Chapter 223: He Yuanjun: Be Lenient to Others, Release Attachment

The Azure Mountains rose like a jade screen across the horizon, and Erhai Lake resembled a silver mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds.

The mountain wind brushed by, flower fragrance filled the city; this is now the capital of the Dali Kingdom, Yangjumei City.

Within a mansion in the city, Niu Ben led a group of Mystic Robe Guards, as always strictly guarding every part of the courtyard.

Seeing the mansion's master Wu Santong approach with a grim expression, he gave a signal to the guards; two Mystic Robe Guards stepped forward, raising their hands to keep Wu Santong at least five steps away.

Wu Santong's face instantly darkened like iron; he glared at Niu Ben and shouted angrily, "I've tolerated you all for a long time! Don't forget this is my mansion! Disperse, I want to see Yuan Jun!"

The guards remained unmoved.

Niu Ben clasped his fists and smiled, "The bridal procession is due to arrive in Dali today; the lady cannot meet a man, so please forgive, Mr. Wu."

"I am her godfather!!"

Wu Santong could not help but roar, suppressing his long‑held fury, his eyes gradually turning blood‑red.

Niu Ben, seeing this, saw his smile fade and his complexion turn cold.

The Sect Leader's order was to strictly guard this fellow; even senior elders of the sect sent two people. If you don't show any respect, I won't care whether you're a godfather or a god‑grandfather.

At that moment, a woman in her thirties hurried in from outside, rushed forward to grab Wu Santong, pleading, "Third Brother, today is Yuan Jun's wedding day; I beg you, don't cause the whole city to mock our family!"

"What would a woman like you understand!"

Wu Santong, embarrassed and angry, shoved his own wife aside and barked, "This is my house! I am the former commander of the Imperial Guard of the Dali Kingdom; if I can't even see my own god‑daughter, that's what makes others laugh!"

"You really have no sense of shame!"

Wu San Niang could no longer hold back her hurt and scolded, "All these years you've hidden something—do you really think I don't understand?"

Slap—

Wu Santong's face flushed crimson as if a scandal had been exposed, and in his shame he immediately slapped.

"You…"

Wu San Niang was stunned, reaching to cover her burning cheek, eyes full of disbelief.

She had thought that enduring until her adopted daughter's marriage would finally bring relief, but she didn't expect her husband to become so deranged as to disregard any marital bond.

"Mr. Wu, you are truly impressive!"

Seeing this scene, Niu Ben sneered, tightened his grip on his sword hilt, and stepped forward slowly, saying coldly, "Before our Sect Leader arrived, he also instructed that the Wu mansion could hold both mourning and wedding ceremonies together. If you have the courage, step inside today and try it."

Wu Santong felt a sudden chill in his heart.

The thought that the person truly knew something flashed through Wu Santong's mind; recalling Niu Dingtian's gaze at him, he suddenly felt a terrifying sense of being exposed.

"Impossible! Impossible! How could he possibly know?" Wu Santong muttered in a daze.

"But he doesn't know—why does he keep barring me? He wouldn't let me see her in Peach Garden, nor in Jiugong Mountain, and now even in my own house he won't let me see her."

Wu Santong seemed to fall into a sudden frenzy, his face alternating between snarling and madness, his blood‑red eyes murmuring incoherently.

"Third Brother! Third Brother!"

"What's wrong with you?"

Wu San Niang, who had always been deeply devoted to her husband, seeing his state could no longer concern herself with the slap; she hurried forward, calling out repeatedly.

Niu Ben, seeing this, gave a signal to a guard, who instantly ran outside.

After a moment, Yi Deng arrived hurriedly, leading three disciples.

"Amitabha."

The Buddha's name rang like a Sanskrit tone, and Wu Santong's eyes quickly cleared.

Yi Deng's face was like dark water; his gaze fixed on the ashamed disciple, and he said calmly, "Do you still remember how I instructed you?"

The man, who had been generous for decades, felt anger toward this disciple for the first time.

Wu Santong, ashamed, said nothing, pushed Wu San Niang aside, and knelt on the ground.

Yi Deng was silent for a moment, glanced at Wu San Niang's swollen cheek, and softly said, "I told you, Yuan Jun's return must not be disturbed by anyone; you also promised me."

"Now you act so recklessly, even laying hands on your own married spouse, have you forgotten the sovereign‑subject bond and master‑disciple relationship between us?"

