Chapter 15
Hearing this assessment, Heng Yu thought of Man Xue’er. Previously, when she inquired about Li Jia, people had also said he was a kind and gentle scholar.
Turns out he was a hypocrite.
However, one case was separate from another. Heng Yu didn’t jump to conclusions.
She put down her teacup and took out a few low-grade spirit stones from her sleeve. “Shopkeeper, you’re a businessman, so I’ll be direct. Please tell me about this Magistrate Zhao.”
Seeing the spirit stones, the shopkeeper’s smile became warmer and more welcoming. In this remote town, a low-grade spirit stone was equivalent to a silver tael.
“Rest assured, Miss. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
While Heng Yu was learning about Magistrate Zhao, in a poor alley in the north of the city, a man dressed as a Daoist priest walked slowly with a sword in his hand. He looked young, wearing Daoist robes and his hair tied in a Daoist topknot. Despite his otherworldly attire, he had a cold and stern demeanor.
Zhao Fan returned from hunting in the mountains, carrying a basket containing two bloodied hares. As he walked, blood dripped from the basket.
Since almost everyone in this alley knew each other, Zhao Fan couldn’t help but scrutinize the unfamiliar Daoist priest. The more he looked, the more familiar the Daoist’s features seemed.
Zhao Fan’s scrutiny was too obvious. The man looked up coldly, his gaze as sharp as a sword.
As their eyes met, a thought struck Zhao Fan. “Changping? Is that you, Changping?”
The man frowned slightly. The sharpness in his eyes softened a little.
Seeing that he hadn’t been recognized, Zhao Fan scratched his head. “It’s Zhao Fan. Do you remember me?”
“Zhao Fan?”
Although he didn’t remember Zhao Fan’s appearance, Fan Changping still remembered his childhood friend’s name.
His expression softened. “So it’s you. I barely remember what you look like.”
Zhao Fan laughed heartily. “It seems my memory is better. You left Hua City with Aunt Zhang fifteen years ago. Why are you back now?”
Mentioning the past, Fan Changping’s expression changed slightly. “Nothing. Just came back to take a look.”
Zhao Fan didn’t notice this and shifted the basket on his back. “You suddenly returned. Have you found a place to stay? Do you want to come to my house? I just caught two hares in the mountains. I’ll cook you some rabbit meat tonight.”
Fan Changping actually had a place to stay in Hua City. But after years of wandering, he rarely experienced such sincere warmth. He swallowed his refusal and silently followed Zhao Fan.
“How have you been all these years? I see you’re dressed as a Daoist priest. Have you started cultivating?” Zhao Fan scratched his head.
Hua City was within the Undying Sect’s territory, and most of the residents were Buddhist believers. So, he was surprised to see Fan Changping dressed as a Daoist.
Fan Changping lowered his gaze. “Let’s not talk about me. Tell me about yourself. You’re almost thirty now, right? How are things with Xue’er?”
“Xue’er…” Zhao Fan smiled bitterly. “It’s a long story. Let me tell you slowly.”
Sitting in the dilapidated courtyard, Fan Changping’s eyes filled with anger as he heard how Man Xue’er had been neglected by the Li family and beaten by Li Jia, driving her to become a demon.
“How dare the Li family do that!” He sneered coldly. “Xue’er’s methods were too gentle. She should have slaughtered the entire Li family and made those who mistreated her pay the price.”
“Now she’s in prison, and the rest of the Li family are still living comfortably!”
Zhao Fan was startled by the killing intent in his words. “Changping, you…”
He quickly waved his hand. “I visited Xue’er in prison yesterday. She seems happier and more relaxed than she was outside, despite not being free. Speaking of which, it’s all thanks to the master from the Undying Sect and an immortal…”
The Undying Sect?
Fan Changping’s face showed disgust. “Those bald donkeys from the Undying Sect only spout deceptive nonsense and talk about grand principles that ordinary people can’t understand. I think Xue’er was fooled by them.”
Hearing this, Zhao Fan became flustered. He realized that his childhood friend had changed a lot.
After learning about Magistrate Zhao, Heng Yu went to the Zhao residence to meet with Liaowu and Liaonian.
The Zhao residence wasn’t large, and the furnishings were simple, almost shabby. Yellow paper money and white mourning banners were scattered everywhere.
A servant led Heng Yu to the main hall. Inside, she saw that the officers had arrived and were questioning people and taking notes.
In this noisy environment, Liaowu sat cross-legged in front of the coffin, chanting sutras for the deceased. His voice was barely audible, his expression solemn, and the cinnabar mole between his eyebrows appeared even more sacred amidst the swirling incense smoke.
