劍問蒼天 - 第236章 普德 - 翰墨軒

Fa Cheng gently pushed open the door, stepped back, and extended an arm toward Ming Li, saying in a low voice, "After you, benefactor."

Ming Li nodded and stepped into the meditation chamber; Fa Cheng followed him in and drew the door shut behind them. Master Pu Cheng sat on his couch in meditation as ever; seeing Ming Li, a kindly smile rose on his face, and joining his palms he said, "You have come, benefactor."

Ming Li held this Master Pu Cheng in considerable respect; he did not dare be remiss, and made a deep bow, saying, "Forgive your disciple's intrusion."

Master Pu Cheng shook his head and smiled. "I have said it before: the gates of the Temple of the Sanskrit Voice stand wide open to you, and you may come at any time. Moreover, your coming here brings me nothing but gladness. But tell me—is there some matter on your mind?"

Ming Li hesitated a little, then raised his head and looked at the Venerable Pu Cheng. "I will not deceive you, Master. Your disciple has come this time because there is indeed a matter on which I wish to consult you."

The Venerable Pu Cheng said, "Speak freely, benefactor."

Ming Li was about to speak and yet held back, as though it were difficult to bring out; but in the end he said, "May I ask, Master—within your honored temple, is there a wondrous treasure by the name of the Universe Reincarnation Disc?"

The Venerable Pu Cheng started, and at his side Fa Cheng's face too showed astonishment. The two exchanged a glance, and then Master Pu Cheng nodded and said, "That is so. Our temple does indeed possess such an object."

Ming Li's spirits immediately lifted. The Venerable Pu Cheng took in his expression, and his brow furrowed slightly once more. "May I ask, Benefactor Ming Li, why you suddenly inquire after this object?"

Ming Li hesitated a moment, then said, "As to my circumstances, the two of you know them well enough. Ten years ago on Mount Canglan, a friend of mine took grave wounds on my behalf and has remained unconscious ever since."

The Venerable Pu Cheng joined his palms and said, "Miss Bi Li is a woman of deep feeling and great loyalty; this old monk holds her in the highest respect."

Ming Li said, "For ten years I have roamed to the ends of the earth with but one wish—to heal Bi Li—yet Heaven has not answered. To this day there has been no progress." At this point, though his face showed no obvious change, the gloom in his eyes could no longer be concealed. Ming Li was silent a while, then raised his head and looked at the Venerable Pu Cheng. "I will not deceive you, Master. Your disciple has come this time because some time ago I happened to hear an elder say that in the Temple of the Sanskrit Voice there is a wondrous and unfathomable treasure, the Universe Reincarnation Disc, with the strange power to turn yin and yang and settle the soul; that there may be some faint hope of healing Bi Li. And so I have come, shameless as I am, hoping that in your compassion you might lend this treasure to your disciple. Once it has been used, I swear I will return it in person."

By the end his lips were trembling slightly, his heart plainly in turmoil; his face shifted through several changes, as though he wavered, but then he took two steps forward, clenched his hands, and slowly knelt before the Venerable Pu Cheng.

The Venerable Pu Cheng was startled and hastily reached out a hand, saying urgently, "Benefactor, you must not do this—please rise, quickly."

Fa Cheng had already stepped forward to support Ming Li and helped him up. The Venerable Pu Cheng gazed at Ming Li for a long while; his face remained as kindly as ever, yet his gaze seemed somewhat unfocused, and it was plain that this treasure was no small matter to him as well, and that for a time he could not decide.

After another moment, the Venerable Pu Cheng slowly joined his palms and said, "Benefactor, there is one question this old monk would like to ask."

Ming Li said at once, "Pray speak, Master."