The Uncaring

The little courtyard, built of blue bricks, was barely half a mu in size. Snow gleamed across it, and several red plum trees bloomed in all their splendor at its center.

Beneath the plum trees sat a monk in white robes. His feet were bare, and his face was so fair it seemed almost unreal. His age was hard to pin down, yet he was as radiant as a young woman. Plum blossoms dotted his snowy shoulders, and he looked as though he had stepped out of a painting.

His slender jade hands rested on a seven-stringed qin, its body a deep red and blue. Xu Yi had only just settled down when his fingers plucked the notes. A clear, ethereal melody flowed forth, like a stream trickling down from emerald peaks, murmuring and mellow, or a breeze sweeping through a thousand lush forests, light and gentle. It soothed Xu Yi's restless thoughts, slowly bringing them to stillness.

When the music faded, the enchanting monk lightly brushed the strings. "Lay practitioner, it seems fate brought you here to hear this old monk play a calming heart mantra. Tell me, has the restlessness and desire in your heart eased at all?"

Xu Yi bowed. "Master, your music is wondrous and pure. It was like hearing celestial music, which made my ears clear for a time. I came uninvited, and hope you'll forgive my intrusion."

According to Xiong Kui, Jiuru and the others had come to the capital because the Heavenly Buddha Kingdom and Naiman Kingdom were losing their war. The Son of Heaven of Great Yue was lecherous, and Xia Zimo had been taken captive. Jiuru must have come to offer Xia Zimo to the Son of Heaven.

It made sense, but it was still unconfirmed. Besides, because of Liao Chen,