Chapter 56: Scholar

The little girl looks proper wherever she goes, and her figure is excellent.

Benefactor, are you looking down on her?

How about I, the monk, introduce a few for you?

Squatting on the riverbank, Ji Gong was teasing the lake fish with his Palm Fan when he saw Yu Lin return and tossed a few teasing remarks at him.

Yu Lin shook his head: "It's not that I'm looking down."

"It's that I don't want to ruin someone's whole life, and besides we've only met three times."

"On the contrary, it's you, Dharma Master."

"Are you trying to introduce a nun to me? If it's the one you introduce… I could consider it, it's not impossible."

He raised an eyebrow at Ji Gong and, in turn, teased Ji Gong with a remark.

"Uh, hahaha." Ji Gong laughed heartily.

"You, you, monk, I actually got caught by you."

"It's my fault for being too talkative, too talkative."

He stood up, patted his rear, and casually tucked the Palm Fan into his waist.

"Benefactor, where are you staying today?"

"If you have nowhere to stay, you could come with me to Lingyin Temple; there are still vacant guest rooms there."

Yu Lin thought that he had wanted to ask him for the Palm Fan today, had failed many times, and that going with him to Lingyin Temple later should be fine, right?

He simply nodded.

"Then thank you, Dharma Master."

"Hey, you're welcome, you're welcome. Guest rooms are built for people to stay; if no one stays, then what are they called?" Ji Gong said, shaking his head, then turned toward Lingyin Temple.

"Yes."

Yu Lin walked beside him, chatting idly, and didn't find the journey dull.

Night.

"Big Tiger."

"What did you cause a commotion about at the restaurant entrance today? You disturbed the diners; that's not a gentleman's behavior."

Inside a first‑class guest room of Yunhua Inn.

Candlelight flickered, illuminating the profile of a handsome Scholar.

He wore a blue robe, his features like a painting, and was holding a scroll in his hands, reading carefully. Hearing the noise at the door, he didn't lift his head, only asked calmly.

Big Tiger muttered to himself: I'm not a gentleman either; I gladly become a petty person.

Being petty is so comfortable! All this talk of gentlemen and non‑gentlemen, just thinking about it is exhausting!

But he only thought that, then stepped forward, set down the water basin, and smiled flattery, saying:

"Young master, aren't you sensitive to foul smells? So I stopped a filthy, stinky monk from entering the restaurant, fearing he would disturb your mood."

He rubbed his hands, speaking ingratiatingly:

"It's not easy for you to come to Lin'an to visit relatives, so of course you should come happily and leave happily…"

Bang!

The Scholar abruptly closed the book and rose from the chair.

He furrowed his brows, stared at Big Tiger and asked, "Is the monk you mentioned dressed in rags and holding a Palm Fan?"

Big Tiger scratched his head, thought carefully, and shook his head: "No."

The Scholar was about to sigh in relief when Big Tiger added, "The Palm Fan is tucked at the waist."

Scholar: "........."

He was silent for a moment, then Big Tiger made him laugh angrily, raising his hand to point at him: "You, you, you really are.........."

"The books I've had you read these days, where have you taken them?"

"Ritual, righteousness, integrity, and shame—how many have you learned?"

"Last time I scolded you, I told you to be modest and friendly, not to rely on a few martial skills to be arrogant; have you forgotten?"

His voice grew stern: "If there is another next time, you should go back!"

"I cannot use it, nor dare to use you!"

Big Tiger, seeing the Scholar angry, quickly bowed his head and admitted fault:

"Yes, yes, yes, young master, your scolding—I'll never repeat it next time!"

"Please, young master, forgive my sin!"

The Scholar took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and sat back down.

He casually picked up a book from the table and tossed it to Big Tiger: "Copy it three times."

"Tomorrow, go with me to Lingyin Temple."

Big Tiger, flustered, caught the book and asked,

"Young master, aren't you going tomorrow…"

"What are you going to do at Lingyin Temple?"

The Scholar sighed, bitterly pointing at him: "Isn't it because of your matter?"

He rubbed his forehead, helplessly said, "Do you know that the filthy stinky monk you mentioned is the famous Daoji Master?!"

Big Tiger heard that, instantly opened his mouth wide: "Ah?!"

His expression froze instantly, eyes full of shock and regret:

"He really is Dao… Daoji Master?!"

"Daoji Master really looks… a sloppy figure?!"

"His appearance has nothing to do with you," the Scholar waved his hand, saying lightly:

"The world judges people by their clothing and appearance, yet they do not realize that the true Buddha often bears no form."

He raised his hand, pointed at the lotus painting hanging in the guest room, and continued:

"You look at that lotus, it rises from the mud yet remains unstained; behold that bright pearl, shrouded in dust yet its light unchanged."

"Daoji Master may seem mad, but his heart is like a bright mirror; he drinks wine and eats meat, yet he is closer to Buddha‑nature than those so‑called 'high monks' who chant sutras all day and hide filth in their hearts."

He lowered his hand, his gaze deep.

"Today you have stopped not only a Dharma Master, but also a demon‑mirroring mirror—reflecting your own arrogance and also my incompetence."

"I failed to make you good."

Big Tiger flushed red in the face and ears upon hearing it, and lowered his head in silence.

The Scholar stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the bright moon in the night sky:

"Tomorrow we go to Lingyin Temple, not only to atone, but also to learn to view people with this heart."

"Remember, true cultivation lies not at the mountain gate, but at the heart gate."

"Even the highest martial skill is empty without cultivating the heart."

Big Tiger watched his own master's son's silhouette, and after a long pause managed to utter a single word: "Yes."

"Young master, you truly are Wenqu descended to the mortal world, what you say is indeed philosophical! I, the junior, have been taught!"

The Scholar turned around, waved his hand: "I am not Wenqu, just a seeker of knowledge; you may go out."

"Be humble in the future."

"It was reviewed again, I had to revise it before publishing; I, the author, will hold back from now on—I'm a little scared..."