Chapter 226: Chan Master

When the four words "oil exhausted, lamp withered" were spoken, I and Liu Junyan were stunned.

Liu Junyan tightened their grip on my hand.

Liu Junyan looked at me nervously, as if trying to see something from my face.

I was also a bit nervous, and carefully recalled my recent physical condition.

Often my soul wanders outside my body.

I dare not sleep.

The two liquefied ribs ache faintly.

The "slave" character on my right cheek is becoming increasingly vivid in colour.

Besides that, there seems to be no further discomfort.

It's far from reaching the point of "oil exhausted, lamp withered", right?

I cautiously asked, "Empty Silence Abbott, are you saying I am about to oil-exhausted lamp-withered?"

Empty Silence Abbott laughed and shook their head: "Xiao Jiu Zhanggui's fate is... very complex; even though I, the old monk, have met countless people these years, I still cannot truly fathom it, so what exactly this 'oil exhausted, lamp withered' refers to—perhaps only Xiao Jiu Zhanggui themselves can fully explain it."

This... how come I feel Empty Silence Abbott's words are even more profound and unfathomable, leaving me clueless?

"Is there still a chance to remedy it?" Liu Junyan asked unwillingly, "If the oil runs out, can we add more?"

Empty Silence Abbott still wore a smile, raising a hand in a gesture of invitation: "The Buddha lamp remains enshrined before the Buddha; Chan Master may personally bring Xiao Jiu Zhanggui there and do as they wish."

They call Liu Junyan "Chan Master".

Earlier we speculated that Liu Junyan is very likely the reincarnation of Dahui Chan Master.

So, in the Great Dharma King Temple, in Empty Silence Abbott's heart, Liu Junyan is Dahui Chan Master, right?

Liu Junyan nodded and pulled me along to leave.

Empty Silence Abbott also said: "Chan Master, Mount Song has outstanding people and spiritual energy; when you have time, you can take Xiao Jiu Zhanggui around more to appreciate the scenery of Mount Song."

Not long after the New Year has passed, it's not yet the time of warm spring and blooming flowers.

The plants on Mount Song have not yet fully recovered; is it appropriate to stay and admire the scenery at this time?

That's a bit forced.

But Empty Silence Abbott wouldn't say this for no reason; there must be deeper meaning in their words.

Liu Junyan replied, "Okay, I will."

Liu Junyan took my hand and left the meditation hall, heading all the way to the west side hall.

They are familiar with the route, pushing open the heavy doors of the side hall; the first thing that comes into view is the great Buddha with a compassionate face seated in the main position of the hall.

Around the great Buddha are enshrined countless ever-burning lamps, numbering over a thousand.

In the left hand held up by the great Buddha is also an ever-burning lamp.

That ever-burning lamp is larger than any other and looks more antiquated.

However, at this moment, the lamp oil in that ever-burning lamp is nearly exhausted, the flame weak, as if a gust of wind would extinguish it.

This is the Buddha lamp that Liu Junyan offered for me in the Great Dharma King Temple.

Liu Junyan and I offered incense together, praying devoutly.

Afterward, they personally poured some incense oil into that Buddha lamp.

Strangely, the mouth of that Buddha lamp is clearly not small, and Liu Junyan's motion is gentle, yet the incense oil cannot be poured in, instead slowly flowing down along the lamp's mouth.

Liu Junyan tried several times, but not a single drop could be poured in.

"Āyàn, don't waste the lamp oil." I stopped them, saying, "Let's go out for a walk together."

Liu Junyan silently put down the lamp oil, came over and patted my head, saying, "Okay, let's go out for a stroll; I'll take you to see where I live."

I laughed and asked, "Your residence? Isn't it within this temple?"

After driving here for several hours and chatting with Empty Silence Abbott, it is now past four in the afternoon.

I thought we would stay tonight in some side room of the temple.

"Not staying in the temple." Liu Junyan said, "Last time I came, Empty Silence Abbott had already arranged a fixed residence for me."

I curiously asked, "A fixed residence? I heard them just now call you Chan Master; it seems you indeed have a predestined connection with the Great Dharma King Temple."

Liu Junyan also couldn't say clearly: "My memories have not fully awakened with the passage of time; I only remember Mount Song and the Great Dharma King Temple; as for what happened here before, it feels like a memory gap, and I cannot recall it."

"It's fine, not remembering, not awakening—none of that matters." I tried to appear relaxed, saying, "Those are just the past; the past cannot be chased; we only need to cherish the present."

While we were talking, we had already left the Great Dharma King Temple, and Liu Junyan led me eastward.

In this season, besides the verdant pines and cypresses on Mount Song, one can also see some early-spring plants beginning to sprout.

The further east we go, the lower the terrain.

After walking for about ten minutes, in the distance I saw a canyon appear ahead.

On the eastern cliff of the canyon stands a small stone house.

The weather is nice today; the sunset's afterglow falls down, making the stone house's roof look as if coated with a layer of golden light.

The stone house's door is closed but not locked.

Liu Junyan pushed open the door; the interior was clean and tidy, with simple furnishings, clearly having been cleaned in advance.

The stone house consists of an outer and an inner room; the outer room has a square table and a few stools, with the tea on the table still warm.

The inner room is a bedroom, with a bed and, against the east wall, a large desk.

On the desk are brush, ink, paper, and inkstone; beside the desk is a vase holding several scrolls that look rather old.

I walked over, opened a scroll, and found it to be a landscape painting.

The picture depicts the view seen from the rear window of this stone house looking outward.

I opened several scrolls in succession, and found that the subject matter of each painting is the same.

They are all views seen from the rear window, the scenery observed.

All four seasons are present.

But without exception, they are all night scenes.

Moreover, every painting depicts a night scene under a full moon.

And the signature on every painting reads 'Xingyi'.

Xingyi…… Liu Xingyi?

These paintings are placed here; Liu Junyan must have seen them all the last time she came.

This stone house has existed for a very long time, hasn't it?

Liu Xingyi must have really liked staying here back then.

I will roll up the paintings one by one and put them back into the vase.

As soon as I turned my head, I saw Liu Junyan standing at the rear window looking out, not knowing what she was thinking.

I walked over and gently leaned against his side.

Liu Junyan reached out and held my shoulder, so I drew even closer to him, standing shoulder to shoulder, admiring the view outside the window.

At this moment, it seemed as if only he and I remained between heaven and earth.

Outside the window lay an endless canyon, filled with many trees, and occasionally birds could be seen flying past.

Tranquil and beautiful.

We stood there like that for a very long time.

Until the sun set, until the Empty Silence Abbott sent a little novice with dinner and hot water.

The little novice said, all living supplies have been prepared; make yourselves at home, and if you need anything just let me know—I'll bring it over.

Liu Junyan and I thanked him, finished dinner, washed up, and still felt no sleepiness.

I then suggested we take a stroll along the edge of the canyon.

It's been a long time since we've last calmed down like this and lived such a slow-paced life.

If it weren't for all those chaotic matters, I think Liu Junyan would probably enjoy this kind of reclusive lifestyle, wouldn't she?