"Liaokong, you should go down the mountain."
"master……"
"Go, whether you become a Buddha or a demon is entirely up to you. Remember, this is your own tribulation, and has nothing to do with others. Do not harm the innocent."
"……yes!"
Xiang Wan clasped her hands together, bid farewell to the kind-faced, dignified old monk, and turned to leave.
In this life, she transmigrated into the body of a monk whose Dharma name was Kong. The one who spoke to her just now was Abbot Cixin of Nanyue Temple.
Nanyue Temple is the most popular temple in the Nanyue Kingdom. It houses hundreds of monks and many lay disciples. The original owner of this body was a disciple highly regarded by Cixin, but he had never been given the ordination scar, so he couldn't be considered a true monk. One reason for this, as Cixin said, was that he hadn't severed his six senses and was still attached to worldly desires.
Indeed, just as Cixin had said, the original owner did descend the mountain to undergo tribulation and encountered his destined calamity. However, this calamity fell upon the person who should never have appeared, and thus he perished, which was truly aggrieved.
Nanyue Temple is located at the top of Qiyun Mountain. The only way to get up and down the mountain is on foot, with only one official road leading up to it, which is made up of stone steps. Few people come and go in sedan chairs, because devout men and women are afraid that doing so would be disrespectful to Buddha.
Wearing a monk's robe and carrying a simple bag, Xiang Wan walked down the mountain. She nodded to those who greeted her along the way, and many people stopped to watch.
The reason is simple: the original owner's appearance, coupled with his expression devoid of any worldly desires, would have made him appear like a typical enlightened monk if he were a little older. But now, his youthful face seems somewhat incongruous with his overall demeanor, exuding a strong aura of asceticism. No wonder Cixin said he hadn't renounced worldly life; it's probably mostly because of his face. If he were at Nanyue Temple, those who had seen his face would likely have been tempted by impure thoughts.
Cixin sent the original owner down the mountain to gain experience, perhaps to prevent him from ruining the reputation of Nanyue Temple.
It's not that she disrespects compassion, but rather that with more experience, she naturally sees things more clearly.
Being a monk has its advantages; at least in this life, Xiang Wan can find peace and quiet.
After descending the mountain, it was already noon, and the sun was shining brightly. As evening approached, I followed a river and arrived at the path that person was sure to take.
Gentle ripples, a soft breeze—tranquil and pleasant. Xiang Wan raised her hand, picked up a few pebbles from the roadside, held them in her palm, and stood quietly by the water, gazing at the river at her feet.
A moment later, a shadow slowly swam over. Xiang Wan flicked her fingertips, and three pebbles were thrown into the water. Soon after, a large blue carp, about a foot long, floated on the surface of the water, its white belly turned up.
"Amitabha Buddha, excellent, excellent!"
Xiang Wan gathered some branches, scaled and gutted the large bluefish, and started a fire to roast it.
When traveling, you can leave all other seasonings behind, but salt is essential. Sprinkle salt on the grill while turning it over, and in no time, both sides will be golden brown, with a wonderful aroma wafting through the air.
"Sir, if you don't come soon, the fish will burn."
Xiang Wan didn't turn her head; her eyes and hands were on the fish, as if she were talking to herself.
A gentle breeze blew by, but no one answered.
Xiang Wan wasn't in a hurry. She continued grilling her fish until both sides were golden brown, then picked up a branch, blew on it, and took a bite.
With a clatter, the fish I had imagined didn't enter my mouth; instead, a figure appeared before me.
"Hmph, a monk who kills and eats meat, do you think Buddha will forgive you!"
Looking up, he saw a man dressed in black with black hair, his wicked eyes watching Xiang Wan with great interest. He had already taken a large bite out of the fish in his hand.
Arriving uninvited is a common tactic of this person.
"This humble monk is helping it ascend to the Pure Land soon; the merit is immeasurable," Xiang Wan said, clasping his hands together nonchalantly. "But benefactor, aren't you afraid this humble monk might poison you?"
"Hahaha, you little monk, you're quite amusing." The newcomer finished the fish in a few bites, tossed the branch aside, and said disdainfully, "Killing and grilling fish, and now you claim to have poisoned it, it suits my taste quite well. How about joining my Heavenly Gate Sect and making you a guard captain?"
He really does things his own way. He dares to recruit someone he just met into the Tianmen Sect. If this sect leader isn't brought down, then there's no justice in the world.
"Master Water, may I have my fortune told?"
Xiang Wan stood up, facing the water and clouds directly.
This person was the original owner's destined calamity, and also the culprit who made him extremely unwilling to die unjustly.
Shui Yuntian founded the Tianmen Sect in his teens. His unfathomable internal strength and martial arts, coupled with his ruthlessness towards those who disobeyed him, forced many to submit and become his subordinates. However, his capricious nature—trying to bring anyone he fancied into the Tianmen Sect—caused instability within the sect. Even his attempts to control them with poison couldn't prevent the members' determination to overthrow him.
Originally, he wouldn't have met Xiang Wan so soon, because in his previous life, the original owner had saved his life by chance from being plotted against by the disciples of the Tianmen Sect, and from then on, he became entangled with the original owner.
Shui Yuntian had many enemies, and the original owner of the body who was entangled with him naturally went through many dangerous situations as well.
The original owner of this body was so easily teased by him that she lost her temper, but Xiang Wan was not made of clay.
In terms of physique, Shui Yuntian was half a head taller than Xiang Wan, standing at a full 1.9 meters, a truly imposing figure. In terms of looks, Shui Yuntian wasn't the same type as the original owner, but both were very pleasing to the eye. His casualness was evident in his loose hair and relaxed attire. Such a person was unpredictable, with a volatile personality, and whose strength should not be underestimated.
According to the plot, Xiang Wan had no way to avoid him. Since she was bound to meet him sooner or later, Xiang Wan chose not to delay. The sooner she did, the more things could be changed.
"Heh, I didn't realize you, little monk, could actually read fortunes?"
Shui Yuntian was surprised, and his disbelief was evident on his face. He never believed in fate, nor did he accept it. Otherwise, he probably would have died at the hands of those people long ago.
"I observe that you have a fierce look between your brows, which suggests that you may face a bloody disaster soon. However, your forehead is full, indicating that things will turn around and you will receive help from a benefactor."
Taking the opportunity, Xiang Wan carefully examined Shui Yuntian's appearance. He had long, narrow eyebrows, a high nose bridge, thin lips, and a slightly gaunt face, making him appear heartless. Yet, his eyes were slightly upturned, giving him a charming, flirtatious look. Such a person, if heartless, would be a womanizer; if affectionate, he would be devoted to the death. He was truly not an easy character to deal with.
Ferrying him across is like climbing to heaven; the system has really dug a deep pit for her!
“Monk,” Shui Yuntian narrowed his eyes, reached out and pinched Xiang Wan’s cheek, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, “you have angered me! Do you know what happens to those who provoke me?”
Xiang Wan remained composed and dignified, her gaze calm. "My fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens, and certainly not in yours!"
With a slight twitch of his fingertips, he threw a pebble, freezing Shui Yuntian in place.
Having broken free from his grasp, Xiang Wan took out a bundle of hemp rope from her bundle.
"I have already told you that you are in danger of bloodshed soon. Since you have met me today, it must be fate. Why shouldn't I help you get through this calamity? Oh, I forgot to tell you, I am your benefactor."
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