Hearing the sounds of slaughter drawing closer outside, the abbot asked uncertainly, “Will there really be enough time?”
Li Fuxiang insisted, “Enough.”
—”Two years ago, the eldest daughter of the Chen family merely lit an incense stick at Qingliang Temple, and the next night, someone broke through the mountain gate and massacred all the monks of Qingliang Temple.”
The abbot kept it brief, but his words were shocking.
Li Fuxiang: “Two years?”
The abbot replied, “Two years. They continued to impersonate the monks within the temple, as if nothing had happened, keeping this poor monk under strict watch in the meditation hall. Every day, pilgrims came and went from Qingliang Temple, yet no one noticed anything amiss. Your Highness, this poor monk is truly curious—how did you learn of this?”
Li Fuxiang responded succinctly, “I have the Jinyiwei.”
Throughout the world, apart from the emperor, no one dared to make such a statement.
The Jinyiwei were blades belonging solely to the emperor. No one could use them, and no one dared to.
No one knew the extent of the power granted to him by the emperor. Perhaps, having grown up in Qianqing Palace, Li Fuxiang had always been lofty and untouchable. He had never descended from his high platform, nor could he understand the longing for imperial power felt by those standing below in court.
He said he had the Jinyiwei.
How fearsome that was.
Li Fuxiang said, “We simply hadn’t paid attention to Qingliang Temple before. In truth, it’s not hard to investigate. Once the Jinyiwei came here, everything felt out of place.”
The abbot said, “If you hadn’t come to see me, perhaps you could have left here safely.”
Li Fuxiang: “If we didn’t see you, wouldn’t this trip have been for nothing?”
The abbot smiled instead: “As long as you came, it wouldn’t have been for nothing.”
Li Fuxiang: “Why did they leave only you alive at Qingliang Temple?”
The abbot: “Because they lost something.”
Li Fuxiang: “What did they lose?”
The abbot: “A letter hidden beneath the lotus base of the golden Buddha.”
Li Fuxiang: “The letter they’re looking for is lost? Where did it go? Did you take it?”
The abbot shook his head: “They couldn’t find it. No one can.”
Li Fuxiang: “Master, stop speaking in riddles; the tea has already gone cold.”
Outside, the fight was almost over.
The Jinyiwei and Li Fuxiang’s Xiaoqi Camp coordinated seamlessly. Taking down a mere Qingliang Temple was not difficult.
But Qingliang Temple was of no use to Li Fuxiang.
What they sought was that letter.
Li Fuxiang didn’t know what it was, but since everyone else was looking for it, he wanted to take a look at it too.
The abbot said, “Two years ago, when Miss Chen came to Qingliang Temple to offer incense, she hid a letter under the lotus base of the golden Buddha. However, the letter mysteriously disappeared. Those who came to retrieve the letter found nothing and vented their anger on the monks of Qingliang Temple.”
Li Fuxiang asked, “Who?”
The abbot replied, “He is not within the temple.”
Li Fuxiang pressed further, “And the letter?”
The abbot smiled faintly, opened his hands, and showed them to Li Fuxiang. “It is no longer in my possession.”
Li Fuxiang stared at him for a while, his gaze slowly shifting downward.
On the tea table in front of them lay the abbot’s simple and worn string of prayer beads, lying there alone.
Li Fuxiang placed the teapot back on the stove to warm it. His broad black sleeve inadvertently swept over the table, and in the next moment, the table was empty—the prayer beads had quietly disappeared into his sleeve.
The abbot, with a kind and gentle expression, observed him and smiled. “Since there’s enough time, why don’t I create a destiny chart for Your Highness?”
Li Fuxiang replied, “I don’t believe in fate.”
The abbot asked, “Not even curious?”
Li Fuxiang: “No.”
The abbot continued, “Don’t you want to know where you will end up in the future, or what kind of person you will become?”
Li Fuxiang: “I don’t have that much curiosity. Many times, so-called ‘wanting to know’ changes nothing and only adds unnecessary suffering…”
The abbot said, “Someone once spent an enormous fortune asking me to calculate whether he had the ‘Ziwei Star1 Historically, the Ziwei Star was associated with the emperor and the heavens, symbolizing supreme authority and divine right.‘ in his fate.”
The ‘Ziwei Star’…
Who would ask about that?
Naturally, it would be someone just one step away from that position.
Such a rebellious revelation would have shocked anyone else present.
But Li Fuxiang only responded with mild doubt, “But the emperor is in his prime. Isn’t their eagerness a bit premature?”
The abbot replied, “But the emperor has few heirs.”
The tea had boiled.
Li Fuxiang poured tea into the cups in front of them.
The clamor outside seemed to have quieted.
Gao Yuexing was peacefully sleeping under the window, showing no sign of waking. Li Fuxiang had carefully measured the amount of incense—the calming fragrance would allow her to rest for half an hour.
And he had left himself only half an hour.
