The moment Xin Xin heard this, she hurriedly asked, "Master Guzhen, are you preparing to return... to Jiangke Temple?"
"Hehe, where this old monk goes hardly seems to require an explanation to a female benefactor, does it?" Guzhen returned the very words Xin Xin had spoken to him earlier. Yet Xin Xin was not surprised. A faint smile hung at the corners of her mouth as she replied, "If I have an opportunity here that could free Master Guzhen from the flaw of Buddhist Protectors being unable to carry karmic obstacles into reincarnation, would Master Guzhen be willing to seize it?"
"What does the female benefactor mean?" Rather than displaying the wild delight Xin Xin had expected, Guzhen frowned. The monk's robe draped over his towering frame trembled faintly. This trembling was clearly not from excitement, but from wariness.
Even Compassionate Young Monk was somewhat puzzled by Xin Xin's words. He spoke up, "Benefactor Xin, the post of Buddhist Protector is a sacrifice of oneself for others. Ancestor Guzhen and the others exterminate demons and protect Buddha, often with no choice in the matter... Benefactor need not use this matter again to stir Ancestor Guzhen's Buddha-heart..."
Before Compassionate Young Monk could finish, Xin Xin covered her mouth and smiled. "Fellow Immortal Ci Hui, do you think I am joking with Master Guzhen? Do you think I know nothing of certain secret matters within Buddhism?"
"Little girl..." Guzhen said coldly, "If you have something to say, say it plainly! Why beat around the bush here? This old monk entered the path of Protector long ago, offered his own fleshly body to Buddhism long ago, and offered his Buddhist fruition to the Buddha Lord long ago. This old monk has no interest in any secret art for leaving the Protectors and condensing