Afternoon.

It's extremely hot.

Qin Luo was enjoying the cool shade under the banyan tree in the courtyard.

A gentle breeze under the shade of the trees carried a touch of coolness. In the woods outside the temple, many cicadas chirped tirelessly. The young monk stood in the bright sun, his hands clasped together, as straight and still as a pine tree.

Hua Ying held a yellowed palm-leaf fan in her hand, gently waving it to create a breeze. Qin Luo sat in a rattan chair and noticed that Buyan had no shadow around him. He said softly, "Standing upright casts no shadow. It seems that ascetic training is quite effective."

"Do you think he can attain enlightenment?"

"I have no idea."

"Perhaps the great path is right before our eyes."

"Yes, the Tao is everywhere."

Without saying a word, he opened his eyes and saw Qin Luo and Hua Ying, then noticed the golden cicadas on the treetops above them.

The cicadas outside the courtyard were making a racket, but the golden cicada inside was very quiet, as if it were practicing silent meditation, no longer speaking or laughing.

Qin Luo smiled and looked up, saying, "This place is far from the secular world; I think it suits you."

The cicada remained silent.

Hua Ying covered her mouth and leaned close to Qin Luo's ear, "What do you think the little monk's first words will be?"

Qin Luo thought for a moment, "Maybe it's thank you."

"Why?"

"Because he is good."

What do you want to eat tonight?

"Have some porridge, you've been eating too well lately."

Without saying a word, Qin Luo closed his eyes and continued cultivating. He and Hua Ying sat under the tree chatting. Their states of mind were different, and time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was evening.

The sun sets in the west, and the sky is filled with the glow of sunset clouds.

Bu Yan stood atop the bell tower, striking the bronze bell with the back of his hand. Dong! Dong!! Dong!!

A rhythmic chime echoed through the temple, and flocks of birds circled around it. Qin Luo felt a sense of peace and tranquility, as if she had returned to a state of simplicity.

Even as Qin Luo left the bell tower, the sound of the bell still echoed in his mind. "The lingering sound is so enchanting, I see."

night.

Hua Ying brought a pot of porridge into the courtyard, along with several bowls. "Little monk, come and have some porridge too."

Without saying a word, he opened his eyes and bowed in respect.

Qin Luo ladled out a bowl of thick porridge and said with a smile, "Little monk, you've worked hard in your cultivation, eat more."

Without saying a word, he held the bowl and bowed again. Although his face was expressionless, the gratitude in his eyes was evident.

Hua Ying watched as Buyan left with the bowl, and she shook her head slightly, "That monk is not smart at all."

Qin Luo said with a smile, "In this respect, my junior sister is smarter than that little monk, or rather, she has more selfish motives. Everyone has selfish motives, and I have selfish motives too. After all, we are not saints."

"Junior Sister is very good."

"You are fine too."

We are all fine.

"It's truly good when everyone is doing well."

"That makes sense."

......

The little monk returned to the courtyard with a broom. He swept the fallen leaves in the yard, and Qin Luo said softly, "Little monk, this bowl of porridge is for you. Drink the porridge before you sweep the floor."

Bu Yan shook his head.

Qin Luo didn't try to persuade him any further. He put away the other two pairs of bowls and chopsticks, placed the bowl full of porridge on the steps, and said with a light laugh, "I'll go wash the porridge you made."

Hua Ying nodded and smiled softly.

After washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen, Qin Luo returned to the courtyard and saw that Buyan was still sweeping the yard.

The fallen leaves in the yard had been swept away, but Bu Yan was still sweeping repeatedly, which puzzled Qin Luo.

"Hmph, it must be that old monk playing tricks!"

Hua Ying pouted.

Achoo!

An old monk appeared in the courtyard, carrying a gourd of wine in his hand, his face flushed, and he was swaying as he walked.

Qin Luo bowed slightly, somewhat puzzled, "Why won't you let the little monk rest, senior?"

The old monk plopped down on the steps, gulping down his wine, and drunkenly said, "I can rest as long as I clean the courtyard."

Hua Ying said coldly, "Isn't this clean enough?"

"Not enough, far from enough. Look, there are still fallen flowers all over the ground that haven't been swept away."

"Fallen flowers?"

Qin Luo and Hua Ying were both taken aback. It was no longer the season for falling flowers, and the fallen leaves in the yard had long been swept away, leaving only dappled moonlight.

Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow across the courtyard. Qin Luo quickly understood the old monk's meaning. He looked at Hua Ying and said with a smile, "We still have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow. You should go back to your room and rest early."

Hua Ying stood frozen in place, staring at the lingering moonlight and shadows, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

Fallen petals cannot be swept away, and ties of affection cannot be severed.

Qin Luo grabbed Hua Ying's wrist and pulled her away from the courtyard back to the room. He shook his head helplessly and said with a wry smile, "You're right, the old monk is up to no good."

Hua Ying sat on the bed, her expression downcast, as if her Dao heart had been damaged. Before Qin Luo left the room, he said with a smile, "I want to eat clear soup noodles tomorrow morning."

"knew."

Hua Ying snapped out of her daze and nodded with a smile.

Gently closing the door, Qin Luo went into the courtyard. He looked at the old monk and said earnestly, "Senior, I know you mean well, but what you're doing is very hurtful."

The old monk suddenly straightened his back and said, "The Heavenly Way is collapsing. We don't have much time left. It's time to end this."

"I want to walk this path with her."

"Will it be over by then?"

"have no idea."

The old monk's expression was solemn. He shook his head and said in a deep voice, "That's too risky."

"My mind is made up."

"What if this humble monk disagrees?"

"I've always believed that being invincible means having no enemies, so I don't want to be enemies with my seniors."

A strong gust of wind swept in, blowing down a large number of leaves. Qin Luo's robes fluttered in the wind, but his body remained motionless. Then, darkness fell, the moonlight was obscured, and the "fallen flowers" in the courtyard disappeared.

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