Chapter 8
After Liaowu and Liaonian left, the crowd gathered in front of the Li Mansion slowly dispersed. Soon, silence returned, and aside from the patter of rain and the soft sobs of the scholar’s wife, nothing disturbed the quiet of the white-bannered Li Mansion.
Rain soaked her clothes, and her face was paler than her white mourning dress, as if she might cry herself breathless at any moment.
Footsteps approached and stopped in front of her. A slender, fair hand held an oil-paper umbrella, shielding her from the increasingly heavy rain.
“Aren’t you going inside?” Heng Yu asked softly.
She had disappeared earlier to investigate the surroundings, but found nothing.
Demons were the common enemy of both righteous and demonic cultivators. She had been in this world for several months, and this was her first encounter with a demon, so she naturally wanted to investigate further.
The woman raised her delicate face. She had a gentle demeanor, and even in her grief, her beauty was evident. She had no spiritual energy, a completely ordinary mortal.
“Thank you, Miss, but I want to stay here a while longer to see my husband off.”
Heng Yu’s gaze fell on the closed coffin — she could sense a faint black mist lingering around it.
That black mist was demonic Qi. It swirled and pulsed, seemingly trying to amplify the deepest desires and attachments in people’s hearts.
Heng Yu’s expression remained calm, unaffected.
Suddenly, her expression turned serious. “The coffin is empty?”
“Yes, my husband only lay in it briefly. The master said there’s no need to disturb the deceased’s soul on a rainy day. We just need to carry the coffin out of the mansion, and he can chant the sutras for his soul’s passage.”
Heng Yu nodded. She saw that the woman intended to continue kneeling in the rain and didn’t want to disturb her further.
Just as she was about to leave, Heng Yu noticed a young man standing at the end of the alley, his gaze fixed on the woman, his expression sorrowful. Suddenly, he noticed Heng Yu staring at him. His expression changed, and he pretended to be passing by, hurrying away in the rain.
Heng Yu stared at the empty alley, lost in thought.
Did that man know Madam Li?
A few steps from the alley where the Li Mansion was located was a noodle stall.
In the rain, the stall was empty, with only an elderly couple, the owners, busy at work.
Heng Yu entered the stall, shaking the water off her umbrella as she closed it.
“What would you like, Miss?” A white-haired old woman led Heng Yu to the driest table, asking with a smile.
Heng Yu replied casually, “A bowl of wonton noodles, please.”
“Alright, Miss. Don’t underestimate our small stall. Our wonton noodles are exceptional. Many cultivators come here to eat.”
After a few pleasantries, the old woman went to help the old man prepare the noodles. They worked quickly, and soon, Heng Yu smelled a faint fragrance.
The noodles were placed in front of Heng Yu, and she picked up a pair of clean chopsticks. Faced with delicious food, she wasn’t in a hurry to investigate.
After eating half her bowl, Heng Yu put down her chopsticks and looked at the elderly couple, who were still busy. “When I came here, I saw a crowd gathered in the alley next door and faintly heard a woman crying. What happened?”
Mentioning gossip, the old woman perked up. There were no other customers at the stall, so she wiped her hands. “Miss, you must be talking about the Li Mansion. Last night, the scholar from the Li Mansion was killed by a demon. His wife had only been married to him for less than a year. They were a loving couple, but who would have thought such a tragedy would occur?”
The old man poked the fire in the stove and muttered, “A loving couple? Don’t forget about that Zhao boy…”
Realizing he had misspoken, the old man quickly shut his mouth.
The Zhao boy?
Heng Yu immediately thought of the young man she had seen in the alley.
“Could there be more to this story?”
Seeing that the couple didn’t answer, Heng Yu was about to take out some spirit stones, but suddenly changed her mind.
Heng Yu coughed lightly. “You two might not know this, but the reason I’m inquiring about this is related to the master from the Undying Sect. As you know, when it comes to demons, the Buddhist sect can’t stand idly by. Although I’m not a Buddhist cultivator, I’m an old friend of that master, so he asked me to investigate.”
In a place with a strong Buddhist atmosphere, sometimes invoking the Undying Sect was more effective than spirit stones.
Hearing this, the elderly couple visibly relaxed.
The old man was about to speak when he looked outside and said happily, “Little Master, please come in. What would you like to eat?”
