Chapter 92: Arrangements

Chapter 92: Arrangements

The sun shone warmly at noon.

Du Gukang and Meng Yuan stood outside the side gate of the Imperial Mansion, both silent.

"Oh dear! Your Highness, Little Meng Teacher!" Wang Xiushuai finally caught up, panting.

Seeing Du Gukang deep in thought, he turned to Meng Yuan and asked, "What's wrong with His Highness?"

"His Highness is in a poetic mood, composing in his mind. There's no need for you to worry, I'll follow along," Meng Yuan smiled.

"I see." Wang Xiushuai smiled and bowed, not saying more before leaving.

Du Gukang remained silent, looking at the flatbread in his hand. He took a few bites and tore it in half, offering some to Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan took it and broke off the part Du Gukang had bitten, returning it to him.

"I couldn't finish a whole flatbread, so I'm sharing half with you to fill your belly," Du Gukang said, eating and reciting a satirical poem, hoping for Meng Yuan's advice.

"Yesterday we lamented the famine, today we treat hardships as trivial," Meng Yuan took a bite, implying it was no big deal.

Hearing this response, Du Gukang turned to observe Meng Yuan, "You seem to have a natural understanding of the Buddha's teachings and handle matters with ease. Your optimism and open-mindedness show your Buddhist nature."

Meng Yuan laughed as he ate, "I'm not a monk, so it's not my concern. That's why I'm so optimistic and open-minded."

"..." Du Gukang was momentarily stunned, unable to respond.

"But we're poetry friends and kindred spirits. Your matters are my matters," Meng Yuan patted Du Gukang's shoulder earnestly. "Third Miss said you have a pure and kind heart. She didn't ask me to supervise you, only to talk and cheer you up. I also sense your goodness, so I came today to discuss poetry."

"Really?" Du Gukang asked.

"I may not be a monk, but I don't lie," Meng Yuan said.

Du Gukang studied Meng Yuan again, took a bite, and said, "You don't lie, even though you're close to the prince?"

Meng Yuan smiled, "His Highness usually pretends to be foolish, which aligns with Buddhist precepts, right?"

"People only see my appearance, but my heart is pure and without transgressions," Du Gukang said.

Meng Yuan was about to say more, but seeing Du Gukang's expectant look, clearly trying to lure him into a debate, he quickly stopped.

"Since you know he's a monk, can you tell what kind of monk he is?" Meng Yuan asked, tired of the nonsense.

Meng Yuan felt that the recent Buddhist and demonic incidents might be related to Xie Kai Ping. Or perhaps, Xie Kai Ping was a crucial link in these events.

"How did you know he was a monk?" Du Gukang raised his plump hand, extending two fingers. "First, I also practice Buddhism in seclusion, and upon seeing him, I sensed a kindred spirit."

So, they were like-minded.

Meng Yuan waited for the rest of the story, but Du Gukang kept dragging it out, so he sighed, "And the second reason?"

Du Gukang's pure face turned serious, "Second, he just used his heart-sensing secret technique without any signs."

Meng Yuan had witnessed this heart-sensing ability and heard Baoyi Xian and Gong Zi Hua discuss it.

This heart-sensing wasn't about seeing others' thoughts but sensing their emotional and mental changes and using that to act.

Of course, monks of high cultivation could indeed peer into others' thoughts.

Meng Yuan hadn't sensed anything unusual and didn't experience any reincarnation dreams, so he asked, "How did you notice?"

"When he saw me, he also sensed my difference and decided to test me. I realized it immediately," Du Gukang explained.

"His Highness is truly extraordinary," Meng Yuan praised, taking another bite. "How high is his cultivation?"

"At least Seventh Rank," Du Gukang wiped his sweaty forehead. "We both hide our true selves from others, but my mind is empty, without thoughts or desires. I follow the orthodox path of Buddhism. He's more advanced than me, but his mind is restless, agitated, and not empty, so he's less Buddha-like than me."

