Chapter 224 Some returned quietly, some slowly came back
"Xiuzhen, tell me, we've escaped Avici Hell, but what about those who are still trapped there?"
"Perhaps they don't feel that they are in hell, because they have never seen the pure land of the human world, so they live contentedly, working like cattle and horses."
"But we two alone are not content, so we came here... No, I don't want it, you eat it..."
"Do you think we're both crazy in the eyes of the world?"
Late at night, in the secluded underground palace.
Ouyang Rong paused, waved his hand, and politely declined the mung bean cake that Xiu Zhen earnestly offered.
Xiuzhen was taken aback, then lowered her head, picked up a piece of pastry, and chewed it with relish. She didn't know how much of what Ouyang Rong said she understood.
Or do you just find it noisy?
Ouyang Rong chuckled softly.
He silently turned his head.
The underground palace was spacious, with echoes reverberating around it.
Four faded murals remain on the four walls.
In the very center of the underground palace, there is a half-meter-high waisted lotus pedestal.
At this moment, Ouyang Rong was sitting cross-legged on a waisted, lotus-shaped seat.
He wore a loose gray monk's robe.
He was dressed like a monk from Donglin Temple, just like Xiuzhen, except that he had not shaved his head.
On the stone lotus seat behind him was an empty bundle containing a thin black robe and a felt hat.
This is what Ouyang Rong was dressed when he arrived; he has just changed into a monk's robe.
Xiuzhen sat on the ground next to the stone lotus throne, holding pastries in her hands, eating them with relish.
A beam of hazy moonlight slanted down from the well above, landing precisely on Ouyang Rong, who was seated on the lotus throne.
This was the only light in the dark dungeon.
Ouyang Rong's face was calm, his shoulders slumped.
He sat cross-legged like a lotus, supporting himself with his hands behind his back, looking up at the only exit ten meters above.
"What is the origin of this inexplicable tower of merit in my mind?"
"After returning, will it still be convenient to accumulate merit? ... It should be possible, and it might even be easier."
"By sharing those treasured things for free, you can get a bunch of 'May good people live in peace and happiness' messages, and your merits will just increase. You can stay at home and do nothing, and your merits will just keep piling up..."
"Simply a simple mode."
"Very good, you've figured out the way to go back and develop your career, but why are you still hesitating to leave?"
Ouyang Rong looked up at the sky and murmured, as if talking to himself, or perhaps to Xiuzhen.
"Xiuzhen, do you think my return to the Pure Land will be like your great-uncle, where my soul flies away, or will my body and clothes fly away together? Surely I won't be going back naked."
"Forget it, Master Zhongma ascended to heaven here before you were even born, so asking is pointless."
"However, we need to be prepared for both possibilities. If we fly back in our physical bodies along with our clothes, our original black robes and felt hats will not be suitable. They will be too out of place and reflect the spirit of the times."
"It would be better to change into this monk's robe, whether I return to Donglin Temple from that day or somewhere else... I hope it's not in the sewers, or a white room and a white hospital bed..."
Under a beam of cold, pale moonlight, a handsome young man, dressed in monk's robes and ready to go, muttered incantations.
He slumped his shoulders and sat cross-legged on the lotus seat.
He remained motionless for a long time.
After this lingering, the moonlight falling from the well became increasingly faint.
Outside the underground palace, it was almost dawn.
However, the days are long and the nights are short; summer nights are indeed very short.
Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment and nodded, then came up with a new excuse.
On the ground beside the lotus throne, Xiuzhen, who had been putting away the remaining pastries at some point, was now diligently picking lice off her body.
At one point, Xiuzhen suddenly turned her head and said to the person who had not yet returned:
"Hey, why aren't you leaving yet, benefactor?"
Ouyang Rong: ...
The air in front of the lotus pedestal suddenly fell silent for a moment.
Ouyang Rong silently turned his head.
One last look at Xiuzhen.
He nodded.
He leaned over, reached out and touched the inscription below the lotus seat, where the moonlight couldn't reach.
The inscription on the ground was covered in dust, and only four characters remained:
Let us return home.
Xiuzhen was taken aback, paused for a moment, and then continued with concern:
“Please move away, benefactor. That’s the Avici Hell. You’re sitting too close. Come here to me.”
As she spoke, Xiuzhen was about to pull Ouyang Rong away from the lotus pedestal in the very center of the underground palace.
So that's what the real meaning of letting him "leave" was.
Ouyang Rong smiled.
He shook his head, but did not retract his hand, which remained pressed against the stone carving on the ground.
From the depths of the dark purple eyes of the young man sitting cross-legged on the lotus throne, a strong purple light surged forth, piercing through his clear pupils, and the halo of light faintly radiated outwards.
This scene, under the dim moonlight in the dark underground palace, resembled two undying purple stars.
Inside a certain merit pagoda, the blessing bell rang loudly, and purple aura surged forth without restraint.
"Still 10,000 merits... I've already accumulated enough. I still have 19,0120 merits left, more than enough." He nodded and murmured.
"Benefactor, your eyes..."
