The young woman’s eyes and eyebrows brimmed with allure, yet she feigned helplessness and timidity, hesitating to throw herself into the scholar’s arms.
“This bandit who waylays travelers, is he the chieftain of the mountain bandits?”
“No, I’m just a minor henchman. My task is to capture women for the mountain chieftain to serve as his wife. Once I accomplish this feat, I can rise from a petty henchman to a prominent one.”
“If so, have you not already embraced and fondled the mountain chieftain’s wife? Besides, in this remote wilderness, whatever a strong man might do to a young lady, no one would hear her cries.”
“That’s true. However, if you become the mountain chieftain’s wife, and word reaches him, wouldn’t I lose my head? Hmph! Young lady, don’t speak recklessly and disturb my resolve. Though I’m a nobody now, I have aspirations to become the mountain chieftain myself. Even if you were a flirtatious woman willing to lie with me under the open sky, I would Resoluterefuse.”
“Pfah! You dare to mock me? My young master will kill you with one stroke of his blade.”
“Who is your young master? Does he rival my skills in both sword and saber? Besides, your young master surely isn’t as charming as I am.”
“My young master is but a frog in a well, how could he compare to my young master’s excellence?”
“I am no frog in a well, but a mountain toad blocking the path! Young lady, you may mock my appearance, but don’t insult my profession as a mountain bandit!”
“Sigh, my young master once said he’s determined to build a pigsty on the field’s edge, keeping the fat water from flowing to outsiders. But why hasn’t he taken me yet? It’s quite strange.”
“Your young master must be a man of integrity, I greatly admire him!”
Under the bright moon and high winds, it was an excellent night for murder, or perhaps for the romantic encounters of a lonely man and woman. What an uninteresting pair they must be, to chat so casually on a muddy path in the dead of night.
After their chatter, the elegantly dressed young woman finally fluttered like a butterfly into Xu Fengnian’s arms.
Xu Fengnian embraced her seductive figure, sniffed deeply, closed his eyes in delight, and said, “No matter how much I sniff, your scent is the sweetest. It’s even sweeter than the aroma of a delicious roasted sweet potato when I’m starving.”
The woman clung tightly to him, pressing against his chest as if she wanted to merge into his body, murmuring, “After all, my name is Sweet Potato.”
This pair of young master and servant, who had almost simultaneously left Beiliang, now met again in a foreign land with a warm reunion scene. Who could know the thrilling experiences each had endured along their separate journeys? With those they care for, they always wore smiling faces.
“Sweet Potato, loosen your grip, you’re squeezing the breath out of me.”
“Master, you’re now a supreme martial arts expert.”
“Still, loosen your grip. Always holding me like this isn’t proper.”
“Oh, master, you’ve gained an extra sword. Show it to me? If there’s any need for polishing the sword, let me do it for you.”
“Are you asking for a beating? Stop acting up, quickly loosen your grip.”
“Master, last time when you returned from your travels, you boasted in the Paulownia Courtyard about a certain skilled swordsman who cut a beauty’s head with a single stroke between her legs. Is this the sword?”
“Can’t you have some decorum?”
Xu Fengnian, both amused and exasperated, gave her a light slap on the buttocks, applied a bit more force, broke free from her embrace, glared at her, and saw her blushing intensely, as if she had taken some kind of aphrodisiac.
Gazing at each other, Xu Fengnian pinched her nose and smiled, “Why are you here? What are you doing at the Shen Family’s Grass Hall?”
It was none other than Sweet Potato, the top maid of the Paulownia Courtyard, whose eyes were filled with sorrow. She spoke each word clearly: “I missed my master.”
Xu Fengnian pretended to strike her again, but she leaned closer, offering herself for the taking. Xu Fengnian frowned, Sweet Potato smiled, then whistled. A fine horse galloped over. Taking the reins, she became serious and said, “I left Beiliang a few days later than my master. There was a scheme by the Prince’s Mansionin Dunhuang City, which happened to involve this Grass Hall. My original intention was to target the faction led by Shen Kaihe, who secretly aligned with Murong Baoding, the Jie Shi of Juzhou. However, my master proved to be formidable, slaughtering the Grass Hall and even killing Shen Zhi. I happened to remove a spy planted by Zhu Wang. Afterward, I used an illusion technique, telling the previous master of the cottage, Shen Shuihu, that it was a spy from Murong Baoding. I promised him that Dunhuang City would take the blame, gambling that he wouldn’t dare to bring it up with Murong Baoding. During this time, I imitated the handwriting of the previous messenger, sending some genuine intelligence. This won’t be discovered for now. At the very least, until the prince leaves Jinxizhou, the butterfly catchers three hundred miles away won’t realize it until it’s too late. If we’re lucky, perhaps the prince will return to Beiliang before any traces are discovered.”
