A Glance, Ten Thousand Years

Bai Suzhen had either not yet arrived in Hangzhou City, or she had deliberately concealed her tracks.

Ling Qing had never managed to find any trace of her, but he was in no hurry.

Qingming was approaching, and Xu Xian would likely meet her then.

All he needed to do was investigate Bai Suzhen's true nature before the two of them met, so he could make his plans accordingly.

Before long, Qingming arrived in a rush.

Xu Xian had already said yesterday that he would be accompanying his elder sister to sweep their parents' graves today.

After finishing his morning devotions, Ling Qing headed for West Lake early as well.

He proceeded along the lakeside embankment. Having just passed Duan Family Bridge, he suddenly heard someone call from the side, "Where are you off to make your fortune, Daoist?"

Turning around, he saw the scruffily dressed Daoji sitting in a tavern by the roadside, waving a palm-leaf fan at him.

Seeing Daoji's smiling face, Ling Qing smiled as well. He entered the tavern, sat opposite him, and asked, "What is the monk doing here?"

"This monk was idly wandering about and happened to see the Daoist wandering about too, so I called you over for a drink." Daoji picked up the wine jug and poured Ling Qing a cup.

Then he grabbed the wine and meat with his bare hands and began eating.

Ling Qing picked up the wine cup and examined it, then drained it in one gulp.

He did not find the dishes Daoji had grabbed with his bare hands dirty either. Picking up a pair of chopsticks, he began to eat.

In his eyes, this monk was cleaner than everyone around them.

The filth upon him had all been transformed from his benevolent heart; it was there