Chapter 13: How Can the World Have a Perfect Solution? (13)

Chapter 13: How Can the World Have a Perfect Solution? (13)

Wuchen's hands stiffened as he tried to push away the female donor on him, but Zhen Shan, who had found a warm and comforting haven, naturally refused to let go. She clung tightly around his neck, whimpering pitifully, "Don't go, don't go, it's cold... cold..."

Seeing her sobbing softly again, Wuchen helplessly dropped his hands and sighed a Buddhist chant.

Fortunately, no one else was here, or Zhen Shan's reputation would be ruined.

Tonight's actions were solely for saving Zhen Shan, not out of any intention to offend the female donor or due to any impure thoughts in his heart. He hoped Buddha would show mercy. Upon returning, he would observe religious fasting and confess his sins to Buddha. Amitabha.

"O Avalokiteshvara, when practicing the profound Prajnaparamita, you see through the five aggregates as empty, thus liberating all from suffering. Sariputra, form is no different from emptiness, and emptiness is no different from form. Form is emptiness, and emptiness is form..."

Throughout the night, Wuchen remained still in that position, with a fragrant and soft body in his arms. His expression, however, was filled with compassionate clarity, untainted by any secular desires. With closed eyes, he fingered his prayer beads and recited the sutra in a low, ethereal voice that echoed through the cave, seemingly testifying to the purity and unwavering nature of his Buddhist heart.

In the meantime, the Empress nestled comfortably in the little monk's warm embrace, listening to his soothing chanting, sleeping peacefully and without guilt.

However, the gap in her sea of consciousness almost cried itself into a mess, especially when it saw that the crystal heart remained stubbornly golden. It gritted its teeth in frustration.

This little monk really didn't know how fortunate he was!

Indeed, could Wuchen's Buddhist heart be truly impervious to any disturbance?

Perhaps so!

...

The next morning, as dawn broke, Zhen Shan opened her eyes. Her phoenix-like eyes held a hint of confusion, and her rosy cheeks lent her an enchanting, dazed appearance.

She sat up slowly, massaging her forehead before lifting her gaze to survey her surroundings.

The cave was empty; the little monk was nowhere to be seen. She found herself sitting on a pile of straw, covered with the little monk's outer robe. The firewood nearby still glowed with embers.

Zhen Shan looked at the gray monk's robe adorning her body. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, wondering if the subtle sandalwood fragrance lingering around her nose came from the little monk's garment or some other source.

The Empress faintly curved her lips, lifting her hand to roll up her sleeve. She gazed at the strip of cloth tied around her right wrist, torn from the little monk's robe, and the corners of her mouth lifted even more.

At that moment, the cave dimmed slightly as the little monk returned from outside.

Bathed in the early morning light, he stood tall and graceful, a captivating sight.

Upon seeing Zhen Shan awaken, Wuchen's clear eyes seemed to flash with a hint of awkwardness. Then, he returned to his role as the enlightened and compassionate Buddhist disciple. "Amitabha, Miss Zhen has awoken. Does any part of your body still feel uncomfortable?"

Zhen Shan replied with some embarrassment, "I'm already fine. I caused trouble for Master Wuchen yesterday."

Seeing that her expression was unchanged and she seemed to have no recollection of what happened after she passed out, Wuchen felt a wave of relief wash over him.

He was a monk who could put everything into perspective, but she was just an ordinary girl. He was afraid that she might dwell on the incident and become troubled.

"Miss Zhen is too courteous. If not for my carelessness, you wouldn't have been injured. However, next time, please do not take such risks again."

"I can't just stand by and watch Master Wuchen get hurt. As long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

The woman smiled gently. She truly valued his life more than her own. As long as he was unharmed, it was a peaceful and sunny day for her.

Wuchen was slightly startled. He recalled how vulnerable and fragile the woman had been, curled up in his arms the previous day. Now, she was gentle and warm, smiling calmly.

Was she concealing all her pain, yet showing him, a monk, her full concern?

For some reason, Wuchen felt as if a tiny needle had pricked his heart, causing a faint, unfamiliar ache that quickly vanished. It was a sensation he couldn't grasp.

Or perhaps, the current Wuchen does not understand and has no intention to explore.

They gazed at each other in silence, one with a gentle smile, hiding undefined feelings, the other with an enlightened Buddhist heart, unintentionally entangled in the mortal world.

A subtle warmth enveloped them!

Like the freshness of morning dew, something was gradually transforming.

...