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Chapter 19: Coincidence Indeed
As one exited the Five Contemplations Hall, they were greeted by a winding wooden corridor adorned with green-tiled roofing and successive redwood pillars. Along the eaves, intricate blue-gold cloud patterns and guardian deity statues imbued the passage with a delicate charm.
In the eyes of many monks and worshipers, Buddhist Master Guang Hong, the most virtuous monk of the Temple of Peace and Tranquility, was walking side by side with a young man in old robes. Surprisingly, Buddhist Master Guang Hong, who usually appeared calm and composed, had a somewhat unpleasant expression at the moment, even trembling a bit. On the other hand, the young man seemed calm and composed, smiling as he conversed with Buddhist Master Guang Hong.
"The paper from Wu’s Paper Shop(吴记纸铺) is quite good."
"Is that... how you found me?"
"More or less."
"So many people buy paper from Wu’s Paper Shop every day. How did you determine it was me?"
"Wu’s Paper Shop had a batch of paper where some mischievous children accidentally spilled dye into it, making the paper slightly red. Did the master notice?"
"How did you know?" Buddhist Master Guang Hong's face had turned somewhat pale.
To be honest, he hadn't noticed.
"I coincidentally purchased the same batch as the master. Upon inquiring with the shopkeeper about the rarity of the paper, I learned that it was produced in limited quantities. He mentioned that during that period, only a handful of individuals bought hemp paper, with even fewer opting for large sheets. Remarkably, the shopkeeper could recall and recognize only three customers who had purchased such paper."
"You went to investigate every one of them?"
"I am very patient," Song You said. "But even if there was no hemp paper, with the little ghost Master sent to visit me last night, I could still easily find Master here."
“......”
Buddhist Master Guang Hong reached into his sleeve.
In both of his sleeves were several sheets of paper archers and soldiers, all rolled up. With a wave of his hand, they could be conjured instantly. However, thinking of the fact that the two Yakshas from last night were taken out without causing any disturbance, he didn't dare to act rashly.
"How did you manage to break the Yaksha spell?"
"I am proficient in fire spells."
Buddhist Master Guang Hong's face instantly turned ashen.
"What do you intend to do?"
"Master has been at the Temple of Peace and Tranquility for many years, with both cultivation attainment and virtue. Why panic?" Song You smiled and then asked, "Since Master can summon paper Yakshas, I wonder if you have the spell that can summon paper horses or paper donkeys?"
"Paper horses and paper donkeys?"
"Yes."
"What if I have? And what if I don’t have any?"
"If you do have one, I would like to learn from Master. But if you don’t have any..."
But it seemed like he didn’t have any.
Thinking of this, Song You showed a hint of regret.
He had hoped that since the monk had the ability to summon paper Yakshas, perhaps he could learn the spell of summoning paper horses from him, which would save him a lot of effort. Furthermore, it could enrich the spell records of the Crouching Dragon Temple. In that case, sparing his life might not be entirely unreasonable.
Such a pity. It appears I need to now resort to reciprocity. While I do possess the skill to counter your method, I question whether you have the ability to counter mine.
Only then did Song You finally answer Buddhist Master Guang Hong's earlier question, "Master is a practitioner of Buddhism, who should embody kindness and compassion. Yet, rather than embracing these virtues, Master manipulated others to brazenly steal treasures within the city. Even after their escape plan was thwarted and their method exposed, Master still clung to resentment, sending Yakshas to inflict harm. It's really difficult for me to see Master as truly representative of Buddhist values... I'm curious, does the Master not feel any trepidation when facing those Buddha statues every day?"
"Trepidation?" Buddhist Master Guang Hong mustered his courage. "They are just clay statues. You and I know very well that the Buddha is not here, and the Bodhisattvas are not here either."
"That's true." Song You nodded.
The Buddha statues and deities were all made of clay, incapable of hearing or seeing. Even if they could manifest, in such a vast world, with limited divine power, how could they know everything that happened in front of every clay statue?
"However, it's just that nobody reported it."
"What do you mean?"
But Song You didn't answer, only glanced at the door couplet, then bowed to Buddhist Master Guang Hong. "Take care, Master."
"?" Buddhist Master Guang Hong frowned, watching him walk away.
Was he leaving just like that? Or was he playing some trick?
When he came to his senses, he turned his head, only to find that the two of them had already walked to the entrance of the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
Cracks marred the roof of the hall, allowing beams of light to filter through, casting clear shapes amidst the thick smoke within. These shapes outlined the familiar figures on the floor, the altar, and the golden statues. Buddhist Master Guang Hong was suddenly struck by a startling realization: the once-familiar golden Buddha statues seemed to have undergone a mysterious transformation.
Except for the Lord of a Thousand Buddhas in the middle, who still had his eyes closed and a dignified appearance, the other Bodhisattvas, whether they were kind and compassionate or sorrowful, all seemed to be looking at him.
The most frightening were the guardian deities.
They had fierce expressions, to begin with, but now, it seemed as if they were all glaring at him.
Under the overwhelming shock and fear, Buddhist Master Guang Hong's heart pounded rapidly. Suddenly, the sound seemed to merge with the rhythm of a drumbeat, pounding in his ears. With each beat, the faces of those guardian deities seemed to grow larger in his eyes, and closer to him.
In just a few breaths, those faces were already in front of him, majestic and terrifying, as if interrogating him about every evil deed he had ever done.
The chanting of scriptures filled his ears.
All the scriptures he had read before, all the mysteries of Buddhism that he had never paid much attention to, now rushed into his mind.
Is this right?
Is this right?
Have I violated the precepts?
Have I ever been at peace?