The abbot said, “It seems like things outside have concluded. They are waiting for Your Highness to take charge of the situation.”
As if to confirm his words.
Outside, someone knocked lightly on the door. “Reporting to Your Highness, all the monks of Qingliang Temple have been captured.”
Without waiting for Li Fuxiang to respond, the person lowered their head and retreated, leaving the meditation courtyard in silence once more.
Li Fuxiang: “But this matter between us is far from over… Two years ago, Miss Chen visited Qingliang Temple. After descending the mountain, she accidentally fell into a lotus pond. I always thought it was an accident, but someone hinted to me that a person falling into water isn’t always a simple accident… A few days ago, Miss Chen visited Qingliang Temple again, and on that very night, she died in her boudoir.”
The abbot lowered his brows and stared at the tea before him. When the temperature was just right, he drank it all in one gulp.
Li Fuxiang: “Master?”
Abbot: “What do you wish to ask?”
Li Fuxiang: “Miss Chen came to Qingliang Temple—who did she come to see?”
Abbot: “Why don’t you ask—who wanted to see her?”
Li Fuxiang’s gaze instantly sharpened.
The prayer beads were no longer in the abbot’s hands, leaving them feeling empty. He occasionally rubbed his fingers together and let out a long sigh: “Amitabha… This poor monk is guilty. That day, it was I who requested to see her.”
“Two years ago, Miss Chen used a letter to divert disaster eastward, causing the wrongful deaths of over twenty monks at Qingliang Temple beneath the blade,” the abbot said. “I endured for two years—it was too long. I couldn’t wait any longer. So I arranged to meet Miss Chen and used her own methods against her. Through my questioning, I made those in the shadows believe that the letter had always been in Miss Chen’s possession.”
After Miss Chen’s death, there were signs of searching on her clothing and throughout her boudoir.
So, that was the reason.
The abbot sighed deeply: “What did Miss Chen even understand? It wasn’t until I met her that I realized—she was merely a pawn who knew nothing of the bigger picture…” He collapsed onto the table, coughing violently, and vomited a mouthful of blackened pus and blood.
Li Fuxiang: “Master!”
Abbot: “…I am guilty. I am ashamed before the Buddha…”
Li Fuxiang picked up the teacup that had rolled onto the mat and sniffed it: “You poisoned yourself?”
The next moment, the teacup was snatched from his hand.
Gao Yuexing, who had appeared silently at his side, brought the cup to her nose and sniffed: “The tea is poisoned?” She anxiously gripped Li Fuxiang’s shoulder: “Did you drink any?”
Li Fuxiang had no time to reply.
The abbot chuckled first: “Miss Gao, do not panic. You have never harmed me, so naturally, I would not harm you… Miss Chen’s death has indeed brought your attention to Qingliang Temple. I’ve been waiting for this… cough, cough…”
Li Fuxiang: “Ah Xing.”
Gao Yuexing understood his intention. She lifted the abbot’s hand and checked his pulse, saying, “The meridians are in chaos, and the poison has already attacked his heart. He won’t survive.”
The abbot’s gaze grew vacant. With blood filling his mouth, he muttered, “This poor monk is guilty. I die to atone for my sins, ashamed before the Buddha. May I descend into hell…”
Gao Yuexing: “He has taken his own life.”
Li Fuxiang: “He is taking his revenge.”
The abbot, with his final strength, pointed at Gao Yuexing and weakly said, “A phoenix cries high in the skies… you must be careful…”
Gao Yuexing listened intently.
The abbot’s voice faded. After murmuring a few indistinct words, he closed his eyes for the last time.
Li Fuxiang: “But this isn’t over between us yet… Two years ago, Miss Chen visited Qingliang Temple and, upon descending the mountain, accidentally fell into the lotus pond. I always thought it was an accident, but someone pointed out to me that when a person falls into water, it isn’t always accidental… A few days ago, Miss Chen returned to Qingliang Temple, and that very night, she was found dead in her boudoir.”
The abbot lowered his gaze, staring at the tea before him. When it reached the perfect temperature, he drank it in one go.
Li Fuxiang: “Master?”
Abbot: “What is it you wish to ask?”
Li Fuxiang: “When Miss Chen came to Qingliang Temple, whom did she come to see?”
Abbot: “Why not ask who wanted to see her?”
Li Fuxiang’s expression froze.
The abbot, now without his prayer beads, seemed a bit lost. He occasionally rubbed his fingers together and sighed deeply. “Amitabha. This poor monk is guilty—on that day, I was the one who requested to see her.”
“Two years ago, Miss Chen used a letter to draw disaster eastward, causing the wrongful deaths of more than twenty monks of Qingliang Temple,” the abbot said. “I endured for two years. It was too long—I couldn’t wait any longer. So I arranged to meet Miss Chen and returned the favor in kind. My questioning led those lurking in the shadows to believe the letter had always been in Miss Chen’s possession.”
After Miss Chen’s death, her clothing and her boudoir showed clear signs of being searched.
