Chapter One, The First Encounter in Chang'an, A Hasty Escape

"Little monk, you... you... you have killed someone." Liu Zhuiyi pointed at the bearded man on the ground, who had lost his breath and heartbeat, and looked at Bian Zhen'er with trembling fear.

At the place where Liu reminisced about the departure, the moonlight illuminated the loose soil on the solitary grave, and suddenly, a hand emerged from the earth.

In the hall stood a monk with a buzz cut, approximately sixteen years of age. He held a ceramic bowl in one hand and a string of sandalwood prayer beads in the other, with an ancient zither wrapped in black cloth on his back. His clothes were tattered, and he wore a pair of weathered straw sandals. However, this young monk had a handsome appearance, and upon seeing the young ladies in the building, he was both humble and courteous. No one chased him away; instead, they gathered around to steal glances at him, occasionally breaking into soft laughter.

Bian Zhen'er and Liu Zhuiyi walked for several hundred meters and arrived at a place with breathtaking scenery

Liu recalled the moment he first met Bian Zhen'er, and in anger, he rushed forward, hands on his hips, and accused her: "Where have you been! I thought you had left. Let me tell you, we are now grasshoppers on the same rope; you must not leave me alone."

The surroundings were quiet, with only the calls of unknown birds coming from the layers of leaves.

Liu Zhuiyi raised his leg and kicked wildly at the bearded man, shouting: "You scoundrel! Put down my fish basket!"

Yun Yao, frightened, tightened his legs and quickly nodded

The one grilling the meat today is Liu Zhuiyi, who sent him live fish. She is still dressed in a masculine manner, and the little monk did not recognize that she is a girl

Yun Yao tossed a few copper coins to the owner of the noodle stall, then climbed onto the table of the stall, standing tall. He took out a few pieces of silver from his money pouch and shouted, "Come on, come on, all of you come to me!"

Two horses are still tied to the tree, yet this person is left with only the memory of Liu

The big-bearded man was taken aback, and his subordinate with a scarred face asked in a gruff voice, "Brother, what should we do?"

Yun Yao frowned, clearly becoming impatient, and said: "Am I a child? Do I need you to keep an eye on me? Take all the money you have on you and then get lost!"

Bian Zhen'er obediently circled around the Buddha statue and truly discovered a source behind the statue

Liu turned back, leading two horses by the reins. She did not know where to go, nor did she know where to find Bian Zhen'er, so she could only follow the direction in which Bian Zhen'er had just departed among the grass.

There is no need to say sorry. Is the fruit sweet? Bian Zhen'er saw Liu reminiscing while enjoying the fruit with great delight, and she also took one out to taste.

Liu Zhuiyi hurriedly ran up, grabbing Bian Zhen'er by the arm, and said: "If you go, you will lose your life. Don't you know that killing requires paying with one's life?"

Liu Zhuiyi cast a glance at the ignorant woman downstairs, then ran to the kitchen to fetch a live carp. She held the carp tightly and ran down from the pavilion, deliberately shouting in a loud voice as she ran: "Coming, coming, sisters, make way, don't get your clothes dirty." Upon hearing Liu Zhuiyi's voice, the young ladies in the hall instinctively stepped back three paces.

On the following day, at the hour of Chen, several birds chirped and landed on Bian Zhen'er’s arm

Liu Zhuiyi frowned, truly a stubborn little monk! She was too lazy to tease him any further; if he started to cry later, she wouldn't be able to stop it. Liu Zhuiyi took out three pieces of cake from her bag, placed them in front of Bian Zhen'er, and quietly left.

It is truly an inopportune time to be hungry, he sighed

At that moment, a clear sound of splashing water came from between the blades of grass. Bian Zhen'er frowned, puzzled. Wasn't Liu Zhuiyi in the restroom? Why was there a sound of splashing water? Could it be that she had finished and was now washing her hands

Bian Zhen'er was extremely surprised and momentarily lost her balance, falling down by the lake.

The big-bearded man, unwilling to concede defeat, gritted his teeth and insisted on striking the stick against Bian Zhen'er’s forehead, the veins on his hands bulging prominently.

The moon hung high in the night sky, surrounded by thin clouds that dimmed the moonlight even further. Liu Zhuiyi shrugged her shoulders and looked around anxiously, fearing that a bearded ghost might suddenly emerge from the woods to drag her down to the underworld.

Returning from the Fengyang River, Liu Zhuiyi delivered the carp he had caught early in the morning to the kitchen and then went to join the commotion. The young lady Nian, just waking up, yawned as she stepped out and bumped into Liu Zhuiyi, who was hurrying away. She called out sharply, and only after recognizing him did she scold, holding up the delicate silk gauze that Young Master Zhou had gifted her the day before, saying: "Liu girl, why are you running around in men's clothes again? Be careful not to damage my skirt."

As night fell, the young monk found a dilapidated temple and started a fire. He had not made any offerings today and would have to go hungry again, indicating that the Buddha was not yet inclined to bless him.

This is good. Liu Zhuiyi tied the rope in a tight knot, then clapped her hands and walked up to Yun Yao. She gently fanned Yun Yao's cheek with her palm and arrogantly said, "Young Master Yun, remember this, my name is 'Your Father'. The big bearded man was indeed killed by the little monk, but the big bearded man was the one who made the mistake first. The little monk accidentally killed him while trying to save me; it was not intentional. So you promise me that you won't make things difficult for the little monk and me from now on. If you agree, just nod; if you don't, I will cut you." As she spoke, she swung her fist towards Yun Yao's groin.

