The autumn wind swept up, carrying withered leaves to a forgotten corner.
The path of immortality stretched endlessly, making time itself feel drawn out.
There was ample time to do things that required great patience.
Inside the meditation hall,
Yuan Xing replied, "Junior Brother Yuan Kong has already left Zen Forest Temple. I do not know his whereabouts, so I’m afraid he cannot meet with you."
Chu Xingchen stood silently for a moment, as if deep in thought, before shifting his gaze beyond the hall.
In the end… he had underestimated Yuan Jing.
He had initially thought Yuan Jing was merely trying to leverage his last shred of dignity, asking Chu Xingchen to look after Yuan Kong and offer guidance.
He had assumed the letter contained no fundamental request—yet in truth, it held every request.
Yuan Jing, after all, was still human. He had made his own choice—keeping his final moments for himself, preserving his last dignity for himself.
Yet no one could fault him—he had already done more than enough.
Perhaps Yuan Jing had spoken, but Yuan Kong ultimately refused.
But at this moment, Chu Xingchen chose to think the best of Yuan Jing.
Moreover, Chu Xingchen understood—this was Yuan Jing’s decision.
The choice of a monk who appeared slightly worldly yet harbored an unyielding pride within.
He had never truly bowed his head; he had only ever done what he wished.
At least, from the moment Chu Xingchen had known Yuan Jing, the old monk had likely never acted against his conscience.
Yuan Kong must have understood as well, which was why he had journeyed far away.
Though young, his mind was already perceptive.
Yuan Kong, through his own choice, had honored Yuan Jing’s decision.
Chu Xingchen asked, "Then is Yuan Jing’s golden body still within Zen Forest Temple?"
Yuan Xing answered, "There is no golden body left—only relics."
Chu Xingchen replied calmly,
"Lead the way. I will pay my respects."
Leaving the meditation hall, a narrow path led the temple’s monks to the highest pagoda in Zen Forest Temple.
The pagoda stood tall, but the marks of time were evident—its aged structure was plain, slightly darkened, with no adornments. Though shaped like a tower with windows, none were actually open.
At a glance, it was simply an ancient, weathered pagoda.
After eminent monks passed, any relics or golden bodies were enshrined within this most unadorned of towers.
The pagoda was usually deserted, rarely visited even by the monks. Most only approached when it was time to place a golden body or relics inside.
Passing through the monks’ living quarters, they ascended the small steps leading to the pagoda.
The name "Zen Forest Temple" was straightforward—a temple composed of meditation and woods.
Trees were abundant here, sprouting up everywhere.
Yet the steps to the pagoda remained unswept, allowing fallen leaves to gather undisturbed.
The monks would sweep the ground below the steps, but never the first stair.
The steps were covered in scattered leaves, rustling softly underfoot.
Yuan Xing walked ahead, his pace unhurried—agonizingly slow in Chu Xingchen’s eyes.
At this moment, only Yuan Xing and Chu Xingchen trod this path.
His gaze did not linger on the ground but fixed instead on the pagoda ahead.
The steps were uneven, rising and falling unpredictably.
Yuan Xing’s cultivation was not particularly advanced—he had not even reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
Yet he climbed steadily, familiar with this path.
Since his days as a novice, he had walked it—sending off eminent monks, his master, his senior brothers, and one day, himself.
As he stepped on the leaves, Yuan Xing suddenly spoke, "Do not take offense. Zen Forest Temple never sweeps these leaves. Even on the day my senior brother entered the pagoda, they remained untouched."
"Other temples may not have such customs, but the monks here are a peculiar sort. Though I don’t know which monk insisted on this stubbornness."
"He said that when a monk’s journey ends, all that remains are two words—‘enlightenment’ and ‘silence.’ The ‘enlightenment’ lies within oneself, but the ‘silence’ belongs to both the self and others."
"A dead monk grows quiet, so the world outside should too."
