Returning to the Zen room, Xuanjing cross-legged sitting, closed eyes, attempts to read scriptures and meditation to dispel the waves of the mind.
But Yu Yao's figure is deeply etched into his memory, like an indelible mark.
Her smile, her gentle murmur, even the melancholy that unconsciously revealed itself, all turned into waves of warm currents that surged incessantly in his heart.
He well knew that as a high monk, he shouldn't have such distracting thoughts, yet the turbulence in his heart was difficult to suppress.
The final blame lay in the reluctance to see her cling to the secular world's dust and ash, which marred a thousand years of cultivation, giving rise to a sense of resistance.
He decided to find an opportunity to talk to her properly.
To save her is also to save himself.
At this moment, Yu Yao had returned to her own quarters, the Pure Meditation Hall.
She leaned against the window, gazing out at the scenery outside, thinking about how to proceed next.
Xuanjing had already developed a soft affection of 62 for her, which can be considered as a faint liking.
But Xuanjing is a realized monk, whose heart is as still as water to the passions of love and desire, perhaps he has not yet noticed this subtle emotion himself.
Perhaps even if he were aware of it, he would try his best to suppress it.
To completely conquer him, it is necessary to find a way to make this feeling even more intense.
Intense enough to transform him from a monk into a demon, willing to abandon his cultivation just to be with her.
She doesn't know if she can go that far, but she needs to try.
While good deeds can increase favorability, they are no longer applicable now.
It is necessary to find another breakthrough.
Yu Yao's fingers lightly tapped the desk, pondering in her heart what to do.
The evening glow painted the sky like brocade, enveloping the ancient Wooden Pagoda in a golden light. The ancient trees within the temple gently swayed in the breeze, making a rustling sound.
This day, Xuanjing found Yu Yao in the small garden behind the Scripture Pavilion.
At this moment, Yu Yao was pruning the flower branches. Her focused expression shone with an irresistible charm under the setting sun.
Suddenly realizing someone was approaching, she halted her pruning, looked up, and saw Xuanjing standing not far away.
She put the scissors down, stood up slightly, and bowed in greeting: "I have seen Master Xuanjing."
Xuanjing took a step forward.
"Yu layperson, the monk has something to say to you."
He bowed his hands together, his expression reverent, and his figure appeared particularly slender against the setting sun.
Yu Yao looked at him curiously, wondering what the man would say to her, but still respectfully said: "Please speak, master."
The gentle breeze gently moved her hair, adding a touch of grace to her beautiful face in the glow of the sunset.
Xuanjing's gaze was calm and deep, slowly saying: "Yu layperson, although you are dedicated to doing good and practicing many good deeds, your nature as an immortal being makes the emotions and relationships of this world seem unstable for you."
Yu Yao knew that the man had come to find her for this reason when she heard it. It must be because he saw the matchmaker looking for her at the mountain gate yesterday.
A sly smile flashed in her eyes, but on her face was a look of deep disappointment: "Master, why do you say this? Although I am an immortal, I also want to try human love."
Her voice was gentle, yet with a faint sense of stubbornness that was barely perceptible.
She looked directly into Xuanjing's eyes, which seemed to penetrate the heart of every being, and continued: "Master, I know that you have profound cultivation and a compassionate heart towards all things in the world. But have you ever thought that even demons have the right to pursue happiness and emotions? Although I was born in the wilderness, I yearn for the joys and sorrows of ordinary people. I am eager to experience that unique joy and sorrow that belongs only to humans."
Xuanjing's brow furrowed involuntarily, and though his voice remained calm, it carried a tone of helplessness and persistence: "Yu layperson, your pure nature is known to me. But love and affection are the most complex and unpredictable things, prone to give rise to desires, anger, and ignorance, which might hinder your path of cultivation."
"Even it might lead to an heavenly tribulation. Your cultivation is not easy, and a thousand years of time and effort have led to today's achievements. If you throw away all your hard work due to a momentary thought, it would be a pity."
