While the flowers of April have faded in the human world, the peach blossoms in the mountain temple are just beginning to bloom.
Although it is not April, the peach blossoms on Lingshan Mountain in the capital are still in full bloom. As a result, many people take advantage of this time to come to Lingshan Mountain to admire the peach blossoms or to offer incense and pray. Bai Shiying is among them.
After returning to the Bai family from the orphanage, Bai Shiying began to send people to investigate Xie Wei's movements after returning to the capital. The investigation revealed that Xie Wei had been to Lingshan, the place where she and Xie Wei had pledged their love. Bai Shiying then decided to visit Lingshan.
She had come here seeking something, so she chose to walk slowly instead of driving.
After an hour and a half of climbing halfway up the mountain, Bai Shiying arrived at the mountain temple. Fortunately, the peach blossoms along the way made the journey seem less boring.
Upon arriving at the temple gate, Bai Shiying did not go in. Instead, she clasped her hands together, bowed three times, and continued walking up the mountain.
However, this time she didn't walk on the main road, but on a small staircase inside the temple, which seemed to have no end when viewed from below.
People say that there is a highly accomplished monk on Mount Ling who is well-versed in worldly affairs, insightful about the emotions of the past and present, and can predict good and bad fortune with a simple calculation. He is a true master. However, among all the people who come and go, no one has ever seen this master, nor does anyone know who he is. Yet, this rumor still circulates among the people.
Bai Shiying had heard Bai Gan mention that there was a forest staircase behind the main temple, and that if you climbed up a hundred steps, you would get what you asked for.
Bai Shiying stepped onto the steps, silently counting the number of steps she had taken.
'one two three……'
Not everyone can get what they want. Countless people have walked this road, but only a few are qualified to see that monk. Most people who walk up to the top of the mountain go straight to the top.
A single word, "fate," can transcend heaven.
'...Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred!'
When she counted to one hundred, what appeared in Bai Shiying's field of vision was a monk sweeping the floor, a small tiled house, and a towering tree next to a thatched hut.
The monk sweeping the floor was about forty or fifty years old, dressed in a coarse gray robe. He didn't seem surprised to see Bai Shiying, but just glanced at her and continued with his work.
Bai Shiying knew she had come to the right place, so she was about to go up and ask the monk sweeping the floor, but he interrupted her before she could even speak.
"Go inside; the answer you seek is there."
Bai Shiying, without suspicion, clasped her hands together, bowed slightly, and said, "Thank you, Master."
Upon entering the tiled house, one is greeted by a single Buddha statue standing in the center, along with an incense-offering altar. The altar is bound with many red ropes, and upon it rests only a few wooden planks with inscriptions, presumably the wishes of those who enter.
Bai Shiying stood in front of the Buddha, found an open space, knelt down and bowed, then got up, took the prepared incense, and walked towards the incense altar.
Lighting the fire and offering incense were done in one smooth motion.
Bai Shiying bent down to carefully examine the wooden plaques on the platform. The plaques were written with black ink, some of which had faded so much that the original words were no longer visible.
Suddenly she saw the one that stood out the most among the many wooden plaques. The pen strokes were sharp and the characters were neat. Bai Shiying recognized it at a glance as Xie Wei's handwriting.
Bai Shiying reached out and touched it, discovering that the characters were not simply written on, but rather carved out first and then traced with black ink. This method allows the ink to be preserved for a longer time, so that even if the ink fades, the characters will still be there.
Pick it up; it's engraved with:
I don't ask for my wishes to be fulfilled; I only wish for her to be safe and sound.
Bai Shiying froze for a moment, her fingertips trembling as she touched the words, her eyes beginning to redden, her desire to see Xie Wei reaching its peak at this moment.
“He is not as pure as you. This destiny is something he forced. He was able to get here only because his heart is firm enough.” The monk who was sweeping outside the door had arrived at the door at some point and said calmly.
Thinking back to that day...
Xie Wei's ascent of Bai Shiying's was not as smooth. Despite the bright sunshine, thick fog enveloped Xie Wei as she silently counted the steps, obscuring the path beneath her feet. Only the path back remained clear.
In this situation, you should stand still and wait for the fog to dissipate, or return the way you came. Otherwise, if you take a wrong step, it could be disastrous.
Xie Wei did not do that. Instead, he closed his eyes and took a step forward without pausing, silently counting the steps in his mind.
And so, when he reached the hundredth step and opened his eyes, he saw a monk sitting in front of a chessboard. Behind the monk was still a thick fog, and he couldn't see anything clearly.
Xie Wei said nothing, walked over to the monk and sat down, and the two began to play chess.
"Go back," the monk said. "This is not a place for you."
"I apologize for disturbing you," Xie Wei said, but the chess piece in his hand remained on the chessboard.
The monk could only sigh and continue playing chess with Xie Wei.
At the end of the game, the monk lost to Xie Wei by one point.
Xie Wei stood up and bowed slightly, saying, "You're too kind."
"That's enough," the monk waved his hand, and the thick fog dissipated, revealing the original appearance of the place.
How should I describe the fate between us?
Heaven said: 'A karmic entanglement'
"I understand," Xie Wei said, then went inside. After finishing everything, he obtained a wooden plaque from the monk and borrowed a knife. He carved the characters, applied ink, tied it up, bowed three times, and then left.
...
"Things in this world don't always have a result if you force them, but it seems that I, this humble monk, have spoken out of turn." The monk put his hands together and bowed to the Buddha.
"Master, what is my fate with him?" Bai Shiying asked the monk.
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