Chapter 215: Seeing Ruhui Again

Anyone with half a brain could see that these were elite troops, already beyond the level of the jianghu, carrying the grim, murderous aura of proper soldiers. With men like these, no power in Xuzhou could stand against them. Some thought even deeper — it seemed the men under the Xuzhou Assistant Regional Commander were far inferior to these.

Nearly everyone present came to this realization. Thinking that way, walking among them, one felt immense pressure, that grim, murderous aura coiling close around them.

Everyone wore leather gowns and padded jackets, yet walking through this corridor of long spears, they felt chilled to the bone, breaking into constant cold sweats. Some, before even entering the mourning hall, already had weak knees and stumbling steps. Those who could steel themselves to make it inside counted as men of courage, yet even these bold fellows had trembling legs.

Precisely because of this, when they reached the funeral altar, many simply dropped to their knees and kowtowed — it was impossible not to have weak legs.

Before kneeling, they all saw Zhao Jin and the others standing to one side of the altar. Zhao Jin and his men wore plain mourning clothes, standing there expressionless. Sun Dalei's father just sat there weeping.

When they kowtowed, it was unclear whether they were paying respects to Sun Dalei or submitting to Zhao Jin and his men.

Among jianghu folk, many things need not be spelled out. Having witnessed the strength outside and kowtowed inside, everyone understood perfectly well how things would be from now on. Many had thought highly of themselves before coming, figuring this visit was merely giving Zhao Jin face, and that future matters would still need negotiation. After seeing this, all such thoughts died. They simply waited for Zhao Jin to speak and would do as told.

Filing in, filing out. Watching these usually insufferably arrogant figures kowtow and pay respects, then rise and respectfully nod toward his side, Zhao Jin felt no joy in his heart. These demons and monsters were truly beneath his notice. He only thought that if Sun Dalei could see this, he would surely be immensely pleased, surely thinking about what benefits he could squeeze out of it. Only now, the man was gone.

Everything proceeded in good order — this was both Sun Dalei's funeral rite and a ceremony for Zhao Jin's side. Few people were inside the mourning hall, but outside, many were busy. Besides the household guards standing sentry with long spears, quite a few of Chen Ergou's and Butcher Li's men were also at work. Their task was to record the names of those who came — the purpose, of course, was not to see who had come, but to know who had not.

"Master, Monk Ruhui from Cloud Mountain Temple has come, and he's brought eighteen monks with him." House servant Li Wu hurried in from outside and whispered in Zhao Jin's ear.

Zhao Jin frowned. The people of Cloud Mountain Temple dared to enter the city so openly and even come here — their nerve was considerable. Li Wu continued, "They're all old monks in their forties and fifties. Monk Ruhui said he wants to offer a full scripture session for Master Sun, to deliver his soul to the Western Paradise."

After a death, monks and Daoist priests are normally invited to perform rites and chant scriptures, but no one had considered this for Sun Dalei's funeral. The reason was that Zhao Jin's group and Cloud Mountain Temple were irreconcilable enemies. Another point — on the ground of Xuzhou, and even in the areas of Fengyang Prefecture and Huai'an Prefecture bordering Xuzhou, apart from Cloud Mountain Temple, there were simply no other Buddhist or Daoist clergy active at all.

Sun Jia and his wife were utterly devastated and in no state to attend to such details, so things had been carried on in this vague, muddled way.

Hearing this, Zhao Jin thought for a moment, then walked over to Sun Jia and quietly asked a few questions. Though Sun Jia's words conveyed that Zhao Jin should decide, the expression on his face could not be concealed.

"Let Ruhui bring his people in. Have Lu Da keep an eye on them." Zhao Jin made the decision.

Before long, Monk Ruhui led the way, eighteen monks following behind. Each wore a kasaya and held ritual implements, putting on a full and imposing display as they walked slowly in.

After these monks entered the mourning hall, Ruhui took the lead in chanting the Buddha's name in unison, then paid respects to Sun Jia. Only then did they begin chanting scriptures for the deliverance of the soul, following the proper rites.

It must be said, religious ritual truly has the power to soothe the heart. As the chanting rose, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Sun Jia and his wife, who had just calmed down, began weeping again. Not only them — Zhao Jin and the others also found themselves unable to hold back, tears streaming down unceasingly. But unlike before, the weeping and sorrow now were a release and an outpouring.

The Sun family's relatives and friends in Xuzhou had come. The various figures Zhao Jin had notified had come. By the time the sun set in the afternoon, there were basically no more guests, only some of the Sun family's relatives remaining to keep vigil. Monk Ruhui and his group, however, were quite earnest, continuing to chant without pause.

"You brothers have already helped avenge him and done all you could. Today's affairs were so grand — Dalei would be happy. Go attend to your own matters. We two old folks will take Dalei home tomorrow." Sun Jia spoke in a hoarse voice. There were all sorts of rules for keeping vigil and paying respects, but Sun Jia and his wife did not wish to stay a single day longer in Xuzhou.

Zhao Jin and his companions had no words either. Before leaving, each lit a stick of incense for Sun Dalei and silently murmured a few words. Outside, the various subordinates were also beginning to pack up, preparing to return. Just then, the announcer outside called out, "Magistrate Li Qing, Magistrate Li has arrived!"

