The entire Zhengyin Fasi Temple had been mostly demolished, leaving only the main hall intact, with the rest reduced to rubble being rebuilt. The reason it wasn't completely torn down wasn't because Chen Baiqing showed mercy. It was because the former abbot of Zhengyin Fasi Temple was still inside.
This old monk, once a Buddha, was now lightly holding a chess piece, gazing thoughtfully at the board. Playing against him was Yuyang Daozi. The board wasn't particularly complex, essentially in a state where any move would do, even if a piece was randomly tossed onto it.
Yet for this simple game, the Buddha had pondered for nearly an hour. Yuyang Daozi couldn't help but glance repeatedly at the old monk, whose face remained calm as he held his unmoving chess piece. Had this old monk entered meditation?
If he didn't want to play, he could simply stop. What was the point of staring blankly? After waiting a while longer, Yuyang Daozi finally spoke:
"Why not make a move? Are you troubled, elder?"
The old monk looked up, glanced at the small main hall, and said with some realization:
"I just never expected... this Mahavira Hall has trapped me for most of my life...
I haven't had the chance to chat with outsiders like I have these days in quite some time."
Hearing this, Yuyang Daozi decisively dropped his chess piece into the box. He had thought the old monk was contemplating the game, not his life. There was no point in continuing this chess match.
Yuyang Daozi said:
"Chatting is fine, but if you don't want to play, it's better not to."
"You're not a Buddhist cultivator. Just talking might bore you."
"And you think sitting there silently holding a chess piece for an hour isn't boring?"
The old monk heard this and shifted his gaze to the chess piece in his hand, chuckling softly:
"I used to be alone all the time. After a while, you get into habits like this."
Hearing this, Yuyang Dao stood up immediately:
"Elder, please excuse me. I'll take my leave!"
He liked to space out, but he wouldn't force someone who didn't to stay with him. Now he had to learn from Chen Xingchen—when it's time to run, run smoothly!
"Hey, don't be in such a rush." The old monk raised a hand to stop him, smiling. "People enjoy talking about what interests them.
While I don't know what interests you, you can ask about whatever you're curious about. Living for a long time is one of my advantages—I know quite a few things."
Yuyang Daozi paused suspiciously. This sounded like a hint.
The old monk's face was weathered, but his eyes were clear and bright, his smile seeming to hold unspoken words, as if... hinting at something.
Faced with this hint, Yuyang Daozi obediently sat back down. He'd give this old monk one more chance. Yuyang Daozi didn't ask directly about key matters but began probing indirectly:
"With your cultivation level, you didn't need to gamble with Chen Baiqing.
If you hadn't accepted, Zhengyin Fasi Temple wouldn't have been reduced to just this main hall, and besides... it seems you held back? "
"You're not as observant as that little girl. With just one glance and two sentences, she understood my intentions." The old monk smiled, narrowing his eyes as he placed his chess piece on the board.
"Naturally, I didn't want to fight you all. Besides the bloodshed, it would achieve nothing. But I had to give those above an explanation, otherwise it would have been too embarrassing."
Seeing the old monk answered without evasion, Yuyang Daozi continued probing:
"I've heard your story. Since the evil Buddha you suppressed has left, returning to Daleiyin Temple shouldn't be difficult for someone of your status. Why stay in this spirit energy-poor land and waste your own cultivation?"
The old monk chuckled lightly: "I simply don't want to go back. Where could be freer than here? At least in this small hall, I can move freely.
If I go back, I'd just be stuck on that small golden lotus, unable to move. How dull is that?"
Yuyang Daozi asked deeper:
"What are your thoughts on this disaster in Xiniuhezhou?"
"Everyone has their own motives, but it's thanks to you all that more of these common people can survive. To me, you've done better than them. Besides, this disaster might have been intended by someone from Daleiyin Temple."
The old monk looked indifferent, truly unafraid to ask or speak anything. His gaze shifted:
"Young man, you've asked so many questions. Why not answer one of mine instead?"
Yuyang Daozi hesitated slightly. The old monk waved his hand lightly, provoking:
"It's just a small question. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. You're in your prime, why are you more hesitant than this old monk?"
"Very well." Yuyang Daozi nodded in agreement.
The old monk leaned forward slightly, as if about to ask something private:
"That girl named Chen Baiqing, where did you meet her, and how did you subdue her?"
Hearing this, Yuyang Daozi frowned and looked at the old monk with wary eyes.