Xu Fengnian mounted the horse, bent down to pull Sweet Potato up, embraced her slender waist, rested his head on the maid’s rounded shoulder, and frowned, “What if it leaks out?”
She replied calmly, “It won’t matter. I’ll follow the trail, kill a dozen or so dragonfly catchers and butterfly catchers, disrupt their plans, and ensure they won’t have time to trace the prince’s whereabouts, only being led by the nose by me.”
Xu Fengnian remained silent.
Sweet Potato, praised by Beiliang King Xu Xiao as having a heart of jade, spoke softly, “Master, Sweet Potato was originally a secret agent. If I don’t die, what is the purpose of living, other than to help my master kill people?”
Xu Fengnian gently bit her earlobe and commanded, “Don’t talk like that, and certainly don’t act like that!”
She shivered and leaned back slightly.
Xu Fengnian, known for his composure, asked, “In these years, every few months you leave the mansion to travel to Dunhuang City in the Northern Desolate?”
Sweet Potato obediently nodded. Among the many maids in the Paulownia Courtyard, there were many beauties with unique charms, all possessing exceptional talents. Not to mention Qingniao, the daughter of the spear immortal Wang Xiu, or Lüyi, the small national chess master who only lost to the second miss, Xu Wei Xiong. Xu Fengnian had been her defeated opponent for many years, skilled in five-character quatrains with a profound poetic style. The maid renamed Cucumber was exceptionally talented in music and excelled in cooking, her homemade pastries rivaling those of imperial chefs. Only the Beiliang Prince’s Mansion, with its immense wealth, could gather so many women in one courtyard, each one capable of captivating Beiliang’s scholars and poets. Among them, Sweet Potato was undoubtedly the most interesting. While Qingniao, another top maid, was cold and difficult to approach, Sweet Potato was much more gentle and charming, loved by everyone, maintaining harmony in the courtyard, for which she deserved much credit. Xu Xiao said she could go to the palace and become an irresistible empress, which was no exaggeration.
She was charming on the surface but cold at heart. Xu Fengnian had been close to her since childhood, perhaps because they shared a similarly aloof nature, and thus they were affectionate, like ground squirrels in winter, huddling together for warmth.
Curious, Xu Fengnian asked, “According to what you said, do you have another identity in Dunhuang City?”
Sweet Potato placed her hands on his waist and nodded, “Of course, Dunhuang City is a complex place with many intertwined factions. I entered early, taking advantage of the city’s unstable situation when it was in transition. I occupied a significant position. As far as I know, there are no fewer than eight major factions. Among them, three factions have been established by two generations of locals, forming a tripartite balance, openly engaging in fierce competition. Master knows that the Northern Barbarians imitate our dynasty’s strategies, but they do it awkwardly. However, some scenes of bravery are quite impressive. Besides the two factions supported by Murong Baoding and the Jie Shi of Jinxizhou, the ninth-ranked sect among the ten major sects in the Northern Desolate, Buque Platform, is based in Dunhuang City and is an elder statesman who doesn’t participate in the struggles, avoiding any risky ventures. The other two factions are formed by wealthy merchants and are particularly slippery, not to be underestimated. Merchants pursue profit and excel at taking advantage of chaos, their skills unmatched in the world.”
Xu Fengnian sighed, “There are indeed many intricacies.”
Sweet Potato leaned against his chest, closed her bewitching eyes, and whispered, “Recently, I only heard about a disciple of Master Cao from the grasslands who defeated Tuoba Chunsun’s arrogance, and I knew it was you.”
Xu Fengnian stroked her hair and laughed, “You and I are like frogs and toads in a frying pan, fellow sufferers.”
Sweet Potato cooed, “But I’m a woman.”
Xu Fengnian didn’t respond to that, thinking of the Zhongyi Strongholdand feeling much moved, he smiled and said, “These days, I stayed in Liuyi Mountain and met a direct descendant of the Han family, encouraging him to go to Jizhou. Sweet Potato, you have time to send a message back to Beiliang and ask my teacher to come and place the pieces. He’s good at this.”
Sweet Potato nodded, “Okay. I’ll do this when I get to Dunhuang City, ensuring no mistakes.”