"Of course I will pursue. However, you all need not go; I can go alone." Yun Yao's eyes were wrapped in an inscrutable hue, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly.

Thus, the young monk simply arrived at the Ruyi Building

"What is there to see with the little monk? Just send some alms to send him away." Although Miss Nian complained, she still followed Liu Zhuoyi into the hall

Only when her head could comfortably rest on Bian Zhen'er’s shoulder did she fall into a peaceful sleep

Yun Yao lost his grip on his shoulder, and after asking a few more people, still found no results

Bian Zhen'er was just about to speak when she was interrupted by Liu Zhuiyi. Liu Zhuiyi, with a rough voice and arms crossed, said: "If there is anything, come at me!"

Bian Zhen'er sighed repeatedly like a little old man. He stood up from the mat and clasped his hands together, saying: "It is a sin."

Yun Yao took the money bag, weighed it in his hand, and left without looking back

I ... ... '' The big-bearded man clenched his fist tightly, and in the end, he raised his hand, intending to hit her hard.

The light gradually brightened, and Bian Zhen'er slowly raised her head from the grass. What came into view was the silhouette of Liu Zhuiyi, who was sitting by the lake. Her long hair hung down into the water as she scooped water to pour over her hair, looking gentle and playful, hardly resembling a man

As midnight approached, dark clouds covered the sky. Liu Zhuiyi followed Bian Zhen'er as they slid down a slope illuminated by the moonlight, the two of them walking one after the other towards the outskirts of Chang'an City

A young woman finally couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Little monk, where do you come from? Did you come here to watch the sisters dance?"

The henchmen of the big-bearded man rushed forward to seize Liu Zhuiyi's hands, pinning her down so that she could not move. The big-bearded man, in high spirits, shouldered the fish basket and even weighed it in his hands.

Upon hearing this, the young monk immediately bowed and said: "This humble monk travels the four seas, and has come here to seek alms."

Bian Zhen'er opened his eyes and said helplessly: "I cannot go there."

Who are you?" The bearded man looked up and down at Bian Zhen'er, seeing that he was delicate and refined in appearance, with no significant abilities, and disdainfully remarked.

How could he commit murder? He is a monk, and killing is a violation of the precepts of Buddhism. Neither his master nor the Buddha would forgive him.

Liu reminisced and said, "That won't do. You promised me before that you wouldn't leave me. If you go back on your word, the Buddha will punish you. Besides, although we haven't shared life and death, we have endured hardships together, haven't we? After all, we have slept together for at least one night, right?"

Then let her be wrong. Liu Zhuiyi pointed to a large tree behind Bian Zhen'er and said, "Little monk, Yun Yao and the others will definitely not catch up, shall we rest for a while before continuing our journey?"

Liu recalled throwing the fish basket to the ground, placing his hands on his hips, and fiercely declaring: "I have been fishing here for five years, and I have never heard that this Feng River belongs to your Yun family!"

This little monk is truly interesting

"Alright," replied Bian Zhen'er.

"Little monk, you are truly wonderful!" Liu Zhuiyi exclaimed excitedly as he jumped up and immediately gave Bianzhen a hug. Passersby around them turned their heads in confusion, looking at the strange behavior of the two 'young men' before them. Liu Zhuiyi leaned in and said, "What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen such a handsome little monk before?"

Liu recalled and repeatedly apologized, saying: "Sister Nian, I heard that a little monk from the Huazhai has come to the building. Would you like to go and see the commotion together?"

Liu, in a state of unawareness, quietly returned to Bianzhen'er’s side, kneeling beside her and mimicking her recitation of scriptures. After a while, when Bianzhen'er finished her recitation and opened her eyes, she indeed noticed a tear sliding down from the left eye of the Buddha.

Liu Zhuiyi finally felt at ease, but she was not there to relieve herself. Arriving at the lakeside, Liu Zhuiyi scooped up a few handfuls of water to wash her face. Looking at her reflection in the water, which appeared quite disheveled, she decided to let down her hair and wash her head.

It is alright, today I did a good deed, the Buddha will bless me so that I will not starve. The young monk comforted himself in this way

Ah... Liu Zhuiyi was taken aback for a moment before she realized. She touched her long hair that was tied up on her head, then looked down at the outfit she was wearing, which was a boy's attire, and broke into a silly smile.

However, while one can block their ears, one cannot block their nose, and even more so, one cannot block their heart and appetite. Just as the little monk was about to fall asleep in a daze, he suddenly caught a whiff of a fragrant aroma. Although he had never eaten meat, he had smelled the scent of meat before, and he immediately recognized that it was the aroma of roasted meat.

Liu Zhuiyi noticed that Bian Zhen'er did not want to answer the question, so she stopped pressing for an answer. She hugged her arms and leaned against the tree, feeling uncomfortable all over. She raised her eyes to glance at Bian Zhen'er's handsome profile, pursed her lips, and leaned closer to him, then leaned in even closer.

If you don't show me the land deed, I will continue to catch fish! Liu Zhuiyi picked up the fish basket and prepared to leave

Bian Zhen'er immediately stood up and walked towards the direction of Chang'an City

Liu recalled in fear that Yun Yao might escape, and when tying the rope, he exerted extra force, causing Yun Yao to cry out in distress.

Bian Zhen'er was taken aback, quickly withdrawing her hand to look, only to see it smeared with bright red blood.

