Little Pink Starfish

If the Buddha will not save the people, then let the demon redeem all beings.

When Gu Xinglang finally saw Mo Wen in person, even with a great enemy before him, his instincts as a soldier took over, and he unexpectedly calmed down. Young Master Gu sat and bowed to Mo Wen in salute. His tone was dry, but he delivered every word the Xian Sect had asked him to say—how they hadn’t expected Mo Wen to leave so soon, how reluctant they were to see him go, how they hoped he would stay longer in Fengtian—all those polite, insincere pleasantries.

Just as Gu Xinglang finished his superficial remarks, Master Fenglin also arrived at the Buddha Hall.

Gu Xinglang took one look at the disfigured Master Fenglin and, steeling himself, said all the apologies he could muster.

As he listened to Gu Xinglang’s obviously forced apology, the expression on Master Fenglin’s already unrecognizable face made it even harder to discern his current emotions.

Gu Xinglang recited the apology like a student reciting a lesson. He clasped his fists to Master Fenglin and said, “I hope the Master will forgive me.”

Master Fenglin accepted the gesture and looked at Mo Wen. With Mo Wen present, he knew very well he had to follow Mo Wen’s lead on everything.

Mo Wen smiled. Looking at Gu Xinglang, he sighed and said, “You’re a man of the battlefield, Prince Consort. Ning Sheng had you carry out this task—it must have been difficult for you.”

Gu Xinglang quickly replied, “Master Abbot, His Majesty wished to come in person, but he…”

“I don’t blame Ning Sheng,” Mo Wen interrupted, waving his hand. “Prince Consort, no need to overthink it.”

Whether Gu Xinglang was overthinking it or not was no longer the point. That wave of Mo Wen’s hand revealed something—both Gu Xinglang and State Preceptor Chengguan saw it clearly. Mo Wen’s nail beds were black—not from dirt, but because the flesh underneath had turned black. They exchanged glances: Mo Wen was poisoned!

Mo Wen lowered his hand and asked Gu Xinglang, “Where is Princess Linglong now?”

“In the imperial palace,” Gu Xinglang replied.

“Your marriage with the Princess was hard-won,” Mo Wen said. “You must treat her well in the days to come.”

Gu Xinglang looked up at Mo Wen. It’s said a person’s face reflects their heart, but looking at Mo Wen, Gu Xinglang couldn’t see any trace of evil in him. If this man weren’t the abbot of Eternal Life Temple, if he hadn’t raised a disciple like Wen Fenglin, if his own elder brother and sister-in-law weren’t enemies with him, Gu Xinglang felt he wouldn’t harbor any ill will toward Mo Wen.

Mo Wen rose and slowly stepped in front of Gu Xinglang.

State Preceptor Chengguan held his breath, and five golden needles slipped from his sleeve into his palm.

Mo Wen looked into Gu Xinglang’s eyes—clear and untainted by the wear of the mortal world. Suddenly, he asked, “Do you hate Zhao Beicheng?”

Gu Xinglang didn’t understand why Mo Wen was asking this and blinked in confusion.

“Do you want the man who crippled your legs dead?” Mo Wen asked, extending a hand toward Gu Xinglang as he spoke.

Gu Xinglang stared at the hand before him—pale to the point of translucence. He could even see the bluish blood coursing through the veins.

“I can help you,” Mo Wen said, placing his hand on Gu Xinglang’s forehead.

Gu Xinglang’s gaze became vacant. What’s happening to me? he wondered in a daze.

“Prince Consort?” State Preceptor Chengguan called out loudly.

The sound made Gu Xinglang tremble. He stumbled backward, avoiding Mo Wen’s touch. “Thank you for your concern, Master Abbot. His Majesty will see to Zhao Beicheng’s punishment.”

Mo Wen retracted his hand, a smile in his eyes. “That’s fine too. A general should have a broad heart.”

Gu Xinglang still had no idea what Mo Wen was really after, so he just nodded vaguely.

State Preceptor Chengguan stepped forward. “Master Abbot, it’s getting late. If you and the Master plan to leave today, there’s no time to delay.”

Mo Wen looked back at Chengguan and chuckled softly. “The way you say it, I almost think you’re trying to drive us out.”

State Preceptor Chengguan bowed and replied respectfully, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Gu Xinglang then said to Mo Wen, “I won’t delay the Master’s journey any further. Farewell.”

“Very well,” Mo Wen said. “Tell Ning Sheng that the matter between the Princess and Fenglin is merely a misunderstanding. He need not worry.”

“Yes,” Gu Xinglang responded.

Master Fenglin smiled. Whether it was genuine or forced, only he knew in his heart.

Two imperial guards came in and carried Gu Xinglang out of the Buddha Hall.

Mo Wen remained motionless inside.

So did State Preceptor Chengguan. He glanced at Mo Wen’s trembling hands hidden behind his back, and his expression darkened.

“Qinghui,” Mo Wen suddenly called out to Gu Xinglang as he was being carried out.

Before Gu Xinglang could turn back, Chengguan coughed three times.

At the sound, warriors with swords and blades stormed into the Buddha Hall from the doors and windows, attacking Mo Wen without hesitation.

Master Fenglin had never imagined anyone would dare draw weapons against his teacher. He was so shocked, he forgot to even shout.

As Mo Wen dodged the incoming blades, he looked at Chengguan and said quietly, “So you really do want to kill me.”

Chengguan looked at Mo Wen and shouted, “Master Fenglin! The Abbot has treated you well! How could you betray your master and ancestors?!”

Mo Wen shook his head and sighed. “So this is what you call cultivating Buddhism?”

If killing and framing others counts as cultivating the Buddha’s way, Mo Wen thought, what right did Chengguan have to accuse him of not following the path?

Watching Mo Wen struggle under the siege, Chengguan thought: If the Buddha cannot save this man, then I don’t mind becoming a demon.

“Master?!” Master Fenglin finally screamed.

“You’ve been poisoned,” Chengguan said to Mo Wen.

Mo Wen’s expression turned cold. If he hadn’t sealed his own meridians, would he be struggling against just a few warriors?

“Men!” Master Fenglin ignored his injuries and rushed to the temple doors.

Outside the hall, the vast courtyard was eerily empty, save for Gu Xinglang sitting at the steps.

A top imperial guard pierced Mo Wen’s chest with his sword. Even the guard was stunned—he had actually wounded the legendary Mo Wen from Eternal Life Temple!

“He’s poisoned. Move faster!” Chengguan urged the others.

Outside, the monks who followed Mo Wen were ambushed by unknown assailants. After Yu Xiaoxiao’s earlier attacks, few monks had come with him to Fengtian, and under the elite warriors’ assault, most were quickly struck down.

Mo Wen looked toward the temple’s exterior.

Chengguan raised his hand, and five golden needles shot toward Gu Xinglang, instantly sealing all five of his senses.

At the same time, a tiny bronze bell appeared between Mo Wen’s fingers. As his form shifted, the bell gave off a soft ding-ding.