“You are Zhanran?” The young woman Xiaoyuan scrutinized him up and down, her bright eyes resting on his tonsured head. She nodded. “Follow me, the Young Mistress awaits!”
“The Young Mistress?” Li Muzhan looked at her in confusion.
Yu Chi Ming’s face instantly changed. He hurriedly said, “The Eldest Young Mistress wishes to see the Fifth Junior Brother?!”
Xiaoyuan’s bright eyes widened. She stamped her foot, pointed a small hand at Yu Chi Ming, and pouted coquettishly, “Yu Chi Ming, stop wasting my time with nonsense and move aside! … Zhanran, come with me. Don’t keep the Young Mistress waiting!”
“Eldest Senior Brother…?” Li Muzhan turned to look at Zhao Yuzhen.
He possessed an exquisite understanding of human nature. Having just entered the Mei Residence, his foundation was still shallow. His only reliance lay with his few senior brothers. It didn't matter that his martial arts surpassed theirs—it was beneficial rather than harmful—but he could not forget the order of seniority.
Zhao Yuzhen paused in thought, cupped his hands toward Xiaoyuan, and gave a gentle smile. “Miss Xiaoyuan, may I ask what instructions the Eldest Young Mistress has for the Fifth Junior Brother?”
Xiaoyuan reined in her slight anger and said solemnly, “Senior Brother Zhao, rest assured, the Young Mistress will not eat him!”
Zhao Yuzhen chuckled. “Fifth Junior Brother has only just arrived and knows none of the rules. We hope Miss Xiaoyuan will look after him a little.”
Xiaoyuan nodded quickly, impatient. “Alright, alright, stop fretting! It’s a good thing! … Zhanran, stop dawdling, let’s hurry!”
Zhao Yuzhen smiled at Li Muzhan. “Fifth Junior Brother, go ahead.”
“Very well.” Li Muzhan nodded, cupped his hands in salute. “Miss Xiaoyuan, please lead the way!”
Xiaoyuan gave a slight sway of her slender waist, snorted, and walked out. Zhao Yuzhen and He Nanshan, along with the other two, saw them off from the Tianshu Courtyard. They watched them head east until they vanished into the willow branches by the lake.
“Eldest Senior Brother, will it be alright?” Yu Chi Ming asked nervously.
Zhao Yuzhen shook his head, slowly drawing his gaze back from the distance. He smiled. “It’s fine. The Eldest Young Mistress is probably just curious about the Fifth Junior Brother and has called him over to meet her.”
He swept his eyes over the others and said in a deep voice, “Fifth Junior Brother has only been with us a short time, yet he is already so formidable. How can we, his senior brothers, remain complacent? Let us all return to our training diligently!”
“Yes, Eldest Senior Brother,” the three replied solemnly.
Li Muzhan and Xiaoyuan walked east along the lake, strolling beneath the willows.
A gentle breeze swept by, rustling the willow branches, which looked like mist or smoke.
The surroundings were utterly tranquil, broken only by the occasional crisp birdsong reaching their ears. The air was fresh and moist, and the lake’s surface sparkled, resembling countless rolling jewels, so bright they were difficult to look at directly.
Xiaoyuan glided ahead, her waist supple and slender, as if she had transformed into a willow branch herself, merging with those beside her. Her rounded hips swayed beneath her thin, peach-red silk tunic, enveloped by a faint, lingering fragrance that exuded deadly attraction.
Li Muzhan, having cultivated the Viewing Heaven and Man God Reflection Sutra, had made considerable progress. The white light emanating from the lotus in his meditative vision was becoming more solid, and his desires were intensifying, especially sensual craving, which threatened to breach all bounds.
Fortunately, his years of cultivation had honed his meditative power to great depth. He had practiced Impurities Contemplation and White Bone Contemplation; his mental fortitude was firm. Otherwise, he would have long since lost control.
While recovering at home, he had been frequently stirred by his sister-in-law’s beauty, an unavoidable distraction that required constant mental suppression. Now, faced with Xiaoyuan’s alluring charm, his sensual desires immediately churned like boiling water.
He shook his head with a bitter smile, vaguely realizing that Xiaoyuan was deliberately displaying such charm, attempting to seduce him!
He took a deep breath, forcibly shifting his gaze away from her delicate figure, concentrating instead on the mirror-like lake surface, visualizing the Heaven and Man God Reflection Chart in his mind.