Bian Zhen'er, who was sensitive about her pride, felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing Liu Zhuiyi's words. She said nothing and could only follow Liu Zhuiyi. When hungry, she would eat whatever he ate

Yun Yao, a man of discernment, said: "Two heroic figures, let us speak amicably; do not move! Do not move!"

Yun Yao smiled and said, "I appreciate your informing me!"

Who would give fish meat to a monk? Liu reminisced that the prankster was being too blatant. The people at Ruyi Tower were all watching the little monk's reaction, waiting for him to blush again and provide another source of amusement, after all, Ruyi Tower hadn't been this entertaining in a long time

Speaking with silver is always more convenient. Just as Yun Yao finished speaking, a citizen shouted: "I know, I know! I saw those two people at the horse market; they bought two horses and headed south."

Today, at the hour of the Rabbit, the beginning of spring has arrived, accompanied by a light drizzle. The vendors at the street corner have set up their stalls to make a living, and the flower children have returned from outside the city with a good number of fresh flowers adorned with early morning dew

Yun Yao crossed his arms over his chest, recalling the two soft mounds he felt on his back when Liu Zhuiyi had held him earlier, and couldn't help but smile.

Liu recalled as if he had seen a savior, and hurriedly shouted: "Little monk, save me!"

Liu Zhuiyi let out a sigh of relief and stepped back outside. She found a shovel outside the temple and ran to the Fengyang River to dig a pit, where she buried the big bearded man. In the end, Liu Zhuiyi knelt before the grave of the big bearded man and said: "Big Bearded Man, I will come to offer incense to you every year from now on, so please do not turn into a vengeful spirit to haunt me." After saying this, she bowed three times and turned back to the temple.

The big-bearded man exerted all his strength, yet the stick simply would not come down. A red glow appeared on the forehead of the debater, as if a certain force was protecting him, and the strength of the big-bearded man was no match for that force

"Little monk, where are you going?" Liu Zhuiyi asked

Liu Zhuiyi glanced at him and shirked responsibility, saying: "Yes, it was cabbage filling, with a bit of meat added. I hadn't finished my sentence when you took over. You little monk are so impatient, and you still blame me?"

Liu Zuiyi ran over and, upon seeing this scene, checked the breath of the big bearded man and listened to the sound of his heartbeat

Behind Young Master Yun stood the scar-faced man, who pointed at Bian Zhen'er and reported, "Young Master, it was that monk who killed Brother Hu. Several of my subordinates and I can testify to this."

Then, he got up to search for food

"The Buddha can hear!" Bian Zhen'er retorted, and then continued to recite.

Bian Zhen'er's face revealed a hint of panic as he said, "It's impossible, this amount of strength is insufficient to kill him"

Bian Zhen'er remained calm and unperturbed as the stick swung towards his forehead, not flinching or caring. Liu Zhuiyi gasped in fright, only to see the stick halt just an inch away from Bian Zhen'er's forehead

Bian Zhen'er sat on one side, staring blankly at her own hands.

"You filthy monk, don't let me catch you!" Liu Zhuiyi stamped her foot in anger, feeling wronged as emotions surged within her, her nose involuntarily tinged with a hint of bitterness

After Bianzhen finished reciting the sutra and opened his eyes, Liu Zhuiyi had already disappeared. He called out in confusion: "Benefactor? Benefactor? How strange, where did he go?" Never mind, I will just go back to the temple to sleep first. Just as Bianzhen was about to get up, he saw a cake on the ground. He hurriedly picked it up, broke it open, and smelled it; it was filled with sugar.

The henchmen of the big bearded man mistakenly believed that Bian Zhen'er was a monster, causing them to flee in all directions in fear. Liu Zhuiyi, overwhelmed by surprise, could not close his mouth.

The scar-faced man stood dazed in place, and after a long while, he finally exchanged a bewildered glance. Now, upon returning, he would surely face punishment from the old master.

Liu Zhuiyi quickened his pace and ran back to the temple in one breath. Bian Zhen'er was still chanting sutras. Liu Zhuiyi circled around the back of the Buddha statue, climbed up the statue, and poured the water from the bamboo tube in his hand into the left eye of the statue.

After Bian Zhen'er released all the fish, she walked back to the bearded man, pointed at Liu Zhuiyi, and said: "Alright, benefactor, now please release my friend"

You little monk who deserves a beating, if I find you, I will surely skin you alive! That's not enough; I want you to wash horses for a month! Clean up horse manure for a month, and I want you to pick fruits for me for a month!

At this moment, the sky had turned completely dark, and the sounds of unknown animals echoed all around, sending a chill down Liu Zhui's spine.

Bian Zhen'er furrowed her brows and said, "I only know how to play the qin."

"Begging for alms?" The young lady couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this, her voice resembling the sound of silver bells, which made the young monk feel somewhat awkward. The young lady teased him further: "I wonder if the young gentleman is seeking to beg for worldly ties... or romantic ties?"

Liu Zhuiyi dismounted from her horse, tied the reins to a tree, and walked deeper into the tranquil lake. Bian Zhen'er watched as her figure gradually disappeared among the branches and grass.

"Plain, with a filling of cabbage," Liu reminisced

It is your attire that has led this monk to misunderstand. Bian Zhen'er covered her eyes with her hand, adhering to the principle of not witnessing impropriety

Bian Zhen'er looked at Liu Zhuiyi, whose figure was accentuated by being wet, feeling both wronged and angry in his heart. He turned his head away and questioned, "Since you are a woman, why must you deceive this monk?"

