Chu Xingchen's Gaze

Southern Jambu Continent, Xuanwu Kingdom.

Within the Hall of State, the reigning king of Xuanwu Kingdom, Zhao Xuan, wore an expression of utmost humility on his face, which was already dotted with age spots. He did not take the main seat but sat in a lower position instead.

The reason was simple: the identities of the arriving guests were enough to make anyone's scalp crawl.

One of them was Xie Lingyu, whom Zhao Xuan barely considered an acquaintance, having met her before.

Xie Lingyu was dressed in white robes and held a jade token that shimmered with radiant light.

The others were all monks, none of whom Zhao Xuan recognized.

Yet what truly made Zhao Xuan’s scalp tingle was one particular monk: behind his head floated a halo of all sentient beings, exquisite and luminous, pulsing with energy. Its pale, white light occasionally soothed the restless unease in Zhao Xuan’s heart.

Zhao Xuan understood all too well that only a causal Buddha from the Buddhist faith could attain such nirvana.

This meant that the novice monk before him—youthful in appearance and gentle in demeanor—was a genuine cultivator at the Tribulation Transcendence realm.

A cultivator of this caliber, let alone Zhao Xuan, would have been unseen by even his ancestors dating back seven or eight generations.

Zhao Xuan had not forgotten that, years ago, to enforce its new policies, Xuanwu Kingdom had brutally suppressed the Buddhist faction.

If this Tribulation Transcendence-stage causal Buddha casually asked about what happened back then, Zhao Xuan had to admit to himself that he would likely have no choice but to draw his sword and fall on it to answer the Buddha’s question.

As a ruler in a high position, Zhao Xuan had a profound sense of the vast gap between himself and such heavenly, star-like figures.

When they chose to reason with you today, it was mostly because they were in a good mood—not because your logic had any merit.

Another monk, with darker skin, seemed far more straightforward.

Since arriving, he had unabashedly grabbed some fruit and was munching on it leisurely, paying no mind to the Transcendence-stage Buddha beside him. His eyes barely wandered, as if his sole purpose there was to enjoy the fruit.

Xie Lingyu withdrew the jade slip from her hand and turned her gaze to Runan, saying:

“I’m troubling the Honored Buddha too much. This is merely a personal matter of mine; I could have come alone.”

Runan sat to one side. Hearing these words, he smiled warmly without immediately responding. Instead, he raised his hand and lightly pointed, using spiritual energy to lift Zhao Xuan, who was about to fall to the ground.

Zhao Xuan and his chair were suspended mid-air by the spiritual force. His eyes were filled with shock and fear as he looked at the Buddha before him, whose face bore a trace of perfection.

Only the one who presided over the entire Great Thunderclap Monastery and the Buddhist faith could be called the Honored Buddha—Runan himself.

This was a supereminent figure that Zhao Xuan would never have encountered no matter how many generations of his ancestors he could count back.

Instantly, his heart raced, and his seated chair toppled over, sending him tumbling.

But, as long as the Honored Buddha was willing, he could naturally react effortlessly and catch him in time.

“This one made a promise to Daoist Friend Chu to ensure your safety. I have no major affairs to attend to; coming here for a look is merely in fulfillment of Daoist Friend Chu’s request,” Runan said.

His right hand gently descended, and Zhao Xuan was restored to his seat exactly as he had fallen.

Having said that, Runan turned his gaze to Zhao Xuan and spoke in a calm tone:

“The Great Thunderclap Monastery is hardly some malevolent sect. King, please have no worries. As for the matter of the new policies back then, Daoist Friend Chu has already explained it to me. Whatever happened, the Great Thunderclap Monastery’s handling was inadequate. King, rest assured, the Great Thunderclap Monastery will never attempt any acts of vengeance.”

“The peace of all beings is the lifelong wish of the Great Thunderclap Monastery. If anyone invokes this name to trouble the King, the King may directly send a letter to the Great Thunderclap Monastery, and everything will be handled by the Monastery.”

