Chapter 374 A Fateful Disaster

At this moment, Yan Shixu and Wen Li'er both felt the fluctuations in Master Xuwu's emotions.

Only at this moment did this enlightened monk look like a mortal like them.

When he opened his eyes again, deep in those ancient eyes, there was a deep sorrow and silence that had been deposited for decades.

"At that moment, my heart was ashen, and I had no more worries in the world. I only wished that Concubine Duan and I would be reduced to ashes."

"Master Liaokong was compassionate and could not bear to see me die. He calculated my fate and said that I was not alone and that I must have close relatives still alive."

"But I need to convert to Buddhism, practice diligently, do good deeds and save all living beings, so that I can help my living relatives eliminate disasters. I am grateful to Master Luokong for accepting me as his last disciple and bestowing the name 'Xuwu'. From now on, with the ancient Buddha by my side, I will devote myself to practice and save my relatives from disasters."

There was silence in the Zen room, with only the scent of sandalwood curling from the incense burner.

Wen Li'er's heart tightened when she heard this, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Yan Shixu also had a heavy expression on his face.

Master Xuwu's voice returned to calm, yet it carried a sense of emptiness, a voice that seemed to have seen through the mundane world:

"Later, I gained some insights from my Buddhist practice and received a divine revelation, which revealed that two strands of the Nangong family's bloodline still existed in the world."

Wen Li'er couldn't help but ask the questions in her heart, her voice choked with sobs.

"Master... since you already know that Aunt Nangong and Sister-in-law are still alive, why... why don't you go look for them? They... would surely be delighted if they knew their relatives were still alive."

Master Xuwu looked at her, the light of Buddha nature flashing in his eyes.

"Our earthly bonds are severed, our kinship ties are over. Reunions and separations are all caused by their own causes. When the opportunity arises, we will surely meet again. The day when the Nangong family murder case in the capital is overturned will be the day when this long-awaited fate will finally see the light of day."

Wen Li'er felt very sad when she heard this.

No wonder the master made an exception to meet her late at night, gave her talismans and elixirs, and gave her guidance and answers.

All these coincidences were destined in the dark.

She then asked, "If sister-in-law and Aunt Nangong come to see you, Master...will you recognize them?"

Upon hearing this, Master Xuwu's gaze slowly moved to the window of the Zen room, as if he was penetrating the wall and looking into the extremely distant void.

At this moment, his voice sounded as if he had completely let go:

"Amitabha. My worldly ties were completely severed when the fire consumed the Nangong residence. Whether we recognize each other or not is of little significance to those outside this world, or to those in this world. The past is like dew and lightning, like a dream and a bubble. All that remains is this ancient Buddha with his green lamp, chanting scriptures and meditating, saving himself, and hoping to save the suffering of sentient beings with whom he has a connection."

Wen Li'er's tears burst out in an instant.

Master, do you mean that even if we meet, we don’t have to recognize each other?

Yan Shixu felt her trembling, and held her hand with his big hand, tightening it slightly, conveying silent comfort.

The look he gave Master Xuwu was also somewhat complicated.

This old man, who has experienced tremendous changes, his choices and his letting go are far more important than ordinary people can imagine.

In the Zen room, the scent of sandalwood seemed to become stagnant.

Master Xuwu's gaze slowly swept across Yan Shixu's handsome eyebrows, and finally fell on Wen Li'er.

Those eyes penetrated the skin and reached deep into the soul, carrying a kind of compassion that seemed to see through the secrets of the world.

"I observe the Empress's aura, which is like a newly grown tree in spring, warm and graceful. Her name, 'Pear,' represents the essence of wood. Wood governs growth and development, and its nature relishes nourishment from soil and water. However... wood fears fire most."

Master Xuwu's gaze was fixed three inches between Wen Li'er's eyebrows, and there was a hint of solemnity in his eyes.

"Your Majesty's destiny is pure and noble, and you will enjoy long-lasting blessings. This is destined by heaven. However, the laws of nature operate, and yin and yang complement and counteract each other. Today, I observed the center of your forehead and saw a faint red line floating. This is not an ordinary sign, and I am afraid it is the manifestation of a calamity in your destiny."

