Chapter 66 I’m Afraid You Can’t See (Correction)
She had been wandering in Tianshui for so many years, and had met countless people of all kinds. But now, the two people who had been so kind to her were lying in the ground.
Yan Cang died of old age after all. Yue Changtuan was both a brother and a friend to her, but he died because of her.
"I feel guilty towards Yue Changtuan. Staying in the frontier, I want to be closer to him, but I dare not go to see him." Wen Yao's lips twitched, and after noticing a bit of sourness in the corners of his eyes, he blinked lightly and quickly, then turned to look at Zhao Xuanxu.
He dropped his pomp and circumstance and sat quietly beside him like a child, his hands resting neatly on his knees. His gaze was pure and focused, as if the world had faded away, leaving only Wen Yao in his eyes.
"If this is really the remnant of the Mo Society, I will kill him with my own hands."
Wen Yao said.
The scars of the past were torn open, and she returned to the day of revenge. As the sun set over the vast desert river, she leaned on her sword, her face, neck, hands, and shoulders covered in blood, and every step she took left a bloody footprint. She brought the head of the leader of the Desert Society to Yue Changtuan's tomb and spent the night drinking cold wine with him.
"This is a personal vendetta." Wen Yao finished his words slowly, a murderous look etched across his brow: "I will chop him into pieces."
Zhao Xuanxu put his hand on Wen Yao's shoulder. The clothes soaked by the rain were damp and cold. His palms were burning hot, and the temperature passed through the clothes directly to Wen Yao's equally cold skin, almost melting that small piece of skin.
"There is a kind of medicine in Jiutai that is specially used to cut people. Until the last drop of blood is drained, the person will be awake and will not faint for a moment. Let Wu Peiming give it to you." Zhao Xuanxu pulled Wen Yao to stand up and walked into the house. He walked to the wardrobe and took out new clothes, then stood behind Wen Yao and helped her take off her wet coat.
He untied Wen Yao's belt and wrapped it around her wrist. She closed her eyes, raised her arm wearily, and took off her underwear and handed it over.
Zhao Xuanxu suddenly said, "Today, you felt that Miao Shan was strange."
"Hmm." Wen Yao hummed softly: "This disciple Kong Ji doesn't look like a monk. And it's a bit of a coincidence that Cihuai Temple and Mohui are together."
What's more, Qi Shunzi was tall, and Miao Shan was also tall. Qi Shunzi met the musician and the porter in the gambling house, and the bodies appeared in Cihuai Temple where Miao Shan was.
Zhao Xuanxu's gaze lingered on her slender, smooth back. He put her clothes back on and fastened her belt. "The gambling house manager knows who they are. Have them all come here tomorrow."
Qiu Huiying actually seemed a little embarrassed about this request.
Master Kongji's reputation was truly well-known. Cihuai Temple regularly distributed porridge, earning it an excellent reputation within Gusu City. He had summoned Kongji today, and within half a day, rumors were already circulating that the government was incompetent and unable to apprehend the true culprit, and that they were trying to pin the blame on Master Kongji. This only added to the already anxious public's discontent and complaints.
Zhao Xuanxu said, "It's easy. Either you invite them over, or the Feather Guards invite them over."
Qiu Huiying was speechless for a moment and finally chose the former.
The next day, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan suddenly wanted to listen to Buddhist scriptures and sent a large group of people to bring Master Kongji to Qiu's residence. Miaoshan and several young monks also came with them. Qiu returned to Ying, burned incense and held a banquet, erected screens on both sides, and ordered the gambling house manager to hide behind them.
Jiang Qiaosheng rolled his eyes after hearing all this commotion. "A few bald donkeys, is that really that serious?"
"As for that, of course. Most things in this world can't be settled with fists. Conspiracies and schemes are the most frustrating." Wu Peiming sighed softly, "People's words are terrifying. Your Majesty wants to follow the example of the ancients in destroying Buddhism, but he also wants to maintain a good reputation and avoid criticism from the world. Naturally, he has to keep a good face before a conclusion is reached."
The two of them sat in the courtyard chatting when Wen Yao pushed open the door and walked out. She had gotten up early to practice swordplay and was sweating profusely. She had just washed up. After tying her hair with a red string, Wen Yao glanced at the two of them and said, "Let's go. It's time to start."
It was the same garden where they had hosted Zhao Xuanxu's banquet the previous time. Folding screens stood to the left and right, and a bamboo curtain was erected at the front. The women sat behind them. Wen Yao and Jiang Qiaosheng walked behind the curtain and saw Liu Suling sitting at the head, Yu Le at the bottom, looking at the person across from them with a strange expression.
