The Arrival of Fate

The Green Snake trembled slightly, immediately yielding to the small hand hovering above its head as it hastily spoke:

"I’ve deeply realized my mistake. My earlier words were merely the result of overstudying..."

Chen Baiqing, hearing this, didn’t press further. Silently, she reached out and stroked the Green Snake’s tightly shut eyes before withdrawing her hand.

Relentless pressure wouldn’t yield good results—sometimes, a sweet reward was necessary.

After waiting a moment, the Green Snake found itself neither trapped in a terrifying illusion nor losing control of its body.

Slowly, it opened its eyes to see Chen Baiqing once again absorbed in her book.

Noticing the gaze, Chen Baiqing glanced up briefly before returning to her reading.

For some reason, the Green Snake suddenly felt its opinion of Chen Baiqing shift slightly—perhaps she wasn’t so bad after all.

Thinking about it... aside from the forced studying, Chen Baiqing had never gone out of her way to pick on it.

Chu Xingchen, meanwhile, paid little attention, lifting his teacup for a quiet sip.

Ning Qianqian suddenly remembered something and hurriedly spoke up:

"Wait, Sect Master! Yuan Kong left a letter for you. At the time, you weren’t here, so he said to deliver it once you returned. It’s been a while, and I accidentally forgot. Please wait here a moment."

A letter from Yuan Kong?

Chu Xingchen had assumed the little monk wouldn’t dare step foot in their sect again. This was somewhat surprising.

"Very well, thank you," Chu Xingchen nodded in acknowledgment.

Ning Qianqian rose with an apologetic expression and left.

Chu Xingchen lifted the teapot and poured a cup for Ning Kun, who still seemed somewhat uneasy.

This was tea brewed by Baiqing—its quality was beyond doubt. Even Ning Kun, after one sip, couldn’t resist finishing the entire cup.

Ning Kun quickly stood up. "How could I trouble you to pour for me?"

Chu Xingchen motioned for him to sit back down, reassuring him:

"No need for formalities. You’ll have much to handle once we reach the Central Continent."

Ning Kun’s face filled with gratitude, and he only sat back down after Chu Xingchen’s gesture.

The Green Snake, sensing the movement, lazily turned its gaze toward their teacups.

Strangely, though it had never cared for tea before, today it felt an inexplicable urge to try it.

The aroma alone made it want a taste.

In the past, the scent of tea had always repelled the Green Snake like poison.

Chu Xingchen glanced at the snake curiously. "You drink tea?"

The Green Snake replied in an almost ingratiating tone, "I’d like to try..."

Without hesitation, Chu Xingchen poured a cup for the serpent.

It was just tea—he wasn’t so petty as to deny it.

The Green Snake flicked its tongue tentatively before taking a sip. Once it started, it couldn’t stop.

Chu Xingchen watched as the snake lapped at the tea with unbelievable speed, its tongue darting so fervently that it seemed ready to plunge its entire head into the cup if it could.

Undignified, but no matter. Once they reached the Central Continent, Baiqing could teach it some manners.

Her methods were undeniably swift and effective.

Chu Xingchen took another sip of his own tea, turning his attention back to the spirit fish.

After a short wait, Ning Qianqian returned down the corridor, holding a letter.

"This is the letter from Yuan Kong."

She presented it to Chu Xingchen with both hands.

Chu Xingchen accepted it, running his fingers lightly over the envelope. A faint trace of spiritual energy lingered on it.

Without further delay, he opened it. The handwriting inside was slightly hurried.

[To see this letter is to see me in person. Written by Yuan Jing.]

[This old monk has lived over a hundred years, seeking only the Dharma. After decades of austere practice, I hover between enlightenment and ignorance—unable to step beyond myself, how can I attain perfection?]

[You, benefactor, appear to act freely, yet guard your true heart. Your deeds may seem reckless, but they are calculated, measured.]

[I have questioned myself a hundred times, yet I cannot claim even a tenth of your clarity.]

[In wisdom, I likely do not possess even a tenth of yours.]

[Yet life is vast, and people even more so. No two paths are identical, let alone the pursuit of perfection. Now, I can only hope my next life is not wasted.]

[But you are different—your wisdom is extraordinary, your fortune unparalleled. Your path to immortality will surely be smooth, unburdened by worldly trivialities.]

[Reflecting on my life, I find no merit, only greed. A lifetime spent studying Buddhism, yet in the end, I grasp nothing. A pitiful existence.]

[My mistakes are countless, and I have often relied on your aid. My debt to you is immeasurable, impossible to repay even in ten lifetimes.]

[This letter asks for nothing. My confusion and doubts have nowhere else to turn, so I share them only with you.]

[This letter asks for nothing. I only wish you soaring fortune on your immortal path.]

[This letter asks for nothing. I only wish you an unobstructed journey toward the Dao.]

Chu Xingchen’s eyes scanned the letter before he folded it neatly and looked at Ning Qianqian.

"Has Abbot Yuan Jing of Zen Forest Temple passed away?"

Ning Qianqian looked puzzled, thinking for a moment before shaking her head.

"I’ve heard no such news. There’s been no word from Zen Forest Temple."

"Then this truly is a ‘letter that asks for nothing,’" Chu Xingchen remarked, tucking the letter into his spatial ring as he stood.

"I’ll pay a visit to Zen Forest Temple and see what that old monk has to say."

Chen Baiqing glanced at her master.

Catching her look, Chu Xingchen gestured for her to stay. "Remain here, Baiqing. I’ll go alone."

Chen Baiqing silently resumed her seat.

Yuzhou City, Zen Forest Temple.

Chu Xingchen entered through the main gate. Though it had been a while since his last visit, the monks clearly hadn’t forgotten his face.

A previously idle-looking monk hurried over to bow.

"May I ask what brings you here, benefactor?"

Chu Xingchen replied calmly, "I’ve come to see Yuan Jing."

The monk nodded quickly. "Please follow me."

He led Chu Xingchen through a side hall, winding their way to the meditation quarters.

"Please wait a moment, benefactor," the monk said before turning away. "I’ll fetch the abbot."

Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod.

The monk rushed off to summon someone.

Soon, hurried footsteps approached.

The same monk returned, accompanied by an elderly-looking monk.

Chu Xingchen studied the aged monk in silence, waiting for an explanation.

The monk clasped his hands in greeting. "This humble monk is Yuan Xing."

Chu Xingchen cut straight to the point. "Where is Yuan Jing?"

Yuan Xing met his gaze, voice steady. "Senior Brother Yuan Jing has already passed into Nirvana. His relics rest in the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda."

"Nirvana?" Chu Xingchen frowned. "You didn’t announce this?"

Yuan Xing answered, "Senior Brother said he had no true merit, only empty fame. He was no Buddha—his remains hold no divinity, unworthy of worship."

"His passing was predestined, all part of karmic law. A grand ceremony would only waste blessings."

"He also instructed that if the truth could not be hidden, we should say he left to study the Dharma elsewhere."

"In ten years at most, the world will forget Zen Forest Temple ever had a Yuan Jing. That would be best—the world suffers enough without adding grief for him."

Chu Xingchen fell silent for a moment before speaking again.

"Where is Yuan Kong? Bring him to me."