Wuhua glanced at him, meaningfully raised an index finger, and said, "To hear the true Dharma, one must possess sincerity." With that, he closed his own eyes.

Li Yundong stood to the side, staring blankly, utterly confused: Sincerity? What kind of sincerity? I personally went to invite him, brought him here—surely that shows sincerity? This Master certainly puts on quite an air.

Li Yundong tentatively asked from the side, "Master, are you perhaps hungry and would like to eat something first?"

Wuhua kept his eyes closed, murmuring scriptures under his breath, as if he hadn't heard Li Yundong at all, offering no acknowledgment whatsoever.

Li Yundong gave a dry laugh and asked again, "Perhaps Master is weary from the journey and wishes for some rest?"

Wuhua remained unchanged. If not for the quiet chanting still emanating from his lips, Li Yundong would have genuinely believed he had already attained nirvana.

Helpless, Li Yundong tried again, "Perhaps Master requires a superior private chamber?"

Wuhua persisted in his own way, beginning to recite the scripture, "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form." Li Yundong, having finally tracked down Wuhua and brought him here, seeing a chance to learn the whereabouts of Ao Wushuang, was now met with this inscrutable mystery. The frustration mounted in him. He posed several more questions in quick succession, but Wuhua remained utterly unresponsive. Li Yundong felt his patience fraying almost to the point of snapping, tempted to lose his temper, but then a thought stopped him, and he rushed out of the room.

Waiting outside were Su Chan, Zhou Qin, Cao Yi, and the others. As soon as he emerged, they swarmed him, firing questions in a flurry: "Yundong, what did Master Wuhua say? Where is my master?"

"Master, what did this monk say?"

"Sect Leader, where is my junior sister?"

Li Yundong was already depressed, and the cacophony only aggravated his mood. He raised his hand and snapped, with a hint of anger, "All of you, silence!"

At Li Yundong's outburst, the women nearby instantly fell quiet, watching him with wide, expectant eyes.

Li Yundong said, utterly vexed, "This Master is speaking in riddles to me, telling me that to hear the true Dharma, one must possess sincerity."

Cao Yi couldn't help but ask, "Sect Leader, what did you say in response?"

Li Yundong forced a wry smile, "I asked if he was hungry."

The crowd asked in unison, "And what did he say?"

Li Yundong spread his hands, "He ignored me."

Su Chan followed up, "Then didn't you ask him again, Yundong?"

Li Yundong sighed frustratingly, "I did. I asked him a dozen similar questions, and he wouldn't acknowledge me once, just kept reciting scriptures. I couldn't glean a single clue no matter how I questioned him, so I had to come out."

The others exchanged looks, staring wide-eyed at each other. Su Chan couldn't help but complain, "This Master is being too profound and inscrutable, isn't he?"

Cao Yi, however, shook her head. "No, no. It is true that the true Dharma is hard to come by. In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan sought guidance from Qibo; he visited several times and was turned away each time. Only after observing a half-month fast, bathing, and changing his clothes before receiving instruction, did Qibo impart the secrets of longevity and cultivation to the Yellow Emperor, allowing him eventually to ascend as an immortal."

Li Yundong sucked in a sharp breath, "Do you mean I have to fast for half a month as well?"

Cao Yi stated solemnly, "Fasting demonstrates piety; it is a monastic rule. Sect Leader, could you indulge him?"

Li Yundong offered a bitter smile, "What's so terrible about eating vegetarian for half a month? I could do it for a year! The problem is, I have so many pressing matters right now, I have no time to linger here for half a month."

Cao Yi looked troubled too. She knew Li Yundong was running around handling the affairs and livelihood of the Fox Zen Sect, and as someone who didn't engage in production, she couldn't offer much help, so she naturally didn't press the issue further. She tentatively asked, "Then perhaps the Sect Leader should go ask Master Wuhua if that is what he means?"

Li Yundong nodded, "Alright, I'll go ask." He immediately turned and walked back inside, but a short while later, he emerged again, his face etched with distress. The moment he saw them, he threw his hands up and announced, "It's the same! He won't talk to me!"

Disappointment washed over everyone’s faces. Su Chan couldn't help but interject, "Does Master Wuhua perhaps want money?"

