Two hours later, the urgent sound of hooves echoed as dust clouds rose on the mountain path.
A cavalry unit raced forward, led by a young woman dressed in a pale blue cross-collared dress. She had striking dark willow brows, her brow line gentle and without sharp arches, giving her an extremely gentle appearance.
Her features were exceptionally attractive, with clear, bright eyes, full but not thick lips, and a delicate, high-bridged nose.
Leizhou was situated on a plateau, the UV here was rather strong, so her skin was darker than most women’s, but this did not diminish her beauty; in fact, this healthy complexion only made her more attractive.
The sole flaw, if there was one, was that this beautiful, overjoyed young woman’s hairline was just a little high.
“Li Lang!”
Before she arrived, her voice carried from afar.
Atop her horse, Wenren Qianrou, the young mistress of the Leizhou Merchants’ Association, left her guards behind, leapt from her mount, swept across more than a dozen yards, and threw herself into Li Lingsu’s arms.
She wrapped her arms tightly around the waist of the Heaven Sect’s Holy Son, choking up as she said:
“Li Lang, half a year apart, Rou’er has missed you so much.”
Under the gaze of all present, Li Lingsu felt a little embarrassed, thinking to himself, what a curse this damned charm of mine is…
Xu Qi’an could not help but recall the classic scenes from the novels he read in his previous life, where the male and female leads were parted for a long time, when the male lead suddenly reappeared and surprised the heroine, she would throw herself into his arms without hesitation.
Note: It was always a woman of noble status or breathtaking beauty in these scenes…
Then everyone around would be stunned, secretly shocked by the male lead’s identity, while the heroine would “inadvertently” help the male lead put on a dazzling display.
He hadn’t expected to have the chance to witness such a scene today.
Li Lingsu gently patted Wenren Qianrou’s back, his tone tender:
“Good Sister, I’ve missed you too. Over the past half year, it’s been you at every meal, you when I slept, you when I bathed, even during meditation, it was your image that came to mind.”
Hearing this, tears shimmered in Wenren Qianrou’s eyes, emotion, infatuation, and adoration mingling together.
She looked Li Lingsu up and down, as if no one else was present, and asked:
“Did those Dongfang sisters fail to catch you?”
Li Lingsu shook his head. “I’ve been on the run the whole time and never let them get their way. There was a time recently when I’d all but fallen into their clutches, but in the end, I still managed to escape.”
Wenren Qianrou pouted. “Serves you right for being such a flirt.”
Li Lingsu put on a long face and sighed. “I’ve only made the mistakes all men make. It was only after meeting you that I knew what was right.”
Wenren Qianrou was a clever woman, helping her father manage the Merchants’ Association with order and efficiency; shrewd and capable.
But when it came to love, she lost her head like any other ordinary girl.
Hearing such corny words, she was utterly swept away.
“So, Li Lang, how did you manage to escape?”
“That’s thanks to Senior Xu.” The Heaven Sect’s Holy Son promptly introduced Xu Qi’an and Mu Nanzhi to Wenren Qianrou:
“Rou’er, these are my benefactors, and also my friends.”
Wenren Qianrou took graceful steps over to the two of them, gave a respectful bow, and said softly:
“Thank you, both benefactors, for saving Li Lang. I am eternally grateful.”
Is this the self-cultivation of a scoundrel… Xu Qi’an gave a slight smile, “It was nothing, think nothing of it.”
Meanwhile, Xu Qi’an assessed the situation. He did not recognise this young mistress of the Leizhou Merchants’ Association; any sense of familiarity was simply due to her name giving him a strong sense of deja-vu.
He quickly stopped worrying about these details. After all, everyone had experienced that feeling of “I’ve been here before” or “I’ve done this before”.
Xu Qi’an secretly used voice transmission: “How powerful is the Leizhou Merchants’ Association in Leizhou?”
Li Lingsu replied:
“The name says it all, their wealth is among the best, and they have several fourth rank experts under them. Actually, if Sister Rong and Sister Qing hadn’t pursued me so closely, I’d have come to Leizhou with Rou’er.
“Because in Leizhou, even Sister Rong and Sister Qing have to show some restraint. Of course, if it came to a direct fight, the sisters’ combat power could still suppress the Association.”
None of that is what matters… Xu Qi’an asked via transmission, “Did you sleep with this girl?”
“Th-this… Well, when passion runs high, these things happen naturally. But don’t worry, Senior, Rou’er isn’t like the Dongfang sisters; she’s cultured and reasonable.”
Li Lingsu hurriedly explained by transmission.
Enough with these trivialities. I’ve already prepared myself to give up on you, anyway! Xu Qi’an kept a straight face.
Wenren Qianrou, oblivious to their secret conversation, smiled and said, “I wonder if my two benefactors would be willing to return to the city with Qianrou and allow me the chance to be your host.”
