The other party was Xu Shanglou's aunt, who had been a vegetarian and Buddhist for many years, and the two had a lot in common.

It has been two years since Ruan Mingying and Xu Shanglou registered their marriage abroad, but there is still no sign of pregnancy, which has many people in the Xu family watching closely.

The two young people weren't in a hurry, but their elders were. The couple didn't plan to be childless, so of course they had to have a child as soon as possible.

The family doctor said the two of them were healthy, but the aunt said that their time to have a child hadn't come yet, and they should go and pray to the Goddess of Mercy who grants children.

Ruan Mulan had the same thought: young people are too shy to do this kind of thing; it's naturally up to the elders to handle it.

The temple we're going to today is quite far, so Ah Hu will drive the two of them there.

That temple is said to be very effective in granting wishes for children, and it's extremely popular, especially on weekends when it's probably even more crowded.

Ms. Wei, Xu Shanglou's aunt, was worried on the way there that there would be too many people and she would have to queue to burn incense.

When we arrived at the temple, we found that there was no queue at the Guanyin Hall, but the other hall was packed with people.

Ms. Wei couldn't help but ask, "What are they praying for over there?"

"Oh, that's where you pray for wealth, the Garan Hall." Fearing the two wouldn't understand, the young novice added, "It's the God of Wealth Hall."

Ms. Wei was immediately tempted. Her two sons had been having bad luck lately, losing money on every investment and failing in their business ventures.

Their family wasn't well-off to begin with, how could they afford to let their two sons cause so much trouble?

"Since we're already here, why don't we go and offer our prayers?" Ms. Wei suggested.

Ruan Mulan smiled and said, "I won't go."

She runs her own company and has inherited the property left by her mother from the Bai family; her three daughters all have their own careers and can earn a lot of money, so they don't need to seek wealth at all.

Thinking any further would be too greedy.

Ms. Wei didn't say much and hurried over.

After Ruan Mulan finished praying to Guanyin Bodhisattva and donated a large sum of money for incense, a monk immediately came to greet her.

The other person, whose clothes were fluttering in the wind, was seeing such a generous female benefactor for the first time, and smiled as he invited Ruan Mulan to have tea in the backyard.

Ruan Mulan: "Thank you very much. I'd like to hear the master preach."

The backyard preaching room was stocked with fine tea. After thinking for a moment, she sent a message to Mingzhuo, asking what he was doing.

Mingzhuo replied quickly: "I'm at Qingmen Temple, listening to the monks preach."

Ruan Mulan couldn't help but smile: "What a coincidence! I was also praying to Guanyin for a child at the temple."

He then sent his location.

Mingzhuo was probably focused on listening to the sermon and didn't respond.

Ruan Mulan didn't mind. After sitting quietly for a while, someone knocked on the door.

She opened the door, and outside stood a monk who looked slightly young. He put his hands together and bowed to her.

The abbot introduced, "This is Wuyou, who is staying at our temple. He is far superior to me in preaching the sutras. Today, he will preach the sutras on behalf of you."

Ruan Mulan was somewhat surprised: "Is that so? Then thank you very much. But this Master Wuyou looks really young."

The abbot said, "You should listen to him say a few words first; he will surely be satisfied."

Ruan Mulan stepped aside and invited the three of them in.

Amidst the aroma of tea filling the room, Wuyou began to expound on Buddhist scriptures. His voice was clear and gentle, neither hurried nor slow, revealing his deep understanding of the scriptures and profound Buddhist teachings.

The abbot listened with a look of satisfaction and appreciation, as if he wished he could take the other person under his wing.

Most wandering monks who stay at various places are not good at cultivation and need more training and learning. This time, he has found a treasure.

I wonder who is more powerful, the renowned Wunian of Qingmen Temple or Wunian.

A short while later, another monk came and asked the abbot to leave.

Seeing that Ruan Mulan was somewhat satisfied, the abbot excused himself and left.

Ruan Mulan: "Master, you must be tired from your sermon. Why don't you stop and have a cup of tea?"

Wuyou said "Amitabha" and stopped in time, then lowered her head and took a sip of tea.

Ruan Mulan: "Master, I have come here today to pray for a child. Could you please tell me about Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

Wuyou: "The Guanyin Bodhisattva here is very effective in granting children. Your wish will surely come true."

After a pause, he began to recount some of the deeds of Guanyin Bodhisattva, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Ruan Mulan.

"I've heard that Guanyin Bodhisattva's previous incarnation was Cihang Daoren of the Daoist sect. But if an ordinary person originally entered the Daoist sect to cultivate, and then wants to serve the Bodhisattva, will they not be protected?"

Ruan Mulan smiled. "What I mean is, wouldn't I be seen as a traitor?"

Wuyou glanced at her and said calmly, "You're overthinking it, benefactor..."

Ruan Mulan: "I also think I've been overthinking it. There are many different opinions about Guanyin Bodhisattva's transition from Taoism to Buddhism. But in essence, she is compassionate and merciful, saving all sentient beings. She possesses immeasurable wisdom and supernatural powers, yet she has been reluctant to become a Buddha, precisely to save sentient beings and infuse the world with the power of compassion and wisdom. How could there be any religious prejudice?"

She seemed to have just said it casually, then stopped talking, stood up, and said, "I should go now. Thank you for your explanation, Master."

Wuyou also stood up and walked towards Ruan Mulan.

He seemed very taciturn, only speaking eloquently when preaching or expounding the Dharma, otherwise showing little reaction.

The light outside the window suddenly dimmed, and as if all of a sudden, the surroundings became completely silent.

Ruan Mulan's heart was racing. She gripped the amulet in her pocket tightly and quickened her pace.

One step, two steps, three steps, and I'm closer to the door.

She didn't notice that the person behind her had gotten closer, and his hand almost immediately landed on her shoulder.

The indoor lighting was dim, and the light and shadows cast on Wuyou's face made it look somewhat eerie.

With a creak, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

Ah Hu stood outside the door. "Madam, shouldn't we be leaving?"

Ruan Mulan breathed a sigh of relief.

——

Mingzhuo didn't just attend the Dharma talks; he had something more important to do.

Master Wunian and Master Yuanhui always felt that something was wrong with the situation at Lingquan Temple that day.

They reported the matter to the Buddhist community and felt that Mingzhuo should be invited to the Buddhist community to check on his health.

As for the Xuanmen side, someone at that farmhouse also testified that they saw a monk using a strange black mist against Mingzhuo, and then the black mist entered Mingzhuo's body.

The people of Xuanmen were very anxious, suspecting that it was resentment formed from all the negative emotions in the world. Even a trace of it would cause trouble, let alone Mingzhuo's considerable amount.

This matter cannot be delayed. Those black mists can affect a person's mood and emotions, perhaps without the person even realizing it.

Mingzhuo is the most important genius of the Xuanmen. If she were to perish or betray the Xuanmen, the loss would be immeasurable.

Fortunately, Buddhist scriptures can dispel these resentments, but only those with profound Buddhist knowledge, great merit, and selflessness can accomplish this.

There is now a reclusive high monk in Buddhism who can remove these resentments.

Mingzhuo went, and not only her, Gu Xu was also invited, since he had dispelled a wisp of black mist in front of everyone at the farmhouse.

Wu Nian led Ming Zhuo toward the back mountain. This was a separate temple, not open to the public. The courtyard had a rustic feel, but it was clear that it was regularly maintained and cleaned.