The moment she spoke, all eyes snapped toward her. Cao Yi couldn't help but scold, "Chan'er, how could you speak of Master Wuhua that way? How could a religious man be so worldly and crude?"

Li Yundong also shot her a feigned glare, "Even if you must spout nonsense, couldn't you whisper it? If Master Wuhua overheard, and he became angry and left in a huff, what would we do then?"

Su Chan hung her head, looking aggrieved, rubbing the corner of her clothes as she mumbled, "I was just trying to help, just guessing casually."

Cao Yi suddenly had an idea upon hearing this. She murmured, "Wait, some Masters have a fondness for calligraphy, paintings, or antiques. Sect Leader, perhaps you could inquire if Master Wuhua has any interests in those areas?"

Li Yundong said, "Good, I'll go make some inquiries."

Before he finished speaking, he turned and headed back inside. But before long, he was back out again.

The others watched him eagerly. When Li Yundong walked up to them, he let out a heavy sigh, and they followed suit with disappointed sighs of their own.

Li Yundong smiled ruefully, "Why do I feel like we're playing a game of 'Guess Who'? This Master truly lives up to his Zen reputation—everything has to be a riddle, everything requires guessing! How can one tolerate this?"

He thought to himself: This kind of riddle-solving is exactly what Ziyuan excels at. She is exceptionally clever and would surely find a way to guess what Master Wuhua desires. Unfortunately, she isn't here right now.

Of course, Li Yundong knew he couldn't voice this thought aloud, or the little girl would become sad and blame herself.

Just as everyone was at a loss, Zhou Qin, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up, "I think I might know what Master Wuhua is thinking."

Li Yundong and the others instantly perked up, their gazes focusing on her as they urged, "Tell us quickly, tell us!"

Zhou Qin paused in thought before speaking, "Logically, those in the Buddhist tradition should be pure of heart and free of desire. But these past few days, following my master, I've seen that cultivation also requires the necessities of life—firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, and tea. This is true for us Daoists, and there’s no reason why it shouldn't be true for Buddhists. Furthermore, since they do not engage in production, they must rely on collecting alms to sustain themselves."

Li Yundong couldn't help but interject, "But I already checked! Master Wuhua didn't respond to me at all!"

Zhou Qin shook her head, "No, I don't think that's what Master Wuhua is asking for. In my past life, when officials sought favors from each other, it was always a matter of reciprocal favors—if I promoted your man, you must promote mine. So, I'm wondering, since we are asking Master Wuhua for help in finding someone, perhaps he requires us to find someone for him in return?"

Su Chan and Cao Yi asked in unison, "Who?"

Li Yundong's mind sparked, and he opened his mouth, exclaiming in surprise, "No way, could it be..."

Zhou Qin looked at Li Yundong and nodded, "Yes, I suspect that is exactly who Master Wuhua wants!"

Li Yundong was caught between laughter and tears, "Please, he is a revered monk, alright? How could he possibly use a young woman as leverage for a deal?"

Zhou Qin offered a slight smile, "Master, I have been observing Master Wuhua and that young lady he was so reluctant to part with. I noticed that Master Wuhua is not entirely detached from worldly affairs, and he harbors a hidden affection for this lady. At their parting, his eyes were filled with longing, and he even looked back at her once. Therefore, I believe Master Wuhua hopes we can find this lady for him and save her from her suffering."

Li Yundong pondered for a moment, then started to move toward the inner room to question Wuhua, but Zhou Qin caught his arm, chiding him softly, "You man, how can you ask about something like this directly? Even if you ask, he will still ignore you. Just go find the person. If I'm wrong, we can just send her back. At worst, we cover her travel expenses."

Li Yundong considered it and said with a strange expression, "I think what you're saying has some merit, but I still can't believe that's what Master Wuhua means."

Despite his words, he decided to follow Zhou Qin's instructions. Li Yundong said, "Alright then, I'll go myself."

Su Chan quickly spoke up, "Yundong, we can't have you leaving here. You stay. I'll go instead; I know the way anyway."

Li Yundong looked at her hesitantly, "You're going? Do you know where that place is?"

Su Chan clasped her hands together, mimicking piety with a grin, "Amitabha, if I do not enter hell, who will?"