Taking advantage of this moment of distraction, Liu Zhuiyi suddenly seized Yun Yao's hand, turning it around to hold him captive. For a moment, the people under his command were so frightened that they did not dare to move

Liu Zhuiyi rushed in front of Bian Zhen'er, extending his hands fiercely and asking, "What are you doing?"

Then he said, "You all go back and take good care of the big beard. This time he was lucky and came back with his life. However, since that little monk has harmed someone under my care, I will definitely not let this matter rest.

Liu Zhuiyi stretched his neck, wanting to bite the hand of the man with the big beard, and said fiercely: "What’s wrong with scolding you? That’s my food, you don’t want me to catch fish, show me the land deed! If you have the ability, show it to me!"

"Benefactor, you!" The young monk's face turned red with anger, "How can you deceive this humble monk? This is clearly a filling of meat wrapped in cabbage!"

"The fault does not lie with me, little monk," Liu Zhuiyi struggled to say. "I have been fishing in the Feng River for over ten years, and no one has ever said that I am not allowed to fish in this river. But this bearded man claims that the Yun family has purchased this river, yet refuses to show me the land deed. I find this suspicious. This bearded man even resorted to brute force against me. Little monk, look at me, I am so frail and weak; how can I possibly contend with them?"

The air here is exceptionally good, and one can catch a whiff of the moist scent of the vegetation. The green trees also provide a cool shade. Bian Zhen'er sits on the ground, preparing to recite scriptures.

She is afraid of the dark and does not dare to stray too far from Bian Zhen'er

What else can be done? Take both of them down! The big-bearded man was giving orders, while Liu Zhuiyi was pulled aside by the two men. The scar-faced man approached, intending to subdue Bian Zhen'er, but strangely, no matter how he tried to pull Bian Zhen'er, she stood upright and unyielding, leaving the scar-faced man at a loss.

Liu recalled loudly: "The second young master of the Yun family is notorious, often found in brothels, and his skills are nothing remarkable. Because of this, he almost drove his father to death. Second young master, why don't you see if you can break free from me?" Her last sentence was filled with threat

The young monk's appearance at the Ruyi Building was not without reason; he was the first to enter the city today and had not eaten for several days. Upon seeing an elderly man in the city, he approached him to beg for alms. The elderly man, perhaps due to a lack of sleep, was somewhat confused and pointed to the nearby Ruyi Building, saying, "If you wish to beg for alms, go to the Ruyi Building; it opens the earliest."

Bian Zhen'er then bowed and said: "Young Master Liu"

The sight of Liu Zhuiyi, covered in droplets of water, was unexpectedly captivating. Previously, Bian Zhen'er had always thought she was a boy and thus paid little attention to her appearance. However, upon closer inspection, Liu Zhuiyi had almond-shaped eyes and thick eyebrows, with cheeks resembling peach petals in March. When she became angry, her brows furrowed and her lips pouted, looking both charming and adorable, causing the little monk's heart to race.

Bian Zhen'er pushed open the disguised door and shouted, "Little benefactor, I have come out!"

The young monk wishes to continue but remains paused

The young monk swallowed hard and said, "Benefactor... benefactor, I pay my respects. Do you happen to have any vegetarian food on you? I... I have not eaten for three days, please show some kindness."

The bearded man hurriedly ordered: "Take this brat down, and these fish as well. These fish belong to Young Master Yun Er, bring them all back to the Yun family!"

Oh. Yun Yao pretended to understand and retorted, "Do you mean you want to block my way?"

Bian Zhen'er looked at the imposing Liu Zhuiyi without saying a word. He took a wild fruit out of his pocket, wiped it on his clothing, and handed it to Liu Zhuiyi

Liu Zhuiyi pretended to rummage through the bag and took out a bun to hand it to the young monk

With a heart devoid of intention, Bian Zhen'er closed her eyes, her voice wrapped in a thick sense of drowsiness: "From all corners of the world, to all corners of the world"

But this is a stone. Liu's reminiscing gaze darted towards the sharp stones on the ground, her voice trembling slightly

"You insolent brat, how could the land deed of the Yun family be shown to you!" The bearded man glared, his eyes fierce.

Bian Zhen'er sighed, moved Liu Zhuiyi's foot aside, and carefully removed the outermost layer of her clothing, using it as a pillow for Liu Zhuiyi.

Liu nostalgically exaggerated as he inhaled the aroma of the roasted meat, tore off a piece of leg meat, took a bite, and exclaimed: "Delicious, a delicacy of the human world!"

As soon as the two left, Yun Yao appeared at the market

"Did you kill my subordinate?" Young Master Yun asked coldly, feigning composure.

After enjoying breakfast, Bian Zhen'er and Liu Zhuiyi went to a market

The young monk leaned against a wooden table, clasping his hands together, and kept extending his tongue to lick his lips. Outside the temple, a few eerie bird calls could be heard, prompting him to wrap his clothes tighter around himself and stuff his ears with two wads of cloth.

As he continued to smell, the young monk drooled, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and became more aware, rising up.

Liu Zhuiyi pressed Zhen'er down on the mat and said: "You will speak to the Buddha here. I tell you, although I am from Ruyi Tower, I have spent more time here than I have at Ruyi Tower. Every time I ask the Buddha for something, it ultimately comes true. Therefore, the Buddha here is the most effective. If He forgives you, a tear will flow from His left eye; if He does not forgive you, a tear will flow from His right eye." Liu Zhuiyi spoke with great sincerity.

