Chapter 375: One Surname, Not One Heart

"Poor soul. Take him to the cart at the back, give him some broth first, then tend to him slowly." A clear, cold, and pleasant voice came from within the palanquin compartment.

No immortal intervened, nor did the gravely ill man on the brink of death instantly revive. What the Saintess did was exactly what a charity hall would do, yet this act moved the surrounding common folk even more deeply, and even many of the onlookers began chanting along.

Everyone knew this Saintess had manifested her divine power in Linqing County. This time, arriving in Liaocheng, she first rid a certain wealthy household of a malevolent haunting that had plagued them for two months, then reorganized the long-dilapidated charity hall east of the city, gathering the orphaned and suffering. She also collected the roadside dead from all over for cremation and performed rites for their deliverance. The Saintess had stayed in the prefectural seat of Liaocheng for less than half a month, yet she seemed like a living buddha to countless households, commanding even the respect of the local officials.

Those Buddhist temples and Daoist abbeys, which had been inactive all along, were forced to step forward, opening gruel stations and contributing money and labor to the charity hall.

The Saintess planned to stay in this prefectural seat for two months, which filled the faithful with joy and encouragement. Some said their chronic ailments of many years had been cured after the Saintess diagnosed and treated them. At first, no one would have believed such claims, but now, with case after case piling up, once a precedent was set, many more came to believe.

There were even rumors that when the Saintess went on procession, as long as one paid homage with a sincere heart, one would always be touched by some immortal aura and blessed fortune. The people bowed devoutly along both sides of the road. When the red paper scattered upon them and they smelled the fragrance, they felt their bodies ease and all ailments vanish, all convinced this was the Saintess's divine power, growing ever more pious.

Both sides of the main road were lined with shops. When the shopkeepers and clerks saw the Saintess's procession pass by, they all brought out copper coins and pastries as offerings. Unexpectedly, the Saintess's procession only accepted the pastries and food, refusing all money. They said that if one wished to make offerings, they should send them to the charity hall, where more people would receive them. The pastries they did accept were immediately distributed to the beggars and children along the roadside.

This gesture inspired profound respect. It truly was the manner of one who bestows grace upon the common people. Having seen too many false immortals who swindled money and fame, this Saintess was indeed different.

A sturdy, robust man threaded his way through the crowd. If anyone could have seen the Saintess's appearance, they would have discovered that the Saintess and this man actually bore some resemblance, as if they were from the same family.

The man warily scanned his surroundings, looking at the palanquin, then elsewhere, extremely cautious. Only when he reached the entrance of a restaurant did he turn and duck inside.

The doorway was now blocked by the crowd, and even the waiters had gone to watch the excitement. The restaurant's ground floor was deserted. The man announced his identity, and immediately a waiter respectfully led him up to the second floor.

As soon as he emerged onto the second floor, he saw that all the screens used as partitions had been removed. Only a single table was set by the window, where a man in a long robe, looking like a scholar, was gazing down. In the four corners of the second floor stood six men with lowered brows and submissive eyes.

Hearing footsteps on the stairs, the scholar turned his head. Seeing the man, he immediately smiled and greeted him: "Fourth Brother of the Mu family, what took you so long?"

In contrast to the scholar's geniality, the man's body trembled, and he blurted out: "Xu Hongru, what are you doing here?"

As soon as he said this, this Fourth Brother Mu turned to leave. But just as he turned around, he saw the waiter who had led him up blocking the way behind him, hand already at his waist.

"If the heart is sincere, everywhere is the True Void Homeland. Why couldn't I be here? Brother Wujia, what are you afraid of? If I meant to do something to you, why would I need to come personally?" Xu Hongru, the "scholar," said leisurely.

Mu Wujia—the fourth uncle of Mu Shulan—had a flicker of changing expressions cross his face. Gritting his teeth, he still stepped up onto the second floor and said coldly: "Eldest Brother Xu, your status has been so exalted for all these years, you certainly don't need to act personally. A single glance from you, and someone killed my third brother."

Xu Hongru had already turned his head back, watching the procession passing outside the window. Without turning around, he laughed and said: "Don't misunderstand. That time, wasn't it investigated and found that He Weiyuan had lost his mind? Even Luanzhou issued a decree demanding severe punishment. What does that have to do with me? We are all brothers in the sect. Come, sit!"

Mu Wujia cautiously looked around. The men in the corners showed no sign of movement. Only then did he hesitantly walk over and sit down.

