Si Mingjing curled her lips. Born to be a king, a dragon lying in hell? Could it be that the master had already seen that she was actually a dragon? This hell, was he referring to Prison Star? And that once she returned, she would be unstoppable? Was he implying that if she returned to Earth to take revenge, she would be unstoppable and could surely vindicate her mother?
Although Master Huixian had spoken only a few words, Si Mingjing felt he was unfathomable and couldn’t help but develop a sense of respect for him.
Master Huixian then said, "Young lady, you’re not here to have your fortune told, are you? You’re here to bribe this old monk to do your bidding, right?"
Si Mingjing’s eyes lit up. "Master, you can even deduce this?"
No, that’s not right. Old Madam Ye must have given the Master a heads-up, right?
Si Mingjing saw through it but didn’t point it out; instead, she displayed a mischievous smile and readily flattered him.
"Master, you are truly formidable. In that case, I won’t beat around the bush. How can I bribe you?"
Ye Shen, standing to the side, thought it was impossible.
Unexpectedly, Master Huixian actually said, "Young lady, those who align with you shall prosper; those who oppose you shall perish. I am but an ordinary mortal; why would I seek my own destruction? Five thousand pieces, not a penny less."
Ye Shen, standing nearby, almost bit his own tongue.
"Master, you’ve really stooped low! Five thousand to buy you? Do you even care about your reputation anymore?"
Master Huixian glanced at Ye Shen.
He stroked his long white beard with an air of inscrutability.
He said righteously, "Even mortals seeking the Buddha’s blessing must offer incense money, so why can’t this old monk accept paynt? Of course, for Young Benefactor Ye, five thousand pieces certainly wouldn’t suffice."
Ye Shen: "..."
Unable to help himself, Ye Shen asked, "Master, if I ever want to bribe you in the future, how much would it cost?"
Master Huixian, his expression grave and earnest, replied, "I am an enlightened monk; how could I be bought? Young Benefactor, you must not speak falsehoods before the Buddha."
Ye Shen was furious.
Dammit, he might as well just say I’m not worthy!
Master Huixian pulled out a QR code from his monastic robe and handed it to Si Mingjing, indicating for her to scan and pay first.
Ye Shen, furious, stord off, exclaiming, "Master, goodbye! I will never admit I know you! Your image is shattered. How can you expect to be respected in the future?"
Si Mingjing was amused by their interaction.
She fiddled with her ring phone, scanned the QR code, and entered the amount of 5,000.
DING!
Scanning successful.
After Si Mingjing paid, she thought Master Huixian was also quite shaless. "Master, you’re so easily bribed. Won’t you turn around, get bribed by soone else, and then swindle ?"
"Don’t worry, they’re not worthy."
Master Huixian was a man of principle; not just anyone was qualified to bribe him. He would only act in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven, going with the flow. This was what they called ’a wise man recognizes the signs of the tis.’
Moreover, a certain troublemaker had called, threatening that if he refused to help this young lady, they would demolish his Daying Temple.
There were too many powerful troublemakers in this world. Best not to provoke them, truly, best not to provoke!
Si Mingjing chuckled, unsure whether to believe Master Huixian or not, but she found him quite entertaining.
Old Madam Ye’s influence truly is significant, Si Mingjing thought.
She told Master Huixian what she needed him to do and asked for his help.
Master Huixian said, "Rest assured. Taking money to avert disaster for others is my business. I will certainly do my utmost for your affairs, young lady."
"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Master."
Si Mingjing hadn’t expected this trip to go so smoothly. It was truly all thanks to Old Madam Ye.
After leaving Daying Temple, Si Mingjing sent a WeChat ssage to her informant within the Song Family, suggesting that Song’s mother visit Daying Temple to offer prayers to Buddha. Daying Temple was widely said to be the most efficacious.
Without needing much prompting from the informant, Song’s mother took the suggestion to heart. After resting for a few days until she felt presentable, she asked Fang Jing to drive her to Daying Temple to burn incense.
