Chapter 63: A Brain Teaser

When the Taoist priests noticed that Huo Yuanzhen was watching them, they quickly turned around and vanished into the crowd.

However, Huo Yuanzhen remembered them clearly. In Shaoshi Mountain, only the Zhongyue Sect had Taoist priests.

Rivals were often colleagues. Divided between the Buddhist and Taoist sects, they were all martial factions within the Jianghu, and the relationship between the Zhongyue Sect, the Fawang Temple, and the Shaolin Temple had never been harmonious.

In the past, the Shaolin Temple was just a small, dilapidated temple, and no one cared much for them.

But things were different now. The Fawang Temple had been thoroughly destroyed by Huo Yuanzhen, leaving only the Shaolin Temple and the Zhongyue Sect in Shaoshi Mountain.

As the leader of Shaoshi Mountain, the Zhongyue Sect harbored ambitions. The Fawang Temple had always been suppressed by them and failed to develop. Now that it was gone, and the Shaolin Temple was just beginning to rise, it was the perfect time for them to strike.

However, the gazes of those Taoist priests did not seem so peaceful. They looked as if they bore a grudge against him, which made Huo Yuanzhen feel wary.

As he recalled everything that had happened since his arrival in this world, Huo Yuanzhen remembered the moment when he saved the princess and Yue Ying. The bandit leader, who wore a Yin-Yang Fish amulet, was very likely a member of the Zhongyue Sect.

Could it be that they recognized him?

It was highly possible.

If everything fell into place, it seemed that the Zhongyue Sect would soon turn its attention to the Shaolin Temple. If they eliminated the Shaolin Temple, they would be the only martial faction left in Shaoshi Mountain and could develop and grow more rapidly.

But Huo Yuanzhen wasn't afraid. What would come, would come eventually. Even if the Zhongyue Sect didn't come looking for trouble, he would find them, because the Shaolin Temple's goal was to become the number one sect in the world. Dominating Shaoshi Mountain was only the first step.

The arena match ended just like that, and neither Huo Yuanzhen nor Guan Shanyue got a chance to participate. However, their objective had been achieved. From now on, the Fawang Temple would no longer exist in Shaoshi Mountain, and the lands of Dengfeng Chen Ding belonged to the Shaolin Temple.

Huo Yuanzhen left the mundane matters to Huang Feihong and the others to handle, not wanting to be involved in trivialities.

After the arena match, Huo Yuanzhen returned to the Shaolin Temple.

Not long after his return, Huiming came in to report that a female benefactor was waiting to see the abbot at the Wanfo Tower.

Huo Yuanzhen nodded, and after lingering in the room for a while, he finally rose and went to the Wanfo Tower.

Autumn had arrived, and the trees in the Shaolin Temple were already yellowing. The crisp wind blew, sending yellow leaves spinning in the air, covering the ground in a golden blanket.

Huo Yuanzhen walked in soft cloth shoes, the crunching sound of the fallen leaves underfoot.

In front of the Wanfo Tower stood a woman in white, graceful and ethereal, her skirt billowing in the wind, like a dream.

Facing this beautiful scene, Huo Yuanzhen's expression remained calm as he approached Ning Wanjun.

"Greetings, Abbot."

Ning Wanjun gave a slight bow, her voice soft.

"Amitabha. Miss Ning, I hope you are well. What brings you to the Shaolin Temple once again?"

"Master, thanks to your teachings last time, I have felt much better, and the pressure I was under has lessened. However, apart from matters concerning my father, there is something that has been troubling me for a long time. I had no choice but to come to ask the abbot for guidance."

As she spoke, Ning Wanjun removed her veil, feeling that there was no need for further concealment in front of Huo Yuanzhen.

Huo Yuanzhen glanced at her and said, "Miss Ning, your complexion seems to have darkened, as though you have something weighing on your mind."

"Yes, this matter has indeed troubled me."

"Is it for your own sake?"

Ning Wanjun hesitated, then shook her head. "Not for myself."

"For others, there must be feelings. Heaven does not grow old, and emotions are hard to sever. The heart is like a double silk net, with thousands of knots inside. Miss Ning, do not let your heart be too burdened."

"And yet, no feelings," Ning Wanjun replied softly.

"No feelings will lead to debts. Debts are easy to repay, but emotions are hard to sever. This matter is not difficult. Come with me into the tower, and we can talk further."

Ning Wanjun nodded in agreement, her respect for Huo Yuanzhen deepening. This young abbot was clearly a true practitioner who had transcended worldly concerns. In his simple words, there was so much wisdom, bringing peace to her troubled heart, making her feel as though everything wasn't so bad after all.

The two entered the Wanfo Tower one after the other. Since the Shaolin monks were participating in the arena match that day, the temple gates were closed, and there were no pilgrims, so the tower was exceptionally quiet.

Huo Yuanzhen entered the tower and lit a few incense sticks. Soon, the fragrance filled the first floor of the tower.

