Chapter 221: White‑Clad Avalokiteśvara Observes the Vast World: The Pannirvana Sutra

As the banquet organizer and the most prestigious student in Xianhezhai, there was none equal; the Yuanshan Empire and Heshuo Commandery Princess Borjigin Baoshan Angyue were both eager.

He directly set off and left.

Zhang Gui also retreated back into the bamboo forest.

He cast the clamor behind him and slipped quietly out of Xianhezhai along the original path.

He pretended to be composed, descended the steps, and headed toward Langwei Fang.

Only Walk was no more than about ten steps.

A graceful figure appeared on his right side,

"Lord of the Deep Winter from Xihe Continent, aren't you here to see the sights of Xianhezhai?

Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Miss Zhen, I was sharp‑tongued before and teased you; that was my fault.

Please forgive me for that."

Zhang Gui, insincerely, said a feigned apology.

Unexpectedly, Zhen Ciyun truly forgave him,

"Fine, it was my elder brother who was abrupt and scared you; let's forget it.

But why did you suddenly change your name and run to the Great Wolf Capital of Yuanshan?"

Encountering such a purposeless meddler, Zhang Gui, unable to use hard measures in the Great Wolf Capital, was also helpless.

He could only sigh and say:

"This place is empty and not suitable for conversation.

How about we find a teahouse and talk slowly?"

"A lone man and woman might be inconvenient."

Zhen Ciyun's eyebrows, like a mountain ridge, twitched slightly, and her watery large eyes drifted over Zhang Gui's face as she said:

"If it's your words, I could make an exception."

"Then I truly thank you.

Let's hurry up and go."

Zhang Gui forced a fake smile and replied, activating the Divine Cluster within his body, 'Great Confluence of Celestial Phenomena and Earthly Geography', to unleash the power of 'Beginning of Autumn'.

A cold wind rose around his body, enveloping himself and Zhen Ciyun, and in an instant they descended the mountain like autumn wind scattering leaves.

"If we keep moving, the market town at the foot of Tianyuan Mountain is populated by Yuanshan dignitaries.

Almost everyone possesses supernatural abilities; if they all summoned wind and rain while walking, it would become utter chaos."

Zhen Ciyun, seeing this, hurriedly reminded.

Zhang Gui naturally understood this, otherwise he wouldn't have spent money to rent a rickety carriage that banged for a day and night to reach the foot of Tianyuan Mountain.

At this moment he was only posturing to scare Zhen Ciyun, letting out a foul breath.

Just as he was about to sweep into Langwei Fang, the 'autumn wind' dissipated, landing lightly on the ground.

He glanced at Zhen Ciyun, intending to see a joke, when suddenly his eyes flickered and turned completely black.

Then Zhen Ciyun's faint voice sounded in his ear,

"Lord of the Deep Winter, you possess talent, destiny, and ability that surpass no one.

You have attained the so‑called Divine Ability of 'Born Pure and True, connecting Heaven and Earth to stealthily wield its power'.

But do not forget the principle that 'All Under Heaven teems with talent, and within ten steps there is immortal herb'.

It is not only you who may be called a 'Man of Vast Divine Ability'."

As the words fell, Zhang Gui's eyes regained their sight.

"My days have been too smooth, and people become arrogant.

I humbly accept your teaching."

"Usually, relatives and old friends who have been taught by me, whether they are stubborn as a dead duck or obediently accept the lesson,

will curiously ask what Divine Ability I wield.

Yet you lack such curiosity; perhaps you are cultured.

Also, you are certain your Divine Ability is stronger and refuse to reveal it, thus 'Do not impose on others what you do not desire yourself'?"

"None of those.

It is the origin of my Divine Ability that concerns a friend's safety, so I cannot disclose it."

Having witnessed the mysterious depth of Zhen Ciyun's ability, Zhang Gui's attitude toward her immediately improved, and he said sincerely,

Zhen Ciyun, hearing this, showed an apologetic expression,

"That was petty of me.

