“Ah, it seems this was destined to be a fruitless journey,” Xu Qi An finally took his first sip of tea since entering the temple and sighed:
“Master, do you know about the Sangbo case that’s been causing such a stir in the capital recently?”
Master Hengqing remained silent.
Xu Qi An gestured with his eyes for his colleagues to remain calm, and continued: “I’m the lead official on this case, appointed by His Majesty himself. It’s not because I’m in the Emperor’s favor or recognized by His Majesty…”
Xu Qi An let out a long sigh, as if hesitant to continue.
Master Hengqing couldn’t help but glance at him.
“I’ve been keeping this bottled up for a long time. Since we’re at the temple, I might as well share it with you, Master.” Xu Qi An chose his words carefully and said:
“A few days ago, I was ordered to confiscate the property of a criminal official. His Majesty was merciful and didn’t implicate the family members. However, during the confiscation, some colleagues saw that the women in the household were beautiful and had ill intentions, wanting to forcibly dishonor them… One of the girls was only twelve or thirteen years old.
“I couldn’t bear to see such a thing happen, so I immediately stopped them, which led to a conflict with my superior, and I nearly killed him. As a result, I was sentenced to waist-slicing execution. That’s why His Majesty assigned me to handle the Sangbo case, allowing me to atone for my crime through meritorious service.
“My friend said I was too impulsive, that the correct approach would have been to endure it and report to the yamen afterward, but by then, the girl would have already fallen victim…”
Xu Qi An’s expression was pained and conflicted: “They say Buddha’s law is boundless and saves all living beings. May I ask, Master, was what I did right or wrong?”
Lü Qing was greatly surprised, revealing an astonished expression. She hadn’t expected there to be such a story behind Xu Qi An’s death sentence.
He is different from other men… The female constable’s eyes revealed a gentle light.
Master Hengqing was slightly moved, not expecting this government watchdog to be such a passionate and righteous person. He chanted a Buddhist phrase and said:
“As long as the benefactor’s conscience is clear, he need not be bound by karma.”
“So Master also thinks I did wrong,” Xu Qi An said dejectedly.
Hengqing hesitated for a moment, then said: “The benefactor has a kind heart and saved people out of compassion. What wrong is there in that?”
Xu Qi An pressed further: “Then why did the government sentence me to death?”
Master Hengqing comforted him: “The mortal world is like a sea of suffering. Being in it means being at the mercy of circumstances. Often, good intentions don’t necessarily lead to good outcomes. However, though they may be delayed, they will not be absent. The Sangbo case is destiny ordained by heaven, and it is also the benefactor’s turning point.”
“Master, I understand now!” Xu Qi An had a sudden realization and turned to everyone, saying:
“You all heard it. Master Hengqing said that the Great Qi was a sea of suffering, and the Sangbo case was retribution for the royal family. What are you waiting for? Arrest him!”
Clang, clang, clang… Everyone immediately stood up, the sound of swords being drawn echoing through the quiet room.
…
In the meditation room.
The abbot of Qinglong Temple, Master Panshu, was sixty-two years old. His bald head was no longer as shiny as it had been in his youth, and his white beard now reached his chest.
As a fifth-rank Disciplinarian, he had been stuck at this level for over twenty years.
The Buddhist system emphasizes enlightenment. Some high monks meditate for decades, unable to progress further until they reach nirvana.
Others, however, experience sudden enlightenment like a spring breeze in the night, instantly comprehending all dharmas, skipping decades of arduous cultivation.
Master Panshu could be either. Before enlightenment, no one can be certain whether they will achieve it or not.
This is called Schrödinger’s enlightenment, quantum Buddhism.
“Abbot, Abbot…” An attendant came to the courtyard and called out anxiously from outside: “A group of night watchmen have come to the temple and tied up Provost Hengqing. They say he slandered the government and disrespected the royal family, and they’re taking him to prison.”
Abbot Panshu opened his eyes, his voice gentle: “I see.”
