The Jianchen Temple was situated in the middle of Huilian Mountain, built on a solitary peak, and was adjacent to a gigantic waterfall.
The temple had black-tiled red walls, exuding a solemn and ancient atmosphere. Surrounding it were rugged rocks and proud cedar trees. Combined with the waterfall resembling cascading snow, even without hearing the sound of bells or sutra chanting, one couldn’t help but feel a sense of tranquility.
Once they entered the central range of the solitary peak, the effect of the Buddha Heart Formation disappeared. The four of them felt invigorated and climbed the winding stone steps in one breath, reaching the front of the temple.
As speculated earlier, the Jianchen Temple still held gratitude towards Shi Jingzhi for returning the “Woodless Sutra”. Despite the sorry state of the disciples of the Kushan Sect, the monks still opened the temple gate and invited the four inside.
The one leading them was even a familiar face.
The young monk who they had met in the Ghost Tomb came to guide them. Just as he was about to say to Shi Jingzhi, “Form is emptiness”, he caught sight of Yin Ci and choked on the words, “Emptiness is form”.
“You, you… You’re the one who killed Lu Fengxi, the white…”
“A’Ci is my disciple, not an evil person.” Shi Jingzhi pulled Yin Ci behind him. “There are reasons behind it; Young Master*, don’t panic.”
*Xiao Shifu (小师父).
Can he really not panic? Not to mention Lu Fengxi, this Patron even wore the white jade hairband that belonged to Zheng Fengdao. The young monk observed the two with suspicion and felt that the Kushan Sect was even more sinister than the Ling Sect.
Fortunately, after defeating the three Lords of Greed, Hatred, and Ignorance, Yin Ci appeared to be the most dignified. Although he had many questions to ask, the young monk didn’t want to trouble the esteemed guests and had to let it go.
“Amitabha. The ritual just started not long ago, and the seniors are all busy. Please forgive us for now.”
The young monk bowed to the four of them.
“With the Buddha Heart Formation outside, it was hard work for all of you to come out of the formation. This humble monk will lead you to rest first… After the busy day is over, Venerable Juehui will personally receive all of you. There is vegetarian food in the temple, and if you are not accustomed to it, there is a guest kitchen available.”
Upon hearing this, Shi Jingzhi almost shed tears.
Setting aside these past few days when he had to make do when cooking or eat cold leftovers, even within the mind realm, he and Yin Ci hadn’t eaten anything for a month. Their mouths were so bland that birds could nest in them.
Seeing Shi Jingzhi’s distraught state, Yin Ci understood his thoughts. “We’ll cook for ourselves.”
The young monk still maintained some caution toward the “person in white” Yin Ci. After leading them to the guest rooms, the young monk left quickly, presumably to report the matter to Venerable Juehui.
However, the Jianchen Temple showed no intention of meddling in worldly affairs, and with the prior kindness of the Kushan Sect, Yin Ci wasn’t worried about the senior monks gossiping. He openly entered the guest kitchen and prepared a table of vegetarian food.
Shi Jingzhi simply collapsed onto the bed in the guest room. After days of tension, his nerves finally relaxed, and he couldn’t even be bothered to lift a finger.
The Jianchen Temple, as the number one temple in the world, had elegant and spacious guest rooms.
The four members of the Kushan Sect were given two rooms by the monks. They gathered in the outer room. Even though they were in the mortal realm, the interior was well-decorated.
Outside, there was the sound of flowing water and bamboo groves, while inside, a faint scent of sandalwood filled the air. The cushions and bedding were simple in material but elegant in design, soft and clean. The windows were clean, and no matter which window one looked out from, the view of the garden and the mountains could be framed like a painting.
The afternoon sunlight slanted into the room, devoid of snake scales, shackles, white thorns, or head lamps. Everything was warm and gentle, as if they were in a heavenly realm.
Yan Qing was at the window, checking their luggage. He had calmed his hidden anger and appeared even more composed than before. When the sunlight from the temple shone on his red eyes, they appeared clean and transparent, without a trace of wickedness.
Su Si wore a serious expression and kept pacing in the room, disrupting the rare tranquility.
Su Si’s movements made Shi Jingzhi dizzy. “Su Si, if you have something to say, just say it.”
