Chapter 3559: It's Been a Hundred Years—How Have You Been?

Seeing An Chengxi had made up his mind, the other three said nothing more.

Although they were shocked and annoyed to have been found here by Lin Wanner, since Lin Wanner was a friend, not an enemy, and at least posed no threat, they said no more.

An Chengxi tidied the shards on the tea tray again, took out a new cup, and said: "Alright, everyone need not be dispirited; it's only natural to be inferior in skill or wit, let alone facing an old senior like Lin Wanner—just sit down and wait patiently."

The three nodded in turn and sat down again.

At this moment, Lin Wanner had already stepped into the entrance of the main hall courtyard.

The empty-hidden monk, weak from exhaustion and emotionally agitated, was leaning against the doorframe, gazing hopefully; when he saw Lin Wanner stride in, his wrinkled face instantly broke into a childlike smile.

Lin Wanner also saw him, and at the same time put away her girlish smile, replacing it with a kind yet dignified smile.

As she walked, she removed her mask and, with her hands, undid her twin tails; in the process of walking briskly, her hands deftly and neatly retied her long hair into a clean, high ponytail.

At this moment, Lin Wanner's eyes gained a sharp glint.

In an instant, her bearing changed utterly, as if she had become another person.

Kong Yin trembled as he tried to step out of the main hall to greet her; Lin Wanner, having tied her hair, merely extended her right hand slightly, palm facing him, and Kong Yin understood she was telling him to stay where he was.

So he stopped moving, his hands braced against the doorframe, tears already streaming, so that Lin Wanner's figure gradually blurred in his vision.

Lin Wanner quickened her pace, striding toward Kong Yin; as she drew near, Kong Yin released his grip on the doorframe, trembling as he was about to kneel, murmuring choked with sobs: "Miss Zhengping… Zhengping pays his respects to the Miss…"

Lin Wanner reached out to support him, smiling, and asked: "Zhengping, it's been a hundred years—how have you been?"

Kong Yin's emotions instantly lost control; he broke down, wailing like a child: "Good… good… Miss… Zhengping is all well, thanks to your blessing, I've lived to this day and still have the chance to see you again… Miss… how have you been these years?"

Seeing him weep so, Lin Wanner felt a pang of sorrow, yet she kept her kind smile and softly said: "I'm doing well too, as you see—I'm still the same."

Having spoken, Lin Wanner supported him and said: "You're old now; don't keep standing like this, nor get too agitated—I'll help you inside to sit and talk."

Kong Yin choked: "Zhengping dare not trouble the Miss; Zhengping can still walk on his own."

Lin Wanner smiled gently: "Still as strong-willed as when you were a child."

Though she said so, Lin Wanner still lightly supported him to the futon in the center of the main hall and had him sit down.

Kong Yin was nearing the end, his movements slow and weary, yet his face could not hide his excitement; he wiped his tears with his monk's robe, then finally saw Lin Wanner clearly and sighed: "Miss, over all these years, you truly haven't changed a bit."

Lin Wanner laughed heartily: "With a five-hundred-year lifespan, I've not even lived four hundred yet; in another few decades, I'll still be just like this."

Kong Yin sighed: "Miss, you've suffered greatly these years."

Lin Wanner smiled: "I've had these many extra years to wander the world compared to ordinary folk—enduring some hardship is only natural."

Kong Yin nodded: "Miss, you remain as broad-minded as ever."

Having said that, he then thought to ask: "Miss… you… how did you come to Japan? You once said, after the Jiawu War, Japan became obsessed with military expansion, which disappointed you deeply, and you vowed never to return… now that you're back, have you run into some trouble?"

Lin Wanner shook her head and said: "I came here to see the honored guest in your temple."

"My honored guest?!" Kong Yin was stunned for a moment, then asked her: "Miss, are you acquainted with Master Jingqing?"

"Not acquainted." Lin Wanner smiled: "I merely noticed your temple was closed for renovation, and that Master Jingqing had come to Japan, so I felt the person I seek might be here, and thus came to look; if it's convenient, please have someone tell them I, Lin Wanner, respectfully request an audience."

Kong Yin nodded and said: "Don't take it amiss, Miss—among their party, I only know Master Jingqing; the others reside in a separate annex within the temple, rarely go out, and have no contact with us; moreover, Master Jingqing seems not to be the leader of these people—the true leader should be in seclusion in that annex. Miss, I'll inform Master Jingqing shortly and ask him to relay the message."

Lin Wanner said: "You're old and frail—don't tire yourself; I'll go find that novice monk from earlier and have him deliver the message."

Kong Yin smiled, pulled out his phone from under the futon, and said: "Miss, don't worry—I'll call Master Jingqing."

Lin Wanner blinked, covered her mouth and giggled, reached out to touch his bald head, and laughed: "Zhengping, seeing you again feels just like over a hundred years ago—almost makes me forget we're now in modern society."

Kong Yin smiled like a child: "But in Zhengping's heart, the days when I lived beside you with my brothers and sisters were the best times of my life."

Lin Wanner sighed: "Time flies—those brothers and sisters of yours, are you the only one left now?"

Kong Yin wept as he sighed: "Yes, Miss, only I remain; I never thought I'd get to see you again before I die."

Saying this, he couldn't help but sob again.

Lin Wanner said: "Alright, don't cry anymore—among the children back then, you were the one who cried the most; I never imagined that after over a hundred years, you'd still be this tearful—from the moment I saw you till now, I've lost count of how many times you've cried."

Kong Yin hastily wiped his tears and murmured: "Please forgive my tears, Miss."

Saying this, to ease the awkwardness, he quickly picked up his phone and asked Lin Wanner: "By the way, Miss, how should I tell Master Jingqing?"

Lin Wanner smiled: "Just say your miss wishes to see the head of his household; if he grants face, please ask him to come to the main hall for a meeting."

"Understood, Miss." Kong Yin wasted no time and immediately called Master Jingqing.

Jingqing was not surprised by his call; after connecting, he said respectfully: "Greetings, Master Kongyin."

Kongyin said: "Master Jingqing, my miss wishes to meet the head of your household; I don't know if you'd grant us an audience in the main hall."

Jingqing looked toward An Chengxi, who gave a slight nod.

Then he said to Kongyin: "Please tell your miss we're coming right away."

After hanging up, he asked An Chengxi: "Madam, may I accompany you?"

An Chengxi stood, smiled, and said: "Let's all go—if someone dares to come alone to Kyoto despite such danger, what do we have to hold back?"

Tang Sihai and Sun Jie exchanged a glance, said nothing, and rose silently.

Then the four set off together toward the main hall.

In the main hall, Lin Wanner sat upright with proper decorum; for a girl who looks only sixteen or seventeen, sitting so properly and with such solemn expression, the scene is indeed somewhat incongruous.

Though Kong Yin had thousands of words he wished to say to Lin Wanner, he knew his miss had pressing matters, so he sat beside her in silence.

Soon, footsteps sounded; Lin Wanner lifted her gaze toward the main hall entrance.

Though she remained calm, she was also deeply curious—who, capable of perceiving everything from behind the scenes and even directing strategy, could it be?

Moreover, she clearly knew that if they had arranged a meeting with her at Qingzhao An initially, it proved she was in the open to them, and they certainly knew her identity and origins.

Now, at last, the time had come for everyone to speak openly and sincerely!