Wen Yao raised his eyebrows and looked over, and Yuan Mei's charming face appeared before him.
Oh, a living Bodhisattva girl.
Today, the living Bodhisattva girl was wearing a gorgeous make-up, and her delicate gauze dress made her look slender and charming. When Wen Yao looked at her for a second, Yuan Mei immediately raised her eyes and looked back at him with a smile on her face.
Liu Suling was clearly unaware of what had transpired in the gambling house yesterday. She introduced herself to Wen Yao, Jiang Qiaosheng, and Yu Le, "This is Yuan Mei, the eldest daughter of the Shanyin Yuan family. She's here to pay a special visit to the Xingyi Sword Master."
"Oh." Wen Yao smiled and sat down on a chair nearby: "Visit me."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Mei's smile froze: "You...you are Senior Wen?"
"I didn't expect that?" Liu Suling said with a smile, "Indeed, you're about the same age. Wen Yao became famous at a young age, becoming world-renowned at the age of fifteen or sixteen. Many people only know that she broke five ranks in six years and remained firmly on the world's top masters, but they don't realize she was so young. Well, back then, the Bright Star Sword really made those of us who prided ourselves on our talents feel ashamed."
Wen Yao raised his hand and placed it on the armrest of the chair, then started laughing.
Yuan Mei's smile faded for only a moment. She quickly figured out the situation, adjusted her demeanor, nodded at Wen Yao, and said, "I didn't expect it. Miss Wen is incredibly talented, and now she's serving Prince Yan. I think her future is bright."
"You're being so polite today." Jiang Qiaosheng sat slumped to the side like an old lady, tossing a fruit in her hand and sneering, "You were so passionate yesterday. I... I thought you were going to fight for the land with your head, to resist the powerful."
In one sentence, all the politeness was bluntly broken. Yuan Mei couldn't smile anymore, feeling awkward and embarrassed.
Now Liu Suling realized something was wrong.
Today, Yuan Mei suddenly handed her a visiting card, saying she wanted to visit her. Although she didn't have a close relationship with the Yuan family, Yuan Mei was still a younger generation in the martial arts world, so she didn't refuse. Although Liu Suling was generous and open-minded, she didn't like being treated as a scapegoat. Her smile faded a little, and she said calmly, "I wish you had met before."
"It was just yesterday at the gambling house. It was my fault that I had a quarrel with Miss Wen." Yuan Mei had a new maid by her side today, who was also loyal. Seeing Yuan Mei being scolded, her face showed the familiar indignation and she tried to speak several times.
Yuan Mei was still talking, but Wen Yao had already turned her eyes away. She walked forward and parted the bamboo curtain to see the place in front.
According to Buddhist etiquette, Kong Ji could enter the inner chamber to preach, but he couldn't face the women directly, hence the inconvenient tattered curtain. Through the gap, Wen Yao saw Kong Ji, Miao Shan, and several young novices being led to their seats. To their side was a large screen with a small opening, through which one could vaguely see figures swaying behind them.
Kong Ji opened the sutra and began to recite. His voice was old, hoarse, and slow. Behind him, Miao Shan sat with her head bowed, and two young monks struck the wooden fish repeatedly. About an incense stick later, a group of servants brought elegant incense to the censer and seemed to move unintentionally closer to Miao Shan. A corner of the snow-white pillowcase dangling from the tray held by the servants drooped, just enough to obscure the upper half of Miao Shan's face from the side screen.
Zhao Xuanxu half-leaned on a pearwood chair, turning the teacup in his right hand, looking a bit bored. Qiu Huiying, though serious-minded, was restless inside, his eyes repeatedly glancing behind the screen.
A string of red tassels hung on a corner of the screen. After a moment, the tassels began to tremble rapidly.
Qiu Huiying suddenly stood up, threw down the cup in his hand, and his face darkened. A group of yamen runners suddenly rushed out and pushed Miao Shan to the ground.
The leisurely sound of a wooden fish crackled like a ball bearing. Empty, half-closed eyes opened, taking in the chaos before them. Miao Shan crouched on the ground, elbows braced, back arched. He was incredibly strong and restless. The three yamen runners restraining him felt as if they were restraining a large, ferocious beast.
"Amitabha." Kong Ji put his hands together in front of his chest and asked, "What is this for?"