He invited Ning Wanjun to sit, and then he sat down himself, holding the long prayer beads around his neck, gently turning them in his hands. "Miss Ning, if you trust me, please speak your mind."

Ning Wanjun first stood up and bowed, then spoke, "Please forgive my rashness, Abbot. When I asked Tie Niu to stay in Shaolin last time, I had hidden intentions."

"Everyone has their selfish desires. Miss Ning, you need not feel guilty."

"Thank you, Abbot."

Ning Wanjun let out a sigh of relief after hearing Huo Yuanzhen's words, no longer feeling as guilty about deceiving him. She sat down and continued, "Thirty years ago, there was a divine monk who passed away in Shaoshi Mountain. It is said that he left behind a relic, a sarira, which could heal all ailments, calm restless hearts, extend life, and ward off poisons. Many people in the Jianghu searched for it, but in the end, nothing was found."

"A divine monk?"

In this world, Buddhism was not very well known in the Jianghu. Only a few temples were considered respectable, like the Daxiangguo Temple and Wenshu Temple, and there weren't many Buddhists. As for divine monks, they were even rarer. Huo Yuanzhen had not expected that Shaoshi Mountain had once had such a figure.

As for the sarira, it was a treasure of the Buddhist faith. This was the first time Huo Yuanzhen had heard of such a relic in this world.

"Yes, this divine monk was called Kongyin. It is said that his martial arts were incredibly high, having reached the late stage of the Innate realm. Thirty years ago, there was a battle between the righteous and the evil factions in Shaoshi Mountain, and Master Kongyin was wounded during the fight. Later, he passed away in the mountain, but the location of his passing was unknown. The story of the sarira was only spread afterward."

"Then what does this have to do with the present?"

"A young person knows no worries, a humble room with an empty head. Looking across the mountains and rivers, longing, the waters are distant, and the sky is high with sorrow. In the place of the Yellow Springs, this life leaves behind the sarira."

Ning Wanjun recited a short poem and then spoke to Huo Yuanzhen, "Master, this poem was discovered by accident. My father and several other martial artists were present at the time, including the abbot of Wenshu Temple from Wutai Mountain."

Huo Yuanzhen remained silent as he pondered Ning Wanjun's words.

Ignoring what might be hidden in the poem, Ning Wanjun's words contained something more important.

Her father was a martial artist, and she specifically mentioned Wenshu Temple from Wutai Mountain. What did that signify?

The monks from Wutai Mountain were currently in Shaolin, having just participated in the arena match. They hadn't left yet and planned to stay for a few days. Huo Yuanzhen had agreed to this. However, Ning Wanjun had made a point of mentioning this, and that was suspicious.

Huo Yuanzhen had already suspected that the two monks from Wutai Mountain had a particular objective, but he hadn't figured it out. At first, he thought it might have something to do with alchemy in the back mountains, but now it seemed otherwise.

Master Kongyin had left behind a sarira, and such a treasure had caused many to search for it. Yet, decades had passed, and the sarira hadn't been found. It was very likely still in Shaoshi Mountain, but no one knew where.

Now, not only had Ning Wanjun come to Shaolin, but the monks from Wutai Mountain had as well. When he considered the situation, it seemed likely they were all after the sarira.

But how did they know it was in Shaolin?

Could the clue be hidden in this poem?

Huo Yuanzhen looked at Ning Wanjun, who gave him a small smile without saying much.

However, from the sly look on her face, Huo Yuanzhen sensed a challenge.

Although he appeared as a high monk, he was still a man from the modern world with the heart of a young person. Seeing a girl his age give him such a look naturally sparked a competitive spirit.

However, Huo Yuanzhen's face remained impassive as he smiled faintly. "Miss Ning is testing me. Amitabha, if I fail, please do not blame me."

Realizing her thoughts had been exposed, Ning Wanjun blushed a little but still said, "Then I shall leave it to the master to figure out. I have told you the truth. Let us see how much you can deduce."

Huo Yuanzhen did not respond but instead quietly recited the short poem Ning Wanjun had mentioned.

In his previous life, he had been quite adept at solving brain teasers, even dreaming of becoming a secret agent and cracking encrypted messages. Now, he had the chance to play these games again.

After a moment of thought, Huo Yuanzhen's eyes brightened. "Miss Ning, I have come to a conclusion. I wonder if it is correct?"

Ning Wanjun was shocked, her eyes widening. She was somewhat reluctant to admit it, but she couldn't help but feel impressed.

She had known the poem for a long time, and it was by chance that she had figured out its meaning. How could this abbot deduce the answer so quickly?

"Then, please share your thoughts, Master."

Ning Wanjun was still not entirely convinced and wanted to hear what Huo Yuanzhen had figured out.

Huo Yuanzhen smiled inwardly but kept a calm expression on his face. He spoke the answer aloud.

Ning Wanjun's heart trembled in shock, and she stood up, bowing deeply. "Master, your wisdom surpasses mine. I am truly in awe."

PS: Readers, what do you think the mystery is?