Su Si hesitated for a moment. “Let’s wait for Brother Yin to come back and discuss it during the meal.”
That was undoubtedly a wrong decision.
When the vegetarian meal was served, its colors were bright, and its fragrance filled the air, making one’s mouth water. As Shi Jingzhi took a bite, he felt overwhelming happiness and almost achieved enlightenment on the spot. The atmosphere around Shi Jingzhi exuded a Buddha-like aura, and it took Su Si quite a while to bring his soul back.
“Sect Master.” Su Si gritted his teeth. “Did you hear what I said? Sect Master!”
After the suppression of his inner demon, the identity of the Chigou Sect’s young Patriarch was completely exposed. He no longer bothered to conceal his hostility, and his displeasure was written all over his face. He stared at Shi Jingzhi, who was engrossed in slowly savoring his food, and it seemed like he wanted to use his chopsticks as a weapon to cause trouble.
Shi Jingzhi calmly swallowed the tofu meatball in his mouth. “Su Si, silence at meals and rest*.”
*When eating, he does not converse. When in bed, he does not speak. (食不言寝不语) Saying from Confucius referring to not speaking while eating or sleeping. It’s meant to portray proper etiquette, emphasizing the importance of savoring food and having a peaceful sleep without distractions.
Yin Ci calmly added, “Shizun, Su Si mentioned that you have a ban from the Immortal Sect.”
Poor Sect Master Shi almost met his demise at the hands of a tofu meatball. Seeing that Shi Jingzhi was about to choke on it, Yin Ci casually pushed a cup of warm tea towards him.
Shi Jingzhi drank the tea in one gulp, and his mind finally returned to the matter at hand.
“An Immortal Sect ban?”
“Yes,” Su Si said in a deep voice. “Before the Lord of Greed, you and Brother Yin… Senior Yin was focused on the battle, so it’s normal that you didn’t notice. That ban only flashed briefly, and I caught a glimpse of it.”
“When I was in the Chigou Sect, I learned a bit about it and saw similar formations. They were all malicious enchantments that manipulated people’s minds. These formations are complex and not something ordinary people can do.”
“Sect Master, have you really not offended anyone from the Immortal Sect?”
Upon hearing this, Shi Jingzhi wasn’t as surprised as before. His memory gaps, unexplained headaches—it was clear that someone had deliberately tampered with his memories.
Su Si helped him eliminate other possibilities. It now seems that the person behind the scenes was undoubtedly connected to the “Immortal Sect”, the Mishan Sect.
Shi Jingzhi pondered for a moment and changed the topic. “You’re in such a hurry to bring it up. Do you want to seek assistance from the Jianchen Temple?”
“Yes,” Su Si admitted decisively. “The Buddha Heart Formation and the Nightmare Breaking Technique are both formations that affect the five senses of the human mind. The Jianchen Temple has always excelled at such techniques. Since we need to inquire about the whereabouts of Kongshi and the stone sword, it’s better to seek advice from the eminent monks along the way.”
Shi Jingzhi stroked his chin. “That sounds good, let’s do that.”
Su Si let out a sigh. “There’s one more thing. You all have witnessed the manifestation of my inner demon. I… speaking only in terms of formalities, I am indeed the young Patriarch of the Chigou Sect.”
He put down his chopsticks and sat up straight. When Yan Qing heard this, he also solemnly put down his bowl and looked at Shi Jingzhi.
The relatively relaxed atmosphere gradually became tense.
“However, I don’t acknowledge this identity, nor will I return to the sect. If the Sect Master deems it inappropriate, I won’t take San Zi with me forcefully. In these recent days, I…”
Su Si clenched his teeth; his struggle was evident. He was never someone who liked to bow his head, but now the soft words were stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down, making him look quite embarrassed.
Shi Jingzhi glanced at him and remained calm. “Oh, this matter… It’s not urgent for now. Come, let’s all eat. A’Ci has made the dishes, and they won’t taste good if they get cold.”
Su Si was taken aback and held his breath on the spot. He and Yan Qing exchanged a hesitant glance, feeling as if a huge boulder was about to fall, making it difficult for them to swallow their food and their hearts pounding.
However, Shi Jingzhi remained composed and continued to eat earnestly.