Heng Yu didn’t interrupt him but walked over to Liaonian. “Where’s Madam Zhao?”
“She fainted from crying and was taken to the inner courtyard to rest.”
Soon, Liaowu finished chanting.
He slowly opened his eyes.
The lead officer stepped forward and said respectfully, “Master Liaowu, we will follow your instructions and focus on investigating the Core Formation cultivators who have recently entered or left Hua City. We’ll inform you at Qingyun Temple when we have results.”
“Thank you for your trouble,” Liaowu said gratefully.
He stood up from the meditation mat and looked at Heng Yu and Liaonian. “Let’s leave the Zhao residence.”
As they walked out, Heng Yu adjusted the black tassel on her sword hilt. “Zhao Honghua was a just and incorruptible official.”
She stated her conclusion directly.
This was based on what she had learned from the shopkeeper of Linlang Pavilion. She had also observed the Zhao residence when she entered — it was too shabby for a city magistrate and a Core Formation cultivator.
It matched the shopkeeper’s description perfectly.
Liaowu’s expression turned serious.
He trusted her judgment. From Man Xue’er’s case, he knew how perceptive Heng Yu was.
“If that’s the case, this matter will be difficult to handle.”
If Zhao Honghua hadn’t made any enemies, the official investigation wouldn’t progress quickly. And without any leads, it wouldn’t be easy for them to find the person corrupted by demonic Qi.
If the investigation dragged on, who knew if that person would strike again.
“You asked the officials to investigate the new Core Formation cultivators in the city?” Heng Yu changed the subject.
Liaowu nodded. “Just a chance.”
Investigating murders was naturally the officials’ responsibility.
If it weren’t for the involvement of demons, Liaowu wouldn’t have interfered.
The three of them walked back to Qingyun Temple in silence.
At this hour, there were fewer worshippers in the temple.
Heng Yu stepped over the high threshold, entered the temple, and brushed off an osmanthus flower that had landed on her shoulder. A long table with several bamboo tubes for drawing divination sticks was placed beside the main entrance.
A kind-looking old monk sat behind the table, his gaze meeting Heng Yu’s. He nodded and smiled.
Heng Yu smiled back and was about to walk towards the rooms when Liaowu suddenly stopped.
He looked at the old monk at the divination stall and joined his hands together. “Congratulations on leaving seclusion, Abbot.”
Heng Yu immediately understood. This was the abbot of Qingyun Temple.
But why would the abbot be sitting here, interpreting divination sticks for worshippers?
The abbot returned the greeting with his hands joined together.
A pretty young woman, her face flushed, walked up to the divination stall, her voice soft.
“Master, I’d like to ask about my marriage prospects.”
In Buddhism, “abbot” referred to the head of a temple. And highly respected monks could be addressed as “master.”
The abbot nodded and pointed to the bamboo tubes in front of him. “Benefactor, before drawing a stick, silently repeat your question three times in your heart, then open your eyes and shake the tube.”
The young woman followed his instructions.
After shaking the tube a few times, a stick fell out — a good omen.
Seeing the auspicious stick, the young woman’s face lit up. She was about to get engaged in a few days and had been feeling uneasy. This divination was a pleasant surprise.
The abbot picked up the stick, looked at it, and stroked his long beard. “Benefactor, this stick has an excellent meaning. ‘You give me a peach, and I repay you with fine jade.’ This means that if you treat others with sincerity, all your wishes will come true.”
“Thank you, Master!” Happy with the interpretation, the young woman ran into the main hall to offer incense money to Buddha.
Heng Yu: “…”
She felt like she was witnessing a grand deception. After all, in the world she came from, the worst divination sticks were average, and most were auspicious.
However, Heng Yu could understand this practice. Worshippers came to temples for blessings and peace of mind. They didn’t necessarily want to gain anything from the divination, but simply sought psychological comfort. And the temple provided these auspicious sticks to cater to their needs.
“This benefactor seems to disbelieve in divination?” The abbot suddenly looked at her and asked with a smile.
Heng Yu said, “My answer might offend you, Master, so I’d rather not say.”
The abbot, having lived for over a hundred years, had excellent temperament and cultivation. “Benefactor, please speak freely.”
Heng Yu’s face showed a hint of apology. “I just think that most of the sticks in the tube are auspicious.”
Such a divination wasn’t meaningful.
She had a strong heart and didn’t need such illusory comfort.
The abbot chuckled. “So that’s what Benefactor thinks.”
He scrutinized Heng Yu. “Benefactor doesn’t seem to believe in Buddha, but I see that you are fated with Buddha.”
