Stunned for a moment, shaking her head, Qin Chang Ge cast aside the strange premonition and instructed Qi Fan: “Within half a month, sequentially change the contact codes of all outposts along the route from Xiliang to Northern Wei, redistribute forces and reorganize the hidden strongholds. Remember, any outpost that has been contacted must be immediately altered.”
To escort Wei Tianzi, who was now isolated and still had to deal with Northern Wei secret agents quietly pursuing him back to his country, and to safely guide him to find He Buyu who was currently within Xiliang territory, Qin Chang Ge had no choice but to expose some Phoenix hidden strongholds along the route from Xiliang to Northern Wei. Therefore, changing codes and disrupting the organization of all exposed outposts was an urgent priority.
Qi Fan received orders and left. Chu Feihuan watched the carriage that had become a small dot in the distance and spoke indifferently: “Wei Tianzi has returned?”
He and Qin Chang Ge had once faced Wei Tianzi on the battlefield, but he never personally entered combat, so Wei Tianzi hadn’t noticed him. Regarding this Jin Prince, Chu Feihuan naturally knew of his treachery and cunning, but never considered him a match for Qin Chang Ge.
Qin Chang Ge smiled. “Wei Tianqi drove the snake away from home, so I’m helping him send it back.”
With slight mockery, she continued: “Not wanting to bear the name of killing his brother, not wanting Wei Tianzi to die within Northern Wei borders and trigger his desperate counterattack causing upheaval among the Jin Prince’s potential forces, he drove him to Xiliang hoping to borrow a knife to kill. Wei Tianqi is truly ruthless enough, wanting to remove the nail while appearing righteous. He just underestimated our Xiliang too much. I invited him to lift a rock and drop it on his own foot.”
Remembering how Wei Tianzi, just before leaving, had obtained Huang Meng’s contact codes and He Buyu’s location, thinking his rear was secure, immediately tried to cross the bridge and burn it by attempting to harm her, only to be forced to back down when she casually said, “My organization uses different codes in each location. You can only get the next location’s code after reaching one place. Only at the final location can you get He Buyu’s contact method.” He could only wave his hand reluctantly, pretending to adjust his sleeves while swiftly reinserting whatever he had hidden between his fingers.
Then he could still maintain his composure while reminding her not to forget their agreement, speaking earnestly with gentle and refined manner, even kindly giving her Northern Wei’s famous external injury medicine “Biyi Pills.” Qin Chang Ge accepted without courtesy, not worried at all that he would dare play tricks.
Because Wei Tianzi was exactly that type of person – you’re dangerous, I must kill you – ah? I can’t kill you? – then I won’t kill – since I’m not killing, let me use you first – after using you – still have to kill.
Shameless to this degree, yet frank to this degree.
These brothers truly were remarkable specimens…
Sighing, Qin Chang Ge thought with some helplessness that doing someone such a big favor without getting any reward really felt like a loss and was quite annoying…
Turning her head, she saw Xiao Baozi had spread a book on a rock and was standing on his head in front of the rock, revealing his split-crotch pants and half of his round, well-fed white belly.
Tilting her head, Qin Chang Ge curiously asked her son: “Young master, what are you doing?”
Baozi’s face was flushed red from exertion as he struggled to answer: “…Practicing martial arts… what crappy technique… killing me…”
Qin Chang Ge strolled over and peered at the book. There was indeed a figure doing a handstand, but it looked strange no matter how she looked. Qin Chang Ge turned her head 180 degrees before discovering that it wasn’t actually a handstand figure, but a standing posture with both hands raised overhead. As for why it looked like a handstand – Xiao Baozi had held the book upside down.
Looking skyward in grief and indignation, Qin Chang Ge first observed three minutes of silence for Xiliang’s future citizens, then reached out and firmly flicked Xiao Baozi’s tofu-tender little bottom.
“What kind of Toad Stance are you posing? Do you think you’re Ouyang Feng?”
As the group returned to the coffin shop, Qin Chang Ge suddenly remembered why she hadn’t seen Su Xuan’s little follower today, and couldn’t help asking. Qi Fan laughed and shook his head: “That girl? She mysteriously disappeared. Probably got frustrated because Leader Su was cold to her. You know, these past days, Leader Su was nearly driven crazy by her pestering. I’ve really never seen a girl like that.”