“I say, Sect Master Shi, you don’t really mind?”
After finishing the vegetarian meal, the post-meal tea was served. Seeing Shi Jingzhi with a full stomach, planning to leisurely drink his post-meal tea, Su Si finally couldn’t bear it any longer.
“We have encountered many troubles on the road, and I’m grateful that you didn’t press me for answers. But now it’s different—now you should know that the Chigou Sect won’t give up on tracking me. By leaving me in the Kushan Sect, it’s equivalent to openly challenging the Chigou Sect!”
Su Si’s tone even carried a hint of subtle resentment.
“So what?” Shi Jingzhi held the tea cup in both hands and replied calmly. “As long as we hold the two treasure map Buddhist beads, it’s like openly challenging the entire martial world. Didn’t I say before, Matron Wuxue already has a dislike for me. When there are too many fleas, if they won’t bite, it doesn’t matter.”
“Besides, if their young Patriarch is serving as a subordinate in a small sect, Matron Wuxue probably wouldn’t dare say anything. With an illegitimate status like this, considering the Chigou Sect’s character, they would only try to hinder us covertly. We just need to avoid the shadows, and we’ll find a way.”
Being let off so casually, Su Si’s gaze became complicated. “…Sect Master Shi, your protection of me must not be purely out of kindness, I presume.”
He no longer concealed those dark thoughts and brought them directly to the surface.
“Naturally not. This Sect Master is a practical person. Your martial arts are considerable, and you don’t even require a monthly salary. Where else can we find such a good deal?”
Shi Jingzhi responded confidently, appearing completely sincere.
Su Si: “…”
All his worries and questions turned out to be in vain. It seemed that the ban from the Immortal Gate didn’t affect Shi Jingzhi’s mood for eating and drinking tea. In this person’s eyes, the grudge of being the leader of the top demonic sect was worth no more than a few hundred coins of monthly allowance.
Compared to that, Matron Wuxue’s logic seemed more like that of a normal person.
Forget it. Su Si frowned. In any case, he had done all he could, and if these lunatics in the sect disbanded, he could simply take his friend and run away.
With that in mind, Su Si calmed down. The four members of the Kushan Sect sat down, drinking tea and having their meal, displaying an air of peace detached from the mundane world.
However, this peace was shattered in the evening by the arrival of Monk Juehui.
Monk Juehui still had that shriveled appearance, full of bitterness and deep grudges. As soon as he entered, his gaze lingered on Yin Ci for a long time, but ultimately slowly shifted away, not asking anything.
“Amitabha. Have the Patrons disregarded the Buddha Heart Formation and specifically climbed the mountain at this time because of some difficulty?”
Facing an outsider, Shi Jingzhi remained tight-lipped. He smiled and greeted, “I came here this time to borrow Venerable Kongshi’s stone sword.”
“…Oh?”
Monk Juehui raised his head, and finally, some expression appeared on his withered face.
“Martial Uncle* Kongshi’s remains have not been returned, so how does Patron know that the Stone Sword of Compassion is in the temple?”
*Shishu (师叔) Title given to a junior brother of one’s master (lit. Master’s younger brother).
“I received news about Venerable Kongshi’s remains. The sword is not in the place where he was buried; perhaps your esteemed temple has retrieved it.”
After observing Shi Jingzhi for a while, the monk with the bitter face smiled and said, “Amitabha. Once the treasure map Buddhist beads were revealed, masters from all over the world fought fiercely over news about Yan Budu. Who would have thought that after a hundred years, we could still unearth clues about Marital Uncle Kongshi.”
Shi Jingzhi replied, “Venerable Kongshi was one the Greats of his time. It must be the will of heaven for this to happen.”
Monk Juehui lowered his head and solemnly folded his hands in a prayer gesture to Shi Jingzhi. “Patron, you have shown kindness to our temple before, and your request to view the stone sword is not excessive. However, the matter of Martial Uncle Kongshi is of great importance, and I cannot make the decision alone. It must be determined by the Abbot*. Please rest here for the night, and I will report to the Abbot tomorrow.”
*This is referring to the head of the temple. In Chinese, the word is [Fangzhang] (方丈) meaning “one square zhang (equals to ten square feet)”, referencing the size of Vimalakirti’s stone room.
