Chapter 1449: Climbed Onto a High Branch

Gongsun Bu met with Consort Yuan alone again. This time, she pushed a basket toward him.

Gongsun Bu rummaged through the contents, unable to tell what they meant, and looked up at her.

Consort Yuan said, “That Commandery Princess brought these over. Supposedly they’re gifts from her students for Guan Fangyi. Would Hongniang of the Qi capital really accept things like this as gifts? Something about it feels off to me. You understand this place. If there’s a problem, you should be able to tell.”

Once he understood where the basket had come from, Gongsun Bu more or less understood as well. “It looks suspicious, but there shouldn’t actually be anything wrong with it. Auntie may not know this, but Guan Fangyi has given those students at the schoolhouse a great deal of support...” He explained the general situation.

Only then did Consort Yuan understand. So that was what had happened. She finally relaxed.

From time to time, Gongsun Bu glanced up and observed her. Among this group from Misty Pavilion, she seemed to be the only one who had consistently refused to show her face.

They were in a side chamber off the main hall of Maolu Annex. At that moment, the fragrance of wine and meat drifted through the main hall.

A sumptuous banquet had been laid out. Yuan Se ate with enormous relish, savoring every flavor until his appetite opened wide.

Once he was finally satisfied, he wiped his mouth with a white cloth. Seeing Consort Yuan emerge from the side chamber, he said cheerfully, “Its reputation is deserved. Calling it unmatched under Heaven would not be going too far.”

Consort Yuan glanced over the leftovers covering the table. “As long as Sir likes it.”

“The desires of the mouth and belly are difficult to escape. Shameful, shameful.” Yuan Se patted his great belly with a chuckle. His words sounded self-deprecating, but his face was full of enjoyment. Then, as though suddenly remembering something, he asked, “Didn’t I hear before that the people cooking for this Maolu Villa were all monks?”

“Yes.” Consort Yuan replied, “I went to look personally. They really are a group of monks. Niu Youdao took them in back then and kept them by his side specifically to handle his food.”

Yuan Se’s gaze settled on the table. He clicked his tongue. “A group of monks who can somehow put an entire table of meat dishes together. Keeping monks beside him just to wait on his meals—novel. That Niu Youdao really knew how to live properly. He knew how to enjoy himself. Why did I never think of something like this?”

Consort Yuan said blandly, “Sir keeps a group of beauties around to serve you. You know how to enjoy life far better than he did. A mere Niu Youdao could never compare with Sir.”

“Heh.” Yuan Se declined to follow that line of conversation. “Which monk is in charge?”

Consort Yuan replied, “A rare Golden King Bear demon. He calls himself the Abbot of Nanshan Temple. His Dharma name is Yuan Fang.”

“Bring him here.”

Once Yuan Se gave the order, Yuan Fang was soon led in. After entering, he bowed and scraped repeatedly, sweetly following everyone else in addressing them as “Sir” and “Auntie.”

The moment Yuan Se saw the demon monk, he found him amusing. Yuan Fang had the dignified appearance of an accomplished Buddhist monk, yet he stood there bowing and scraping like a servant. The entire picture was so distorted that it became comical.

Yuan Se chuckled. “It seems the mortal world really does have more amusing things in it. Yuan Fang, have you ever thought about going to the Sacred Realm?”

“The Sacred Realm?” Yuan Fang froze, then shook his head like a rattle drum. “No. I wouldn’t even dare think about it.”

“No need to be afraid. If I say you can go, then you can go. Nothing will happen to you.”

Yuan Fang cautiously asked, “What would this poor monk do in the Sacred Realm?”

“Your old trade, naturally.” Yuan Se raised a hand and pointed toward the bowls and plates on the table.

“Uh...” Yuan Fang shook his head. With a solemn expression, he brought his palms together. “Sir flatters this poor monk. This poor monk’s old trade is chanting sutras and worshipping Buddha.”

Yuan Se smiled. “So you’re refusing to give me face? There aren’t many people beneath Heaven who dare refuse me face.”

Yuan Fang was not trying to offend him. He genuinely did not want to go. He had his own ideals he still wanted to realize and had no interest whatsoever in the Sacred Realm.

Carefully, he reminded the other man, “As far as this poor monk knows, Misty Pavilion does not lightly interfere in local affairs. For Sir to do this... it seems somewhat contrary to the rules.”