“Mysteriously disappeared?” Qin Chang Ge thought for a moment and smiled: “Shui Linghuai isn’t someone who gives up halfway. Her temperament is different from ordinary ladies raised in deep chambers. Oh yes, next time you encounter Blazing Flame members, remind them not to casually reveal identities to this Miss Shui. The Shui family’s reputation is too great. If her identity is exposed and attracts trouble, that would be our fault again. Though Blazing Flame doesn’t fear the Shui family’s power, it’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble, especially since Leader Su isn’t around recently.”
Qi Fan nodded. Chu Feihuan suddenly pointed south. Qin Chang Ge smiled and said: “Yes, I know… Also remind them to be on guard. They’re used to Miss Shui wandering around the main stronghold, and Su Xuan has a bright heart, but they forget that Nanmin is also an enemy nation. If that big-mouthed girl sees something inappropriate and it reaches Shui Jingchen’s ears, that wouldn’t be good.”
Qi Fan laughed: “I thought I was quite detail-oriented, but still can’t compare. Yes, getting used to that girl wandering around everywhere won’t do.”
Qi Fan agreed, but Xiao Baozi bit his finger and rolled his eyes: “I want to go too.”
“What would you go for?” Qin Chang Ge pulled his hand away. “I’m warning you, next time I see you biting your claws, I’ll deduct snacks each time – temples are full of bald heads, very boring, and you can’t run around or talk freely. It doesn’t match your temperament.”
“My temperament is changeable and beloved by all,” Xiao Baozi had long been influenced by nightly bedtime stories into half a little demon. “The bald heads should see young master’s elegance sooner.”
He flatteringly sought support: “Godfather, don’t you think so?”
Qin Chang Ge was startled, turning to see Chu Feihuan’s face slightly flushed, knowing this little troublemaker was causing mischief again. But not wanting Feihuan to be embarrassed, she smiled as if nothing happened: “Good, another protective charm. You’re quite clever – in minutes you got both a master and a godfather. Young master now has so many people guarding him, I don’t dare easily offend.”
“Smart of you to recognize it,” Xiao Baozi grinned, linking his left hand with Qin Chang Ge’s while pushing Chu Feihuan’s wheelchair with his right: “Let’s go.”
“Wait,” Qin Chang Ge looked around, bought a roasted chicken from a nearby vendor, and with a grin stuffed it into Xiao Baozi’s pocket. Xiao Baozi was delighted, eyes bright and mouth watering as he asked: “For me?”
“Mm…” Qin Chang Ge waited until Xiao Baozi showed a big, bright smile and rubbed against her three times before slowly saying: “The chicken butt is your portion.”
“…”
The Huguo Temple’s rear courtyard meditation rooms refused female visitors, and the retreat of the world-famous high monk was even more remote with novices coming to stop visitors from afar. But Qin Chang Ge merely smiled, handing a piece of paper to the little novice: “Please give this to Master Shiyi.”
Lowering his brows and pressing palms together, the little novice answered very skillfully: “Master Ancestor is in retreat and doesn’t see outside visitors. Please return, benefactor.”
“Just go,” Qin Chang Ge’s smile was gentle but irresistible. “The master will see me.”
After hesitating for a long while, the little novice finally lowered his head and hurried away. After a while he returned, with indescribable shock in his eyes, respectfully bowing: “Master Ancestor requests your presence.”
Smiling elegantly, Qin Chang Ge and her party of three entered with leisurely attitudes this meditation room that even imperial family members were refused entry to, legendarily said to be accessible to almost no one, rumored to be a divine place.
The wooden door creaked open. Impatient Xiao Baozi took the lead, prepared to appreciate the demeanor of the great virtuous monk revered by the world. Upon entering, he exclaimed “Wow!”
Quite… messy.
Books and texts were everywhere – on the ground, bed, table, cabinets, even on the ceiling beams. Bedding was in disarray, and a person sat in the bedding struggling desperately with a pile of books. Before him, stinking socks shared space with tea bowls, torn cicada shells were lined up with chamber pots, strange symbols were drawn on cooked paper, and beside elegant orchids in blue porcelain flower pots was a pile of bones… wait, bones?