He felt a raging fire in his chest, initially just itching and hot, making him want to scratch, but soon it grew hotter and hotter, spreading from his heart, making him uncomfortable all over.
"Ah!!" Buddhist Master Guang Hong couldn't help but cry out.
Many monks, worshipers, and even the people of the martial arts world who were lodging here heard the sound and hurried over.
But all they saw was the venerable Buddhist Master Guang Hong engulfed in flames from the inside out, rolling on the ground, his face contorted.
He shouted: "I have sinned!
"I know my mistakes!
"May Buddhas forgive me!"
No matter how he shouted, the fire did not stop.
And strangely, the fire only burned his flesh, not his clothes. It was as if Buddhist Master Guang Hong had been smeared with oil, burning vigorously. In just a few moments, there was only one piece of clothing left in front of the hall.
Everyone present was completely horrified.
Those who had seen Buddhist Master Guang Hong walking with a young worshiper immediately looked toward the path the young worshiper had taken. They saw a figure making their way towards the mountain gate, with a calico cat gracefully trailing behind, taking small, delicate steps.
Just as they neared the temple entrance, and when both figures were about to recede into the distance, the calico cat stopped and looked back.
...
As Song You walked back to Sweetwater Alley, he happened to bump into Head Constable Luo. Upon learning of his need for assistance, he graciously invited him into the courtyard.
"Did you encounter any danger last night, Master? Because your courtyard's wall was severely damaged?"
"It's nothing." Song You waved his hand with a smile. Not waiting for Head Constable Luo to continue with his concern, he asked first, "I wonder how the interrogation of the underground fleeing thief went?"
Head Constable Luo's eyes flickered.
Although he didn't know whether the intruder last night was a person, a ghost, or a Yaoguai, just looking at the damage to the courtyard wall and the traces on the eaves was enough to make him feel shocked. However, Master Song in front of him seemed indifferent, and looking at this courtyard, there were no traces of fighting or destruction.
Had there been no fight?
Or was this how skilled people fight?
Or was it...
Although speculating as such in his heart, it didn't prevent Head Constable Luo from responding: "We have been interrogating him for the past few days, and we have recovered some of the stolen goods. However, what we recovered were mostly gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy, and paintings. As for the rare medicinal herbs stored in the mansions of various wealthy families, they have all disappeared. The thief claimed to have eaten them all for the sake of practicing underground fleeing technique."
Head Constable Luo paused for a moment, then looked at Song You. "I'm not very knowledgeable about this. I wonder if practitioners..."
"What kind of medicinal herbs were there?"
"Millennium Lingzhi mushroom, centuries-old mountain ginseng, top-grade dragon bones, and the like, all were long-aged medicinal herbs."
"That's impossible."
"Then perhaps the thief has hidden them away, or..." Head Constable Luo paused again, then turned to another matter. "Apart from questioning him about the stolen goods, we also inquired about the origin of his escape technique, and he unexpectedly claimed to have found an ancient book among his grandfather's belongings."
With each sentence, Head Constable Luo trailed off, looking towards Song You.
Whether practitioners needed so many precious medicinal herbs, whether they could ingest so many herbs in a short time, and whether practitioners could self-study and succeed—all these were blind spots in his knowledge as an ordinary constable, but there was a master right in front of him, wasn't there?
It was fine before, but this morning, seeing the damaged wall of Master Song's courtyard, he already had a rough understanding—there was probably someone behind that thief.
Last night, it was likely that the person behind the thief came seeking revenge.
Song You also knew he was consulting him.
Although the underground fleeing technique had its flaws, it was not simple; it had many clever aspects. Ordinary people without relevant foundations would progress very slowly if they tried to comprehend it on their own, and they might encounter danger during practice.
However, Song You didn't need to tell him these things.
"Speaking of which. Today, I went to the Temple of Peace and Tranquility and witnessed a strange event. I was about to find Head Constable Luo and inform you about it."
"Oh?" Head Constable Luo was taken aback for a moment but still clasped his hands and bowed slightly. "I'd like to hear the details."
"The Buddhist Master Guang Hong that Head Constable Luo once consulted actually spontaneously combusted in front of the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas at noon today. During that time, he loudly begged for forgiveness from the Buddhas, but in just a moment, the fire burned him completely clean, not even leaving behind ashes.” Song You chuckled before continuing, “So, you see, one really shouldn't engage in wrongdoing. Perhaps Head Constable might consider telling this story to the thief in the prison; it might just change his mind."
"!" Head Constable Luo's eyes widened suddenly, his mind racing.
After a while, he stood up abruptly and bowed to Song You. "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Master."
"Don't mention it."
"Please excuse me, I still have official business to attend to."
"Take care."
Head Constable Luo turned and left, his steps quick and determined, his eyes shining.
Suddenly, he recalled the scene months ago when he went to the Temple of Peace and Tranquility for advice, where it was rumored that the venerable Buddhist Master Guang Hong, known for his genuine cultivation attainment, was devising a plan for him to bury manure. He also recalled the scenes of many wealthy people and even officials in the city burning incense and worshiping at the Temple of Peace and Tranquility, conversing with Buddhist Master Guang Hong.
No wonder someone dared to attack Master Song at night.
No wonder the person behind the thief knew so quickly that the thief was apprehended with Master Song's guidance.
No wonder each time the crime was so accurate.
No wonder...
Head Constable Luo had long known that Master Song was a true expert, but he didn't expect the gains from consulting him to be so great.
Thinking like this, he suddenly clenched his teeth.
How dare that bald bastard play tricks on him like this! If it weren't for Master Song's guidance, he might have been kept in the dark all the time, and that bald bastard would still be an honored guest of the wealthy people in the city!
Correspondingly, he felt that Master Song across the street was becoming more and more unfathomable.
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