The door of the meditation room opened on its own, and Abbot Panshu disappeared from inside.
…
The night watchmen were escorting Provost Hengqing out of the temple. More and more monks gathered along the way, their gazes hostile, subtly forming an encirclement. If anyone took the lead, they would immediately surround these government dogs.
But the night watchmen’s authority was too strong. If they surrounded this small group, a larger one might come tomorrow and raze Qinglong Temple to the ground.
Therefore, no one dared to act rashly.
“Don’t be afraid, Master. Once we get to the Constabulary Office, as long as you cooperate, you’ll be released and sent back soon,” Xu Qi An comforted him.
At this moment, Xu Qi An’s smile looked like a demon’s grin to Master Hengqing. It provided no comfort at all.
“Amitabha!”
A grand and benevolent voice rang out, invisibly soothing the hostility and anger of the monks.
Xu Qi An saw an old monk wearing a red and yellow kasaya appear out of thin air three zhang ahead, blocking the path of the night watchmen.
“This humble monk is Panshu.”
“Abbot Panshu!” Xu Qi An became solemn, put his palms together in greeting, and said: “This official has some questions for the Abbot.”
“Follow this humble monk,” Abbot Panshu sighed.
They returned to the meditation room. This time, except for Xu Qi An, all other night watchmen, including the three Silver Constables, were blocked outside.
Facing a fifth-rank expert, Xu Qi An’s attitude became much more serious. A fifth-rank Disciplinarian corresponded to a fifth-rank Energy Condensation realm in the martial arts system.
This was an expert who had surpassed the Bronze Skin Iron Bone realm.
“Abbot, this official is under imperial orders to investigate the Sangbo case. By chance, I discovered that a Hundred-Household of the Imperial Guard can evade the detection of the Court Astronomers. After extensive inquiries, I learned that Qinglong Temple has a similar artifact?” Xu Qi An reminded him:
“This case is of great importance. For the sake of Qinglong Temple’s well-being, Abbot must tell the truth. This official is not threatening you, I hope you understand.”
“Our temple indeed has an artifact that can conceal auras and evade any method of detection,” Abbot Panshu said gently.
“Is this item still in the temple?”
“No!” The Abbot shook his head.
Xu Qi An didn’t speak, waiting silently for an explanation.
Abbot Panshu paused for a few seconds, then sighed: “The reason Hengqing deceived you, sir, is because this matter involves a scandal of our temple. If it spreads, it could bring great calamity upon us.”
“This humble monk had a disciple, Dharma named Henghui, who was intelligent and promising. I had high hopes for him, but alas, his six roots were not purified, and he became involved with a female pilgrim who came to the mountain. He stole that artifact and eloped with her, fleeing the capital.”
Xu Qi An narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the Abbot, and casually asked: “And the identity of this female pilgrim?”
Abbot Panshu put his palms together, chanting a Buddhist phrase softly, and reluctantly answered: “Princess Pingyang.”
“!!!”
It was as if lightning had struck Xu Qi An’s mind.
In the Great Qi Dynasty, women with the title of Princess included several categories: the Emperor’s concubine-born daughters, the Crown Prince’s daughters, daughters of the Prince of the First Rank, and daughters of other princes.
Strictly speaking, apart from the eldest princess born to the Empress, the other three princesses were born to concubines. But Emperor Yuanjing only had four daughters in his lifetime, and rarity makes things precious, so each princess had her title. Therefore, when addressing them, there was no “County” prefix.
Although the current Crown Prince had a daughter, she was still young and couldn’t possibly be involved in something like eloping.
Therefore, Xu Qi An deduced that Princess Pingyang must be the daughter of a prince from the imperial clan.
The case was becoming more complex. What role did this monk who eloped with a princess play in this case? Xu Qi An asked: “When did this happen?”
“Over a year ago,” Abbot Panshu replied.
“Thank you for enlightening me, Master. I have one more question,” Xu Qi An said.
“Please ask, benefactor.”