Meng Yuan nodded slightly, "Even if an orthodox Buddhist has divine abilities, they maintain a sense of emptiness and equality towards all beings, so they wouldn't use their powers to test others."

"Exactly!" Du Gukang affirmed. "Qingguo venerates Confucianism, reveres Taoism, and belittles Buddhism. As the governor's son, he entered the Buddhist path, indicating a demonic nature."

Hearing this, Meng Yuan looked at Du Gukang, "He's the governor's son, and you're of the Imperial Clan."

"..." Du Gukang opened his mouth, whispering, "It's all empty."

"Let's go, I'll go with you to see Third Miss," Meng Yuan said.

"You go, I won't," Du Gukang muttered.

"Are you afraid?" Meng Yuan asked.

"What's there to fear with an empty mind?" Du Gukang forced out.

Meng Yuan didn't ask further, just pulling Du Gukang along.

They ate and walked.

When they reached the Tranquil Garden gate, they had finished the flatbread.

Without looking for the plum tree, they asked the young maid at the entrance to pass on a message. After a while, they were allowed in.

They arrived at the pavilion and saw Ying Ruisi in a Taoist robe, sitting leisurely with a book.

"You two came together to discuss poetry? Unfortunately, I'm not skilled in that art," Ying Ruisi waved away the maids.

Seeing the Third Miss without a hint of royal grace, Meng Yuan remained silent, observing Du Gukang.

Du Gu Kang's maid bowed and clasped her hands together under the pavilion, saying, "Amitabha, Miss Ying, my matter has been resolved."

Ying Ruisi glanced at Meng Yuan.

"I was discussing poetry with the Young Master, and I did nothing wrong. He confessed directly." Meng Yuan also looked innocent.

Hearing this, Ying Ruisi chuckled, "With a heart for Buddhism, yet lacking in true nature. Well-versed in sutras, but missing the essence of emptiness. I think you should go out and wander as a wandering monk, to temper yourself."

"I came to seek Miss Ying's advice," Du Gu Kang said, lacking any semblance of a monk. His voice was low and humble, but he didn't continue, only turning to look at Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan stepped forward and said, "Zhifu's eldest son, Xie Kai Ping, came to inquire about his brother Xie Shen. The Young Master happened to be with him, and they both know that the other is a monk. Moreover, they fought using their heart connection."

Meng Yuan added, "The Young Master deduced that Xie Kai Ping has strayed from the right path. It's not orthodox Buddhism and may be related to the demon and Luo Mu's affair."

"Should I go out and avoid them?" Du Gu Kang asked.

"Xie Kai Ping cultivates an unorthodox method. He should be the one afraid, not you. Even if the matter is exposed, could they kill you? With such a mind, you might as well give up on Buddhism. It's embarrassing to spread such a story."

Ying Ruisi put down her book, appearing indifferent, "Look at your poet friend, engaging in murder and arson, yet he seems purer than you."

"..." Du Gu Kang lowered his head and glanced at Meng Yuan, but Meng Yuan's expression was calm, as if the words didn't concern him.

"If I'm right, Xie Kai Ping will likely leave to avoid implicating Zhifu. Go back to your poetry and Buddhism."

Even when she was chasing him away, she didn't forget to mock him.

"Yes." Du Gu Kang bowed halfway and then clasped his hands together.

Just as Meng Yuan was about to leave, he heard Ying Ruisi speak, "Meng Yuan, stay."

It seemed she was about to impart some important information, and Meng Yuan quickly stood at attention.

"Prince Xin's residence is small, and the highest-ranked person here is a Seventh Rank officer with no hope of promotion. Above that, people wouldn't even consider this place." Ying Ruisi looked at her book, saying calmly, "Nie Yanian said you're a man of action, and Chen Shouzhuo also spoke highly of your ability to handle matters. What are your plans for the future?"

"I'll follow the Third Miss's arrangements," Meng Yuan replied.