“The rules?” Yuan Se laughed.

Such a tiny figure actually dared talk to him about rules.

Consort Yuan suddenly remembered something. She leaned close to Yuan Se’s ear and whispered, “According to the reports from here, this group of monks has always had one dream: rebuilding Nanshan Temple and making it flourish. They’re extremely stubborn about it, but the situation keeps changing.”

“I heard they tried to escape several times and Niu Youdao beat them back every time. Whenever Maolu Villa ran into trouble, this monk always wanted to flee. The last time was at Zijin Cave. When he heard Niu Youdao had died, he tried to take the monks elsewhere and find another road for themselves. That Yuan Gang nearly beat him to death. He spent a long time recovering before he survived.”

“Oh, and supposedly this bear demon is also extremely greedy for money.”

So he only yielded to force, not persuasion?

Yuan Se chuckled and looked at Yuan Fang. “You want to rebuild Nanshan Temple?”

Yuan Fang looked suspiciously between the two of them, having no idea what they had just whispered about. Tentatively, he answered, “Yes.”

“Then build it in the Sacred Realm. Build it at Dayuan Sacred Land. I’ll have people build you the largest temple beneath Heaven.”

Yuan Fang stared. “Dayuan Sacred Land?”

Yuan Se smiled kindly. “I’ve already said this much. Surely you can guess who I am if I can make decisions inside Dayuan Sacred Land?”

Consort Yuan was somewhat surprised. She had not expected Yuan Se to reveal his own identity so directly.

Yuan Fang suddenly understood something.

Shock exploded across his face. Disbelief followed. Even his legs began trembling. “Y-you... Could you be Sacred Venerable Dayuan?”

Yuan Se chuckled. “Would anyone dare impersonate this Venerable?”

Yuan Fang was shaken to the core.

He had never imagined that one day he would stand face-to-face and speak with a figure like this. Remembering what he had said earlier made him panic even more.

His legs went soft.

Thump!

He dropped to his knees. “This humble monk greets the Sacred Venerable!”

Yuan Se said, “Staying in a tiny place like Maolu Annex wastes your talents. If you want to brew wine, cook, chant sutras, or worship Buddha, Dayuan Sacred Land has plenty of room. I’ll have them build you a grand temple.”

“Money is no problem either. Whatever you need, you’ll have it. From now on, the food for all of Dayuan Sacred Land will be placed under your management. With that identity alone, you’ll be able to go anywhere beneath Heaven with impunity. No one will dare beat you again.”

“Yuan Fang, it’s settled. Come with me to Dayuan Sacred Land.”

Yuan Fang abruptly lifted his head.

His eyes were shining.

A grand Nanshan Temple?

A Nanshan Temple built inside Dayuan Sacred Land?

And he would manage all the food of Dayuan Sacred Land?

The words made him feel as though he were dreaming.

At present, all he managed was the food of Maolu Annex. Maolu Annex and Dayuan Sacred Land were not even on the same level.

Just think about the status of someone who controlled the food for all of Dayuan Sacred Land.

Even the Sect Leaders of the great sects beneath Heaven would probably have to treat him respectfully.

Never mind those Sect Leaders. Even people from Misty Pavilion might have to be courteous when they saw him.

Excitement surged through him.

He was genuinely excited.

Unable to restrain himself, he actually started rising to his feet, only to realize halfway up that something was wrong. He hurriedly dropped back to his knees.

Nervous and thrilled, he asked, “Does the Sacred Venerable truly mean this?”

Consort Yuan immediately shouted, “Impudent! What are you? Does the Sacred Venerable need to lie to you?”

“No, no, no!” Yuan Fang waved his hands frantically, face flushed red with excitement. “Sacred Venerable, I’m willing! This poor monk is willing! This humble monk is willing to follow the Sacred Venerable and serve with all his strength.”

“From now on, this humble monk will pray before Buddha day and night for the Sacred Venerable, praying that the Sacred Venerable enjoys boundless longevity!”

Yuan Se froze. “Buddha? You’re asking Buddha to protect me?”

Then he laughed again, finding the idea novel. “Good. That can be included.”

Consort Yuan suddenly said, “Back when Niu Youdao was here, I heard people say you often prayed for him too.”

The smile on Yuan Se’s face stiffened.

