"Yu, host."
Suddenly, Xuansì stopped walking and turned around, his gaze complicated as he looked at her, "Last night's incident was truly due to my insufficient cultivation. Although it was not my intention, I have ultimately violated the Buddhist monastic code. Such a sin is one that I, Xuansì, must bear alone. I will seclude myself in meditation and study to seek the purity of the mind and the depth of the Dharma."
Yu Yao heard these words and furrowed her delicate eyebrows, her expression complex.
She lifted her gaze towards Xuansi and softly said, "Master, all things in the world have causes and effects. This incident is not your intention, how can we blame you alone? We work together to benefit the people, isn't that part of our practice?"
Xuanji shook his head, his gaze turning towards the distance: "Lady Yu, your compassion is boundless, and I am grateful beyond words. However, Buddhism teaches about cause and effect. Since I have broken the precepts, I must bear the consequences. I have decided to return to the rear mountain of Wanfo Temple immediately and enter seclusion to engage in profound meditation. Through the Dharma, I will purify my inner demons and atone for my sins."
Yu Yao knows that once Xuanji makes a decision, it is difficult to change.
She gently caressed her belly, she had already swallowed the Dragon and Phoenix Dan, there was a child of Xuansi's in her womb, this man would do whatever he wanted to do, she didn't care and didn't want to care.
Next, all she needs to do is find a place where she can have her child in peace and quiet.
That's not right, there's still Su Jin, that poor scholar, who hasn't been dealt with. That's the person who killed the original owner, and this task has yet to be done.
It seems it's time to take action.
She looked at Xuansi, her voice calm and without any waves, "Master, since you have made this decision, I will respect it. I wish you success in your seclusion and hope that you can focus on your practice and soon understand the true meaning of Buddhism, to save more beings from the sufferings of the world."
Afterwards, Yu Yao lightly bowed and turned to leave.
However, just as she was about to take a step, Xuansi suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with a bit of tenderness and reluctance: "Lady Yu, you have a kind heart and outstanding intelligence. Your path ahead will surely be bright and open. Although I cannot be by your side, I wish you all the best and that your blessings may last forever."
Yu Yao stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Xuansi, smiling slightly, "Master, you can rest assured that I will take care of myself. I may not continue to live in Wanfo Temple in the future. Perhaps, I will accompany Master as he wanders the human world, bringing blessings to the people."
The two exchanged glances for a moment, as if in this instant, all misunderstandings, regrets, and reluctance turned into deep blessings.
Yu Yao glanced at Xuansi before turning and leaving.
The figure gradually disappeared in the morning light.
Xuansi watched her back, his eyes full of unwillingness and attachment, slightly closing his eyes, and when he opened them again, it was all clear.
He folded his hands together, closed his eyes, and softly chanted Buddhist mantras, silently praying for Yu Yao: May she always be well, peaceful and happy, free from calamities and difficulties, and lead a life of smooth sailing.
"Master, how did you end up here? It was quite a search for me."
At that moment, Jue Ming panted as he ran over, worryingly said.
Xuanji turned around, his plain robe looking particularly handsome in the morning light.
His eyes were deep and profound, as if he could see through everything in the world, yet there was an indescribable exhaustion hidden within. "I just came out for a walk, to see the scenery of the world. Maybe I can find a bit of relief."
Jue Ming did not give it much thought and quickly handed over the clay pot in his hand, "Master, I have gathered the herbs for the antidote, and I found a kind-hearted woman to help brew them. Please drink it while it's hot, so we can poison it early and head back to Wanfo Temple."
Xuanji's gaze lightly swept over the clay pot, the medicinal aroma emanating from it seemed to dispel the chill around them.
But he shook his head slightly, "The medicine doesn't need to be taken. My poison has already been cured."
"Cured?"
Jue Ming was surprised when he heard this, "How can that be? Last night... you weren't..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he realized his mistake and quickly closed his mouth.
Xuanji's expression was unnatural, and there was an unutterable complexity in his eyes, "In the world, all things are interdependent and interconnected. Some poisons are not something that can only be cured by medicine."
Jue Ming, though feeling confused, also breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.
Then he remembered something and looked around, saying, "Then what about Lady Yu? She wasn't with you, was she? How come she's not here?"
Xuanji's expression grew complex. He looked up towards the distance, where Yu Yao had gone.
Silence for a moment.
He finally slowly said, "She... has her own path to walk, and she has left."
Jue Ming nodded in a seemingly understanding way, though he still had a thousand questions in his heart. Yet, knowing when to be polite, he did not press for more.
