"Junior brother, how is it?"
Lin Miao had been gone for almost half an hour, and Sun Youwei did not continue to sleep. Instead, she waited anxiously inside the room with Yun for his return.
"Very good, sleep well, senior sister. Tomorrow morning, we still have to hurry on our way," Lin Miao smiled slightly, not offering much explanation.
It was best not to let Senior Sister know about what happened in the temple hall.
Who knows what kind of people these nuns in the Heaven-Reaching Temple are, a group of martial arts-trained nuns hiding in such a small place.
What could possibly be good about that?
"So, there's nothing wrong now?"
"Truly, nothing's wrong," Lin Miao nodded, thinking that he really should perform more good deeds in the future. Seeing Senior Sister's concerned gaze was indeed quite beautiful.
The original self genuinely liked Senior Sister Sun Youwei, and just a bit of affirmation from her could make him happy for a long time. However, he had a bit of an inferiority complex deep down. But now, with him changed, everything was different.
Yet this obsession had also affected the current Lin Miao.
No matter, since I will be living under your identity in the future, everything you wanted will be achieved for you.
After making a wish in his heart, a very mysterious feeling arose, like a union of spirit and body, without any barrier.
His martial arts cultivation suddenly reached Perfect Yin Jue.
The next step is: Bone Refinement.
...
Inside the head nun's room.
"Master, about that one needle from the young benefactor just now..."
"It was simply miraculous. At first, we wanted to drive them away, but unexpectedly, it was Junior Sister Jing Hui herself who said, 'By helping others, you help yourself,' so we allowed them to stay at the temple."
"This young benefactor truly is extraordinary, but why would he willingly become a servant?"
"Amitabha, every drink and every peck is preordained," Dingxian said with a sigh. "In a moment of kindness, Jing Hui not only helped others but also saved herself. This is the way of cultivation."
"Master, we are disciples of Buddha, forbidden to take life, but Junior Sister Jing Hui has given birth to a child. If she, like us, eats vegetarian, her milk might not be enough to nourish the child," Jingyi suddenly expressed her concern.
"Is there any other method to feed the child?" Dingxian was momentarily stunned. This was beyond her knowledge.
"I've heard that goat's milk can be used."
"Then send someone to town to buy a goat that can be milked," Dingxian said. As long as no life is taken, this conforms to the rules of Buddhism.
"Master, if we buy a milk-producing goat, might it not invite criticism..."
"Jing Hui had a child, but outsiders do not know. Just say we found a child with no parents in the back mountain, and there will be no issue."
"What about the three young benefactors?"
"Don't worry. Initially, they were reluctant to help, but later, the young benefactor offered help voluntarily without mentioning their names or asking for any reward. They're unlikely to speak about it recklessly."
Wise people always leave room in their words and deeds.
"We cannot let outsiders know that Junior Sister Jing Hui is in our Heaven-Reaching Temple, nor can we let others know she gave birth to a child!"
"Master, Junior Sister Jing Hui's identity is special. If she and the child live in the temple, it may cause many inconveniences and easily expose her identity."
Dingxian's face suddenly tightened.
Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open.
Jing Hui, with her hair loose over her shoulders and a solemn face, entered holding her child, and solemnly said, "Master, Senior Sister Jingyi, Junior Sister Jingxin, the three young benefactors are great benefactors to my child and me. Anyone who dares to speak of repaying kindness with ingratitude will be at odds with me!"
"Jing Hui is right. This matter should not be mentioned again," Dingxian's eyes slightly widened, putting a decisive end to it.
"Thank you, Master, for granting my wish," Jing Hui's lips curled into a slight smile. Her graceful figure bowed gently. Before she became a nun, she surely was a stunning beauty.
"Master, after the child's first month, I will leave and will not disturb you and my senior and junior sisters' tranquil cultivation."
"Foolish child, how could Master let you be alone, destitute, and adrift? Do not speak of this anymore."
...
In the second half of the night, the rain completely stopped, and Lin Miao also had a good night's sleep.
Early the next morning, Jingxin, the nun who sought his help last night, actually brought over hot water for them to wash up.
Initially, it was undeserved, but now it is accepted with calmness.
"Young benefactor, thank you for your help last night. Our entire temple is eternally grateful," Jingxin nun clasped her hands together and gave a deep bow.
"If Jingxin Master wants to thank someone, thank my lady instead. She said that 'the favor of a drop of water should be repaid with a spring,'" Lin Miao replied calmly.
