Shi Huaqing turned to look at Baoneng and said apologetically, "Senior brother, this child has not been in good condition lately, please forgive him."
Seeing Shi Huaqing's somewhat troubled expression, Baoneng gently stroked his large earlobe that drooped to his shoulder and smiled:
"Go, go, the Buddha's enlightenment won't happen overnight. Junior brother, go find your nephew first; perhaps he's just touring the temple..."
"Then, senior brother, I'll go first."
Shi Huaqing nodded in agreement.
Then he turned around and left in a hurry.
Watching Shi Huaqing's departing figure,
Baoneng narrowed its eyes again, a slight smile playing on its lips.
With slight changes in facial features,
That dignified and graceful appearance has disappeared.
At this point, Baoneng looks more like a cunning fox...
"Xuan Kong!! Xuan Kong!!"
Shi Huaqing searched everywhere.
Finally, they found Chen Wuxin's trail in a secluded Zen temple.
This Zen temple has bluestone paving and several ancient cypress trees reaching for the sky.
In the corner, there was a small pond, its surface as still as a mirror.
Chen Wuxin curled up on a blue stone by the pool, his arms wrapped around his knees.
He seemed dazed, staring blankly at the sky reflected in the pond...
Chen Wuxin now,
Like a broken bamboo stalk, swaying precariously.
His eyes were empty and lost, like a dry well, devoid of life.
That once vibrant face is now dull and lifeless.
Apart from that face that was as beautiful as a woman,
She was completely different from her previous charming and sophisticated self...
"Xuan Kong!" Shi Huaqing strode forward, his tone both reproachful and concerned. "Why did you leave without permission? Uncle Baoneng is waiting to see you!"
Chen Wuxin slowly raised his head, his eyes devoid of any light, and simply shook his head without saying a word...
Looking at his dejected apprentice,
Shi Huaqing wasn't angry. Instead, he silently squatted down, patted Chen Wuxin's back, and said gently, encouragingly:
"My disciple, your master has already inquired and found out that in a few days, you will be able to achieve enlightenment!! Be strong, don't be so dejected every day!!"
"Master, I heard your conversation just now..."
Chen Wuxin remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, his voice low and weary: "Master, I don't want to achieve enlightenment this way."
"What do you mean?" Shi Huaqing frowned.
"This kind of extraordinary ability is like...something that was bought."
Chen Wuxin raised his head, his eyes flashing with a struggle.
“I saw it, Master. I saw you stuffing treasures into Uncle Baoneng's hands and preparing countless offerings to the so-called Buddha. Not only that, you also intend to impart all the profound Buddhist teachings you've realized in your lifetime at tomorrow's Buddhist assembly… Master, is this still called enlightenment…?”
Shi Huaqing's expression hardened for a moment, then relaxed: "Silly child, how can it not count?! Didn't you see your master's Buddhist kingdom? Extraordinary is extraordinary, how can it be bought or cultivated?!"
"And with your aptitude, you're destined for greatness..."
"The price is too high!" Chen Wuxin suddenly became agitated, his voice trembling.
"For my useless disciple, you didn't hesitate to leave the sect, almost emptying all your savings, and even wanted to reveal all your life's knowledge. Master, why?! I'm not worth you doing this!!"
Chen Wuxin's eyes were red, and her hands were gripping her knees tightly.
Looking at his stubborn disciple, Shi Huaqing felt a mix of emotions.
He reached out and gently patted Chen Wuxin's shoulder: "Xuan Kong, do you still remember the scene when you became an apprentice?"
Chen Wuxin looked at Shi Huaqing in silence.
Shi Huaqing continued:
"Of all the disciples back then, only you tried to outsmart me, and only you answered my question with the cleverness..."
"Have you forgotten what you gave me and what you said after you became my disciple?"
Hearing Shi Huaqing's words, Chen Wuxin seemed to have thought of something, and his pupils contracted slightly.
Shi Huaqing then took out two dolls from his bosom.
The two dolls were different sizes; the larger one hugged the smaller one.
Shi Huaqing gently stroked the doll:
"Give this doll to your master and tell him that the older one is me and the younger one is you. I will take good care of you now, but when we get old, the older one will be you and the younger one will be me. Then you will take care of me in my old age..."
"You're still the youngest, so of course I need to take extra care of you..."
Hearing these words, Chen Wuxin felt as if something was gripping her heart; her eyes welled up with tears, and her tightly bitten lips bled.
Shi Huaqing sighed and patted Chen Wuxin:
"It's my fault. I only wanted you to travel and study, but I didn't expect that setback would become a demon in your heart, cutting off your path of cultivation... Don't worry, I will solve my problem. I will definitely help you achieve enlightenment and let the whole world see just how outstanding my disciple is."
"Master, I..."
“No buts.” Shi Huaqing’s tone was firm. “By taking you as my disciple, I have made up my mind about you. As long as you can achieve enlightenment and emerge from this darkness, any price will be worth it…”
Chen Wuxin looked up at her master's aged face, tears welling up in her eyes: "Master..."
Shi Huaqing sighed softly:
“Xuan Kong, I have traveled to many places in my life and witnessed too much joy and sorrow. On the path of cultivation, to have a true successor is my greatest fortune. You don’t need to worry about those worldly possessions, much less about the profound mysteries of my Buddhist teachings. Those things are meant to be passed down. If they can help you break through your limitations, what is there for me to regret?”
The pond water rippled gently, reflecting the two figures. An old man and a young man, a mentor and his disciple, faced each other in silence.
“Master, I’m afraid…” Chen Wuxin finally voiced his true fear, “I’m afraid that the power I’ve gained this way isn’t truly mine. I’m afraid I’m not worthy of your expectations.”
Upon hearing this, Shi Huaqing's eyes flashed with a complex expression, but he quickly regained his composure: "Power is never gained for nothing, Xuan Kong. Whether you cultivate diligently on your own or receive help from others, as long as you have the Dao in your heart, it will eventually be yours."
He stood up and looked at the clouds on the horizon:
"As for whether you're worthy or not, what in this world is there such a thing as worthy or not? I only want to see you emerge from the shadows and rediscover the Xuan Kong of your youth..."
Shi Huaqing looked down at Chen Wuxin, gently stroked Chen Wuxin's head, and said:
"Just keep going forward, don't be afraid, your master is here for you..."
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