Sun Jia and his wife paused, then hurriedly rose to receive him. Zhao Jin also knew the name Li Qing — he was the Clerk of the Punishment Office. A clerk was a minor functionary; in formal settings, he was not entitled to be addressed as "Magistrate." Yet the power of the Punishment Office Clerk ranked within the top twenty in Xuzhou city, even counting Zhao Jin and his people — he was a genuinely important figure.

For Clerk Li to come to the Sun household — this was an enormous show of face. Even if the Sun couple planned to settle in Yutou Town in Pizhou from now on, they dared not be remiss.

The couple had just reached the door when Clerk Li, dressed in a blue robe, already walked in. He greeted them politely, walked to the altar, took the offered incense stick, sighed, and said, "Taken in the prime of life." He bowed once and placed the incense in the burner.

Having done this, Clerk Li offered a few words of condolence to Sun Jia and his wife, then turned toward Zhao Jin. But before this, Zhao Jin had noticed Clerk Li and Monk Ruhui nodding to each other.

Everyone understood then — Clerk Li had come to see Zhao Jin; paying respects was merely incidental. Still, this was giving face, and everyone tacitly acknowledged it.

Once outside the mourning hall, Clerk Li sighed and said, "I met Sun Dalei a few times. He was a good young man. Truly a pity."

After the pleasantries, Clerk Li got straight to the point. "Xiao Jin, Ruhui wants to meet with you. He asked me to put in a word and inquire about your intentions."

The two had a relationship of elder and junior, but Clerk Li dared not presume upon it. The terms of address remained, but he treated Zhao Jin as an equal, with courtesy.

"Uncle Li, what need is there to meet with Cloud Mountain Temple anymore? They've been behind every incident. We've met several times, and they've laid traps several times. Let's just wait and settle it for real." Zhao Jin's reply was crisp and direct.

Clerk Li paused, instinctively thinking, You're not that old, yet your tone is quite something — a power like Cloud Mountain Temple is something you think you can "settle for real"? But then he immediately understood: this Zhao Jin before him truly could do it.

"Xiao Jin, you are still young after all, and there are many things you don't know. Ruhui is Ruhui, Li Shun is Li Shun. They are not the same, not on the same side." Clerk Li spoke slowly.

Zhao Jin shook his head, his tone unchanged. "Your nephew knows Cloud Mountain Temple is divided into factions. But after so many talks, they never stop their attacks — what use is there in talking further? No matter how many factions they have, when the time comes, your nephew will just swallow them all in one bite."

These words were thick with killing intent. Clerk Li's heart jumped as he listened. He was silent for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face. With Zhao Jin's experience, he could of course see that Clerk Li's smile also held a trace of emotion. When Clerk Li spoke again, his tone carried a weight of earnest counsel. He said slowly, "Xiao Jin, precisely because your plans are so grand, you should talk with this Ruhui. Even if you don't trust Ruhui, you should trust your Uncle Li. When we were young, I was the one who played with Ruhui..."

At this, Clerk Li's voice grew somewhat low, as if recalling past times. Zhao Jin, however, caught another meaning in Clerk Li's words. He pondered a moment, then cupped his fists and said, "Then I must trouble Uncle Li to arrange it. Your nephew will meet Ruhui at the distillery."

This was already giving face. Clerk Li smiled and nodded. Before leaving, he hesitated, then said, as if casually, "Ruhui has had bitterness in his heart all these years."

What was somewhat unusual was that after leaving the Sun household, Wang Zhaojing took his leave and went home, saying he needed to focus on his studies and coursework. No one had much to say about it. Zhao Jin also sent Dong Bingfeng back — the Dong family had been terrified by the ambush on the official road, and now whenever Dong Bingfeng was not at home, the entire family was beside themselves with worry.

The others need not be mentioned. The Chen family's attitude was also interesting — it was as if nothing had happened at all. As for Ji Xiang, Shi Manqiang, and Liu Yong, the three of them were utterly devoted.

The distillery was heavily guarded. The room for receiving guests was still warm as spring. Monk Ruhui came alone, with no one accompanying him.

"Those eighteen senior brothers will be chanting scriptures through the night for the deliverance, so they won't be coming along," Ruhui said with a smile.

Zhao Jin nodded. Eighteen monks chanting for deliverance — this had a special significance, called the Eighteen Arhats, a ceremony of the utmost solemnity. Because of Cloud Mountain Temple's dominance, on the ground of Xuzhou, one could not arrange this even by spending money. That the Sun family could have such a display was a matter of tremendous weight. Of course, the Sun family would rather not have had it. But Cloud Mountain Temple's attitude — more precisely, Monk Ruhui's attitude — was fully demonstrated.

"Young Master Zhao, this list contains the people Cloud Mountain Temple can make use of within the city. What this poor monk can know on that front is limited to these. If any of the eminent monks have their own trusted confidants, that is truly impossible for me to learn. The various branch temples operate independently, and this poor monk is not in a position to inquire about their affairs." Monk Ruhui did not stand on ceremony, getting straight to the point and producing the list.

This caught Zhao Jin completely off guard. Ever since his rise in Xuzhou, he had never stopped putting pressure on Cloud Mountain Temple. Cloud Mountain Trading and Cloud Mountain Tavern paid twenty percent of their monthly revenue as tribute, and all of Cloud Mountain Temple's properties in the city were to follow suit. Cloud Mountain Temple had agreed to all of this, but had dragged their feet and never complied. Zhao Jin had intended to pursue the matter, but then the sorghum-for-white-liquor trade opened between the two sides, and some things became awkward to press too tightly — until this killing tore their faces apart.