Qiu Huiying waved his hand, and the gambling house manager came out from behind the screen, wiping his sweat.
It was agreed in advance that if he could confirm that Miao Shan was Qi Shunzi, he would shake the red tassel and the yamen runners would immediately suppress the person.
Qiu Huiying asked, "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely true." The manager was a street scoundrel, but also a bold one. Perhaps because those who could open gambling houses had some background, he wasn't the least bit afraid when Miao Shan looked at him with a murderous look. He even stepped forward, covered the upper half of Miao Shan's face with his sleeve, and after a careful examination, he said with certainty, "I've seen this face for years, and there's no way I'm wrong. If you doubt my eyesight, just blindfold him and take him around the gambling house—we're all old acquaintances, and anyone would recognize this is Qi Shun Zi."
"What nonsense!" Miao Shan didn't say anything, Kong Ji didn't say anything, but the young novice monk next to them was the most impatient and started to scold angrily.
Miao Shan was mostly silent at Cihuai Temple, rarely speaking to the monks around him. The only exception was with the young novices, whom she would often buy pancakes and take to the mountains to play. Because of this, the young novices at Cihuai Temple all loved this large, burly master.
The young monk clenched his fists, refusing to allow the other party to slander Miao Shan: "Brother Miao Shan is our abbot's last disciple, not some Qi Shun Zi!"
"Oh, young master, these eyes of mine see hundreds of people every day. I'm not bragging, but if I were asked to remember just one face, I could remember it for years." The steward sneered, "Seven Shunzi, a veteran in our gambling den, is actually a disciple of Master Kongji. If this were to get out, wouldn't my gambling den be world-famous?"
"Amitabha." Kong Ji stood up. A circle of bodhi beads swirled around his neck, colliding with his movements, making a dull, muffled sound. He looked at Qiu Huiying, bowed slightly, and said, "May I ask what exactly is going on?"
"Qi Shunzi, the gambler in the gambling house, might be connected to the murder case at your Cihuai Temple. Qi Shunzi often wears a mask, and this is the owner of the gambling house. Just now, he identified Miao Shan as Qi Shunzi." Qiu Huiying pointed at Miao Shan and said, "This is your apprentice, and the body is in your Cihuai Temple. Tell me, how could such a coincidence happen in the world?"
"There must be a misunderstanding." The empty voice was indifferent. "Miao Shan has been with me every day, cleaning the temple and copying scriptures with me. How could she break her vows and go to the gambling house, killing people without any grudge against her, committing sins of killing without reason?"
"Who says killing someone has to be based on hatred?" Wen Yao waved aside the bamboo curtain and walked out from behind. "It's not uncommon for those with power to use it to bully the weak and kill at will."
In just a few words, she had walked up to Miao Shan, grabbed her collar and pulled her up. Seeing this, the yamen runner who was holding Miao Shan loosened his grip and took two steps back.
Wen Yao had a blank expression on his face as he leaned in front of Miao Shan to examine her face carefully. The distance was too close, and Kong Ji, who was standing beside him, felt something was wrong. Just as he was about to speak, Wen Yao suddenly raised his hand and slapped Miao Shan in the face.
Her palm whistled with force, its power so fierce that a single blow could surely shatter a person's head. Qiu Huiying was caught off guard, and Liu Suling and Yu Le, who had followed, were stunned. Just as Wen Yao's palm was about to land, Miao Shan raised her hand, her arm muscles bulging, veins bulging, and she took the blow head-on. At the same time, her other hand swiftly hooked a fist, smashing into Wen Yao's solar plexus!
Kong Ji opened his eyes and shouted sternly, "Traitor, stop it!"
Miao Shan ignored him. The Buddhist martial arts were fierce and masculine, revealing murderous intent. Wen Yao's face fluttered, but then softened. She exchanged a few moves with Miao Shan, then turned and drew her sword with a swift, swift movement. The cold light stopped at Miao Shan's throat, piercing a tiny spot of scarlet.
Miao Shan uses Shaolin martial arts, not Mo Hui's set of skills.
Confirming this, Wen Yao showed no sign of anger even when Miao Shan had just counterattacked and attacked him. He smiled and said, "You've learned Shaolin martial arts quite well. I'm afraid there aren't many monks in Cihuai Temple who are better than you. Gambling isn't a good habit, and neither is killing. And burying someone at your Buddha's feet... Could you please tell me what you were thinking?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Miao Shan's body tensed, her teeth clenched, and she stared at Wen Yao: "I'm not some lucky guy."
