An hour later, the urgent sound of hoofbeats rang out, kicking up clouds of dust along the winding mountain path.

A cavalry unit came galloping, led by a woman wearing a light blue cross-collared robe. She had a pair of beautiful eyebrows, relatively flat without prominent peaks, giving her an overall gentle appearance.

Her features were naturally exquisite – clear bright eyes, full but not thick lips, and a tall delicate nose.

Lezhou being on a plateau with strong UV rays, her skin was darker than most women’s. But this did not detract from her beauty; rather, the healthy glow made her even more appealing.

The only slight flaw in this ecstatic beauty was that her hairline was a bit high.

“Li Lang!” Her call echoed from afar before she arrived.

On horseback, Wenren Qianrou, the young mistress of the Lezhou Merchants Association, left her guards behind. She leaped from her horse, soaring over a dozen zhang through the air, and threw herself into Li Lingsu’s arms…

Tightly embracing the waist of the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Child, she choked out:

“Li Lang, after half a year apart, Rou’er has missed you so.”

With all eyes on them, Li Lingsu felt somewhat awkward, thinking to himself, “This cursed charm of mine…”

Seeing this scene, Xu Qi’an was reminded of classic novel situations from his past life – long-separated lovers suddenly reunited, the heroine throwing herself recklessly into the hero’s embrace regardless of propriety.

Note: This must be a woman of high status or stunning beauty.

Then the bystanders would be shocked, secretly marveling at the hero’s identity, while the heroine “unintentionally” helped show off the hero’s importance.

He never expected to witness such a scene firsthand today.

Li Lingsu gently stroked Wenren Qianrou’s back, his voice tender:

“My dear, I’ve missed you too. These past six months, you were in my thoughts while eating, sleeping, bathing – even when meditating and contemplating the Dao, my mind was filled with you.”

Hearing this, tears glistened in Wenren Qianrou’s eyes, a mix of emotions – moved, infatuated, adoring.

She looked Li Lingsu up and down shamelessly, asking:

“Those Dongfang sisters didn’t catch you?”

Li Lingsu shook his head: “I’ve been on the run this whole time, not letting them have their way. I fell into their clutches for a while, but managed to escape in the end.”

Wenren Qianrou pouted: “Serves you right for attracting so many women.”

Li Lingsu looked troubled, sighing: “I simply made the mistake all men make. Only after meeting you did I understand what was right.”

Wenren Qianrou was an intelligent woman who helped her father run the merchant association smoothly and efficiently.

But in matters of love, she lost her head, becoming just an ordinary girl.

Hearing such corny sweet talk, she was utterly captivated.

“So how did Li Lang escape?”

“That was all thanks to Senior Xu.” The Heavenly Sect’s Holy Child immediately introduced Xu Qi’an and Mu Nanzhi to Wenren Qianrou:

“Rou’er, they are my benefactors and friends.”

Wenren Qianrou glided over gracefully, curtsied, and said softly:

“Many thanks to you both for rescuing Li Lang. I’ll never forget this great kindness.”

So this is how a scoundrel conducts himself… Xu Qi’an smiled faintly: “It was a small matter, not worth mentioning.”

At the same time, Xu Qi’an made an assessment – he didn’t know this young mistress of the Lezhou Merchants Association. The familiarity came solely from her name giving him a strong sense of déjà vu.

He quickly stopped dwelling on these details, as everyone has experienced the illusion of “I’ve been here before” or “I’ve done something similar.”

Xu Qi’an secretly transmitted: “How influential is the Lezhou Merchants Association in Lezhou?”

Li Lingsu responded:

“As you can tell from the name, their wealth is top-tier, with several Fourth-Rank experts. If Rong-jie and Qing-jie hadn’t been chasing me so closely, I would have gone back to Lezhou with Rou’er.”

“Because on Lezhou’s home turf, even Rong-jie and Qing-jie would have to be somewhat cautious. Of course, in an all-out fight, they could still overpower the Lezhou Merchants Association.”

None of that is the point… Xu Qi’an transmitted a query: “Have you slept with this girl?”

“Well, um… when feelings run deep, everything happens naturally. But don’t worry, Senior. Rou’er is different from the Dongfang sisters. She’s not so extreme, and is cultured and reasonable.”

Li Lingsu hastily explained via transmission.

Stop with all this irrelevant talk, I’ve already prepared myself to give up on you! Xu Qi’an kept his face expressionless.

Unaware of their private exchange, Wenren Qianrou smiled and said: “Would the two benefactors be willing to return to the city with Qianrou? Give me a chance to properly host you.”

Her words showed good social grace. Mu Nanzhi lifted her chin and haughtily gave an “Mm” of assent.

