The Buddhist Kingdom in the Western Regions was a lawless land on Great Gan's western frontier. Buddhist temples stood everywhere, but the Buddhism practiced there was not the orthodox kind, founded on compassion. Instead, it was a Heretical Sect that blended local sorcery with the Demonic Path.
Just the day before yesterday, he had killed a Luo Changfeng and wiped out a branch of the Blood God Temple. Today, this red-robed Monk had come calling—and, of all things, his name was Jie Se. With that getup and that Western Regions accent, it was hard not to make the connection.
Jie Se's smile did not fade in the slightest.
He sat back down and poured himself a bowl of wine as if he owned the place, then lifted it and gave it a swirl.
"Benefactor Fang, you misunderstand."
Jie Se took a sip of wine. His eyes were as clear as an innocent youth's. "Though I come from the Western Regions, I'm nothing like those madmen from the Blood God Temple, who spend all day dreaming of tearing people limb from limb."
"I practice Joyful Zen and seek the fruit of supreme bliss."
Jie Se shook his head solemnly, reached out with his chopsticks, and tossed a peanut into his mouth. "I came here only to find someone and settle a karmic debt. And while I'm at it, to visit my good brother, who's kind enough to be both a fool and rich."
He looked at Qian Dagui, a flicker of cunning passing through his eyes.
"Find someone?"
Fang Mo wasn't entirely convinced.
"Who?"
Jie Se set down his chopsticks and shook his head calmly. "I don't know."
Fang Mo gave a cold laugh. "Then how do you expect to find him?"
"My master once said that when fate arrives, the