She really knew how to speak well. Mu Nanzhi tilted her chin upwards and responded with a proud “Mm.”
Everyone promptly mounted their horses and headed for Leizhou City, twenty li away.
…
Wenren manor, main hall.
“My father’s gone to the northern border on business, transporting a shipment of grain, porcelain, cloth and other goods, to trade with the Yao barbarians for horses and cattle.”
Wenren Qianrou ordered tea and Leizhou’s special fruits to be served.
Due to the large temperature difference between day and night, the fruit in Leizhou was sweeter than elsewhere.
This greatly pleased the reincarnated Flower Goddess, who ate several more pieces of melon.
Xu Qi’an said while eating, “The profits must be considerable.”
Wenren Qianrou nodded with a smile. “In the past, we wouldn’t have dared to do business with the Yao barbarians. Compared to the northern barbarians and Yao, the southern barbarians in the Southern Marches actually have more credibility.”
“This all depends on the shaman clans of course, especially the Heaven Gu Tribe. The Heaven Gu Tribe has never wanted for wise men and they possess enough prestige. They believe the Southern Marches should trade with the Great Feng, so the other tribes don’t dare break that rule.”
“Of course, there are still lots of old-fashioned clans in the Southern Marches, those who eat hair and raw flesh, perform human sacrifices, and even kill their own fathers so sons can inherit their wealth.”
Father killing son, son killing father… I feel like you’re implying something about me… Xu Qi’an grumbled inwardly.
Wenren Qianrou continued, “The war in the north has dragged on for so long that the Yao and barbarians are desperate for supplies. Because of our alliance, they don’t dare raid territory within the Great Feng anymore. For us, this is the best opportunity.”
Xu Qi’an commented, “Merchants pursuing profit, this is good.”
Wenren Qianrou’s eyes lit up. “Sir doesn’t think merchants are lowly?”
You’ve clearly never lived in a time where wealth made you a lord… Xu Qi’an maintained his persona and said, “In almost every prosperous era recorded in the histories, it was economic growth that paved the way.”
Wenren Qianrou clapped lightly. “Sir is indeed an extraordinary man, unbound by vulgar conventions.”1
After a round of small talk as a warm-up, Xu Qi’an got to the real point: “Miss Wenren, have you heard of Leizhou’s Sanhua Temple?”
Wenren Qianrou nodded.
“Has there been anything unusual at Sanhua Temple lately?”
Wenren Qianrou thought for a moment and shook her head. “Nothing out of the ordinary. But in nine days, the Stupa tower will open.”
Xu Qi’an smiled. “So you’ve heard the Stupa tower is about to open?”
Wenren Qianrou was instead taken aback and smiled faintly:
“It is said that the Stupa tower was once used by the Buddhist sect to enshrine Sharira and the golden bodies left behind by eminent monks after sitting in meditation, with a deep sense of Buddhist spirit. Every sixty years, it opens once. Those who are fated, if they enter, can obtain treasures.”
Would the Buddhist sect be so kind-hearted? Xu Qi’an pondered, “Why would they do that?”
Wenren Qianrou answered every question, “Legend has it that anyone who obtained a treasure in the Stupa tower eventually converted to Buddhism. By the way, some time ago, people did mention that the Stupa tower glowed with intense golden light and there were intermittent dragon roars. The Sanhua Temple explained to the public that it was because the tower’s merits were fulfilled that these signs appeared.”
I understand. It opens once every sixty years, but the real purpose is to convert ‘those fated’ to Buddhism for them… Heh, its merits fulfilled? Since when did the Dragon Qi of the Great Feng become your ‘fulfilled merits’? They clearly just want to monopolise the Dragon Qi… After some contemplation, Xu Qi’an asked:
“Where is Sanhua Temple? Is it near Leizhou City?”
“At a fast gallop, you’ll arrive tomorrow.”
Xu Qi’an nodded slowly and looked at the Holy Son of the Heaven Sect, “I want to go and gather intelligence first.”
So Xu Qian really did come to Leizhou for the Stupa tower, and his purpose was far from pure… Li Lingsu was in no way surprised by this.
When Xu Qian said they were heading west all the way, Li Lingsu had already guessed the details.
“You come with me, my wife will stay at Wenren manor,” Xu Qi’an added.
“…Alright.”
The Holy Son of the Heaven Sect glanced at Wenren Qianrou and said in a deep voice, “No problem, it’s my duty.”
At least he had saved today’s kidney essence.
Wenren Qianrou truly was an erudite and reasonable person. She was not angry, but instead considerately said:
“Li Lang, wait a moment.”
After a while, she came out holding a black wooden box. She opened the lid, and inside lay a lengthened musket.
“The monks of Sanhua Temple are used to being arrogant. Your cultivation is sealed right now, so take this with you, and I’ll feel at ease. My father spent a fortune to buy this magical weapon. Anyone below the Refining Spirit level will die without a doubt.”
