Chapter 218 Entering the Nunnery

Chapter 218: Entering the Nunnery

The group approached the entrance of the nunnery, where the elderly nun Hui Ru had been waiting for some time.

"Esteemed guests, the vegetarian meal has long been prepared, but it cannot compare to the fine cuisine in Beijing; these are merely ordinary meals."

"No need for formalities," Yan Sanhe interrupted. "When was Water Moon Nunnery built, and what was its predecessor?"

Hui Ru did not expect such a sudden question. She hurriedly replied, "Water Moon Nunnery has existed since the previous dynasty. It was built as a nunnery and has remained unchanged through centuries of wind and rain."

Yan Sanhe surveyed the walls and tiles. "It seems to have been recently renovated?"

Hui Ru admitted, "I won't hide it from you, Miss. It was indeed refurbished because it was too old. When it rained outside, it rained inside as well, making it uninhabitable."

Yan Sanhe asked, "How many nuns reside here?"

Hui Ru responded, "There aren't many nuns at Water Moon Nunnery; fewer than forty."

Yan Sanhe was somewhat surprised. "So few?"

"You must understand, Miss, there are several nuns' quarters in Imperial City, all located near temples. They receive more offerings and incense than we do, so many people prefer to take vows there."

"Why is that?"

"In truth, I've seen many like the Fourth Lady. After experiencing some distress, they decide to become nuns, claiming to seek spiritual purity, but their hearts remain entangled in worldly affairs, unable to find true peace."

Yan Sanhe thought about how the Ji family insisted on sending the Fourth Lady here and understood a bit more.

In this world, there are genuine monks and fake monks; genuine nuns and fake nuns.

Fake nuns, unable to endure hardship and poverty, naturally gravitate towards places with abundant offerings.

"So, those who stay at Water Moon Nunnery are truly detached from worldly affairs?"

"Yes."

"Then why did Jing Chen dress herself up before passing away?"

Yan Sanhe suddenly asked, "Someone who has transcended worldly desires wouldn't do that, would they?"

Hui Ru was taken aback, her face turning slightly pale.

Yan Sanhe looked at her coldly but spoke gently. "No rush, you can tell me the answer later."

Hui Ru fell silent and nodded.

The two leading figures stopped talking, but the two following exchanged glances.

Pei Xiao: Xie Wushi, have you noticed that the Divine Fortune-Teller treats men and women differently?

Xie Zhifei: Yes!

Pei Xiao: She never gave my uncle a good look.

Xie Zhifei: Oh!

Pei Xiao: Do you think she dislikes men and prefers women?

Xie Zhifei: What?

Pei Xiao: What 'what'? Be serious; this concerns my life!

Xie Zhifei's patience reached its limit, and he grabbed Pei Xiao by the neck, lowering his voice.

"Pei Mingting, let me be very clear with you. I came to Water Moon Nunnery amidst a pile of work, not to listen to your nonsense. Keep an eye on her."

He meant Yan Sanhe.

Xu Sheng had tried to harm Yan Sanhe multiple times, clearly harboring intentions.

Men understand other men; the more unattainable something is, the more they desire it.

Especially since Xu Sheng became a eunuch because of Yan Sanhe, his obsession had likely turned into a deep-seated hatred.

Pei Xiao rolled her eyes silently.

Of course!

If not for his wife's safety, he wouldn't be suffering in this godforsaken place!

He hated vegetarian meals more than anything else.

...

The vegetarian meal was indeed simple: four vegetable dishes, a bowl of thin porridge, and two steamed buns per person.

After eating, Hui Ru instructed a young nun nearby and led the group out the back door of Water Moon Nunnery, carrying a white lantern.

"The cemetery is halfway up the mountain. All the deceased nuns from Water Moon Nunnery are buried there, making it convenient for tomb-sweeping during Qingming Festival and offering incense during the Ghost Festival."

Yan Sanhe asked, "Do their families come to visit their graves?"

Hui Ru was once again taken aback. She realized that this Miss Yan's questions were always unexpected yet reasonable.

"They don't."

"Why not?"

"Some live solitary lives; some cut ties with their families; some are abandoned by their loved ones..."

Hui Ru sighed, "Miss Yan, when I said we are all suffering souls, it wasn't a lie. Without experiencing heart-wrenching pain, how could one achieve enlightenment and enter the monastic life?"

From this, it was clear that Jing Chen's inner demon lay in the secular world—Yan Sanhe made this judgment based on her words.

After nearly half an hour, the graves of Water Moon Nunnery came into view.

This time, not only did Pei Xiao feel her scalp tingle, but even the usually fearless Xie Zhifei broke out in goosebumps—

An entire hillside was filled with nun's graves.

Amitabha!

Pei Xiao clung tightly to Xie Zhifei's arm.

Thankfully, I brought my Five Emperors' coins, the Diamond Sutra, and talismans today. Otherwise, with my pure yang body, I wouldn't be able to suppress the evil spirits.

Among the old graves, a new one stood out prominently.

Yan Sanhe pointed, "Is it that one?"

Hui Ru: "Yes."

Yan Sanhe exchanged a glance with Li Buyan, who then blew out the lantern in his hand and tossed it towards Xie Zhifei.

"Third Master, catch."

As Xie Zhifei caught the lantern, a certain yang individual had already jumped onto him.

With such cowardice, do you think you can match up to Yan Sanhe?

Xie Zhifei's lips curled into a mischievous smile, thinking: Brother, I won't compete with you; you should just give up!

"Miss, I'll go down first."

Li Buyan leaped down, using his strength to fully open the coffin lid that hadn't been properly closed.

Bathed in the pale moonlight, Jing Chen's corpse lay exposed, wearing a gray nun's robe that glowed with a cold, eerie light.

Her face was covered in a mist that was neither fog nor smoke, making it impossible to discern her features from her lifetime.

My Guanyin Bodhisattva!

My Buddha!

My Bodhi Immortal!

Pei Xiao couldn't bear to look anymore and silently called upon the deities.

Xie Zhifei, however, kept his eyes fixed on the black mist.

It wasn't because he was brave; after accompanying Yan Sanhe twice to resolve spiritual disturbances, he suddenly felt that sometimes ghosts were kinder than humans, at least they didn't harm others.

"Miss!" Li Buyan extended his hand.

Yan Sanhe took it, using his strength to leap lightly.

Once she landed, she rolled up her sleeves and reached into the coffin.

The black mist that had been hovering over Jing Chen's face immediately wrapped around Yan Sanhe's forearm.

Unlike the black mist from Old Lady Ji, this one seemed gentler, slowly enveloping Yan Sanhe.

Cold blood rushed to Xie Zhifei's head.

Last time, he and Pei Mingting had stayed far away and only saw a vague outline, but now, being so close, the black mist looked like it was dragging Yan Sanhe into eternal hell.

He clenched his fists tightly, suppressing a scream.

"Jing Chen, don't be afraid, I'm here."

Yan Sanhe's voice was as gentle as water, almost like a lover's whisper, "Come, tell me, what is it you can't let go of?"

She placed her hand over Jing Chen's eyes and slowly closed her own.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Yan Sanhe.

One moment;

Two moments;

Three moments;

Yan Sanhe's originally relaxed brows furrowed tighter and tighter, and a strange expression appeared on her face.