Chapter 29: There is Buddha Light, but Not Much

  

Chapter 29: There is Buddha Light, but Not Much

The tower was magnificent, with the words "Heavenly Maiden Tower" inscribed on a golden plaque in front of it.

 

In front of the tower stood four monks, but they were not ordinary monks; they were warrior monks—Chang Suining subtly scanned the four monks.

Not only that, but there were also unusual features surrounding the tower.

Chang Suining looked at the stacks of bluestone around the tower, the babbling stream that flowed nearby, and the bamboo forest with its tender new leaves— 

In front of the tower stood a bronze incense burner, about a person’s height, with curling smoke rising from it.

 

Chang Suining squinted, gazing at the golden bell hanging from the eaves of the tower, shining brightly in the morning light.

Looking further into the various Buddhist halls, it was clear that the location of the tower was particularly significant— or perhaps the entire Da Yun Temple was built in a place of good feng shui, while this tower was constructed within an array.

She was not proficient in these intricate formations, but since Wu Jue had been a military strategist, he was quite adept at arranging military formations, and over time, she had learned quite a bit.

The formation surrounding this “Heavenly Maiden Tower” was likely set by Wu Jue .

However, it was ultimately different from military formations, and she could not discern what kind of formation it was or its purpose.

“This Heavenly Maiden Tower was ordered to be built by the emperor before his ascension,” Chang Kuo said, lowering his voice slightly. “According to the ‘Da Yun Scriptures,’ the Pure Light Heavenly Maiden once listened to the Great Nirvana Sutra at the Lantern Buddha’s place. Because of this, when Shakyamuni Buddha was alive, she was reborn as the Pure Light Heavenly Maiden, sacrificing her heavenly form to take on a female body as a ruler, guiding the world and safeguarding the righteous law… The current Holy One, feeling grateful for this, specially built the Heavenly Maiden Tower to worship the Pure Light Heavenly Maiden.”

Chang Suining lowered her eyes, hiding a faint trace of mockery.

So this was the origin of the Da Yun Temple.

Was Minghou using the Buddhist scriptures to imply that she was the reincarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha and needed to take on a female form to rule and guide the world? Though a century ago, there had been a precedent of a woman becoming emperor in the Great Prosperity Dynasty, that woman was a legitimate princess of the royal family, having been established as the crown princess in her youth, which made it legitimate.

But Minghou was different; she was merely an outer surname empress, and to ascend to the supreme position, besides plotting and scheming to consolidate power, she needed something that could win the people's hearts— the divine claim was a useful tool.

To tell the world that she was the ordained ruler— the Heavenly Register Holy Monarch, thus gaining the holy register.

“But I heard that this place does not allow pilgrims to enter; only Master Wu Jue or those permitted by the Holy One can enter,” Chang Sui’an said, looking curiously toward the tower. “I’ve never been inside to see it.”

As they passed by, the four warrior monks, their hands pressed together in front of them, remained still, completely unfazed by the outside world, resembling four mighty Vajra statues.

A gust of wind passed, and the golden bell rang softly, evoking a sense of Zen.

Chang Suining suddenly halted, her expression changing.

…

“…That thunderstorm half a month ago nearly destroyed this formation; just look at these stones, and you can tell they were damaged then.”

At that moment, a monk clad in the abbot’s robe walked out from behind the tower, saying, “There were originally lightning rods on the tower, so that spring thunder didn’t strike the tower, and everything inside remained intact, except for that jade statue, which, for some unknown reason, developed cracks…”

The tall youth beside him remained silent for a long while before asking, “According to Master Wu Jue , is this phenomenon auspicious or ominous?”

“It’s hard to say.” The monk sighed softly. “Since this formation was set up, there’s no absolute certainty; there are no precedents to refer to, and it’s difficult to discern anything from it—just leave it to fate.”

