Chapter Seventy-Four: Confrontation

It was afternoon, typically the busiest time for incense offerings at Jade Buddha Zen Temple, but today the temple was unusually tranquil. Clearly, the monks had already cleared the grounds.

Outside the north wing, two groups faced off. One consisted of the old master and Wang Qiyi; the other was the assembly of monks from Jade Buddha Zen Temple—some forty or fifty, young and old, with eighteen vigorous warrior monks gripping demon-subduing staffs. The old master and Wang Qiyi were surrounded at the center. Behind the eighteen bronze monks stood Zhuo Qinglian, her expression calm, while beside her was an elderly monk in a red kasaya.

It was obvious the monks were making every effort to protect Zhuo Qinglian.

“Benefactor Xiao, this is a place of Buddhist purity, not one for reckless behavior. I must ask you to leave,” the abbot said, his robes a little disheveled, his demeanor somewhat flustered—clearly, he had just been in a conflict. In contrast, Xiao Fusheng looked composed and unruffled, making it clear that the abbot was no match for him.

“Buddhist purity, you say? Then why are you harboring a woman here? I think this place has become a refuge for filth!” Wang Qiyi interjected with a cold sneer, his meaning unmistakable—he was calling Zhuo Qinglian that filth.

“Buddha saves all who are fated; all beings are equal. What difference is there between men and women? Besides, Benefactor Zhuo lives here openly and honorably—where is the question of harboring anyone?” The abbot pressed his palms together and smiled kindly. “It seems the problem lies not with our temple, but with certain people’s ulterior motives.”

Wang Qiyi was momentarily at a loss for words. When it came to verbal sparring, few could best a monk.

Yet in his heart, he found it odd. The old monk clearly knew who Xiao Fusheng was—a man whose stature in Shanghai could make the city tremble with a word. For a mere woman, why would a minor temple risk offending such a figure?

Zhuo Qinglian stood behind the monks, her expression serene. Had it been anyone else who came today, she might have lost her temper, but this was Xiao Cheng’s grandfather. She disliked the old man, but as the saying goes, for the sake of the Buddha, one must respect the monk. Since it was Xiao Cheng’s grandfather, she could not retort.

“Abbot, if you won’t let me take Zhuo Qinglian, that’s fine. But I must search the wing and look for my wayward grandson. I hope you won’t hinder me,” Xiao Fusheng said, bowing with controlled politeness—he would not act as rashly as Wang Qiyi.

The abbot pressed his palms together, unmoved. “This is sacred Buddhist ground, not a place to be searched at will. Your grandson’s disappearance has nothing to do with our temple. We are not a shelter. In such matters, you would do better to call the police—when in need, seek the civil authorities.”

The old monk’s words were tactful, but their meaning was clear: if you can’t even keep track of your own grandson, what has that to do with us? If you want to search for someone, the police are your best bet.

This was blatant mockery, but Xiao Fusheng found himself unable to retort. He was a man of immense pride and principle, and in this matter, he was indeed in the wrong.

Xiao Cheng arrived just in time to hear this exchange, and found it amusing. He hadn’t expected the abbot to be so adept—he had actually left Xiao Fusheng at a loss, likely because he understood Xiao Fusheng’s temperament. Xiao Cheng wondered why his grandfather was so anxious to find him today.

For Yun Tingyu, this was a scene she’d only ever witnessed in films. Now, seeing it unfold before her eyes, she was filled with wonder, her bright eyes wide as she gazed at the eighteen bronze monks, even tempted to reach out and touch them.

Xiao Cheng glanced at Wang Qiyi and smiled faintly, approaching in silence. Wang Qiyi’s motives were unclear and his background far from simple. Xiao Cheng didn’t want to alert him yet—he wanted more than just Wang Qiyi’s life; he wanted to uncover his secrets. He was curious what had driven Wang Qiyi to infiltrate the Xiao family.

“Grandfather, were you looking for me?” Xiao Cheng stopped not far behind Xiao Fusheng, smiling coolly.

Xiao Fusheng turned sharply, surprised to find Xiao Cheng so close without having noticed. He saw that Xiao Cheng was holding the hand of a pretty girl of about thirteen or fourteen and was momentarily taken aback. He knew Xiao Cheng all too well—now even young girls were not spared? Even more disgraceful, the girl seemed to have a peculiar constitution; if he wasn’t mistaken, she bore the mark of Yin evil energy.

“You little wretch, why didn’t you continue hiding? Come back to the family with me!” Xiao Fusheng scowled, glaring at Xiao Cheng, loathing him. How could the Xiao family have produced such a disgrace?

At the same time, the abbot noticed Yun Tingyu. For the first time, a trace of worry crossed his previously placid features. He could see the Yin energy on Yun Tingyu had lessened, guessing that Xiao Cheng must have already had relations with her.

He sighed inwardly. Though heaven is merciful, Yun Tingyu was only a girl of thirteen or fourteen. He wondered whether the advice he’d once given to Yun Hongliang had been right or wrong.

Xiao Cheng frowned. He disliked being called a disgrace. Who liked hearing that?

“What do you want with me?” Xiao Cheng asked.

“Hmph! Is that any way to speak to me?” Xiao Fusheng was annoyed by Xiao Cheng’s lack of respect. If it hadn’t been for his mother’s fury a few days ago, he would never have come to Jade Buddha Zen Temple and suffered this indignity. His mother believed he had done something to Xiao Cheng, causing the boy not to dare return home, and insisted he find Xiao Cheng and bring him back.

Xiao Cheng pursed his lips. If he was to be called a disgrace at every turn, was he supposed to respond with deference? He was not one to curry favor with someone who showed him only disdain.

“We’ll discuss the past another time. This time, it’s your great-grandmother who wants to see you, so I was told to bring you home,” Xiao Fusheng finally confessed the real reason for his visit after a moment’s hesitation, unwilling even to mention the incident with Xiao Guowei and the scandal with his sister-in-law, choosing instead to say the elder simply wanted to see Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng nodded—so it was his great-grandmother who wanted to see him. No wonder Xiao Fusheng had come looking for him here.

In the past, he’d returned every week to pay his respects, but lately, with so much happening—and with Xiao Fusheng trying to catch him—he hadn’t gone back. Thinking on it now, it was a bit excessive; his great-grandmother had always treated him well, and he hadn’t visited in over a month.

“All right, I’ll go back,” Xiao Cheng agreed. He would never refuse to see his great-grandmother out of spite for his grandfather.

Xiao Fusheng was surprised—he hadn’t expected Xiao Cheng to agree so readily. In the past, after such incidents, he would have refused to return.

“Young master, this time you won’t run again, will you?” Wang Qiyi asked, unable to hide his puzzlement, a smile flickering on his lips.

“Run?” Xiao Cheng shot him a cold glance and sneered. “Why would I run from my own home? And more importantly—I'm the young master of the Xiao family. Who are you to question me like that?”

Though he didn’t want to startle Wang Qiyi, Xiao Cheng had no intention of letting a servant walk all over him. Wang Qiyi’s position in the Xiao family was prestigious in name—guest minister—but in truth, he was a servant. Did the legitimate young master need to defer to a servant?

“You—” Wang Qiyi was speechless. He’d always been second only to the heads of the family, above thousands, and had never been insulted like this. Yet Xiao Cheng’s words were unassailable—he was, in essence, just a servant, granted power only by Xiao Fusheng.

Wang Qiyi’s eyes narrowed, a cold smile flickering in his heart. So, the young master thought himself impressive? Wasn’t he just a powerless troublemaker, always stirring up trouble? If not for his birth, he’d be nothing. Go on and act proud—let’s see how long you can keep it up.