“If Benefactor is sincere, by offering this Poor Monk a thousand taels’ worth of joss sticks the calamity may be averted. This Poor Monk shall personally light an eternal flame[27] and chant sutras for worshiping Buddha every day in the Temple. Averting the two Benefactors’ imminent calamity.” Monk Huiming slowly turned the mala beads in his hand, lightly stroked his beard, and bowed to Yang Lianting with a look of compassion.
Yang Lianting was taken aback and then could not help but smile slightly. So, this monk who acted like an immortal actually approached them for alms money.
Dongfang Bubai frowned as well. Once he claimed that Yang Lianting had a severed soul, Dongfang Bubai’s reverse scale[28] was touched. This monk always spouted the same unlucky nonsense and now shamelessly asked for a thousand tales of silver. Unable to tolerate him any longer, he impatiently said, “Monk, you don’t value your life! Daring to talk nonsense before this Seat.”
“Retreat!”
Monk Huiming’s face changed, “Amitabha!” He still wanted to continue talking but Dongfang Bubai flung his sleeves in rage. Internal energy gathered in his palm and three sharp embroidery needles appeared between his fingers. A cold glint flickered and before Monk Huiming could say another word, the silver needles cruelly pierced his body in an instant.
“Amitabha, Amitabha. Benefactor Dongfang, please be calm this Poor Monk will leave, this Poor Monk will leave at once–” Monk Huiming sighed and was about to leave, but the moment he turned around Yang Lianting called out to him.
Yang Lianting gently patted Dongfang Bubai’s hand that had held the embroidery needles and looked at Monk Huiming. He paused for a moment and then calmly spoke.
“Great Master, please wait. One thousand tales–”
Yang Lianting took out his pouch and turned it upside down. Looking at the meager amount of silver in his hand, he frowned and felt a little embarrassed. He had descended Blackwood Cliff this time thinking that there would not be any major expenses so he had only brought along a hundred tales of silver. After he had spent some silver along the road, he had less than a hundred tales left.
Smiling bitterly in his heart, he thought back to a lifetime ago. Back then, after he had gained sole control over Blackwood Cliff he spent money like water and a single jug of alcohol on his table cost hundreds of silver tales. At present, as a handyman and guard it had taken him months to save up enough money. Yang Lianting felt ashamed that he could not hand Monk Huiming a thousand tales in alms money.
Coughing lightly, Yang Lianting glanced at Dongfang Bubai and could not help but blushingly ask, “Dongfang, can you lend me a thousand tales, I’ll–”
Dongfang Bubai looked at him and frowned faintly. “Lian di, I don’t usually bring money with me.”
Indeed.
Yang Lianting slapped his head and felt a little annoyed. A mighty and majestic person like the Invincible East, wherever he went would be followed by attendants at his beck and call, would be received with the utmost hospitality by the local branch of the Holy Cult. Why would he need to carry silver with him? He felt troubled but there was nothing he could really do. Yang Lianting put the money in the poach again and after hesitating for a single moment, he handed it to Monk Huiming.
“Monk, I’ll give you around a hundred tales first. The rest… I’ll give you when we return to Blackwood Cliff.”
Before he could finish speaking, Dongfang Bubai glanced at Monk Huiming and took out a token from his sleeve. “Take this token and go to any of the Holy Cult’s banks to convey my, the Cult Master’s order. Monk, you may draw a thousand tales, but if you dare to take more–” Dongfang Bubai coldly snorted, “You should know the methods of my Sun Moon Holy Cult.”
Monk Huiming coughed and took the token, chanting a few “Amitabha.” He bowed to Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting, “Do not worry, this Poor Monk serves the Buddha and shall not speak more. Benefactors, thank you for your sincerity. This Poor Monk shall return to the Temple to recite the scriptures, pray for blessings, and light an eternal flame for you.”
“Parting with one’s love and encountering one’s hated foe.”[29]
“Returning to the West.”[30]
“All is empty,[31] only a fleeting illusion.”[32]
“Amitabha, this Poor Monk hopes that both Benefactors may abandon previous hatred and impurity. Don’t needlessly kill and commit evil, otherwise you will suffer karmic retribution. Even if this Poor Monk has the heart, his help will be for naught.”
Dongfang Bubai did not believe his warning. Impatient and disgusted, he waved his sleeve to signal Monk Huiming to leave. But Yang Lianting pursed his lips, tightly held Dongfang’s hand, and returned the bow to Monk Huiming.
“Great Master, thank you for your advice.”
