Chapter 57: Holy Monk 23 (Father and Son Reunion)

Holy Monk 23 (Father and Son Reunion)

That day, Batu's life was no different from usual.

After waking up in the morning, he carried a bucket to fetch water; the river was a long distance from their tent, and he took two small wooden buckets, tying the water he drew onto the little horse's back.

The little horse had been specially exchanged for him by his sister, although she didn't say what she traded for it, Batu was observant and noticed that his sister's favorite ruby hairpin and white jade bracelet were missing.

Stroking the horse's soft fur, Batu silently vowed to buy his sister rubies, sapphires, red jadeite, and green jadeite in the future.

Batu came to the riverside to draw water; when he looked up, he saw a person standing on the opposite bank. Though today's sunlight was warm and the plants seemed to glow, none compared to the man bathed in sunlight.

The man in snow‑white monk robes was more dazzling than the ruby his sister wore; he seemed like the sun in the sky, warm enough to scorch one's eyes.

Yet Batu felt the man was terribly familiar, so familiar that his heart ached and his eyes instantly reddened.

The man in white monk robes walked over and stopped in front of the boy who was staring blankly at him.

"Xiao Yin, sorry, Dad accidentally lost you."

The man said this, then reached out and tightly embraced him in his arms.

He said, "These years, Dad has been searching for you, searching for a very long time." That longing crossed time and space; so deep was the regret that even a venerable, high‑standing monk would gladly forsake all his merits to rescue his son lost in the torrent of time.

Batu wanted to push the man away, yet also wanted to hold him tightly.

He didn't know why, but a mix of resentment, longing, and grievance welled up in his heart, finally turning into a tear at the corner of his eye.

After a quarter hour, Jiang He and Sang Ya's father sat on the platform.

The grassland had no big trees and few wooden furnishings; they were used to sitting on platforms, which could be used for sleeping at night and receiving guests during the day.

Sang Ya's father's parents had died early, his brothers had perished young on the battlefield, he had only Sang Ya as a child, his clan was too small to wield much power; no matter how capable one person was, on the grassland he remained a low‑ly herder with little strength and influence.

Sang Ya's father said: "When Batu came to the grassland, he was as thin as a monkey; like many Han people, he had been sold into slavery on the grassland… but he differed from those dark, skinny Han slaves—after washing up, Batu's skin was fair and his features handsome, which is why my wife and I took a liking to him."

The sturdy middle‑aged Hu man unconsciously rubbed his lame leg; previously his attitude toward his wife and daughter adopting Batu had been indifferent, since he was strong enough to support the child and as long as his wife and daughter were happy.

Only after he became lame did this child patiently encourage him and attentively care for him, giving rise to a father‑son bond.

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Back when he first saw the cleaned‑up Batu, he suspected the boy's origins, feeling certain he was not an ordinary commoner's child from the Central Plains.

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Although he didn't know the background of Grand Master Xuanzhi, he also knew that a monk of such ability must have a powerful backing. Not knowing why he, who clearly had a child, could become a high monk, perhaps Batu was the master's son from before he renounced the world.

"Master, if I say I don't want to be healed it's a lie, but I can't take Batu as payment." The sturdy Hu man said earnestly, "If he's willing to acknowledge you, I'll naturally let him return to your side; but if he doesn't want to go back, I hope the master won't use power to force him."

After raising this child for nearly three years, the whole family had sincerely accepted Batu and couldn't bear to see him hurt.

Standing beside them, Sang Ya tightly gripped the whip coiled at her waist, her face showing barely concealed annoyance.

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"Batu isn't going back!" she glared at Jiang He with red eyes, stubbornly declaring, "Batu is my brother! He said he likes the grassland and will never leave it in this lifetime!"

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Sang Ya's mother was boiling milk tea; seeing her daughter's appearance, her eyes also turned red.

The whole family liked Batu; if Batu left with the master, she would also feel sad.

Sang Ya's father's face instantly darkened, and he scolded, "Adults are speaking; children must not interrupt! How old are you that you still can't speak properly…"

Jiang He interrupted Sang Ya's father's reprimand; this man differed from those frank Hu people—he was quite scheming. Didn't you see that after just scolding his daughter a few sentences, the adopted son Batu already showed displeasure toward his own father?