So, that was the reason.
The abbot spoke with a tone of regret: “What could Miss Chen have known? When I met her, I realized she was merely a pawn, ignorant of the schemes at play…” The abbot leaned against the table, choking violently before vomiting a mouthful of dark, pus-like blood.
Li Fuxiang: “Master!”
Abbot: “…I am guilty… I have betrayed the Buddha…”
Li Fuxiang picked up the teacup that had fallen onto the mat, sniffing it carefully. “You poisoned yourself?”
In the next instant, the cup was snatched from his hand.
Gao Yuexing, who had somehow appeared beside him, brought the cup to her nose. “Poison in the tea?” She anxiously grasped Li Fuxiang’s shoulder. “Did you drink it?”
Before Li Fuxiang could respond, the abbot chuckled, “Miss Gao, don’t worry. You have never harmed me, so naturally, I would not harm you… Miss Chen’s death indeed drew your attention to Qingliang Temple. I have been waiting… cough, cough…”
Li Fuxiang: “Ah Xing.”
Gao Yuexing understood his meaning. She took the abbot’s hand, checking his pulse. “His meridians are in chaos; the poison has already reached his heart. There’s no saving him.”
The abbot’s eyes were unfocused. Blood filled his mouth as he murmured, “This poor monk is guilty… I atone with my death… I have betrayed the Buddha… May I descend into hell…”
Gao Yuexing: “He took his own life.”
Li Fuxiang: “He was avenging himself.”
The abbot weakly pointed at Gao Yuexing, struggling to speak. “The phoenix cries in the clouds… be cautious…”
Gao Yuexing leaned in, straining to hear him.
The abbot’s voice grew faint and indistinct. After a few unclear phrases, he closed his eyes.
Gao Yuexing did not understand what he had been trying to say at the end.
She released the abbot’s hand and silently stood up.
Li Fuxiang stood half a step behind her and asked, “When did you wake up?”
Gao Yuexing glanced at the abbot. “When he mentioned drawing up a destiny chart for you.”
Li Fuxiang: “Quite early, then.”
Gao Yuexing: “I’m a doctor. I carry many medicines with me. You used too little of your sedative incense.”
Because Li Fuxiang knew she was a doctor, he had carefully adjusted the dosage. After entering the meditation hall, he ordered his men to discreetly release the incense, masking it with the scent of sandalwood, to let Gao Yuexing sleep for a while.
Gao Yuexing had awakened early but didn’t immediately open her eyes.
Since Li Fuxiang didn’t want her to know, she pretended not to. It wasn’t a big deal—if he liked keeping secrets, so be it.
But the abbot’s sudden turn of events eventually forced her to act.
Still worried, Gao Yuexing placed a pill into Li Fuxiang’s mouth.
Li Fuxiang didn’t even ask what it was before swallowing it.
Under his slightly apologetic gaze, Gao Yuexing said, “Do you need me to go back to sleep?”
Li Fuxiang: “Forget it.”
Gao Yuexing softly asked, “Why did you want me to sleep?”
Li Fuxiang: “I wanted the Jinyiwei to escort you away first.”
Gao Yuexing glanced outside. “What? It’s not over yet?”
Li Fuxiang: “The letter’s whereabouts are still unknown. It can’t be over.” His sleeve felt heavy with the string of prayer beads inside. “Let’s go.”
The meditation courtyard was spotlessly clean.
Almost unnaturally so.
Li Fuxiang put his arm around Gao Yuexing’s shoulder, shielding her as they stepped out of the courtyard.
Outside, there was plenty of bloodshed.
It wasn’t hard to imagine that the earlier battle had been quite brutal.
For Gao Yuexing, who had returned to the capital from the western frontier battlefield, it caused no emotional ripple.
The gray-robed impostor monks of the temple were either dead, injured, or, realizing the situation was hopeless, had taken their own lives.
The Xiaoqi Camp stood guard on the perimeter, while the Jinyiwei handled the impostors.
One impostor’s suicide had put the Jinyiwei on high alert. The few remaining survivors had their jaws dislocated to prevent them from taking their own lives.
Li Fuxiang and Gao Yuexing stood at the mountain gate. Li Fuxiang leaned close to her ear and repeated, “Let the Jinyiwei take you away first.”
Gao Yuexing shook her head.
Li Fuxiang glanced back, his gaze unable to hide his worry.
Turning his face slightly, Gao Yuexing said, “Just now, when the abbot spoke to you, every word hinted that the meditation room, which should have been the most attacked place, was instead utterly quiet. Were you guarding against eavesdroppers?”
Li Fuxiang replied, “Yes.”
Gao Yuexing continued, “If we leave the meditation room, that person will go to search the abbot’s body. Once they discover something missing from the abbot, we might not be able to leave the mountain, correct?”
Li Fuxiang shook his head, saying, “Don’t worry, no one can stop us from leaving the mountain as long as I’m here.”