Xiuzhen, who originally wanted to help people escape their suffering, took a step back in fright.
A look of sudden realization dawned on his withered face, and he jumped up.
Xiuzhen pointed her right hand at Ouyang Rong, whose eyes were turning purple, and then at the mural on the east wall of the underground palace behind her, depicting "Prince Sattva sacrificing himself to feed a tiger," gesturing wildly as she spoke:
“Look, benefactor, it’s exactly the same, practically identical.”
Ouyang Rong ignored him, then suddenly turned around, gazing towards Longcheng County in the distance. He sat up straight, speaking with a curious tone:
According to the records in the Longcheng County Annals, Tao Yuanming of the Eastern Jin Dynasty said that he was poor and went to Longcheng to serve as magistrate in order to earn money for wine. He was unrestrained and did nothing, drinking wine and letting deer roam. However, he could not withstand the corrupt administration, the burden of people and things, and the enslavement of his mind and body. He served as magistrate for only eighty-one days, then resigned and went into seclusion.
"Later, there was Di Renjie of this dynasty, who was demoted to Longcheng. During his four-year term as an official, he brought benefits to the people. He was a brilliant judge, spoke up for the people, and also promoted water conservancy and supervised the construction of sluice gates, which almost eradicated the flooding of Butterfly Creek. His achievements during his term were outstanding, and he was a man of great talent. He left office with honor. On the day he left the county, Longcheng was deserted, and willows were cut for miles and miles. The people were reluctant to part with him."
"And I ask you, a hundred years from now, how will the annals of Longcheng County record my name, Ouyang Lianghan?"
After a moment of contemplation with his head bowed, Ouyang Rong turned back, touched the blessing in his hand, and nodded with a smile:
"My heart is pure and bright, what more is there to say?"
After a sigh, the purple light in the dimly lit underground palace suddenly disappeared.
Returning to silence.
Outside the well in the underground palace, the sky was gradually brightening.
...
Xie Lingjiang smelled the scent of gardenias.
It has a light, pleasant fragrance that lingers in the air without being cloying.
It was the same scent that her senior brother exuded when he took a night walk with her after his bath.
However, in the past, Xie Lingjiang would always turn her head away in the pitch-black night, "attracted" by the roadside scenery, her delicate nose slightly twitching.
On the bustling streets of Penglangdu Wharf, Xie Lingjiang paused and turned her head, her cheeks slightly flushed. She quickly banished the thought and continued walking without looking to the side.
"Is it the summer solstice? No wonder the flowers are blooming... Hmm, the book says, 'When the flowers bloom on the path, you may slowly return home'... Humph, he's never in a hurry, he never sends a letter urging me to come home early. Does that mean he's very comfortable with me being out there?"
Xie Lingjiang murmured. Having returned weary from her journey, she found herself in no hurry as she approached Luming Street.
She reached out and touched the pill box she had painstakingly obtained in her bosom.
Carrying this item, she was extra careful on her way back from Longhu Mountain, which slowed her down a bit. It was only when she sensed Yan Liulang's broken jade that she quickened her pace and returned two days earlier, but she was also quite tired.
As she approached Luming Street and saw familiar sights, Xie Lingjiang smiled faintly and turned to look at the gardenia trees planted along the roadside.
Summer has arrived, and the gardenia trees lining both sides of Longcheng Street are in full bloom.
I suppose the senior brother smells the fragrance of flowers every day on his way to and from work?
Xie Lingjiang's eyes curved into crescent moons, and her steps became much lighter.
Passing by the Longcheng County Government Office, she did not immediately go inside, but quickly passed by and headed towards the officials' quarters.
This is official business and is the most urgent matter at present.
The eldest brother dislikes women who are all about romance and love.
Xie Lingjiang took the first independent case he assigned to her very seriously!
"Wait, I'll ask you for a gift after I finish this case..."
After an incense stick has burned.
Upon arriving at the official residence, Xie Lingjiang immediately scanned the room and, seeing that the furnishings and guards were all present and seemingly unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's going on? Why did the jade suddenly shatter and summon me back?"
With some worries in her heart subsiding, she immediately asked Yan Liulang.
The latter stood up in surprise: "Master Xie, you're back?"
Xie Lingjiang nodded, immediately walked over, looked at the unconscious Jade Cup Fairy, and frowned slightly:
"Did you take the two antidote pills? Why haven't you woken up yet? And why did you urge me to come back?"
"She's already taken it, and she's awake, but then..."
"What happened next?"
Yan Liulang, looking ashamed, recounted the entire unexpected event that day.
Xie Lingjiang frowned even more deeply, remained silent, rolled up her sleeves, and took his pulse for a moment.
She let out a soft breath.
"How is Miss Xie?"
Xie Lingjiang glanced at Yan Liulang and pondered:
"It was caused by a sudden outburst of spiritual energy, resulting in blood stasis and blockage in the meridians. Fortunately, it did not damage the vital heart meridian..."
"This woman's spiritual cultivation is damaged, but waking up is not a problem. However, she still needs to consume a Rejuvenation Pill. Coincidentally, the elders of Gezao Mountain gave me a few Rejuvenation Pills before they left."