Often, those who co to temples to burn incense are not superstitious but are seeking spiritual comfort. After the loss of Song Pianlan, Song’s mother was overco with sorrow and desperately needed spiritual consolation; at such tis, the divine felt all the more important.
Song’s mother burned incense and prayed to Buddha, and also shook the container of divination sticks. She drew a stick but didn’t know if it signified good or bad fortune, and was eager to have soone interpret it for her.
Because it was a popular tourist destination, there were many visitors seeking divination, and Song’s mother had to wait in line for nearly twenty minutes. However, just as it was her turn, the monk who interpreted fortunes made an excuse to go to the restroom and left his station.
Song’s mother was thoroughly frustrated.
At that mont, a stir went through the Buddha hall as the venerable Master Huixian erged from an inner chamber.
Today, Master Huixian was dressed very solemnly. He wore a kasaya, had no wine gourd at his waist, and carried no scent of alcohol, looking every inch the enlightened monk he was reputed to be. Simply put, his presence was incredibly imposing.
Master Huixian had a grand reputation and would appear once a week, by schedule, to conduct blessings for wealthy patrons. Many people lined up for appointnts, bringing their newly acquired jade ornants and jewelry for Master Huixian’s blessing. Sotis, it could take months to secure an appointnt.
The more difficult it was to see him, the more Song’s mother beca convinced of Master Huixian’s eminent spiritual standing.
If such a venerated master could conduct a deliverance ritual for her Pianlan, how wonderful would that be?
So, Song’s mother told Fang Jing to find a way to approach him.
Fang Jing said with difficulty, "Mom, Master Huixian isn’t easy to engage."
Song’s mother put on her mother-in-law airs. "I don’t care, you must get him for ! Whatever it costs, you must get him!"
Fang Jing found her mother-in-law incredibly tireso. Though resistant inwardly, she nodded obediently.
"I’ll see what I can do."
After pulling many strings, exerting considerable effort, and donating a large sum of incense money to Daying Temple, Fang Jing finally managed to speak with Master Huixian after he had completed a blessing ceremony.
Fang Jing handed the fortune slip Song’s mother had drawn to Master Huixian. "Master, could you please help interpret this?"
The fortune slip Song’s mother had drawn read:
’Flowers bloom and bear fruit, yet half wither away; alas, this year has been spent in vain. As the sun gradually sets behind the western mountains, I advise you not to strive for what lies ahead.’
Song’s mother could understand each character individually, but when read together, the aning was a blur; she was utterly confused.
Master Huixian glanced at it twice, then shook his head.
"Amitabha. Flowers bloom and bear fruit, yet half co to nothing. Benefactor, it is better to let things be. Do not exhaust yourself in vain pursuit. The matter you seek... is fraught with difficulty."
What Song’s mother sought was vengeance for her daughter Pianlan. How could Song’s mother possibly let it go when Master Huixian advised her to accept it and not to exert herself further? Impossible!
"Master, is there truly no other way?"
Master Huixian again intoned, "Amitabha."
His voice was ethereal, seeming to resonate with the temple’s ditative chants, and his aura of authority suddenly soared imasurably.
Unsatisfied, Song’s mother pleaded bitterly, "Master, I implore you."
Only then did Master Huixian say, "Though it is as difficult as ascending to the heavens, it is not entirely without a solution. However, a malevolent spirit haunts your household. Unless this evil spirit is exorcised, your family will find no peace."
Song’s mother grew anxious. "A malevolent spirit? What malevolent spirit is in my family?"
Master Huixian pondered for a mont, pinching his fingers together as if divining.
"This malevolent spirit is that of a young woman. She died from poisoning, her body was then desecrated, and her ashes were scattered into the sea. Her vengeful spirit cannot find peace and has co seeking retribution. Has your family, benefactor, committed such a grievous wrong in the past?"
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