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Xuan let out a deep breath, then immediately rose and clasped his hands in salute. "Many thanks, Honored Buddha."

Runan gave a slight smile and nodded, then raised his gaze toward the entrance. His usually steady eyes suddenly brightened slightly.

At the door, Li Junzi, dressed in a Confucian scholar's robe, walked into the hall at a calm pace.

Li Junzi swept his gaze across the crowd, first locking onto Zhao Xuan. Noticing the lingering panic on the King’s face, he bowed to Zhao Xuan before speaking:

"Li Junzi, National Tutor of the State of Xuanwu, respectfully presents himself to the King."

Zhao Xuan nodded gently, then gestured toward Xie Lingyu and said:

"These are today's distinguished guests. They claim to be old acquaintances and wished to see you today."

Li Junzi straightened his posture and turned his gaze to Xie Lingyu. A faint smile appeared on his face as he said:

"Lingyu, it has been so long, and you still look as youthful as ever. I, on the other hand—do I not seem as energetic as I once was?"

Xie Lingyu looked at Li Junzi’s nearly white hair and the faint traces of weariness at the corners of his eyes.

Lin Luoyu was Chu Xingchen’s disciple. As her mentor’s wife, since she was passing through the State of Xuanwu, it was only right to come and visit.

Moreover, she had come to show support for Li Junzi.

Even though he had not become a sub-sage after the success of the new policies, they still regarded him as one of their own.

"You should take a good rest," Xie Lingyu said, taking a bottle of elixir from her space ring and personally handing it to Li Junzi. "One pill per month will replenish your vitality and blood."

Li Junzi did not refuse and accepted it gracefully, replying with a light laugh:

"Since it's offered in goodwill, I won't stand on ceremony."

Xie Lingyu answered quickly, "We are family; there should be no ceremony between us."

Ever since Li Junzi entered the hall, Runan had been quietly observing the restrained aura of this man.

Soon, Runan reached a conclusion in his mind.

Runan suddenly spoke: "Seeing you in person far exceeds hearing of you. Your presence is even more remarkable than I imagined."

Hearing this voice, Li Junzi turned his gaze to Runan and naturally noticed the nirvana wheel behind the Buddha’s head. He understood at once that this speaking Buddha was the Causal Buddha of the Transcendence Tribulation realm.

But despite comprehending all this, Li Junzi showed no sign of the panic or unease that Zhao Xuan had displayed. Instead, his eyes remained as calm as ever.

Li Junzi slightly cupped his hands: "You flatter me. I am merely an ordinary Confucian scholar who only knows how to read. Might I ask who you are?"

"I am Runan," Runan replied, then said with a soft chuckle, "If you were an ordinary scholar, Master Li, then this world would have surely turned upside down already."

Li Junzi chuckled lightly at the remark and then said, almost casually:

"Perhaps this world is due for an upheaval, is it not?"

Runan nodded gently: "So it should be."

Li Junzi faced Runan squarely and then gave a formal bow:

"Li Junzi, National Tutor of the State of Xuanwu, humbly greets the Honored Buddha of the Great Thunderclap Monastery."

Runan rose and returned the gesture, then gave a warm smile and a slight nod as his reply.

Li Junzi straightened up again, turned his gaze to Xie Lingyu, and asked:

"How is Sect Leader Chu doing? I’ve heard quite a few rumors these days here in the State of Xuanwu."

"Busier than before, but otherwise fine."

"That's good. And how is Luoyu doing?"

"You’ve advanced quickly in your cultivation, but Mr. Li should also rest more. Otherwise, when Luo Yu comes to visit, she will inevitably worry and feel distressed."

"I’m getting old now. If I don’t push myself in this final stretch, I won’t have the chance to do more later. But thanks to Lingyu’s elixir, I can rest properly now. I might even have a bit more time left."

Runan watched the casual family chat between Xie Lingyu and Li Junzi with a steady gaze.

In his heart, only one thought remained.

Chu Xingchen’s judgment of people was truly exceptional—enough to make anyone envious.