Chapter 904

Hu Xiaotian finally got his wish and entered the Sutra Pavilion; Tongjing brought him to the gate of the Sutra Pavilion but did not go inside; the person responsible for leading him turned out to be Monk Mingjing. Hu Xiaotian had always thought the phrase "out of the mud yet unstained" referred to women, but after seeing Mingjing he realized men could also be described that way. Mingjing's attire and appearance were no different from other monks at Heavenly Dragon Temple, yet the same monk's robe on him bore an immaculate, transcendent aura. It seems that ultimately temperament decides everything; people are ultimately judged by comparison.

Especially when Mingjing stands with his fellow disciples, the comparison makes him stand out like a crane among chickens.

While admiring him, Hu Xiaotian also felt that Mingjing's cultivation was not yet complete; the true highest state should be returning to simplicity and keeping one's edges sheathed. Take the earlier seen Master Yuanmu, who looks like an ordinary old monk, yet he holds such an exalted position in Heavenly Dragon Temple. Likewise, everyone thinks I'm a carefree ruffian, but who would have guessed that I too am a master with hidden skills.

Hu Xiaotian's self‑satisfaction was through the roof; he grinned and approached Mingjing, saying, "Senior Brother Mingjing!"

Mingjing smiled faintly: "Greetings, Patron Hu!" This reply amounted to telling Hu Xiaotian that he dared not accept the title of senior brother, they had no such closeness, and Hu Xiaotian should not try to curry favor.

Hu Xiaotian disagreed, hands behind his back, leisurely looking around. In broad daylight he observed the courtyard of the Sutra Pavilion with unusual clarity; his first impression was that this place matched the map's markings with little change.

Mingjing said, "Patron Hu, please follow me."

Hu Xiaotian followed Mingjing inside. Along the path to the Sutra Pavilion, many monks stood on either side; they had been placed there specially so Hu Xiaotian could see whether among them was the ugly monk with a pigeon chest and a hunchback he had described. In fact, Hu Xiaotian was crying wolf—the ugly monk was his own disguise. Even if he searched the whole Sutra Pavilion he wouldn't find him; as he walked he noted everything, for the map was already etched in his mind, and seeing the real scene he naturally compared it.

After strolling around the Sutra Pavilion's courtyard, he saw many monks busy in the open space, moving the sutras out to sun‑dry. The Treasure Pavilion's collection is rich, so maintaining and revising the books is vital; on nearly every fair day one can see this scene.

Hu Xiaotian walked slowly around the drying field, his gaze sweeping over each monk's face as if checking for suspects, while his mind kept noting the differences between the map and the actual scene. The drying field is not on the map; it must have been laid out later.

Past the drying field lies the Proofreading Hall, where dozens of monks are busy checking, proofreading, and recopying. For aged Buddhist scriptures, they undertake transcription and duplication. It is precisely these monks' arduous work that has allowed the Buddhist canon to continue, preventing it from being lost in the river of history.

Mingjing accompanied Hu Xiaotian as they wandered the Sutra Pavilion's courtyard for about half an hour, then calmly asked, "Patron Hu, have you noticed any suspicious persons?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and pointed to the main hall of the Sutra Pavilion. The Cangshu Lou, this nine‑story building, is the center of the Sutra Pavilion area; Hu Xiaotian said, "I haven't looked inside yet."

Mingjing seemed to have anticipated Hu Xiaotian's request. He spoke softly, "Patron Hu, please wait a moment." He went to the door, seized the bronze bell, and gave it a gentle shake.

With the clear ringing of the bronze bell, the doors of the Cangshu Lou opened, and thirty‑six monks filed out.

Mingjing said, "These thirty‑six monks normally guard the Cangshu Lou; Patron Hu, look carefully. Among them, is there the one you spoke of?" Hu Xiaotian glanced over them all, then shook his head—of course there wasn't.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Surely there are more than just these monks inside the Cangshu Lou?"

Mingjing said, "Besides, there are seven others; even if the abbot himself came, they would not leave the Cangshu Lou. I can vouch for these seven—they certainly have nothing to do with sneaking into the Puxian Courtyard."

Hu Xiaotian gave a derisive chuckle: "You vouch for them? What qualifications do you have to do so?"

Mingjing did not grow angry at Hu Xiaotian's remark; he smiled and said, "Although I lack the qualifications, I believe the abbot will also vouch for them. Patron Hu, do you have any other complaints?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "Dissatisfied, of course I am. What you hear is false, what you see is true; if I don't witness something myself, how can I believe it?"

Mingjing said, "Patron Hu, even if you don't trust me, you should be able to trust the abbot."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I'm not acquainted with the abbot; I don't even know who he is."

Mingjing said, "Patron Hu, you don't really want to leave Heavenly Dragon Temple now, do you?"

