Pawning lifespan, starting from a low-level martial arts world to transform into a dragon.

Chapter 108 Entering Xiangguo Temple

After leaving Anpingli, Chen Ye did not rush back to Jingguo Mansion.

He wandered through the surrounding alleys, turning and twisting until he reached the riverbank between the streets before stopping.

He found a secluded spot, stood there for a while, and after confirming that no one was around, he took off his outer garment, changed out of his ordinary robe and the cloth covering his face, wrapped them in stones, and threw them into the river.

Looking at the clothes that had sunk to the bottom of the river, Chen Ye recounted the whole incident.

He never showed his face from beginning to end; no one ever saw his real face.

Without even making any physical contact with Lu Cong, he killed Lu Cong.

If others wanted to investigate, they wouldn't know where to begin.

Given Lu Cong's status in the Lu family, the Lu family probably wouldn't care too much.

If nothing is found later, it will be dropped.

As for the imperial court and government, the fighting among江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) people in the capital was completely ignored by the imperial court.

As long as things don't get too out of hand, they usually just brush it off.

Chen Ye has nothing to worry about.

Nothing was missed, from beginning to end.

He stood by the river, tied his hair back up, looked at himself in the puddles at the alley entrance to make sure there were no more flaws on his body, and then strode towards Su Guang's house.

He was already very familiar with Su Guang's residence.

It took Chen Ye about two quarters of an hour to reach Su Guang's door before dark.

He went up and knocked on the door.

Footsteps came from inside.

The wooden door creaked open, revealing half of Su Guang's face through the crack.

Seeing that it was Chen Ye, Su Guang breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door to let him in.

Chen Ye went inside and found that Su's mother was not in the courtyard; she must have been resting inside.

Without his elders present, he disregarded formalities, picked up a wooden chair from the courtyard, sat down, and looked up at Su Guang, asking, "Do you know exactly where Master Mingxin lives at Xiangguo Temple?"

Su Guang, unaware of his purpose, stood aside and replied, "Of course I know that. He had a mishap while practicing his martial arts and has been staying in seclusion at the Zen temple on the back mountain, saying he's recuperating."

"Is there anyone else around?"

"Master Mingxin has been a monk for many years, and no one from the Lu family has inquired about his affairs here anymore. He only has a young novice monk serving him." Su Guang paused, then looked up at Chen Ye. "Brother Chen, what do you need to know for this question?"

Chen Ye didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took out a white porcelain bottle from his pocket and placed it on the stone table between the two of them: "This is Baiyao, for healing injuries. Keep it and heal your wounds."

Su Guang glanced at the porcelain vase, did not refuse, and reached out to take it, saying, "Thank you."

Chen Ye stood up and said calmly, "Tomorrow morning, you'll come with me to Xiangguo Temple to find that old bald monk."

Su Guang's heart skipped a beat; he already knew what Chen Ye wanted to do.

He had no intention of stopping them, and simply nodded solemnly: "Okay."

The next morning, Chen Ye asked Cui Xijun for leave under the pretext of a gathering with friends.

Then, he left Jingguo Mansion, bought two vegetarian cakes on the street to quickly fill his stomach, and hurried to Su Guang's house in the west of the city.

Su Guang had already gotten up and was stretching his muscles in the courtyard.

When he saw Chen Ye come in, he lowered his arm, which he had been moving.

Chen Ye asked, "How are your injuries?"

Su Guang moved his shoulders and gestured to Chen Ye, saying, "The medicine really works. I applied it last night, and the wound has already scabbed over this morning. It doesn't hurt much when I move around."

Chen Ye nodded and said, "That's good. Let's pack up and go."

Su Guang turned and went into the house. After saying a few words to his mother, he changed into some decent clothes.

The two men led their horses out of the alley, one after the other, and headed out of the city through Xizhimen towards Xiangguo Temple.

This time, without any other constraints, both of them walked very quickly.

It took less than half an hour to see the outline of the temple hidden among the green pines and cypresses.

Outside the mountain gate, vendors pushing carts and carrying loads gathered, hawking their wares, mostly selling incense, candles, and Buddhist amulets, and their business was quite prosperous.

Pilgrims come and go in an endless stream in front of the temple gate.

Chen Ye and Su Guang mingled in the crowd and slowly entered the mountain gate with the flow of people.

Upon entering the main hall, Chen Ye first respectfully lit three incense sticks before the Buddha, then dropped some copper coins into the donation box, making the proper gestures of worship.

When Su Guang was gathering information earlier, he had already donated a lot of money for incense offerings, and had become a familiar face to the monks who were in charge of receiving guests.

He suggested visiting Master Mingxin again, and the other party readily agreed without much thought.

Just as he was about to call a few novice monks to lead the way, Su Guang stopped him: "I already know where Master Mingxin lives. I can take this friend there on my own. There's no need to trouble the young monks."

The monk who was in charge of receiving guests said nothing more, but put his palms together and said, "Please make yourself at home, benefactor. If you need anything, please call me anytime."

"Thank you for your help, Master."

The monk who was in charge of receiving guests put his hands together in prayer and silently withdrew.

Chen Ye gave Su Guang a wink.

The latter understood and led him strode toward the back of the Zen temple.

The two strolled around the temple like ordinary pilgrims, gradually approaching the back of the temple.

Along the way, Chen Ye quietly memorized the layout of the route.

"This is it."

Su Guang raised his chin.

Chen Ye looked in the direction he pointed and saw a small courtyard sitting in front of them.

There is a row of bamboo groves outside the courtyard, and the gate faces east and is half-closed.

A few coughs could be heard coming from inside from time to time.

Su Guang led Chen Ye forward.

The young novice monk who was guarding the house hurriedly came out to greet him, putting his hands together in prayer and saying, "Benefactor."

Su Guang stepped forward and said, "May I ask, young master, is Master Mingxin here? Would it be convenient for me to request guidance on the scriptures?"

"Master is in the courtyard, but he has been unwell recently and is probably unable to give a sermon."

Su Guang said with a regretful expression, "Is that so? Then forget it. I'll come to visit Master Mingxin again when he's feeling better."

"Amitabha."

The two said no more.

Su Guang led Chen Ye away without looking back, returning to the main hall.

Before long, Su Guang finished talking with the guest monk, turned around and walked to Chen Ye's side, and said in a low voice, "The vegetarian meal has been arranged. It's over in the dining hall. The abbot said there are quite a few worshippers today, so he told us to go and eat first."

Chen Ye nodded, and the two followed the monk who was leading the way to the dining hall.

The dining hall is located on the east side of the temple. There are more than ten long wooden tables inside, and twenty or thirty worshippers are already sitting at the tables eating.

The hall was filled with the light and refreshing aroma characteristic of vegetarian cuisine.

There was no noise in the vast hall.

Only the clinking of bowls and chopsticks could be heard, creating a solemn and quiet atmosphere that inspired reverence and made one dare not commit any disrespect.

Chen Ye and Su Guang found a seat at the back of the room and sat down.

Soon a young novice monk brought over two bowls of vegetarian noodles and a dish of pickled radishes.

He picked up his chopsticks and ate slowly, estimating the distance and path from the dining hall to the small courtyard behind the mountain.

After taking a few bites, he put down his chopsticks, winked at Su Guang, and whispered, "I'm going to the washroom."

Su Guang understood, nodded without showing any emotion, and continued to eat his noodles.

Without attracting anyone's attention, Chen Ye got up and left his seat.

After leaving the dining hall, he did not head towards the purification room, but went straight to the small courtyard.