Shui Yun’er has just alighted the carriage, when a quick-witted looking boy dressed in white clothing quickly welcomed them.
With an impeccable smile on his face, the boy cupped his hands and looked around at Merak Temple’s people.
“I am Ye Fengling, an inner disciple of Leisure Manor, I am responsible for Leisure Inn during Martial Demon Trial by Fire.”
Speaking till here, he suddenly took Shui Yun’er’s hands out of nowhere.
“It’s an honor to be able to to meet you, Temple Master Qi! In the past, I often heard that you’re as beautiful as a fairy! Today I can ascertain myself that it really is the case – no, the rumor doesn’t do your beauty justice!”
Probably because Shui Yun’er got off the carriage before Qi Qiqi, Ye Fengling has mistaken her for the Temple Master.
When Qi Qiqi who had just put one leg on the ground saw this, she almost fell off the carriage.
“Thank you for your praise.”
Shui Yun’er nodded generously and expressed her thanks, and then added a few words – but I’m not the Temple Master.
With a cry, Ye Fengling suddenly froze.
“This is our Temple Master.”
Shui Yun’er laughed up her sleeve and pointed to Qi Qiqi who has just steadied herself.
Ye Fengling said “I see”, and then immediately released Shui Yun’er’s hands and switched to grab Qi Qiqi’s hands, who just alighted the carriage and is standing behind Shui Yun’er.
“Ah, I’m truly foolish! I’m sorry, Temple Master Qi, it’s the fault of my eyes that are as small as your chest, making me miss your beauty that can cause the downfall of a dynasty.”
Hearing this, Shui Yun’er standing next to them quickly stepped back by a few steps.
Patience, patience! The corners of Qi Qiqi’s eyes twitched. Taking deep breaths, she resisted the urge to unsheathe her sword. If not for the fact that she has to keep up appearances as the Temple Master, she might have already drawn her sword.
“Did you say something rude?”
Qi Qiqi asked with a fake smile.
“No, no, absolutely not!”
Ye Fengling waved hands, but then immediately showed an indignant expression.
“Rumors are apples, you can’t believe them!”
Do false rumors have any relation to apples? Qi Qiqi can’t make heads or tail of it.
“What beautiful as a fairy, it’s just a bunch of hot air!”
Hearing this, Qi Qiqi’s face darkened immediately. Although she is not proud of her beauty, but she also doesn’t like being called ugly.
“I think that the rumor must have been spread by some idiot. Even if all the words describing beauty are enumerated, none of them can match your beauty, Temple Master Qi!”
Shui Yun’er couldn’t help herself from laughing.
Qi Qiqi looked at the boy who is a bit shorter than herself gloomily, not knowing what to do. However, Ye Fengling didn’t notice her helplessness, and lavished her with praises, praising Qi Qiqi’s looks to the high Heavens.
Hearing the other party claim that she’s more beautiful than Xi Shi [1], Qi Qiqi’s embarrassment finally broke the critical point.
“Stop, enough!”
Ye Fengling looked at Qi Qiqi blankly, a puzzled expression on his face, as if saying that he hadn’t finished yet.
“We are tired from the long journey. If you don’t mind, Young Man Ye, can you handle our check in first?”
Qi Qiqi was very cautious when she spoke, afraid that she might accidentally say something that should not be said. For example – is there something wrong with your head?
“Oh, I almost forgot!”
Ye Fengling slapped his forehead.
Then he made an inviting gesture.
“Please, this way, I have prepared four first-rate independent courtyard houses for you. All the procedures have already been completed.”
With Ye Fengling taking the lead, the people from Merak Temple headed by Qi Qiqi finally stepped into Leisure Inn.
“Younger Sister Shui, you’re not very kind”
Pouting, Qi Qiqi approached Shui Yun’er’s ear and complained in a low voice.
“Older Sister Qi, are you referring to the exaggerated praises just now? I’m not really in the position to speak up…”
Shui Yun’er showed a bitter smile, yet there is a trace of complacency in her eyes.
Not easy to deal! Qi Qiqi rolled her eyes in anger, but she still didn’t point out Shui Yun’er’s mischief.
After passing through the front hall, they walked down a promenade [2].
At this time, a strangely dressed person appeared on the other end of the promenade.
“Hmm?”
Qi Qiqi stopped and looked at the oncoming person in astonishment.
