Chapter 386: True Timing

Ji Yuan had traveled extensively over the years and seen many temples, but he had to admit that in terms of sheer scale, no temple he remembered could compare to the Great Liang Temple.

In Ji Yuan’s somewhat blurry vision, the distant Great Liang Temple complex stretched continuously, extending a considerable distance to his left and right. Its towering structures likely resembled Buddhist pagodas.

“Dong… dong… dong…”

The continuous tolling of the bell imbued ordinary listeners with a sense of profound Buddhist serenity. Ji Yuan, however, could faintly discern chanting accompanying the bell’s resonance. As he concentrated, this Buddhist sound briefly overshadowed the clamor of the surrounding pilgrims and pedestrians, lingering solely in Ji Yuan’s ears.

“Excellent, this Great Liang Temple indeed has some depth. It’s worthy of producing a revered monk like Huai Tong. While not a Ming Wang shrine, it is truly extraordinary!” Ji Yuan murmured in praise, though he was surprised to find his low voice overheard by a middle-aged man nearby with keen hearing, despite the noisy environment.

“Sir, you are quite right. This Great Liang Temple is a two-hundred-year-old monastery, the foremost Buddhist temple in our Tingliang Kingdom. Master Huai Tong is an even more famous high monk, truly a hallmark of the Great Liang Temple now!”

At this moment, Ji Yuan walked without specific intent or magical exertion. Yet, as a gentle breeze brushed his face and his sleeves and hair swayed, he exuded an inherent grace in his bearing, far superior to that of an ordinary scholar. Nor did he possess the solemnity of an official. Such a distinguished white-robed guest naturally attracted many glances. Some perceptive individuals had already guessed he was a cultured gentleman, but fearing to displease him, most only stole a few glances before looking away.

The man who spoke was standing quite close. Seeing Ji Yuan’s gaze sweep over, he slightly cupped his hands as he walked.

“Listening to your perfectly articulated accent, Sir, might you be from the vicinity of Nanshan Prefecture?” In the Tingliang Kingdom, the official dialect, with its most standard and precise pronunciation, was considered to be that of Nanshan Prefecture, which includes areas near Tingqiu Mountain. While popular to emulate, most regions in Tingliang, despite similar languages, had strong local accents, making it difficult for non-southerners to speak with such accuracy.

Ji Yuan noticed that although the man wore loose robes, his wrists were wrapped in studded arm guards, and his strides were powerful and steady. If he wasn't a military man, he must be a master of hard-style martial arts. Ji Yuan, also continuing to walk, returned the slight bow, shaking his head with a smile.

“I am neither from Nanshan Prefecture nor from Tingliang Kingdom. I am from Dazhen. I have long heard of the Great Liang Temple’s renown and specifically came for a visit today.”

Upon hearing Ji Yuan was from Dazhen, the man’s eyes widened slightly. He looked Ji Yuan up and down, then glanced around to confirm he was alone, before cupping his hands and introducing himself.

“So it is a refined gentleman from Dazhen, my apologies for the oversight! I am Tie Feng—‘Tie’ as in metal, ‘Feng’ as in stormy wind—a native of Tingliang’s capital!”

“Ji Yuan. ‘Ji’ as in ‘strategize,’ and ‘Yuan’ as in ‘fate bringing people together over a thousand miles.’”

Ji Yuan gave a brief reply and looked towards the Great Liang Temple ahead. Less than a hundred paces away, numerous stalls and vendors formed a bustling market outside the temple, with many even setting up temporary shelters. Tie Feng was clearly quite curious about the distant Dazhen. After striking up a friendly conversation and getting acquainted, he and Ji Yuan continued their journey together, chatting and laughing. Both were discreet individuals, and their conversation remained superficial, avoiding deep inquiries. They mostly discussed the customs and traditions of their respective hometowns. Tie Feng also informed Ji Yuan about the Great Liang Temple, covering everything from its internal pagodas and resident high monks to schedules for monastic lectures.

As they passed through the market in front of the temple, Tie Feng bought a small bundle of incense, while Ji Yuan purchased no incense or candles. To Tie Feng, this suggested that this Dazhen scholar might not believe in gods, ghosts, immortals, or Buddhas.

Compared to the lively market outside, the temple interior, though also bustling with a steady stream of pilgrims, was noticeably quieter and much more orderly. Very few people spoke loudly, and monks were present throughout the temple to assist pilgrims. Whether it was helping lost visitors find their way out or locate restrooms, directing them to specific halls, or to meet certain monks, and even preventing actions that violated temple rules, monks were always there to help or intervene. The popularity of Great Liang Temple was evident from this.

“Hehe, Mr. Ji, isn’t Great Liang Temple impressive? Does Dazhen have any famous temples of similar stature?” Tie Feng asked, a small sense of pride welling up as he watched Ji Yuan frequently looking around and pausing to observe after they entered the temple.

“Haha, Dazhen does not have temples of this scale. From my perspective, in terms of sheer size, Great Liang Temple is not only the foremost temple in your Tingliang Kingdom but can be considered the largest in the three lands of Tingliang, Zuyue, and Dazhen combined.”

“Oh? Sir, have you also visited Zuyue?” Tie Feng grew even more curious. Such a statement implied more than just a casual pass-through.

“Indeed, I have. Apart from a few isolated areas, the common people there are truly struggling to survive!” Ji Yuan sighed, contrasting the prosperity here with the situation in Zuyue.