Xu Fengnian said softly, “My teacher actually always regarded Go as a form of wild fox Chan, not taking it seriously, not even looking up to it. He said that although the movements of the pieces seem complicated, they are far less unpredictable than the human heart. A piece on the board may take root and come alive, but black pieces remain black, and white pieces remain white, their colors never changing. However, a person can turn black into white, disregarding loyalty and righteousness, deeming them worthless. In the past, I didn’t think so, assuming my teacher was just making excuses because his Go skills weren’t good enough to defeat my second sister. Now, looking back, I understand my teacher’s painstaking efforts. In the past, under the shade of the trees at home, watching the ripples or the rise and fall of water, I was merely a spectator. Without personally entering the game, perhaps the old foxes were hiding too deeply for me to see clearly. In Zhongyi Stronghold, a small mountain stronghold, observing the actions of its leaders, I gained some new insights. Sweet Potato, is this what my teacher meant by making a big point through a small opening?”
Sweet Potato gently stroked Xu Fengnian’s interlocked fingers and softly laughed, “Master has become more enlightened.”
Xu Fengnian was about to scold his top maid when she suddenly turned her head, lifting her sharp chin. Her fox-like face, usually full of spring charm, now showed no trace of it as she said, “Master, it’s not about Sweet Potato, but those who have been in the shadows for years, even decades, without recognition or name. You should remember their kindness.”
Xu Fengnian nodded, “I will remember.”
This message transmission was all done at the cost of lives and blood.
“Sweet Potato, this horse is good. Is it a famous horse from the Northern Desolate?”
“It’s a Qi Zhaoyu Lion, worth fifty taels of gold.”
“Did you ride it all the way from Dunhuang City? What status do you have, so impressive?”
“You’ll know when you get there.”
“Not telling? I’ll tickle you then!”
“Master, no!”
“Ah? You dare to defy me? Who is the master and who is the maid?”
Playfully teasing each other, they didn’t look for a place to rest, riding swiftly under the stars. At dawn, they arrived at a small city without city walls. Sweet Potato, who had slept in Xu Fengnian’s arms, continued to keep her head down, hiding her beauty that could bring calamity.
They stopped at an inn to rest, paid the money, and left within an hour. The innkeeper and Mate, whose souls had been stolen by Sweet Potato’s beauty, looked at their backs, beating their chests and stamping their feet. This cursed scholar had picked such a beautiful flower! The Mate, who came to his senses first, rushed ahead to the room where the couple had stayed, coming and going in a hurry. What could be done in an hour? As long as a man is enlightened, he can figure it out with his butt! To smell the fragrance of the quilt, to Bask in the divine auraalso needs great fortune. The innkeeper fiercely pulled the Mate’s collar, angrily scolded him, drove him to do real work, and himself rushed into the room, only to find the quilt neatly and cleanly arranged. Still not giving up, he rushed to the big bed, didn’t smell any woman’s body scent, the middle-aged bald innkeeper lost in thought again, hit the bed with his fist, angrily cursed, “This kid, he’s really not a man, with such a fairy-like woman, let me enjoy once, it’s worth ten years less of my life!”
So-calleda A steed gallops a thousand miles in a single day., it’s absolutely impossible for a single horse. Military horses need to be brushed every thirty miles. Even if they don’t Regretrun the horses to death, unless it’s the The Courier Horseof the Liyang Dynasty’s Posthouse, in case of Emergencymilitary situations requiring Eight hundred li urgent dispatch, it’s also based on the premise of changing horses every Dozens of miles, to possibly reach the near Extremeof Eight hundred lia day. In the Spring and Autumn Wars, there was indeed a rare example of delivering a message in Nine hundred milesa day. However, that widely Legended delivery During this periodignored More than ten Posthouse, ran two priceless Famous Steedto death. This Riding the Jade Lion of the Night, though not rushed, didn’t stop much either, and after Three days and three nights, they finally saw the huge city walls of Dunhuang.
Just as dawn broke, Dunhuang City was under strict night Forbidden, and the city gates were not yet open. Sweet Potato suggested whether to first go to the The Picking Stone Buddha Grottooutside the city to take a look.
The Jade-Gathering Grottohas a total of more than twenty-six thousand statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, celestial beings, and immortals, making it an unquestionable Buddhist holy site, second only to the Zhongyuan’s Two Chan Temples and the Western Regions’ Lantuo Mountain.
Unlike many religious sites, the The Picking Stone Buddha Grottois not built on mountains, not seeking the idea that the higher the mountain, the higher the Buddha. Instead, it rises from the flat ground or is carved into the mountains, allowing visitors and pilgrims to climb to the Gathering Rocksmountain top to enjoy the scenery. The main Buddha is also carved into the mountain, without the need to climb.
