"Miao Ji."
Zen Master Ben Heng glanced at Miao Ji again, his eyes complex.
Miao Ji clasped his hands together and bowed to Ben Heng. "Master, my heart has Buddha, but I do not wish to return to Buddhism. You need not persuade me further."
Ben Heng seemed to have anticipated Miao Ji's answer.
He sighed and said, "Back then, because you helped Miao Hua commit murder, I was indeed quite displeased with you, and thus my punishment was much heavier. Now, I recall that if I hadn't been so impulsive, perhaps Yan Chou, that scoundrel, wouldn't have seized the opportunity to trick you into leaving the mountain..."
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Senior Ben Heng, the deceased's own son is right here, can't you be a little more discreet when you curse?
Ben Heng deliberately glared at Yan Shouyi, as if he was saying it just for Yan Shouyi to hear.
However, Yan Shouyi shrugged, letting the words go in one ear and out the other, not taking them to heart at all.
The conversation between the two also made Yan Shouyi finally understand why Miao Ji had left the mountain to join the Xuan Shan Thirteen Protectors back then.
At the same time, Yan Shouyi's perception of Ben Heng was refreshed. Despite looking like a solemn old monk, this bald fellow was just as adept at cursing; those who cultivate the 'mouth mantra' are indeed different...
Ben Heng was quite different from Yan Song. Yan Shouyi thought he wouldn't become another sly old fox.
Miao Ji coughed twice and said, "Master, my purpose in coming here is to escort Shouyi north."
His northbound route was similar to Yan Shouyi's. However, upon learning this morning that Yan Shouyi was going to Han Shan Temple, he had a premonition that something was about to happen, which was why he brought Old Jin along to meet Yan Shouyi in advance.
He hadn't expected that something indeed major had occurred.
Ben Heng nodded. "That would be good. It's not too late to return to Han Shan Temple when you've thought things through."
However, Ben Heng also had his doubts. "Why are you going north? Abbot Yan Song also mentioned this before his death."
Explaining the matter of going north was quite complicated.
Yan Shouyi answered with just one sentence: "The matter of going north concerns the outcome of the conflict between the two factions."
This way, Ben Heng understood the importance of going north.
Resolving the conflict between the two factions was Abbot Yan Song's dying wish, and Ben Heng therefore attached great importance to this matter.
He hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked to a corner of the main hall. After a short while, he returned with a worn-out broom.
Holding the broom in his hand, Ben Heng was still reluctant. After a long period of hesitation, he pushed the broom forward. "Since going north is so important, I, an old monk, will gift this broom to you, contributing my part."
Yan Shouyi looked at the broom, feeling puzzled.
This Senior Ben Heng is the sweeping monk, but I don't want to be the sweeping monk!
What's the use of a broken broom? Sweep snow in Changbai Mountain?
Besides, how difficult is it to carry this thing?
He didn't notice Miao Ji and Chang Shan exchanging meaningful glances beside him. He weakly asked, "Can I exchange it for a treasure?"
Unexpectedly, Ben Heng was relieved and immediately took the broom back, as if he were putting away a beloved jewel.
Perhaps worried that Yan Shouyi might change his mind, Ben Heng directly stuffed three golden hoops into Yan Shouyi's hand:
"This is all I have. Take it or leave it."
Yan Shouyi: "???"
These three golden hoops were the same ones used to restrain Miao Hua earlier. Yan Shouyi knew with his toes that this thing was definitely much more useful than that broken broom!
"Thank you, Senior!"
Yan Shouyi happily accepted them, and Zen Master Ben Heng, also happily, held the broom.
This scene made Yan Shouyi suspect that Ben Heng had some fetish. Perhaps he wasn't the sweeping monk because he liked sweeping, but because he liked brooms...
Truly perverse!
With all matters settled, Ben Heng was about to begin the busy preparations for Abbot Yan Song's funeral.
It was time to part ways. Miao Ji couldn't help but look at Miao Hua.
He walked to Miao Hua's side, patted his shoulder, and asked, "Miao Hua, what are your plans for the future? If you don't want to stay at Han Shan Temple, why not leave with me?"
Miao Hua shook his head, looked up to meet Miao Ji's gaze, his eyes holding a clarity unseen for many years.
"I have just made my decision. I will stay at Han Shan Temple, at the Maha Pagoda, to guard the eternal lamp for Yan Shouyi. This can also be considered... atonement."
Miao Ji was stunned for a moment, then finally nodded.
Miao Hua's first half of his life was spent in the pain of revenge; let him atone properly in his latter half.
In this world, whether it's hatred or atonement, one always needs a belief to sustain them.
"You may go," Ben Heng urged.
If they didn't leave soon, people from various sects would come to Han Shan Temple to look for Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi, Miao Ji, Chang Shan, and Old Jin bowed three times to the body of Abbot Yan Song with solemnity, and then bowed to Ben Heng.
It was time to go.
The group arrived at the entrance of the main hall.
A large number of Han Shan Temple monks had already gathered outside. They didn't know what had happened and wanted to investigate, but they had been blocked by Chang Shan earlier.
There were whispers that Yan Shouyi had arrived at Han Shan Temple.
This only fueled everyone's curiosity.
*Bang—*
Suddenly, the main hall door was kicked open.
Yan Shouyi had Chang Shan by the neck, with Old Jin and Miao Ji following behind him.
"Old scoundrel Ben Heng, you think you can stop me?! I've taken your most favored disciple hostage! Anyone who dares to chase, I'll kill him!"
Yan Shouyi feigned arrogance, grabbing Chang Shan and running out.
Seeing this, the monks of Han Shan Temple's expressions changed drastically, and they all moved to intercept.
"All of you, stop!"
Zen Master Ben Heng appeared and shouted at the monks.
Everyone stopped, but they refused to yield a path for Yan Shouyi. Someone shouted:
"Abbot, Yan Shouyi is the leader of the Folk Customs Research Association. We absolutely cannot let him leave!"
Ben Heng's face darkened. "Chang Shan is the future successor of Han Shan Temple. Do you want him dead?!"
Upon hearing this, the monks indeed fell silent.
Capturing Yan Shouyi was important, but not as important as Chang Shan.
Among the crowd, Chang Ji, who was of the same generation as Chang Shan, witnessed everything.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Senior Brother Chang Shan! You truly misjudged him! This Yan Shouyi is not only fierce by nature and unpredictable, but he doesn't even spare you!"
In Chang Ji's heart, the identity of Yan Shouyi as a great demon had been solidified!
Because of Ben Heng's words, the monks slowly parted, allowing Yan Shouyi and his group to leave Han Shan Temple unimpeded under everyone's watchful eyes!
Only after Yan Shouyi disappeared from their sight did a monk suggest sending pursuers after him.
Only then did Ben Heng sigh slowly:
"Don't pursue for now. We have bigger matters to attend to."
The monks expressed their dissatisfaction. What could be more important than recapturing Chang Shan now?
What if that fellow Yan Shouyi went mad and killed Chang Shan? Then Han Shan Temple would have no successor!
Ben Heng announced with a solemn face:
"Abbot Yan Song has just passed away."
The previously chaotic square suddenly fell into a deathly silence.
After a long while, all the monks clasped their hands together, lowered their heads, and looked sorrowful.
"Namo Amitabha..."