, but not today. There are two beings without desires and a mage in the temple,"
Yuan Hui clasped his hands in prayer, whispering:
"Hold off for a day; there’s no rush until they leave."
"Whoosh..."
A chilling wind arose in the main hall.
"It’s not out of fear," Yuan Hui seed to hear sothing, gently shook his head:
"It’s unnecessary."
"And do not underestimate beings without desires; even if you personally take action, there’s no guarantee you can subdue them."
"Heh heh..."
The eerie laughter echoed in the main hall, rising and falling, resembling whispers of countless people by one’s ear.
"Even with my help, what is gained from keeping them here?" Yuan Hui furrowed his brow:
"You know that the Fang Mansion harbors several thousand private soldiers. Ford into a battle array, even a Martial Arts Grandmaster would avoid them."
"If they discover us, we would have to flee again; surely you haven’t forgotten the events at Jiming Temple?"
"Whoosh..."
The chilling wind swirled inside the hall and then rushed out the doors.
"Amitabha Buddha!"
Yuan Hui clasped his hands in prayer, his facial scar twisting, becoming more ferocious, his eyes shifting from icy cold to a look of reluctance.
*
*
*
1:15 AM.
By this ti, most people were sound asleep.
A wisp of blue smoke drifted through the door’s crack into the ditation room, gathering in the air, where a graceful figure slowly took shape.
The figure blinked, eyes initially filled with confusion, then with a hint of captivation, she leaned toward the bed with a soft laugh.
"Sir."
A soft and tender voice flowed to the man in the bed as the woman, exuding a fragrant scent, leaned toward him:
"I hope you will be gentle."
In the next room.
A Jianghu woman rubbed her bleary eyes, looked at the visitor, first surprised, then blushing.
"Senior brother, why are you in my room so late?"
"Junior sister."
The figure swayed, approaching the woman.
For a brief mont, his facial features twisted and deford, but the woman was too bashful to notice.
"I couldn’t sleep, so I ca to talk to you."
"Really, just to talk?"
"Of course."
Their figures drew close, gradually entwining.
......
"Although demons possess so form of intelligence, they are unable to restrain their own desires. Their pursuit of blood will overco all."
"Instinct surpasses reasoning; this is what fundantally distinguishes them from humans."
Fang Zheng stood with hands behind his back, gazing up at the bright moon in the sky from the window.
User Comments
0 comments from readers