Chapter Eight: Abbot Kongjing and Gu Tiangang

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[You perceive the great void Buddha child’s lotus platform radiance, your mind suffers a faint influence.]
[Absorbed the power of Buddhist vows, comeback points +3.]

Mind?

Chen Yi snapped back to reality, quietly observing his surroundings.

As the lotus platform’s brilliance shone upon them, the expressions of the people inside the Great Void Temple were mostly calm and serene, with gentle smiles playing on their lips, resembling devout lay practitioners paying homage.

Even the two-year-old Chen Yuan beside him wore the same expression.

Some pilgrims had already knelt on the ground, hands clasped together, murmuring prayers.

Seeing this, Chen Yi frowned slightly and quickly lowered his head, pulling his tiger-head hat down further to avoid attracting attention.

He didn’t know what kind of figure this “Great Void Buddha Child” was.

But judging from the expressions around him, the lotus platform and golden light that appeared with the Buddha child’s birth could inspire sincere Buddhist faith in them.

Yet such inspiration seemed merely a byproduct of the Buddha child’s miraculous birth.

The most crucial figure was still the “Great Void Buddha Child” himself!

“All phenomena are emptiness; cause and effect are not empty—this is the Great Void.”

At that moment, a Buddhist verse echoed from the main hall, its voice ethereal and lingering, spreading through the mountains and throughout the capital prefecture.

Chen Yi felt a breeze caress his ears, and all the thoughts in his heart were wiped clean by that verse.

[You hear the Great Void Abbot chanting Buddhist verses, your mind suffers a faint influence.]
[Absorbed the power of Buddhist vows, comeback points +5.]

Again?!

Was the Great Void Temple planning to convert everyone on the mountain into devoted lay practitioners?

Just as Chen Yi was inwardly annoyed, a loud shout rang out, piercing the sky:

“Bald donkey, stop these useless displays immediately! Cease the illusions, or don’t blame me for taking action!”

In an instant, the crowd snapped out of their trance, exchanging glances in surprise.

“Was that just now the voice of Daoist Master Gu Tiangang from the Void Tao Sect?”

“And the earlier Buddhist verse was from Abbot Kongjing of the Great Void Temple?”

Abbot Kongjing, Gu Tiangang...

Chen Yi had certainly heard these names and knew well what they represented.

According to the Records of the Capital Prefecture, Abbot Kongjing of the Great Void Temple was the foremost Buddhist leader of the Wei dynasty, once single-handedly fighting against high monks from the Western Land’s Buddhist sect.

His mastery of Buddhist doctrine and martial cultivation had left those eminent monks embarrassed.

Gu Tiangang was no less impressive.

Though the Void Tao Sect was not the top Taoist sect within the Wei dynasty, it was a sacred place admired by noble families and aristocrats.

However, unlike the Great Void Temple, the Void Tao Sect’s main gate was not located within the capital prefecture, considered more of a branch courtyard.

Gu Tiangang was the deputy head of the Void Tao Sect, and his power, status, and influence within the court rivaled that of Abbot Kongjing.

But his temper was peculiar; he rarely socialized with the noble families of the capital prefecture.

Even when visited by royal relatives, he often refused to see them.

It was unexpected that the illusions at the Great Void Temple would stir him into action...

“Master Tiangang, please excuse me. Today is the birth of our Great Void Buddha Child; I hope you forgive the disturbance.”

No sooner had Abbot Kongjing finished speaking than Gu Tiangang cursed back:

“Kongjing, you bald thief, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!”

“I advise you to behave and focus on nurturing that so-called Great Void Buddha Child, lest he die on Mount Tai Zhou and bring shame!”

“Then there’s no need for Master Tiangang to trouble himself.”

“Yeah, right...”

Once the commotion settled, the celestial illusions caused by the Buddha child’s birth vanished from the sky.

But their effects lingered.

Especially among the pilgrims at the Great Void Temple, who now seemed pumped full of energy, flushed and shouting excitedly:

“Coming to offer incense at the Great Void Temple on the Lantern Festival was the right choice!”

“Indeed! When I think of my older brothers out playing on Treasure Flower Street, I can’t help but laugh—they must be regretting it now.”

“Ha ha ha...”

Even Chen Yuan excitedly tugged at Chen Yi’s sleeve, his eyes sparkling: “Brother, that golden light was so beautiful. Can they make it appear again?”

Chen Yi: “...”

He looked at Chen Yuan’s waving little hand, speechless.

The Buddha child’s miraculous illusions weren’t like fireworks, where you could just ask for an encore.

“No!”

“Ah? No?” Chen Yuan looked disappointed, then brightened up: “I’ll find Mother—she must know how.”

With that, he dashed toward the courtyard gate not far off.

Chen Yi sighed inwardly at his elder brother’s sharp mind, and motioned to the guards: “Aren’t you going after him?”