Yan Liulang and the others exchanged glances, their eyes revealing joy.
Xie Lingjiang reached into her robes, intending to take something out, but stopped halfway through, glancing sideways at Yan Liulang and the others.
Upon seeing this, the latter immediately went outside to avoid them.
Hearing the door close again, Xie Lingjiang continued to reach into her bosom to retrieve the item.
She usually keeps important items in her bosom, including healing pills that can save lives in times of crisis.
Xie Lingjiang reached into her bosom with her slender, jade-like hand, first taking out a pill box that faintly emitted a strange fragrance, then taking out the medicine bottle containing the Rejuvenation Pill, and then quickly putting the pill box away.
This golden elixir is too important; one must be wary of others.
A moment later, Xie Lingjiang took out a Rejuvenation Pill, sat by the bed, and fed it to the closed-eyed Jade Cup Fairy.
Immediately after taking her pulse, Xie Lingjiang transferred some spiritual energy to her.
The Jade Cup Fairy's eyes flickered, then calmed down.
Xie Lingjiang sneered: "You're awake and you still dare to pretend?"
After saying that, he pressed repeatedly, completely sealing the Yuzhi acupoint.
"Alright, now that you're awake, I'm going to settle some scores with you. Did you enjoy pretending to be my senior brother that day? Come on, let's talk about this..."
Xie Lingjiang squinted and lifted the covers.
The Jade Cup Fairy hurriedly opened her eyes, her complexion still somewhat weak. She stammered, begging for mercy:
"Wait...wait! I was wrong, I regret it so much, please spare my life! I...I hate the Liu family now, I wish they were all dead! And...and I have something important to reveal! About the Liu family! As long as you promise not to kill me, I'll tell you everything!"
Xie Lingjiang paused slightly, tilted her head and squinted: "Tell me about it."
The Jade Cup Fairy hesitated, shrank back slightly, and asked timidly:
"You really won't kill me?"
Xie Lingjiang nodded: "Tell me, and if it is truly satisfactory, I promise I won't kill you."
The Jade Cup Fairy didn't think much of the extra "I," probably still assuming this woman was as naive and innocent as before... She breathed a sigh of relief:
"It's a grand conspiracy orchestrated by the Liu family... Wait, what's today?"
The Jade Cup Fairy slowly opened her mouth...
Half an incense stick later.
Before the bed, Xie Lingjiang, who had been listening intently with furrowed brows, suddenly changed her expression, rushed out of the room, and the sudden outburst of her breath caused the trees in the courtyard to rustle. The people waiting outside only heard her hurried words carried away by the gust of wind:
"Something terrible has happened! The Liu family has huge ambitions. We must immediately inform our eldest brother. Yan Liulang, you stay here and keep an eye on the prisoners!"
Liu Lang's face immediately turned anxious, then he paused, stunned: "Looking for Magistrate Ming? Magistrate Ming has taken leave to go back to his hometown and hasn't returned yet..."
"Are you taking leave? Going home?" Xie Lingjiang turned back and asked.
Yan Liulang immediately recounted everything, and also recounted the perilous experience that Miaozhen and the others had encountered that day.
Xie Lingjiang stamped her feet anxiously, her eyebrows furrowed: "Why didn't you say so sooner, Sixth Brother!"
Yan Liulang and the others remained silent, trembling with fear.
"Senior Brother is gone, how can we stop the Liu family! The new Ding Sword is almost finished..." Xie Lingjiang paced anxiously, then stopped and turned around. "Wait, how is Uncle Li doing? Is there a conspiracy involving Uncle Li's family if he forges a sword here?"
Xie Lingjiang quickly gave Yan Liulang a few instructions, then turned and rushed out. She arrived at the Su residence on Luming Street, rushed inside, and searched for Li Xian and the others.
Upon receiving the report from the maids and servants, Li Xian's family quickly gathered.
Are you alright?
"No...it's nothing. Why are you in such a hurry, my dear niece?" Li Xian asked curiously.
Seeing that everyone was safe and sound, Xie Lingjiang breathed a sigh of relief, pursed her lips, and prepared to carefully craft her words of advice.
At this moment, Su Guo'er, dressed in a purple Taoist robe and wearing a jade lotus crown, slowly walked over, holding a scroll of profound scriptures. It seemed that she had just been burning incense and chanting scriptures and had rushed over upon hearing the sound.
She reached out her right hand to Xie Lingjiang.
A key lay quietly in her outstretched, fair palm.
Su Guo'er's tone was indifferent:
"He left it for you. He told you to go to his room when you come back and tell her that he had something to leave for you."
Xie Lingjiang's body stiffened slightly, and she stopped in her tracks. She had been rushing over anxiously, but suddenly she slowed down and stood still.
"Leave...for me? Leave it?"
The noble lady from the Xie family pondered the words for a moment, her lips red and teeth white, before slowly raising her hand to accept the key.
Xie Jinjiang lowered her head and turned away, so no one could see her expression for a moment.
Only a single, slender hand tightly gripped the cold key.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