Xiao Baozi’s gaze went blank as he slowly looked down at the roasted chicken in his pocket, finally understanding the chicken’s ultimate destination, sadly slurping his saliva.
If he had seen the paper Qin Chang Ge used as a calling card, he probably would have collapsed immediately – that paper had nothing on it except a drawing of a roasted chicken.
When the three entered, that person didn’t even lift his head, just muttering to himself: “Strange… where is it? I remember I put it in the book…”
Chu Feihuan was stunned, originally thinking the high monk was devoted to Buddhist studies, sleeping and resting still with books as companions. It turned out the high monk was just looking for something.
Xiao Baozi didn’t care what the monk was doing, just shifted his feet toward the door, preparing to defend his meal with practical action.
As soon as he moved, a gleaming bald head immediately lifted, sleeves waved, and with a bang the meditation room door closed, even automatically latching.
After staring at Xiao Baozi for a while, the “high monk” whose age was indeterminate but whose eyes were brighter and more cunning than Baozi’s grinned and beckoned with his hand.
Xiao Baozi watched helplessly as the roasted chicken flew away, landing in the old man’s claws.
Very much wanting to pounce over with claws and fangs to snatch it back, but unfortunately his stinky mother held him tightly. Baozi’s mouth drooped as he grew furious: “Monks also eat meat!”
“Buddha also kills.” Shiyi didn’t lift his head, biting off a chicken leg and mumbling: “Everything will be yours in the future. Why compete with this old monk over one chicken?”
Baozi didn’t care what he was saying and continued angrily: “If you don’t fight for one chicken, how can you fight for the world?”
“You are a blessed person,” Shiyi continued gnawing on the chicken wing. “This world is like this chicken in this old monk’s mouth to you – grab it and eat it, why fight!”
Chu Feihuan, who had been silently listening, suddenly said: “One nation is not the world. Master is mistaken.”
“No,” Shiyi lifted his eyes from the chicken wing, glancing at Chu Feihuan. “Nation is world, world is nation.”
His gaze met Chu Feihuan’s. Chu Feihuan felt his heart shake – those eyes were like bright pearls, like warm springs, like spring wind, like flowing water, vast and boundless, reaching to the horizon. In infinite tranquility bloomed great brightness, instantly illuminating thousands of mountains and rivers, while above the thousand-acre blue sea, a distant moon arose.
His spiritual platform suddenly became clear and milky white, warm and comfortable. The mental discomfort from long illness suddenly eased somewhat, and those rope-like sufferings that seemed long bound to his body all relaxed a little.
Looking up, Chu Feihuan’s earlier slight surprise and doubt about the high monk loving meat and being messy had faded, replaced by sincere respect for great virtue. This was a true cultivator – anyone who had trudged through the mundane world, experiencing wind, dust and pollution, could never possess such bright eyes.
Qin Chang Ge had been standing aside observing Shiyi’s expression. She brought Chu Feihuan here hoping to read something from this monk who had cultivated to perfection. She hadn’t expected the monk to make definitive statements about Baozi but only adjust Chu Feihuan’s declining spirit without saying a word.
Her reason for knowing this divine monk worshipped by the world was actually quite funny. It was when Wen Chang followed her arrangement to “encounter” Tong Shun’s mother – she was worried about mistakes so also followed, inadvertently wandering to the back courtyard where she saw an old fellow in a hat climbing the wall preparing to sneak out. From his practiced manner, he had clearly done this countless times. Qin Chang Ge was curious and followed him climb out, watching the old fellow turn a corner, buy a roasted chicken, then climb back. After returning, he sneaked into the meditation room through the back door. Qin Chang Ge continued following and discovered he was a monk.
Upon seeing her, the monk immediately dropped the chicken leg in his hand in fright.
Qin Chang Ge thought he was startled by being caught breaking precepts and was about to pretend she saw nothing and leave, when she heard the monk behind her say: “Since you’ve come, be at peace. You weren’t supposed to come for nothing anyway.”
Qin Chang Ge immediately stopped and turned around, seeing the monk smile as his ordinary, aged features suddenly dimmed and brightened.
“Three lives’ soul, moon over vast sea, treading through the world, who sings with Chang Ge?”