"Hey, I don't know why, but I always feel like you know me." Wen Yao smiled: "Tell me, am I overthinking it?"
Miao Shan remained silent as Zhao Xuanxu approached from the side. With a blank expression, Prince Yan smoothly drew the sword of a nearby yamen runner and pierced Miao Shan's shoulder blade.
Miao Shan was caught off guard by this attack, and she groaned and fell to her knees. The two young monks first did not expect Miao Shan to take action, and then did not expect Zhao Xuanxu to take action. They stood there hesitantly, anxiously pushing each other.
"Why bother talking to him?" Zhao Xuanxu took out a handkerchief, rubbed it around Wen Yao's fingers, and ordered, "Take him away, Wu Peiming, and get the words out of him."
Wu Peiming smiled and bowed, then took Miao Shan away with a yamen runner.
Qiu Huiying said, "Master Kongji, His Royal Highness Prince Yan will give a fair explanation of what happened. If Miaoshan is innocent, His Royal Highness will not wrongly accuse him."
Kong Ji shook his head, looking unconvinced, and actually said, "Your Majesty's profound meaning, Your Highness's profound meaning. The catastrophe of our Buddhist sect is actually going to be fulfilled today starting from our Cihuai Temple."
Qiu Huiying was speechless.
Zhao Xuanxu waved his hand, and the yamen runner who was used to being ordered around by him came forward and asked Kong Ji and the two novice monks to leave.
After everyone left, Qiu Huiying looked around with a serious expression and said in a deep voice, "Until the results are out, what happened today must not be told to outsiders."
He paused, his gaze fixed on Yuan Mei. "If anyone spreads rumors and interferes with public opinion in the city, I will punish them severely if I catch them."
Yuan Mei felt uncomfortable being stared at by him, so she turned her head away and bit her lip lightly.
"Miss Yuan, you won't be able to listen to the Buddhist sutras today." Liu Suling said to her, "I have some chores to attend to at the mansion. Why don't you go back today?"
Yuan Mei clenched her hands. She hadn't come here to listen to the monks chanting. She hadn't even spoken to Prince Yan yet, and now she was being asked to leave. How could she be willing?
"This time, I have another unwelcome request." Yuan Mei released her lips and said slowly, "I'm here to apologize to His Highness and Miss Wen. I failed to discipline the maidservant properly, and she offended His Highness. I deserve death. But at that time, we didn't know His Highness's identity. Ignorance is not a crime. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"
"Yes, you should forgive me." Jiang Qiaosheng walked over and laughed at Wen Yao. "What's wrong with the little maid telling the truth?"
Wen Yao raised his palm and gently patted her mouth.
This guy always wants to poke others for no reason.
"I've said the Cihuai Temple matter is resolved." Zhao Xuanxu's expression was indifferent, and his voice was plain and straightforward: "Are you deaf?"
Yuan Mei was dumbfounded: "I, I..."
Zhao Xuanxu took Wen Yao and turned away.
Wen Yao looked at his tense profile and suddenly felt like laughing: "Don't listen to what Jiang Qiaosheng said. But what Yuan Mei said about ignorance being innocent is true. She just said it casually to speak up for her master. Let him go, let him go."
"Oh." Zhao Xuanxu responded softly, then suddenly stopped and turned to look at Wen Yao with a rather depressed look on his face. He said, "Ayao, you can tell that she's trying to seduce me."
"You." Wen Yao clicked his tongue and looked at him: "You just said that?"
Zhao Xuanxu was very stubborn and repeated, "Did you see it?"
"A little bit, a little bit." Wen Yao touched his nose: "What do you want to say?"
"I'm used to seeing this kind of tricks, both inside and outside the palace." Zhao Xuanxu snorted and laughed, approaching Wen Yao: "When you first arrived in Bianliang, I seduced you just like she did. In return, Ah Yao and I are now in love. I'm happy to get what I wanted, but I can't help but worry sometimes. If someone wants to compete with me in the future, you—"
"Who wants to snatch it from you?" Wen Yao smiled. "You're not talking about Jiang Qiaosheng, are you?"
No, more than that.
The corners of Zhao Xuanxu's lips twitched slightly, and his expression suddenly became a little dangerous.
There were so many people with the surnames Lou, Bu, and Chu, so many that he sometimes didn't dare to think about them in detail. When he thought about the fact that they each had a past with Wen Yao, and he was not among them, Zhao Xuanxu couldn't help but feel murderous intent, and his heart was full of poison.
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