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He pressed his palms together and said, "Namo Amitabha, benefactor; this poor monk has no intention of leaving the grassland. Since Xiao Yin likes the grassland, I will settle here."

In an instant, Sang Ya's family of three and Batu all looked over in surprise.

"Poor monk owes Xiao Yin; in this life, wherever he wishes to go, I will be there, always within sight when he turns back." The handsome master's face showed a tender affection, revealing a paternal love as deep as the sea.

"Poor monk cannot bear not seeing him; he is my calamity and my destiny." The master gently looked at the silent child in the corner and said, "I once thought I could take refuge in the Buddha, yet I was defeated by familial affection. If so, then in this life I will live for the child."

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Especially Batu, he couldn't help but widen his eyes, staring in shock at the unfamiliar monk before him, his face full of disbelief.

In this era, the father is the child's pillar; even if he loves his child dearly, he does not advocate holding the child, let alone verbally expressing love and regarding the son as his life.

People of the Central Plains value many children as much blessing; wealthy families take concubines not only for beauty but chiefly to produce offspring.

When there are many children, paternal love becomes diffused; although some fathers still regard their children as their lives, hardly any say they live for their children and follow them wherever they go.

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Such unique love, Sang Ya had also experienced, for she was the family's only child, yet her parents often sighed in private, wishing they could have borne a son.

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He took Sang Ya's father's pulse.

Sang Ya's mother momentarily forgot the rule that women should not interfere in men's affairs, anxiously asking, "Master, can the child's father's leg be cured?"

Jiang He did not rush to reply; he felt Sang Ya's father's calf.

Now even Batu couldn't help but come over, concernedly looking at his foster father's leg.

Under everyone's gaze, Jiang He slowly withdrew his hand, gave them a gentle smile, and said, "Rest assured, it can be healed—it just requires breaking the bone and regenerating it; the process will be painful."

The sturdy Hu man burst into a hearty laugh upon hearing this: "What's pain? The people of the grassland don't fear pain!"

Sang Ya's mother wept with joy, and even Sang Ya's face lost its hostility.

Since her father's leg went lame, she had struggled desperately to hold the family together; if his leg healed, she wouldn't have to work so hard. After all, she is only a thirteen‑year‑old girl, far from the age when one could support a household, and she would still tire.

"By the way, there's also the infertility issue—do you want to treat that too?" Jiang He said, then realized his slip, gave an embarrassed smile, and gestured for Sang Ya's mother to take the two children away.

Everyone in the tent was stunned, especially Sang Ya's parents, who began to stammer.

"St‑st‑still… can it be cured?"

Jiang He said nothing; seeing this, Sang Ya's mother hurriedly went to pull the two children away.

Sang Ya did not want to leave, and she spoke righteously: "Mother, what's there to avoid about this kind of thing?"

"Shut up, come out with your mother!" The face of Sang Ya's mother, of Han Chinese descent, flushed red; she took one child in each hand and dragged the two children away.

The grasslands differ from the Central Plains; they view sexual matters as flood and ferocious beasts, and they are not so strict about children either.

Sang Ya's mother pulled the two children away; besides being a bit shy herself, more importantly it was her husband's dignity—being unable to have children loses face for a man, whether on the grasslands or in the Central Plains.

Sang Ya's father's dark face showed a flush; he also felt his dignity was somewhat compromised.

However, compared to face, his desire to continue the lineage let him overlook this; he looked somewhat excitedly at the master before him.

Jiang He said calmly: "Central Plains emperors all have this flaw; having children is not just a woman's matter."

The grassland peoples revere heroes; although the Central Plains emperors have killed many Hu people, he is indeed an admirable hero, just as the Chanyu all have hemorrhoids, and the Hu people feel they have them too, so it's not disgraceful; Sang Ya's father feels the same.

Sang Ya's father, face full of anticipation, asked: "Master, can I still be cured?"

Although he has a daughter, she has been hunting since childhood and is even better than the boys, yet he has always felt regret in his heart.