Qin Chang Ge immediately knew this wine-and-meat monk was Shiyi. The old monk wasn’t surprised to see her. The two simply sat down and shared that chicken. Later, seeing the old monk’s laborious wall-climbing too troublesome, Qin Chang Ge smuggled roasted chickens to him. The two formed a roasted chicken bond. Qin Chang Ge never wasted resources – the purple jade Guanyin that Wen Chang offered to the Empress Dowager was also conveniently brought to the monk for blessing.
Seeing Shiyi’s silence, Qin Chang Ge sighed slightly and could only get to the point: “Master, I’ve come to ask a favor.”
Shiyi’s long eyebrows moved: “Want this monk to help you deceive people again.”
“Not this time,” Qin Chang Ge smiled slyly. “This time I want you to tell the truth – Master, if I haven’t guessed wrong, the imperial family will definitely send someone to Shengde Huguo Temple for divination soon. Whether they ask you or your chief disciple Abbot Jingwen, I only ask that the masters need not be evasive – just tell the truth.”
“Tell the truth?” Shiyi wiped his oily hands on a Buddhist sutra, cleaning them on the book pages, smiling even more slyly than her: “Previous life? This life?”
“Previous life, life and death.” Qin Chang Ge knew she couldn’t hide from this monk who had become divine but resolutely refused to ascend due to his love of worldly roasted chicken: “Long dreamed, time to awaken from shock.”
After silently watching her for a while, Shiyi shook his head slightly, hissing through his teeth as if catching cold.
“High monk, don’t make that ghostly face,” Qin Chang Ge’s gentle smile held different steel: “You must know that without breaking there’s no building. Staying stubbornly in wrong perceptions, how can one start anew?”
Three days later, Shengde Huguo Temple received several special guests.
These guests traveled simply but were handsome, noble and uniquely spirited – clearly people of high status. The two men beside him were also dragons among men. The left wore plain clothes of sky-water blue, clear and elegant as the bright moon. The right wore rich, gorgeous flame-red, enchantingly beautiful like red spider lilies.
The three had different styles, all brilliant, none overshadowing the others, yet all were rarely seen outstanding figures, making the female worshippers stare wide-eyed.
“The one in the middle is so noble, dignified without anger – definitely a court minister!”
“The right one is good, absolutely gorgeous… Sister, after looking at him, why do you seem less beautiful than usual?”
“What eyes do you have? Only focusing on appearances. Look at the left one – that temperament is elegant as bamboo, radiant as the moon… No, no, I must write poetry… Did anyone bring paper and brush?”
“…”
Yu Zixi’s hearing was excellent. Listening to those whispers, he was very happy, turning around with an enchanting smile that immediately caused another round of gasping.
Xiao Jue frowned, saying quietly: “Aren’t you conspicuous enough already?”
Yu Zixi regretfully turned his head, sighing: “Ugly! Ugly! What a waste of my stunning smile.”
Xiao Jin smiled without speaking but said: “Brother is in good spirits today, personally coming to offer incense.”
“Stop testing me,” Xiao Jue said helplessly. “You naturally know I’m not here to offer incense. I intended to come alone, but you insisted on following!”
“Your subject manages palace guard affairs, protecting you is my duty,” Xiao Jin smiled elegantly and courteously.
“What duty,” Xiao Jue smiled. “Minister of Imperial Guards, tell me how many times a year do you actually manage the palace? Today you remember clearly though.”
“Remembering at the proper time is sufficient.” Xiao Jin remained gentle and refined, without shame.
Xiao Jue shook his head and headed toward the rear meditation rooms. The novice who usually specialized in stopping visitors came forward today, pressing palms together: “Master Ancestor requests the benefactor’s presence.”
Xiao Jin smiled unsurprised and stepped back. Yu Zixi asked with a smile: “Nothing for us?”
The novice answered matter-of-factly: “Master Ancestor instructed that of the three visitors, only one truly seeks answers. The other two may do as they please.”
“I’m also sincere,” Yu Zixi brought his flower-like face close to the little monk. “I sincerely want to see the holy monk and ask about my marriage destiny.”
This novice was definitely an oddity selected by old monk Shiyi, forever dry in tone, unmoved even by beauty that transcended gender: “Master Ancestor instructed that if anyone asks about marriage, answer: Please seek under ice.”
Like a sudden wind rising from level ground, blowing away the enchanting smile from that gorgeous face and flying away like a butterfly, Yu Zixi’s form seemed to stiffen momentarily.