Bian Zhen'er sighed and hurried over, while Liu Zhuiyi looked at him with delight, wearing an expression that seemed to say, "A familiar face has arrived; you all might as well wait to meet your end." However, Bian Zhen'er did not come to Liu Zhuiyi's rescue. Instead, he felt particularly pained as he took the fish basket off the back of the big-bearded man, scolding them while releasing the fish: "Amitabha, there are several of you, yet you are particularly at odds with a few fish."

"The Buddha will forgive you." Liu Zhuiyi pinched Zhen'er’s hand under his armpit, fearing that he might escape, and said, "Come with me."

A sneer of disdain escaped from Yun Yao's nostrils as he reached out to grab Liu Zhuiyi's head, speaking in an overbearing manner: "Little one, do not overestimate your abilities; step aside obediently and do not hinder your brother from capturing someone."

Liu brought Zhen'er to an abandoned temple.

The young monk is a friend of this young benefactor. My friend has made a mistake, and I am here to apologize on her behalf

It is 5,000 meters from here to Chang'an City. Liu Chuiyi used Yun Yao's money to buy two horses and also prepared some dry food and clothing. She counted the small silver coins in her palm and said, "Little monk, we don't have much money left on us, at most it can last for ten days. Along with the dry food we have, it can last for half a month. We need to think of some ways to make money."

Liu Zhuiyi scratched his head and asked again, "Little monk, where are you from? What brings you to Chang'an City?"

"Second Young Master, are you still pursuing?" asked the scar-faced man

Bian Zhen'er was awakened by the noise and opened her eyes

Yun Yao is a person who does not stir up trouble but also does not rest. He walks down the street with a swagger, his sleeves thrown back, and when he sees a pretty girl, he simply smiles at her, causing the girls to avoid him by three parts.

The young monk looked at the carp still struggling in the bowl, bowed to Liu in remembrance, and said: "Thank you, benefactor." After saying this, he turned and left

"Don't come over, don't come over." Yun Yao was being pulled back by Liu Zhuiyi, trembling and hesitant.

Today, the Ruyi Pavilion is particularly lively, not because a certain young lady is about to dance, nor because a certain young master has taken a liking to one of the sisters here, but because an unexpected guest has arrived in the building

Our Young Master Yun Er bought this place yesterday, is that not allowed!" the bearded man shouted

Saying this, he jumped down from the table and placed the broken silver coins into the hands of the citizens. The citizens counted the coins and were overjoyed, while Yun Yao left with a sense of satisfaction, having successfully executed his scheme

Having thought this through, his stomach protested even more vehemently. The young monk hurriedly recited "Amitabha Buddha," maintaining a calm and undisturbed mind, employing the great method of distraction, which he had practiced for nearly ten years

Liu Zhuiyi found the little monk amusing and conceived a plan to tease him further

Bian Zhen'er was taken aback, recalling the scene of their first encounter; indeed, it was he who had mistaken the woman before him for a man

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I am just a small fry." The scar-faced man hurriedly bowed his head and bent his waist

Liu Zhuiyi, after going out, casually picked up a rope from beside the door. She handed the rope to Bian Zhen'er, took Yun Yao and walked a considerable distance, then tore her skirt to gag Yun Yao's mouth, and finally tied Yun Yao to a tree with the rope.

A small vendor selling candied hawthorn would not dare to cause trouble, hurriedly saying: "No, no."

Liu Zhuiyi blinked at Bian Zhen'er, feigning a pitiful expression. After a moment of contemplation, Bian Zhen'er felt that her argument was reasonable, and then turned to the bearded man, saying: "Bearded benefactor, fishing is my friend's livelihood. If the Feng River is privately owned by your Yun family, then please present the relevant contracts and proof. Your treatment of my friend is truly unreasonable. Moreover, disputes should be resolved through the authorities, not through private actions. People are watching, and heaven is observing. Amitabha."

Bian Zhen'er closed her eyes and shook her head, saying: "Why must you be so persistent, benefactor? Amitabha."

However, Second Young Master, the master has instructed us to keep a close watch on you said the scar-faced man, fearing that a careless mistake might provoke Yun Yao

Liu, in a fit of anger, shouted: "Are you deaf or what?"

He and Liu Zhuiyi did not know when they had made the ground their bed, sleeping fully clothed, with Liu Zhuiyi resting his head on his chest and one leg draped over his waist

Liu recalled sending the freshly caught fish to Ruyi Tower, but halfway there, he was stopped by a bearded man and his companions, who claimed that he had caught fish from their Yun family's territory without paying for it

Liu Zhuiyi patted his chest and, calming his emotions, said: "Rest assured, his people will find him."

"If I must pay with my life, then I shall. I have killed someone, and I must pay for it. Please let go, young benefactor," argued Bian Zhen'er stubbornly.

That is good. This matter has also caused trouble for you, young benefactor, and I, Bian Zhen'er, feel extremely apologetic. " As Bian Zhen'er spoke, she turned around and bowed to Liu Zhuiyi.

Liu Zhuiyi sat in the pavilion, looking at him through the wooden railing, finding it extremely amusing

Although this temple is said to be abandoned, it is quite clean. When Liu Zhuiyi does not wish to stay in the Ruyi Building, she would come to reside here. It is peaceful and free here, and she tidies it up by herself, which makes it feel like her own territory.

The young monk paused in his chanting and, feeling somewhat aggrieved, said: "I, a humble monk, am speaking the truth." Then, he continued to recite the scriptures.

Yun Yao possesses immense strength, and Liu Zhuiyi is unable to move as he is pressed down by his head

Liu Zhuiyi opened one hand and said, "Alright, I bought it, let me see the land deed."