“Thank you, Venerable.”
It was night, and Jianchen Temple was tranquil. The night scenery was peaceful, and Shi Jingzhi, wearing a sleeping robe, leaned against the window in the inner room, enjoying the view.
Strange illness, the Shirou, natural desires, worldly bonds. Everything was returning to normal, but as Shi Jingzhi pondered over it, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Just as he settled his thoughts, Yin Ci’s behavior became unusual. Shi Jingzhi thought he must have realized something when he saw the end of Kongshi and Yan Budu. However, after a few days passed, his disciple still maintained the same thoughtful appearance.
In recent days, Yin Ci had indeed been very kind to him. Shi Jingzhi could tell that the concern was genuine, even to the point of being excessive, bordering on a strange indulgence.
He should have been satisfied with this. However, Shi Jingzhi had a feeling that this kindness was imposed from above, not of his own accord.
…It was like Yin Ci had decided on their fate without consulting him, as if they only needed to reach this point.
Shi Jingzhi didn’t know what he wanted, but he was clear that what he wanted wasn’t something of this degree.
The thought flashed through his mind, and Shi Jingzhi suddenly felt like laughing. It was truly a cycle of karma—an unsatisfactory retribution. He had initially shown Yin Ci an inexplicable kindness, and now the same kind of favor was being returned to him in the same form. Yet, as the one being “cherished”, he felt uneasy all over, without any sense of happiness.
Was the human heart truly so complex?
“A’Ci,” Shi Jingzhi suddenly said.
Yin Ci was maintaining the Hanging Shadow Sword when he heard the words and raised his head. “What?”
“At first, I was kind to you without reason. Did you think that person must have had some problems in his head to behave so inexplicably?”
“…I did.”
“With your abilities, A’Ci, I estimate that you have already used various means to investigate my background and situation.”
This time, Yin Ci remained silent. Shi Jingzhi’s words weren’t a question and denying it would be pointless.
Smiling, Shi Jingzhi approached, his back to the moonlight streaming through the window, and caught hold of a strand of Yin Ci’s hair.
Yin Ci furrowed his brows. Even though his back was facing the light, his eyes were still incredibly bright—so bright that it made him uncomfortable.
“A’Ci, listen carefully. Now, I’m going to do the same thing. While searching for the Shirou, I will do my best to investigate your background, origins, and your inner demon.”
This was bad.
Yin Ci suddenly realized his own negligence. His Little Mute had long ceased to be the same person he was years ago. Shi Jingzhi cautiously opened up a bit to him, but he hadn’t let go of his deeply guarded thoughts.
He couldn’t help himself but make a mistake.
In the past century, faced with such situations, Yin Ci would always come up with a fabricated background to prevent the other party from digging deeper. Just like back in Yuanxian Village, lying was always easy for him.
However, such bullshit about having “drunk immortal wine” almost slipped out, but Yin Ci swallowed it back himself.
He looked at those bright eyes and remained silent for a long time. Shi Jingzhi intentionally brought it up, so his master knew exactly what he was doing. Had this fox finally noticed?
…Had he realized that, regardless of the reasons, he could no longer deceive him as he had done in the past?
With his heart being openly placed in his hands, there was only one answer he could give.
“What’s the matter, Shizun? Are you coming to capture me? I can promise you right now that no matter what your fate may be, I will be there with you until the end. My affection for Shizun is not a lie.”
Yin Ci placed the Hanging Shadow Sword down and smiled in response.
“Even if Shizun knows the truth, the current situation won’t change.”
Seeing that Yin Ci didn’t casually deflect the question anymore, Shi Jingzhi’s smile became even more radiant, his eyes forming crescents.
“Why wouldn’t it change?”
This time, he took the initiative and played with Yin Ci’s hair for a while.
“The human heart is multifaceted, and seeing is believing. In the past month, I have come to understand Yan Budu even more than you.”
“Since A’Ci has seen my vulnerable side, I also want to see A’Ci’s. What kind of person you are and how you ended up here, I want to know.”
“I need to know.”
The author has something to say:
Fox: It’s impossible for a son, and it’s also impossible to be a son in this lifetime.
Demonic Lord: But you’ve already been one.
Fox: ???
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