Hu Xiaotian had originally intended to make an issue of this, challenge Heavenly Dragon Temple, and thus refuse its request to let him leave. He hadn't expected that his challenge would already have been seen through by Mingjing—this monk, though young, is exceptionally sharp and has already discerned his purpose. Hu Xiaotian gave a hollow laugh and said, "Whether I stay or go depends on the Emperor's order; you think I'm formidable, but don't you want someone protecting the Emperor at his side?" He pointed to the Cangshu Lou and added, "If I can't see a few senior masters, how can I be sure that monk isn't hiding in the Cangshu Lou?"

Mingjing said, "Patron Hu, I suspect your intentions lie elsewhere than the wine."

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Mingjing with interest; Mingjing's eyes were calm as they met his. After a moment of mutual stare, Hu Xiaotian laughed first: "Shouldn't monastics treat others with kindness? Why do you always assume the worst about people? Such suspicion hardly befits a monastic."

Mingjing said, "Being kind does not mean letting others walk all over you. Heavenly Dragon Temple has its rules, monastics have their dignity, and the three realms and five elements each have their boundaries. If one breaks the rules and oversteps those limits, it will likely benefit neither others nor oneself." He stood firm, his words full of warning.

Hu Xiaotian's interest in Mingjing grew; he smirked and said, "It seems Master Mingjing has never heard the tale of cutting flesh to feed the hawk."

Mingjing calmly replied, "I am not the Buddha, and you are not a hawk—how can the two be compared?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "The three realms and five elements each have their domains; it seems that in the Buddha's mind, beings are not equal."

Mingjing smiled: "Actually anyone can become a Buddha; why belittle yourself so?"

"Buddha and demon arise from a single thought; if your hearts harbor no ill will, why doubt others' motives? If your hearts are open, why refuse to let me meet them? Since everyone can become a Buddha, everyone could just as easily become that hawk craving meat—who among us is Buddha and who is hawk, and who can say for sure?"

Mingjing was stunned by Hu Xiaotian's words; after a while he sighed and said, "Patron Hu, you had better not come to the Sutra Pavilion again."

This trip of Hu Xiaotian's was quite fruitful; although he failed to enter the Cangshu Lou as he wished, he figured out the number of people inside the Cangshu Lou and had a clear mental picture of the architectural layout of the Sutra Pavilion compound.

Leaving the Sutra Pavilion, he saw Tongjing and the little novice waiting outside. Tongjing asked, "Patron, have you found it?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head.

Tongjing said, "I will escort the patron away."

Hu Xiaotian said, "No need; I'll leave when it's time."

Tongjing stared in disbelief: "Patron, you hadn't just agreed to this……"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I've changed my mind now!"

"But how can a pure Buddhist land tolerate going back on one's word?"

Hu Xiaotian snorted disdainfully: "I'm not a Buddhist disciple, so if I want to renege I will, if I want to lie I will, if I want to drink I will, if I want to eat meat I will, if I want to play with women I will—worst case, the Buddha gets angry and punishes me; what's that to you?"

"You……" Tongjing was left speechless, his mouth opening and closing.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I really can't stand you monks—you claim to have transcended the three realms and five elements, yet you meddle in all these worldly affairs. If you didn't want us here, you should have refused the Emperor from the start; why compromise? Isn't it just because you fear the Emperor's power? Before the Buddha, all beings are equal—would you really give a beggar who comes to offer incense such a grand reception?"

The little novice glanced sideways at Tongjing, seeing his old face flushed red, his mouth opening and closing, yet he had nothing to say.

Hu Xiaotian said, "You can't even keep a bowl of water level in your own hearts, spouting self‑deceptive words all day and doing self‑deceptive deeds—do you really think the Buddha can't see? Don't you know why your endless practice never bears fruit? It's precisely because you're too hypocritical."

"Patron…… you…… you……" Tongjing was so angry he nearly fainted.

Hu Xiaotian waved his hand: "Forget it, I won't argue with you. If the abbot wants me gone, let him come himself to drive me out—better yet, have the Emperor do it too. Do you think I want to stay here? If it weren't for protecting the Emperor, I would have left long ago; at least that would be better than enduring your monks' petty resentment." Having said that, he turned and strode off, his steps firm, his sleeves billowing.

Tongjing watched his retreating back for a long while before feeling the tension in his chest ease; he exhaled deeply and said, "I'm furious……"

The little novice beside him reminded, "Master, you said anger is a major taboo in Buddhism……"

Tongjing raised his hand and slapped the little novice's bald head: "You wretched creature, do you need to remind me?"

The little novice rubbed his head, pursed his lips, his eye rims reddened with hurt, and thought to himself, "That Patron Hu makes sense; sometimes the master really is hypocritical."

Today's second update is posted; I'll keep typing this afternoon, today's four more should be fine. The feeling of sitting on pins and needles is unpleasant. Zhangyu begs brothers and sisters to cast their monthly votes for Medical Union; in the last three days, Lao Zhangyu will go into battle shirtless, with all eight arms—we must hold firm, hold firm! (To be continued~^~)