Heng Yu followed his gaze and saw a young monk in green robes standing outside the stall. The young monk was drenched, rain streaming down his face. But his expression was calm, as if he didn’t mind being wet at all.
When Heng Yu looked at him, the young monk glared at her.
Heng Yu was puzzled.
Looking at the elderly couple, the young monk joined his hands together. “Benefactors, this little monk’s Dharma name is Liaonian. I’ve come to inquire about the situation at the Li Mansion on my senior brother’s orders.”
“This—” The old man looked at Liaonian, then at Heng Yu, confused.
The young disciples of the Undying Sect’s current generation all had “Liao” in their Dharma names. Judging by this little monk Liaonian’s age, he was undoubtedly Liaowu’s junior brother.
To avoid being exposed, Heng Yu smiled warmly. “Liaonian, why are you here too? Come in and get out of the rain. You must be hungry after chanting sutras with Senior Brother Liaowu all morning. Please,shoopkeeper, make him a bowl of noodles.”
As she spoke, Heng Yu walked over to Liaonian and pulled him inside. She placed a hand on his shoulder, channeling spiritual energy, and forcibly pressed the stunned young monk onto a stool.
“Benefactor—” Liaonian frowned.
Heng Yu transmitted her voice. “We have the same goal. I’m just using the name of the Undying Sect. Don’t mind me.”
Liaonian: “…”
Just then, the old woman brought a bowl of noodles to Liaonian and stood beside them, explaining the situation of the Li family.
The man killed by the demon was named Li Jia, a young scholar. His ancestors had a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so he owned a large mansion in this small town. With the resources left by his ancestors, Li Jia cultivated to the third level of Qi Refining and was often kind to others.
Someone like him, with mediocre aptitude, was just a slightly more capable mortal, so Li Jia focused most of his energy on studying. When he reached a suitable age for marriage, he fell in love with Man Xue’er, from a poor family in the north of the city.
Man Xue’er came from a humble background, but she was beautiful and had a gentle demeanor, like a lady from a wealthy family. Neighbors often lamented that she was born into the wrong family.
Her family valued sons over daughters. She had two older brothers who were of marriageable age, but her family could barely make ends meet. To raise money for their marriages, when Li Jia proposed, Man Xue’er’s parents demanded a hefty betrothal gift and quickly arranged the marriage.
“Such a tragedy,” the old man sighed. “That Man Xue’er and the Zhao boy grew up under our watch. Those two children were well-matched in appearance and personality. Who would have thought such a thing would happen?”
With the marriage arranged, Man Xue’er could only tearfully marry into the Li family. Fortunately, Li Jia treated her well, but Zhao Fan never forgot her. Besides hunting in the mountains to earn money, he often lingered near the Li Mansion.
“Actually…” the old man hesitated, glancing at the young monk Liaonian. “Everyone thinks that Zhao Fan’s obsession was too deep, and a demon took advantage of his heart, leading to this tragedy.”
Mentioning demons, Liaonian’s expression immediately turned serious. “This little monk understands. Thank you, benefactors.”
He took out a few copper coins from his sleeve, placed them on the table, and stood up to leave.
Heng Yu took out a low-grade spirit stone, paid the bill, picked up her sword and umbrella, and walked out of the stall into the rain.
Liaonian heard the movement behind him, turned around, and looked at her with a puzzled expression. “Why is Benefactor following this little monk?”
Heng Yu smiled. “I heard that the Undying Sect is particularly experienced in dealing with demons. I want to follow you and witness it firsthand.”
Liaonian nodded and continued walking.
But as they walked, he suddenly asked, “Benefactor, are we acquainted?”
Why was she acting so familiar?
Heng Yu held her belongings in her left hand and held her right hand upright, imitating a Buddhist gesture. “We’re not, but Little Monk, we’re fated. For the sake of our fate, this small request shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Liaonian glared at her again.
He didn’t believe in fate.
But he couldn’t argue with Heng Yu, so he simply quickened his pace.
“You don’t believe we’re fated?” Heng Yu walked beside him, matching his pace. “Alright then, I’m fated with your Buddha. This time it’s definitely true, I’m not lying.”
“Buddha has countless believers. If everyone claimed to be fated with him, how could Buddha possibly attend to them all?” Liaonian argued.
