The Shadow in His Heart

"Phew—"

Chen Cuo let out a long breath, slowly finished his practice, and opened his eyes.

At once, a sharp light flickered in his eyes, with a faint glimmer of Golden Light.

To Chen Cuo, every last detail in the room was now clear.

"It really did work wonders!"

As he took stock of himself, he found that not only had the invisible pressure vanished, but he also felt light as a swallow. Delighted, he stretched and made to stand.

Crack, crack, crack!

His whole body erupted with a sound like beans frying in an iron pan, and surging strength poured from every part of him!

Energy filled him at once. He felt more refreshed than if he had slept for an entire day!

"Marvelous! This Breathing Technique truly is exquisite!"

After praising it, Chen Cuo had a thought. Rather than getting up, he sensed the blurry blue-Violet Light figure deep in his heart.

Though he had been practicing the Breathing Technique, his Mind Thought had also recalled the Ghost-Faced Facial Mask and sketched its image in his mind. Thinking of it now, he felt no fear. Instead, he felt calm.

Now that I've started practicing, there's no need to keep looking back and forth. At worst, I'll start over. That's no great loss. If I can draw the Evil Ghost here and have it subdued in the temple, I'll be rid of a future threat. I was an ordinary man to begin with. Trading a few days of progress to see that Evil Ghost brought down, shake off the danger, and break free of my shackles would be a bargain.

At that thought, Chen Cuo recalled the original Facial Mask in the Dream Marsh and formed a plan.

The blurry outline in his heart had come from his attempt to reproduce the Facial Mask from memory while practicing the Breathing Technique. It was like painting it on the spot, so there were bound to be discrepancies. To compare it with the original and find the differences, he would have to enter the Dream Marsh again.

Before he could act, however, his stomach began growling without pause. He was ravenous, as though he had not eaten in days!

"Practicing this Breathing Technique makes me this hungry?"

Outside the room.

The Golden Light and Colored Clouds had already dispersed.

The old monk, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, opened them and said to Huizhi, the Guest-Master Monk, "Go and knock on the door."

Huizhi nodded and started forward, but unease gripped him. He looked at the door to the guest room with lingering fear.

He no longer had the Heavenly Eye Divine Ability, but the Golden Light and Colored Clouds he had seen had shaken him deeply. Their aftereffects still lingered in his heart. Even that ordinary-looking door now seemed unfathomable.

Chen Hai stepped forward again. He looked fearfully at the row of Warrior Monks, who seemed cast from tempered steel, but still blocked their path.

Seeing this, Huizhi pressed his palms together. "Sir, I have come, first, to apologize and, second, to tell the Lord that the temple sincerely wishes him to stay. I hope you can make an allowance."

Chen Hai froze. Seeing the other party take a softer stance gave him a little courage, and he sneered. "What a joke! What do you take my lord for? First you tell him to leave, then you ask him to stay. Isn't that rather disrespectful?"

Shame crossed Huizhi's face. He wanted to explain, but he could not speak plainly of reincarnation, nor could he tell a lie. He was caught between a rock and a hard place.

The old monk spoke. "It was my order that the Lord leave. I had not thought it through, so I have come in person to apologize to him."

They were simple words, but Chen Hai felt an inexplicable fear, much as he did when facing the old madam.

He did not dare take the matter lightly and asked the old monk's identity. "And this venerable master is?"

Huizhi answered, "He is the Presiding Monk of our temple."

"The Presiding Monk?" Chen Hai was startled.

He came from the Prince's Residence and had been chosen as steward of the Marquis's Residence because Chen Cuo's Mother considered him knowledgeable enough to help Chen Fangqing catch oversights. Thus, Chen Hai knew a thing or two about the workings of temples.

Since Emperor Wu of Liang, Buddhism had grown ever stronger in the Southern Dynasty. Its ties to the powerful had deepened, and the interests bound up in them had grown year by year. Outside the great Aristocratic Clans, the Buddhist School was a force no one could ignore.

The title of Presiding Monk had first been an honorary one, marking a monk of high standing, usually someone old and respected. Now it also carried real authority, making its holder an important leader of the temple's monks.

In the Southern Dynasty, a monk who became Presiding Monk was seldom of ordinary background. He might have a high Local Rank, be a venerable elder, or come from a distinguished family. He was certainly not someone a mere household servant like Chen Hai could judge at will.

Chen Hai dared say no more. He nodded sullenly. "In that case, I'll inform my lord and see what he decides." He turned and knocked on the door.

The room had been silent, but after a while, Chen Cuo's voice came from within, asking what was happening.

Chen Hai explained the situation.

"Since an elder has come, I should receive him myself."

Footsteps sounded inside.

Outside the door, Huizhi let out a long breath. He turned toward the Presiding Monk and saw the old monk breathe a sigh of relief as well.

Creak.