As he spoke, he seemed to feel something and looked up at the tower: “But since a strange phenomenon has occurred, it must have some significance… As for what that significance is, though temporarily unknown, perhaps—”

The monk smiled slightly and looked at the youth: “Master Cui might have a chance to sense it.”

The youth’s eyes widened slightly—him?

The monk continued, “This jade statue was originally retrieved by Master Cui from the Western Regions, so there might indeed be a hidden connection.”

The youth remained silent, merely raising his gaze toward the swaying golden bell, the morning light casting a layer of serene golden radiance over his dark, clear brows and eyes.

“...Ning Ning, what’s wrong with you?” a worried voice broke through, barely audible to the sensitive ears of the martial artists.

“Suining, are you feeling unwell? Quickly, sit down and rest…” 

The servant quickly helped her mistress to a stone bench under a nearby bodhi tree.

“Your face is so pale. Are you having a severe headache?” squatted in front of Chang Suining, tears welling up: “It’s all my fault, boohoo…”

Chang Suining replied, “Why don’t you change your name to Boohoo then?”

Xi'er’s sobs ceased immediately, her tears brimming as she looked up at her mistress.

Only then did Chang Suining lower her hand, which had been pressed against her temple, and look at the place where she had been standing; there, on the stone brick, was a painting of monstrous Buddhist figures depicted in gold paint.

“Suining, are you feeling any better?” Chang Sui’an couldn’t help but keep his distance, remembering how she had dry-heaved after merely glancing at him earlier.

“I feel much better,” Chang Suining replied, though her gaze remained fixed on the patterns ahead.

She must have entered the formation just now.

But since Chang Sui’an and the others had passed through the same place, why did only she suddenly feel unwell, with a splitting headache?

 

It couldn’t be that she was a lonely ghost, and upon arriving at this holy place of Buddhism, the Buddha’s light would truly expel her, right?

If it were in the past, she might not have firmly believed in such divine matters, but having experienced things that were inexplicable by common sense, she had no choice but to accept it.

However, she had neither stolen nor robbed anything; her current state was not her wish, and no one had consulted her opinion. Did the King of Hell take matters into his own hands, without notifying the nearby deities and Buddhas, and failed to unify their opinions?

Chang Suining looked toward the tall tower.

Yet as the saying goes, it’s easy to invite the Buddha but hard to send him away—now that she was alive again, this life was given to her, so what came next would be her decision.

She had no intention of returning any favors that came by luck.

“Suining, drink some water quickly.” Seeing her lost in thought, Chang Kuo gently urged.

Only then did Chang Suining notice the water flask Joy had handed her, and she took it.

“Why is Master Cui also here?” Chang Kuo’s surprised voice sounded above her head, and Chang Suining instinctively looked up.

She had seen Cui Jing numerous times; her gaze instinctively passed over him and landed on the plump monk beside him.

Wu Jue had not kept his hair for many years; the first time she met him when he introduced himself, she had thought he was merely a beggar monk, only to later learn that he had not renounced his vows—only his hair had been shaven.

The backstory was as follows—

He had been bald from a young age, so he simply chose to shave it all off.

Better to be bald than to become a baldy.

He was quite stubborn and unwilling to compromise.

At this moment, he wore the abbot's robe, his round head and plump face, with a pair of round and full earlobes, exuded a gentle and serene smile, truly embodying the aura of Buddha light.

Seeing Chang Kuo, he exclaimed, “Oh, Old Chang!” 

Chang Suining: “…”

The Buddha's light shattered, as if in an instant, returning from the holy Buddhist altar to the lamb soup restaurant.

Wu Jue quickly walked over.

After calling out "Master Wu Jue," Chang Suining and Xi'er bowed to Cui Jing.

Seeing him seemingly looking in her direction, Chang Suining raised a hand to her forehead, frowning to feign a headache—she would rather avoid this greeting if possible.

"...What's wrong with you, Xiao Suining?" Wu Jue lifted the hem of his robe and squatted in front of Chang Suining. "Come, come, let your second father take a look—"

"..." Chang Suining looked at him with slight confusion.