Two guards, still dazed by the illusions, hurried after Chen Yuan.

Watching the guards catch up to Chen Yuan, Chen Yi shook his head.

He even began to doubt whether the future displayed on his panel was accurate—could Chen Yuan’s intellect grown up really insult him?

If Chen Yuan didn’t provoke him into a fight, it would be a miracle.

Before long, Zhou Wanyi returned to the manor, holding Chen Yuan and Xia Wanwan.

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“Let’s leave. The Great Void Temple will probably be overcrowded soon.” Zhou Wanyi frowned at the increasingly crowded temple.

Xia Wanwan nodded, took Chen Yi in her arms, and, with the guards clearing the way, they left the Great Void Temple by carriage.

On the way back, the group was much quieter. Only little Chen Yuan clung to Zhou Wanyi’s leg, occasionally asking:

“Mother, really can’t let the bald donkey shine again? It was so pretty.”

“Shut up! Who taught you to call a monk that?”

“The person in the sky.” Chen Yuan pointed at the carriage roof, speaking seriously: “And the bald thief too.”

Chen Yi was stunned by his audacity.

If Abbot Kongjing knew a two-year-old called him “bald thief,” he might be furious enough to fight Gu Tiangang over it.

“You?!”

Zhou Wanyi pretended to strike him, causing Chen Yuan to shrink his neck.

“Pfft.”

Even Xia Wanwan couldn’t help but laugh, stopping Zhou Wanyi:

“Yuan’er is still little and can’t take a beating.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wanyi lowered her hand and sighed, glancing at Chen Yi: “If only Yuan’er were as clever as Yi’er.”

“Sis, don’t worry. Yuan’er will be fine when he grows up.”

“Let’s hope so...”

After leaving the Great Void Temple, Chen Yi followed the two ladies of the Hou family to tour Treasure Flower Street, witnessing the bustling heart of the capital prefecture.

Then they went to the East Market, experiencing the spending power of the Hou family ladies firsthand.

They visited shops selling ready-made clothes, rouge and powders, jewelry—buying from every stall.

Though Chen Yi didn’t understand the value of money, from the unblinking expressions in Zhou Wanyi and Xia Wanwan’s eyes, it was clear this amount was nothing to the Hou family.

Unfortunately, after shopping, they had to return to the manor, missing the most lively lantern festival.

Still, having witnessed the Buddha child’s birth and the cross-mountain verbal sparring of two powerful figures, Chen Yi was quite satisfied.

More importantly, he discovered a second source of comeback points—receiving attacks could also yield comeback rewards!

He guessed only attacks that actually harmed him would count.

Back in the Hou family’s right wing chamber, Chen Yi eagerly opened his panel to check.

[Name: Chen Yi]
[Age: 31]
[Cultivation: None]
[Talent: Late Bloomer—The older the bone age, the faster the cultivation speed]
[Swordsmanship: Beginner—Solid foundation, forming sword qi]
[Comeback Points: 55/100]

Looking at the numbers on the panel, Chen Yi felt joy.

Now there was a way to increase the speed of gaining comeback points.

“Otherwise, having him deliberately create enemies to attack him would feel kinda cheap.”

...

...

After the Lantern Festival, the capital prefecture gradually warmed from the cold winter.

The garden of the Marquis of Wuan’s residence came back to life, the pond thawed, and the calls of flowers, birds, fish, and insects filled the air.

These changes didn’t affect Chen Yi much; he continued his daily lessons.

But the curriculum expanded from reading, writing, etiquette, and enlightenment to include martial training.

Not actual cultivation, but a martial instructor from the training ground came daily to have him practice several sword forms.

According to Xia Wanwan’s explanation to the Marquis of Wuan, a slow learner must start early, so Yi’er should gain some martial experience—it might be useful.

Where she got this reasoning was anyone’s guess, but the doting Chen Taiping agreed without hesitation.

Unfortunately, it was tough for Chen Yi.

Not because the instructor’s cultivation was low, but because the sword forms he demonstrated were hard for Chen Yi to evaluate.

Just like what he had seen previously at the training ground—there was a strange, imperfect beauty to them.

The discomfort was hard to describe; anyone with a bit of perfectionism would find it hard to endure.

With no better options, he mentally placed himself in the role of “master,” judging each sword form as if assessing disciples.

At the same time, in his mind, he practiced more standard sword techniques.

After several days, he shifted his perspective, trying to find a counter for every move.

Like playing chess against himself, controlling both black and white pieces.

Besides lessons, Chen Yi spent most of his time trying to gather information inside and outside the manor.

Inside, he secretly listened to the gossip of a few chatterboxes.

But there was little substantial news—things like the second master disciplining some branch family members at the training ground, the old madam commissioning a golden Buddha statue, or a maid being expelled from the manor for mistakes.

