Love Spent, Suppressed

A burst of chaotic footsteps woke me.

I had actually fallen asleep.

I had truly been exhausted that night, body and soul utterly spent.

I saw a fierce-looking lama holding an iron staff engraved with the image of a savage beast.

Zheji Xie'e!

Behind him stood one of his Duoduo Geng.

Several warrior monks followed behind them as well.

The moment I saw Zheji, I hurriedly got to my feet and bowed. He returned the gesture. "Tangba Tusi, I didn't expect us to meet again." There was a smile on his face, but the scar across it made that smile look somewhat sinister.

"Yes, the last time we met was at the Grand Dharma Assembly." I smiled.

Zheji looked at the Duoduo Geng beside him. "Take them outside and have them wait."

The Duoduo Geng acknowledged him and led the warrior monks away. Zheji then looked at Yangjin and Butler Solun. "You should leave as well. I want to speak with your master alone."

Yangjin seemed somewhat unwilling, but Zheji narrowed his eyes, and she immediately said, "Everyone, leave!" She led the others out of the room and shut the door behind her.

"Don't worry. My men are guarding the door. They won't dare barge in."

I understood perfectly well that he had come to speak to me on behalf of the Great Living Buddha.

It seemed the Great Living Buddha still cared about my attitude.

"Are you truly determined to do this?" Zheji asked softly.

I pursed my lips, not knowing what to say, and could only nod.

"To be honest, your decision has greatly disappointed the Great Living Buddha. Do you know how much pressure he has to bear because of it?"

Of course I knew, but I had no choice.

I wondered whether, since Zheji was here,