An image instantly appeared: the clear lake water, the lotus upon it as pure and white as jade, suspended above which was a soft white light, flickering like a flame. Above that, the celestial vault was washed in inky blue, a full moon hanging high, pouring down its clear brilliance. He felt waves of coolness wash over his body, his lust instantly subsiding, and his composure returning to normal.
With a thought, he concluded the visualization, returning his mind to its center.
A faint smile touched his lips. Unexpectedly, he had succeeded in the visualization. Normally, he needed to enter a deep meditative state before he could begin visualization; otherwise, no matter how much he concentrated, the Heaven and Man God Reflection Chart would not appear.
What profound mystery lay hidden within this? Could it be that seeing the actual lake water allowed him to immediately manifest the lake within his contemplation, thereby facilitating the contemplation of the Heaven and Man God Reflection Sutra?
“Hmph, your senior brothers are quite concerned for you, as if they were sending you to the execution ground!” Xiaoyuan’s sweet voice reached his ears amidst his musings.
Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “I seem to have offended the Young Mistress, so my senior brothers are worried.”
Xiaoyuan suddenly stopped, turning to look at him. “You mean you defeated Sister Gong?”
Li Muzhan smiled and nodded.
Xiaoyuan frowned her delicate brows, displeased. “What kind of person do you take the Young Mistress for! When the Young Mistress heard this news, she wasn't angry at all; in fact, she was happy, saying it was good news that could help bring Sister Gong’s arrogance down a notch.”
Li Muzhan paused, then chuckled, shaking his head. “We truly are frogs in a well, with very limited insight. Miss Xiaoyuan, please forgive my presumption.”
“You monk certainly knows how to talk!” Xiaoyuan pouted with a smile, her dimples appearing shallowly, making her sweetly charming.
She examined Li Muzhan with her curved eyes, lingering on his tonsured head, and laughed. “Zhanran, are you truly a monk?”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Yes, I received the complete precepts and have had my head shaved for ten years.”
Xiaoyuan resumed walking, the silk of her waist twisting alluringly, her steps graceful. She spoke softly, “Then you became a monk when you were very young?”
Without realizing it, the two drew closer. The faint, subtle fragrance from her wafted into Li Muzhan’s nostrils. Looking at her dimples and sweet yet captivating manner, his heart couldn't help but ripple.
Fortunately, his mind was now tranquil, as if immersed in lake water; a ripple would immediately subside back into calm.
He smiled. “I was very poor as a child. My parents could not afford to raise three children, so I began living in the temple when I was two.”
“Alas… you are a pitiable person,” Xiaoyuan sighed, her expression softening.
Li Muzhan glanced at her. As she walked gracefully beneath the drooping willows, her brows subtly knitted in thought, gone was her previous fiery demeanor, replaced by melancholy.
He couldn't help but smile secretly. This Miss Xiaoyuan possessed an ever-changing temperament; she was truly a captivating creature.
The two walked east along the lake for about two li before stopping before a small, five-sided pavilion.
With vermilion pillars, carved rafters, and painted beams, the pavilion was exquisitely delicate. The horizontal plaque bore three large characters: Guan He Ting (Lotus Viewing Pavilion).
On both sides of the pavilion were lotus ponds. Dense lotus leaves covered the water surface, and several blossoms stood elegantly—some goose-yellow, some jade-white, some pale pink—fresh and captivating.
A small path paved with pebbles led from the pavilion to a Moon Gate.
Xiaoyuan turned around. “Zhanran, wait here a moment. I will go in and announce you.”
Li Muzhan nodded slightly and stepped into the Lotus Viewing Pavilion, touching a vermilion pillar—it was stone. The lotuses in the pond were beautiful and moving.
Xiaoyuan followed him in, her sweet smile returning. “The Young Mistress loves admiring flowers here. Zhanran, please sit for a moment and enjoy the lotuses too.”
Saying this, she smiled at him again, exited the pavilion, stepped onto the central pebble path, and her full, tempting figure vanished through the Moon Gate.
Li Muzhan retracted his gaze, smiling slightly as he pondered. Her fluctuating attitude toward him—first provocative, then kind—was mostly because he was a monastic.
Soon, Xiaoyuan reappeared, standing before the Moon Gate and waving her hand. “Zhanran, hurry up!”
Li Muzhan walked over with a smile. “Miss Xiaoyuan, is the Eldest Young Mistress inside?”