The old monk's expression was curious: "That girl is clever and her methods are extraordinary. I observed her with my Buddha-heart—like clouds toward cranes, yet like a bewitching evening scene. Both righteous and evil, she doesn't seem like someone who would come here and do these things for no reason."
Yuyang Daozi didn't answer completely but explained simply:
"She's not mine, just a disciple of a friend of mine. She's just traveling with me temporarily for now."
"Your friend is truly remarkable." The old monk said with admiration. "To bind a restless heart without ropes—there's no greater skill in this world."
"But I'll remind you, such sincerity deserves sincerity in return."
Yuyang Daozi briefly recalled the interactions between master and disciple...
Their relationship could probably be described as—when Chen Xingchen wanted to kill someone, she would decisively take the blade, even stab a few times herself, so Chen Xingchen wouldn't have to work as hard. But Chen Xingchen usually treated Chen Baiqing quite well.
Yet it didn't seem abnormally good. He didn't understand why Chen Baiqing was so dependent on him. There must be more to the story.
Yuyang Daozi nodded lightly:
"As you said, with Baiqing's cleverness, if one doesn't treat her with sincerity, would she give her sincerity in return?"
The old monk nodded: "Naturally." Yuyang Daozi thought about it and felt that Chen Baiqing was reliable in her actions and pleasant to be around, not like the "both righteous and evil" person the old monk described:
"Baiqing isn't quite as you describe. Most of her methods were learned from my friend. His methods and words are ruthless.
I think she's actually a good girl, just unfortunately corrupted by my friend."
A smile appeared on the old monk's face as he looked outside the hall:
"If I may say, if this girl hadn't met your friend, she would likely have become a demoness causing chaos, acting only for her own freedom. With her current abilities, perhaps only heaven could bind her in this world. Truly troublesome."
Just as Yuyang Daozi was about to retort, he suddenly sensed a presence behind him and stopped speaking. Chen Baiqing entered the hall, greeting both of them calmly. The old monk's smile didn't fade as he said to Chen Baiqing:
"Girl, don't you think I'm right?"
Yuyang Daozi's expression turned cold as he stood up, glaring angrily at the old monk. Chen Baiqing's face was calm, her tone without ripples:
"Who can say what might have happened? I met my Master, and this is who I am now."
"But talking about people behind their backs isn't something a Buddhist cultivator should do."
Hearing this, the old monk stood up and bowed in perfect apology:
"It is this old monk's fault. I hope the girl can forgive me."
Chen Baiqing ignored this and looked at Yuyang Daozi:
"A very important person is on their way here. I've sent people to greet them, but just in case, I'd ask you to go personally, Yuyang Shushu. The person is on Junzi Mountain—you've met them yourself."
Hearing this, Yuyang Daozi naturally understood who it was. His expression showed slight surprise but then he understood, quickly agreeing and heading outside the hall. After watching Yuyang Daozi leave, Chen Baiqing slowly turned her gaze to the old monk:
"I didn't understand before, but now I see why you've fallen to this state."
"You just wanted Yuyang Shushu to warn my Master to be careful of me, right?"
"Don't worry. You'll have the chance to tell my Master yourself that I'm a demoness."
With that, Chen Baiqing turned and left. Her Master would surely give this unlucky monk a few punches later to vent his frustration. She had never hidden herself from her Master—what was there to fear?
The old monk quietly watched Chen Baiqing's departing figure, the light in his eyes constantly changing. The reflection of Chen Baiqing in the old monk's eyes kept shifting. In red robes, she was a massacre; in white robes, her expression was tranquil.
Her expression bewitching, confusing all of heaven. Righteous and dignified, a pillar of the human world. Her life was chaotic—what was her true self?
Truly difficult to discern, yet a reflection of the mortal world.
What was the reason for such constant changes...
The old monk sat quietly for a long time before chuckling to himself. Perhaps he was just too old and useless now.
[
Dear Readers,
I post multiple high-quality, human-polished chapters every day. If you enjoy the story, consider supporting the release schedule to unlock massive advanced chapter buffers!
Support Options:
$6 — Read 20+ Chapters Ahead (High-speed daily updates!)
$8 — Read 40+ Chapters Ahead + Exclusive Character Images
$10 — Read 60+ Chapters Ahead + Character Images + Patreon Community Chat
(Note: These chapter counts are guaranteed minimums. Because of my rapid update schedule, you will often get even more!)
⚠️ Apple Users: Please subscribe via your web browser (Safari/Chrome) instead of the Patreon App to avoid a 30% fee and massive payment delays.
Thank you for reading and keeping these daily releases going!
Support Here: patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
]