Obviously, Yang Lianting’s polite demeanor flattered Monk Huiming. Lightly stroking his beard and turning the mala beads in his hand, he replied, “Benefactor Yang, the burden you carry is predestined. As long as you wholeheartedly do good deeds, naturally Buddha will be compassionate.”
“This Poor Monk will leave first.”
The two of them watched Huiming calmly walk away.
“This Monk is a swindler.”
“The last time I met him, he said my heart held great evil and by killing in excess I’m bound to die a lonely death.”
Softly smiling, Dongfang Bubai looked at Yang Lianting and said, “He is wrong.”
“Well, it’ll be best if he’s wrong.” Yang Lianting tightly held his hand and smiled confidently, “You won’t die a lonely death, as long as you have me.”
“Lian di, you don’t have any silver left after giving that monk your pouch. If I remember correctly, it took you several months to save up enough money.”
“Sadly, my monthly silver is too little.” Yang Lianting lightly coughed in embarrassment, “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to ask you for money.”
“Tong Baixiong’s secret letter said you’re greedy for money and seek petty benefits–”
“That was before,” Yang Lianting tightened his hold around Dongfang Bubai’s hand, “That was before I came to your side.”
“If you know that he’s a liar, why do you still offer that monk a thousand tales? Lian di, you–”
“Because he said he’ll avert your calamity.” Smiling gently at Dongfang Bubai, Yang Lianting said to him, “I am willing to give him a thousand tales’ worth of joss sticks, even if he’s just a swindler.”
“Dongfang, I hope you’ll always be safe and sound.”
Hearing him speak, Dongfang Bubai froze. He stood in place, stared at Yang Lianting, and opened his mouth to speak. After a long pause, he slowly came to his senses. Clearing his throat with a cough, he slowly said, “Lian di, don’t worry–”
“My, this Seat’s martial arts skills are the world’s first! Don’t listen to that monk’s nonsense, the one who can defeat me hasn’t even been born yet.”
Yang Lianting truly loved the proud and confident Dongfang. He could not help but laugh and step closer. He was about to say something when he saw him lightly purse his lips.
Dongfang Bubai calmly looked at him.
Peacefully and quietly smiling, “But, Lian di, if you want to kill me one day, I’ll never resist.”
Yang Lianting’s breathing stagnated.
He never expected Dongfang Bubai to say such a thing. He reached out and hugged the person before him. Smiling bitterly, he sighed helplessly and felt his heart melt. Dongfang was still worried about Ren Woxing. When Dongfang Bubai was worried he acted unlike anyone else in this world. Unexpectedly, whenever he felt anxious he opened up his fragile heart to him, hurt himself with sharp blades and swords for his benefit.
This person in red was brave and unyielding.
Once he believes in you, he’ll stubbornly believe in you till the very end.
This fool.
Before his eyes Ren Woxing and the others appeared as they entered the Hall of Refined Kindness. Xiang Wentian who had tortured[33] him until he activated the mechanisms and led them to the hidden courtyard. Ren Yingying who had taken him hostage to disrupt that person’s concentration.
Despite being outnumbered, Dongfang Bubai had angrily yet leisurely fought against them and firmly kept the upper hand.[34] If he had not cried out in pain, Dongfang would not have suddenly turned his back to the enemy.[35]
Dongfang had died because of him.
Indeed.
No one in this world could defeat the Invincible East.
Except him.
Yang Lianting gently patted Dongfang Bubai’s thin back, his heart flooding with waves of anguish, flooding with waves of joy. The calamity that had occured, could be prevented from happening once again. Luckily, he could start anew.
Originally they had intended to directly return to Blackwood Cliff, but on the way back Dongfang Bubai suddenly received a secret pigeon letter. It mentioned that many martial artists were incited into dealing with the Holy Cult due to the upcoming Wulin General Assembly. The cultists, who were wandering the Jianghu, were encircled and suppressed by the disciples of the righteous sects. Though they were only harming the external forces of the congregation, when had the Sun Moon Holy Cult ever suffered such a loss since Dongfang Bubai ascended to the cult master’s seat?
“Lian di, you previously mentioned that you’d like to attend the Wulin General Assembly.” Dongfang Bubai disapprovingly said, “These people dare to provoke my Holy Cult–”
“Dongfang, your body hasn’t healed.” Yang Lianting shook his head and frowned, responding without another thought. “The flow of your qi and blood reversed, harming your vital energy. We must return to Blackwood Cliff and let Ping Yizhi examine you. Dongfang, you need to take care of yourself and recuperate. The Sunflower Manual may be powerful, but it damages your–”
“Lian di, don’t worry. I’m alright.”