“Yes, the Young Mistress told you to come in.” Xiaoyuan leaned close to him, smiling faintly. “Don’t worry, the Young Mistress is very kind.”
Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. The faint fragrance drifted into his nose, causing his spirit to stir once more. He quickly calmed his mind to suppress it, sighing internally that the beauty of women was truly impossible to guard against completely.
Stepping through the Moon Gate, he saw a clear, small pond, about two zhang in diameter, with a rockery beside it. A stream trickled down from the rockery, feeding into the small pond. In the center of the pond was a giant water lily; its leaves were like round platters. Two water droplets rested upon them, crystal clear, like jade plates catching dew.
To the right of the pond stood a hibiscus tree, laden with blooming flowers.
Xiaoyuan led the way in front, her steps moving gracefully.
They followed the pebble path around the pond, entering an elegant garden area to the east. Continuing east through the garden, passing the rockery and winding through a bamboo grove, they stopped before another Moon Gate.
Two characters were inscribed above it: Qi Yuan (Rest Garden).
These two characters were carved onto the bluestone directly above the Moon Gate, easily overlooked. The script was elegant yet flowing. Li Muzhan’s gaze fell upon the characters.
Seeing his reaction, Xiaoyuan chuckled lightly. “These two characters were written by the Young Mistress’s own finger.”
Li Muzhan looked over in surprise. “Finger strength?”
Xiaoyuan laughed. “Yes, the Young Mistress’s martial arts are very high.”
As Li Muzhan walked along, appreciating the scenery, he found it strange: in this vast garden, there wasn't a single guard in sight, neither visible sentries nor hidden ones. Could it be that the Eldest Young Mistress was so confident in the Mei Residence that she believed no one could trespass?
It turned out she herself possessed formidable martial arts!
Xiaoyuan’s crisp voice sounded again. “Let’s go; the Young Mistress is inside.”
Li Muzhan adjusted his monk’s robes, holding his prayer beads in his left hand, his expression calm and solemn as he slowly stepped into the Rest Garden.
As soon as he entered the Rest Garden, what caught his eye was a scattering of plum blossoms, sparsely distributed across the western half of the courtyard. The eastern side of the courtyard contained a small training ground.
Along the edge of the field was a continuous rockery, imposing and dense, possessing the treacherous appearance of mountains and ravines.
Within the rockery stood a small, eight-sided pavilion with upturned eaves, resembling a large eagle spreading its wings as if ready to fly.
Passing through the plum grove, Li Muzhan saw flashes of sword light on the training ground. The clear radiance shifted, like a pool of clear spring water rippling under the sun, dazzling and captivating the eye.
With his keen senses, Li Muzhan clearly discerned the slender figure within the sword flashes—it was Gong Qingyun.
By the side of the field stood a woman in a purple dress, her back to them, standing perfectly still with her arms crossed, only her robes stirring in the breeze.
Li Muzhan appraised her briefly. Her figure was graceful and tall; her back view was exceptionally beautiful. Without seeing her face, he was already convinced she was a beauty.
Xiaoyuan announced, “Young Mistress, Zhanran has arrived.”
Gong Qingyun’s sword movement halted abruptly, the clear light instantly retracting as she sheathed her blade.
She frowned, looked toward them, cupped her hands, and said, “Young Mistress, I will take my leave now!”
“Mm, go,” the woman in purple nodded slightly, her voice clear and cold like a mountain spring.
Gong Qingyun’s figure drifted away like white clouds, sweeping past Li Muzhan. Her bright eyes flicked over his face, she let out a cold snort, and instantly vanished.
A faint, subtle fragrance lingered, and Li Muzhan offered a bitter smile, shaking his head.
The purple-clad girl turned around. A pair of entrancing eyes fell upon him. She spoke lightly, “Are you Master Zhanran?”
“This humble monk is Zhanran.” Li Muzhan returned the salute with cupped hands.
He smiled inwardly, not feeling disappointed. This Eldest Young Mistress was exceedingly beautiful; among all the women he had encountered, only the Second Sister could compare.
She had a melon-seed face, a sharp, pointed chin, a cherry mouth, a slender, straight nose, and brows that extended long toward her temples. Her eyes were stunning, like mist and smoke, mesmerizingly shifting, seemingly capable of drawing a person’s spirit into them.
“I am Mei Ruolan,” the purple-clad girl returned the salute with cupped hands, then gestured toward the small pavilion on the rockery. “Master Zhanran, let us go sit and talk.”
