Chapter 429 The Grand Finale (Part 2)
In the human world, in Yunxia Town.
Just after the start of winter, the afternoon sun barely dispelled the chill, yet the long street was bustling with activity.
The rough voices of vendors hawking roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes mingled with the salty aroma of freshly smoked fish and the laughter of children chasing and playing shuttlecock, creating a vibrant and warm atmosphere unique to the bustling city.
Huali sat in front of a wonton stall with a cloth canopy on the street.
In a rough porcelain bowl, milky white bone broth steamed, and a few wontons with thin wrappers and tender fillings floated in the bowl garnished with finely chopped scallions.
Suddenly, Huali paused slightly in her hand holding the spoon, looked up blankly, and stared into the void. "Eh? Ao Bai, I think I just heard someone call me?"
Ao Bai slurped up a mouthful of soup. "Which wild man?"
Karin was speechless. "Don't make me sound like that pervert."
“Aren’t you?” Ao Bai squinted. “That unlucky Wen Tingyun, he even sent someone to deliver an invitation to you yesterday, but Wen Jin sent it back directly.”
“Serves you right!” Huali echoed.
Cherish life, stay away from mental illness.
Ao Bai clicked his tongue, "But who will be the first to arrive? I've bet against the Buddha's son, so he'll have to step up his game."
Karin asked in confusion, "Why?"
Why else? Of course, it's because he has a wealthy female fan.
Manager Ao, who knew some inside information, remained calm and collected.
There was nothing it could do; it didn't want to whisper sweet nothings in Huali's ear before coming to the mortal realm, but... Young Master Tang had given far too much.
"Forget it, let's not dwell on it. Anyway, we're the first one, so who cares who comes first? It saves us some travel expenses." Ao Bai chuckled. "We can do some Xianbo quests along the way, which will bring in another sum."
"We can also rob the rich to help the poor and do good deeds!" Huali imagined the plot of a TV series and felt that she could do it again! She finished the wontons in no time.
"Is there anything fun around here? Shall we take a walk around first?"
Ao Bai was paralyzed like a cat, "I don't like to move... unless you let me lie on top of you."
"And then you're going to make my shoulders uneven, right?" Huali raised an eyebrow.
"You have absolutely no idea about your own weight."
The kitten wouldn't listen to that.
As Steward Ao turned his head, just as he was about to argue his case, a clear and clean scent suddenly spread out without warning.
Like an ancient temple washed clean by winter rain, the aroma that greets you as you push open the door.
"There is an ancient temple here. If you like, this humble monk can take you to visit it."
"OK."
Under Huali's surprised gaze, Lianzhuo reached out and handed her the chestnuts he had just bought and peeled. "It's the beginning of winter, so it's the perfect time to eat a chestnut."
Huali readily accepted it, "Let's go, let's go take a look."
Ao Bai squinted and grinned wickedly, then sent Tang Wanwan a meow meow meow.
"Ten luxury jars, twenty full-body massages, and a lifetime of luxurious seafood meals."
That's settled.
*
The two climbed the winding stone steps, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind.
The deeper you go, the cooler and quieter the air becomes, with only the soft rustling of the wind through the bamboo forest.
Upon reaching the back of the mountain, a small ancient temple lies quietly nestled in the valley.
Lianzhuo led Huali around the main hall, through a moon gate, and suddenly the view opened up before them.
In front of the small hall, an old plum tree with gnarled branches stood.
Although it is not yet the season for plum blossoms to bloom, some white jade-like buds have already quietly opened.
“This plum tree has absorbed spiritual energy for a hundred years. When it blooms, its fragrance permeates the soul.” Lian Zhuo turned to look at her, her eyes smiling. “A moment of peace here is better than a day of sitting idly elsewhere.”
Huali took a deep breath and immediately felt her mind become clear.
She exclaimed in surprise, "It really is a great place. If they knew we arrived first and found such a wonderful spot, they would definitely regret coming so late."
Upon hearing this, Lian Zhuo's smile deepened.
Huali looked at him and suddenly had a whimsical idea, "Since we're at the temple, shouldn't we offer incense?"
Lian Zhuo took her hand and said, "If you want to go, then go."
"Come with me."
*
The hall was quiet, with the heavy scent of incense and candles hanging in the air.
The temple here is quiet and sparsely populated, with the dim light illuminating the dust motes floating in the air.
There is a kind of serene, secluded feeling.
Huali found that she always felt unexpectedly peaceful whenever she was with Lianzhuo.
Lian Zhuo turned around, took three slender incense sticks from the dusty incense table, and with a slight movement of her fingertips, the incense sticks spontaneously combusted, producing three straight and light wisps of blue smoke.
