Chapter 643

Tao Ji was utterly exhausted.

When he had first arrived in the land of the Wa, he could still get a good night's sleep from time to time, but ever since Master Xuanmiao raided several of the Kikuchi clan's hideouts, they had been constantly on the run.

Even after reaching Ichibata Temple, he did not dare sleep deeply; the moment Master Xuanmiao moved, he woke instantly.

Perhaps it was Pan Yun's arrival that let him finally let his guard down completely—once he fell asleep this time, he dropped straight into deep-sleep mode.

Master Xuanmiao got up to pour himself some water, and he did not stir at all.

Master Xuanmiao tilted his head to glance at him, saw his breathing was long and even, and could not help relaxing as well. He set down the tea bowl, casually scooped up Pan Xiaohei and stuffed him into the bedding beside Tao Ji, so the two could keep each other company.

Pan Xiaohei's temper had smoothed out quite a bit by now; even after being stuffed into the bedding, he did not move, only poking his pitch-black cat head out.

Master Xuanmiao sat down cross-legged and resumed his meditation.

Pan Yun made her way back to the inn without a hitch. The tail following her had been shaken off the moment it left Ichibata Temple. She even flew a full circle around the village to confirm there were no tails, and along the way took the measure of the entire village, before slipping back into the inn.

At this point, the person who understood this village's situation best was probably not Yi Jianren, but her.

Pan Yun landed soundlessly on the rooftop and asked Xue Shao and the others, who were still peering ahead: "Are you keeping watch for me?"

The voice suddenly rang out beside their ears; Xue Shao and the others got a fright, nearly tumbling off the rooftop. They turned their heads only to discover Pan Yun had somehow ended up standing behind them.

Xue Shao quietly let out a breath of relief, and Wang Cong immediately rose: "Little Xiao Shishu, we just saw a rain of arrows…"

"Oh, I couldn't find Third Senior Brother and Fourth Senior Sister, and I got held up by someone. In a fit of frustration, I used a spell-arrow to give them a heads-up." If the divine healers in the temple really were them, they would surely be able to recognize her spell.

Wang Cong exhaled in relief: "Young Master Xue is the clever one—he figured out Little Xiao Shishu's intention at once. When we saw it, we nearly rushed over."

"Good thing you didn't come. The monks of Ichibata Temple are quite formidable, and the Mao Li clan also stationed a large number of samurai in ambush inside the temple, armed with bows and crossbows. If you had shown up, I'd have had to protect you first." Pan Yun looked left and right, then asked: "Where are Miao Zhen and the other two?"

Wang Cong's face was complicated: "The junior sisters fell asleep. Fourth Senior Sister said that if even you couldn't get out, us going would just be throwing our lives away, so we might as well sleep soundly and make new plans tomorrow."

Pan Yun could not help but praise them: "Worthy pupils I've trained myself—steady as a rock!"

As if. Miao Zhen hugged her blanket, her big eyes wide open, not moving a muscle—until the door pushed open. She sat up at once, saw it was Pan Yun, and only then lay back down relieved: "Little Xiao Shishu, the hot water is in the washroom, it might have gone cold—use a spell to warm it up again."

Pan Yun: "Got it."

Hearing the splashing from the washroom, Miao Zhen gradually drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, upon waking, Pan Yun said to Yi Jianren: "It's rare to come all this way—we've decided to stay a few more days here, to burn incense and pray at Ichibata Temple."

Yi Jianren was slightly taken aback. Just yesterday Pan Yun had been in such a rush to get to Iwami Province, asking whether the journey could be shortened to within three days.

Still, he knew his place well and did not ask the reason, simply bowing: "I'll go arrange the trip right away."

Pan Yun nodded.

Yi Jianren first went to extend their stay at the inn, then inquired about the do's and don'ts of burning incense and praying at Ichibata Temple, and bought back quite a few prayer offerings.

Pan Yun lowered her head to look at the sack of rice he had brought back.

