Capital at dusk.
The fiery clouds touched the edge of the azure sky, blending into an ink-like scroll.
Zhao Douan rode a fine horse, scrutinizing the road ahead and the white-robed monk in the middle.
He appeared to be in his thirties, with gentle and handso features, a composed deanor, and his sparse eyebrows frad his eyes, clear as those of an infant.
Zhao Douan had never t Bian Ji, but he had seen his portrait.
Added to that, the martial artist's instinctive wariness towards cultivation powerhouses, he had already guessed seventy to eighty percent.
The next second, the white-robed monk brought his hands together in a salutation that confird his conjecture:
"Buddha bless, I am Bian Ji. Is the person ahead Lord Zhao from the White Horse Hall?"
...
...
After a while.
Inside a simply elegant pavilion by the street.
The assistant, with careful reverence, presented vegetarian tea and pastries, saying, "Please enjoy."
He then withdrew slowly.
"Does this shop's worker recognize the Mage?"
Zhao Douan lowered his gaze to assess the brown-colored tea in front of him, seeing his features reflected in the rippling tea.
Just now, Bian Ji had used the encounter as a pretext to invite him to sit for a while, choosing this nearby shop, where the shopkeeper greeted them solemnly in person.
Bian Ji sat opposite him, his white monk's attire unstained by dust, his face adorned with a smile:
"Here, it can barely be considered a property of Divine Dragon Temple."
Zhao Douan comnted:
"I had heard that the Divine Dragon Temple is wealthy and influential, earning vast sums daily. Not only in the Capital but even in the prefecture cities, they have establishnts. Today's visit proves the rumors are true."
Bian Ji rely smiled and responded:
"These are minor matters not worth ntioning, how can they compare to what Lord Zhao accomplishes?
That day, at the monastery ceremony, I wanted to diate in person knowing Lord Zhao faced injustice, but unfortunately, you had left early... I am glad to express my apology today..."
Zhao Douan replied with a aningful smile:
"The Mage flatters too much. In terms of official rank, I am rely a Sixth-rank.
In cultivation, I am far behind you, Mage. How can I ask for a personal apology... Moreover, the matter involved Li Yinglong's strategies. Why would I bla your temple?"
Though uncertain whether Li Yinglong had bribed so monks or if it was rely individual flattery, in the monastery incident, the Divine Dragon Temple bore so responsibility.
But, as the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face, and here was a renowned Buddhist powerhouse from Great Yu extending an olive branch.
Regardless of sincerity, at least the attitude was right.
"However, there's sothing puzzling . Mage, surely your visit today wasn't specifically to speak of this, right?" inquired Zhao Douan jokingly.
Bian Ji's smile was warm, an image of approachability:
"Oh? Why can't it just be to make your acquaintance?"
Zhao Douan sighed:
"Lately, although I have gained so notoriety, compared to you, Mage, the difference is like between clouds and mud, especially with my reputation... Surely, your monks might find more repulsive than intriguing."
The monks of Divine Dragon Temple had long held animosity towards the bureaucrats of the Imperial Court.
Ma Yan was never invited, which was telling.
Given Divine Dragon Temple's revered status, even the Empress had to show complete respect, and it really made no sense to esteem soone considered a re henchman so highly.
Bian Ji, slowly rotating a string of jade Buddhist beads, did not respond directly.
His eyes, seemingly able to see through the heart, studied him:
"Does Lord Zhao harbor so aversion towards Buddhism?"
You read people well… Zhao Douan smacked his lips:
"Not aversion, per se, just maybe not quite in agreent."
"Oh?" Bian Ji looked curious, "Please elaborate."
Zhao Douan hesitated, unsure of the other's intentions, making it hard to determine the best response.
But thinking that in the eyes of such a highly cultivated person, little of his thoughts likely remained hidden... If uncertain, why not test the waters?
Directly, he picked up the teacups lying inverted on the table, arranged them, and tapped each with chopsticks, saying:
"Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism..."
Bian Ji, clearly interested:
"Using three cups to symbolize the three doctrines? Does Lord Zhao have insights on this?"
He detected sothing familiar; Buddhists liked using such devices in their teachings.
It's a ga of wisdom because often, realizations can hardly be conveyed through words.
Words are an inadequate vehicle for thoughts.
Many anings are lost the mont they turn into words.
Zhao Douan's motions oddly resembled a monk presenting a riddle.
Ha... I knew it, this way of speaking is just what you bald n relish... A small probe from Zhao Douan proved effective.
He then picked up the teapot, pouring roughly equal amounts of water into the three cups, stating:
"This represents the Saint, Buddha, Heavenly Dao."
Bian Ji looked at him surprisingly, sowhat more seriously:
"Using the water in the cups to symbolize the calm inherent nature?"
Zhao Douan didn't reply but resud tapping the chopsticks on the rims of the cups, creating a tinkling sound as the water rippled, and said:
"This represents human desires, all phenona, the stirred mind."
Through talks with Wang recently, he had realized that the world's Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, apart from extraordinary powers, held philosophies not vastly different from his past life.
Thus, he had room to boast...
Well, regardless of this monk's intentions, he couldn't afford to lose face.
Especially considering Wang's experience, Zhao Douan pondered whether he could trick his way into so benefits from Divine Dragon Temple...
Wang was too shrewd, having freeloading off him last ti.
But Divine Dragon Temple was wealthy, and Bian Ji being a notable figure, unlike the less famous loose officials like Wang, likely cared more about his reputation...
He shouldn't just run off, right?
Copying the "Tao Te Ching" got benefits from the Heavenly Master Mansion.
Could copying the "Diamond Sutra" score so good stuff from Divine Dragon Temple too?
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