You did this to save me. Moreover, you were merely careless, which is understandable

The scar-faced man surrounded Bian Zhen'er, both embracing and lifting her, yet Bian Zhen'er remained utterly unmoved

Bian Zhen'er walked up to the man with the big beard, performed a gesture of reverence, and intended to lift him up to assess the situation. However, as soon as Bian Zhen'er's hand passed through the back of the big beard's head, it encountered a sticky liquid.

After a while, she finally took the fruit from his palm, took a bite, and the taste was sweet, making her heart feel sweet as well

"You said he is from the Yun family, correct?" Bian Zhen'er quickly regained her composure and replied calmly

Not long after Liu Zhuiyi and Bian Zhen'er left, Yun Yao's men came looking for them. Upon seeing their master, they quickly apologized and untied the ropes from Yun Yao. Yun Yao tore off the cloth from his mouth and gazed in the direction where Liu Zhuiyi and Bian Zhen'er had departed.

While picking wild fruits, Bian Zhen'er heard Liu Zhuiyi's voice. She wrapped the wild fruits in her pocket and walked over slowly: "Liu Benefactor, you are awake?"

He walked to the tree, leaned against it, and sat down, while Liu Chuiyi sat beside him

Liu reminisced about the moment when he raised his eyebrows and said to Zhen Er: "Little monk, you go ahead; there is a back door behind the Buddha statue."

Someone is barbecuing

Bian Zhen'er saw Liu and reminisced, swearing an oath, nodded slightly, and then closed her eyes to chant scriptures to the Buddha

Yun Yao looked at Liu Zhuiyi in confusion, while Liu Zhuiyi smirked and reached out to explore Yun Yao's waist, pulling out a money pouch from his clothing. Liu Zhuiyi tossed the money pouch into the air and caught it steadily, saying with a smile: "Little monk, let's go."

The man with the big beard tilted his head, pointed at her nose, and said: "Do you dare to insult me?"

Liu reminisced while nibbling on the fruit, hearing how Bian Zhen'er addressed her in such a manner, her face flushed, and she turned away to stifle a laugh.

Understood, stop the rambling, and hurry up! Liu Zhuiyi urged.

The citizens gathered around, pointing and gesturing at him from below

Chang'an City

Liu Zhuiyi saw a clean lake amidst the lush greenery, so he reined in his horse and turned to Bian Zhen'er, saying: "Little monk, I will go wash my face; you can rest here for a while."

However, after a while, the sound of splashing water could still be heard, which did not sound at all like washing hands. Bian Zhen'er was filled with confusion and could not help but part the grass leaves to follow the sound.

Bian Zhen'er recited the Heart Sutra for a while and suddenly felt thirsty. Seeing that Liu Chuiyi had not yet returned, he got up, took the water pouch from the saddle, and intended to fetch some clean lake water from the lakeside

The subordinate, seeing the disheveled appearance of the bearded man, could not help but chuckle quietly. The bearded man, feeling humiliated, got back up and eagerly picked up a stick, ready to confront the argument.

Bian Zhen'er smiled and said, "Then I thank you very much, Brother Liu"

Liu Zhuiyi was quite generous; she waved her hand and said, "It doesn't matter whether there are any burdens or not, this matter originated because of me. Oh right, little monk, please don't call me 'little benefactor' anymore, it sounds rather awkward. I have a name, I am Liu Zhuiyi, the 'Zhuiyi' of 'This feeling can wait to become a memory.'" Liu Zhuiyi emphasized the last few words, smiling as she looked at Bian Zhen'er.

When Liu Zhuiyi woke up, Bian Zhen'er had not yet returned. She mistakenly thought that Bian Zhen'er had left and could not help but get up and shout Bian Zhen'er's name everywhere.

In order to avoid encountering Liu Zhuiyi, Bian Zhen'er deliberately walked to the other side. The water of the lake here is very clean, crystal clear to the bottom, where one can see the green stones and fish and shrimp. Bian Zhen'er rolled up her sleeves, used a water pouch to stir the lake water, and then filled the pouch with some water.

Liu Zhuiyi was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at the fruit in Bian Zhen'er’s palm

The young monk set his mind at ease and respectfully accepted the bun with both hands, taking a bite. As soon as the bun entered his mouth, the young monk felt something was amiss and repeatedly spat it out. He tore the bun apart and exclaimed, "Ah, it’s filled with cabbage and meat!"

Liu, filled with regret for his earlier rashness, softened his tone at this moment and said: "I am sorry, little monk"

Liu Zhuiyi climbed up from the lake, placed her hands on her hips, and looked at Bian Zhen'er, saying: "I have never claimed to be a man; it is you who misunderstood, how could I have deceived you?"

Stop!

Bian Zhen'er bowed to Yun Yao and then followed Liu Zhuiyi's steps to leave

Amitabha, little one, I will not eat you, you should leave quickly. As soon as the young monk finished speaking, his stomach growled.

Bian Zhen'er said: "Rest assured, I will not leave. You have helped me, and I have helped you; we are friends"

Bian Zhen'er furrowed her brows slightly and said, "But even if the Buddha does not blame me entirely, I will still blame myself. When my master was alive, he instructed me to avoid women and to stay away from resentment and evil, yet I have now approached resentment and evil; I have killed someone"

Yun Yao tossed the broken silver coins in his hand and said: "Esteemed elders and fellow villagers, I have become separated from two friends and am currently inquiring about their whereabouts. If anyone knows their location, I would be grateful if you could inform me. Although the broken silver coins in my hand may not be a proper token of respect, they represent my sincere intention. One of my friends is a young monk, and the other is my younger brother; both are quite handsome in appearance."

