Chapter Twenty-Two: The Interesting Great Monk

Looking down at the little girl clinging to his arm, Ren Yi asked with a hint of mischief, "What are you looking for me for?"

Qu Feiyan replied matter-of-factly, "You're the big brother I recognize. What's wrong with wanting to play with you?"

Ren Yi shrugged off her hand lightly and said coolly, "Since when did I have that kind of relationship with you?"

"You... you don’t acknowledge me as your little sister anymore?" Her eyes widened, her voice trembling slightly, and suddenly tears welled up and spilled over faster than a sudden downpour. Her pout made it look as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Ren Yi's eyes twitched involuntarily. He grabbed the girl's little braid.

"Ouch... you... let go, let go!" she cried.

Though tear streaks remained, the flow stopped immediately.

Ren Yi released his grip and asked, "Where’s your grandfather?"

Qu Feiyan took a timid step back, pouted, and answered, "They’re in a very secluded place, but my grandfathers, Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng, only know how to play the flute and the zither. No one pays attention to me, except Sister Liu who occasionally plays with me."

Ren Yi paid no mind to where Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng were hiding. Glancing at Tian Boguang, who looked pale and lifeless, he flicked a blood-stopping pill towards him.

Tian Boguang caught it without hesitation and swallowed it. He knew well that this person wouldn’t poison him; if he wanted to kill him, it would be quicker to use a sword.

Ren Yi turned back and asked, "If someone’s with you, why come to find me?"

Qu Feiyan answered sweetly, "Following you is the most interesting!"

"The most interesting?!"

"Of course! You’re going to take on the Songshan Sect, and I want to see them suffer too, so I just need to follow you."

Truly, Qu Feiyan’s innocent and lively demeanor was endlessly endearing, and her mischievous nature only made her more likable.

Seeing that he didn’t object further, the little girl wisely brought the horse over.

Ren Yi did not mount but turned and said coldly, "Let’s go."

Qu Feiyan’s smile blossomed like a flower as she tugged the reins and followed.

...

They left the Huashan mountain trail, entered the main road, and passed through the official road to reach Weinan Town.

By dusk, before the sky had fully darkened, Ren Yi was already eating and drinking—the finest restaurant, the best wine, and the most exquisite dishes. He always knew how to take care of himself.

Qu Feiyan rubbed her head, watching him pour and drink alone...

---

During the two hours, Ren Yi had knocked on her head three times, and with the earlier hit, it totaled four times, all because her little mouth wouldn’t stop chattering.

She hung her head, hesitant to speak.

Ren Yi sighed, "What do you want to say now?"

Brightening, she showed a big smile, "Why is your martial skill so good?"

Ren Yi replied, "Why don’t you ask others why their skills are so poor?"

Qu Feiyan pouted, "If those people knew, their skills wouldn’t be so bad."

Ren Yi smiled, "You’re right. So what do you think?"

Qu Feiyan laughed happily, "Because they’re stupid."

Ren Yi nodded, "Right, but not entirely."

Qu Feiyan urged, "Then you say."

Ren Yi raised his cup, drank deeply, and said softly, "When it comes to martial arts, the smart usually progress faster than the foolish, but that’s not absolute. Some fools, if they find the right style that suits them, can become masters. I know some techniques that only the honest and clumsy, or even madmen, can master, while some clever people can’t no matter how hard they try."

Qu Feiyan was astonished, "Is that really true?"

Ren Yi smiled, "I’m from the Wudang school. I learned all their martial arts before I was twelve, except for Tai Chi Fist and Tai Chi Sword. I couldn’t cultivate those."

Qu Feiyan asked, "Why’s that?"

Ren Yi did not answer. Footsteps echoed in the restaurant...

Listening to the steps, it seemed there were three people. Before they arrived, voices came: "Hurry up, you useless fellow! If it weren’t for Lin pleading for you, the Great Monk would have broken his vow and taken your life."

"Dad, forget it. He... he didn’t hurt your daughter. I am merciful... Besides, the first precept of Buddhism is not to kill. How could it be because of a woman..."

"Alright, alright, whatever my obedient daughter says."

Qu Feiyan found the conversation interesting. The woman’s voice claimed she was from the Buddhist order—that meant she was a nun. A nun with a father? Not only that, but her father was a monk?

A great monk with a daughter was already incredible; his daughter being a nun was even more so!

Curious and amused, Qu Feiyan looked toward the stairs and saw a pale, beautiful face step out first.

"Ah, it’s Sister Yilin!"

As Yilin entered the hall, she immediately saw someone standing and waving.

"It’s Feifei!"

Recognizing Qu Feiyan, Yilin called out softly, "Ren, Senior Brother Ren, you’re here too!"

She came over, hands folded in greeting, but Qu Feiyan’s attention was drawn to the two people behind her.

Just recently parted from Tian Boguang, he now stood beside a great monk—his usual arrogance gone, behaving like a meek child.

The great monk was at least seven feet tall, not only tall but also very stout; anyone standing next to him looked small.

“Dad, this sister is Qu Feiyan, and this is Ren Yi, Senior Brother Ren, the one who saved you at Huiyan Tower.”

The monk pushed Tian Boguang aside, pulled Yilin down, and plopped into a seat carelessly. "No need to introduce my good daughter. I’ve long known Ren, the kid."

"Ah! You knew Senior Brother Ren?"

"Known him for years."

Qu Feiyan kept staring at the great monk. After sitting, he reached for the dishes on the table, eating heartily. He even tore a chicken wing from a whole roasted chicken.

Getting into the mood, he poured himself a cup...

The little girl was puzzled, "A monk isn’t supposed to eat meat, drink wine, or kill, right?"

The monk swallowed his food, laughed heartily, and said, "Ren, tell this girl my dharma name."

Ren Yi ignored him. The monk chuckled awkwardly.

Yilin blushed and said, "Feifei, my father’s dharma name is ‘No Precept.’ Though he’s in the Buddhist order, he doesn’t follow any of their strict rules, hence the name ‘No Precept.’ He not only drinks wine and eats meat but has also killed, stolen, and done all kinds of things, and... even... fathered me."

It was an extremely embarrassing matter, but it was also irresistibly amusing. At the end, Yilin couldn’t help but giggle.

Qu Feiyan laughed too, "You’re really something. I once told Sister Yilin to leave the order so she wouldn’t have to avoid meat, could eat whatever she wanted. I didn’t expect her father not to leave the order but still drink and eat meat."

"Precisely because I do everything that I became a monk," No Precept sighed suddenly. "I fell in love with a beautiful nun, and for her, I shaved my head and joined the order!"

Yilin cut him off, "Dad, stop it." Though amusing, it was also embarrassing. Her face was already flushed as she said this.