It is a man wearing a bamboo hat.
He has a prominent nose and deep-set eyes, his features far less soft than those of people from Hua Dynasty. He’s evidently someone from a foreign nation. The most striking thing about him is probably his clothing.
Underneath a black Haiqing [3], a white robe with a gold Kasaya [4] on top are exposed. This is a typical Buddhist vestment.
This person is clearly a monk. Furthermore, he’s…
“Someone from Vajrayana Buddhism?”
The only Buddhist school of thought in Hua Dynasty is Zen Buddhism.
This school of thought was once mainstream. But because of Hua Dynasty’s policy of favoring Daoism over Buddhism, it gradually declined. Its most famous sect Seven Lotus Monastery dropped out from the Five Great Sects and sank down to a second-class sect 200 years ago, giving way to One Dao Church.
Unlike Zen Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism is a school of thought belonging to the Western Regions.
Vajrayana Buddhism practices the unique martial arts Mantra Mahamudra [5] [6] and Imperishable Vajra Body, which are most Yang [7] and hard martial arts under the Heavens. In the Western Regions, where Buddhism has been emphasized since ancient time, Vajrayana Buddhism has been developing well up to the present day. Now it has by far surpassed Zen Buddhism in terms of status and strength, and it has even surpassed any one of the Five Great Sects who have experienced the “Martial Disaster”.
Unlike Zen Buddhism’s, their Haiqing generally has black as the basis.
The Vajrayana monk stopped in front of Merak Temple’s people and put his palms together devoutly in a greeting.
“Good luck and happiness to you.”
The monk spoke in the Western Regions’ language, which only Qi Qiqi understands.
“Good luck and happiness to you.”
Qi Qiqi responded in Hua Dynasty’s language. She didn’t cup her hands [8] as customary between martial practitioners, but clasped her hands [9] according to Hua Dynasty’s etiquette.
The monk smiled, and then walked around Qi Qiqi.
Qi Qiqi watched him leave.
“People of Vajrayana Buddhism are pear cacti, they have thorns! I’m afraid that their arrival is not a good sign!”
Ye Fengling sighed, and Qi Qiqi frowned involuntarily.
“Why did Leisure Manor receive them?”
In fact, this question is a bit rude.
“The Manor Master’s idea of neutrality is absolute neutrality.”
“I’m sorry, it was rude of me.”
Qi Qiqi exhaled heavily.
Why did people of Vajrayana Buddhism come here? She’s more doubtful than surprised.
As they are from the Western Regions, people from Vajrayana Buddhism have never participated in Hua Dynasty’s Martial Demon Realm Trial by Fire. After all, Martial Demon Realm is classified as Hua Dynasty’s territory.
However, why did people of Vajrayana Buddhism appear in Hua Dynasty this time? Could it be that they are seizing this opportunity to check whether Hua Dynasty’s sects have recovered their vitality?
No, perhaps they saw that the Five Great Sects haven’t completely recovered yet, and so want to intervene in Hua Dynasty’s Martial World! Watching the back of the Vajrayana monk with a gleam in her eyes, Qi Qiqi couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.
If she didn’t guess wrong, then Hua Dynasty’s Martial World will probably fall on hard times again.
The sole Grandmaster in Hua Dynasty is Spirit Moon Valley’s Beiming Youyu. However, due to being a martial demon, her relationship with humans has always been lukewarm. If the other four sects are attacked by Vajrayana Buddhism, it’s still unknown whether she will take into account the fact that they are fellow countrymen and help them out. Conversely, Western Regions’ Vajrayana Buddhism has given rise to a Grandmaster 20 years ago, and gradually became stronger. They have indirectly intervened in the affairs Hua Dynasty’s Martial World on numerous occasions.
If they really intend to infiltrate Hua Dynasty’s Martial World, how should Merak Temple deal with them?
Thinking till here, Qi Qiqi can’t help worrying.
Since Merak Temple is part of the Five Great Sects, they are responsible for upholding the corresponding obligations. When Martial World faced the Martial Disaster, they stepped forward bravely.
Qi Qiqi waited for the Vajrayana monk to disappear from her sight before setting off on her way again.
[1] – Xi Shi
[2] – Promenade
[3] – Haiqing
[4] – Kasaya
[5] – Mantra
[6] – Mahamudra
[7] – Yang
[8] – Cup hands
[9] – Clasp hands