Chapter 51
Feeling her eyelashes brush against his palm, Liaowu knew she had closed her eyes. But he didn’t remove his hand. This gesture, although intended to shield her view, appeared overly intimate to others. It was early morning, and most cultivators were performing their morning prayers. But several disciples were still meditating on lotus platforms at the spiritual sea. Some, awakened by Liaoyuan’s earlier actions, now looked at Liaowu and Heng Yu with surprise and uncertainty. If it were Liaoyuan, they wouldn’t have thought much of it, knowing his unconventional ways. But with Liaowu… it was different. However, due to his status, no one spoke.
Liaoyuan casually wiped the spiritual liquid from his face, a simple action made to appear seductive. He blinked innocently. “Only Lord Luo can appreciate my current state. Senior Brother, covering her eyes like this is rather domineering, isn’t it? Doesn’t a goddess like Lord Luo want to appreciate beauty?”
Liaowu knew Liaoyuan was being deliberate. But his own unconscious action had indeed been inappropriate. He sighed, retracted his hand, stepped back, and chanted, “Amitabha. This poor monk apologizes.”
Heng Yu slowly opened her eyes and looked at Liaowu.
“I do enjoy appreciating beautiful things,” she said, acknowledging Liaoyuan’s words.
Liaoyuan’s expression turned serious.
He flashed to Heng Yu’s side, a step away.
Heng Yu could feel the residual spiritual energy from his sudden movement.
Liaowu frowned, disapproving. “The spiritual energy here is far too strong for your current realm. Leaving your meditative state so suddenly is dangerous.”
Liaoyuan waved his hand dismissively, resting it behind his head, his demeanor languid. “I just wanted Lord Luo to admire my appearance up close.”
“Why can’t one appreciate multiple beautiful things simultaneously? Lord Luo, do you agree?” He winked at her, a hopeful smile on his lips. His smile was unrestrained and captivating, like a red plum blooming on a cliff in the dead of winter, tempting despite the danger.
Heng Yu looked at him appraisingly.
Liaoyuan tilted his head, his smile deepening, as if asking what she was looking for.
Heng Yu looked away and clapped lazily. “You’re absolutely right. I’ve already admired you, but a beautiful person with unknown dangers is a bit daunting.”
“Don’t you want a closer look? Oh, am I blocking your view? I’ll step back.”
Liaoyuan took four steps back.
Water dripped from his body, pooling where he had been standing.
Heng Yu chuckled softly and, ignoring Liaoyuan, whose intentions were still unclear, turned to Liaowu. “Senior Brother Liaowu, I’ve seen enough of this spiritual sea. Let’s go somewhere else.”
As she passed by Liaoyuan, he suddenly reached out.
Heng Yu dodged with a spell.
His hand grasped at empty air. He lowered his gaze, a shadow falling across his face, making him appear vulnerable. “Lord Luo, are you abandoning me like this?”
“That’s not quite right. We’re not close. I just want to see other parts of the Undying Sect,” Heng Yu replied, then looked at Liaowu questioningly.
Liaowu’s voice was gentle. “Then let’s leave.”
“Yes, we’ve wasted enough time.”
Liaoyuan was almost angered by her words.
All his efforts had been in vain.
Leaving the spiritual sea, they arrived at a medicinal garden. The deeper parts of the garden were forbidden, so they only walked along the outer edges. Even the herbs here were of high quality and rare varieties, giving Heng Yu a glimpse of the Undying Sect’s vast resources. It seemed that even among the top sects, there was a hierarchy. And the Undying Sect was clearly at the top. It wasn’t surprising. Without such resources, they wouldn’t be able to defend against the demons in the northwest.
The garden was quiet, so quiet that Heng Yu could hear the rustling of leaves and their footsteps. Bored, she walked two steps behind Liaowu, following his footprints.
Liaowu, not understanding why she had fallen behind, turned around and almost bumped into her. He steadied her with a hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t mind Liaoyuan’s words,” he said after she regained her balance.
Heng Yu plucked a blade of grass and chewed on it. “I’m wondering why he’s targeting me. Is it because of you?”
Liaowu walked beside her, watching the grass bobbing in her mouth. He looked at the rising sun. “He probably wants to test you, to understand why you were chosen as…” He paused, searching for the right words. “…my destined partner for the tribulation of love. And also because he’s bored. Liaoyuan is unpredictable and rather… unconventional.”
Unpredictable?