Huali reached out to take it, and as their fingertips touched, a hint of hidden taboo emerged in the solemn and majestic hall.
She held the incense sticks in both hands, raised them to her eyebrows, and was about to close her eyes in front of the hazy Buddha image when she noticed that Lian Zhuo had also taken three more incense sticks and was standing beside her, also holding incense and standing quietly.
"Eh? Do Buddhist disciples also need to make wishes?"
"I'll stay with you," Lian Zhuo replied naturally, like the breeze that brushed against the plum branches outside the palace.
Three sticks of incense curled into straight trails of smoke between my fingers.
One bow, a proper rite of passage, in reverence for the vastness of heaven and earth; the hall was silent.
After the second bow, my mind and spirit gradually calmed down, and the road ahead became smooth, with people by my side bringing peace and prosperity.
Three bows... Huali suddenly laughed out loud. She straightened up, put the incense sticks into the burner, and whispered to Lianzhuo, "The way we are now, it's like we're getting married."
Lian Zhuo paused in her incense-sticking motion, and a ripple crossed her usually calm eyes as she uttered those startling words.
The incense has been placed in the burner, and wisps of blue smoke curl upwards and intertwine.
The Buddhist disciple did not immediately respond to Karin's words, but simply looked at her quietly. The lines appeared clear and distinct in the dim light, and also seemed all the more profound and unfathomable.
Huali's heart stirred. Looking at Lianzhuo sitting upright on the futon, she suddenly leaned over and planted a kiss on his lips.
"Alright, that completes the ceremony." She smiled and stepped back. "Let the Buddha... eh?"
The words came to an abrupt halt.
Because the instant she stepped back, a long, slender hand with distinct knuckles gripped her wrist with undeniable force.
The force wasn't strong, but it felt like a gentle shackle that she couldn't break free from.
Huali looked up in astonishment, meeting Lianzhuo's unfathomable eyes. There, no longer was the tranquil Buddhist kingdom, but rather a place churning with a familiar undercurrent reminiscent of the snow-capped mountains.
"This doesn't complete the ceremony."
Before she could finish speaking, the Buddhist monk leaned down and pressed his warm lips against hers, silencing her unfinished gasp.
The undeniable depth and entanglement left Huali momentarily flustered. She protested softly, "This...this is still in the Buddhist hall..."
Lian Zhuo did not pull away. Instead, he used the close proximity of their lips and teeth to gently erode her resistance, their breaths mingling and becoming one.
"Mmm..." he responded softly, his kisses falling gently as he pulled Kaori into his lap, like the most devout believer practicing his faith.
"May all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens bear witness..."
"This humble monk is not blasphemous... but has found... the Bodhi that belongs to me in this world."
*
Outside the city walls of the human world.
Luo Chuan looked at the traffic light duo, who were clinging to his leg and refusing to let go, with a half-smile. "What? Have I been short of food and clothing for you two? You dare to team up with Tang Wanwan to block my way."
Xiao Ta shrank her neck and closed her eyes. "Wanwan said that as long as the two of us stay on you for an hour, she will treat us to all the lavish meals of our lives."
Luo Shenshu looked up and said, "I can tell the difference between eating a few meals and eating forever."
Luo Chuan: ".......Heh."
With a flick of his finger, the Demon King ripped the traffic lights off without mercy. After kicking each person in the backside, Luo Chuan's figure instantly transformed into a Cursed Heart Butterfly and vanished.
*
Outside the other city gate, Shrimp Brother looked at the little bird with a gloomy face.
"I told you long ago, it's no use being first. You have no idea how many underhanded things Tang Wanwan did behind the scenes to get the Buddha to be first."
“Even Little Tower and the others have been bribed. Only I would come to tip you off.”
"But birds, what's wrong with going first? Our real skill is showing when we're the last to appear."
Yan Xi tilted her head and looked at him, “…”
Shrimp Bro scoffed, "Never mind, fine, fine, go ahead."
A faint light flickered in Yan Xi's hand, and he suddenly chuckled, "The monk actually beat me to it, setting up a barrier to hide his tracks..."
*
Steward Ao turned over on the sun-warmed stone. Those two left this morning, and it's already afternoon; why haven't they returned yet?
Whatever, do whatever you want.
Just as it was about to continue basking in the sun, suddenly, two shadows blocked its path.
Winter temperatures arrived directly, even colder than winter.
Chief Steward Ao jolted awake, suddenly raised his head—and then collapsed with a thud!
Good heavens! How did Young Master and Wen Jin end up together?!
It quietly squinted, peering at the two handsome yet chilling faces, and wailed silently:
Is it all over?!
