My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 303 - 302: Even the Buddhist Sect Leader Dares Not Accept Her Salutations

Chapter 303: Chapter 302: Even the Buddhist Sect Leader Dares Not Accept Her Salutations

Yunling Temple, built sixty li from Prefecture City atop Yun Mountain, earns its auspicious name implying that where there are clouds, there will be spiritual presences. The temple’s incense burns strong, and a continuous stream of devotees arrive to worship.

Qin Liuxi respected the Buddha but did not worship him; upon entering Yunling Temple, she skipped the main hall altogether and rather immediately grabbed a young monk, insisting he take her to see the abbot.

The young monk clasped his hands together and said, "Donor, the abbot is currently receiving guests and may be unable to meet with you. Are you seeking divine intervention or to pay respects to the Buddha? This humble monk can lead the way. If you wish to draw lots, there’s also a brother who can interpret them."

"I do not seek any of that. I simply wish to find your abbot and ask him some matters. He’s with guests, so I can wait outside the Zen Temple," Qin Liuxi responded without causing a scene.

Having heard her, the young monk had no choice but to lead her to the Zen Temple for a temporary rest, and then he went to report back to his brother monk.

The brother monk frowned, "Who is this person, and she thinks she can just see the abbot upon request? Couldn’t you have dismissed her?"

With the abbot’s reputation being so widely respected, if everyone expecting to see him did so, when would he ever have time for anything?

The young monk shrank back a little and said, "I told her the abbot was preoccupied with guests, and she said she was willing to wait."

Upon hearing this, the brother monk was somewhat dismissive. Were there not plenty of people like this, thinking they could get their way just by being persistent?

"I’ll go take a look."

Following the young monk to the Zen Temple, they found that Qin Liuxi wasn’t inside resting, but rather standing in the courtyard looking up at the golden tower on the roof of the great hall, hung with bells that tinkled crisply in the wind.

Occasionally birds perched atop the tower, peering curiously in all directions, startled into flight by the chimes.

When the brother monk named Huiming arrived, guided by the young monk, he stood beside Qin Liuxi, pressed his palms together, and began, "Donor..."

"Is this tower made of gold?" Qin Liuxi pointed at the gilded tower.

Huiming was taken aback for a moment and followed her pointing finger to the tower above the hall, replying haughtily: "Of course, that is the golden tower donated by the devotees of Yunning Temple."

"The whole thing is pure gold?" That would be quite the display of generosity.

Huiming choked a bit and said, "Naturally, it’s not entirely pure gold. It is just coated with a layer of gold foil."

"I thought as much. If it were pure gold, it would’ve caught a thief’s eye and been hammered down and carted off in the dead of night," said Qin Liuxi with mock-seriousness.

Huiming’s face darkened as he pictured this scenario, too bleak and not one he wanted to contemplate.

Clearing his throat, he said, "The holy land of the Buddhist Sect, how could thieves dare to act so brazenly, without fear of the Buddha’s retribution?"

Qin Liuxi shook her head: "That’s where you’re mistaken. Your Buddhist Sect always preaches compassion and kindness. If a thief were to first prostrate before the Buddha, pour out their hardships, and then ’borrow’ the tower for a while, wouldn’t that be considered helping sentient beings? The Buddha would be hard-pressed to blame them, right? How else could you say that compassion extends to all living creatures, thieves included?" Whether or not what was ’borrowed’ would be returned, or if they would make restitution once they struck it rich, was another matter.

The young monk, as if enlightened, seemed to think this made sense.

Huiming was taken aback!

Monastics shouldn’t resort to violence, but upon hearing such words from this individual, he found it difficult to refrain.

What kind of thief steals with such logic, such eloquence, such audacity—only you, isn’t it?

Perhaps you intend to steal the golden tower of Yunning Temple?

Huiming gave Qin Liuxi a somewhat ill-favored look.

"There’s no need for that look. I know I’m not wrong, but I have no plans to join the Buddhist Sect," Qin Liuxi turned her head, smiling: "I have no interest in seeking Buddha, just a bit in the tower."