However, that scattered smile instantly gathered again. Yu Zixi was still that enchanting beauty with flowing eyes and willow-like posture, laughing: “The monk’s reputation probably comes from mystifying things. What is he saying? This zen mystery is too profound to understand.” While releasing his hands, he lazily walked toward the courtyard: “Young master, you go debate with the sour monk. I’m not accompanying you.”
Xiao Jue smiled and nodded, glancing at Xiao Jin who was thoughtfully watching Yu Zixi’s departing figure. Wanting to speak but stopping, he finally followed the novice into the rear courtyard.
Xiao Jue’s treatment wasn’t as high-level as Qin Chang Ge’s – when he entered Shiyi’s meditation room, he saw a neat, elegant retreat with fine bamboo curtains, curling incense, ancient Buddhist texts lining all four walls, and on a blue meditation cushion worn white from use sat the world’s foremost famous monk in solemn appearance.
Standing at the door, Xiao Jue looked at the old monk with peaceful expression, half-closed eyes, and gentle countenance with hidden precious light, naturally feeling reverence. This was truly a divine monk with well-deserved reputation – that strange feeling of existing without oppression. Facing him was like facing a flower, a leaf, a breeze, facing natural vast seas, infinite as Mount Sumeru’s vastness, while all complex thoughts became mustard seeds.
Looking at him, one couldn’t help but review oneself. Rich in all four seas, ruling over ten thousand directions, seemingly possessing everything, yet looking from the high, isolated throne, Dayi Hall was distant as the horizon – ministers, subordinates, yes-men who would never have heart-to-heart communication with strangers. Waking from dreams in quiet night’s empty sleeping halls, he only felt desolate, empty winds blowing through his chest, sweeping away all sorrows and joys. In lonely days, even dreams were absent.
He thought with slight sadness – so possessing everything meant losing everything…
“In nothing there is something, in something there is nothing. All things call out – why cling to appearances?” In pale golden mist the old monk opened his eyes, a gaze like startling lightning seeing through his heart’s depths. “This old monk, considering the benefactor’s sincerity, specially waited here, already missing cultivation. Please get straight to the point.”
Slowly approaching and sitting on the facing cushion, Xiao Jue momentarily felt endless indescribable emotions surging in his heart – floating clouds and flying lightning, waves overturning and billowing. Those past events rushed forward, scene by scene vivid and scene by scene painful… Ask, ask what? That question long doubted in his heart, never investigated or verified, fearing wasn’t it that final encounter with that darkest ending he least wanted to face?
By not asking, hope would always remain – he had always thought so.
Until that woman appeared.
So another hope began slowly sprouting like spring buds in his snow-covered heart, bit by bit breaking through ice-like mental defenses – perhaps, there was another possibility?
Hesitating long, wavering long – in his life he was decisive and clear, never before so indecisive.
So-called timidity near home must be like this – wanting to know, yet fearing what he learned wasn’t what he hoped for, thus deliberately making things difficult for himself, deliberately coming in disguise to see Shiyi, thinking this holy monk’s reputation was so great, having been in retreat for years, perhaps… couldn’t be seen?
If he couldn’t be seen, then let it be – living confusedly was better than being tortured by eternal dark endings.
Finally coming with doubt, also meeting the person he wanted to see – it turned out the holy monk wasn’t arrogant, coming out of retreat was so easy, everything so smooth, so smooth he began to fear.
Why? How to… ask?
Ask if she… had died? Or ask, who was Ming Shuang?
Shiyi had been gazing deeply at Xiao Jue. Even his eyes that hadn’t rippled for years showed slight emotion. Fate’s tricks, how sorrowful. With such deep feelings, perhaps concealment would be merciful. Buddhism’s lion’s roar actually wasn’t suitable for passionate people willingly indulging in delusion.
Unfortunately, today the old monk had to become an executioner again.
No choice… that girl couldn’t be offended… she was an immortal… in future when changing places to stay, he’d still need to make a living under her…
“Foolish child…” Shiyi’s voice condensed into a line, forcibly penetrating Xiao Jue’s eardrums: “She who was wedded to you long ago turned to ash, bones scattered in several places, eyes stored in deep palace. What are you still obsessing over!!!”
!!!