Chapter 931

Xiao Jiu and Liu Junyan's first stop was straight to the Zàng Qū.

That night they met Xingchen.

Xingchen wore a monk's robe inside and a kasaya outside; his every gesture bore the appearance of an enlightened high monk.

Xingchen usually didn't pay much attention to Liu Junyan, but was more affectionate toward Xiao Jiu.

But this time, as soon as they met, Xingchen separately performed a great bow to Liu Junyan and Xiao Jiu, which left Liu Junyan flustered and scrambling to help Xingchen up, saying, "We're family, no need for this."

Xingchen said, "Amitabha, as the Dìmài Lóngshén, your merit lasts through the ages; I don't know how many beings you have saved from water and fire, you deserve this bow of mine."

Well, Liu Junyan still thought his son's feelings for him had deepened, never expecting him to treat him from such an official position.

But he wasn't greedy either.

As a father, being able to let such an independent-thinking son affirm his achievements was already a success.

"Of course, of course, it's my duty; your mother's contribution is no less than mine." Liu Junyan said, "Furthermore, the Hua Xia meridian lines are intricate; the richer the Spiritual Qi, the more likely uncontrollable factors arise, so we cannot relax because of temporary success. This time I and your mother decided to retrace the meridian lines precisely for this reason."

Xingchen nodded, looking at Xiao Jiu: "Mother has always been my role model; because of her, I have everything I have today."

It's still the same saying: without comparison, there is no harm.

Xingchen's gaze toward Xiao Jiu was full of pride and... compassion.

Only when one can see both the other's achievements and the effort they put in will such a compassionate, aching gaze appear.

This is Xingchen's special feeling toward his birth mother, Xiao Jiu.

It is envy and something that cannot be forced.

Liu Junyan certainly wouldn't be jealous over this, for Xiao Jiu holds the highest place in his heart; the more people love Xiao Jiu, the happier Liu Junyan becomes.

The couple stayed in the Zàng Qū for a full week.

During that week, they didn't see much of Xingchen, as both sides were busy; they didn't stay in the temple, after all they had come on a mission.

Liu Junyan took Xiao Jiu and roughly walked the main meridian lines of the Zàng Qū, finding no issues.

"With Xingchen and them here, the Zàng Qū is very stable." Liu Junyan said, "Xingchen staying here is like a divine needle calming the sea; otherwise I'd probably have to come here at least once or twice a year."

Xiao Jiu also deeply agreed.

After a week, while Xiao Jiu was packing his luggage and discussing the next itinerary with Liu Junyan, someone from Xingchen's side arrived, asking Liu Junyan to come over for a word of advice.

Liu Junyan immediately followed that person.

Xiao Jiu also wanted to go along, but Liu Junyan stopped him, saying it was rare for his son to want to speak with him alone, so he should be given the chance.

Xiao Jiu thus stayed behind to pack his luggage.

Xingchen waited for Liu Junyan's arrival in his usual meditation room where he paid respects to the Buddha.

In the meditation room there was an offering table with incense and offerings honoring some Buddha statues; Xingchen sat cross-legged by the window, where a tea table was set, he brewed tea, and father and son sipped tea while chatting.

Xingchen spoke first: "I'm surprised you could bring my mother to retrace the meridian lines; at the same time, this is a form of wandering the world, and you are unconsciously putting it into practice—very good."

At this moment, Liu Junyan felt like the son, while Xingchen seemed the earnest, admonishing old father.

"In my spare time, I calculated your near-future fortunes and found that after a while you might encounter something... unexpected..."

Saying this, Xingchen handed Liu Junyan two amulets, saying, "I know given your abilities you might not need these, but I think it's better to carry them just in case."

Liu Junyan asked, "An accident? Is it auspicious or ominous?"

Xingchen shook his head, raised his palm in a Buddhist gesture, and said, "Amitabha, heavenly secrets must not be revealed."

Liu Junyan then didn't ask further.

He put the amulets away, chatted with Xingchen for a long while, and in the end Xingchen saw Liu Junyan off.

Upon returning to their lodgings, Liu Junyan took out both amulets and related Xingchen's words to Xiao Jiu.

Xiao Jiu took one of the amulets, kept it close to his body, and gave the other to Liu Junyan: "Your child gave this to you; wear it well—he must have figured something out but can't say it outright, so we'd better be cautious."

That day, the two left the Zàng Qū and headed south, continuing onward.

Thus, after a couple of months of stopping and going, they indeed encountered many things on the road, but from start to finish there was no 'unexpected' event that Xingchen had warned about.

In the sixth lunar month, the scorching sun blazed like fire, with frequent thunderstorms, muggy and hot, and Xiao Jiu felt a bit unwell.

At that moment, the two were walking through a wooded area near a tall temple in Huaihua.

Xiao Jiu felt a suffocating discomfort in her chest.

Since her Nirvana success, such a feeling has rarely occurred.

Liu Junyan felt somewhat self-reproachful, constantly reflecting whether he shouldn't have put Xiao Jiu through such hardship.

He rented an empty small courtyard at the mountain's base, intending to rest there with Xiao Jiu for a while, recuperate their bodies, and then discuss their next course of action.

But over three consecutive days, Xiao Jiu's complexion was poor, especially at night; though he was clearly asleep, Liu Junyan sensed she seemed trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake, looking very painful.

Yet when Liu Junyan woke Xiao Jiu and asked, she didn't remember being haunted by a nightmare.

She didn't even recall having dreamed.

Xiao Jiu's condition worried Liu Junyan, so he contacted Bái Sōnglán and inquired.

Bái Sōnglán sent Liu Junyan a prescription, telling him to fetch the herbs, decoct them, and give Xiao Jiu a dose to try; if after taking it Xiao Jiu's condition didn't improve, that would indicate his ailment wasn't a nightmare, so they should stop the medicine and contact each other again.

Liu Junyan agreed to all, then went to fetch the medicine, bought a small clay stove, and personally decocted a dose.

Seeing the blackish decoction, Xiao Jiu's head swelled, but she wasn't pretentious; she pinched her nose and gulped it down.

Liu Junyan immediately slipped a sugar cube into Xiao Jiu's mouth, then handed him a large, soft peach.

In this season, Xiao Jiu loves that bite.

The bitterness of the herbal medicine was instantly masked by the peach's fragrance; Xiao Jiu lay comfortably on the courtyard chaise, while Liu Junyan fanned her with a banana-leaf fan.

With the moon above the willow tips and a gentle breeze, Xiao Jiu fell asleep just like that on the chaise.

Liu Junyan's hand waving the fan did not stop.

Xiao Jiu hadn't rested well these days; finally falling asleep naturally, Liu Junyan wanted her to sleep a bit longer.

But shortly after Xiao Jiu fell asleep, her brows knit tightly, one hand anxiously tugged at her collar, and her whole body kept sweating profusely…