Hearing this, Heng Yu’s first reaction was to glance at Liaowu: Indeed, quite fated.
“Words can’t prove anything. Would Benefactor like to draw a stick yourself?”
The abbot’s interest was piqued, and he invited Heng Yu.
Heng Yu raised an eyebrow.
Seeing the abbot’s confidence, Heng Yu became interested as well. After all, this was a Buddhist temple in the cultivation world, which should be different from the temples of her time. She could take this opportunity to witness the methods of Buddhism in this world.
“Then I’ll gladly accept your offer.”
Heng Yu stepped forward and shook the bamboo tube vigorously. As she shook it, the young monk Liaonian approached, wanting to see what kind of stick Heng Yu would draw.
The bamboo sticks clattered against the tube.
A stick fell out.
Heng Yu glanced down, not surprised. “Extremely auspicious.”
The abbot was slightly stunned. “It’s a good stick, but Benefactor wasn’t sincere when drawing it.”
He explained the procedure again.
Seeing his insistence, Heng Yu took a deep breath and calmed herself.
“I want to ask if I can achieve immortality.”
Repeating the question three times in her heart, Heng Yu shook the tube again.
Another stick fell out.
Still extremely auspicious.
Heng Yu bent down, picked up the stick, and read the inscription.
— Since ancient times, all sages have been lonely, only those who drink leave their names.
An air of freedom and detachment emanated from the inscription.
A smile flickered in her eyes. “Although I don’t believe in divination, I like this inscription.”
This inscription perfectly aligned with her pursuit of the Dao.
Heng Yu handed the stick to Liaowu.
Liaowu glanced at it.
“Did you see it clearly?” Heng Yu asked.
Liaowu, unsure why she asked, nodded silently.
Seeing him nod, Heng Yu handed the stick to the abbot.
Observing their interaction, a puzzled expression flickered across the abbot’s face, then a look of understanding.
He took the stick from Heng Yu and chanted softly, “Amitabha. Does Benefactor know that the sticks in this tube are blank before being drawn? It is because Buddha heard your question and bestowed this omen.”
“Drawing an extremely auspicious stick means Benefactor possesses great luck; and this inscription answers the question in your heart.”
Heng Yu was surprised.
She picked up the first stick she had drawn and realized it only had the words “extremely auspicious” on it, without a specific inscription.
This confirmed the abbot’s words.
The first time she drew a stick, she hadn’t asked a question.
The second time, she had, so there was an inscription below “extremely auspicious.”
Thinking this, Heng Yu smiled. “In that case, I’ll draw another stick to ask about my marriage prospects.”
She silently repeated the question in her heart and shook the tube.
This time, the stick fell out face down on the table.
“Face down,” Liaowu said abruptly.
Heng Yu looked at him. “Is there a problem?”
Before Liaowu could answer, Heng Yu picked up the stick.
Extremely inauspicious.
The inscription — This life is only fit for serving before Buddha, ashamed to face Chang’e’s affections.
She didn’t need the abbot to interpret this one.
[I will serve before Buddha my whole life, ashamed to face your love.]
No matter how she looked at it, Heng Yu felt that her inner sect mission was doomed.
Before even starting, it had been predicted to fail!?
“The stick landed face down, indicating the worst possible outcome. Benefactor has drawn both the best and the worst sticks. This poor monk has never heard of such a thing before,” the abbot said calmly, turning his prayer beads.
After a moment of surprise, Heng Yu regained her composure upon hearing the abbot’s words.
She chuckled softly. “I don’t believe in gods or Buddhas, so no matter how mysterious this divination seems, I don’t believe in its content.”
She picked up the three sticks she had drawn and put them in her storage ring.
The abbot shook his head helplessly. “Even Buddha wouldn’t claim to fully foresee the future, so Benefactor, please rest assured, there’s always a possibility of reversing the outcome.”
Heng Yu smiled faintly, joined her hands together, and thanked the abbot. “I apologize for disturbing you, Master.”
During their conversation, Liaowu’s gaze had been fixed on Heng Yu, his expression thoughtful. When she looked at him, he lowered his eyes and focused on turning his prayer beads.
Reaching the courtyard of the rooms, Liaowu stopped and gestured to Liaonian. “Go inside and chant scriptures.”
Liaonian was puzzled but obediently entered the room, closing and locking the doors and windows.
“Do you have something to tell me?” Heng Yu looked at Liaowu.
There was a stone table in the courtyard. Liaowu sat down.
He smiled faintly and gestured to her. “Come and sit.”
A breeze blew through the courtyard, carrying the faint fragrance of osmanthus flowers.
Heng Yu looked at him, feeling as if her eyes reflected the gentle moonlight.