"I dare not!"

Wu Santong hurriedly kowtowed.

Such a charge of rebellion, once placed on his head, would leave him without a foothold not only in the Dali Kingdom but also in the Central Plains jianghu.

Without his master's protection, Wu Santong is nothing; at this moment he realized that if that person truly knows his thoughts, once the master's restraint is gone, he will eventually not let him go.

At this moment, Yi Deng also thought of this, a hint of hesitation and struggle appearing on his face.

It was only after the fourth disciple's reminder that he became aware of certain matters.

He does not know how Niu Dingtian foresaw things, but he had indeed given the third disciple a chance for reflection, and today's actions have completely crossed his line.

He wishes to resolve the master‑disciple bond, yet worries that without that relationship the disciple will eventually fall victim to Niu Dingtian's wrath.

For a moment, he hesitated.

"Master, today is Yuan Jun's joyous day; Senior Brother Three has erred, you may punish later—today we should prioritize the wedding!"

Seeing the master's expression, Zhu Ziliu beside him immediately sensed trouble and hurriedly knelt to plead.

Qiao Zi realized and exchanged a glance with Dian Cangyu Yin; both knelt together, and Qiao Zi clasped his fists, saying:

"Master has always taught us compassion; today the third junior brother struck Third Lady, I would not dare to plead, but Yuan Jun is marrying today, we must not disrupt the joyous day; please, Master, postpone punishment!"

"Please, Master, think it over!" Dian Cangyu Yin also clasped his fists, earnestly pleading.

They did not fully understand, assuming it was merely the third junior brother assaulting his wife.

Only then did Wu San Niang realize the situation was serious; she hurriedly knelt, clasped her hands to Yi Deng and cried, "I spoke hastily just now; I don't blame Third Brother for acting. Today is Yuan Jun's joyous day; holy monk, please spare Third Brother this time."

"Enough, enough."

Yi Deng sighed, looked at the kneeling Wu Santong, and said, "If you still cherish the master‑disciple bond, starting tomorrow you shall go to Tianlong Temple for reflection; until I return, you may not step out of Tianlong Temple even a single step."

"I accept the command!"

Wu Santong hurriedly bowed his head.

"All go down," Yideng waved his hand and said, "Receive the guests properly and remember not to lose proper etiquette." "Yes!"

After Brother Wu Santong and the other three senior brothers, as well as Wu San Niang, withdrew, Niu Ben clasped his fists to Yideng and apologetically said, "The Sect Leader has ordered that the lady's safety is paramount; please forgive, Master Yideng!"

Yideng shook his head, gave a wry smile and said, "It is my lax discipline that made the young knight Niu look embarrassed."

Speaking, he paused briefly and added, "I have some matters to discuss with that child He Yuanjun, but I am not sure about the inside…"

"Please, Master Yideng, come inside!"

Niu Ben quickly raised his hand to invite, saying, "You are the lady's elder; just have someone convey the message. The Sect Leader instructed before departing that you must not neglect Master Yideng."

Yideng lightly nodded, and followed Niu Ben into the back courtyard. When they reached a pavilion, two elders stepped out and greeted Yideng.

They were the sect's protectors who had come along, Yan Hongshou and Jin Buhuan.

"Mr. Yan, Mr. Jin, I have my respects," Yideng said.

Yideng had previously met the two, exchanged a few pleasantries, and under Niu Ben's guidance arrived at He Yuanjun's small courtyard.

In the inner chambers, He Yuanjun was dressed in a phoenix crown and rosy veil, her jade face lightly powdered, pearl‑bright and jade‑lovely, hair bun adorned with emerald and vermilion, appearing graceful and noble.

Upon hearing the maid report Master Yideng's visit, she hurriedly rose to meet him at the door.

"Grandmaster, I have the honor of meeting you!"

Seeing Yideng waiting under the corridor eave, He Yuanjun quickly stepped forward, bowed, and laughed, "Grandmaster, please come inside; I will have Ying'er bring tea."

Yideng smiled and shook his head, saying, "No need for trouble; Grandmaster, I have a few matters for you, then I will leave."

He said, pulling a book from his bosom and handing it forward, smiling, "This is the Grandmaster's wedding gift for you; dear child, keep it well, and later hand it personally to your husband."

"One Yang Finger?" He Yuanjun took the book, her jade face unable to hide surprise.

