Chapter 368

Chen Wuji ate a simple yet extremely lavish lunch on the mountain, had a few drinks with Chen Bushi and Chen Luozi, didn't talk about public affairs, just chatted about their Chen family's ancestors, then hurriedly went down the mountain again.

But this time, when going down the mountain, the accompanying party had two more people: Qin Zhanhong and Xiao Yuji.

Since we are employing a reciprocal scheme, Xiao Yuji, this key figure, is definitely indispensable.

If Chen Wuji goes alone, that second uncle of the Xiao family might not recognize him.

Qin Zhanhong went down the mountain to recruit manpower for Chen Wuji and began setting up an intelligence network.

For such matters, she is absolutely professional.

No innovation is needed; simply copying the Imperial City Department's model will do.

Even a bare-bones version would be sufficient for Chen Wuji's current situation.

Outside Yunan City there is a small place called Fall Wind Pavilion.

Such small pavilions are almost ubiquitous in cities; a few official roads will have a few of them.

This place is precisely the long pavilion outside where you see someone off and have a few words to say.

In a socially and economically backward era, traveling far away is an extremely difficult undertaking.

Once you set out, it lasts years.

Therefore, when seeing someone off, merely escorting them out the gate doesn't count; you must accompany and see them off all the way to these pavilions before stopping.

Many scholars like to set out wine and feast in such places, properly entertain their friends, leave a few lines of poetry, then part.

Thus, such pavilions generally have a high cultural atmosphere; their walls are surely covered in writing, and their pillars hung with couplets and poems.

More lavishly equipped ones also have a corridor hung full of poems.

Although Yunan City is a small town, the configuration of Fall Wind Pavilion is extravagantly high.

Not only the pavilion, but also a waterside gazebo, a corridor, an inn, and half a mu of lotus pond.

Yunan is indeed a remote place; in the eyes of Zhongyuan scholars, it is even a land of sin.

Yet there are really not a few scholars in this place.

Ordinary people who haven't studied don't get the chance to be exiled.

Those who can be exiled here usually have some status and family background.

The meeting place specified by the Xiao family's second uncle in his letter is right next to Fall Wind Pavilion at the Maple Fall Inn.

"Where is there a monk?" Xiao Yuji glanced around and muttered softly.

Chen Wuji sat down under the corridor, saying, "It's fine; we'll just wait a bit."

The Xiao family's second uncle said that if Chen Wuji is willing to cooperate, he should come here and wait; someone will make contact within three days.

The other side gave a three‑day deadline, so the monk who will make contact must certainly be staying nearby.

The other side can't constantly watch everyone coming and going outside the Maple Fall Inn; if they notice us, they'll come, and rushing won't help.

Chen Li and the others stood guard around with knives, each cold as a stone statue, yet their eyes vigilantly scanned every corner of the surroundings, watching for any stir.

Although there are only twenty‑odd men, this personal guard's bearing is not inferior to any elite troop.

Whether a beauty is beautiful depends on her face and figure, but to tell if a unit is truly elite, you can gauge seven or eight tenths just by its bearing.

The group had waited less than the time to finish a cup of tea when a bright yellow figure slowly approached.

The monk is somewhat aged, with white‑yellow beard hanging over his chest, turning prayer beads in his hands, walking with steady steps, giving off a feeling that he is fierce in combat yet transcendent.

"This monk, I feel he looks like a master; do you feel that too?" Chen Wuji asked.

Qin Zhanhong nodded, "I think so too; shall we test him?"

"Never mind, we'll just make contact; no need to stir up trouble." Chen Wuji waved him off, saying, "Even an enlightened monk can feel dizzy and troubled when burdened by money; there's no need to involve ourselves in this."

The Xiao family's second uncle betrayed his clan, becoming an executioner who massacred civilians; it is somewhat surprising that such a person could know an enlightened monk, but not too shocking.

In worldly affairs, anything is possible.

Even someone like Song Jiang could still sit firm as the leader of Liangshan; what's there to make a fuss about?

Chen Li stepped forward and blocked the monk.

"Amitabha, I am the poor monk Hongfa, come for Patron Chen!" He intoned a Buddhist salutation, looked at Chen Wuji, and his eyes bore the wisdom of having seen through worldly truth.

Chen Wuji rose, clasped his hands in salute, and said, "Master, we have come to make contact."

Out of respect for the monk's appearance, Chen Wuji spoke politely.

"Patron Xiao once sent word that the Gu family demon is wreaking havoc in Baiquan Village; if Patron Chen is willing to lead troops there, please bring me along, and I will serve as the messenger liaison." Hongfa clasped his hands, speaking neither arrogantly nor humbly, with steady composure.

Chen Wuji pondered briefly, then declined Hongfa's suggestion, saying, "Having you accompany the troops would be inconvenient; I'm not doubting your stamina, but you needn't suffer needlessly."

"Tomorrow I will lead the troops to Baiquan Village and should arrive the day after tomorrow. Master, you can first go see the Xiao family's second uncle, work out a proper plan, then leave the village to find us and discuss the attack timing."

"As long as the master leaves the enemy's tight control, my scouts will notice."

"What he is planning is a reciprocal scheme; if we let this monk follow the army, wouldn't everything be exposed to him?"

"Bringing another's eyes into the ranks, even if Chen Wuji disguises himself well, will certainly leak something; the risk is too great."

Hongfa did not persist, and readily agreed, "All right."

"Which temple does the master cultivate in?" Chen Wuji suddenly interjected with an off‑topic question.

Hongfa was quite candid, answering without much thought: "I was originally a monk of the northern Yun'an Temple; after leaving the monastery I entered secular practice, wandering the four directions."

"Patron Chen seems curious why I became a messenger; I wandered to Yunan, formed a bond with Patron Xiao over a meal, and later took him as a confidant. My actions today are not solely for Patron Xiao, but more for the myriad people of Yunan."

"I reckon that the merit of saving lives in this world outweighs that of ferrying others to the next life. I seek no silver, indulge no gluttony, but I wish to earn as much of this merit as I can."

Chen Wuji laughed.

This is also an interesting monk.

However, Laborers said, "Superior virtue is not virtuous, therefore it has virtue; inferior virtue does not lose virtue, therefore it lacks virtue."

"Superior virtue practices non‑action and has no ulterior motive; inferior virtue practices non‑action yet has an ulterior motive."

I don't know whether the monk thinks this way; does that count as harboring selfish desire?

It's uncertain; we might have to add another covert conspiracy.

"The master is perceptive." Chen Wuji complimented.

Hongfa smiled, "But benefactor Chen Wuji seems not to trust me."

"How could that be? The master must have misseen." That sentence left Chen Wuji genuinely somewhat surprised, his gaze a bit fierce.

He doesn't seem to have shown it that clearly, right?

Hongfa didn't over-explain, after chanting another Buddhist name he said: "Thus, this humble monk will go ahead first, awaiting Deputy Commander Chen's arrival at Baiquan Village."