He understood the meaning hidden in her words.

It sounded as though she were suggesting that this monk had prayed Niu Youdao into an early grave.

Yuan Fang understood too and immediately panicked. He waved his hands rapidly. “Different! Completely different! Niu Youdao was a petty villain. How could he compare with the Sacred Venerable?”

“Auntie may not know this, but that evil thief Niu Youdao was savage and heartless, vicious by nature, and often beat this poor monk. This poor monk hated him so much I wished he would die early.”

“On the surface, it looked as though this poor monk was praying for him. In truth, I knelt before Buddha day and night cursing him to die as soon as possible.”

“And sure enough, that Niu villain committed evil upon evil. In the end, Heaven truly punished him.”

That actually matched the reports Consort Yuan had just whispered to him.

This monk was beaten all the time here. It was perfectly normal for resentment to build inside him.

Yuan Se’s expression became rather interesting.

One thought quietly crossed his mind.

This demon monk won’t start cursing me behind my back too, will he?

He did not believe in such nonsense at all, but still gave two dry coughs. “Well... as someone who has left the secular world behind, it is still better to keep compassion in your heart.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Yuan Fang nodded repeatedly. “The Sacred Venerable is absolutely right. This humble monk has always kept compassion in his heart. Even before Buddha, I dare not harbor wicked thoughts. It was only that Niu villain was far too hateful. Of course, one must also blame this humble monk for insufficient cultivation. Only because he forced me so hard did anger arise in my heart.”

Yuan Se gave a noncommittal sound. “All right. You may withdraw.”

“Yes. This humble monk takes his leave. If the Sacred Venerable has any instructions, just send someone to notify me.”

Yuan Fang climbed to his feet and backed out respectfully.

Consort Yuan followed him out. Once outside, she called for Yuan Fang to stop and warned him, “Sir is traveling in secret. If you dare leak even half a word, and a second person learns he is here, watch your head.”

There were things Yuan Se himself could afford not to fuss over, but vigilance was part of Consort Yuan’s responsibility. She had to seal every gap.

That was also one of the reasons Yuan Se valued her.

Yuan Fang immediately promised, “Auntie can rest easy. This poor monk swears before Buddha that I will never leak a single word. If I do, may I fall into Hell!”

“Fine. As long as you understand.” Consort Yuan tilted her head, signaling for him to get lost.

Yuan Fang bowed and scraped as he withdrew.

After leaving that area and turning into the rear courtyard, he ran into Guan Fangyi, who had clearly been waiting for him.

The moment the two met, Yuan Fang first put on an ingratiating smile.

Then something seemed to occur to him.

He straightened his chest, lifted his head proudly in front of Guan Fangyi, and even used both hands to smooth out the broad front of his monk’s robe.

Guan Fangyi did not notice. Her attention was on the surroundings. In a low voice, she asked, “Old Bear, why did those people call you over?”

Yuan Fang looked up at the sky, his tone airy and detached. “Hongniang, don’t ask about things you shouldn’t ask. This is not something you need to know.”

“...” Guan Fangyi froze.

Her eyes settled on his face. She looked him up and down and discovered that this bald donkey somehow seemed different.

Frowning, she asked, “Old Bear, did you take the wrong medicine? Hurry up and tell me what happened.”

“Hongniang, considering how many years we have known each other, this poor monk does not wish to make things difficult for you. So I’ll give you one piece of advice: conduct yourself carefully and don’t go looking for trouble.”

After throwing down those words, Yuan Fang left.

He did not care at all how Guan Fangyi felt. He simply strolled away at an unhurried pace.

Guan Fangyi was left speechless.

Slowly turning, she watched him depart, then looked around.

If Misty Pavilion’s people were not everywhere, she truly would have charged after him, grabbed him by the ear, and kicked him a few times until he explained himself.

What she did not know was that Yuan Fang was now going to the Sacred Realm.

He was going to manage a branch of affairs at Dayuan Sacred Land.

He had climbed onto a high branch.

How could he still fear Guan Fangyi, the nominal person in charge of Maolu Annex?

Put another way, Yuan Fang now considered himself a man of Dayuan Sacred Land.

His elbow was no longer going to bend toward Maolu Annex.

And he certainly did not dare leak Yuan Se’s identity.

[End of Chapter 1449]