Jue Ming turned to look at Xuanji, who indeed looked much better, and his heart was at peace. He said, "Since that is the case, the disciple will go and tidy up the implements and items. Let's set off back to the temple at once."
Xuanji nodded slightly, watching the distant back of Jue Ming. However, ripples had started to form in his heart.
He recalled the time they spent together with Yu Yao, although brief, it was enough to let him feel the warmth and beauty of human life.
However, as a monk of the Buddhist order, he cannot have even the slightest attachment or clinging.
He folded his hands together and recited the Buddhist mantra: "Amitabha Buddha, may she live a life of peace and prosperity, and have her wishes fulfilled."
And he also lifted his foot and left, the forest path returned to its original quietness.
Xuanji returned to Wanfo Temple and went alone to the rear mountain for meditation. He began secluding himself, vowing to atone for his own sins.
The monks at Wanfo Temple were unaware of the true reason for Xuanji's seclusion; they believed he was seeking to deepen his understanding of Buddhism.
The golden sunlight gently swept over the earth, giving every inch of land in the ancient Luo Village of Hualuo Town, Huailou County, Ning State, a warm golden hue.
On this day, a ray of light flashed across the sky and landed in the small forest outside Su Village. After the light dissipated, a graceful figure of a woman emerged.
The woman was indeed Yu Yao.
She had come here, naturally, to fulfill the original owner's wish, that is, the second task.
She slowly walked out of the woods, the dirt path beneath her feet uneven and pitted, as if recording the vicissitudes of time.
The fields on both sides of the road, the crops were sparse and not in good condition.
The small stream in the village was muddy and dirty, flowing slowly with a faint putrid smell.
She stepped into Su Village and saw several children playing and chasing each other on the dirt road, their laughter clear and cheerful.
In the distance, a few wisps of smoke slowly rose from the chimneys, and a lazy yellow dog was lying at the door, basking in the sun.
Upon seeing Yu Yao approach, he merely raised his eyelids slightly and then continued to doze off.
Although Yu Yao had a clear destination in mind, to avoid appearing abrupt, she asked an elderly woman who was drawing water at the well, "Auntie, where is Su Jin's house?"
The elderly woman had dark skin, and her face was covered with wrinkles like furrows on the ground, as if the years had carved them deeply. Her eyes were slightly cloudy, but they still showed a sense of simplicity and shrewdness.
The elderly woman put down the water bucket, took a good look at Yu Yao, and curiously asked, "Young lady, what are you looking for Su Jin, the poor scholar?"
Yu Yao smiled slightly, thinking to herself: Of course, it's to settle accounts with this unfeeling fellow.
But she said, "Auntie, I once heard that Mr. Su has great talent and writes beautiful calligraphy. By coincidence, I have some letters that need to be written at home. So I came to seek advice."
The elderly woman pursed her lips, her expression one of disdain, "Young miss, Su Jin is just a poor scholar with no big achievements. His family lives at the east end of the village, in the earthen-brick house left by his parents. It's easy to see with one glance."
Yu Yao thanked the elderly woman and walked in the direction she had pointed.
In the plot, on the day she had just worn, the original owner was finally let go by Xuansi and did not follow Xuansi back to Wanfo Temple. After that, she met Su Jin.
Because she went to court Xuansi first, Su Jin and she are still strangers, and the two of them do not know each other yet.
Yu Yao felt that this was good, and it saved her a lot of trouble.
As she was thinking about these, her steps had already appeared at the door of Su Jin's house.
The dilapidated earthen-brick house was covered with thatched roofs, worn and yellowed.
The door in the courtyard was not closed, only slightly ajar. She pushed it open gently and stepped inside.
The courtyard was cluttered with some old farming tools, and a cracked water jar was placed in the corner, containing half a jar of clear water.
Stepping into the house, she saw Su Jin sitting at a worn-out desk, focused on copying something.
At that time, Su Jin was in the prime of his youth, wearing a blue shirt that had been washed white. It was clean and neat, and his face was handsome with a hint of literary refinement and unconventionality in his eyebrows.
He looks pretty good, but unfortunately, he's a wolf-hearted and dog-tongued scoundrel.
Yu Yao looked at the man in front of her and silently rebuked herself in her heart.
Su Jin noticed someone and looked up to see a very beautiful woman standing at the door of his hall.
When he saw Yu Yao, he blinked in surprise and confusion.
"Miss, who are you looking for?"
Su Jin put down the pen in his hand, stood up, and his face wore a polite yet slightly distant smile.
