Master, take care

Guided by the monk guarding the gate, Xu Qi'an passed through the front courtyard and arrived at the inner courtyard.

The young monk stopped in the courtyard, put his hands together, and said, "Brother Hengyuan, please wait here for a moment. I will go and inform Uncle Jingchen."

Xu Qi'an responded with a Buddhist bow, "Thank you for your trouble, junior brother."

As he watched the young monk enter a room, Xu Qi'an recalled the names on the list.

The total number of people in this Western Regions mission was twenty-one.

The courier had to arrange rooms for the delegation. The rooms at the post station were divided into different grades. Monks of higher rank would naturally have better rooms. It was impossible for a junior monk to have a presidential suite while the senior monk leading the delegation had a single room without windows.

Therefore, the courier had a clear understanding of the status of the mission members.

The most senior member was naturally the leader of this delegation, "Master Du'e," but the courier didn't know anything about his cultivation level.

Next are two more people, named "Jingchen" and "Jingsi". Judging from their names, these two should be fellow disciples.

As for the other monks, their status was similar.

"One is called 'Capital City,' and the other is called 'Nearsightedness.' These two fellow disciples have really interesting Buddhist names."

Just then, the young monk came out and invited Xu Qi'an inside.

He followed the young monk into the room, where sandalwood incense was burning. A monk with a round face and thick earlobes sat cross-legged on a couch, smiling as he looked towards the door.

This monk had a restrained aura and looked no different from an ordinary person.

"Senior Brother Jingchen." Xu Qi'an clasped his hands together.

"Junior Brother Hengyuan," the middle-aged monk returned the greeting.

He immediately arranged for a young monk to serve tea, and after Xu Qi'an took a sip, he said, "Brother Pan Shu has just returned to the temple."

He meant that the monks of Qinglong Temple had just received news of the delegation's arrival in the capital. Abbot Pan Shu had just returned to Qinglong Temple, and without a special reason, they wouldn't send the monks over to bother them. Xu Qi'an instantly thought of many possibilities and knew that this was a test from the other party.

He had already prepared a response, and calmly replied, "This humble monk has been away from the temple for many years."

Monk Jingchen smiled and asked, "What brings you here, Junior Brother Hengyuan?"

His voice seemed to possess a strange magic, making Xu Qi'an instinctively resist lying and only want to explain his purpose clearly and in detail.

Fifth-rank lawman?

Xu Qi'an felt a chill run down his spine.

Abbot Panshu of Qinglong Temple is also a fifth-rank monk. Monks at this level are like walking "rules," influencing those around them consciously or unconsciously.

Monks and nuns are forbidden from lying, engaging in sexual activity with women, and killing, among other things. Those around them will unconsciously follow the precepts that a monk or nun has observed.

Xu Qi'an had never witnessed a Lawyer in battle, but when he went to Qinglong Temple to investigate the Sangbo case, he specifically looked at the information on Buddhist School masters.

The combat power of the Lawgivers all comes from "precepts," somewhat like the Confucian School Law Follows Speech, but without the ruthlessness of Confucian School.

In layman's terms, Confucian School saying something like "just kidding" is achievable, although it would have significant side effects.

Buddhist School monks, however, face numerous restrictions and cannot act as they please. They can only jokingly say, "Xu Qi'an, smoking backwards is like being a god."

Apart from Xu Qi'an getting a blister on his mouth from the burn, there were basically no aftereffects.

The Confucian School Law Follows Speech of "words becoming law" implies changing the rules, while the concept of "law" implies making people obey the rules; their essence is actually completely opposite.

Xu Qi'an clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer. "Senior brother and fellow disciples, have you arrived in the capital for the sealed artifact that helped you escape the Sangbo case?"

These words were like a huge rock thrown into a lake.

Jingchen narrowed his eyes, remaining outwardly calm, and instead smiled slightly, "What did Senior Brother Panshu say?"

Before the monk Pan Shu returned to Qinglong Temple, his Uncle Du'e repeatedly warned him not to reveal the existence of the sealed object, including to the monks of Qinglong Temple.

Master Jingchen set a trap for Xu Qi'an.

Xu Qi'an shook his head and sighed, "It's not as Master says. To be honest, I was also involved in the Sangbo case."

In Jingchen's gentle and peaceful eyes, there seemed to be a flash of golden divine light.

"I have a junior brother, whose Dharma name is Heng Hui. We grew up together and have a very close relationship. More than a year ago, Heng Hui suddenly disappeared and stole a ritual Law Artifact from the temple that could shield one's aura. After extensive investigation, I discovered that he was suspected of being trafficked by a human trafficking organization."

Xu Qi'an looked melancholy and sorrowful, seemingly overwhelmed with grief, and could only chant Buddhist mantras to ease his emotions. "Amitabha."