Yu Yao gently shook her head, her eyes flashing with determination: "Master, the path of cultivation is long and lonely. Without something to yearn for, how can it continue? Although I am an immortal being, I also know the virtue of gratitude and understand what it means to bear responsibility and uphold duty. If I truly meet a good person, I am willing to protect him with my immortal body, face all the challenges together, which is not another kind of cultivation?"
Xuanjing fell silent, surprised by her profound insights that he had not anticipated.
The remaining sunlight cast its golden hue over her, bestowing a soft glow upon her figure.
It made him re-evaluate the woman before him once again.
Her eyes were clear and resolute, revealing an uncommon courage and determination.
"Yu layperson, you make sense. However, every thing in the world has a predetermined fate, and matters of the heart are even more complex and unpredictable. If you persist in doing so, Master Xuanjing cannot prevent you, but only hope that you can keep your original intention, not let desires blind your eyes and lead astray."
Xuanjing stared at her earnestly, his tone filled with both helplessness and expectation.
Yu Yao smiled gently, her smile like a flower blooming in spring, bright and warm: "Master, rest assured. Although I am not talented, I also know the importance of priorities. I will cherish those around me while also staying true to my path of cultivation, allowing nothing to hinder my journey."
The two people smiled at each other, as if in this moment, all the barriers and misunderstandings dissolved.
Xuanjing nodded lightly, turning to leave, yet seemed to remember something.
He stopped and turned back to look at Yu Yao: "Yu layperson, if you encounter any difficulties that you cannot resolve in the future, feel free to come to me. The monk will certainly do his best to help you."
Yu Yao's heart filled with a warm feeling. She deeply bowed and thanked: "Thank you, Master. I will remember this."
Xuanjing nodded slightly and turned away gradually.
Yu Yao stood still, watching the figure fade into obscurity, her lips curving into a meaningful smile.
It seems that the conversation just now has had a significant impact on Xuanjing.
The favorability increased by 3 points and reached 65.
It's an unexpected delight.
Yu Yao turned around, put the scissors back in the storage room, and returned to her own quarters, the Pure Meditation Hall.
The sunlight dappled, filtering through the gaps of ancient trees that towered, gently illuminating every tile of the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple.
It draped the ancient temple with a golden veil, adding to its tranquility and harmony.
However, this tranquility did not last long, as the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted it.
Jue Ming's expression was anxious, and he dashed through the winding corridor, heading straight to Xuanjing's residence.
Not long after, his steps came to a halt at the door of Xuanjing's meditation room.
"Dong dong dong..."
Jue Ming lightly knocked on the Zen door, his voice carrying a hint of unease, "Master Xuanjing, there is an urgent matter to report downstairs."
Inside the meditation room, a wisp of smoke curled up lazily.
Xuanjing was meditating in the sitting room, hearing Jue Ming's report, he slowly opened his eyes, his eyes deep like a lake, calm and filled with boundless wisdom.
"Come in."
His voice was gentle yet firm, with an authoritative gravity that left no doubt.
Jue Ming pushed open the door and looked at Xuanjing who was sitting cross-legged on the mat, bowing respectfully and speaking with urgency: "Master Xuanjing, the people of Zhou family in neighboring village have come to see you. Their expressions are alarmed, saying that there is an evil spirit causing chaos. Many young men in the village have fallen ill, and some have died soon after, leaving the villagers in great panic. The doctors have been unable to help, so they have come up here for assistance."
Upon hearing this, Xuanjing's brows furrowed, and he knew that it was a demon that was causing trouble.
This time, it's the young and strong men who are affected. It seems they might have encountered a female demon who is trying to replenish her life force by absorbing the yang energy of men.
He knew that this matter was not of small importance and dared not delay. After tidying up his robes, he hurriedly left the meditation room and went to the front hall.
