Chapter 686: Wuxia: Even Archrivals Can Become Lovers 20

Jin Chen clicked his tongue, arms crossed leaning against the bedside rack, "Mu Huaizhi, did you hear that? I said this person wouldn't be so kind as to let you investigate just to prove it."

In any case, they had long since lost face; Fu Zhiyuan didn't care that they knew the truth, but since it wasn't something he did, he would absolutely not admit it.

"Yes, I did want to kill Mu Huaizhi, but I certainly had no dealings with the Earth Evil Palace! I'd never stoop to associate with such lowly demonic cults."

Such a firm attitude was something Jin Chen hadn't expected.

He slightly raised his brow, a hint of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

Could it be that the protagonist really has no connection with the Earth Evil Palace?

Then why, in the original plot, is Yunshu Town fraught with danger, yet he repeatedly manages to evade it?

"Since you say there's no connection, I actually have a method that could prove your innocence and perhaps even uncover clues about the mastermind."

Jin Chen's mind flashed with inspiration; he suddenly recalled other parts of the temple he hadn't had a chance to explore last night.

"Alright! Speak!"

Fu Zhiyuan immediately agreed, then glared at the flustered Fang Xun, "You're coming too."

Having been raised in the Heaven Sword Alliance, he would never tolerate an insult, especially since this person is his fiancé.

All I wanted was to kill Mu Huaizhi—why have so many troubles popped up!

Mu Huaizhi sheathed his sword, slipping it precisely into the torn cloth bag, his face still cold, showing no reaction to Fu Zhiyuan's intention to kill him.

Their grudges will eventually be settled.

Sang Ning hurriedly grabbed Jin Chen, fearing they'd leave him behind, "Brother Jin, I'm coming too!"

"Brother Sang, aren't you afraid of danger? If a fight really breaks out, I might not have the time to protect you."

"No fear, no fear!" Sang Ning hastily shook his head, patted the cloth bundle, "I've got plenty of treasures inside."

After all, he's the future heir of the Medicine King Valley; it wouldn't do for him to lack some decent treasures.

Jin Chen slightly lifted his chin, "Then let's go together."

Thus the five of them returned to the temple from last night, but they didn't march in openly; instead they pretended to be passersby, thinking to stop and pray when they saw the temple.

The daytime temple was no different from usual; the sweeping monk in the front yard, seeing someone approach, first put his palms together in greeting, and upon learning their purpose invited everyone inside.

Although the temple isn't crowded, it still has plenty of worshippers, most of whom are praying for their families and for Yunshu Town.

The five went together to the main hall to kneel and pray, and not long after a young monk came to lead them.

The young monk wore plain blue robes, had a precept scar on his head, held prayer beads, and bowed with palms together, saying, "I learned from the senior monk outside the courtyard that you are righteous wanderers who roam the four directions."

"My master specially sent me to invite you to stay for a vegetarian meal at noon."

Jin Chen observed him without changing expression, found nothing odd, and also bowed, saying, "I'll obey rather than merely show respect."

"Please, go ahead."

The young monk extended his hand toward the side path outside the hall to indicate.

"Mu Huaizhi, do you think he's odd?"

Jin Chen couldn't stay idle for a moment, moved to Mu Huaizhi's side, and lowered his voice to whisper.

"No, it's quite normal."

As they followed the young monk toward the side hall, several people clearly noticed that covert gazes were increasing.

They exchanged looks, each seeing solemnity and vigilance in the others' eyes.

"Right here."

The young monk bowed again, then pushed open the door to gesture for everyone to enter.

Jin Chen stepped in first; the room's windows were old and broken, slightly damp, with thin wisps of blue smoke—all giving off an aged sandalwood scent.

Two similarly built, plump monks sat before the ancient Buddha, one in a red kasaya, the other in yellow, slowly tapping the wooden fish while murmuring sutras.

"Distinguished guests have arrived; kneel before the Buddha."

The monk in the red kasaya suddenly spoke, eyes still closed.

Jin Chen: "Can the Buddha dispel the doubts in my heart?"

"Only by bowing can it be resolved."

"If you don't bow, it won't be solved; after all, the Buddha originally judges by appearance and listens to people."

"…What a 'judge by appearance and listen to people'."

The red‑kasaya monk finally opened his eyes, slowly rose, and placed his palms together before the crowd, "I am the abbot of this small temple, dharma name Pushan."

He gave Jin Chen another look, his round, full face breaking into a kindly smile, "This patron is truly interesting."

"Master Pushan, you flatter me—I'm just a rascal."

As he turned, Jin Chen recognized his identity, but went along with the act.

"The vegetarian dishes are ready in the inner room."

The inner room was similarly shabby, just lacking the overly strong, irritating sandalwood scent; Sang Ning followed behind Jin Chen and the other, quietly sniffing the vegetables.

These vegetarian dishes taste off.

Sang Ning's eyeballs rolled, he edged up behind Jin Chen to poke his shoulder while the abbot was talking with Fang Xun.

"Brother Jin, this dish seems to have poison in it!"

His voice was so low that even Mu Huaizhi barely caught it; he only saw the two acting rather intimately, and furrowed his brows.

Jin Chen glanced at the vegetarian fare, signaling Sang Ning not to startle the snake.

He took Mu Huaizhi's hand and wrote a few characters in his palm.

His palm felt a slight itch; Mu Huaizhi instinctively wanted to pull away, but after a moment his eyes showed surprise, and he turned to meet Jin Chen's gaze.

Jin Chen lifted the corner of his mouth slightly.

After the red‑kasaya monk left, Fu Zhiyuan couldn't wait to ask Jin Chen, "You came here to eat, right? Just what do you want me to prove……"

Before he could finish, Fang Xun promptly covered his mouth with a hand, glanced out the broken window, and silently shook his head.

Walls have ears.

Fu Zhiyuan's heart jumped.

He awkwardly pulled his hand away from Fang Xun's and fell silent.

He still hadn't let go of the hand he was holding.

Jin Chen cleared his throat, "It's been a long time since I've had warm food; today I'm fortunate to have the abbot's appreciation, so I'll start eating first!"

Amid Sang Ning's shocked gaze, Mu Huaizhi's slight worry, and Fang Xun's doubtful looks, he took several bites of each dish.

"What are you staring at? Eat!"

Jin Chen tasted them all, then pushed the two dishes without poison to the left, indicating they should eat those.

Even though Sang Ning was even more shocked, she didn't dare ask immediately, trembling as she ate the non-poisonous vegetarian dishes, occasionally glancing at Jin Chen with a panicked and worried gaze.

Brother Jin, you're amazing!

Mu Huaizhi gripped his chopsticks tightly, constantly watching Jin Chen's expression.

Even if he claimed to be invulnerable to all poisons, who knows whether the Earth Evil Palace's poison might be fiercer than the world's myriad poisons?

Jin Chen ate while watching outside; seeing the probing person leave, he then put down his chopsticks and solemnly and quickly said, "Later, when my poison acts up, they'll likely take the opportunity to carry me away."

"Last night's affair, the black-clad person won't let it rest; that red kasaya is the black-clad person I crossed blades with."

Although I don't know how this person could go from thin to fat in just one night, Jin Chen can be certain that this person is the black-clad guard from last night.

"Fu Zhiyuan, since you claim to have no collusion with the Earth Evil Palace, take this opportunity to come find me; the others can just watch and see."

"Let's see whether the Earth Evil Palace's people will try to kill you to silence you, or let you go again."

Now they finally understood Jin Chen's plan.

Fu Zhiyuan gritted his teeth, "Alright, then I'll give it a try."

He certainly didn't want to bear this unfounded accusation!