Even after becoming a monk, did he still want to join in on this fatherly warmth?

Did he think that was appropriate?

Little did she know, things would become even more inappropriate: "Oh, it's been a while since we last met, and Xiao Suining looks even more beautiful than before?"

Wu Jue stared at her, his eyes filled with a hint of surprise and admiration.

Chang Kuo snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? Suining has a headache; you should say less."—Others might not know what the child had experienced, but did this bald man not understand? He still had the energy to banter.

"Headache, huh... Come, follow me to the Zen courtyard to warm up by the fire and rest a bit."

Seeing Chang Suining nod, Xi'er helped her up.

Cui Jing exchanged a few words with Chang Kuo and did not linger longer. "I shall take my leave first."

Master Wu Jue smiled, "Please take care, benefactor Cui."

Cui Jing nodded and stepped away.

With Xi'er's assistance, Chang Suining walked past the intricately carved designs, feeling uneasy and instinctively stepping aside to avoid the area.

At that moment, Cui Jing happened to walk by her side.

The young girl wore a spring outfit, fresh and lovely.

The young man was dressed in a dark robe, cool and dignified.

The wind stirred, the golden bells tinkled, and the soft white silk fluttered past the young man’s robe, touching it for an instant before moving away.

Both noticed each other; Cui Jing lowered his gaze, connecting with the bright, clear eyes looking up at him, but they both quickly averted their gazes.

In the breeze, there was the scent of growing bamboo. As the morning light swayed among the Bodhi trees, the two passed each other silently.

"General, is that lady from General Chang's residence?" After Chang Kuo and the others had walked far, Cui Yuanxiang, who was waiting nearby, said with a slightly puzzled expression, "She seems vaguely familiar, but I can't remember when I saw her..."

Cui Jing: "..."

His subordinate didn't seem very bright.

"Oh! I've remembered!" Cui Yuanxiang suddenly exclaimed, "Two years ago, when General Chang and you led the troops, the young men from the Chang family came to see him off, and the young lady from the Chang family seemed to be there too! That's when I saw her!"

Cui Jing: "...Good memory. No need to recall it again next time."

Cui Yuanxiang scratched his head.

"General... The sage has graciously allowed you and General Chang to rest for three days. On the day of the new moon, the officials will meet with you again to receive rewards." Cui Yuanxiang inquired, "You haven't slept a wink all night and were busy all day yesterday. Would you like to go home to rest?"

Just thinking about the people in the Cui family made his voice lower.

Cui Jing: "Let's go back to Xuanzhe Mansion first."

The Xuanzhe Army has a mansion in the capital, known as the Xuanzhe Mansion, which oversees all matters concerning the army.

Cui Yuanxiang replied, "Yes."

...

Chang Suining did not stay long at Da Yun Temple.

Firstly, she felt that the array there was somewhat sinister, and out of instinct, she wanted to distance herself, fearing that her life, which had not yet warmed, would be taken away again.

Secondly, it was almost time to meet Zhou Ding as agreed.

Lastly, Wu Jue was yawning one after another. As soon as Cui Jing left, he began to complain, "This young man can really endure... Old monk had no choice but to talk to him about Buddhist teachings all night, and I'm so tired I feel like I could just die here!"

Chang Suining listened and couldn’t help but feel again that there was a bit of Buddha light, but not much.

...

The meeting place mentioned in the letter with Zhou Ding was near the edge of Hancheng Lake, not far from Da Yun Temple.

This lake, nestled against green mountains and beside the Wei River, boasts beautiful scenery. It was spring, the perfect time for outings and boating.

When Chang Suining arrived, a figure was already waiting for her at the lakeside pavilion.

"Miss, look, that fellow in the blue shirt is Zhou Ding." Xi'er whispered in Chang Suining's ear. 

Good afternoon, it's a big chapter～

(End of this chapter) 

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