The one who emerged was precisely the esteemed disciple Cheng Hong. He was clad in his usual simple white monk's robe, his slender, clean hands turning a string of prayer beads. The azure sky above was as clear as washed glass, white clouds drifting leisurely, and warm sunlight bathed him. His features were as if painted, kind and benevolent, further accentuating his holy and transcendent aura.
When he looked at her, for some unknown reason, his gaze was markedly different from before.
Those clear, pure eyes, unblemished by any trace of dust or impurity, were now profound. They seemed to shimmer with a subtle depth, as if he could hear the sound of wind whistling through countless ravines, a wind that had traversed myriad epochs, blowing through his entire world and stirring it into disarray.
Gu Junshi was slightly taken aback.
He lowered his gaze, his lean, cultivated form as upright and refined as bamboo. He clasped his hands in a bow towards her and said softly, "Lay follower Gu."
Gu Junshi regained her composure and returned the bow. "I have heard of the disciple's profound medical skills. Recently, this Gu has been feeling unwell. Might I trouble the disciple to examine my pulse?"
Cheng Hong's distant, deep-set eyes fixed on the air. After a long silence, he replied, "Then, does the lay follower know the rules by which this humble monk makes diagnoses?"
Gu Junshi naturally knew them, but due to her perceived mortal ignorance, she could not admit to knowing. Thus, she countered, "Might the disciple elaborate?"
If he were to enumerate his "three prohibitions for diagnosis" one by one, she suspected she would meet every single criterion.
Cheng Hong sighed lightly, retracting his previous words. "Very well. Come in."
He slightly moved aside, granting her passage into his temporary dwelling.
Upon entering his courtyard, she found a path lined with blooming fragrant pear trees. She looked up to see a frost-white pear tree planted within the courtyard. Unlike mortal trees that followed the seasons, it flourished year-round, its beauty sustained by the nourishment of spiritual energy. The pear blossoms in the courtyard resembled falling snow under a gentle rain, with a serene breeze. It was truly a picture of pure, unblemished white.
They both sat on stone benches in the courtyard.
A brief silence passed between them. Cheng Hong lowered his gaze and said, "If you are willing to cultivate with this humble monk, then the rules do not apply."
"You wish to take me as your disciple?" Gu Junshi lightly tapped the stone surface with her fingertip, her gaze as substantial as if it could pierce him.
Cheng Hong leisurely turned his prayer beads and offered an alternative. "If you are unwilling to join my lineage, this humble monk can also recommend you to other accomplished high monks."
Gu Junshi smiled. "Alas, I have no interest in eating vegetarian fare and chanting scriptures. My life is meant for wild abandon, not for confinement within rigid boundaries. Master Cheng Hong, my Dao, I fear, runs contrary to your Buddha."
As if he had anticipated that she would not easily compromise and convert to his faith, Cheng Hong ceased his persuasion. Observing that her complexion was indeed somewhat poor, he proposed a compromise: "You shall debate Buddhist philosophy with me. If you win, I shall examine you."
Gu Junshi's eyes were serene. "It is agreed."
To engage in discourse with him in this manner felt like a return to her first life.
Cheng Hong posed the question, "Is there inherent evil?" His viewpoint was that human nature inherently contained both good and evil; there was no absolute good, nor absolute evil. Good could be influenced and nurtured subsequently, and evil deeds could be preempted and reformed.
Gu Junshi, however, questioned the notion of "inherent evil," asking who defined "evil" in the first place.
From a rabbit's perspective, was an eagle, hunting rabbits for sustenance, a form of inherent evil?
If so, should the eagle abandon its own life for the sake of kindness in its heart?
If all eagles of a species were to act so altruistically, ultimately leading to the extinction of the entire species, would the rabbits, the source of all deaths, not then be considered another form of perpetrating evil?
After a period of debate, one arguing from orthodox principles, the other exploiting loopholes in wording, they volleyed back and forth, neither convincing the other. Nevertheless, it had to be acknowledged that Cheng Hong's Buddhist Dharma was profound, his words always carrying thoughtful reason.