The One Yang Finger is the Dali Duan clan's exclusive supreme art; she never expected the Grandmaster to give such a technique. Then a hint of hesitation appeared on her face, and she softly said, "This gift is too precious; I fear losing it, and since Grandmaster is also heading to Xiangyang, why not deliver it to my husband yourself?"

"It's different."

Yideng smiled and shook his head.

Then his expression softened, his gaze steady, and he instructed, "For this marriage, the mountains are high and the road long; thereafter, stay peacefully in Xiangyang, and do not return to Dali. If you suffer grievances, write to Grandmaster, and Grandmaster will intervene for you."

Hearing this, He Yuanjun felt moved; she had lost both parents in childhood, grew up in hardship, and was later adopted by a foster father and mother, enjoying parental affection for a long time.

But after turning twelve she began to notice that foster father Wu Santong's gaze toward her changed, and even the foster mother sometimes became indifferent.

She has always been delicate‑minded; over time she sensed the feeling, but kept it deep within her heart.

Fortunately, at thirteen she was suddenly sent by Grandmaster to Taoyuan, where she stayed for three years before being dispatched to Jiugong Mountain.

Looking back, the three years in Taoyuan and the two years in Jiugong Mountain were actually her happiest days.

"Grandmaster, do you know everything...?"

He Yuanjun's eyes flickered slightly; gathering courage, she whispered.

Yideng sighed, a trace of guilt in his features, and said, "Back then, young friend Niu went to Taoyuan; Grandmaster always felt he had some grievance against Santong, but thought it was just temperament."

"Later, he specifically named and sought to marry you; Grandmaster was curious, but seeing his youthful mastery, his future was limitless, so he agreed outright."

"Afterwards, he requested to bring you to Taoyuan, to be personally taught by Grandmaster. These odd reactions Grandmaster initially ignored, and only after Uncle Zhu Shi's advice did he become aware."

"This is also why Grandmaster left you alone in Xiangyang before the marriage gate; the fewer times you see him, the fewer grievances you bear. Raising such a wayward disciple, Grandmaster indeed failed you."

"Yuanjun does not resent foster father or mother, nor Grandmaster," He Yuanjun shook her head, softly saying, "Foster father and mother gave me nurturing kindness; without them I would have starved long ago."

"Grandmaster's three years of teaching taught Yuanjun many principles: be generous, let go of attachments. Since you now have a new life, you will not dwell on past hardships, and Grandmaster need not overly punish foster father."

"Amitabha," Yideng couldn't help but raise his hands in prayer, chanting the Buddha's name.

He had originally worried that his disciple might be hurt by this matter, intending to guide him, but instead received teaching from him.

In an instant, a feeling of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

"Little miss! Quickly, quickly, quickly!"

"Niu's guard says the wedding procession is entering the city! Hurry and prepare the bridal sedan chair!"

At that moment, the maid Ying'er rushed in from outside the courtyard, shouting urgently to He Yuanjun.

He Yuanjun's face flushed slightly, a hint of shyness in her eyes, and she whispered to Yideng, "Grandmaster, take care, I will return first."

Yideng's expression was kind, he lightly nodded, then turned and left the small courtyard.

Half an hour later

A massive wedding procession surged into the city, drawing crowds of townsfolk to watch.

Rumor has it that the once prosperous and powerful region now gave the Dali people a lesson; this wedding procession rivals the emperor's tour.

Look at those broad‑shouldered men; if they wore red robes, one would think they were marching troops.

"Master, these are the elite soldiers, one in a thousand in the army; their strength equals ten in any Dali unit."

Qiaozi stared at the orderly, upright formation of the procession, shocked, and whispered to the nearby Yideng.

If they were ordinary soldiers it would be nothing, but these over two thousand each possessed strong inner energy, truly astonishing.

Yideng also noticed the unusual nature of the group, and felt curious about the changes in Xiangyang over the past two years.

"Perhaps, war is coming..."

Thinking of Niu Dingtian's current god‑like terrifying strength, Yideng muttered to himself.

With such power and an army, no one would continue to stay in Xiangyang.

Dusk,

the moment of yin‑yang transition.

"Crackle—"

Amid the deafening firecrackers, the setting sun blazed like fire, melting everything into a crimson glow.

As a red silhouette slowly stepped through the main gate, entered the bridal sedan chair, curtains fell, the sedan rose, drums and music sounded together.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, a fiery red column sailed out of Yangju City. (End of chapter)