IHOEAYSTTTIW Chapter 64

Chapter 64: A True Buddha Descending? Just a Low-Level Scam

Chapter 64: A True Buddha Descending? Just a Low-Level Scam

Lin Yan stood in front of the door, hesitating whether to knock or not, when the door opened by itself.

Two workers were carrying a long cabinet, chatting casually, not noticing the two people outside at all.

“I don’t know what Master Jiguang is thinking. In this Great Zhou, what place is more prosperous than the Capital City? Why insist on moving out?”

“I heard that a deity appeared in his dream, delivering an immortal decree ordering Master Jiguang to move Puhua Temple thirty *lǐ* east of the Capital City, saying it was to suppress something, or to set up some kind of formation… In short, it’s to protect Great Zhou’s peace and prosperity, and the people’s well-being.”

“This Puhua Temple is a centuries-old temple, existing since the founding of the dynasty by the Taizu Emperor. Now it’s being moved so drastically for the sake of the country, it’s truly a hardship.”

The two workers walked away, chattering, leaving a crack in the door of Puhua Temple.

Lin Yan peeked inside. The furniture was piled up in the courtyard, with no one watching over it.

If they waited at the entrance, probably no one would come until dark.

With respect in his heart, Master Jiguang was magnanimous and would definitely not blame his little transgression.

Lin Yan finished his psychological construction and pulled Yun Qi across the threshold, walking along the corridor towards the main hall.

The walls of Puhua Temple were already mottled, the ancient tree trunks that couldn’t be moved were twisted but vigorous. The glazed tiles on the roof of the Great Buddha Hall were damaged, reflecting a dim light. The wind chimes were stirred by the breeze, making a particularly lonely sound.

From the outer room to the inner room, Lin Yan and Yun Qi didn’t see a single monk. The courtyard was empty, and the furniture in the meditation rooms was almost all moved out.

“Is Master Jiguang really here?” Lin Yan kicked away a small stone. The stone collided with the wall, making a crisp sound.

“He’s the abbot, he should stay until the end.” Yun Qi said casually, but his eyes were scanning the temple.

It was true that the abbot should stay until the end, but there should still be some young monks sweeping the courtyard. It was very abnormal that there wasn’t a single person like now.

Lin Yan tugged at Yun Qi’s sleeve and muttered softly, “Why did Master Jiguang name himself Jiguang? This name makes me think his surname is Huang…”

Yun Qi’s eyes went blank for a moment.

He couldn’t understand what Lin Yan was saying, nor could he get the joke, but he nodded frantically, looking like his big brother was wise.

A low chanting sound came from the main hall, finally giving it the air of a temple.

Just as Lin Yan’s hand touched the hall door, a young monk came out of the hall and put his palms together to the two of them: “Two benefactors, the master invites you in.”

This Master Jiguang seemed to really have some ability.

Lin Yan’s piety increased by two points. He returned the greeting like the young monk, and then tiptoed into the main hall.

The scent of sandalwood wafted in the hall. Vermilion beams and pillars supported the heavy roof. The huge Buddha statue was solemn and dignified, its compassionate gaze overlooking all living beings. On a prayer cushion in front of the Buddha, Master Jiguang was wearing a reddish-brown monk’s robe, his eyes slightly closed, chanting Buddhist scriptures.

At first glance, it was as if the Buddha had manifested.

Yun Qi bowed, but Lin Yan didn’t move.

Lin Yan lowered his head and raised it again, rubbed his eyes, and looked incredulously at the back of Master Jiguang’s head.

It… it was glowing? What was that halo behind Guanyin’s head called? Light… Light phase?

When Yun Qi got up, he saw Lin Yan like this. He followed Lin Yan’s gaze, and his heart sank a little more.

“Master, please forgive…”

Yun Qi was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

The surprise in Lin Yan’s eyes had turned into suspicion. He made a gesture to Yun Qi and tiptoed closer to the Buddha statue.

