Chapter 600

Actually, we've already gotten used to these things.

Just like Tafengcun back then.

Faith can be cultivated, and this Bamboo Seclusion Hermit is clearly an expert.

I suddenly thought of something and asked, "Āyàn wasn't out with you, was he? Where is he?"

"Seventh Lord went to investigate the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit." Hui Moqiong said, "He suspects the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit is Wang Fuchen's master, that old Daoist. Seventh Lord told us to hold our position, saying Wang Fuchen is likely dueling with the old Daoist; let's observe for now, and he said the one-month deadline is approaching, so let Xiao Jiu guard the shop peacefully—Wang Fuchen is probably more anxious than we are."

In a few days it will be the first day of the third lunar month.

No rush for the next day or two.

"Let's deploy everything according to Āyàn's arrangements."

Hui Moqiong gave a few reminders, telling us to stay safe; he's returning to Jiǔyàn qū to muster troops, and a tough battle lies ahead.

We're not short on manpower now; the key is to figure out the opponent's details.

If Wang Fuchen is indeed dueling with the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit, we should cooperate with his actions as much as possible.

Of course, this cooperation also has a time limit.

The first day of the third lunar month is our bottom line.

If by the first day of the third lunar month we still haven't figured out Wang Fuchen's ultimate goal, I may not hand over the stone in my hand.

When it's time to act, we will act immediately.

That night I guarded the shop until 3 a. m.; with no customers, I closed up, washed up, and went to bed.

With things on my mind, I slept uneasily; in a hazy half‑sleep I seemed to hear someone speaking to me, but couldn't make it out clearly.

Liu Junyan returned the next afternoon.

His face was somewhat solemn, as if burdened with thoughts.

I then asked, "What's wrong? Didn't you find any useful information?"

"No, quite the opposite." Liu Junyan said, "I first went to find Yu Nian, brought her along to sneak into Jūnzhú Shān Chénghuáng Miào, and Yu Nian identified the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit as the old Daoist from years ago; she said he looks hardly different from her memory, not showing age but rather exuding even more immortal aura."

"This morning the people I sent out have gradually returned with news; they've found many deeds of the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit—this old Daoist is truly ascetic, widely charitable, having helped countless people and liberated countless souls; his titles 'Child‑Bestowing Immortal' and 'Living Matchmaker' are no empty fame, and even throughout Huáguó many have erected steles and built small shrines to honor him, accumulating his merit—there are dozens of such shrines alone."

"Not only the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit himself, but his disciples—Wang Fuchen's three senior fellow disciples—are all now held in high esteem, let alone their own students and descendants."

I now understand why Liu Junyan reacted that way.

We had prepared to dig up the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit's dirty secrets, but what we uncovered were all good deeds.

In other words, our understanding may be wrong at its root.

This caught us off guard.

Faced with such a being of deep merit, ever‑thinking for the people, like an immortal, our earlier speculations amount to a kind of desecration.

This leaves us with no way to proceed.

I could only comfort him, saying, "Let's wait a bit longer; the time is too short, and perhaps what we've found so far is only superficial, the side they want us to see."

Liu Junyan hummed: "There's no better option; we'll just leave everything to time."

Our people are still investigating, and the feedback keeps coming back positive.

Even if someone is skilled at pretending, there will always be a moment when their desires show through.

One can feign for a while, but not for a lifetime.

Moreover, the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit's age is far more than just a lifetime or two.

The facts before us show that we were mistaken.

The Bamboo Seclusion Hermit is flawless.

Especially on the first day the Bamboo Seclusion Hermit returned from his wanderings, after the incense at Jūnzhú Shān Chénghuáng Miào had burned out and the temple reopened to worshippers that day, by evening the temple was again filled with thriving incense, leaving one no choice but to be convinced.

The Bamboo Seclusion Hermit's great influence is evident from this.

This is his personal charm, accumulated over years, and it cannot be feigned.

Around six in the evening, all worshippers were sent away and the Jūnzhú Shān Chénghuáng Miào closed its gates.

Just then a heavy rain fell.

The rain at the end of the second lunar month still carried a hint of chill; mist curled over Jūnzhú Shān, everywhere damp and quiet.

I and Liu Junyan gazed afar at Jūnzhú Shān, each with our own thoughts, in no hurry to leave.

I sighed, "I used to think dealing with bad people was hard, one more cunning than the next, but now I realize it's hardest when the possible enemy is an utterly good person."

Liu Junyan countered, "Xiao Jiu, does the world really have a flawless good person?"

I thought seriously, then nodded: "I believe our child Xingchen will surely become a purely good person."

Liu Junyan raised a hand to ruffle my hair and said, "Xiao Jiu, you're missing the child, right?"

"How could I not miss him?" I said wistfully, "Although I've long known he was just borrowing my womb for a pass, born destined to be a Buddhist, unable to enjoy parental affection, yet he is my child after all—what mother wouldn't want to be constantly by his side, watching him grow?"

Liu Junyan said, "When this is over, let's make a trip to the Zàng Qū to see him."

I gave him a sideways glance and laughed, "Āyàn, is it you who wants to see the child, using me as an excuse?"

Liu Junyan didn't deny it and laughed along.

At that moment a strong waft of incense came over, making me involuntarily sneeze.

Looking up at the Chénghuáng Miào, I saw threads of incense smoke rising straight into the air, all converging toward the mountaintop.

On the summit, a expanse of golden light shrouded it, dreamlike and illusory.

The whole process lasted a good five or six minutes.

When it all faded, the Chénghuáng Miào retained not a trace of incense.

It turned out the incense cleared from Jūnzhú Shān Chénghuáng Miào had all gathered into the Dēngtiān Diàn on the mountaintop!

No wonder those who enter the Dēngtiān Diàn have a chance to ascend in a single step.

The merit and mana within the Dēngtiān Diàn are maintained in this way.

Everything returned to tranquility.

That night, I fell asleep together with Liu Junyan.

Not long after, we both had the same dream.

We stood again in the Sānshēng Diàn, wearing large red wedding robes, each holding one end of a red embroidered ball.

Before us, the Yuānyāng Tóngxīn Suǒ hung there.

However, seated cross-legged behind the Yuānyāng Tóngxīn Suǒ was a person, his entire figure shrouded in a golden light, making him indistinct.

Only his deep voice could be heard saying: "Obtaining the Yuānyāng Tóngxīn Suǒ, lovers, couples, both sides will never part life after life, share hardships, live and die together—are you willing?"

"Sweet as nectar!"

When the same words came from all around, I realized that beside us stood several other couples dressed in large red wedding attire.

When they finished saying those words, they all stepped forward, took the yellow incense from the offering table ahead, lit it, devoutly knelt and prayed to that person, and finally placed the yellow incense into the incense burner……