The door opened, revealing Chen Cuo. At the sight of the people outside, he bowed, then stepped aside to invite them in. All the while, he kept rubbing his stomach.

The old monk understood at a glance, but said, "I have come to apologize to you, my lord. You suffered a slight because of our temple. The fault is ours."

"There's no need." Chen Cuo shook his head, wondering why the temple had turned from haughty to humble. "You must have had your reasons, Master. There's no need to apologize. We understand if the temple has its difficulties and won't insist on staying. I was tired and took a short nap, but now that I'm awake, we'll be on our way." He was about to call Chen Hai to make preparations.

The old monk's expression grew solemn. "I mean this sincerely. Why not have a vegetarian meal first? I'll have a courtyard prepared for your temporary stay. On the mountain behind our temple are several Secluded Courtyards bathed in the radiance of Buddha Land. They can drive away evil and steady the mind. Since you are here, my lord, why not stay in one? You will understand its wonders once you do! Within a dozen or so miles, you are unlikely to find another place with such benefits."

Chen Cuo paused.

The old monk seemed to be hinting at something. If this ability to drive away evil and steady the mind truly worked, would it not be just what he needed against the Evil Ghost? Had the monk mentioned it by chance, or was he deliberately giving him a warning?

At that thought, Chen Cuo fell into contemplation.

Coming from the Presiding Monk of a great temple, this offer was plainly a gesture of goodwill and humility. His desire to make amends was almost spilling out of his words.

But the greatest mystery was why Guishan Temple had suddenly changed its mind. Why had the Presiding Monk come in person to apologize and urge him to stay? What had changed between driving him out and asking him to remain?

A Mind Thought stirred. While practicing the Breathing Technique, he had vaguely seen a Golden Light radiance bathing his whole body, warm and peaceful. Could it be connected?

Grrr...

His stomach growled again.

After weighing the matter and looking at the old monk's sincere face, Chen Cuo finally nodded.

The monk's sincerity had won him over.

The old monk smiled and pressed his palms together in thanks. He instructed the temple's monks to hurry and prepare a vegetarian meal, then said to Huizhi, "Take the Lord to eat first. I'll have someone find you shortly and see that he moves in as soon as possible."

Huizhi breathed a sigh of relief as well. He nodded in acknowledgment, then cast Chen Cuo a cautious glance.

Chen Cuo found it strange. His senses had sharpened after practicing the Breathing Technique, so he naturally noticed the clear change in Huizhi's attitude toward him. Before, the monk had merely been polite. Now he seemed almost awed.

What on earth is going on?

But the monks clearly had no intention of telling him, so he could only ponder it himself. Besides, he was far too hungry to worry about anything else. He followed Huizhi and ate his fill.

"The vegetarian food was quite fragrant."

After finishing the meal, Chen Cuo savored the lingering taste.

Huizhi, Chen Hai, and the others stared at the pile of Emptiness plates in bewilderment. How could the Lord have such an enormous appetite? He had eaten enough for five or six people!

Even the temple's Warrior Monks probably can't eat that much. But they train their bodies and eat meat, while that meal was entirely vegetarian...

Huizhi was still thinking about it when word arrived. Not daring to delay, he quickly led Chen Cuo toward the rear mountain.

The group passed through side doors beside several halls, reached the temple's back courtyard, went past several guest rooms, and began climbing the slope.

As they walked, however, Chen Cuo frowned. That invisible pressure had returned! Fortunately, the effects of the Breathing Technique had not yet faded and could hold it off somewhat, but he could not help taking notice.

There really is something unusual here!

With that in mind, Chen Cuo asked, "The venerable Presiding Monk said this place differs from others. May I ask why, Master? Could you explain a little?"

Huizhi hesitated and muttered without giving an answer.

Chen Cuo did not press him. Smiling, he said, "If it's not convenient to say, then don't. There's no need to put yourself in a difficult position." As he spoke, the pressure on him grew stronger. He decided that once he entered the courtyard, the first thing he would do was practice the Breathing Technique again.

Huizhi looked even more ashamed. "You are generous, my lord. This is a secret of the temple, so I cannot share it with outsiders. But someone like you will likely learn of it before long."

"Why is that?" Chen Cuo asked. Seeing Huizhi troubled again, he merely smiled and let it go.

When they reached a Secluded Courtyard, Huizhi gave a brief introduction and showed Chen Cuo inside. Then he hurried off to report back to the Presiding Monk.

"I have escorted the Lord to the courtyard. He asked several questions on the way. How should I answer him?"

Sitting cross-legged, the old monk said softly, "Say nothing more. Just see that he is settled. He is staying halfway up the mountain. If he truly is a Reincarnated Immortal, all will become clear when Lu You arrives in a few days. For now, we need only wait."

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Suddenly, several deep peals of a bell rang out.

Huizhi stared in surprise.

The old monk let out a long breath. "The Temple Master has finally emerged from meditation."

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