The light phase behind this monk’s head seemed to be brighter? What was that white thing? A light source?

Just as Lin Yan was about to see the light source clearly, Master Jiguang suddenly coughed lightly and asked, “Benefactor, what brings you here?”

Yun Qi stepped forward and bowed with his hands together: “Indeed, there are important matters that need the Master’s guidance, but the matter is of great importance, and there are many offenses, please forgive the Master.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Master Jiguang shook his head and gestured to the prayer cushions beside him, then continued to play with the Buddhist beads in his hand, “Since the benefactor has concerns, this old monk will first talk about things that the benefactor knows.”

Yun Qi pulled Lin Yan to kneel on the two prayer cushions nearby.

Master Jiguang’s gaze swept over Yun Qi’s facial features one by one, and after a long while, he spoke again: “This old monk sees the young master’s face, it’s a face of great wealth and honor, truly the fate of an emperor.”

Yun Qi’s eyes dimmed slightly, but quickly returned to calm.

“A full forehead and a rounded chin are signs of great nobility. An open forehead hides dragon energy, but…” Master Jiguang paused, a trace of cunning flashed in his eyes, “The young master suffered greatly in his childhood, with brothers fighting for power and authority. The young master’s current fortune has been taken away by that brother by eight or nine points. If you want to reverse it, I’m afraid you’ll have to put in a lot of effort.”

Yun Qi listened attentively, while Lin Yan lowered his head, almost unable to hold back his laughter.

How could Master Jiguang’s routine be the same as the fortune-telling blind men setting up stalls on the bridge? First, he says you have a face of great wealth and honor, then he says your forehead is dark and there’s a bloody disaster, and that you’re offending Tai Sui this year and easily attract villains. Finally, the truth is revealed… Don’t need ninety-nine thousand, don’t need nine thousand nine hundred, just three hundred ninety-nine, useless little red paper (crossed out), take the amulet home to block disasters and eliminate evil!

Of course, this Master Jiguang would definitely not sell small pieces of paper. What he was after was the power in Yun Qi’s hands, and his own glory and wealth for the rest of his life.

Master Jiguang was still Fraud, Yun Qi already believed eight or nine points, the light in his eyes was almost gone.

Lin Yan patted Yun Qi, who was about to turn into a mushroom, and pointed to the side of Master Jiguang’s head, and said quietly: “Master, your head is glowing.”

Master Jiguang’s expression collapsed for a moment. He chanted a Buddha’s name and said lightly, “Benefactor, be careful what you say, this is a light phase.”

Lin Yan “oh”ed dismissively, not to mention bowing down in worship, he didn’t even have any shock.

Master Jiguang raised his eyes to observe Lin Yan’s expression. Seeing him like this, he reluctantly emphasized: “If this old monk’s cultivation can improve, this light phase can be revealed.”

Master Jiguang’s voice was a little louder, and the light phase became brighter.

The shock on Yun Qi’s face was already difficult to conceal, but Lin Yan nodded indifferently, his hand slightly retracted into his sleeve.

Although Lin Yan didn’t seem to believe it, Master Jiguang’s focus wasn’t on him. Master Jiguang coughed lightly, preparing to start the second round of Fraud: “So…”

“Master, your light phase is gone.” Lin Yan interrupted Master Jiguang’s Fraud.

Yun Qi tugged at Lin Yan’s sleeve, but before he could say the reminder, he found that the light phase had really gone out.

“Benefactor is joking, this…” Master Jiguang also noticed something was wrong. The hand that was playing with the Buddhist beads stopped, and he went to touch the lotus throne of the Buddha statue in a panic.

Master Jiguang muttered something, fiddled around for a long time, but the light phase didn’t appear again. He slumped on the prayer cushion in despair, and lost the thought of fooling Yun Qi.

Lin Yan, who was watching the joke from the side, said quietly: “Bad connection? Master, look, your light is on again, shining with colorful light.”

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