At that moment, the palanquin of the Saintess—Mu Shulan—was stopping right within view from the window, comforting an old woman who was wailing loudly. Xu Hongru watched with keen interest, ignoring Mu Wujia sitting across from him, and only turned back with a smile once the palanquin had left his field of vision.

Before Xu Hongru, Mu Wujia appeared very constrained and nervous. Xu Hongru spoke: "Your third brother was a talent. No one in our sect had ever tried this set of methods before, but now it seems they are far more effective than the old ways. It's a pity your third brother died so young. Had he been here, he would surely have rendered great service to our sect's prosperity."

Mu Wujia sneered and said: "Back then, my third brother was treated as a heretic. If our brothers didn't still have some standing in Luanzhou, he probably wouldn't have even made it to Xuzhou. Xu Hongru, spare me your hypocritical words. Let's get straight to the point."

His voice rose a little, and the men standing in the corners all looked up, only lowering their gazes again when they saw Xu Hongru's smile remained unchanged.

From a distance, no one could notice, but at the mention of Luanzhou, Xu Hongru's expression chilled slightly for a moment before returning to normal.

"Fourth Brother Mu, how are you faring now? Your Mu family used to only operate within a single county. Now you've seized control of Dongchang Prefecture. As the Saintess's fourth uncle, your status must have risen with the tide, hasn't it?" Xu Hongru asked with a smile.

Mu Wujia's face changed, and he said coldly: "In this Dongchang Prefecture, my second brother is in charge. I help my second brother with his affairs. What do you mean by 'risen with the tide'? I don't understand!"

"Oh? So that means, in this Dongchang Prefecture, you are the number two man?" Xu Hongru asked again, with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Mu Wujia's expression stiffened, and he forced himself to nod. Xu Hongru, all smiles, said: "I've heard that half a month ago, you took a fancy to a maidservant attending Mu Shulan and wanted her for yourself, but little Lan scolded you soundly. Afterwards, she wanted to audit your accounts. You knelt before Mu Wuzhen for three hours, and now no one around little Lan thinks well of you?"

With each sentence, the face of Mu Wujia, the fourth son of the Mu family, grew uglier. When Xu Hongru finished, Mu Wujia shot up from his seat, not even noticing that the man behind him had already drawn a dagger. He just stammered: "H-how do you know this? Who told you? Who?!"

Xu Hongru shook his head. The man behind Mu Wujia sheathed his dagger. Xu Hongru smiled and said: "We are all of the Smelling Incense lineage. As the sect master, the congregants and incense followers will naturally report to me loyally. What could I possibly not know?"

After saying this, Xu Hongru waved his hand, gesturing for Mu Wujia to sit. In a gentle tone, he said: "I'll call you Fourth Brother too. You are a fierce and brave man, cautious and shrewd. I've known this for many years, and I've even told several Dharma Protectors and Revered Ones that making you a mere Assembly Master of one region is a waste of your talent."

"The Mu family's affairs are none of your concern. Your title of sect master is only provisional. What our Mu family recognizes is the orthodox lineage of Luanzhou," Mu Wujia said coldly, though his voice was not loud.

Xu Hongru, however, showed not the slightest displeasure. He simply nodded and said: "The Wang family is of immortal descent and now devotes itself solely to cultivation, having no time for these mundane affairs. The sect's administrative duties and the congregants' offerings—everything is borne by me. This is also a decree from Luanzhou. Fourth Brother Mu, am I wrong in saying this?"

Mu Wujia made no sound. Xu Hongru smiled again and said: "Your Mu family reveres the Wang clan. Right now, this Saintess has indeed created a flourishing atmosphere. But let me ask you this: if things grow larger in the future, what will Second Brother Mu do? He will surely invite a son of the Wang family to come and take overall command. I have nothing to say about the orthodox supreme position. But let me ask you again, Fourth Brother: when the time comes, little Lan will have to marry a Wang family member. Your second brother will be the Wang family's most trusted right-hand man. And you, Fourth Brother? How much better off will you be than you are now?"

Xu Hongru had dealt with the Mu brothers for many years and knew them well. Hearing these words, Mu Wujia was stunned. He wanted to retort, but hesitated for a long moment and could not speak.

"If things truly grow large in the future, that might be fine. But you've spent nearly all the silver you've earned. What's the result now? Do you hold Dongchang Prefecture in your grasp? Even if you control Dongchang Prefecture, it's just one small prefecture. What is there to divide? I don't need to tell you, you must know: Shandong, Henan, the Northern and Southern Metropolitan Regions..." Xu Hongru fired question after question, staring at Mu Wujia across from him.