On the grasslands, only men can achieve great undertakings; girls are men's property. No matter how capable Sang Ya is, the Chanyu could never let her lead troops in battle; the only prospect is marriage. But her natal family lacks male members, so as her father he also fears a son-in-law mistreating his daughter; therefore he turns a blind eye to his wife and daughter adopting Batu, hoping Batu will someday support Sang Ya.

"Of course it can be cured." The monk affirmed, "It's not a big problem; in the future you can have as many children as you wish."

Sang Ya's father first felt ecstatic, then couldn't help pondering, then gave a wry smile: "Thank you, Master; your mind is deep—this is a blatant scheme."

He rubbed his lame leg, his drooping eyelids concealing various thoughts.

Batu is liked; that child is indeed very good and filial, but it cannot compare to the temptation of having one's own child.

When he was young he suffered an injury, leaving only Sang Ya as a daughter; on the grasslands there is no practice of marrying into a wife's family, so later Sang Ya will marry out and her daughter will belong to another family; he has always worried about how he and his old wife will manage in their old age.

Life on the grasslands is harsher than the Central Plains imagine; without descendants to support the elderly, the final fate is to be abandoned during migration.

When food is extremely scarce, the elderly are the first to be abandoned; having children still leads to this, let alone having none. He is only in his early thirties, his wife two years younger; even having children would still be timely.

Sang Ya's father's face was gloomy and uncertain, as if he found it hard to decide.

The master sat to the side, smiling as he looked at the tea before him; this is indeed an open-and-aboveboard scheme: having raised an adopted son for three years, compared to one's own biological child, plus an endless supply of children—there's no need to ask which to choose.

Sang Ya's father is not some wealthy man; his family circumstances and resources are just this much. If in the future he has many biological children, each will get less; then, regarding the adopted son and the biological children, could you split things evenly? Could a biological child watch his father give his resources to an adopted son who is not his biological brother?

Nowadays, no one in the Imperial Guard is his match; fighting the Imperial Guard is like bullying vegetables.

Don't blame the young servant for being overly startled; anyone who saw that scene would find it frightening.

Feng Ming used a cup, while the Great White Snake extended its head into the bucket; the person and the snake moved in unison.

In the dead of night, the Great White Snake did not disturb the battle-hardened elite soldiers; it slipped into Feng Ming's room, covered him with a blanket. Feng Ming was extremely alert, instantly awake, just as he reached for the knife by his pillow, he realized the intruder was his own snake father, so he simply embraced the snake father and slept together.

As for the Buddhist sect, forget it—that snake cultivating Buddhism would surely exhale through the same nostril as those monks; the Daoist sect is different, being mortal enemies, they would surely delight in eliminating the opponent.

After drinking water, Feng Ming casually wiped his mouth with his hand, while the Great White Snake shook its head, flinging off the water droplets.

Batu felt so miserable he wanted to cry, wanting to weep out his despair and sorrow; again and again, he was always the one abandoned.

A hand lightly patted his back; a broad embrace carried the scent of sunlight, along with a faint hint of sandalwood.

She let out a scoff: "Those people's hearts—having done guilty deeds, they fear Little White will find out and tell the elder prince... Tsk, Little White's mind is about the same as Little Lion's, innocent and lovable, yet there are still people who cannot tolerate it."

In the Huangong's training ground, the person and the snake fought fiercely.

But when he spoke, he said: "May I ask, how did I come to the grasslands?"

Da Qing, capital city.

Batu wanted to break free of his hand; failing to do so, he began to give up on himself, thinking that now he's this big, even if no one wants him, he can hunt to support himself.

The Great White Snake controlled its force well; although it looked terribly painful on the spot, it actually suffered little injury, just appearing red and swollen, looking frightening.

The Little Lion had already climbed onto the Great White Snake's tail; the snake simply used its tail as a seesaw, controlling the rhythm up and down for the Little Lion to play.

Previously, the Little Lion dared to follow Feng Ming onto the roof to rip off tiles, and the emperor even indulged him, saying children need to be mischievous to amount to something, don't restrain their nature.

At the first instant, the human heart sneaks to seek out the Daoist practitioners.

He rationally realized that choosing to leave the father who was a monk was the best option.

The Little Lion clapped beside him, "Snake-snake, awesome!"