The group immediately mounted horses and rode towards Lezhou City, twenty li away.

…

In the main hall of the Wenren residence.

“My father has gone to do business in the Northern Frontier, transporting a shipment of grain, porcelain, cloth, and other goods to trade with the barbarians for warhorses and livestock,” explained Wenren Qianrou as she had servants bring tea and local Lezhou fruits.

Due to the large day-night temperature differences, Lezhou’s fruits were sweeter than those from other regions.

This greatly pleased the reincarnated Flower Goddess, who happily ate several pieces of honeydew melon.

Xu Qi’an asked between bites: “The profits must be substantial?”

Wenren Qianrou nodded with a smile: “Normally, we wouldn’t dare trade with the barbarians. Compared to those savages and beast tribes, the Southern Frontier barbarians have more credibility.”

“This relies entirely on the Gu Tribes, especially the Heavenly Gu Tribe. They never lack wise men and have sufficient prestige. Since they believe the Southern Frontier should trade with Great Feng, other tribes don’t dare disrupt it.”

“Of course, there are still many backward barbarian tribes in the Southern Frontier – those who eat raw meat and drink blood, sacrifice living humans, even fathers and sons killing each other. For a son to inherit his father’s property, he must kill his father.”

Are fathers and sons killing each other? I feel like you’re insinuating something about me… Xu Qi’an thought to himself.

Wenren Qianrou continued: “The northern war has dragged on so long, the barbarians are short on supplies now. Because of the alliance, they don’t dare raid Great Feng territory anymore. This is our best opportunity.”

Xu Qi’an commented: “Merchants pursuing profit is a good thing.”

Wenren Qianrou’s eyes lit up: “You don’t look down on merchants as lowly?”

You haven’t experienced the era where money talks… Xu Qi’an maintained his persona, saying: “In the history books, most prosperous eras stemmed from economic growth.”

Wenren Qianrou clapped her hands, saying: “You truly are an exceptional person, with a perspective unbound by convention.”

With this casual chat as a warm-up, Xu Qi’an got to the point: “Miss Wenren, do you know of the Three Flower Temple in Lezhou?”

Wenren Qianrou nodded.

“Has anything unusual happened at Three Flower Temple recently?”

Wenren Qianrou thought for a moment, then shook her head: “Nothing unusual, but in nine days, the Pagoda of Infinite Treasures will open.”

Xu Qi’an smiled: “You also know about the Pagoda opening soon?”

Wenren Qianrou looked puzzled, then smiled faintly:

“It’s said the Pagoda of Infinite Treasures was once where Buddhists enshrined relics and the golden bodies left by high monks after enlightenment. It’s rich in Buddha nature. It opens once every sixty years, and those with karmic affinity who enter may obtain treasures.”

Would Buddhists be so benevolent? Xu Qi’an mused: “What’s the purpose?”

Wenren Qianrou answered readily, “Legend says that all who obtain treasures from the Pagoda end up converting to Buddhism. Oh right, some time ago, people did say they saw golden light radiating from the Pagoda, accompanied by dragon roars. Three Flower Temple explained it as an auspicious sign of the Pagoda’s merits being fulfilled.”

I see, it opens once every sixty years, with the true purpose of converting “fated people” to Buddhism… Hmph, merits fulfilled? Since when did Great Feng’s dragon qi become your Buddhist “fulfilled merits”? You’re trying to monopolize the dragon qi… After pondering deeply, Xu Qi’an asked:

“Where is Three Flower Temple located? Is it far from Lezhou City?”

“Riding hard, you can reach it by tomorrow.”

Xu Qi’an nodded slowly, looking at the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Child: “I want to scout out some information first.”

Xu Qian came to Lezhou for the Pagoda after all, his intentions were far from pure… Li Lingsu wasn’t surprised about this at all.

When Xu Qian had said they were heading west, Li Lingsu had already guessed the details.

“Come with me. My wife will stay at the Wenren residence,” Xu Qi’an added.

“…Alright.”

The Heavenly Sect’s Holy Child glanced at Wenren Qianrou and said solemnly: “No problem, I’m duty-bound to help.”

Looks like his seed is safe for today.

Wenren Qianrou was indeed cultured and reasonable. Not only was she not angry, she thoughtfully said:

“Li Lang, wait a moment.”

Shortly after, she returned carrying a black wooden box. Opening the lid revealed an extended-barrel firearm inside.

“The monks at Three Flower Temple are used to being overbearing. With your cultivation sealed now, take this so I can feel at ease. This firearm is a magical weapon my father spent a fortune to acquire. Anyone below the Spirit Refining realm will surely die if hit.”