"Does Jingxin also know the young benefactor's name?"
"A chance encounter, why would we need to know each other's names?" Lin Miao chuckled. It was merely a fleeting meeting along life's journey, no need to leave names behind.
"The young benefactor not only has remarkable medical skills, but also speaks with such polished words that Jingxin is greatly impressed." Jingxin sighed. The other party seemed wise beyond his years, impossible to treat him as a naïve youth.
…
"Amitabha, this young benefactor is truly a wonder!" Dingxian lamented after hearing Jingxin's report, "In that case, let's not disturb them; let everything take its course."
"Yes, Master." Jing Hui nodded, knowing that she and the child were alive due to their savior. No matter the reason, repaying kindness with enmity was something people of Buddhism could not do.
…
After resting for a night, regaining their strength and energy, Lin Miao and the others finished breakfast, and after Sun Youwei took her medicine, they continued their journey.
Because yesterday's rain delayed them, today they must speed up, otherwise they might not reach the city before nightfall.
The main road was much smoother than before, and the carriage was less bumpy as it traveled.
"Junior Brother, this Heaven-Reaching Temple's Peach Blossom Pastry is so delicious, would you like to try?" Although Lin Miao didn't expect Heaven-Reaching Temple to repay him, they still showed appreciation by offering their homemade snacks, Peach Blossom Pastry being one of them.
These things can't be found outside.
"Senior Sister, if you want to eat such snacks in the future, I'll make them for you, and they'll be even tastier than those from Heaven-Reaching Temple." Lin Miao stated.
"Junior Brother, you can make pastries too?" Sun Youwei exclaimed in surprise.
"Just a bit…" Lin Miao recalled that he had lived with Sun Youwei for ten years, and she knew what he could do.
My ability was already exposed—no point in caring now, whether to explain or not?
No need, even if Senior Sister suspects, she won't spread it worldwide.
"Junior Brother!"
"Whoa, what is it, Senior Sister?" Hearing Sun Youwei's call from inside the carriage, Lin Miao urgently reined in the horses and asked anxiously.
"Junior Brother, come in quickly." Sun Youwei called urgently, and Lin Miao stopped the carriage, bent down, and entered the carriage.
Sun Youwei held the box containing the "Peach Blossom Pastry." This pastry box was cleverly designed, with exquisite patterns on it, consisting of three layers containing three types of pastries, yet the bottom layer had a hidden compartment.
Opening the compartment, inside was a very thin booklet in paper that Lin Miao and Sun Youwei had never seen in this world.
Compared to the rough yellow paper known, it was thinner, lighter in color, and felt more comfortable and tougher.
Dragon Elephant Wisdom Strength!
It turned out to be a martial arts manual.
Sun Youwei was literate, and naturally, Lin Miao could read as well. If one couldn't read, how could one learn medicine and write prescriptions? They instantly recognized it.
The paper was new, had a graceful script on it, some places were dry, but not dried naturally, more like dried with charcoal fire...
Could it be?
Lin Miao thought of it, and the smart Sun Youwei did too.
The nuns of Heaven-Reaching Temple were not ordinary people, their steps were steady, their gaze sharp; anyone with a bit of insight could see that these nuns were martial artists with not low martial arts levels.
They surely saw that Lin Miao was also a martial artist, so they copied a manuscript of "Dragon Elephant Wisdom Strength" and gifted it to them.
If given directly, he might not accept it, as he had not even revealed his name.
Is it that doing a good deed always brings good returns?
"Senior Sister, this is a martial arts manual; your body isn't suited to learn now, so let me keep it safe." Lin Miao packed it up, "The pastry box is also extraordinary, let's keep it too."
"Junior Brother, we just helped a bit casually, yet they gave us such valuable things, isn't it inappropriate?"
"It's fine, it's not that we asked for it; they gave it to us." Lin Miao replied, "Senior Sister, just ease your mind; let's aim to reach the city quickly."
"Weiwei, little Lin is right, we didn't ask for the gift; if we return them, people might think we found the gift too light." Yun also persuaded.
Being good does make sense.
The nuns at Heaven-Reaching Temple were indeed aware and appreciative.
But first, this "Dragon Elephant Wisdom Strength" needs research before deciding to practice it—which can be done once we reach the city.
"Giddyup!"
Dongshan Prefecture, let's hope no more incidents happen in this final stretch.
Whether it's Tang Family Castle or Heaven-Reaching Temple, Lin Miao feels like he's the 'protagonist of fate'.
Hopefully, that's really the case.