“Is Qinglong Temple the legacy of the Pagoda Temple established by that Western Regions monk back then?”
Abbot Panshu remained silent, implicitly confirming it.
“After the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple was destroyed, I found a large formation at the bottom of the lake with Buddhist script carved on it. That formation was set up five hundred years ago, and the Pagoda Temple also appeared five hundred years ago. Interestingly, Emperor Wuzong also lived five hundred years ago…” Xu Qi An stared at the Abbot:
“Are there any records in the Western Regions’ Buddhist sect about that incident back then?”
As he finished speaking, Xu Qi An saw Abbot Panshu’s face turn extremely unpleasant, losing the calmness of an enlightened high monk.
“Sir, I only ask one thing…” Abbot Panshu stared at him intensely, wanting to speak but not daring to, pondering for a long time:
“The thing under Sangbo, has it really… escaped?”
“True!” Xu Qi An gave a definitive answer.
Abbot Panshu seemed to have received a huge shock, the fear in his eyes difficult to calm. His hands trembled slightly as he put them together, chanting Buddhist scriptures to cover up his loss of emotional control.
This reaction… Xu Qi An was somewhat surprised. The old monk’s response was a bit extreme. He asked directly: “Is what was sealed under Sangbo the first-generation Supervisor?”
The old monk was completely unaware, only focused on chanting Buddhist scriptures with his white eyebrows trembling.
After a very long time, Abbot Panshu’s emotions gradually settled. He said in a deep voice: “This humble monk does not know what is sealed under Sangbo. But there is a saying that has been passed down since the time of the Pagoda Temple: When the Sangbo demon emerges, the world will fall into chaos.
“The Pagoda Temple of that time was built to guard the Sangbo seal. Later, the imperial court, fearing the prosperity of Buddhism, implemented a policy to suppress it. The high monks of Buddhism retreated to the Western Regions, leaving only the Qinglong Temple lineage.
“Before leaving, the high monks repeatedly instructed us to closely monitor any activity at Sangbo, and to report immediately if there were any anomalies.”
This sounds like the Buddhist sect is more concerned about the Sangbo seal than the Great Qi royal family.
Hmm, the first-generation Supervisor was of the first rank, so talk of world chaos isn’t an exaggeration. After all, the first rank is the pinnacle of this world.
“This is all this humble monk knows. Does the official have any more questions?”
“No more.”
Abbot Panshu nodded, his body abruptly disappearing as if it had been forcibly edited out.
Xu Qi An’s eyes widened, enviously thinking: That flash step is quite impressive.
As the conversation ended, the sun was high in the sky, and it was nearly noon. Xu Qi An and his group stayed at Qinglong Temple to enjoy a vegetarian meal.
“The vegetarian food at Qinglong Temple is delicious,” Chu Caiwei said, having eaten two bowls in one go and holding her third bowl contentedly.
The vegetarian meal at Qinglong Temple included black rice, millet, and corn, drizzled with sesame oil before steaming. The rice grains were plump, crystal clear, and fragrant.
The vegetable dishes were also prepared with great care, perfect in color, aroma, and taste.
Xu Qi An sat beside her, happy to see her enjoying the meal so much. He smiled and said: “Female benefactor, don’t just focus on eating yourself. This humble monk has come to beg for alms.”
Chu Caiwei protected her bowl, rolled her eyes, and said irritably: “Aren’t you eating the same thing as me?”
Xu Qi An shook his head: “This humble monk doesn’t beg for vegetarian food.”
“Then what do you beg for?”
“This humble monk… begs in broad daylight.”
…
Everyone was quite satisfied with the vegetarian dishes at Qinglong Temple, with the only regret being the lack of white phoenix meat to nourish their bodies.
As the Provost, Master Hengqing escorted everyone to the temple gate. City people were too cunning; Provost Hengqing was angry and hadn’t spoken the entire way.
Xu Qi An suddenly remembered something and asked: “Master, do you know a monk named Hengyuan?”
Provost Hengqing’s expression changed.