As for those at Spirit Refining, they would sense the danger in advance due to a cultivator’s acute crisis perception, as long as you locked onto them.

…

That day, the two changed their appearance using Thief Sect’s secret techniques and disguised themselves. They rode swift horses following a map, arriving at Qingning City by dawn the next day.

Three Flower Temple was located on the outskirts of Qingning City, on a place called Golden Light Mountain.

The temple complex was enormous, with over two thousand monks in residence.

For the monks of Three Flower Temple, though physically in Great Feng, it was no different from being in the Western Regions.

Lezhou itself had many Western Region people coming and going frequently. Three Flower Temple was only a three-day journey from the Western Region border.

With powerful backers, what was there to fear from the imperial court?

Suppressing Buddhism? Would the Lezhou officials dare suppress Buddhism right under the nose of the Buddhist establishment?

Thus, such a large-scale temple complex was allowed to exist.

Approaching Golden Light Mountain, they could see magnificent golden halls in the distance, half-hidden among withered branches and fallen leaves. There were also clusters of buildings stretching out – the living quarters for the monks.

The two tied their horses to the temple’s entrance arch, not worried about theft, and began climbing the steps.

Just as they were about to enter the inner courtyard of Three Flower Temple, angry shouts and arguments suddenly erupted from above.

Then came several muffled thuds accompanied by bursts of energy, as a few figures tumbled down the steps from above.

These men wore tight-fitting clothes and carried swords or sabers. Apart from their weapons, they had nothing of value on them.

Jianghu wanderers, and low-level ones at that.

“Are you alright, brothers?”

Xu Qi’an stepped forward to help them up.

Feeling embarrassed, the jianghu men waved him off repeatedly: “It’s nothing, it’s nothing.”

“What happened to you all…”

Before Xu Qi’an could finish asking, a young monk wielding a broom charged down the steps. About fifteen or sixteen years old, with sunken eye sockets and a high nose bridge, he had distinct Western Region features.

Wearing a blue kasaya robe and monk’s shoes, his head was completely shaved. Though he had cut off his mundane hair, his heart seemed to still dwell in the mortal world.

Looking disdainfully at the jianghu men, he sneered:

“You bunch of misfits think you can try your luck in the Pagoda? You can’t even beat a sweeping monk like me. Why don’t you take a piss and look at your reflection, huh!”

The jianghu men flushed red with anger and shame: “Three Flower Temple said anyone with karmic affinity could come to try. Wasn’t it the same in previous years?”

The young monk held his head high, sneering coldly:

“This year is different. The Pagoda isn’t accepting people with ‘karmic affinity’ this time. Get lost quick, or this Buddha will beat you till your mothers won’t recognize you.”

“You Central Plains frogs who dream of eating swan meat, Three Flower Temple belongs to us Westerners. How could crude warriors like you from Great Feng ever comprehend the profound Buddhist dharma?”

A man with a dislocated arm shouted angrily: “Lezhou is Great Feng territory!”

The young monk raised his broom, cursing: “It is if Buddha says it is! If you’re not convinced, come up and fight again. This time I’ll beat you till you kneel and call me daddy.”

Though not high in cultivation, the young monk had a glib tongue and quite a talent for insulting people.

These jianghu wanderers were indeed old enough to be the young monk’s fathers. But faced with humiliation from a brash youth, they were helpless to do anything about it.

“This is infuriating!”

There are countless Buddhist disciples, but those with great wisdom are few. The vast majority of Western Region Buddhist disciples are this arrogant… Xu Qi’an was reminded of the Western Region delegation during the Buddhist Dharma Duel.

That delegation was considered quite high-quality among Buddhist disciples. But when Jingsi and Jingchen provoked the capital’s martial artists in the arena, they didn’t hesitate at all.

And all of their actions were instructed by the Arhat Who Relieves Suffering.

From top to bottom, Western Region Buddhists viewed themselves as superior, dominating the West and considering themselves foremost among the Nine Provinces.

The difference was that highly cultivated monks wouldn’t openly display such pride, while novices with shallow cultivation would jump around showing off.

Li Lingsu, wearing an ordinary face, frowned and said: “Young monk, in the jianghu world, being too arrogant makes you an easy target.”

At his age, the young monk couldn’t stand threats. Leaning on his broom, he sneered:

“Buddha’s head is right here. Come on, try to chop it off if you dare.”

“This Holy Child has roamed jianghu for years and likes spirited kids like you the most.”

Li Lingsu pulled out the extended-barrel firearm from under his robe, aimed it at the young monk, and said expressionlessly:

“Come on, repeat what you just said.”