Jin Chenzi's gaze fell on the waterfall, recalling the words Buddha had spoken when he left.

Truth and falsehood intertwine; attachments in the heart disturb the Daoist mind. Unwilling to repent, unable to repent, all efforts are in vain; this life is spent in the mortal realm…

"This life, spent in the mortal world..."

Jin Chenzi muttered to himself, but when he looked down, he realized that he was not wearing a kasaya. At that moment, a few strands of hair fell from behind his ears, and Jin Chenzi froze on the spot.

Coming to my senses, my hands trembled as I reached up to touch my head. When my fingertips touched my hair, I looked back and forth in disbelief.

Hair? How could he have hair?

Suddenly, the Buddha's words echoed in my mind: this life will be spent in the mortal world...

He finally understood that this mortal life was a chance given to him by Buddha to let go of his obsessions and attachments. He refused to repent and could not repent, so everything he did was in vain. He thought that the dream had trapped him, but he did not expect that he had trapped himself.

On this day, Wen Longxiu came to the lotus pond to look around, just like always.

A series of light footsteps came from behind. Wen Longxiu did not turn around, but said, "Brother, you should go back."

"Ah Xiu".

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Wen Longxiu froze on the spot, not daring to turn around, fearing both that it was a dream and that it was real.

Why won't you turn back?

The man asked again.

Wen Longxiu closed her eyes, breathed a sigh of relief, and turned around: "I don't know, Master... how could you..."

Wen Longxiu was startled by Jin Chenzi in front of her. His full head of black hair was tied up with a peach wood sash, and his hair was scattered behind him. His white robes were flowing, which was a stark contrast to his usual golden cassock.

"I am now a mortal of the first rank, no longer a high monk."

"You've already..."

"I have indeed ascended to immortality, but I have not yet overcome my emotional tribulations..."

Wen Longxiu looked at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and countless questions swirled in her mind. So, he transformed into a mortal because of that love tribulation? But why did he come to find her? Or did he already know about Xiao Bao?

"If you are here to overcome your emotional tribulations, Master, what are you doing at Yaoguang Temple?"

"I came here to find you; you are the source of my karmic entanglement."

Hearing this, Wen Longxiu's heart trembled. She was both happy and sad. She was happy that he was now an ordinary person, but sad that he had only come to her because of his love tribulation.

She knew before that liking him was hopeless, but she never imagined that one day he would appear in front of her as an ordinary person.

"You came to me only because I am your love tribulation. I'm sorry, I don't have time to play these tricks with you."

Wen Longxiu spoke up, seemingly unaware of what happened that night or the existence of Xiao Bao. If he knew of Xiao Bao's existence, it might affect his Dao heart, and he might even fail to transcend the tribulation.

After saying that, Wen Longxiu turned and left, afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would reveal her weakness.

However, Jin Chenzi did not do as she wished and reached out to pull her back.

"Ah Xiu, do you have feelings for me?"

"No."

Jin Chenzi stared at her, as if trying to see through her, and after a long while said, "You're lying."

"Jin Chenzi, why are you doing this to yourself?"

"Those who have desires but cannot obtain them suffer."

Wen Longxiu met Jin Chenzi's eyes, which seemed to see through everything in the world, and asked, "Then, Master, is it the Dao you seek, or me?"

"The Way is also you."

Hearing this, Wen Longxiu's defenses crumbled one by one. In the past, she would have been very happy! Thinking of this, her eyes reddened and tears slid down her cheeks.

Upon seeing this, Jin Chenzi panicked. His large hand involuntarily covered her face, wiping away her tears. He quickly said, "You...you don't cry! I...I won't force you anymore, okay? Don't cry!"

Wen Longxiu felt even more aggrieved. Jin Chenzi was flustered, but finally pulled her into his arms and said, "I'm sorry, I won't force you anymore. You can wipe your tears on me."

A woman's fragrance wafted towards him, and Jin Chenzi was slightly taken aback. Why did this scent seem so familiar...?

Before he could think it through, he was pushed away by the person in his arms.

"So after this emotional ordeal, will you leave just like last time?"

"No, I will stay here with you."

Wen Longxiu's heart was pounding, filled with both joy and anxiety.

Noticing her hesitation, Jin Chenzi asked in confusion, "Does Ah Xiu still have some concerns?"

"N-nothing."

Wen Longxiu decided to keep the matter of Xiaobao a secret from him for the time being.

In the end, Wen Longxiu decided to take a gamble, not wanting to have any regrets, even though she knew it was just a tribulation in his heart.

The following day.

Wen Longxiu returned to the Wen family. When the Wen family learned that Wen Longxiu had returned, they thought she had come to her senses. However, they did not expect that she would bring back news of her upcoming marriage. This was undoubtedly a bombshell for the Wen family.

They just thought that Wen Longxiu must have been depressed and traumatized to think about marrying just anyone.

"What about Xiaobao?"

"Mother, I'm entrusting Xiaobao to you. I can't let him know that Xiaobao exists!"

“Ah Xiu, you’re being too impulsive. Also, your mother and I are willing to take care of Xiao Bao, but you have to tell your father who the person you’re going to marry is,” Wen Yan said solemnly.

"Father, that man, that man is Xiaobao's biological father, Jin Chenzi."

puff--

Wen Zhao spat out a mouthful of old tea, quickly stood up, looked at Wen Longxiu in disbelief, then came to her and touched her forehead.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!