In the end, Sang Ya's father made a decision.

Probably because he slept too comfortably, Feng Ming failed to get up on time the next day; the attending young servant went in to call him, and then came Shi Potian's startled scream—word spread that nearly half the capital was awakened.

"That's because he finally became afraid." The Elder Princess sighed lightly, "All his attendants have been beaten; I and the Prince Consort let the Little Lion personally see the attendants being punished because of him..."

The Little Crown Prince also stared, unblinking, shouting "ah ah ah"; when excited he would also drool.

Feng Ming's motion suddenly paused; he wanted to pull out a handkerchief from his bosom, but having been in military camps since age twelve, his life had been rough—there was no such thing as a handkerchief—so he used his sleeve to wipe the Great White Snake's mouth; the snake shook its head, disdainful of the heavy sweat odor of the two-legged beast's clothing, for it is a snake that loves cleanliness.

She had thought Batu had been kidnapped by traffickers, but she never expected that the one who sold him was actually her own kin.

Only Batu, even if he lost his memory, remained perceptive to things, yet he found it hard to laugh.

The Elder Princess couldn't help but purse her lips; having grown up since childhood in the Huangong, a place of intrigue, she could grasp this with a little thought.

At that time, Feng Ming had his hands and feet wrapped around his snake father; his head was aimed at the Great White Snake's gaping maw, and if the snake opened its mouth, that whole head could be swallowed into its belly, along with Feng Xiao's body, without spitting out bones.

Moreover, Feng Ming and Master Xuanji share plenty of common ground; on hot days they both like to curl up with the Great White Snake to sleep—its skin is cool!

If this family had a biological son, would he still have a foothold? He is a smart child; he can see that the foster parents are very pleased to have a biological child.

This child is smart; concealing things from him isn't of much use, for in this world a ten-year-old boy is already regarded as an adult.

"Be good, wait until you can walk before we talk." The Empress laughed and cried at once.

This is equivalent to the emperor gaining a spy that comes and leaves without trace, and moreover this spy is not human, making him hard to bribe.

Only then did Batu recall that his biological father was a monk who chanted sutras amid the scent of sandalwood.

This is also why Jiang He dares to let the Great White Snake wander the mortal realm—dual cultivation of magic and martial arts; no one can defeat it, and those who could dare not to, making it extremely safe!

The Elder Princess blinked, recalling the rumor she'd heard; her face turned slightly odd: "Because Little White covered Xiao Ming with a blanket?"

Facing the child's innocent face, Jiang He hesitated for a long time, then decided to tell the truth: "You were sold by your step-grandmother."

Sang Ya was completely dumbfounded: "How, how could that be?"

Regarding this matter, the people of the capital treat it as a strange spectacle, like eating a weird melon.

Merely thinking of those vexatious affairs at court, her gaze instantly dimmed.

Alas, the hearts of those who have done shameful deeds—they especially tend to imagine; everyone knows the big white snake is a demon, yet Assistant Official Yu, as its grandson, can actually understand what it says, and it is said that even the emperor can, by some means, understand the snake's language, not to mention the big white snake's newly recognized son—Feng Ming Tie will surely be able to understand; otherwise, why would he acknowledge a father he can't communicate with?!

The Empress understood the bittersweet intentions of the Elder Princess and her husband, "This palace feels that Little Lion has become steadier than before."

The Empress ordered someone to bring over snacks.

Seeing the great white snake playing with her son, the Elder Princess's eyes filled with smiles.

The Elder Princess sighed, "Little Lion is mischievous; during the Lantern Festival he actually sneaked off alone, which is how he got abducted. I and the Prince Consort both think he's far too bold and unruly; he ought to read more to settle his temperament."

The Empress likewise sneered, "Actually, they want to impeach Little White."

At that moment, a gentle voice sounded.

"Snake Dad, thank you for accompanying my training." Feng Ming turned a blind eye to Snake Dad's disdain; he wasn't a Snake Dad who never sweats, "I feel I'm making rapid progress."

Although he had no memory, he felt as if he had been abandoned many times, leaving him heartbroken and desperate.