*
The hall was quiet and secluded, with only the flickering incense smoke.
Huali sat cross-legged on the cold futon, her back to the drooping Buddha statue, her heavy skirt spreading out in layers, like a blooming flower.
Lian Zhuo embraced her from behind.
The hem of the monk's robe overlapped seamlessly with her skirt.
The Buddhist monk's warm hands firmly supported her waist, holding her securely in his embrace.
The collar was neat and the monk's robe he wore was solemn.
"Huali, now the ceremony is complete."
Huali gently held Lianzhuo's hand and intertwined their fingers.
She couldn't resist and leaned on his shoulder.
The plum blossoms outside the window rustled, and Huali closed her eyes as she looked at the Buddha statue rising and falling before her.
*
Ao Bai thought it must be bewitched.
Otherwise, how could I have believed that devil Tang Wanwan's instigation? Now look what's happened.
There are cans, but no life to eat them.
Wen Jin's gaze was too eerie. The cute little cat shifted its bottom and turned around, only to meet Shen Yu's gaze.
So it closed its eyes and turned around again.
Then—meeting Luo Chuan's enigmatic smile, "Ao Bai..."
Ao Bai covered his ears and spun around again!
He was face to face with Yan Xi.
"Heaven is going to destroy it!!! Where did that damned bastard go?!"
Just as Steward Ao thought it might "go away," a cheer came from the end of the long street, like a spring stream breaking through the ice.
"Alright, everyone's here!"
The group looked in the direction of the sound.
The dead ghost was walking down the stone steps, his hair still damp with dew, his cheeks rosy, his eyes bright... with a hint of guilt.
A Buddhist monk walked calmly behind her, his steps steady, though his robes were slightly wrinkled.
Huali breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, she has a strong will and didn't have a second one...
Otherwise... it would be a bit too exciting.
Ao Bai was immediately like a young woman who had been forced into a relationship seeing a relative, "You rascal, you've finally come!"
Huali caught it, staggered back two steps, and was supported by Lianzhuo.
Luo Chuan's heterochromatic eyes swept between the two women before he answered Hua Li, his words carrying a hidden meaning, "Unfortunately, we're too late. It seems some people are not only good at chanting scriptures, but also masters of manipulation..."
"Amitabha." Lian Zhuo was clearly in a good mood, remaining calm even with the other party's mockery. "Opportunities are like flowing water; forcing them only brings trouble."
"Alright, alright, everyone's here now." Huali skillfully acted as a peacemaker, preparing to change the subject.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of someone.
She was suddenly stunned.
I forgot to say what was on my lips, and I felt like I was nailed to the spot.
The others, seeing her like this, also turned to look.
In the crowd on the street, a woman in a cotton dress was gently adjusting the slightly crooked cotton hat of a boy who looked about seven or eight years old.
The boy held up a shiny, newly bought sugar painting and was tiptoeing to bring it to her lips.
The woman smiled and shook her head, but the boy insisted. Left with no other choice, she took a small bite.
"Ran'er, slow down. You can't cry if you get your new clothes dirty."
The boy named Ran'er clutched the sugar painting tightly in his hand, revealing two small tiger teeth as he smiled, "I know, Mommy, I'll just lick a little bit."
The woman smiled and ruffled his hair.
It's her.
It was him.
Rongniang.
Relaxed.
Before she entered the Tree of Cause and Effect, she personally entrusted Rongxing to send the two souls, which had been nurtured within the White Bone Grass, into the River of Reincarnation.
Unexpectedly, we meet again today by such a coincidence.
Now, they have lost their memories of their past lives and have become the most ordinary, yet most peaceful, mortals.
As Huali looked at the peace and contentment emanating from the two of them, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, her nose tingled, and her eyes reddened.
A knowing glint flashed in Wen Jin's eyes. Lian Zhuo clasped her hands together and uttered a Buddhist chant.
Shen Yu asked softly, "Should we say hello?"
"No, thank you." Huali shook her head.
Just then, three boys, around ten years old, dressed in shorts and with excited expressions, suddenly emerged from the alley next door.
"Songran! Songran! Have you heard? The Immortal Mountain is starting to recruit disciples, and it's said that anyone with spiritual roots can give it a try! The three of us are planning to go and try our luck!"
Another boy nodded, "You've always been smarter and stronger than us. The teacher even praised your exceptional talent. Why don't you come with us? What if you're chosen and can fly and live forever?"
The last boy chimed in, "Go on, go on!"
However, the boy they called Songran gently shook his head. He turned to look at Rongniang beside him, reached out and gently tugged at the hem of her dress, his tone calm yet firm:
"Cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao are not important to me; I just want to stay with my mother."