"The reasoning sounds like nonsense, but since the stubborn monk was the abbot, Zen Forest Temple adopted the rule."
"‘No reason to ascend the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda; no reason to sweep the steps below.’"
Yuan Xing chuckled, as if mocking himself,
"When I was young, I thought—once you’re gone, what sound could you possibly hear? If you’ve truly cultivated Buddhism, why care about the outside world? This just proves the monk hadn’t cultivated deeply enough—even a novice like me knew better."
"For a few days, I even felt smug. A great monk couldn’t grasp this truth, but I had."
"Later, after years as a monk, I somehow began to feel there was something profound in this reasoning—inexplicable, yet undeniable."
"Even now, I don’t fully understand where its brilliance lies."
Yuan Xing led Chu Xingchen up the final step, reaching the platform.
Like the stairs, it was blanketed in fallen leaves.
Turning, Yuan Xing glanced at Chu Xingchen—or perhaps at the steps behind him—and smiled,
"Before, I wondered—had no eminent monk in Zen Forest Temple ever grasped this truth? Or was even the abbot’s cultivation insufficient?"
"Now that I’m in charge, I finally understand why this rule remains."
Chu Xingchen let out a light laugh, his eyes on the pagoda as he replied,
"You mean to say—the truths you fail to comprehend must be left for those who come after?"
Yuan Xing’s eyes brightened, as if meeting a kindred spirit,
"Exactly so. If I cannot grasp the Dharma, it is my own failing. But if I do not leave the Dharma behind, it is my own lack of virtue."
Chu Xingchen sighed softly, shifting his gaze to Yuan Xing,
"Now I understand the true meaning. The question is—do you wish to hear it?"
Yuan Xing paused, surprised, as if considering for a moment before clasping his hands solemnly,
"Please enlighten me."
Chu Xingchen pointed at the leaf-covered steps,
"The Dharma left by that monk is exactly as you surmised—meant for those who follow."
"If these steps were bare, it would mean Zen Forest Temple had exhausted its Dharma—because the Dharma would already be hidden."
"Steps without leaves are hearts veiled by leaves."
Yuan Xing stood stunned, staring at the steps.
After a long silence, he suddenly laughed in realization.
"The great monk truly was great. This humble monk concedes."
His laughter was unrestrained, but soon faded as he bowed to Chu Xingchen once more,
"Thank you for your wisdom, Senior. Though our paths differ, the principle remains. I was simply too dull to see it."
Chu Xingchen waved a hand dismissively.
Yuan Xing asked, "Should I retrieve Senior Brother’s relics?"
"No need. I have no interest in such things," Chu Xingchen said flatly. "I came only to tell him I received and read his letter."
Yuan Xing quietly stepped aside.
After a moment of gazing at the pagoda, Chu Xingchen found it somewhat dull.
From his spatial ring, he retrieved two objects.
These were items he had obtained alongside Yuan Kong in a secret realm—the Buddha’s Heart had gone to Yuan Kong, while the relics were later negotiated for Yuan Jing.
Two remained—a pristine kasaya and a willow jade slip.
He hadn’t managed to sell them.
After a brief consideration, Chu Xingchen took out two talismans—one for leaving messages, the other for communication.
A moment later, Chu Xingchen sealed away the two treasures and two talismans with a spell. Only a power of the same origin could undo the seal. Since Yuan Kong’s Buddhist heart and relic shared the same source, retrieving them would pose no issue.
Chu Xingchen handed the items to Yuan Xing and instructed, "Since Yuan Jing is here, Yuan Kong will surely return. When he does, give these to him."
"Remember to put up a sign—Yuan Kong likely won’t bother with formal greetings."
Yuan Xing solemnly accepted the items. "This monk understands."
In the next instant, Chu Xingchen transformed into a streak of light and sped away.
With matters at Zen Forest Temple concluded, what would come of it all would be left for the future to tell.