Chapter 35: Master Qin? The Young Monk Zhiheng’s Question

"Xu Ye, let's go."

Lin Wuyu had no patience left for further pretenses with these two. Casting a glance at Xu Ye, she shook off Bai Zijin’s hand and strode quickly toward the great doors of the Hall of Heavenly Kings.

“Don’t be in such a hurry, Sister Wuyu! You haven’t introduced this Young Master Xu yet!”

Lin Wuyu paid no heed and walked away, but Bai Zijin seemed not the least offended, even smiling with satisfaction at the sight.

“This girl Wuyu certainly has a sharp eye—she’s chosen a fellow with no learning or skills, who only became a ghost officer through the bloody affairs of his own family. Watch closely, Sister Zijin; tonight, I, Liu Muxuan, will make sure this Xu Ye is thoroughly humiliated.”

With an air of utter confidence, Liu Muxuan grinned as he spoke, letting his hand rest, seemingly by chance, on Bai Zijin’s shoulder.

“There was nothing in our arrangement about you putting your arm around me,”

No sooner had Liu Muxuan’s hand touched Bai Zijin’s shoulder than an icily cold voice reached his ear. He turned to see Bai Zijin staring at him, her gaze as sharp as frost.

“My apologies… that was improper of me…”

Liu Muxuan jerked his hand away as if stung by a bee.

“Then I’ll leave it in your capable hands, Brother Muxuan,”

Seeing that he’d withdrawn, Bai Zijin’s demeanor changed in an instant. She covered her mouth, laughing sweetly.

…

On the steps before the great doors of the Hall of Heavenly Kings.

“Lin Wuyu, do you think it’s embarrassing to have me as your exam companion?” Xu Ye grumbled as he climbed the steps beside her.

“No,” Lin Wuyu replied, stubborn as ever.

“Then why the long face? You should be happy,” Xu Ye said with a cheerful grin.

“Hee hee…”

Lin Wuyu stretched her hand, using thumb and forefinger to push up the corners of her mouth, forcing a clownish smile. But as soon as she did it, she seemed to feel a twinge of embarrassment, hurried her steps, and left Xu Ye behind.

“Hee hee…”

Xu Ye imitated the gesture, faking a laugh before chasing after her.

“Please wait, benefactors!”

Just as they reached the threshold, a young monk in a gray robe, with delicate features and a clean-shaven head, stepped forward to block their way.

“Little Master, I am Lin Wuyu, here to take part in the literary gathering, and this is my companion, Xu Ye.”

Lin Wuyu handed a jade token to the monk.

“Miss Lin, Young Master Xu.” The monk glanced at the token and returned it with a bow. Pressing his palms together, he said, “My Dharma name is Zhiheng, and I am here to receive guests for this literary gathering.”

“So you are a senior monk of the ‘Zhi’ generation from Lanhua Temple. My respects.”

Lin Wuyu pressed her palms together and bowed in return.

“My respects,”

Xu Ye, hearing this, followed suit, thinking that if Lin Wuyu addressed this monk so formally, he must hold a high position at Lanhua Temple.

“Miss, you flatter me,”

Zhiheng smiled and shook his head modestly. Then, in a gentle tone, he addressed them, “At the abbot’s request, before you enter the hall, I would like to ask a question, to see whether you have a karmic affinity with the Buddha.”

Since Lin Wuyu had warned him in advance, Xu Ye was not surprised by the question.

“I’m sorry, Master Zhiheng, but my companion and I wish to focus solely on the examination today,” Lin Wuyu refused without hesitation.

“In that case, I won’t press you,”

Zhiheng smiled and nodded, showing no offense.

Just as Lin Wuyu had said earlier, Lanhua Temple did not insist that they answer the question.

“Little Wuyu, didn’t you answer quite well last time? Why avoid it now?”

At that moment, a dignified voice came from behind them. Xu Ye turned to see an elegant elder, clad in white, his hair silver and full, ascending the steps to the Hall of Heavenly Kings, surrounded by disciples.

“Wuyu greets Master Qin!”

At the sight of the old man, Lin Wuyu looked suddenly stricken, bowing deeply with her palms pressed together.

This elder was a teacher at the Grand Academy—a Master—whose status was sometimes greater even than that of high officials at court.

“No need for such courtesy. Since you are a disciple of my wine-loving brother, you are half my disciple as well,”

Master Qin said with a warm smile, waving her up.

“Yes,”

Lin Wuyu replied, still visibly anxious.

“Monk Zhiheng greets Master Qin,”

Zhiheng also bowed deeply.

“I never thought you, Zhiheng, would be able to stand on your own so soon. Excellent, excellent. In less than ten years, Lanhua Temple will produce another Arhat.”

Master Qin stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

Witnessing this, Xu Ye gained a clearer sense of Master Qin’s status—at least on par with the abbot of Lanhua Temple.

“So, you are the companion Little Wuyu spent so long choosing?”

As this thought crossed Xu Ye’s mind, Master Qin’s gaze turned to him, and he spoke with gentle warmth.

“I am Xu Ye, at your service, Master Qin,”

Xu Ye stepped forward and saluted in the manner of a ghost officer.

“Oh? Young Master Xu, are you a ghost officer?” Master Qin eyed Xu Ye’s gesture and the official’s uniform he had yet to change out of, looking him over with interest.

“Yes, sir. I am a ghost officer with the Department of the Dead, newly appointed,”

Xu Ye replied straightforwardly.

Master Qin nodded, then turned to Lin Wuyu with a smile.

“Little Wuyu, instead of choosing someone from the Academy, you selected a ghost officer from the Department of the Dead. Was there a particular reason for this?”

Though Master Qin’s smile remained, Xu Ye could see from the subtle shift in his eyes that he was not altogether pleased with Lin Wuyu’s choice.

At this moment, Liu Muxuan and Bai Zijin arrived in front of the hall as well. Hearing Master Qin’s question, they exchanged glances, both wearing expressions of amused anticipation.

“Master, Young Master Xu may not possess the learning of the scholars within the Academy, but to me, he is the most suitable companion for this search for talent,”

Lin Wuyu replied, neither arrogant nor humble.

This, too, was what Xu Ye admired most about Lin Wuyu—once she chose someone as her companion, no matter how much she complained about him in private, she would stand by his side without hesitation when it mattered, even before someone as eminent as Master Qin.

“Still the same temper as when you were a child,”

Master Qin laughed heartily at her defiance, showing no sign of anger. Then he turned his gaze to Xu Ye.

“Young Master Xu, since Little Wuyu places such hopes in you, do not let her down,”

he said, eyes twinkling.

“Rest assured, Master Qin. I will do all I can to assist Miss Wuyu and help her succeed in this gathering,”

Xu Ye replied with a show of earnest humility, though inwardly he cursed—this old fox was raising the stakes, making it impossible for him to retreat.

“Since Young Master Xu is so confident, why not attempt the question set by the venerable monks of Lanhua Temple? With your learning, you will surely solve it,”

At this, Liu Muxuan seized the moment to fan the flames.

“Liu Muxuan, at your service, Master Qin, Master Zhiheng,”

Seeing all eyes turn to him, he bowed quickly to both.

“What Muxuan says is not without merit,”

Master Qin nodded slightly to Liu Muxuan, then turned again to Lin Wuyu and Xu Ye.

“Why not hear what question Master Zhiheng wishes to pose?”