Upon hearing this, Rong Niang's eyes revealed an even deeper smile.
Song Ran looked at them and asked curiously, "You went to the immortal mountain just to achieve immortality?"
The three boys were taken aback by the question.
Those who were slightly taller scratched their heads and smiled somewhat embarrassedly: "Don't laugh at me when I tell you this. I just feel that if I learn a skill, I can step forward to help the weak if I encounter unfair situations in the future."
"Yes, if we encounter those powerful villains, we can defeat them!"
"It's alright, Songran. You and Consort Rong stay here and behave yourselves. Once we've learned our skills, we'll definitely come back to protect you and make sure no bad people bully you!"
Rongniang listened quietly, then took out three packets of pine nut candy from her pocket. "Alright, then we'll have to rely on the future little immortals."
The three boys immediately laughed, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Seeing the three run far away, Song Ran looked up at Rong Niang, only to find that Rong Niang's gaze had somehow drifted to the other end of the crowd.
Song Ran turned his head in the process.
At a glance, I spotted a stunningly beautiful girl standing in the crowd, her clothes fluttering in the breeze, exuding an ethereal charm.
His eyes lit up. "Mother, that lady is so pretty."
Rongniang hummed in agreement and patted his head. "Yes, I don't know why..." she felt a sense of familiarity just looking at him.
A few breaths later, Rongniang nodded gently at her.
Song Ran followed her example and waved shyly at the other person.
The two moved very little, but Huali knew that this was a gesture of gratitude that transcended the cycle of life and death.
Her heart felt as if it were being brushed by a soft feather.
In the end, he simply nodded slowly to the two of them.
...
Only after they had completely gone far away and disappeared into the crowd did Huali withdraw her gaze and gently exhale a breath of white air.
She seemed to sense something and sniffed, "I met Rongniang and the others in late spring. Now a hundred years have passed, and it's already the beginning of winter."
After speaking, Huali paused, looked up at the clear winter sky, her eyes brimming with a sense of profound relief and vibrant life.
"However, after winter comes spring."
"The cycle of flourishing and decay, cause and effect, everything is just right."
The girl suddenly turned around, her gaze sweeping over the five handsome faces beside her, each with a different style, yet all gazing at her, and she flashed an incredibly radiant smile.
"Comrades, I suddenly have an idea. Let's just keep traveling around the human world like this."
"There are no boundaries between immortals, demons, and monsters."
"If you encounter injustice, intervene; if you meet someone in need, help them; if you encounter a bad person, take care of them!"
"Then we'll have Brother Shrimp write another book about chivalry for us, and it'll become a hit and make us a fortune! Hehehe!"
Lian Zhuo's eyes were gentle: "A flower is a world, a tree is a fleeting life. To be able to witness the birth and death of the world with you is enough for this humble monk."
"Okay." Wen Jin responded, smoothing Hua Li's outer robe, his eyes filled with a unique focus.
Shen Yu raised his eyebrows and his pupils shone like Hua Li's. He patted the Lone Deer Sword at his waist, his voice sharp and arrogant: "It should have been done long ago. Punishing evil and eliminating wickedness is the duty of a cultivator!"
"Anywhere is best as long as I can be with my little benefactor," Yan Xi said casually. "How about I tell you a story tonight?"
"Heh..." Luo Chuan languidly trailed off, "It's possible, but tonight, Little Pear should come and 'chat' with me, shouldn't she?"
"Then it's settled." Huali pretended not to understand the implied meaning in the fox spirit and the black-hearted fish's words.
Instead, he took a step forward, stretched out his hand, palm up, his fair fingertips seemingly able to support the entire landscape in the air.
"Let's do it together!"
Immediately afterwards, long, slender hands with distinct knuckles, each carrying a completely different temperature, covered her.
Finally, it was pinned down by a furry little paw.
Karin felt the unwavering strength emanating from their palms and looked up to meet their gaze.
Gentle protection, playful affection, silent possession, fervent dependence, and flamboyant love—in the end, all emotions converge into a torrent that sweeps across the world.
Hua Li's voice resonated with the souls of Lian Zhuo, Wen Jin, Luo Chuan, Chen Yu, and Yan Xi, like a creative proverb, and she said with a smile:
"This vast world, this boundless land—"
"Let's go and witness it together."
"Forever and ever, never to be separated."
The moment the vow was made, the wind of the wilderness gently brushed against their clasped hands and blew towards the boundless distance.
The distant mountains stand silent, with heaven and earth as witnesses.
*
The chill of early winter lingers, but beneath the snow, new life is quietly stirring.
After winter ends, spring will come.
*
—The End—
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