The main Buddha of the Gathering RocksCaves is the Three World-Honored Ones sitting on the Sumeru Throne. The middle one is sixty-six zhang high, with a full and solemn face. The stone road’s Monk’s Robeclothing patterns hang Slanted and droopingin front of the throne. The two on both sides are forty zhang each, with Bodhisattvas on both sides. At the ends are eight celestial musicians.
Seeing the towering Buddha statues from afar, Sweet Potato smiled and said, “Behind the main Buddha, there are also eighty-one lotus flowers, each with a OfferingBodhisattva sitting on it. There are many Buddhists in the Northern Desolate, and these eighty-one Bodhisattvas have almost all been claimed by the powerful and wealthy. The incense offerings are prosperous, probably even surpassing the Two Chan Temples. Among them, several great Bodhisattvas, not only the rich families in Dunhuang City, but also many of the Grasslands’s The few great Siti, have to weigh their strength before giving up the idea of competing.”
Xu Fengnian smiled slightly, looking up closely.
The main Buddha displays the Abhaya Mudra.
The ceiling of the cave is a shallow Tracebig lotus carved in the Southern Tang’s round knife technique, which left a deep impression on Xu Fengnian. There are also hundreds of flying celestial beings, with light figures and natural expressions.
Xu Fengnian lowered his head and joined his hands in respect.
The Northern Desolate and Liyang Dynasties are about to launch a massive campaign to Annihilation of Buddhism, but Xu Fengnian still pays homage to the Buddha.
Sweet Potato doesn’t believe in Buddhism but follows suit.
After standing there for a long time, Xu Fengnian remained silent, turned to leave, took the reins, didn’t mount the horse, and said softly, ” Free and easy, observe the ease within., No one in, no me in., Ask now where my home lies., Know where you are, be at ease with nature.. The Buddha is the Buddha, the Buddha is the Buddha., There is a future ahead., Exploring how this life came to be., Coming is like seeing the Buddha..”
Sweet Potato laughed sweetly, “Master, this couplet is very appropriate and fitting.”
Xu Fengnian turned his head and smiled, feeling moved, “Indeed.”
Remembering something, Xu Fengnian said, “I met a monk this time, you definitely won’t guess who it is.”
Sweet Potato very a mood killersaid, “The Dragon Tree Monk, the abbot of the Two Chan Temple. I know he came to the Northern Desolate. Master said this, it must be him. This Buddhist Sageis indeed extraordinary, otherwise how could he be praised for Crossinging All living beingsin the Bittersea, not only knowing how to listen to the lecture of the Kunlun Pooldragon. The Buddhist Sectlion’s roar can teach the Penglaisea water to Raise the Mighty Waves.”
Xu Fengnian looked melancholy.
She covered her mouth and laughed.
She took a few steps back, pointed to the Mountain peak, and softly said, “Just received news, the Empresswants to invite the Grand SorcererQilin Real person to build a Taoist Templeon the Gathering Rocksmountain.”
Xu Fengnian muttered to himself, “Is the mountain Buddhism and Taoism despise each other.?”
Xu Fengnian moved away from the Gathering Rocks Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave, rode with her towards Dunhuang City, and Sweet Potato asked, “Master, does the Buddhist saying of the six paths of reincarnation really exist?”
Xu Fengnian Tranquilityly said, “If you believe, it exists. If you don’t believe, it doesn’t.”
She hesitated for a moment and looked back.
Born destined to die at any moment, she always thought that only after giving her body to her master would she die willingly. Dying early, if there is reincarnation, she would devote herself to Buddhism in this life, hoping to be reborn as a more beautiful woman in the next life, perhaps meeting him again.
She didn’t want to live until she was old and wrinkled, too ugly.
Xu Fengnian suddenly said, “Sweet Potato, in the future, if I have a daughter, no matter whose child she is, you will help her dress up, teach her to comb her hair and apply makeup. Okay?”
She blinked her eyes, blushed, and asked, “But I’m just a worthless maid.”
Xu Fengnian said in a deep voice, “I’m a man, you’re a woman, that’s all. Don’t talk about worth again, or I’ll beat you.”
Sweet Potato lowered her head, then looked up Absent-mindedat him.
Outside the city, the master and maid were happily together?
He continued, “You have to promise. When we get to the city, I’ll tease you. Not only will I hit you, but I’ll also eat you up completely!”
“Really?”
“A gentleman’s word is as good as his bond.”
“Is the master a gentleman?”
“A rogue’s word cannot be pulled back by nine oxen and two tigers.”
“What a Heroic Spiritmaster!”
“That’s right, let’s go! Find a big bed and roll in the quilt.”
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