Later, when the Xiao Family finished their golden roof, she’d earn a couple of golden beasts for her own Temple to stand guard—imposing and aesthetic.

Huiming thought to himself—who’s asking you to join the Buddhist Sect? With that mouth of yours, even the Buddha would abdicate in frustration!

"Donor, you think too much," Huiming managed to suppress his irritation, "Do you wish to seek the abbot for some urgent matter? I’m afraid with the abbot’s schedule full of meeting guests and attending to Buddhists, he may not have the opportunity to meet with you."

Finally, Qin Liuxi turned to look towards Huiming.

Understood—so this was about standing up for the abbot, thinking that having to meet with everyone who asks would lower his status, wasn’t it?

Qin Liuxi parted her lips slightly and said, "In fact, I don’t necessarily have to see the abbot; if you can answer my question, I would be content to ask you instead."

Huiming paused for a moment: "What matter?"

"Do you know of any high monk or Buddha throughout history who has attained true enlightenment and whose Buddha Bone has been scattered abroad?"

Buddha Bone?

Could it be Buddha’s relics?

Such treasures of the Buddhist Sect, how could they possibly be lost abroad.

Without a second thought, Huiming said, "Buddha’s relics are treasures of great importance in the Buddhist Sect. Those who obtain these treasures must keep them safe, so how could they be carelessly lost?"

Qin Liuxi’s smile was somewhat teasing.

If she said yes, and moreover that they ended up at a burial ground brimming with yin souls and resentful energy, would you believe her?

Seeing her smile, Huiming felt a chill in his heart and was somewhat at a loss.

This smile seemed to have a few layers of meaning.

"You see, I said I would need to find your temple leader, didn’t I?"

Huiming understood her words; they indirectly implied that his knowledge and insight were lacking, and therefore, he was uninformed.

Feeling somewhat annoyed and his face slightly flushed, Huiming wanted to argue a few points, but looking into her eyes, he didn’t feel she was being unreasonable or quarrelsome, but rather sincerely asking the question.

After some thought, Huiming said, "The abbot is currently meeting with guests. If you can wait, I’ll pass on your request."

Qin Liuxi nodded: "Then I will trouble you, Brother."

Huiming’s expression lightened, and he brought his hands together in a Buddhist greeting.

As he turned around, he saw his own temple leader standing at the entrance of the Zen Temple, and quickly went over: "Abbot."

Qin Liuxi also turned her head to look, seeing an old monk with a benevolent face wearing a golden red Kasaya, his neck adorned with a string of prayer beads, one hand raised to his chest, and an aura of Merit Golden Light faintly visible on his person.

This was truly a high monk who had attained the Dao.

Qin Liuxi walked over, bowed to him, not in Buddhist or Taoist manners, but with the courtesy of a junior to a senior.

"This humble monk dares not accept your courtesy," said Master Ci Yun, with gentle eyes, slightly avoiding the gesture and going forward to lift Qin Liuxi’s hand.

Qin Liuxi could see the merit on him, and he could surely see all the Merit Golden Light on her, brilliant and dazzling.

She had saved many people and had quite a number of believers.

Huiming was already stunned, ’Not dare to receive courtesy?’

"Master, I have a question for you, if I may..."

Ci Yun nodded: "I knew you would come, so I specially came out to greet you. Please follow me this way."

Qin Liuxi followed him toward the Zen Room, and, coming back to his senses, Huiming quickly followed to serve them.

In the Zen Room, the scent of Sandalwood was faint, Qin Liuxi knelt on the cushion, while Huiming served them a cup of bitter tea.

Master Ci Yun said, "You need not serve us here, you may leave."

Huiming respectfully complied, exited, and closed the door behind him, still slightly dazed.

The abbot actually agreed to see that sharp-tongued thief—wait, who is she?

Inside the room, Master Ci Yun directly addressed Qin Liuxi’s background: "Ten years ago, when Qingping Temple in Li City was reopened, I heard from Abbot Hui Neng of Wuxiang Temple that Daoist Master Chi Yuan had a disciple, gifted and intelligent, a beacon of the Mystic Sect, that is you, isn’t it? I vaguely recall, your Daoist name is Buqiu?"