Ever since he met this demonic woman, she had been spouting nonsense. He didn’t believe a word she said.
“Amitabha.”
A clear, distant voice sounded nearby.
Liaowu stood in the cold rain, his gentle eyes falling on Heng Yu and Liaonian. “She didn’t lie. This benefactor is indeed fated with Buddha.”
Buddha’s guidance had led him to her. This female benefactor had come from afar, seemingly for him.
Heng Yu stopped walking and shrugged at Liaonian. “See? Your senior brother said so. Now do you believe me?”
Liaonian ignored her and bowed to Liaowu. “Senior Brother, I’ve inquired about the matter.”
Liaowu nodded slightly and looked at Heng Yu.
He joined his hands together and said calmly, “Benefactor, you were just talking with my junior brother. Do you have a request?”
Heng Yu sighed softly.
She thought for a moment and decided to voice her request.
First, she genuinely wanted to see the heart-eroding black mist.
Second… she also wanted to take this opportunity to see what kind of person Buddha-son Liaowu truly was.
“I want to witness the demon corrupted by the black mist firsthand.”
Liaowu said, “If Benefactor wishes to witness it, then come with us.”
Heng Yu replied, “Luo Heng Yu of the Hehuan Sect thanks Senior Brother Liaowu.”
Hearing her sect’s name, the young monk Liaonian’s eyes widened.
The Hehuan Sect?
Wasn’t that the demonic sect that cultivated charm arts and used dual cultivation as a means of advancement?
Suddenly, Liaonian’s eyes widened even further. His senior brother’s purpose for traveling the world was to overcome his tribulation of love. Could it be…
Liaonian looked at Heng Yu with undisguised wariness.
He then looked at his senior brother, wondering how he would react.
“So it’s Lord Luo of the Hehuan Sect. Your name precedes you,” Liaowu replied calmly.
From his expression, it was impossible to tell whether he was surprised by Heng Yu’s identity or not.
Heng Yu approached. “Let’s go to the Zhao family and see that Zhao Fan first. If he’s truly the demon, it will save us a lot of trouble.”
Liaowu’s gaze was calm, with a hint of inquiry. “Does Lord Luo think it’s not him?”
“I just find it strange. Just now at the Li Mansion, Man Xue’er was crying, but not a single servant came out to invite her in or offer her any shelter from the rain.”
“Even the servants didn’t try to please her, their master. It can be inferred that Man Xue’er’s situation in the Li Mansion was awkward, definitely not as blissful as outsiders perceived.”
If her deduction was correct, Zhao Fan wasn’t the only one with resentment.
Liaowu said, “This poor monk hadn’t considered that.”
“People say that Buddha-son Liaowu’s heart is like a clear mirror. I thought you could see through all kinds of hearts in this world.”
Liaowu countered, “Should this poor monk understand?”
Should he see through people’s hearts?
Because he understood the sufferings of the world?
Heng Yu was taken aback.
This question was completely unexpected. This Buddha-son’s character seemed different from what she had imagined.
“If you don’t know why sentient beings suffer, how can you deliver them from suffering?”
Liaowu replied calmly, “My Buddha is compassionate.”
Heng Yu raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.
This answer was even more interesting.
“It’s Buddha who is compassionate, not you.”
No wonder this Buddha-son needed to experience the world. He had clearly seen the darkness of this world and often prayed for those who suffered, but after so many years, he still didn’t seem to understand the human heart.
Liaowu remained silent.
He joined his hands together. “Buddha’s will is this poor monk’s will. So, is there any difference between Buddha being compassionate and this poor monk being compassionate?”
Heng Yu stopped and looked at him. He stood in the rain, fine droplets clinging to his long, curled eyelashes. He was calm, otherworldly, and exceptionally pure.
“Senior Brother Liaowu, were you born into Buddhism?”
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been serving before Buddha.”
“I see.” Heng Yu chuckled softly. “I’m the complete opposite of Senior Brother Liaowu. If it were me, I would make my will Buddha’s will. Perhaps when I’m weaker than others, I might temporarily submit and play along, but the final outcome will always be as I desire.”
She cultivated and sought for herself.
What about Liaowu?
This Buddha-son seemed to have been born for Buddhism. He was filled with Buddhist nature.
But he, like her, was just a seeker of the Dao.
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