Long Aotian’s Beautiful Butler Has Run Away chapter 35

Chapter 35: The Mountain Layman

Due to preparations for the Dharma Assembly, the temple was currently under strict martial law. Even Shen Bingsi was barred from entering. After inquiring about the situation at the gate, he returned to the carriage.

Rong Xie lifted the carriage curtain and asked, “What’s the situation?”

Shen Bingsi explained that the young novice monk had mentioned the temple was overcrowded these past few days. Even if they managed to get into the Scripture Library, there would likely be inconveniences regarding meals and accommodation.

“Then let’s stick to the original plan,” Rong Xie said. “We can wait a few more days.”

“Alright,” Shen Bingsi agreed. Just as he was about to board the carriage, a shout came from behind.

“Benefactor! Benefactor, please wait—”

It was a large monk wearing a dark-colored robe. Judging by his attire, he held some status within the temple, though his breathless running suggested a complete lack of pretension.

“Master.” Shen Bingsi pressed his palms together and bowed to the monk. Rong Xie followed suit.

“Benefactor, may I ask if you hail from the Immortal Sect?” The large monk scrutinized Shen Bingsi.

Shen Bingsi hadn’t announced his name earlier; he held a token that allowed entry to the Scripture Library without declaring his identity. Knowing Rong Xie disliked drawing attention, he had kept a low profile.

However, since the monk asked directly, he didn’t hide it. “I am a disciple of the Lingjing Sect.”

“I knew it! Is your surname Shen?” The monk grew excited.

Shen Bingsi raised an eyebrow slightly. He hadn’t expected to be recognized; his face wasn’t that famous, was it?

“I am indeed Shen. But how did Master recognize me? I don’t recall ever meeting you…”

“Yesterday, my master mentioned that the wielder of the Shengxie Sword had arrived in Shengjing and might come to observe the excitement of the Water-Land Dharma Assembly. He instructed us not to be negligent,” the monk explained frankly.

So that’s it…

Shengjing was truly full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Shen Bingsi had flown in on his sword yesterday and, for convenience, had landed very close to the city gate. As expected, the Abbot of Xiangji Temple had detected him.

Since he had been discovered, it would be rude not to pay a visit.

“Is Master Wubie currently presiding in the temple?” Shen Bingsi asked.

Master Wubie was the Abbot of Xiangji Temple, and the high-ranking monks in the temple were all his disciples.

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“He is!” The monk pressed his palms together.

It seemed this visit was unavoidable. Shen Bingsi turned back to look at Rong Xie.

Rong Xie was accustomed to this. He didn’t go out often, but every time he did, someone would inevitably pull Shen Bingsi away to chat for an hour or two. The topics they discussed—great trends of the world and philosophical voids—didn’t interest him anyway.

“Go ahead. I’ll wait for you outside,” Rong Xie said.

The hills surrounding Xiangji Temple were lush with greenery, and the mountain paths were gentle and inviting. A walk around the area wouldn’t be bad.

Shen Bingsi wasn’t comfortable leaving Rong Xie alone outside, so he asked the monk if they could make an exception to open the Scripture Library for Rong Xie to wait in while reading.

The monk looked troubled. Clearly, his instructions were only to invite Shen Bingsi; he hadn’t received orders to host Rong Xie. Given the strict security, he could only arrange for Rong Xie to rest at the tea pavilion in the corridor.

“Go on. I’m not a child; I won’t get lost,” Rong Xie laughed. “Besides, we’ve been sitting in the carriage for a long time. I want to stretch my legs and take in the mountain scenery. We can meet back at the gate later.”

“Alright,” Shen Bingsi conceded. “Remember to keep your Transmission Jade on you.”

“Mm, I know.” Rong Xie fished the jade pendant from his sash and showed it to him.

Only then did Shen Bingsi relax and follow the monk into the temple to meet the Abbot.

Rong Xie followed the mountain path beside the temple gate, strolling leisurely. The midsummer mountain breeze was cool and refreshing against his face.

On the way, he encountered two porters and stopped to ask them if there were any scenic spots ahead.

The porters looked at each other, saying they didn’t know of any famous spots, but there was a private residence of a high-ranking capital official further up. However, the road was difficult, requiring porters like them to carry people and goods.

Rong Xie was surprised; he hadn’t expected such a villa to exist in the back hills of Xiangji Temple. Intrigued, he asked for directions and briskly walked up the mountain.

The distance wasn’t far—at least not for someone like Rong Xie, who had to climb mountains just to leave his own home. Turning a corner, he saw it: nestled amidst the greenery, a residence with white walls and gray tiles sat quietly.

Just then, a breeze picked up. The forest rustled like falling rain, and the bamboo grove in front of the residence swayed gently. Green and yellow bamboo leaves spiraled down, passing through the bright afternoon sunlight to settle on the ground.

At that moment, Rong Xie felt something strike his heart.

It was too beautiful.

In almost every respect, this residence didn’t meet Rong Xie’s requirements. There were no villages nearby, making shopping for groceries extremely troublesome. Its architectural style wasn’t the majestic, imposing style of Huanxue Villa, but rather the simple, elegant style favored by southern literati.

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Yet, Rong Xie liked it instantly. Perhaps it was the afternoon light, or perhaps it was the bamboo leaves dancing in the wind. Matters of feeling couldn’t be boxed in by rational criteria.

propelled by some invisible force, Rong Xie walked up to the dark wooden main gate, looking up for a plaque, nameplate, or inscription that might reveal the owner’s identity. There was nothing.

If not for the porters he had just seen, Rong Xie would have thought this was an abandoned house.