Dongfang Bubai took the initiative to reach out and hold onto his hand, “The Wulin General Assembly will only commence in ten days. We can take our time and leisurely head over. If I don’t give them a lesson, these people who dare to be so presumptuous will cause endless trouble.”
“Besides,” Dongfang Bubai snorted and lifted his chin arrogantly, “that disorderly mob is not worth fearing.”
Hearing him speak confidently, even though he felt reluctant, Yang Lianting could only nod in agreement. Sighing lightly, he tightened his grip around the hand of the man standing at his side and said, “Indeed, Cult Master possesses civil and martial virtue and faces a thousand changes. Even if this Subordinate must face mountains of blades and seas of flames,[36] he will accompany the Cult Master on his path.”
Listening to him make such a promise, Dongfang Bubai felt a little awkward for a moment. He angrily glared at him and turned his head away, “What ‘mountains of blades and seas of fire,’ this matter isn’t that grave.”
“Yes, yes. Of course, it’s not that serious.”
Yang Lianting smiled and suggested, “Since we’re going to that Wulin General Annoyance[37] and aren’t in a hurry, let’s find a nearby inn, stay for the night, and leave tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll go look for a pharmacy and buy some more medicine as well. It’s best if you soak your feet in a medicinal bath at night.”
Dongfang Bubai never had a reason to oppose Yang Lianting, so they entered an inn that looked decent from the outside. Once the innkeeper saw that they were both well-dressed and appeared rich, he quickly ran out from behind the counter to greet them.
“Honored Sirs, do you want to have a meal or take a rest? We are the best inn in town, you came to the right place!”
Yang Lianting chuckled, “Stay the night.”
“Great!” The innkeeper replied happily then turned around to instruct a waiter, “Go, prepare two of our best rooms for the two honored guests.”
Yang Lianting raised his brow, “Innkeeper, you’re mistaken, we only need one room.”
The innkeeper was stupefied.
In truth, among the guests staying at their inn there were quite a few wanderers of the Jianghu as well, but other than husbands and wives or parents and children he had never encountered two grown men wanting to share one room.
Even if they intended to save money– Considering how well they were dressed, they definitely did not seem like they needed to save money. However, even if he thought they were strange, the innkeeper was a smart person and naturally did not reveal a change in expression. He smiled and affirmed the guests’ request and then turned his head briefly to the waiter, instructing him to prepare one room instead.
A moment later, he flatteringly approached the two of them. “Honored Sirs, you don’t look like locals. Are you here to watch tonight’s fireworks?”
“I guarantee you, tonight’s firework festival will be beautiful and lively! Every year a lot of tourists from around the country come here just to see it. Sirs, if you two are really here by chance then you’re quite lucky. If you’d have arrived here a little later, I’m afraid we wouldn’t even have a single room left.”
“Honored Sirs, do you have any other orders?”
Yang Lianting smiled, “Bring a table’s worth of food. Make the meat and fish dishes lighter, neither too greasy nor too spicy. Later, bring a tub of hot water as well.” Pausing, he quietly glanced at Dongfang Bubai and then said, “We need to bathe.”
Hearing this sentence, Dongfang Bubai’s ears flushed red but the innkeeper did not seem to notice anything unusual. Smilingly accepting all their orders, then leading them to their room.
Listening to the sound of the innkeeper exiting the room and closing the door, Yang Lianting looked at Dongfang Bubai and said, “After having a meal, I’ll help you take a medicinal bath.”
“Just now, that innkeeper thought it’s strange for two men to share the same room.” Despite his red earlobes, Dongfang Bubai pretended to be calm and composed as he looked at him, “Now, you even told him to bring in hot water for a bath–”
Through the windows, the setting sun shone upon Dongfang Bubai’s profile. Earlobes bright red, eyes brimming with water, and skin so pale and clear it seemed translucent.
Yang Lianting quietly gazed at him and felt his heart weaken, as if it were soaked in a layer of sticky sweet honey. Gazing at him, he felt lust resurge in his heart. Unable to restrain his lower abdomen, he restlessly desired to make trouble. He slowly approached and stood before him. Seeing his own figure envelop him, seeing his own face in his eyes, Yang Lianting smiled.
“We bowed thrice to ourselves, to heaven and earth.”
“We are already married.”
“If a couple shouldn’t share a single room, should they sleep in two separate rooms?”
Yang Lianting lowered his head, his long black hair brushing over Dongfang Bubai’s cheeks. The two people’s short breaths intertwined. Perhaps because the strands of hair felt a little itchy, Dongfang Bubai felt faintly uncomfortable but he neither turned his face away nor moved his body away. Instead, he quietly let Yang Lianting get closer and closer to him.