Li Muzhan nodded slightly. The three ascended the rockery and entered the pavilion.
He was surprised by the Eldest Young Mistress’s courtesy toward him, which seemed even greater than Xiaoyuan’s. He felt perplexed but kept his expression unchanged, slowly surveying the surroundings.
Viewing it up close, the pavilion showed faded colors, revealing traces of time’s passage everywhere, exuding an air of vicissitude.
From this vantage point, one could look down upon the entire Mei Residence. In the distance, the bright lake was like a mirror, framed by the trailing willow branches.
In the center of the pavilion was a stone table, polished to a high sheen.
Mei Ruolan sat down gracefully, accepted the teacup handed to her by Xiaoyuan, and asked lightly, “Master Zhanran is Steward Li’s brother, and also the Abbot of Chengjing Temple. Why have you entered the residence?”
Li Muzhan sat opposite her, accepted his teacup, smiled at Xiaoyuan, then turned back. “I heard the Mei Residence possesses the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill, a marvel of Buddhist teachings.”
Mei Ruolan took a delicate sip of the fragrant tea and set the cup down elegantly. “Commander Jin sought this cultivation method from me, and I was initially unwilling to grant it.”
Li Muzhan set down his cup and watched her with a smile.
Mei Ruolan continued, “Although this method is immensely powerful, it is extremely difficult to cultivate. Since the Divine Monk Huiguo created it in the previous dynasty, no one has ever succeeded in mastering it.”
“I wish to try,” Li Muzhan stated.
Mei Ruolan’s mesmerizing gaze swept around his face. “In recent years, the Mei Residence has seen no shortage of exceptionally talented individuals whose aptitude is no less than yours, and they too attempted to cultivate this skill, yet none succeeded.”
Without waiting for Li Muzhan to speak again, she added, “However, since you possess such extraordinary talent, there is no harm in giving it a try.”
“Thank you, Eldest Young Mistress,” Li Muzhan replied, cupping his hands in salute.
Mei Ruolan shook her head gently. “No thanks are necessary. Master Zhanran is a man of Buddhism, and the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill is a Buddhist marvel; perhaps there is a chance of success. … If this peerless skill can be revived, it would be beneficial, not harmful, to the Mei Residence.”
She drew a plain white invitation card from her robes and placed it on the table. “This is an invitation from the Nun Xueyin, requesting Master Zhanran to attend the Moon Reflection Dharma Assembly on the eighth day of the fourth month.”
Li Muzhan frowned slightly. He had not expected the Nun Xueyin to send the invitation here.
He shook his head. “Young Mistress, I will not be attending.”
“Oh—?” Mei Ruolan was momentarily taken aback, her composure briefly disturbed. She looked at him closely, her bright eyes flashing, becoming even more enchanting and dreamlike.
After a moment, she returned to her usual calm, stating lightly, “The Moon Reflection Dharma Assembly is a grand event in the Buddhist world with far-reaching influence. Everyone invited is an eminent monk or a great master. For you, despite your youth, to receive an invitation is truly the highest honor!”
Li Muzhan smiled slightly but remained silent.
He naturally understood the importance of the Moon Reflection Dharma Assembly; participating would surely bring him renown throughout the world. But he did not value such things currently. He only wished to master his martial arts, possess the ability to protect himself, and live freely.
He often discussed the Dharma with the Nun Xueyin. Their debates, conducted through Li Yurong, had spanned over a decade, with neither able to gain the upper hand. In his previous life, he had majored in philosophy at university, deeply studying various schools of thought, which had vastly broadened his perspective. In his eyes, Buddhism itself was a form of philosophy, and in this era, few, even among the great Buddhist masters, could match the breadth of his vision. To the Nun Xueyin, his state of mind was transcendent, his meditative skills profound, and his wisdom boundless—truly qualifying him as a high monk.
Seeing his tranquil smile, Mei Ruolan slightly furrowed her delicate brows and nodded slowly. “Very well. If you do not wish to go, I will not force you.”
“Thank you, Young Mistress,” Li Muzhan replied with a formal salute.
Mei Ruolan waved her hand gently, indicating he need not be so formal. Suddenly, a slight smile appeared on her face. “Qingyun said your sword strikes are incredibly fast, possessing the might of wind and lightning. I should like to witness it myself.”
P: It looks like I can manage two updates today. Although I received the Sanjiang recommendation, the results weren't great, and the votes haven't increased much. I'm starting to doubt myself—am I writing too poorly?