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Chapter 291: Su Shuangying's Insightful Observations
Chapter 291: Su Shuangying's Insightful Observations
Even in the summer, Mount Jiuhua was surprisingly cool. Though the scorching sun had been oppressive at the foot of the mountain, a refreshing breeze greeted them as they ascended.
"Mount Jiuhua is indeed the Bodhimanda of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. There are so many temples here!"
"But there are still quite a few Taoist temples."
"It doesn't matter. The Yan Hua Temple was converted into a Buddhist nunnery. Taoism is struggling to regain its foothold on Mount Jiuhua," Su Shaoying remarked nonchalantly. "The monks on this mountain are not pure of heart and are far from being enlightened."
The Yan Hua Temple, constructed during the Qianning era of the Tang Dynasty, had been led by Zhao Zhiwei, a revered Taoist immortal whose name was recorded in the Taiping Guangji. It was undoubtedly a prominent landmark for Taoism.
And yet, this very temple had later been taken over by Buddhists and transformed into a nunnery.
While it wasn't uncommon for temples to change hands between Buddhist and Taoist control throughout history, and most people wouldn't pay it much mind, the fact that they renamed it a nunnery felt a bit excessive.
"Brother Su is indeed well-informed," Hua Manlou praised.
Su Shaoying hummed in acknowledgment. "It's because the same situation is happening in Emei. If it weren't for the powerful martial arts of the Taoists on the mountain and my master's prestige that shakes the world, the Emei Sect might not be a Taoist sword sect anymore but a Buddhist sect."
While most people might not realize it, Su Shaoying was all too aware that Mount Jiuhua and Mount Emei would later become two of the four famous Buddhist mountains. One was the Bodhimanda of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the other was the Bodhimanda of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
"Monks and Taoists are all religious practitioners. Why differentiate so clearly between them?"
A voice, aged yet carefree, reached their ears, and Su Shaoying turned to see a tall figure clad in tattered Taoist robes striding towards them. Accompanying him was a man in yellow robes, with a vintage sword at his waist and a goatee, his face lean and austere.
These newcomers were none other than Mu Daoren and Gusong Jushi.
Su Shaoying blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected that, despite her unhurried pace and the chance encounter with Hua Manlou, she would also run into Mu Daoren and Gusong Jushi on their way to Mount Jiuhua.
"Are you two also here to pay respects to Master Kugua?" Hua Manlou asked with a smile.
"This old Taoist doesn't abstain from meat and wine," Mu Daoren laughed. "If it weren't for Master Kugua's vegetarian cuisine, there would be nothing on Mount Jiuhua to attract me."
Hua Manlou smiled gently and made introductions between the two parties.
"How has the leader of the Emei Sect been lately?" Mu Daoren inquired.
Su Shaoying and Shi Xiuxue returned the greeting politely. "Thank you for your concern, Elder. Our master is doing well."
Mu Daoren was the granduncle of the current leader of the Wudang Sect and the sect's most senior elder. In terms of status, he even outranked Du Gu Yihe. If not for his carefree nature, unkempt appearance, and wandering ways, it would be difficult for ordinary people to catch even a glimpse of him.
Gusong Jushi looked at Shi Xiuxue and then at Su Shaoying, and sighed, "The Emei Sect has been thriving in recent years. The Three Heroes and Four Beauties of Emei are renowned, and your master is truly extraordinary."
There was no appropriate response to Gusong Jushi's comment, so Su Shaoying could only smile silently and change the subject. "This is my first time on Mount Jiuhua. Are there any taboos I should be aware of?"
"There aren't any taboos, but Master Kugua has a peculiar personality," Mu Daoren said.
"How could one of the Four Great Buddhist Monks be ordinary like the common folk?" Gusong Jushi shook his head and smiled.
"It's just a matter of bathing and incense. Be patient and wait," Hua Manlou explained.
Master Bitter Gourd was in high spirits. Firstly, the weather was pleasant today, and secondly, he quite liked his guests.
"My junior disciple told me that the young hero Su's advice was very helpful. He wasn't lured by the false trail left by the Embroidered Bandit and has returned to the southeast to continue his investigations," Master Bitter Gourd said to Su Shaoying.
"It's my honor," Su Shaoying replied with a nod and a smile.
"Oh? Has Jin Jiuling found any clues about the Embroidered Bandit?" Ancient Pine asked.
The name of the Embroidered Bandit had become infamous over the past month or two. This mysterious figure, who seemed to have appeared out of thin air, had pulled off over a dozen major heists that others could only dream of in their lifetime. It was impossible for them not to become famous.
Master Bitter Gourd looked at Su Shaoying, "We can only pinpoint his general location."
Ancient Pine couldn't help but turn to Su Shaoying with curiosity, "How did you figure it out?"
Su Shaoying glanced at the famous male companion and moved slightly further away before explaining, "Because I happened to come across him when he intercepted a shipment of Red Cargo from the Western Xiang Escort Agency in Xiang."
Wooden Taoist exclaimed, "You saw him?"
"I heard the cries for help, but by the time I arrived, it was too late. He moved incredibly fast, and I only caught a glimpse of his back," Su Shaoying shook her head and continued, "It was when I accompanied Chief Escort Pei to the authorities that I met Jin Jiuling, and I learned that the Embroidered Bandit had committed even more heists in the southeast."
Ancient Pine blinked, "And then? What did you deduce?"
"I realized that he only targeted large shipments in the southeast, but in Xiang, he went after the Red Cargo twice," Su Shaoying explained.
Ancient Pine's eyes lit up, "So he has accomplices in the southeast!"
Su Shaoying nodded, "Exactly."
After all, there were only so many martial arts experts in the world. A single person could move about undetected, but a large group would inevitably leave traces and evidence—something even the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom couldn't avoid, so how could Jin Jiuling pull it off?
"Indeed, the discerning eye of the younger generation is admirable, Su the Insightful!" Ancient Pine praised.
Su the Insightful? Where did this nickname come from?
Su Shaoying was bewildered, but Hua Manlou smiled and explained, "He Xu is no ordinary man. The circumstances of his death are enough to fuel a year's worth of gossip in the jianghu."
As someone who had seen through He Xu's true identity, Su Shaoying was naturally one of the protagonists of this story.
Su Shaoying felt embarrassed enough to scratch herself out of the picture, but Shi Xiuxue took pride in the nickname, finding it very pleasing—after all, the Three Heroes and Four Beauties of Emei were not known for their wit in the past.
"Who exactly spread this news all over the place?" Su Shaoying asked.
"Although the Sky-Raptor Sect is poor, we have no shortage of friends," Hua Manlou said.
"You must be aware of the chivalrous nature of the Seven Heroes of the Marketplace. While they are loyal to the Sky-Raptor Sect, they won't cover up the truth. Moreover, your actions actually helped reduce He Tianqing's culpability."
With He Xu as the mastermind, He Tianqing might appear incompetent, but it also lessened his blame.
"I truly appreciate them for that!" Su Shaoying sighed.
Master Bitter Gourd stood up and smiled, "It's almost noon. I'll go to the kitchen to prepare. Let Jingning take you to bathe and burn incense."
"Please, Master."
Everyone got up to see Master Bitter Gourd off and then followed a young monk to prepare themselves.
(End of Chapter)
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