Jingchen was listening intently when he saw his junior brother Hengyuan's expression and a thought struck him, "Is there more to this case than meets the eye?"

"That's right. Junior Brother Heng Hui fell in love with a female pilgrim and secretly pledged his life to her. Therefore, he stole the Law Artifact of Qinglong Temple and ran away far away."

Jingchen frowned, a series of doubts flashing across his face. "Even if they eloped, there's no need to steal the Law Artifact, is there?"

Xu Hengyuan sighed, "That female pilgrim is the legitimate daughter of Prince Yu, who is His Majesty's younger brother, a prince of the blood. Without a magical Law Artifact to shield their aura, they wouldn't be able to leave the capital."

Master Jingchen was speechless for a moment, unable to find the words.

Xu Qi'an then gave a brief account of how the two naive young men and women were deceived, how they were passively drawn into the political struggle, and how they met their untimely deaths.

"Amitabha!"

Master Jingchen clasped his hands together, his face filled with compassion, and chanted the Buddha's name.

After a few seconds of silence, he said, "But what does this have to do with the Sangbo case?"

"Good question!" Xu Qi'an smiled inwardly, but said without changing his expression, "This case is full of twists and turns, and is far more complicated than it seems. At the end of last year, the Yongzhen Mountain and River Temple in the royal Sangbo was suddenly destroyed by an explosion, and the evil creature sealed beneath Sangbo was released."

"The Emperor of Great Feng was furious and ordered the Three Departments to investigate thoroughly. The reason I was involved is because that evil entity parasitized my junior brother Heng Hui's body."

"What?!"

Master Jingchen's expression changed drastically, and he urgently asked, "Where is that evil creature now? Heng Hui is still alive? How did the Great Feng handle this matter? Didn't the Supervisor take action? Or has the Supervisor resealed the evil creature?"

He asked a series of questions, and the high monk's composure vanished.

"Senior Brother Jingchen, please be patient and allow me to explain slowly."

Xu Qi'an provided a clear and concise analysis of the Sangbo case and the Pingyang Princess case, explaining the connection between the two cases and the secrets behind them to Monk Jingchen in detail.

Monk Jingchen remained silent for a long time, seemingly stunned by the intricate and interconnected nature of the case.

Even Abbot Panshu was unaware of these inside stories; he had only traveled west to inform the Buddhist School Sangbo sealed artifact of its birth.

My uncle went to the palace to meet the emperor and learn the whole story of the case. Unexpectedly, I, who was left behind at the post station, learned the whole process first. Monk Jingchen sighed:

"This case is indeed full of twists and turns, and the person who can solve it is even more remarkable. How did Junior Brother Hengyuan know such details?"

Xu Qi'an knew this was a question that Monk Jingchen would inevitably raise. He remained calm, forcing himself to fight his instinct to "not lie," and answered:

"Although this case was handled by the three judicial departments, the one who truly uncovered the Sangbo case and the Pingyang Princess case was a silver gong Nightwatchers's office named Xu Qi'an. This humble monk is a close friend of Lord Xu, and because my junior brother Heng Hui was involved, I know the whole story clearly."

The monk Jingchen noted down the name "Silver Gong Xu Qi'an" and hurriedly asked, "Who is this Silver Gong Xu, Junior Brother Hengyuan? Please tell me in detail."

"Well!"

Xu Hengyuan didn't speak, but let out a long sigh.

"Junior brother, what's going on?"

"Thinking of this person, this humble monk is filled with countless emotions."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?"

Xu Hengyuan slowly said, "Senior brother, you may not know this, but Xu Qi'an is the most talented person I have ever met in my life. In terms of cultivation, he is a genius. There are very few people in the entire Da Great Feng who can compare with him."

"As an official, he resolutely refused to take even a needle or thread from the people and took it upon himself to uphold justice."

"In terms of solving cases, Great Feng many experts, but none of them can match him even by a single finger."

"In poetry, he was hailed as the greatest poet of the Great Feng in two hundred years. It is said that the courtesans of the Imperial Academy of Music) were madly in love with him, but he ignored them."

Monk Jingchen was stunned; he had never expected that such a person existed in the capital.

"Such a person truly exists in this world; it's a pity he doesn't join my Buddhist School." A sharp glint flashed in the eyes of the monk Jingchen.

Holy crap, this guy's really blown his tongue. He wants to "convert" me into a monk? What use is this iron rod to me then?

Xu Qi'an was wary, but he subtly changed the subject, revealing his true intentions. "The reason I came to see you, Senior Brother, is to ask what exactly the evil creature beneath Sangbo is."

"This humble monk knows that this object is related to Buddhist School, but I cannot understand why it was suppressed in Sangbo, the capital of the Great Feng?"

"This..." Monk Jingchen looked troubled.

