TGCFNM -Chapter 405 Meeting Master Wuwei

Uncle Hong motioned for the group to step farther aside, hoping to avoid the probing stares.

But there was no helping it—they were simply too well-known. Especially the three at the front, each of them smeared with mud. It was obvious how grueling their climb up the cliff had been.

The shock in Shangguan Shi’s eyes had yet to fade. Looking at Chu Ling, he couldn’t help but say, “My Lord, that was truly perilous just now.”

Chu Ling nodded painfully. She knew!

“Still, to turn misfortune into safety like that—it truly exceeded my expectations,” Shangguan Shi admitted honestly.

Nangong Han nodded at the side. If this had been anyone else, they would’ve lost their life already… No—most people wouldn’t even have dared to attempt such a thing.

Nangong Yuankang subconsciously touched his neck and muttered in a low voice, “At that moment, I felt a chill at my throat.”

Uncle Hong nodded as well. He had felt that chill too!

Chu Ling gave an awkward cough, then looked at the students gathered around and quickly waved her hand. “All right, all right—go do what you’re supposed to do. Light incense, draw lots—”

Nangong Han corrected helplessly, “My Lord, it’s called seeking a fortune stick.”

Chu Ling waved dismissively. “Fine, fine, seek a fortune stick. Go seek one—get a top-grade fortune for peace of mind, and next year in the spring examinations, bring back excellent results.”

With that, the students dispersed. If they continued standing together, they would only attract even more attention.

Before leaving, however, Shangguan Shi reminded her, “My Lord, you offered the first incense. You may go pay your respects to Master Wuwei.”

Chu Ling asked casually, “Is that master very formidable? Must I go see him?”

Shangguan Shi nodded solemnly. “My Lord, every time Master Wuwei emerges from seclusion, His Majesty personally summons him to discuss Buddhist scriptures. Sometimes he even stays in the palace for several months. Today may be the only chance to see him—you should go.”

Chu Ling nodded thoughtfully. After parting from the students, she moved to a quiet spot and reached out to take the herbs from Wan Sanjin’s hands. “I’ll hold the medicine. You go.”

Wan Sanjin brushed some dirt off himself casually. “Me? I’m the one going?”

Chu Ling nodded. “I did the calculations. Among the few of us, you’re the most unlucky. So you should go.”

Wan Sanjin was about to argue, but after glancing around at everyone, he froze for a moment. “…Then I suppose I’ll go.”

Uncle Hong couldn’t help but laugh helplessly and let them be.

When the young novice monk came to invite them, Wan Sanjin stepped forward smoothly. “I’ll go meet the Master. They’ll go draw fortune sticks.”

The novice glanced at Chu Ling before leading Wan Sanjin away.

Su He frowned and said, “My Lord, why do I feel like that novice looked at you just now as if to say you didn’t know what was good for you?”

Chu Ling clicked her tongue. “You’re not wrong. That was exactly the look.”

Uncle Hong found a handkerchief and took the herbs from Chu Ling, wrapping them up carefully. “Master Wuwei’s status is extraordinary. Those who attend closely upon him can be a bit arrogant. Pay them no mind. Let’s go offer our respects before the Buddha.” With that, he put away the herbs and led them into the main hall.

By the time they entered, there were far fewer people. After a short wait, it was their turn. The group lined up, knelt on the prayer cushions, and bowed devoutly before the Buddha.

Once finished, they picked up the bamboo fortune cylinders and began shaking for their lots.

Uncle Hong lowered his voice and asked, “My Lord, are there more of those herbs over there?”

Chu Ling shook her head. “Just that one cluster. Su He spotted it with his sharp eyes.”

Uncle Hong hummed softly, worry creeping into his voice. “This medicine is indeed effective for cold-related ailments. The young master will certainly give it to Young Master Fu…”

Chu Ling turned to look at him. “Uncle Hong, do you know someone who also needs this medicine?”

Uncle Hong only fell silent for a brief moment before nodding. “Yes.”

Chu Ling felt this was a bit troublesome. At the time, they had been in the middle of the competition. As soon as Wan Sanjin heard Su He say it could help with cold syndrome, he had taken the risk to dig it up. After digging it out, he had kept it clenched in his hand the whole time. Taking it away now would definitely be unrealistic.

Bai Su thought for a moment and said, “It can be combined with other medicinal herbs and boiled into a decoction. Divide it into two portions and give them to the two people. This herb can only relieve the symptoms at most—it won’t cure the root of the illness. But something is better than nothing.”

Chu Ling felt the idea was workable and relayed it to Uncle Hong. “But Uncle Hong, once the medicine is boiled, it has to be taken as soon as possible. So the person needs to be present.”

Uncle Hong considered this. “The Wan family can gather the other herbs. After we go down the mountain, we’ll brew the medicine. Once it’s ready, I’ll personally carry it over in a food box.”

Chu Ling was surprised. “This person is that important to you?”

Uncle Hong nodded and sighed. “The child of an old friend. Their health has always been poor, so they likely won’t be able to come in person. I’ll have to deliver it myself.”

Chu Ling nodded in agreement. “Then once we head down the mountain, we’ll start brewing the medicine.”

—

Meanwhile, Wan Sanjin followed the young novice monk forward. Gradually, the other visitors disappeared from sight. Aside from the occasional monk passing by, the surroundings were extremely quiet.

Wan Sanjin looked around as he walked, then reminded the novice, “Little Master, you’ll have to see me out later. I don’t know my way around here.”

The novice frowned slightly. “Lower your voice. We’re almost at the Grand Master’s resting quarters.”

Wan Sanjin grinned. “Almost means we’re not there yet. From this far away, how could I possibly disturb him? What, does he have ears that can hear a thousand li away?”

The novice’s face stiffened. “Do not be disrespectful!”

Wan Sanjin immediately composed himself and promised not to speak again. Only then did the novice’s expression soften slightly as he continued leading the way.

When they arrived, the novice escorted him to the door and then waited quietly outside the courtyard.

Knowing the novice would be waiting, Wan Sanjin pushed the door open and walked straight in.

This startled the two young novices inside who were tidying up.

“The Master has not summoned you—how dare you barge in?” one demanded.

Wan Sanjin was bewildered. “Wasn’t it you who said that after offering the first incense, one could meet Master Wuwei? Why are you stopping me now that I’m already at the door?”

“The Master must grant permission before you may enter,” one of the novices said with a very unpleasant expression, stretching out an arm to drive him out.

Wan Sanjin let out a short laugh in exasperation. He hadn’t even met the man yet, and already he’d encountered plenty of rules.

With a subtle shift of his steps, he sidestepped that novice and moved toward the other one. “Let me help you carry the sutras.”

“No, you can’t! You’re covered in mud!” the novice exclaimed, startled, hurrying to grab them back.

But Wan Sanjin insisted on helping place the sutras down, putting on an especially earnest act as he busied himself.

One of the novices grew so angry his face turned green. Hugging the sutras, he hurled them over.

Wan Sanjin dodged. The bundle brushed past his back and fell to the ground. A sheet of drawing paper slipped out from among the sutras.

Wan Sanjin glanced at it. It looked somewhat familiar. Casually, he slid his foot over and “accidentally” stepped on it.

“My apologies, my apologies—slipped,” Wan Sanjin said with a grin. He bent down, picked up the paper, and took a careful look before handing it back to the novice. “So young, and already pining for romance, hmm?”

The novice’s eyes reddened with anger, and he was just about to make a move—

At that moment, the door was gently pushed open, and an elderly man with a long white beard stepped in slowly.