Li Yundong burst out laughing. He knew the little girl was eager to share his burdens, which is why she was so proactive. He couldn't really stop her, so he affectionately pinched her cheek and said, "Be safe on your journey. Do you have money?"

Su Chan chirped happily, "I have money!" Then she zipped away.

After watching Su Chan depart, Li Yundong turned back and joked to Zhou Qin, "If your guess turns out to be wrong, I'm going to fine you half a month of vegetarian meals!"

Zhou Qin pursed her lips in a small smile, "Is there even meat available here for you to eat?"

Only then did Li Yundong remember that the Fox Zen Sect only ever stocked vegetarian dishes; there was never any meat to begin with. He laughed heartily.

The group waited for nearly two hours. Just as Li Yundong was starting to worry, he suddenly heard Su Chan's voice echoing from a distance, like a triumphant general announcing victory: "Yundong! I'm back!"

Li Yundong spun around with lightning speed, and as soon as he faced the entrance, the little girl rushed into his embrace like a gust of wind, throwing her arms around his waist and giggling.

Seeing the little girl return, Li Yundong's heart settled back into his chest. Just as he was about to speak, a very worldly and sultry voice rang out: "Well now, I, Meiniang, have been in the business since I was sixteen. This is the first time I've seen an escort service operating here. What a concept, what an environment! Impressive, impressive, I commend you!"

Hearing the voice, Li Yundong looked up and saw Meiniang approaching, dressed provocatively, accompanied by a woman in a long white dress, whose appearance was delicate and pitiable.

Meiniang walked up to Li Yundong and his group and giggled, "Oh, Boss Li, it seems I run into you distinguished gentleman everywhere!" She looked around flirtatiously, "Are all these your properties? I wouldn't have guessed that Boss Li, being so young, could amass such wealth. Impressive, impressive, truly admirable!"

Seeing this madam, Li Yundong was both shocked and surprised, "Aren't you Meiniang? Why are you here too?"

Meiniang feigned an expression of sadness and injury, "What, you didn't want me to come? Oh, never mind. I, Meiniang, am old and my beauty is fading. Boss Li is young and rich, so naturally, you wouldn't want me anymore. How could I compare to Xiao Zhu, who is young, beautiful, and looks so pitiful? You only glanced at her once, and now you can’t stop thinking about her."

Li Yundong felt a headache blooming at her affected speech. He said, "Meiniang, this is a sacred Daoist site; your presence here seems rather unsuitable, don't you think?"

Meiniang chuckled, her words laced with hidden barbs, "Oh, Boss Li, look what you're saying. If my girl can come, can't I? You know this is a Daoist temple, right? But the creativity and sheer audacity you used to set up a business here—I have to admit defeat to that. Besides, Xiao Zhu is my star attraction; I rely on her for my living. It's her first 'outcall,' I must keep an eye on her, mustn't I?"

Li Yundong felt utterly miserable inside. Well, hell, she thought he was running a prostitution service!

But then he thought again: Isn't that exactly what he was doing—calling for a girl to come out?

What was even more depressing was that before he could respond to Meiniang, Wuhua suddenly walked out of the inner room with a measured grace. The moment Xiao Zhu, dressed in her plain white robes, saw Wuhua, her face lit up with joy, and she rushed toward him. The two held hands, gazing at each other with misty eyes, like a pair of deeply devoted lovers.

Li Yundong and Meiniang were both stunned, mouths agape.

Li Yundong, being a cultivator, quickly recovered and instinctively glanced at Zhou Qin, thinking to himself: She actually guessed correctly!

Meiniang couldn't help but giggle, "I, Meiniang, have been in business since I was sixteen. I've seen people doing good deeds, but never like this! Boss Li, did you call Xiao Zhu out just to benefit this bald... er, to benefit this man of the cloth?"

Li Yundong hadn't anticipated Meiniang would follow, and now Meiniang's remark nearly made him choke on his own words: He, a dignified cultivator and the Sect Leader of the Fox Zen Sect, with at least some reputation now, had somehow ended up playing the role of a procurer today! If this got out, the scandal would be enormous!

He had merely wanted to ask Master Wuhua about Ao Wushuang's whereabouts. How could he have imagined it would turn out like this?

What in the blazes kind of mess was this!!!

========================================================= Merry Christmas everyone!!!! H