The origin of my Divine Ability is not hard to explain; it stems from the 'Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue, Body' Five Senses.

If one pushes further upward, it is said there are also 'Consciousness, Manas, Alaya'.

It is obtained through my cultivation of the supreme Buddhist secret method."

When others show goodwill, Zhang Gui cannot cover his ears and not listen.

Moreover, just the name alone is like an extraordinary peerless technique.

Any fragment, such as a Buddhist‑type ability that can cultivate a Divine Ability related to the Five Senses, feels like high‑level transcendent knowledge.

One can imagine and infer many 'interesting' aspects.

Yet he also does not wish to owe anyone a favor.

After thinking, he said,

"Just now I saw Princess Baoshan Angyue invite you to a banquet, just a cup of thin wine and some fruit platter."

It wasn't as grand as imagined; the noble on the great grassland hired someone to roast a whole rhinoceros.

Then inside the rhinoceros's belly was a roasted swift horse, the horse's belly… roasted green donkey… roasted whole sheep… roasted lamb… roasted flying‑dragon bird… roasted quail… roasted egg.

Then everyone only ate eggs to their fill, in a grand manner, 」

Zhen Ciyun couldn't help laughing out loud at this,

「Even at Shengzhang Tian's first‑day‑of‑the‑year Great Court Assembly banquet for the ministers, there was never such extravagance. 」

「I really don't know where you heard these bizarre things. 」

「'Eating eggs' whether true or not is irrelevant. 」

「I mean, you probably haven't eaten your fill yet. 」

「Let's skip tea; how about I treat you to a feast? 」

「Sure. 」

「But I really don't like the roasted poultry of Yuanshan. 」

「A light, simple serving of tail fish is best. 」

「Great Wolf Capital lies by the canal, the fish are abundant; let's have fish tonight. 」

「Do you know a good place? 」

「Follow me. 」

Zhen Ciyun gave a gentle smile, led Zhang Gui at a leisurely pace, chatting as they arrived at the entrance of a seven‑story tavern called Bai Xian Lou.

Inside they learned the tavern's rule: the higher the floor, the more exquisite the dishes, and the money spent naturally becomes more "satisfying".

Zhang Gui asked the young servant,

「I am a merchant from Xi Zhou, possessing only a waist badge equivalent to your 'Only Walk' status. 」

「What is the highest floor I can go to? 」

「Sir, you simply don't understand Yuanshan's customs. 」

「'Only Walk' is already an official rank; though it only works for this lifetime, it is still more prestigious than 'Old Citizen'. 」

「As long as your purse holds enough money, you may eat wherever you wish. 」

「Then the seventh floor, I want the finest private seat. 」

「The best private seat on the seventh floor costs a thousand Dog Head Gold…」

「If the seventh floor is only a thousand, do you have an eighth or ninth floor? 」

In his previous life, Zhang Gui loved such scenes, especially the 'display of nobility' in front of beautiful young women.

His spirit jolted, he smiled faintly, and said calmly.

「Sure enough, another 'silly fish' who lures girls. 」

The Shop Assistant had a thought flash through his mind, lightly slapping himself twice with his hand,

「It's my fault, it's my fault. 」

「Honored guest, please take a seat. 」

「Hmm. 」 Zhang Gui rolled his eyes, nodded, and together with the still‑suppressing‑laugh Zhen Ciyun, went up to the seventh floor.

They entered a modestly sized yet exquisitively decorated room.

It lacked the rugged great grassland style, instead reflecting Dongzhou's water‑town refined elegance.

Looking around, they went to the window, gazing from above over the most vibrant district of Da Liangdu, its brightly lit nightscape.

Zhang Gui agreed, saying:

「What a prosperous aura; indeed, hearing about it is not as good as seeing it. 」

「If anyone later tells me that the Yuan Mountain Grasslands are merely 'strong in arms but ultimately barbaric', I'll douse them with a face full of flowers. 」

(End of chapter)