Chapter 374: Revisiting the Zen Temple

At that time, Liang Yu appeared outside the Zen Temple’s main gate, not overly concerned that the Zen Temple had already closed its doors to visitors.

He approached the tightly shut Zen Temple gate and began knocking rhythmically.

A short while later, steady footsteps sounded from within. Then, the door slowly opened a crack, and a small Zen Master peeked his head out.

Seeing Liang Yu’s travel-worn appearance, the young monk frowned slightly, feeling a bit displeased.

Liang Yu quickly said,

“Little Zen Master, I have traveled for a long time and have come specifically to your temple to stay for a night. I hope you can accommodate me.”

However, the little Zen Master shook his head and said,

“Benefactor, according to the Zen Temple’s rules, after nightfall, this temple cannot accommodate outsiders. Please find another place, Benefactor.”

He was about to close the door after speaking.

How could Liang Yu let him close the door? He immediately reached out to block it and began to flatter him.

“Little Zen Master, rules are dead, but people are alive. You can’t just leave me here, can you?”

“Besides, this isn’t my first time here. Last time, Master Huinian hosted me. Why haven’t I seen Master Huinian today?”

The young monk looked hesitant.

But he wasn’t struggling with whether or not to let Liang Yu in; rather, it was because the other party had asked about Master Huinian.

Just as he didn’t know how to answer Liang Yu, the voice of an Old Zen Master came from inside. Liang Yu recognized it; this was Zen Master Qizhen, whom he was looking for.

“Let him in.”

After hearing Zen Master Qizhen’s words, the little Zen Master fully opened the door and let Liang Yu enter.

As soon as Liang Yu stepped into the Zen Temple, he saw Zen Master Qizhen, who greeted Liang Yu with a smile, then asked him to wait there for a moment while he took the little Zen Master away.

After Liang Yu had walked a certain distance, Zen Master Qizhen looked at the little Zen Master.

“Although there are precepts that forbid lying, remember this: not answering is not considered lying or breaking a precept.”

At this, the little Zen Master curiously asked,

“Master, since that’s not considered lying or breaking a precept, what is it then?”

However, he heard a very down-to-earth remark from the Old Zen Master.

“Well, that’s certainly considered impolite.”

“Don’t overthink it. Go do your evening chanting. I will host this benefactor.”

After making arrangements, Zen Master Qizhen returned to Liang Yu’s side, clasped his hands together, and bowed.

“May I ask, Benefactor, what brings you here so late at night?”

To be honest, Liang Yu found Zen Master Qizhen somewhat inscrutable. Although he was smiling and appeared very kind, Liang Yu always felt a slight sense of incongruity.

However, Liang Yu didn’t care much about this. After all, who doesn’t have a little secret, and everyone has their own story.

Liang Yu wasn’t interested in Zen Master Qizhen’s story. As long as the other party didn’t have designs on him, he didn’t want to meddle.

So, Liang Yu didn’t deliberately hide anything. He subtly mentioned how he had “accidentally” seen that scroll in the West Sand City library.

After briefly explaining the matter, Liang Yu got straight to the point.

“Old Zen Master, I came this time to ask about the records in the scroll and the matters concerning outsiders.”

“I hope Zen Master Qizhen can enlighten me.”

Liang Yu’s words were like a key, gently inserted into the long-sealed door of Zen Master Qizhen’s heart, awakening the long-dormant past deep within his memories.

Zen Master Qizhen slowly closed his eyes, his expression becoming somewhat dazed, as if he were in an illusory time tunnel.

He tried hard to recall, but he truly couldn’t remember how long ago it had been.

He only felt that the years were like ethereal mist, blurry and distant.

The scenes of memory began to slowly emerge, like a faded scroll gradually unfolding before his eyes.

At that time, he was not yet a Zen Master, or rather, he had no connection to a Zen Master at all.

However, at this moment, Liang Yu saw Zen Master Qizhen standing quietly, his eyes somewhat dazed, seemingly lost in deep recollection.

His face was serene, with a faint, almost imperceptible wry smile at the corner of his lips, as if those memories held warm and precious pasts.

Falling directly into his own memories was something Liang Yu couldn’t tolerate.

Originally, if you were going to recall, you should honestly recall and then tell me the story; that wouldn’t be unacceptable.

But now, he was just left there, completely ignored. Liang Yu didn’t want to wait for him to wake up on his own.

So he walked directly in front of Zen Master Qizhen, pulled a bottle of mineral water from his front pants pocket, and then symbolically called out softly twice.

“Zen Master?”

“Zen Master Qizhen?”

Seeing that Zen Master Qizhen in front of him didn’t react, Liang Yu raised his voice slightly and called out again.

“Zen Master Qizhen, what’s wrong?”

This time, Zen Master Qizhen still didn’t react. Liang Yu’s face now showed a joyful smile. It wasn’t that he was petty.

He just felt that Zen Master Qizhen’s behavior was too impolite, and he would just correct him a little.

So he twisted open the bottle and took a sip of water. The next moment, the pure water mixed with his saliva sprayed all over the other’s face. At the same time, Liang Yu also took out a towel.

Zen Master Qizhen, who had been sprayed in the face, trembled slightly, slowly came back to his senses, the daze in his eyes gradually dissipated, and his usual clarity returned.

He wiped the remaining water from his face and then looked at Liang Yu, who was handing him a towel. For a moment, he didn’t know how to question him.

He could only take the towel and wipe himself, while he looked at Liang Yu, nodded slightly, and said softly,

“I was just recalling the past years and got lost in thought for a moment. I made you worry.”

Liang Yu showed a harmless smile and said,

“No worries. I was just a bit concerned seeing you motionless for so long.”

“I had no choice but to offend the Zen Master. Please do not take offense, Zen Master.”

Then he continued to ask,

“May I ask what the Zen Master was just thinking of? Is it related to my questions?”

Seeing Liang Yu ask about outsiders, Zen Master Qizhen looked into the distance and slowly began.

“It’s just old people and old matters…”

But then he looked at Liang Yu.

“Benefactor, please follow me this way.”

Saying this, he began to lead the way for Liang Yu. Liang Yu also realized that this was not the place to talk.

So Liang Yu quietly followed behind the Old Zen Master. The bluestone path beneath their feet wound and twisted, and the green bamboos on either side swayed gently in the breeze, rustling softly.

Thinking of Master Huinian, his eyes showed a few hints of curiosity and doubt, but he finally couldn’t help but speak softly, breaking the silence.

“Zen Master Qizhen, I wonder if Master Huinian has experienced any physical abnormalities?”

The Old Zen Master’s steps did not stop, his face was serene, and he slowly said,

“Hui Nian, he is a person of great wisdom in the temple.”

“It’s a pity. After parting with the Benefactor last time, his obsession became too deep, and he is now confined.”

He heard that Hui Nian was confined, and it seemed the reason was himself.