"What's the matter that you're having trouble telling me, Senior Brother?" Xu Hengyuan asked proactively.

"This matter is Buddhist School secret, junior brother, you should not ask any further," Jingchen said.

"Oh!"

Xu Hengyuan sneered, "This humble monk understands. This humble monk regards the Western Regions sect as one of his own, but he did not expect that in the eyes of his fellow disciples, this humble monk is just an outsider."

"Enough, enough, I was just being presumptuous. I'll leave now. The Western Regions Buddhist School is the Western Regions Buddhist School, and Qinglong Temple is Qinglong Temple; they are not the same."

As he spoke, he got up and walked away.

"Stop!"

Jingchen stopped him, his face filled with anger. "We are Buddhist School disciples, worshipping the Buddha, we are one family. What you just said was truly hurtful; do not say it again."

Xu Hengyuan looked at him expressionlessly and snorted coldly.

He used the Buddhist School lion's roar for this sound, making the groan echo throughout the room.

The monk's temper had always been this volatile. Jingchen sighed inwardly and said, "Junior brother, please sit down. I'll tell you what I know."

Qinglong Temple is the only remaining spark of Buddhist School from the Western Regions in Great Feng. If Buddhist School from the Western Regions wants to continue spreading its teachings in the Central Plains, Qinglong Temple is an irreplaceable force.

Against this backdrop, the Buddhist School in the Western Regions attached great importance to the "family" relationship with Qinglong Temple, and any discord or rifts were to be eliminated and avoided.

"That evil entity is indeed related to our Buddhist School. According to my Uncle-Master Du'e, it is a traitor to Buddhist School."

"Traitor to Buddhist School?"

Just as I predicted, Monk Shenshu was a member of the Buddhist School, yet he was personally sealed away by the Buddhist School. What else could he be but a traitor?

"Which traitor is it?" Xu Hengyuan asked.

"I don't know," Monk Jingchen shook his head. "That's why it's considered Buddhist School secret; even I, a humble monk, don't know the inside story."

I really want to use my Qi-Watching Technique to see if he's lying. He's Shen Shu, that traitor's religious name is Shen Shu. Xu Hengyuan asked again:

"Why seal him away instead of letting him pass on to the afterlife?"

Although Buddhist School emphasizes compassion, surely it wouldn't be so lenient towards a traitor to the sect?

"After Abbot Panshu relayed the news back to the Western Regions, the Arhats and Bodhisattvas took it very seriously, communicating with each other via thunderous sounds. Such a solemn gesture has never been seen again, except for the Battle of Shanhai Pass twenty years ago," Monk Jingchen mused.

"On my way east, I heard from my Uncle-Master Du'e that the demonic monk is unkillable."

Unkillable?!

This passage contained a wealth of information, forcing Xu Qi'an to pause his questioning and ponder it carefully.

In other words, the monk Shenshu was sealed in Sangbo not because the Buddhist School was merciful, but because they couldn't kill him.

The monk Shenshu once said that he had been fortunate enough to reach the highest realm of "immortality".

But let's not forget that Buddhist School has the Buddha, a being who transcends all ranks. Even the Buddha couldn't kill the monk Shenshu?!

"My God, Monk Shenshu is even more terrifying than I imagined. What kind of monster is he?" Xu Qi'an muttered to himself.

One punch and he's an old supervisor?

"I understand now. So he's unkillable. No wonder he had to be dismembered and sealed away," Xu Qi'an said in a deep voice.

"But why choose Sangbo?" he asked again.

Such a terrifying traitor, a major threat, must have been sealed away in the territory of the ally, Great Feng, for a reason that was unavoidable.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be safer to seal it away right under our noses?

"I also want to know the answer to this question, and I asked my Uncle Du'e on the road. He told me that it stemmed from an agreement made five hundred years ago with Emperor Great Feng Dynasty," Jingchen said.

A promise made five hundred years ago. That year, Buddhist School spread its teachings throughout the Great Feng Dynasty, and Buddhist temples sprang up like mushrooms after rain. There was indeed a hidden story behind this. However, most of the information from five hundred years ago was destroyed, modified, or hidden.

There's no way to check it.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Xu Qi'an realized he couldn't get any more information out of him, so he got up to say goodbye.

The monk Jingchen personally saw him off. Just as he stepped out of the room, he saw a handsome monk walking along the corridor.

"Senior brother!" The handsome monk clasped his hands together in prayer.

Jingchen returned the greeting and introduced, "This is Junior Brother Hengyuan from Qinglong Temple. You can call him Senior Brother."

Then, he introduced Xu Hengyuan, saying, "This is Junior Brother Jingsi."

"Nearsighted at such a young age?" Xu Hengyuan was somewhat surprised.

"Senior Brother Hengyuan," the handsome monk bowed.