As for those at the Refining Spirit level, as long as you aim at them, a martial artist’s premonition for danger will alert them in advance.
…
That day, the two changed into different outfits and used secret thief techniques to alter their appearances. Riding fast horses and following the map, they arrived at Qingning City at daybreak the next day.
Sanhua Temple was located on the outskirts of Qingning City, on a place called Jinguang Mountain.
The temple was enormous in scale, with as many as two thousand monks practising there.
For the monks of Sanhua Temple, even though they were in the Great Feng, it made no difference from being in the Western Regions.
Leizhou itself had many Westerners coming and going, and Sanhua Temple was only three days’ travel from the border of the Western Regions.
With dad backing them, why would they fear the court?
Eradicate Buddhism? Would the Leizhou authorities dare to stamp out Buddhism right under the noses of the Buddhist sect?
That was why such a large-scale temple could exist.
Approaching Jinguang Mountain, even from afar, one could see grand and resplendent main halls nestling among withered branches and fallen leaves. In addition, there was a sprawling complex of buildings, the monks’ own quarters.
The two tied their horses to the archway of Sanhua Temple, unafraid of theft, and ascended the steps.
Nearing the temple’s inner courtyard, they suddenly heard quarrelling and angry shouts from above.
Then came several dull thuds, mingled with the sound of exploding qi, as several figures tumbled down the steps from above.
These men wore martial outfits, some bearing sabres, some swords. Apart from their weapons, they carried nothing of value.
They were people from the jianghu, and from the bottom rungs at that.
“Are you alright, brothers?”
Xu Qi’an stepped forward to help them up.
The jianghu men, embarrassed, waved their hands, “No worries, no worries.”
“Brothers, what’s this about…”
Before Xu Qi’an could finish, a young monk burst from the upper steps wielding a broom. He was about fifteen or sixteen, with deep-set eyes and a high nose, showing features from the western.
He wore an azure monk’s robe and monk’s shoes, his head clean-shaven. Though he had shorn away his worldly troubles, his heart still seemed to linger in the mortal realm.
He looked at the jianghu men with sheer disdain and sneered:
“You lot, twisted and shrivelled as rotten melons, think you can try your luck in the Stupa tower? You can’t even beat me, a humble sweeper monk. Why don’t you take a good look at yourselves, useless!”
The jianghu men flushed, “Sanhua Temple said as long as one is fated, one may try their luck. Wasn’t it always so in past years?”
The young monk raised his head and sneered coldly:
“It’s different this year. This year the Stupa tower is not open to outsiders. Now get lost, or this monk will beat you till your mothers can’t recognise you.
“You Central Plain toads wanting to eat swan meat, Sanhua Temple is our temple of the Western Regions. The exquisite teachings of Buddhism are beyond the grasp of you crude Great Feng martial artists.”
A man whose arm was dislocated barked in anger, “Leizhou is the territory of our Great Feng.”
The young monk brandished his broom and cursed, “If this monk says so, that’s how it is. If you’re not convinced, come and have another go. This time I’ll make you call me father on your knees.”
The young monk’s cultivation was not high, but he was quick with his tongue and had a way with insults.
The ages of these jianghu men really could make them his father, but faced with the humiliation of a mere whelp, they could do nothing.
“How infuriating.”
There are thousands of Buddhist disciples, but only a few possess great wisdom. Most Western Region disciples of Buddhism were like this, heads up their arses… Xu Qi’an was reminded of the Western Buddhist delegation during the contest.
The delegation’s conduct was considered outstanding among Buddhist disciples, but monks like Jingsi and Jingchen had challenged the capital’s heroes without hesitation on the arena.
They did so at the behest of Arhat Du’e.
From top to bottom, the Buddhist sect of the Western Regions thought highly of themselves, monopolising the West and claiming to be the leader of Jiuzhou.
The difference was that monks with profound cultivation would not show their arrogance, while those who had yet to master their practice leapt about showing off.
With a mediocre disguise, Li Lingsu frowned and said, “Little monk, being too arrogant in the jianghu can get you killed very easily.”
At that age, nothing provoked a young monk more than a threat. Leaning on his broom, he scoffed:
“This monk’s head is right here. Come on, try chopping at it if you can.”
“This Holy Son has roamed the jianghu for years, and most admires spirited children like you.”
Li Lingsu drew the lengthened musket from beneath his robe, aimed it at the young monk, and said expressionlessly,
“Come, repeat what you just said.”
In the traditional Confucian heirarchy, merchants are the lowest class, below artisans and peasants, scholar-bureaucrats, and the Emperor at the top. As merchants do not produce anything and do not “contribute” per se, extracting their wealth from others’ work, they are put below the artisans who produce with their skill, and farmers who produce with their land. Feudal Japan had a similar(ly inspired) system, though Japan puts the warrior class (samurai) above peasants, whereas China never had such a warrior culture. ↩
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