"Nie Yanian wanted you to stay at the Prince's residence for a while longer, but with your Seventh Rank promotion imminent, this place lacks the necessary challenges. What future is there in being a bodyguard?" Ying Ruisi looked at Meng Yuan and said, "A young man like you should have lofty ambitions and strive upward. Do you want to join the Demon Suppressing Bureau?"

Meng Yuan wanted to cultivate his essence fire, and the Demon Suppressing Bureau was indeed an excellent place. More importantly, as long as one made contributions in the Demon Suppressing Bureau, they could learn the Heavenly Insight Map cultivation technique.

The Flying Cotton Technique and Gale Blade Technique that Master Nie had previously taught were also the martial arts of the Demon Suppressing Bureau, and outsiders were not allowed to learn them. However, the Heavenly Insight Map could not be taught to outsiders. Techniques like Spring Thunder and Floating Light Cavern could only be learned by members of the Demon Suppressing Bureau.

Moreover, being a bodyguard was a job with limited prospects. But if he joined the Demon Suppressing Bureau, he would still be under the Third Miss, and in the future, he could rely on her influence to rise further.

"I do," Meng Yuan replied, not wanting to play dumb in front of a smart person.

Ying Ruisi smiled and nodded, "Wait for Nie Yanian's arrangements."

She lowered her head to read her book again, indicating that the conversation was over and he could leave.

"Third Miss, what should we do about Xie Kai Ping's unorthodox behavior?" Meng Yuan asked, seeing the afternoon sun shining on the steps, and Ying Ruisi, like a fairy amidst the flowers and trees of Yaochi, serene and unbothered, making him reluctant to leave.

"Xie Kai Ping will surely hide his tracks. Without evidence, what can we do?" Ying Ruisi continued reading her book. Seeing Meng Yuan's attentive expression, she said, "Rest assured, I'll spread the word about this matter, and someone will handle it. Once you join the Demon Suppressing Bureau, you can investigate it further."

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"Third Miss, why are the demon and Luo Mu so persistent in spreading their teachings?" Meng Yuan asked again.

"Buddhism aims to save all beings, so naturally, Buddhist disciples will go out into the world. But saving all beings is no easy task. The monks in this world can't even save themselves, let alone save others or all beings?"

Seeing Meng Yuan's sincere attention, she continued, "Saving all beings is the grand aspiration of high-ranking Buddhist monks, striving for the realm of ultimate bliss. Why do Buddhist disciples, after reaching a certain rank, establish such aspirations? It's because, in Buddhism, to enter the upper three ranks, one must set and fulfill grand aspirations. Isn't this also a matter of following the example from above?"

"So that's how it is," Meng Yuan said, seeing there was nothing more to ask. He cupped his hands and said, "Third Miss, what will I do after joining the garrison?"

"Just do your work diligently," Ying Ruisi replied.

Meng Yuan saw that she didn't want to talk further, so he cupped his hands and took his leave.)



After leaving Tranquil Garden, Du Gu Kang was still waiting. His expression seemed relieved, as if he had regained his spirits after receiving comfort from Ying Ruisi.

"Daoist friend Meng, would you like to appreciate some tea?" Du Gu Kang asked eagerly.

Meng Yuan had no intention of engaging in witty banter. At this moment, he just wanted to give the hairpin to Nie Qingqing and then go home to practice martial arts.

"Young Master, I'm not skilled in this art," Meng Yuan declined.

"When others are around, you call me Young Master, and I don't pick on you. Now that we're alone, what should I call you?" Du Gu Kang's eyes burned with intensity.

"Little Master Kong?" Meng Yuan suggested.

"Ah!" Du Gu Kang's entire being seemed refreshed.

Meng Yuan truly didn't want to associate with monks, especially unreliable ones like Du Gu Kang. He directly stated his request, "Lend me some money."

"Huh?" Du Gu Kang was completely dumbfounded.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end