Wen Li'er's heart suddenly tightened.

The master had a profound understanding of Buddhism and his predictions of fate were always false. He then stood in a solemn manner, holding his breath and concentrating.

"This calamity is related to the word 'fire'. Fire and water are merciless, so never take it lightly. If you can survive it safely, you will be like a phoenix rising from the ashes, blessed with boundless blessings. Not only will you be extremely noble, but you will also be blessed with children and grandchildren, a long life of happiness and prosperity, and a life of perfection in the world."

When Yan Shixu heard the words "fear of fire" and "a disaster in his life", his body suddenly tensed up.

Almost instinctively, before the abbot finished speaking, he stretched out his long arms and carefully embraced Wen Li'er in his arms in front of the abbot and the children.

The arms were as solid as iron, with an unquestionable protective attitude, encircling her completely under their wings, as if they could keep out any possible disasters.

Wen Li'er leaned against him obediently, nodding solemnly to Master Xuwu.

"Master, I will take these wise words to heart. I will always be vigilant and extremely careful."

Yan Shixu Mu Guang was cold and solemn, and he locked Master Xuwu tightly.

"Master, is there any way to avoid this disaster? When will the danger come? I..."

Master Xuwu shook his head slightly, interrupting his anxious questioning.

"Amitabha, calamities are the result of fate. Your Majesty and the Empress, if you are sincere and reverent, and take precautions, you will be able to avert them. Fortune and disaster are interdependent, and it all depends on the Empress's caution."

"This tribulation is also the tempering that the Empress must go through before her destiny can be fulfilled. Only after she has passed it will her profound blessings be revealed."

Yan Shixu's jawline tightened even more, his eyes were dark, and countless thoughts raced through his mind.

The candles, heaters, kitchens, lamps in the palace... even fires caused by summer thunder, all places that could ignite, must be re-defended and strictly controlled.

However, at this moment, everyone's attention was focused on the abbot and the imperial concubine.

No one noticed that the always quiet child——

At the moment when Master Xuwu uttered the word "fire", Tiantian's small body trembled violently.

His originally calm black eyes suddenly revealed immense pain and fear that seemed to penetrate deep into his bones.

He suddenly lowered his head, and his thick and long eyelashes fluttered violently.

The little fist clenched quietly at the side of the body, the nails dug deep into the tender flesh of the palm, leaving a crescent-shaped white mark.

The abbot's gaze seemed to inadvertently pass over Tiantian's lowered little head.

In the depths of those all-seeing eyes, a trace of extremely faint, indescribable understanding and compassion flashed across, so fast that no one noticed.

He clasped his hands together and chanted the Buddha's name softly:

"Amitabha. Please take care, Your Majesty."

After saying this, he gave another instruction: "This child has a clear mind, inherent wisdom, and extraordinary talent. His future is limitless. Your Majesty and Your Majesty, just let nature take its course and educate him well. Don't force it, and don't let this gift of spirituality go to waste."

Yan Shixu's expression was solemn, and he nodded solemnly: "I will definitely keep this in mind and live up to your trust."

The vow has been fulfilled and the origin is clear.

The family clasped their hands together and bowed to Master Xuwu, bidding him a last farewell.

The young novice monk still respectfully escorted them to the solemn mountain gate.

On the way down the mountain, the atmosphere was much more solemn than when we came.

Miaomiao has fallen asleep in Qiuying's arms.

Xiaoxiao was held in Yan Shixu's arms and felt a little drowsy.

Tiantian was still held by Zhang Sicheng, his two little hands tightly grasping the string of red sandalwood Buddhist beads, his little face calm.

Wen Li'er snuggled up to Yan Shixu's side.

The warm afternoon sun shines on my body, dispelling the slight chill in the mountains.

She couldn't help but look back and glance at the top of the mountain again.

Bathed in golden sunlight, the Huguo Temple, with its flying eaves and pointed corners, stands there quietly, solemn and peaceful, like a silent witness.

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