Yi Jianren hurriedly explained: "When burning incense and praying, devotees offer rice and money to the temple's eminent monks—it's a custom passed down from the Celestial Empire—so I prepared some."

Pan Yun gave a slight nod: "Very good."

There was nothing wrong with offering rice.

Walking from the village to Ichibata Temple was not as fast as Pan Yun's direct flight last night; following the road properly to the main gate took two quarter-hours.

But the scenery along the way was rather nice, and besides, she noticed there were a great many people on the road.

Yi Jianren watched Pan Yun's expression and immediately went to inquire. He returned shortly and said: "People from nearby heard that two divine healers have come to Ichibata Temple, so they've come seeking treatment."

Ichibata Temple enshrines Bhaisajyaguru. The story goes that a monk unearthed a statue of Bhaisajyaguru in the wild and enshrined it at Ichibata Temple.

Because it leans toward spreading health and blessings to the faithful, Ichibata Temple is somewhat similar to a Medicine King Hall back home—the monks there, apart from Buddhist cultivation, focus on medicine.

It is said the one with the best medical skill currently is an eminent monk called Master Bao Hai.

"Originally, Ichibata Temple was founded by Kobo Daishi, and Kobo Daishi once traveled to the Celestial Empire to study the Buddha's teachings, so the monks of Ichibata Temple are very friendly toward people from the Celestial Empire," Yi Jianren said quietly. "Your Ladyship's barrier can fool the ordinary monks at the gate, but it cannot fool the eminent monks inside Ichibata Temple. Still, it's no great matter—the eminent monks of Ichibata Temple do not concern themselves with worldly affairs and will not mind your identity."

Thinking of the monks who had charged the front line last night, Pan Yun tugged at the corner of her mouth. You call that not concerning oneself with worldly affairs?

But she did not deny that Ichibata Temple was courteous toward people from the Celestial Empire.

If they had not been courteous, they would not have taken in Master Xuanmiao and Tao Ji.

For that reason alone, Pan Yun was willing to lower her stance and treat the receiving monk who came out to greet them with deference.

The receiving monk did not know Pan Yun's identity and merely led her in as an ordinary guest, then treated everyone equally: "The divine healers are busy and won't have time to hold sutra lectures or teach health sutras in the near future. If patrons have concerns, they may ask the temple's masters to answer on their behalf."

Pan Yun realized that through ordinary channels she would not be able to see Master Xuanmiao and Tao Ji. She lowered her eyes to think, then raised them a moment later and revealed her identity: "I am Junior Martial Sister of Dharma Master Xuanmiao. Might I trouble the Master to pass word along?"

The receiving monk was slightly startled and hurried to report it. After about a quarter-hour he hurried back out, much more polite: "Honored guests, please come inside."

Master Xuanmiao and the others had only just finished morning prayers not long before. Beside him walked a great monk, and behind the great monk followed another monk and a samurai—both looking very familiar.

Pan Yun exchanged a glance with the two of them, then looked away.

One look, and both sides understood perfectly—she was last night's visitor.

Pan Yun beamed at Master Xuanmiao and Tao Ji with a smile, and bowed: "Senior Brother, Senior Sister."

Master Xuanmiao gave a slight nod and introduced her to the great monk beside him: "Great Master Master Bao Hai, this is my junior martial sister, Pan Yun—she's come from the Central Plains to find us."

Great Master Master Bao Hai wore a look of sudden realization. After studying Pan Yun carefully, he laughed in pure Han speech: "The Celestial Empire truly produces outstanding people. Last night's visitor was you, little patron?"

Pan Yun cupped her fist: "Pan Yun was so anxious to find her senior brother and sister that she offended—please be magnanimous."

Great Master Master Bao Hai said it was nothing and at once ordered arrangements for their lodging.

Pan Yun's gaze swept past Master Xuanmiao as she smiled and declined Great Master Master Bao Hai: "We have companions with us and have rented a house outside, so we won't trouble your honored temple. We only worry about our senior brother and sister, so we'd like to come into the temple to visit daily."

(End of chapter)