Ascetic Monk

Inside a certain luxurious mansion.

The noblewoman who appeared at Tianhong Medical Hall during the day was currently chatting with a young woman.

The noblewoman was already considered a great beauty, with a curvaceous figure that could be called a stunner.

Yet, compared to the young woman before her, she was slightly inferior in both appearance and physique.

Despite being an unmarried maiden, the young woman possessed an exaggeratedly perfect figure, and she exuded a seductive aura from the inside out. Combined with her beautiful, pure face, she displayed a charm that was the ultimate blend of innocence and desire.

Such a woman could be described as naturally bewitching!

What made the noblewoman most envious, however, was the other woman's family background—she was truly from a prestigious, wealthy clan.

Even in this era where the government had collapsed and warlords ran rampant, her family still possessed immense power.

But it was precisely because of such a background that she was able to protect herself.

"Many thanks, Third Miss. If not for your introduction, I wouldn't have known what to do about my poor child..." the noblewoman said mournfully.

Third Miss's eyes flickered slightly as she comforted her, "Madam Qin, please don't be too sad. It was just an accident."

A moment later, she asked, "Has the matter been resolved?"

"Yes, although that master didn't look very old, he truly has genuine skills." A faint smile was squeezed onto the noblewoman's face.

Although Zhou Yan's refusal had made her somewhat displeased, she understood that such experts were rare, and she still held a degree of awe in her heart.

"Oh, it seems that Master Zhou is indeed quite capable."

Third Miss nodded slightly, her eyes shimmering.

Immediately, she began to comfort the noblewoman once more.

An hour later, Third Miss left the residence and boarded a carriage to return home.

Surrounding the carriage were twenty sturdy men, all on horseback, with Mauser pistols tucked into their waists.

The interior of the carriage was spacious. Third Miss lay lazily on a couch, her gaze fixed on a somewhat yellowed and rough booklet in front of her.

"Miss, you have been looking at this booklet for a long time. Is there some hidden secret within?" the maid Ruyu, who was by her side, couldn't help but ask.

Third Miss smiled slightly, unbothered by the maid's inquiry.

The four maids by her side—Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning—were all cultivated by her own hand, and she had even given them their names.

They were not just maids, but assistants.

She rose with a smile, and in that instant, her allure left even Ruyu, a woman herself, stunned.

"Miss, you are so perfect. I wonder which family's young master will be lucky enough to have you in the future?"

"Must a woman marry?"

Third Miss spoke slowly, her eyes firm. "Even an emperor is chosen by those with the strongest armies. As long as I am strong enough, why must I marry? If all the men in the world were under my feet, who would be able to claim me as a wife!"

She looked bewitching and moving, but her tone was exceptionally firm, carrying a hint of steel.

Ruyu was not at all surprised by Third Miss's ambition, as she had witnessed it since childhood, and a sense of resolve had been cultivated within her own heart as well.

"Miss, does this booklet really hold a secret?"

Ruyu opened her eyes wide, feeling somewhat puzzled.

She had already read the contents of this booklet, even studied it carefully, but the final conclusion was that it was nothing more than an ordinary household ledger.

Yet, for some reason, her mistress kept staring at it as if it contained some earth-shattering secret.

Third Miss nodded slightly, reaching out to stroke the yellowed, rough booklet gently.

"Indeed, there is a shocking secret hidden within this booklet..."

The spot she touched was the very first page, where a few characters had been casually crossed out.

Ruyu looked at the spot her mistress was stroking, confused. They were just a few misspelled words that had been crossed out; she couldn't understand why her mistress cared so much.

Third Miss said nothing more, her eyes fixed on the crossed-out characters that were barely legible, her lips parting slightly.

"..."

Zhou Yan arrived at Jin Mantang's dojo, finding him at home.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, what an honor! Please, take a seat."

Seeing Zhou Yan, Jin Mantang was all smiles, seemingly genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart.

Zhou Yan exchanged a few polite words before saying, "Fellow Daoist Jin, I have come today because I have a favor to ask."

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, whatever it is, please feel free to speak."

Zhou Yan nodded slightly and said, "It is like this: I have just subdued an infant spirit, but I am not skilled in performing rites of deliverance. I wanted to ask if you know of any fellow practitioners nearby who are adept at such rites?"

Jin Mantang's expression showed slight surprise. "An infant spirit? Deliverance? You have a kind heart, Fellow Daoist. I admire that."

Zhou Yan waved his hand dismissively, saying nonchalantly, "It is merely to seek peace of mind."

Upon hearing this, the way Jin Mantang looked at Zhou Yan changed slightly, and his attitude became even more amiable.

"Let me think. It seems Abbess Jingming of Ningxin Nunnery specializes in rites of deliverance. I shall take you there, Brother Daoist," Jin Mantang said after a moment of reflection.

Hearing this, Zhou Yan immediately cupped his hands and said, "Then I shall have to trouble you, Fellow Daoist."

"It is no trouble at all."

Jin Mantang said with a beaming smile.

He had already considered Zhou Yan a man of great potential, and now, having gained insight into his character, he felt he was a truly decent person.

Interacting with someone like this put his mind much more at ease.

Jin Mantang was so courteous that it actually made Zhou Yan feel a bit uncomfortable.

The two soon arrived at Ningxin Nunnery and met with Abbess Jingming.

Abbess Jingming was a middle-aged nun with an ordinary appearance, yet she radiated an aura of peace and benevolence.

This was related to her cultivation techniques, as well as her years spent delivering restless spirits, which gave her a natural presence.

Upon learning the purpose of Zhou Yan's visit, Abbess Jingming pressed her palms together. "Amitabha. It is admirable that a fellow practitioner like Daoist Zhou possesses such a heart."

"Not at all, not at all. It is the Abbess who is truly worthy of respect," Zhou Yan hurriedly returned the gesture.

Even Zhou Yan felt a deep sense of admiration for a practitioner like Abbess Jingming.

He could not do what she did, but he held her conduct in high regard.

Zhou Yan handed the infant spirit over to Abbess Jingming, who then transferred it into a porcelain doll and placed it upon the altar.

To fully deliver the infant spirit, it would require eighty-one days of continuous, day-and-night chanting.

Such arduous work could only be accomplished by a true monastic like Abbess Jingming.

Even though Zhou Yan was not particularly fond of Buddhism, he still held genuine respect for a true master of the faith like her.

Before leaving, Zhou Yan tried to leave a banknote for one hundred silver dollars, but Abbess Jingming refused it.

This was the first time he had tried to give money away only to have it rejected.

In the end, following Jin Mantang's persuasion, Abbess Jingming accepted ten silver dollars.

She refused to take a single cent more.

Knowing that Abbess Jingming was a true ascetic of the Buddhist path, Zhou Yan did not insist further, and finally, he and Jin Mantang took their respectful leave.

As they walked away, Zhou Yan could not help but sigh, "I never expected that hidden among the streets and alleys, there would be a Buddhist master like Abbess Jingming."

Even Jin Mantang nodded in agreement. "This is what a true Buddhist ascetic is like."