She quickly stood up, but due to an unexpected situation, she slipped and fell into the lake. Liu Zhuiyi emerged halfway from the water, wiped her face, and glared at Bian Zhen'er, scolding, "Little monk, didn't I tell you not to come over?"

The young lady watched the scene from upstairs and said, "He wouldn't really want to burn it to eat or roast it, would he? You all step back, don't bully a monk like this."

Bian Zhen'er had two red eyes, and he said: "But the Buddha will not forgive this monk"

"Hey! Little monk!" Upon seeing this, Liu Zhuiyi hurriedly chased after, but as he ran out from the dense grass leaves, there was no trace of Bian Zhen'er to be found.

Hey, hey, hey. Yun Yao was pulling along a citizen carrying candied hawthorn skewers, asking, "Have you seen a little monk? He is accompanied by a little boy."

The surroundings were quiet, with the sound of insects chirping coming from the grass. Their faint footsteps were particularly pronounced in the night. Liu recalled as he pulled on Bian Zhen'er, glancing around in all directions.

As the saying goes, wealth should not be flaunted to avoid attracting misfortune. Just now, Yun Yao was using money to extract information, and he happened to catch the attention of the bandits from the nearby mountain, completely unaware of the danger.

The young ladies burst into a fit of good-natured laughter, their voices swirling in a myriad of tones, leaving the young monk blushing deeply.

Miss Nian is the most authoritative person in Ruyi Building; when she speaks, no one dares to disobey. The young ladies murmured their complaints as they dispersed, while Liu Zhuiyi remained in the hall, appearing deep in thought. After a moment, she tossed her tied-up hair and quickly ran out.

It turns out that the young monk has always regarded her as a man

At last, Liu took Bian Zhen'er on horseback and left the market

A voice reprimanded the actions of the bearded man, and everyone turned to look, only to see a ragged little monk.

You little monk are truly foolish! Liu Zhuiyi refused to let go and said, "How can you go to your death like this? Besides, you also killed in a moment of desperation to save me, so I share the responsibility. I cannot just stand by and watch you go to your death.

Young Master Yun Er has sword-like brows and starry eyes, with fair and smooth skin. His gaze resembles the stars, and his lips are as delicate as cherry blossoms. Liu Zhuiyi has heard of his reputation; he is said to be the most handsome man in the entire city of Chang'an, yet his character is frivolous, possessing only a handsome exterior without any intellect.

Sweet. Liu reminisced and nodded, then she thought of something and asked, "Little monk, how old are you this year?"

Bian Zhen'er asked with a hint of skepticism, "Is it really that accurate?"

"Indeed, I swear on the happiness of the latter half of my life!" Liu Zhuiyi declared with certainty

I have a bit of rudimentary kung fu, and I have also learned from the older sisters at Ruyi Tower... Hmm, ha, those are all things girls do. Little monk, would you look down on me if I were to steal the silver bags from those young rascals?" Liu Zhuiyi tilted her head and looked at Bian Zhen'er, adding, "I mean when there is no other way out.

Liu Zhuiyi looked at the resting Bian Zhen'er with her eyes closed and couldn't help but ask, "Little monk, I saw you carrying this guqin when I was at the Ruyi Building. Is it very important to you? You even carry it while sleeping."

Liu reminisced and nodded in satisfaction, saying: "This is more like it. The big bearded man is buried by the Fengyang River. You should go visit when you have time." After saying this, she intended to leave, but then she immediately stopped, resting her chin on her hand in contemplation.

Yun Yao noticed Liu Zhuiyi's appearance, which was as weak as a chicken unable to be tied, and felt a bit more relaxed. He then looked up at Bian Zhen'er and commanded, "Capture this little monk for me"

Liu Zhuiyi still wanted to advise something, but suddenly heard a commotion outside. Immediately after, the temple door was kicked open, and the second young master of the Yun family, accompanied by a group of people, appeared in the temple with an imposing manner

Such an ungraceful sleeping posture, fortunately, you are a man

Liu recalled with a turn of his eyes and said, "Perhaps the Buddha thinks that this matter is not entirely your fault"

Everyone was so frightened that they were stunned. The bearded man fell by the riverbank, the back of his head just touching a stone. He whimpered a few times, then closed his eyes and lost consciousness

"Go and plead for forgiveness," said Bian Zhen'er, his eyes fixed straight ahead, exhibiting an extraordinary determination

However, Yun Yao was self-satisfied, unaware that while he was scheming against others, someone was also plotting against him.

Liu reminisced with a somewhat wild smile, and she held back her voice to ask, "Little monk, what is your name?"

Bian Zhen'er turned her head to glance at the large tree behind her and said, "That's fine."

Did the Buddha really shed tears? Bian Zhen'er could not believe it

Liu Zhuiyi observed the situation and reminded, "Little monk, this fellow is ruthless; you must be careful"

The next day, the sky cleared up a bit. The spring rain that fell yesterday nourished all living things, and the willow trees at the bridgehead have sprouted new buds. The sun rose in the east, casting shimmering reflections on the waves of the Feng River.