Thinking of Liaoyuan’s shifting demeanor, sometimes innocent, sometimes seductive, sometimes righteous and devout, Heng Yu agreed with Liaowu’s assessment.
“Is he trying to use me to scheme against you?”
Liaowu’s lips tightened at her casual question.
Not receiving an answer, she looked at him, blinking and smiling. “Why aren’t you speaking?”
“…Probably because he’s bored.”
He wanted to see him lose his composure, to see him flustered.
If it weren’t for the appearance of innate Buddha bones, Liaoyuan, the Joyful Buddha cultivator, should have been the most prominent figure among the younger generation of the Buddhist sect. So, for years, Liaoyuan had outwardly submitted to him, but secretly, he constantly tried to undermine him, to surpass him.
But unfortunately, he had never succeeded… until yesterday, when he had finally seen Liaowu lose his composure.
After passing the medicinal garden, they reached the Scripture Pavilion.
They didn’t continue their walk but entered the pavilion. Heng Yu stayed on the second floor to browse the books on formations, while Liaowu went to the fourth floor to cultivate within the formation.
In the evening, as the drums sounded throughout the Undying Sect, Liaowu came down from the fourth floor and found Heng Yu in a corner on the second floor. She was sitting by the window, leaning against the wall, her posture slightly askew, casually flipping through an ancient book. The sunlight streamed through the window, but she sat just outside its reach, looking slightly forlorn.
Liaowu unconsciously softened his steps.
But Heng Yu still heard him.
Turning around, she saw Liaowu, as expected.
She realized that after spending time with someone, even their footsteps became familiar.
“I’ll escort you back,” Liaowu said gently, walking over to her.
He took the book from her hand, checked its record, and put it back on the shelf.
“Are we leaving for the Sword Sect the day after tomorrow morning?” Heng Yu asked as they left the pavilion.
Liaowu nodded.
The Dharma Assembly was only half a month away. Fortunately, the Undying Sect and the Sword Sect were close. Traveling on the sect’s special airship, they could reach the Sword Sect in about ten days.
Escorting Heng Yu back to her room, Liaowu said gently, “This poor monk won’t be coming tomorrow. If you encounter any problems, send me a message.”
“Alright,” Heng Yu nodded.
As the Buddha-son, he had many responsibilities besides cultivation.
It was already rare for him to find time for her.
After Liaowu left, Heng Yu sat cross-legged and cultivated.
She cultivated all night. When she opened her eyes, it was still dark outside.
She went to the window and saw a light rain falling.
A quarter of an hour later, Heng Yu, dressed in a fiery red dress, left her room with an oil-paper umbrella, intending to explore the parts of the Undying Sect she hadn’t seen yet before returning to the Scripture Pavilion.
She chose a less traveled path.
After passing through a field of flowers, she saw a simple pavilion in the distance.
A Buddhist cultivator in a light blue robe sat inside. His eyes were covered with white cloth, clearly blind, yet he was playing chess by himself.
Seemingly sensing her presence, he put down his white chess piece and turned towards her.
As he turned, Heng Yu saw his face clearly.
He had a delicate and gentle aura, his light blue robes complementing his appearance, making him seem as vast and accommodating as the ocean.
He was the kind of monk who could instantly dispel one’s wariness.
But then Heng Yu’s heart tightened.
She couldn’t discern his cultivation level.
With his aura, he couldn’t possibly be an ordinary mortal. That meant his cultivation was far higher than hers.
Heng Yu quickly bowed. “I didn’t know Senior was here. I apologize for any unintentional offense.”
She was about to leave when the Buddhist cultivator chuckled softly. “Our meeting is fate. Would you be willing to play a game of chess with this poor monk?”
He paused, then added, “You can refuse if you’re not interested. This poor monk is just bored on this rainy day.”
Heng Yu considered it.
She could sense his goodwill.
Since he meant no harm, and she had nothing else to do, why not play a game of chess?
Thinking this, Heng Yu walked towards the pavilion, her steps light.
Reaching the pavilion, she lifted her skirt slightly and ascended the three steps.
She closed her umbrella and placed it against a pillar, then walked over to the Buddhist cultivator and bowed again. “Greetings, Senior.”
“There’s no need for formalities. Please be at ease.”
After Heng Yu sat down, he raised his wrist.
His wide sleeves swayed slightly, enhancing his gentle and accommodating aura.
“Do you mind continuing this game?”
“Not at all. But please don’t mind my mediocre skills.”
The Buddhist cultivator shook his head. “This poor monk’s skills are also average. We’re evenly matched then.”