As she sat down, Liaowu took out osmanthus candy and pastries from his storage ring and placed them in front of her.
“Have some.”
Heng Yu took a pastry and put it in her mouth.
The pastry was crispy, sweet, and delicious.
Just as she swallowed a portion of it, she heard Liaowu say, “From our conversation just now, Lord Luo, I sense that you have no reverence in your heart and no attachments to this world.”
Heng Yu stopped chewing and looked up at him.
“No reverence, no attachments, as if you are detached from this world, without any sense of belonging.”
“Is this the freedom and detachment Lord Luo seeks?”
Liaowu asked her.
Without acknowledging this world, how could one transcend it?
Heng Yu silently swallowed the pastry.
She opened her mouth, wanting to explain.
But after thinking for a moment, Heng Yu realized that anything she said would sound like an excuse — because she realized Liaowu was right.
Before transmigrating, she was a high-ranking official in the Time and Space Administration, having coldly observed the changes in countless worlds. Now, having been in this world for less than half a year, she had no blood relatives in this body, and her closest relationship, her master You Yun, had limited interaction with her.
In this world, the person she had interacted with the most was actually Liaowu.
Under these circumstances, it was indeed difficult for her to develop a sense of belonging to this world and truly consider herself a part of it.
After a while, she smiled faintly. “I have no attachments.”
“Then… will you become my attachment?”
Heng Yu’s voice was very soft.
So soft that it didn’t disturb the birds in the trees.
But these words made Liaowu stop turning his prayer beads completely.
Silence fell, broken only by Liaowu’s chanting.
“Amitabha.”
Heng Yu felt that she had come up with a brilliant idea.
She would help him achieve enlightenment, and he would help her complete her inner sect mission and achieve immortality.
Each taking what they needed, it wasn’t a conflict.
She stood up from the stone bench, took a piece of osmanthus cake, and offered it to Liaowu.
Liaowu didn’t move, but he eventually gave in, taking the cake and taking a bite.
“Senior Brother Liaowu, there’s time yet. Think about it carefully.”
Heng Yu’s voice was gentle.
She bent down and picked up a fallen ginkgo leaf. She infused it with her spiritual energy.
Heng Yu handed the ginkgo leaf to Liaowu. “When you’ve made up your mind, return this leaf to me.”
The atmosphere became tense.
Heng Yu held this pose for a long time before Liaowu finally moved.
He reached out and accepted the ginkgo leaf.
His movements were gentle and reverent.
The official investigation wasn’t going smoothly. Several days had passed without any results.
Helpless, the new city magistrate had to ask Liaowu and the abbot for help.
Liaowu had originally planned to change Zhao Fan’s father’s medicine today, but with this important matter, he had to entrust the task to Liaonian.
When Heng Yu arrived at Qingyun Temple, Liaonian was just about to leave with a large medicine box.
“I’ll go with you,” Heng Yu said to Liaonian. She had nothing else to do.
She reached out and naturally took the medicine box from Liaonian. “It’s too heavy. Let me carry it.”
Having been to Zhao Fan’s house before, she easily found her way.
After about half an hour, Liaonian knocked on the wooden door.
“Coming,” a voice called out from inside.
Then Zhao Fan opened the door.
Seeing Heng Yu and Liaonian, Zhao Fan said happily, “It’s Miss and Little Master Liaonian. Please come in. I’ll have to trouble you again today.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” Liaonian quickly replied.
Zhao Fan welcomed them inside and poured them each a cup of hot water.
As he handed the cup to Heng Yu, he explained nervously, “We don’t have any tea at home, Miss. Please don’t mind.”
Heng Yu took the cup. “It’s fine. Water is enough.”
To ease Zhao Fan’s nervousness, Heng Yu drank several sips of water, despite not being thirsty.
Seeing her actions, Zhao Fan relaxed a little.
After they finished their water, Liaonian carried the medicine box into the room to change Zhao Fan’s father’s medicine.
Zhao Fan was about to follow and help when someone knocked on the door.
He hurried to open it.
“Changping, why are you here?” Zhao Fan said happily, seeing Fan Changping.
Fan Changping held up a wine jar. “I have nothing to do, so I came to drink with you.”
Zhao Fan was stunned. “It might not be a good time right now.”
“What’s wrong?” Fan Changping looked inside.
The courtyard wasn’t large, so he easily saw Heng Yu, dressed in Daoist robes, standing in the courtyard.
Heng Yu also saw Fan Changping.
She didn’t pay much attention at first, but before looking away, she noticed Fan Changping’s cultivation level — early Foundation Establishment.
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