The two followed other pilgrims to the front of the Hall of Ming Wang within the temple. Tie Feng was about to enter to offer incense when, after a few steps, he realized Ji Yuan hadn't followed. He turned to see Ji Yuan hadn't stepped forward.

“Mr. Ji, what’s wrong?”

Ji Yuan slightly cupped his hands. “Brother Tie, please go ahead and offer your incense and pay respects to the Buddha. I will not be entering to worship the Ming Wang. As it happens, I have an old acquaintance here at the Great Liang Temple, so we shall part ways now.”

“Oh, so sudden! I was hoping to invite you to my Tie family’s residence as a guest…” Tie Feng found Ji Yuan’s company very agreeable and recognized him as a truly learned and refined gentleman, so he was reluctant to part ways so soon. “How about this, Mr. Ji? First, come with me to pay respects to the Ming Wang, and then I can accompany you to find your old acquaintance? Er, if that’s convenient, of course!”

Ji Yuan smiled and waved his hand. “No, no, it might be a bit inconvenient. As for paying respects to the Ming Wang…” Ji Yuan looked at the majestic Hall of Ming Wang, and through its wide-open doors, he could see the colossal statue of Ming Wang holding the mudra. “Heh, I think I’ll pass!”

Cupping his hands again, Ji Yuan nodded to Tie Feng, then turned and strode purposefully in another direction without any hesitation. Tie Feng watched from the temple steps for a moment, hesitated, but ultimately continued into the Hall of Ming Wang, as Mr. Ji had explicitly stated it was inconvenient.

From his earlier conversation with Tie Feng, Ji Yuan already knew that most high monks of the Great Liang Temple, including Huai Tong, practiced in the inner courtyard, so his direction was clear. He walked north, circling various temple buildings, finally reaching an arched gateway in a courtyard wall. Surprisingly, a carriage was parked there. Regardless of status, other pilgrims had to alight from their carriages outside the temple and walk in, but this carriage had driven directly into the temple’s depths. Ji Yuan didn’t dwell on this and walked directly towards the archway, where a “No Entry for Pilgrims” sign stood, guarded by two sturdy monks.

Seeing Ji Yuan approach, one monk proclaimed a Buddhist salutation and extended a hand to block the archway. “Homage to the Great Ming Wang Buddha. Benefactor, beyond here lies our temple’s rear courtyard, where high monks meditate. It is not convenient for pilgrims to enter.”

Ji Yuan returned the bow. “I am not a pilgrim, nor do I intend to force my way in. I have come to meet a friend. Please inform Master Huai Tong that Ji Yuan has come to visit; he will see me.” Although Tie Feng had repeatedly claimed that Master Huai Tong was definitely not in the temple, at this close proximity, both the sensation from his chess piece and his divination indicated that Huai Tong was indeed within the Great Liang Temple.

“Uh, Benefactor, Uncle-Master Huai Tong is not here…”

“Master, monks do not lie. Please inform him.”

Ji Yuan stood calmly, his words imbued with a gentle, refreshing aura that instinctively made the two monks more willing to believe him. They exchanged glances, and then the other monk spoke. “In that case, please wait, Benefactor. I will immediately go to the rear courtyard and inform him. If Uncle-Master does not wish to see you, please do not be upset.”

“Thank you!” Ji Yuan replied, watching one of the monks hurry away.

Inside a private monk’s hall in the Great Liang Temple’s inner courtyard, Monk Huai Tong sat on a prayer mat, eyes lowered, hands pressed together, continuously chanting scriptures softly. Before him was a low table with a small censer burning sandalwood incense, a plate of fruit, a teapot with tea set, and a few platters of pastries. Opposite the low table, a woman wearing a peach-colored dress adorned with a hairpin sat cross-legged, leaning slightly forward, resting her forearms on her calves, simply watching Monk Huai Tong chant.

The chanting continued for a while before stopping.

“Master Huai Tong, I still can’t learn this ‘Buddhist Seal Scripture.’”

When the woman said this, Monk Huai Tong sighed and resumed chanting the scripture from the beginning. Just then, outside the monk’s hall, a sturdy monk hurried over but was stopped by a female official who extended her hand.

“Stop! You are not permitted to pass!”

The monk’s expression was odd; he was a Great Liang Temple monk, yet he was being blocked by an outsider. However, he understood the gravity of the situation and knew this person was not to be trifled with. He reported truthfully: “Esteemed Lady, a friend of Uncle-Master Huai Tong has come to visit. I need to report it.”

“A friend? Who is it? I’ll go tell him for you!”

“Uh, the benefactor’s name is Ji Yuan. He said Uncle-Master would see him upon hearing the name.”

The female official repeated the name, then asked again: “Which ‘Ji’ and which ‘Yuan’?”

“Uh, that… this humble monk does not know.”

“So unreliable! Wait here, I’ll go inform them!”

“Yes, yes! Thank you for your trouble…” The female official nodded and turned to walk towards the monk’s hall, reaching the doorway in a few steps.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

“What is it?”

“Young Lady, a monk says someone claiming to be an old acquaintance of Master Huai Tong has come to visit. His name is Ji Yuan.”

Before the woman could say anything further, she saw Monk Huai Tong, who had been chanting, suddenly look up.

“Mr. Ji?” Monk Huai Tong’s voice was filled with surprise, and his heart with joy. Mr. Ji had truly arrived at the perfect time!