Amitabha, how could someone be killing? Such a sin, such a sin. The young monk sighed as he chanted, then got up and followed the scent. He vowed to the Buddha that he would only take a look and would absolutely not be swayed by the aroma of roasted meat

This young master loves to kick people when he gets angry, and Scarface and the others instinctively took a few steps back, hurriedly pulling out their money bags from their pockets and respectfully handing them to Yun Yao

The young monk continued to perform the single-handed salute, and his expression gradually became awkward

Bian Zhen'er thought for a moment and said, "According to the birthdays my master has celebrated for me in the past, I am sixteen this year"

Liu reminisced as he walked past, patting Bian Zhen'er on the arm with his palm, and said: "Alright, don't block me anymore. Since you already know, I will no longer hide it. I am indeed a woman, and apart from that, I have not concealed anything else from you."

Just when he was feeling troubled, he suddenly had a thought as he touched his money pouch.

The man with the big beard walked over and stared at Bian Zhen'er as if he had seen a monster, saying: "How strange! You, this little monk, are so thin and small, how could you possess such great strength?" As he spoke, the man with the big beard took a solid stance, intending to lift Bian Zhen'er up.

Bian Zhen'er opened her eyes and said: "This is the only thing my master left for me, so it is naturally important"

Bian Zhen'er remained unperturbed, with a bushy beard coiled around his waist, his face flushed with exertion. Bian Zhen'er let out a soft sigh, drew in his abdomen, and then forcefully exhaled, unleashing an invisible force that sent the bushy beard flying away. The bushy beard fell onto the ground with a thud, the cobblestones digging painfully into his backside

Hiding at a distance, Liu Zhuiyi watched the little monk and couldn't help but exclaim, "What a dull little monk."

Isn't it true that she was originally not a man

Bian Zhen'er glanced at the water pouch in her hand, momentarily lost in thought

The young monk, after receiving a live fish, neither cooked it nor grilled it. Instead, he went outside the city to find a clean stream and released the carp from his bowl into the water

Suddenly, Liu's reminiscing voice came from the bushes: "Little monk, I am relieving myself, so please do not come over."

"Hey, little monk, wait for me." Liu Zhuiyi patted the mud and leaves stuck to his backside, then trotted to the back of Bian Zhen'er, nervously tugging at his hem.

Hearing a sound, Liu hurriedly turned her head and exclaimed: "Little monk!"

Having said that, Bian Zhen'er suddenly opened his eyes wide, a force within him expanding outward. His tattered robe was blown high into the air, and the bearded man was caught off guard, being thrust away by this force, his body crashing heavily against the riverbank

The man with the big beard had already passed the age of thirty, yet he was suddenly insulted by this teenager in front of him. His beard trembled on his chin as he pointed at Liu Zhuiyi and shouted, "What... what did you call me?"

"I am one year older than you," Liu Zhuiyi reminisced, "So I am your older sister... uh... your elder brother from now on. You have to listen to me in everything. I still have money, so I won't go hungry in the short term." As she spoke, Liu Zhuiyi took out Yun Yao's money pouch and waved it in front of Bian Zhen'er.

Liu reminisced as he tossed the carp into the little monk's ceramic bowl, clapped his hands to shake off the water, and said with a smile: "Little monk, the fate is given to you; whether to cook it or roast it, you can decide for yourself."

The young monk, in a state of anxiety, did not know what to do. He simply sat down cross-legged, fiddling with the prayer beads in his hand, and closed his eyes, murmuring: "Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha ... ... "

Upon hearing this, Bian Zhen'er’s cheeks turned even redder. He turned sideways to Liu Zhuiyi, hunched his back, and said: "In any case, in any case, this little monk cannot travel with Miss Liu. My master said that in this world, one must not come into contact with evil desires and female beauty! Miss Liu, you should leave! No... no, it is better for the little monk to leave!" He spoke incoherently, not even knowing what he was saying, and then ran off into the grass by himself.

Liu, in a moment of reflection, was unsure of what to say to Zhen'er, so he could only obediently respond: "Yes"

It seems that the Buddha has shifted his thoughts back to blessing him. Bian Zhen'er is in high spirits, taking big bites of the sweet cake; now, he can finally get a good night's sleep

"Young benefactor, I wonder if that Young Master Yun Er will be alright?"

Scarface said: "Second Young Master, you going alone makes us uneasy. This... this old master is also worried."

Bian Zhen'er felt somewhat troubled, wondering what to do. The master said that theft is a serious crime and should not be condoned. However, as a monk, how could he stop Liu Zhuiyi, a layperson, from doing what he wished? ... Forget it, forget it ... Bian Zhen'er sighed and said: "I will pretend not to see anything."

Liu Zhuiyi was backing away while holding Yun Yao, pointing at Yun Yao's subordinates and saying: "Don't come any closer. If you approach, I will kill your young master, and you will return unable to report back."

Seeing the true essence of the argument, Liu shook him and called out: "Little monk?"

Bian Zhen'er suddenly blurted out a sentence, startling Liu Zhuiyi into a shiver

"Do not chant anymore, the Buddha cannot hear it," Liu Zhuiyi said with a smile.

Liu's expression instantly turned to embarrassment, and she dejectedly lowered her head, realizing she should not have placed her hopes on this little monk

That won't do! Bian Zhen'er stood up, wanting to argue her case with confidence, but upon seeing Liu Zhuiyi's face, she hurriedly turned her head away and said, "You are a woman, and I am a monk; we cannot walk the same path"

The young monk stood up, brushed off the dust from his old clothes, and his stomach growled a few more times. He bent down, scooped up some stream water to drink, hoping to fill his belly, but instead, his stomach growled even louder.

Bian Zhen'er, feeling uneasy, cautioned: "Young benefactor, you must not harm anyone"