When it came to reasoned argument, Gu Junshi could never out-argue the profound Cheng Hong in Buddhist Dharma. Yet, she knew her own weakness and, taking a tangential approach, deliberately engaged him in absurd reasoning.
Finally, both were dry-mouthed. Cheng Hong’s jade-like face was solemn, and he cast a rather speechless glance at her before bringing the debate to a halt.
Who had won or lost?
If you were to argue about victory or defeat with someone who engaged in nonsensical reasoning, you might even find them fabricating a whole string of sophistry to define "winning" and "losing."
Therefore, Cheng Hong did not dwell on the ultimate outcome. In the final analysis, he simply wished to use this opportunity to expound on Buddhist Dharma to her, to enlighten her.
Alas, her will was as firm as a rock, unyielding, and showed no sign of awakening.
Cheng Hong still proceeded to examine her. He channeled his spiritual energy into her body to observe her condition.
After a long while, seeing his lack of reaction, Gu Junshi inquired, "What is wrong with my body?"
Cheng Hong pondered for a moment, then looked up, gazing deeply at her. "Your body repels external investigation, hence I could not ascertain the specific problem. However, within you, there seems to be a power that does not belong to you, continuously taking root and growing."
Gu Junshi disregarded his earlier probing and focused on his question. "What power is it?"
"It cannot be discerned for now, but it should be… harmless to you," Cheng Hong hesitated.
Seeing that he indeed possessed skill, and that she herself had not discovered anything, Gu Junshi no longer concealed her ailment. She began to describe her symptoms. "In the past month, I have occasionally felt a sense of emptiness and weakness, as if my body were being drained, but I would quickly recover."
He looked at her. "Anything else?"
"…Initially, the symptoms disappeared quickly, but recently they have become more frequent. However, it is no longer extreme weakness, but occasional discomfort."
Due to Gu Junshi's peculiar constitution, Cheng Hong found himself unable to trace the flow of her meridians. She truly possessed no spiritual roots, yet this mortal body contained immense strangeness, making it impossible for him to determine what issue her body was facing.
Cheng Hong considered for a moment and said, "This humble monk expended too much spiritual energy in the recent minor competition. Perhaps lay follower Gu could return in a few days, and after this humble monk has recovered, I can conduct a more thorough examination for you."
Seeing that even Cheng Hong could not ascertain the cause of her sudden bodily distress, Gu Junshi knitted her brows. "If that is the case, then I shall trouble Master."
She prepared to take her leave. Before departing, she specifically cautioned him, "I hope the disciple will not mention my visit to anyone."
Cheng Hong calmly replied, "Very well."
Just as she was about to step out of the courtyard gate, Cheng Hong's steadily turning prayer beads stopped, and he called out to her, "Lay follower Gu, you once said that this humble monk should learn from the Buddha cutting his flesh to feed the eagle, to cross you over with his own body."
Gu Junshi halted. Hearing this, she turned her head, a peculiar glint appearing in her eyes. "Disciple, do you know what I meant by asking you to cross me over with your body?"
Cheng Hong tightened his grip on the prayer beads, remaining silent.
She turned back and walked closer to him, gently lifting his soft chin and leaning her head towards his face.
Cheng Hong's pupils dilated slightly, his lips, as if scalded red, trembled lightly as he stared at the face of Hua Qing Mo Leng, so close before him.
But the kiss, in the end, stopped just a finger's breadth away.
She let him go.
Gu Junshi's dark eyes fixed on him, and she said softly, "Cheng Hong, do not make promises you cannot keep."
Cheng Hong's heart tightened. He could never have imagined that she, a married woman, would engage in such preposterous behavior towards him…
Cheng Hong watched Gu Junshi's indifferent retreating back. Suddenly, he recalled a premonition he had recently divined.
She was imprisoned in a palace as white as frost and snow. A person, with bloodied hands, stood before her. The person whose fate she had exchanged had appeared.
He closed his eyes, filled with too many emotions, and turned his prayer beads, but they had become disordered.
"Junshi…"
In this life, where would the path lead for us, and indeed, for the entire cultivation world?
If this humble monk truly crossed you over with his own body, would the future destiny be different? Would you be able to… mend your wicked ways?