Chapter 1472 - 798: Xiao Chen and Yi (Two-in-One)

Qinglong Temple.

The sun leaned westward, yet it wasn't twilight, but the temple was already bustling with people, bustling shoulder to shoulder. Ever since Master Huipu gained fame, the incense offerings at Qinglong Temple had grown increasingly, and today there were rumors that the Master would open a lecture on the Lotus Sutra, causing a stir throughout the city.

From the luxurious chariots of the noble families to the crude donkey carts of the commoners, the road before the temple was jammed completely, and as soon as the temple gates opened, the crowd surged in like a tide.

Inside the Great Hall, the gilded incense burner before the Three Body Buddha Statue was already filled with incense sticks, the blue smoke swirling, nearly obscuring the Buddha's face, and even the Eighteen Arhats, which were usually not visited, had an endless stream of incense offerings.

The crowd was overwhelming, and the Guest Monk and the Martial Monks had to wield shoulder-level sticks to maintain order amidst the throngs, and countless people from Chang'an City abandoned their tasks just to squeeze into Qinglong Temple to listen to the Supreme Skill from Huipu's mouth, hoping to accumulate Infinite Merit.

Deep within the din, under a secluded and deserted corridor in the temple's rear garden, Master Huipu had donned his brand-new golden thread kasaya, his demeanor still dignified, but his brow lacked the compassion for the world, replaced by some solemnity and calculation.

Before him stood a figure against the light.

The man was not tall, slightly stooped, wearing an ordinary deep blue silk shirt typically worn by wealthy household housekeepers, with fair, clean-shaven skin, fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, and hands tucked in his sleeves, speaking in a sharp, low voice,

"Master, after today's ritual, the Chu Palace sent me to ask again, how prepared is the blood food for those Protective Ghost Gods? The noble is starting to get impatient."

Master Huipu clasped his hands and lowered his eyes, saying: "Amitabha Buddha. Please reassure the Steward, inform the noble that everything is under control. To the families who invited our temple's people to perform rituals, the array is complete, the Earth Veins' yin energy and these wealthy families' auspicious life energies intersect, providing nourishment. At my lectures under the pretense of blessing, I guide the believers' Desire Power, the blood food is nearly perfected, just waiting for... the right time to rise, to tribute to those Protective Ghost Gods, aiding the noble in success."

"Hmm," the eunuch let out a soft nasal hum, his fair face showing little expression, "You're steady, but just afraid you're too slow. You must realize, your reputation in Chang'an City, the incense at Qinglong Temple, even the golden thread kasaya granted by the throne... none would be here without Chu Palace's covert arrangements and the noble's approval?"

"The Steward's lesson is noted. I dare not forget the noble's kindness and support. The blood food matter is crucial, I'm cautious day and night, absolutely no mistake."

"As long as you understand the gravity. The noble is now traveling outside with the holy entourage, making others jealous. Some old ministers, some brothers, might not wish to see the noble return smoothly. Those Protective Ghost Gods were painstakingly invited by the noble... "

He paused, seeming to avoid certain words,

"...invited to rely on, if the blood food has any mistake, angering Them, or delaying the noble's major affairs... even if you were truly the Buddha reincarnated, you wouldn't be spared."

"I understand," Huipu bowed slightly, "Please tell the noble that I will not disappoint, the array among the households in Chang'an is solid, the aura cloaking is perfect, nobody would suspect, just waiting... for the holy entourage to return to the capital, then success is assured."

The eunuch stared at him for a few breaths, then slowly nodded: "Do your part, I will report truthfully. The noble... has placed high hopes in you."

Just then, footsteps came from the other end of the corridor and the respectful call of a young monk could vaguely be heard: "Uncle Master! Uncle Master! The hour is drawing near, the believers are growing impatient..."

Master Huipu immediately lifted his head, clasped his hands to the eunuch, saying, "Steward, the ritual hour has arrived, I must ascend the stage to lecture. After today, the believers' Desire Power will increase, offering small assistance to the array. Steward, please go back first."

The eunuch, hearing this, softly hummed again, flicking his sleeves, "Don't neglect Chu Palace's major affairs just for the transient riches and scorns of being pursued by thousands today. Today you lecture for merit, Chu Palace can grant you greater merit later, don't forget your duty..."

He didn't finish, only cast a deep glance at Huipu, turned around, flicked his sleeve, and disappeared quickly into the depths of the bamboo shadows.

Master Huipu stood in place, gazing toward where the eunuch vanished, his eyes profound and hard to understand.

The call of monks approached from afar, he drew a deep breath, adjusted his dazzling kasaya,

"Merit... Infinite Merit..."

Years of painstaking Buddhist practice, traveling from the Western Regions, humiliated by poverty and abuse, amid good Buddhist Law, no one cared to listen.

Once entering the palace to chant scriptures, boundless merit was obtained.

"Enough, enough, some minor sin,

Once gaining True Dragon, merit becomes even more infinite."

.........

In truth, Yin Weiyin quietly observed the aura from the moment they stepped through the gates into Zhang Mansion earlier.

This grand, ornate, and tranquil mansion was unexpectedly shrouded in a layer of faint yet persistent bleakness, like a winter morning mist clinging to the rooftops and beams.

On the way, the housekeeper mentioned Mr. Zhang Sr. was over eighty years old, the Zhang family being a home of four generations under one roof. Doing good and accumulating virtue naturally leads to blessings, this is common worldly truth, so being enveloped by such a deathly aura is quite unreasonable.

She knew what she observed, Chen Yi most likely noticed as well, between husband and wife, there was no need for further explanation.

"Xiao Yi, let's commence the ritual, slay demons and eliminate evil."

Chen Yi's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly at the phrase "Xiao Yi."

His Great Yin... lately, whenever an opportunity arises, she takes advantage, openly or subtly insisting on taking the elder sister position.