Xu Qi'an returned the greeting, then said to Jing Chen, "Senior Brother, there's no need to see me off."

Watching Xu Qi'an's figure disappear into the distance, Jing Si remained lost in thought for a long time.

"What's wrong, Junior Brother?" Jingchen asked.

"I don't know why, but I always feel that he has a kind of approachable charm," Jing Si said.

Xu Qi'an left the post station and walked briskly along the main street.

"Although I still don't know the identity of Monk Shenshu, at least a few things are certain: First, he is a traitor to Buddhist School, and the evidence is conclusive. Second, his cultivation is higher than I expected, so high that even the Buddha couldn't kill him. Although there is no evidence to prove that the Buddha intervened, I'll assume that for now."

"Third, I will only help him find his identity and memories. I will never get involved in his grudges with Buddhist School Non-Self become a martial god, which is impossible."

Fourth, I must cling to this powerful woman and extract every benefit from her.

Fifth, the existence of the monk Shenshu cannot be told to anyone, not even Wei Yuan; this matter is too big.

Sixth, while it's still early, go to the brothel to listen to music.

Suddenly, Xu Qi'an saw a familiar figure appear in the crowd ahead.

He was a tall, burly monk with a bluish-black ring around his chin, as if he had just shaved.

The loose monk's robe fit him perfectly, concealing the muscles beneath.

"Holy crap, Hengyuan!!"

A million curses ran through Xu Qi'an's mind.

Master Hengyuan also saw him, and while he was pleasantly surprised, he was also astonished by Xu Qi'an's attire.

"Lord Xu, why are you dressed like this?"

"Performance art," Xu Qi'an said with a straight face.

"?"

"Is the master heading to the Sanyang Post Station?"

"My fellow disciples have arrived; it is only right that this humble monk go to greet them."

"Can... can I not see him?" Xu Qi'an tried to stop the corner of his mouth from twitching.

"Why?" Hengyuan asked, puzzled.

"Because you might get a beating." Xu Qi'an shook his head with a dry laugh.

Hengyuan glanced at him a few times, then nodded and said, "I just came from the Xu Residence after having a vegetarian meal."

Huh? What are you doing at my house? Oh, you went to congratulate Erlang on passing the Erlang examination? Erlang didn't kick you out?

Xu Qi'an suddenly felt a strong sense of guilt, feeling that he had tricked his younger brother and then the honest and simple Master Hengyuan, and that he was simply inhuman.

He vowed to be a good person from now on.

"Master."

Xu Qi'an took out a ten-tael silver note from his pocket and sincerely placed it in the hands of Monk Hengyuan: "This is a token of my appreciation for the elderly and children at the Nursing Home."

Hengyuan wouldn't accept money for himself, but since it was from the kind-hearted Master Xu helping the widowed, orphaned, and lonely, Master Hengyuan wouldn't refuse it.

"Amitabha, Lord Xu is truly a great benefactor." Hengyuan expressed his sincere admiration.

"Of course, of course."

Xu Qi'an waved goodbye, took a few steps forward, then couldn't help but turn back and call out, "Master!"

Hengyuan paused, turned around, and asked, "Is there anything else, Lord Xu?"

". Take care of yourself!"

Xu Qi'an found a secluded alley, changed back into his Nightwatchers's clothes, and entered a brothel with practiced ease.

"Sir, would you like to stay at an inn or have a meal?" A young man in blue robes greeted him.

"Call over the prettiest girl here and give this old man a shoulder massage." Xu Qi'an went straight upstairs to the second floor.

The private rooms on the second floor are VIP rooms, where important people watch plays and listen to music.

On the other side, Master Hengyuan arrived at the entrance of the post station.

The two monks guarding the gate looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering to themselves if Buddhist School had become so prosperous in Great Feng.

Where does this senior brother practice?

With doubts in his heart, the gatekeeper monk stopped Hengyuan.

Master Hengyuan clasped his hands together and said, "This humble monk, Hengyuan of Qinglong Temple, has come to pay my respects upon learning of the arrival of fellow disciples in the capital."

After he finished speaking, he keenly noticed that the two monks stared wide-eyed, looking as if they had seen a ghost.

"What's the problem?" Hengyuan asked, puzzled.

"Hehe, no problem. Senior brother, please wait here a moment while I go and inform them." The monk guarding the gate gave him a deep look, then turned and went inside.

A moment later, he came out expressionlessly and said, "Please come in."

PS: Updated first, revised later.

P. S.: There's a Xu Qi'an star-up event in the book review section. First, reply to a post, then send a heart emoji, submit your work, and share your achievements to earn Qidian coins. Note that you'll earn Qidian coins!

Xu Qi'an can only start working on the mare after he finishes his task. Everyone, stay calm.

The above is what the operations manager asked me to inform everyone. Actually, I wonder if I could play other supporting female roles?