Huguo Temple is located in the Yanshan Mountains outside the city of Yandu.

This temple, built with generous donations and countless efforts from the royal family, is unparalleled in its scale and exquisite architecture, leaving visitors in awe.

However, what made this temple famous was not its size, but its abbot, Master Huiyuan.

Master Huiyuan's bright eyes could see through all things in the world and see into the confusion and bewilderment deep in people's hearts.

His profound understanding of Buddhism and unique insights into Buddhist scriptures often reveal profound truths, enlightening those who are lost.

Master Huiyuan's wisdom and insight were not limited to Buddhism. He was also proficient in many fields such as medicine, astronomy, and geography, making him a polymath who knew everything.

Countless people have found a way to escape suffering and been reborn under his guidance.

For this reason, he enjoyed extremely high prestige and influence in Yandu and even throughout the entire country.

The royal family held Master Huiyuan in even higher esteem, bestowing upon him the title of "National Preceptor" to highlight his extraordinary status.

The people regarded him as a "living Buddha" who saved them from suffering and worshipped him devoutly.

Every year, believers from all directions flock to Huguo Temple, hoping to catch a glimpse of Master Huiyuan and receive a word of advice or a piece of enlightenment from him.

Sheng Lingtian also held Master Huiyuan in high esteem. He knew that if his family were truly beset by evil spirits, only a highly accomplished person like Master Huiyuan could discern the truth and avert the disaster.

Sheng Lingtian waited at Huguo Temple from noon until sunset before he was able to meet the master.

When Sheng Lingtian entered the meditation room, Master Huiyuan was sitting on a futon in meditation. This legendary figure, who was revered by the world as an "enlightened monk," was still full of energy and radiant despite his advanced age.

Hearing the noise, he slowly opened his eyes, saw it was Sheng Lingtian, and said:

“Amitabha Buddha, benefactor, several years ago, your daughter saved my disciple’s life by chance, so I gave your daughter a string of Buddhist prayer beads. The prayer beads are placed next to the Buddha statue day and night, enjoying incense offerings, and have become spiritual. They can protect your daughter from any demons or monsters.”

But your Sheng family is spreading rumors everywhere with those Buddhist beads, claiming that I predicted your daughter is destined to be a phoenix maiden. You even use those Buddhist beads as proof.

General Sheng, out of consideration for your daughter's innocence, I have not exposed your lies.

But this old monk's connection with General Sheng ends here; I will no longer answer General Sheng's questions.

Sheng Lingtian immediately became anxious upon hearing what the monk Huiyuan said:

“Master Huiyuan, back then, my father was old and senile, which is why he told such a huge lie. When I found out, I went straight to the palace and reported the whole story to the Emperor. The Emperor even fined me a year’s salary.”

My father has realized his mistake. He has always wanted to apologize in person. However, Huguo Temple is far away and my father is old. I couldn't bear to see him go through such a long and arduous journey, so I thought I would apologize on his behalf.

If the master is unwilling for me to apologize on behalf of my father, then I can return to the General's Mansion, bring my father here, and have him personally apologize to you!

Sheng Lingtian wasn't lying about this. Back then, rumors were flying that Sheng Moshi was a reincarnated phoenix star, and it was indeed his father who had people spread them. After understanding the situation, he went to the palace that very night to apologize.

The reason is that he knows that once the royal family learns of this matter, they will definitely investigate the source of the rumors and the truthfulness of the content. These are easy to investigate. Once it is found that the Sheng family fabricated that their daughter was the reincarnation of a phoenix star, the emperor will definitely not let the Sheng family off easily.

"There's no need for a face-to-face apology. If you truly knew you were wrong, you would have come to repent long ago! Now you admit your mistake only because you want something from me."

“General Sheng, I already know what you are asking for. I can tell you with certainty that there are no evil spirits in your mansion.”

"The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. I only want to advise you that everything in the world has its destiny, cause and effect are cyclical, and retribution is inevitable."

If General Sheng is wholeheartedly devoted to good, the road ahead will surely be smooth.

"That's all I have to say, General Sheng. Please return now! Amitabha!"

Master Huiyuan stopped there and said no more.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Lingtian's heart skipped a beat. He understood the deeper meaning behind Master Huiyuan's words. Although the master hadn't stated it explicitly, he meant that the misfortunes that had befallen the Sheng family today were not the work of evil spirits, but rather retribution for their many bad deeds!

But what good is knowing? The path the Sheng family chose is a one-way street; once they embark on it, there's no turning back.

Having no other choice, Sheng Lingtian bowed to Master Huiyuan and descended the mountain.

At night, a bright moon hangs in the sky, its silvery light bathing the earth. Lanterns in the East Garden emit a soft, orange glow, illuminating the garden in a dreamlike state.

Sheng Lingtian stood outside Chu's house, listening to Chu and her four children laughing and talking inside, and felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

He stood in the courtyard for a long time before finally turning around and leaving.

He was family with them, but not on the same path. He knew that he might do his best to ensure their safety, but if they blocked his way, he would not hesitate to raise his knife against them.

Look at him! He's so cold-blooded. What right does he have to ask her to love him like she used to?

...

A few days later, the day of the imperial examination finally arrived.

Chu, along with Sheng Wanwan and Si Rouxue, escorted Sheng Wenjin to the examination venue.

Sheng Wenjin got off the carriage, not forgetting to give Si Rouxue some instructions.

"Rouxue, this exam will last for nine days. Stay home and wait for me to come back!"

Si Rouxue's eyes remained blank. No matter what Sheng Wenjin said, Si Rouxue remained silent, like a lifeless puppet.

"Wenjin, don't worry. Just leave Rouxue to your mother. You just need to go and participate in the imperial examination. You don't need to worry about home."

Chu looked at Sheng Wenjin with a gentle smile.

"Okay! Then I'll have to trouble you, Mother!"

Sheng Wenjin smiled at his mother.

"Big brother, I'll take care of Sister Rou'er too! Wanwan is amazing!"

Sheng Wanwan tilted her head back, blinked her big eyes, and looked at Sheng Wenjin with a serious expression.

"Yeah! I know you're the best!"

Sheng Wenjin chuckled and ruffled Sheng Wanwan's hair.

"Hey bro, did you see Wang Wenjie over there? He keeps looking this way! He's probably plotting something dirty again!"

As she spoke, Sheng Wanwan handed Sheng Wenjin a purse, a talisman, and a bottle of pills:

"This pouch contains a divine talisman I found in my spatial dimension. This talisman can enhance the wearer's fortune, making them incredibly lucky. It will make all the bad guys who have designs on Big Brother reap the bitter fruits of their own actions."

This is an antidote pill; it can cure all poisons. Brother, take it later just in case.

"And this is a small isolation array I drew. It's very useful, brother. If you're unlucky enough to be assigned to a toilet next to the outhouse, this array can help block out the odors."

Sheng Wanwan's eyes sparkled as she looked at Sheng Wenjin.

Sheng Wenjin felt that he was just going to take a few days of exams, and there was no need to make it seem like he was going to war.

Just as she was about to decline, Sheng Wanwan's inner voice rang out.