Mu Wujia mumbled a few times, then grew agitated and raised his voice: "What's the use of saying all this? Showing off how big you've grown? The Mu family doesn't care for it!"

"What if I give you a prefecture of your own, make you an Assembly Master, with no tribute required for five years? Or you could come to the headquarters and serve as a Revered One, overseeing an entire region, acting as my right-hand man. What do you think?" Xu Hongru laid out his offer.

Mu Wujia had been glaring, about to erupt in anger, but upon hearing Xu Hongru's words, he first froze, then stared wide-eyed at the other man, his breathing growing heavy.

"Y-you... are you serious?" Mu Wujia stammered.

The territories Assembly Masters oversaw varied in size. For ease of control, often one or two counties would have one Assembly Master, and sometimes even two Assembly Masters within a single county. Appointing one Assembly Master for an entire prefecture was essentially making him the overlord of a region, granting him tremendous independence.

Not to mention the five years without tribute, which meant all the donations and incense offerings from the entire prefecture would belong solely to that Assembly Master. As for the Revered One, that was a role akin to a vice sect master, one who could tour and inspect various regions, with each region treating his arrival as the sect master's personal presence. At headquarters, he could participate in decision-making—a core figure.

Both of Xu Hongru's offers were exceedingly generous, so generous as to be almost unbelievable.

To Mu Wujia's question, Xu Hongru gave no answer, merely leaning back in his chair with a smile. Mu Wujia panted heavily a few times and said, almost through gritted teeth: "The Mu family has its own prospects. When the Saint of Luanzhou emerges from seclusion, what our Mu family gains will be a thousand, ten thousand times more than this!"

A man behind stepped forward to pour tea for Xu Hongru. Xu Hongru took a sip and said calmly: "Fourth Brother Mu, after all these years, do you still not understand? If the Saint of Luanzhou could emerge, if he were willing to emerge, why would he need me to serve as sect master? If your Mu family could truly grow powerful, why have you only reached Liaocheng today? If your third brother were still here, your words might carry some credibility. But now, little Lan is just a girl. How many ideas has she had to come up with for you?"

With each sentence, Mu Wujia's head drooped lower. Xu Hongru, on the other hand, grew increasingly confident and spirited, saying with absolute assurance: "After all these years, does everyone still not understand? If we want to spread the incense across the world, we can only rely on me. Mu Fourth, I am giving you an opportunity now. Think it over carefully. What will become of you if you miss this chance?"

Mu Wujia's body trembled. He lowered his head and pondered for a long moment, then spoke: "Eldest Brother Xu, Dongchang Prefecture is full of my family's eyes and ears. Is it convenient for you to come and go? If there's any trouble, your younger brother can help."

Xu Hongru smiled lightly and said: "Your family's eyes and ears are also incense followers of our sect. There's no trouble. If you feel it's inconvenient, you may leave first. I haven't been to Liaocheng in a long time; I'd like to walk around and take a look."

Mu Wujia hesitated there for a moment, then stood up in silence. Without saying any words of farewell, he simply turned and walked out.

One of the six men followed him down, while another stood at the window looking down. Xu Hongru, unhurried and composed, sipped tea and ate pastries. From his manner, one could never tell he was connected to the Smelling Incense Sect; he seemed far more like a wealthy noble from the capital or Jiangnan.

Before long, the man who had followed out ran back and reported: "Mu Fourth just followed the main procession and left. He didn't do anything else."

Xu Hongru merely closed the lid of his teacup. A man beside him stepped forward and said in a low voice: "Sect Master, it's not safe here. We should move to another location."

"Mu Fourth is fierce in appearance but timid at heart. He won't dare speak of this. Mu Second is a brute. If he hears of this, he'll surely punish Mu Fourth severely, and that wouldn't be a bad thing either," Xu Hongru said with a smile.

The man who had stepped forward dared not say more. Xu Hongru stood up, walked to the windowsill, leaned out for a look, then turned back and said with a meaningful air: "But that girl little Lan—back then she looked like a bean sprout. Now, with such strategic acumen, so astonishingly brilliant, it's truly unexpected."

The several men around him all bowed. In the rough-and-tumble world of the jianghu, when a leader discussed women, everyone would usually joke along. But Xu Hongru's rules were strict and severe; no one dared to be presumptuous or take liberties.

"Have the people around Mu Shulan still not been bought off?"