Outside, things were livelier.

According to a servant named Yang Xi, ever since the Great Void Buddha Child’s birth, more people had come to worship.

Not only the old madam but also other noble and ducal families were burning incense and paying homage, almost forming a trend.

This infuriated the leaders of the Void Tao Sect, and rumors spread that Gu Tiangang intended to open a school in the capital prefecture to recruit disciples.

The news was unconfirmed, but the Void Tao Sect’s courtyard in the capital was already overflowing with nobles.

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It was said many people queued with carts full of gifts outside the gate, some even visiting the sacred site of the Void Tao Sect to inquire.

The most exaggerated rumor claimed that the supreme ruler of the court also wished for several princes to join the Void Tao Sect.

This kept the capital prefecture abuzz for a long time.

Chen Yi confirmed that the Void Tao Sect indeed planned to recruit several disciples in the capital prefecture.

But these disciples would not stay in the city; they would be sent to the sacred Void Tao Mountain for cultivation.

Of course, this was not what Yang Xi said—it came from Chen Yi’s father, Chen Taiping, in private.

His exact words: “The Void Tao Sect plans to welcome interested parties to the sacred site next Mid-Autumn Festival. All who pass the test may join the Void Tao Mountain.”

“The requirement is children under five years old, with not too poor foundation assessments.”

“If Yuan’er and Yi’er can join the Void Tao Sect, their future martial achievements will be greater.”

Chen Yi wasn’t sure what Zhou Wanyi thought of this, but Xia Wanwan clearly cared.

She replaced the literacy books given to him with Taoist classics.

Works such as The Ten Great Taoist Sects, A Brief Explanation of the Taoist Canon, The Ten Immortal Taoists...

Well, the last was brought by Yang Xi during an errand outside the manor, but it also opened Chen Yi’s eyes.

Each illustration depicted ethereal, peerlessly elegant beauties.

Chen Yi wondered about the author of this book—he hoped the Taoist authorities weren’t chasing him down.

He was still waiting for a sequel.

The next three months passed quietly until a major event occurred in the manor.

A joyous occasion—Zhou Wanyi was with child!

Whether she made a wish at the Great Void Temple or it was coincidence, she conceived just before Chen Taiping left north to defend the borders.

Chen Yi hadn’t thought much of it at first, but after Zhou Wanyi’s pregnancy, he was the one who suffered most.

Someone had advised Chen Taiping that the eldest son Chen Yuan must not be allowed to be mischievous and harm the pregnancy.

So he remembered this and discussed with Xia Wanwan, deciding Chen Yuan must stay with him.

Not just to live and eat together, but to study the same lessons!

This left Chen Yi speechless.

He couldn’t imagine how exciting life would be once Chen Yuan moved into the right wing chamber.

“Second brother, hehe, second brother.”

Seeing Chen Yuan running over clutching a book, Chen Yi rolled his eyes silently.

Ever since the eldest mastered counting from one to ten, he added “second” before “brother.”

“How do you read this character?”

Chen Yi looked at the character he pointed to: “Dumb.”

“Dumb.”

“Dumb?”

Chen Yuan tilted his little head, thinking for a moment: “Second brother, why do you say I’m dumb like Mother?”

Chen Yi: “...”

What his mother said wasn’t wrong.

Of course, he only thought that silently and patiently explained it aloud.

Strangely, perhaps because the fortune-telling ceremony had foretold future embarrassments, Chen Yi bore no ill will toward this somewhat silly elder brother.

At least now, Zhou Wanyi didn’t take her frustrations out on Chen Yuan.

“Oh, so this is my character.”

“No! You’re not that character; you’re Chen Yuan, older brother to me, Chen Yi!”

Chen Yi’s usually calm face grew serious for once.

“If anyone calls you ‘dumb,’ you must not let it slide!”

“Then,” Chen Yuan nodded cluelessly, then asked, “What about when Mother calls me that?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll tell her if she calls me ‘dumb’ again, I’ll call her bald donkey.”

Chen Yi laughed, imagining the consequences—Mother would probably beat little Chen Yuan half to death.

“That’s not allowed either; just tell her I said so.”

“Okay, I’ll tell Mother that second brother won’t let anyone call me dumb.”

“That’s right...”

Unbeknownst to the two children, their conversation was overheard by Chen Taiping and the two ladies outside the door.

“These two little rascals get along pretty well,” Chen Taiping chuckled softly.

Seeing Zhou Wanyi silent, Xia Wanwan added, “Yuan’er is pure-hearted; Yi’er is clever. The masters all like them.”

“Of course, they don’t see whose blood they carry.”

“Husband...”

“Alright, alright, I shouldn’t be so crude.”

In the night, Zhou Wanyi looked at Chen Yi with a complicated expression, remaining silent.