He was about to be abandoned again…

As a result, upon hearing it was that great white snake, the Daoist sect simply shook their heads, indicating this wasn't a matter of whether they liked it or not—they couldn't beat it either.

Sang Ya Niang was happy about soon having a son; Sang Ya was also pleased—if she didn't like the younger brother, she wouldn't have bought Batu.

The Prince Consort, Commandant merely listened for show; in reality he held no real power in the court, but their sons taking the imperial examinations or joining the military were not prohibited.

The Empress's expression stalled, "You guys are willing to part with it?"

Jiang He sighed and said, "This poor monk originally thought that even if he became a monk, with the Qingyuan Marquis's family background, Little Seal would live well." His face showed regret, "This poor monk failed to calculate how dark human hearts can be, darker than night."

The Prince Consort naturally devoted all his thoughts to raising the next generation.

Then the problem arose: if the great white snake entered their mansion, it would be like entering an uninhabited place; if they said or did something in private, the great white snake would go and tell the emperor…

Therefore the great white snake must be dealt with; otherwise they would never dare to do bad deeds again.

The Empress habitually took a handkerchief to wipe her son's drool, turned her head to chat with the Elder Princess, and what they talked about most was child-rearing.

The ten-year-old child was not facing the complexities of human nature for the first time; he lowered his head slightly, his mind a tangled mess, only wishing he could grow up overnight—if he were an adult, he could live on his own, and he didn't want to be abandoned by anyone again.

She knew that the Elder Princess and her husband had doted on the child and were unwilling to let him see the cruel side of adulthood too early.

The great white snake was different—its scales were tough and could endure blows; a single punch from him would neither hurt nor itch the snake, and on the contrary the snake could flick its tail at him, leaving him in pain for half a day.

"The Prince Consort, whenever he has free time, will keep Little Lion locked by his side, not allowing him to go anywhere." The Elder Princess, both angry and amused, said, "The last incident frightened the Prince Consort; he fears Little Lion will be abducted again, so he keeps Little Lion confined beside him—every day it's either studying or writing, which is unbearable, and now father and son are about to fall out."

"I hear those censors still aren't giving up, constantly impeaching Ah Ming?" The Elder Princess sneered, "It's like a dog catching mice—meddling in others' affairs."

Batu turned his face away awkwardly, not wanting to look at anyone, especially this monk, who always gave him a feeling of wanting to get close yet feeling sad and wanting to escape.

Batu lifted his face, staring unblinkingly at Jiang He.

The Empress nodded, secretly thinking those servants might prefer to be beaten twenty times with a rod.

That great white snake has thick, rough skin; even a blade can't scrape off a bit of its hide. As for casting spells, let alone the Daoists lacking profound arts—even if they had them, seeing the golden, shining merit light on the snake's body, they'd likely flee faster than they could fly.

"It's that I can't bear to part with it." The Elder Princess felt great heartache, "Back then Little Lion cried bitterly, so although we had originally prepared to give him twenty strokes, we ended up giving only five, though his monthly allowance was cut for three months."

"I don't want to become a monk; not being able to eat meat is too terrifying." He thought to himself, in the Central Plains they emphasize inheritance, so does he have to become a monk in the future?

The great white snake's long tail swept over; although Feng Ming promptly pulled back, the wind from the tail still caused him to carelessly fall to the ground. He stubbornly rolled on the spot, shedding most of the snake's force, and got back up.

Over there, the person and the snake finally finished their fight, and both ran over to drink water.

"Little Seal, come here."

The little crown prince couldn't care less, keep yelling "ah ah ah," so the Empress had no choice but to order the palace attendants to bring him over to see the great white snake, just hoping he could climb onto it.

Jiang He sighed, rose to his feet himself, walked over to his son, and tightly embraced him.

She had her imperial brother investigate for a long time, confirming that Little Lion's abduction was not a conspiracy—a fair, chubby, good-looking child sneaking out on his own, of course the traffickers would notice him.

However, Little Lion is still young; a small lesson is enough—truly letting him witness servants being beaten to a bloody pulp would surely give him nightmares.

The little crown prince drooled, pointing at the great white snake and shouting "ah ah ah"; his intention was obvious—he also wanted to play.

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