"Your subordinates have been incompetent. Please forgive us, Sect Master. The congregants serving Mu Shulan are all utterly devoted to her. Our brothers' several attempts to sound them out nearly ruined things."

After parading through the city, the Saintess came to a manor outside Liaocheng to rest. Many wealthy and powerful families had invited the Saintess to stay within the city, where many fine residences and even gardens had been vacated just for her. But the Saintess was unwilling to disturb the people and still went outside the city.

Of course, staying outside the city allowed for flexible reactions and timely responses to any moves by the authorities. This layer of reasoning didn't need to be stated outright.

This manor belonged to a major cloth merchant of Liaocheng. Liaocheng was one of the distribution hubs for silk and cotton cloth in the north, so the local merchants naturally had impressive means. This courtyard would not have been out of place even in Jiangnan. Originally, the merchant had also wanted to send over serving maids, servants, and cooks, but the Holy Maiden declined them all, saying the people she had brought were sufficient.

Many of the manor's rooms were already filled with people. Quite a few members of the local Smelling Incense Sect had come, but they were not staying in the rooms — they were here to help. Some womenfolk bustled in and out carrying basins of water, and a scent of medicinal herbs hung over the entire manor. Several physicians from Liaocheng city had also arrived.

"... The Holy Maiden is truly compassionate..."

The women helping out, and even the physicians who had been called over, all sighed with this same sentiment.

The rooms were full of orphaned and suffering youths taken in by the Holy Maiden. Many had been starving and suffering out on the streets; external injuries aside, they were plagued with no small number of illnesses, each one sickly and weak. Once the Holy Maiden took them in, she arranged for people to treat them, to feed and clothe them warmly.

From time to time, loud weeping rang out through the manor. These children and youths had endured so much hardship, and receiving such treatment, they were bound to be moved and overwhelmed with gratitude, their emotions impossible to control. The Holy Maiden visited each one personally, gentle and caring. At the sight of such a pure and beautiful young woman, these children felt a reverence from the bottom of their hearts. Many struggled out of bed to kneel and kowtow, crying as they swore lifelong loyalty.

A large man followed in silence. Everyone's attention was on the Holy Maiden; no one paid any mind to this big man, nor did anyone notice the awe with which most of the Holy Maiden's retinue regarded him.

In every room she entered, for every single youth, the Holy Maiden always wore a warm, gentle smile. She even disregarded the filth on their bodies to help support them and wipe them clean, to say nothing of asking after their well-being. The large man, however, remained impassive, and toward the end, a trace of impatience gradually crept in.

After finally finishing all the rooms, the two of them arrived at the inner residence, which was also guarded. Once the courtyard gate was shut, the large man immediately frowned and said, "Xiao Lan, you have tarried too long here in Liaocheng. We still haven't gone to Gaotang Prefecture or Guantao County, and the end of the year is fast approaching."

"Second Uncle, once these people are settled and sent back to Linqing, we'll head to Guantao," Mu Shulan said with a smile.

At these words, Second Uncle Mu Wuzhen's frown deepened, and his tone now carried clear displeasure. He said gruffly, "Xiao Lan, you must learn to distinguish what is important from what is trivial. A county holds tens of thousands, over a hundred thousand; a prefecture holds hundreds of thousands. What use is a mere hundred or so? Now that your reputation has spread, you should be recruiting more followers and believers for our sect, for our Mu family. What use are these beggar children?"

"If I see them, I must care for them. Besides, only when these children truly receive kindness will they be utterly devoted to us. Those who convert halfway either seek great wealth and rank or immortality — can we give them that?" Mu Shulan replied with a smile.

Hearing this less-than-deferential answer, Mu Wuzhen's expression immediately darkened. He seemed about to say something, but in the end held back, and only said, "You've toiled all day. Rest early!"

With that, he turned and strode out the door. Mu Shulan shook her head, walked to the door but did not enter. She simply turned and sat down on the steps. The little maid who had been waiting by the door hurriedly ran out with a cushion and placed it for Mu Shulan to sit on. A happy smile remained on Mu Shulan's face as she looked up at the autumn blue sky. Suddenly, she said softly, "I wonder how Brother Xiaojin is doing over there?"

"Eldest Miss, Second Master and Fourth Master's men are watching too closely. This servant had no way to make arrangements."

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I was just wondering aloud. Brother Xiaojin must be living happier than I am over there!" The smile on Mu Shulan's face did not fade, but the maid beside her felt her eyes redden as she listened.