Chapter 362: Going on a Long Journey to Spread the Dharma

Chapter 362: Going on a Long Journey to Spread the Dharma

Li Bihan sat patiently on the prayer mat. Finally, the old monk finished chanting the sutras.

Master Yuanqing finished his lecture and slowly stood up. Cheng Yunshuo approached him to ask questions.

"Abbot, these past few days, chanting sutras with you daily has made me feel physically and mentally refreshed."

Master Yuanqing smiled deeply, "Benefactor Cheng, as I’ve said before, you have a deep affinity with Buddhism."

Cheng Yunshuo, however, shook his head in confusion, "No, I find much of the Buddhist scriptures hard to grasp. For example, in the Heart Sutra, what does it mean when it says 'form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form, form is emptiness, emptiness is form'?"

Li Bihan, waiting in the back, couldn’t sit still any longer upon hearing this talk of form and emptiness.

She stepped forward and said, "Crown Prince, I have something to discuss with you."

"We’ll talk about it later. Can't you see I'm consulting Master Yuanqing?"

Listening to his words, Li Bihan was furious inside. Consulting? Give me a break!

She’d never seen him seek advice on scholarly or official matters.

If he focused on the right path, he could excel as an imperial guard!

All he does all day is hang out with women in the inner chambers or listen to monks chant sutras—utterly lacking ambition!

She cursed him inwardly, but her face grew even more charming and expressive.

"Crown Prince, I have something to say, please listen..."

She mimicked Xing Dairong, whom she’d heard about, and gave him a playful look.

In the grand temple hall, a golden Buddha statue loomed behind Cheng Yunshuo, while in front of him, someone flirted coquettishly.

Cheng Yunshuo, looking at the woman before him—her appearance restored, even more youthful than before—was momentarily at a loss.

At this moment, a young monk approached Master Yuanqing.

"Abbot, in a few days, you’ll be heading to the Western Regions to spread the Dharma. There are still a few matters here that need to be discussed with you."

The young monk’s words snapped Cheng Yunshuo out of his thoughts. He turned and asked, "Master Yuanqing, are you going to the Western Regions in a few days?"

"Indeed, Amitabha." Master Yuanqing still smiled at him, his clear, wise eyes met Cheng Yunshuo’s, then shifted to the woman beside him, who was secretly gnashing her teeth, her eyes burning with jealousy and unfulfilled desires.

"This old monk’s journey to the Western Regions to spread the Dharma will take five to ten years. The question you asked, Benefactor Cheng, I hope you’ll have found the answer by the next time we meet. This old monk has other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."

After saying this, Master Yuanqing left with the young monk.

When Li Bihan heard that the old bald monk Yuanqing was leaving for five to ten years, her eyes lit up.

Great, she’d finally outlasted him.

It was practically a self-inflicted defeat.

And he was going away for so long. By the time he returned, Cheng Yunshuo might’ve already forgotten him.

He probably wouldn’t even care about this rundown temple anymore.

While Li Bihan was secretly delighted, Cheng Yunshuo felt deeply disappointed.

Five years, ten years!

How many five or ten years does a person have!

He finally found a spiritual haven in the mortal world, and now he’s about to leave.

He watched the back of Master Yuanqing as he walked towards the side door near the golden, radiant Buddha statue. The majestic and benevolent Buddha gave him a dazzling smile.

A flash of golden light, a moment of profound emptiness.

So serene and magnanimous, towering above the mundane world.

As if all worldly concerns seemed utterly insignificant before the divine Buddha, like grains of sand in the vast ocean, not worth mentioning. Only the boundless, eternal, and loving deity before him, guiding and saving all humanity.

At that moment, Cheng Yunshuo suddenly felt an impulse to join him on his journey to spread the teachings.

Just then, Li Bihan's voice came from behind him.

"Crown Prince."

Li Bihan's voice instantly shattered his peaceful reverie.

Cheng Yunshuo snapped out of his daze, and before him was the bustling world again, the woman he had vowed under much pressure to take as his last concubine.

Her powdered face, vivid and lively.

"Crown Prince, I really have something to say," Li Bihan cooed at him.

"Alright, let's talk when we get back," Cheng Yunshuo replied.

He and Li Bihan returned to the small courtyard at the back.

Typically, temples do not permit female devotees to stay overnight. Li Bihan stayed with Cheng Yunshuo in the side rooms of the back courtyard. However, since the temple is a place of abstinence, each person had their own separate room.

Li Bihan entered Cheng Yunshuo's room.

"What do you want to say?" Cheng Yunshuo asked.

"Crown Prince, we've been at Guangji Temple for quite some time now," Li Bihan said gently, her hand unconsciously rested on his shoulder, giving him a gentle massage. "There must be many things to attend to back at the estate. Master Yuanqing is also embarking on a long journey. When are we going back?"

If Li Bihan had asked this earlier, Cheng Yunshuo would have surely said that Lingyun would handle everything.

But today, upon learning that Master Yuanqing was leaving and would no longer be at Guangji Temple, Cheng Yunshuo had to seriously consider this issue.

Should they continue staying at Guangji Temple, or...

"We have been away for quite some time, and Master Yuanqing is also leaving."

Li Bihan was delighted, expecting to hear when they would return, but then Cheng Yunshuo seemed to have a sudden inspiration.

"But with Lingyun managing the estate, there shouldn't be any major problems. Instead, why don't we join Master Yuanqing on his journey to the Western Regions!"

Li Bihan was speechless.

"I've never been to the Western Regions. Let's travel there. We can assist Master Yuanqing in spreading the teachings of Buddhism and also broaden our horizons!"

Li Bihan was speechless.

Spread the teachings of Buddhism, my ass!

As the heir of the Marquis's Mansion, instead of enjoying the blessings of his privileged birth, he spends his days indulging in all sorts of nonsense!

Besides, if she goes with Cheng Yunshuo, what will become of her son?

If she follows Cheng Yunshuo, her son will truly fall into Lu Lingyun's hands. Who knows how Lu Lingyun will treat her son over five or ten years! When she returns, her son will surely be ruined!

Even if he isn’t ruined, there’s no point in trying to get him back.

This mission to the Western Regions to propagate Buddhism must not happen!

"Heir, how can you think like this!" Li Bihan suppressed her anger, "Promoting Buddhism will take at least a year or two, and it’s to the Western Regions. The journey is long and perilous, with deserts and conflicts along the way. How can someone of your high status venture into such a perilous place!"

After listening, Cheng Yunshuo pondered, "You have a point. I’ll ask Master Yuanqing about his route and whether we should bring more guards."

Li Bihan: "..."

Cheng Yunshuo, while carefree, also has a strong sense of safety.

Soon, Qingfeng ran back and told him, "Heir, Master Yuanqing said he has traveled the western route several times and has found a very safe path. He avoids the northern frontier and deserts, entering Sichuan via the Shu Road, climbing the snowy mountains into Tibet after reaching Xikang, bypassing all war zones. It’s quite safe, so there’s no need for guards. However, because it avoids war zones, the journey is tough, and we must walk alone to the Western Regions."