“Strange.” Rong Xie stepped up the stairs, wanting to peek through the crack in the door to see if anyone was inside.

Just then, a voice drifted out from within.

“Nanny, I don’t want to study anymore. When is Daddy coming back?”

“Young Miss, you should keep reading. When the Master returns and finds you’ve learned nothing, he will surely be angry.”

“Oh…”

It was a conversation between a young lady and her nanny. The girl’s voice was innocent and tender, sounding no more than seven or eight years old. A girl studying at that age suggested a scholarly family.

“But I don’t want to read; I want to go out and play…” the young miss pleaded.

“That absolutely won’t do. In this wild wilderness, where would you play?” The nanny’s voice dropped low. “There are snakes in the grass, wolves in the mountains, and ghosts at night that love to eat tender little girls like you—”

Before the nanny could finish, the young miss burst into a loud “Waah!” of tears, instantly filling the courtyard with chaotic noise.

Rong Xie shook his head and retreated down the steps. He had initially thought that if the residence were uninhabited, he might consider it as a backup option.

Now, not only was it occupied, but there was also a loud-crying little girl. Better to forget it.

Besides, the nanny’s words gave him the creeps. Snakes in the grass, wolves in the mountains, ghosts at night… never mind the little girl crying, even he, a grown man, couldn’t handle that.

Buzz—

A violent humming vibration spread from Rong Xie’s waist, and golden light instantly enveloped him.

Rong Xie froze in place, unable to move. Was there anything more awkward than your Transmission Jade going off while you were eavesdropping outside someone’s door?

bracing himself, Rong Xie connected the call. He chatted briefly with Shen Bingsi, who said he would be delayed for another hour and asked if Rong Xie wanted to come in for the temple’s vegetarian meal. By the time they ended the connection, the surroundings were quiet, save for the wind blowing through the leaves.

Leaving just like this didn’t seem right.

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Rong Xie hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and knocked on the dark wooden door.

What if the little girl really believed there were ghosts outside? He should explain clearly.

No one answered from the courtyard, and no one came to open the door.

Through the door, Rong Xie apologized, explaining that he was just a tourist visiting Xiangji Temple who had seen the path and wandered in. He apologized for the disturbance and asked the owner not to take offense.

Still, there was no response from inside.

Rong Xie felt he had done enough. He apologized once more, stated he was leaving, then turned and walked down the steps, heading back the way he came.

An incense stick’s worth of time later, Rong Xie returned to Xiangji Temple. He collected a vegetarian meal at the tea pavilion and ate while recalling his “adventure.”

A while later, Shen Bingsi was escorted out by a group of high-ranking monks. Seeing Rong Xie halfway through a colorful, appetizing vegetarian meal, Shen Bingsi—who usually preferred meat over vegetables—uncharacteristically straddled the bench and sat beside him, demanding to eat his leftovers.

The monks, having never seen such a display, hurriedly ordered the kitchen to prepare another portion for Shen Bingsi.

“I just want this one.”

Shen Bingsi took Rong Xie’s chopsticks. With two or three rapid motions, the wooden bowl was empty.

A novice monk brought tea. Shen Bingsi drank it, wiped his mouth, and praised, “This vegetarian meal is indeed refreshing and delicious. The masters really know how to enjoy themselves.”

Rong Xie hurriedly waved his hand, signaling him not to speak such worldly nonsense in front of ascetics.

The monks stood by, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“By the way, you were wandering around. Did you see anything?” Shen Bingsi asked.

Rong Xie had been wanting to tell him.

“A residence with white walls and gray tiles?” Shen Bingsi’s reaction was lukewarm. “Probably someone living in seclusion.”

“Amitabha. That is likely the residence of Layman Baishui,” a monk who hadn’t left yet chimed in upon hearing Rong Xie.

“Layman Baishui?”

The name certainly sounded like a hermit, Rong Xie thought.

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“He is a lay Buddhist who holds a good reputation in the capital. He enjoys seeking out historical sites and has collected many ancient books. The temple’s Scripture Library even houses some rare manuscripts he donated,” the monk explained.

A layman (Jushi) was a believer who took refuge in the Three Jewels but continued to live a secular life at home. No wonder this Layman Baishui settled behind Xiangji Temple and even brought his wife and child; it was for the sake of peaceful cultivation.

And this Layman Baishui collected ancient books! Even the famous Scripture Library of Xiangji Temple contained books he had donated!

Rong Xie’s opinion of this Layman Baishui skyrocketed instantly. He felt a pang of regret for not meeting him.

“Will Layman Baishui attend the Water-Land Dharma Assembly?” Rong Xie asked.

“This poor monk does not know.” The monk pressed his palms together.

Rong Xie showed a look of disappointment.

“He’s just a hermit,” Shen Bingsi, who was thoroughly uninterested, began to voice his opinion from the side. “There are plenty of hermits in the mountains around the capital. Why else do you think they call it the ‘Zhongnan Shortcut’?”

The “Zhongnan Shortcut” referred to the practice of living in seclusion in the mountains near the capital to build a reputation. Once the high officials noticed them, they would be recommended for office, bypassing the arduous civil service exams—a shortcut indeed compared to the honest scholars studying bitterly.

Shen Bingsi always disliked such mystification. He held an innate prejudice against them, believing they only went into seclusion to gain power. Their actions contradicted their stated goals, making them hypocrites among hypocrites.

As for this Layman Baishui—though hearing of him for the first time—Shen Bingsi found him particularly annoying, from his title down to his architectural taste. Building a southern-style house in the northern mountains!

Tch!