Chapter 236 — Pude
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 3 of 6
The Venerable Pu Cheng's face grew slightly grave. "That the Universe Reincarnation Disc is in the Temple of the Sanskrit Voice is known to none but this old monk and a few of his fellow disciples—and to my disciple Fa Cheng alone besides. This matter is deeply secret. May I ask, benefactor, who is this elder who told you of it—which master gave you this guidance?"
Ming Li started, and for a moment could not speak at all. After a long silence he said in a low voice, "Forgive me, Master. It is not that your disciple wishes to conceal anything; it is that when that elder told me of this, he expressly instructed me not to reveal his identity, and so..." His voice gradually trailed off, and disappointment and anxiety faintly surfaced on his face; plainly the struggle within him was fierce, yet in the end he said no more.
Master Pu Cheng frowned and said nothing, lowering his head in thought. Watching the master's expression, Ming Li grew all the more anxious. Before coming to the Temple of the Sanskrit Voice he had indeed considered that if this unheard-of treasure truly possessed such powers, it must be a peerless rarity of the first order, and that the temple's cherishing of it was only natural. But from the reactions of the Venerable Pu Cheng and the others, there seemed to be no intent to refuse—yet unexpectedly, they seemed to care a great deal about the source of Ming Li's information.
Ming Li had of course heard this news from Zhou Yixuan, that day on the ancient road outside He Yin City. The longer he knew Zhou Yixuan, the more he felt that this fortune-teller of the jianghu, who seemed to do nothing but spout nonsense and swindle money, was in truth a master of unfathomable depth. Yet after Zhou Yixuan told him this, he had warned him again and again that he must never reveal his identity.
At this moment Ming Li's heart was truly churning as though several currents of hot blood clashed within him: on one side his promise to Zhou Yixuan, on the other a ten-year vow far more important—for Bi Li, even for the faintest sliver of hope, he would truly pay any price. Now he could neither advance nor retreat, and his heart was torn in battle, and for a time he was in agony.
Fortunately, just then Master Pu Cheng suddenly gave a long sigh and said, "Enough. Whoever it was who told you, you are after all bound to my junior brother Pu Zhao by a karmic tie from lives past—and, truth be told, this treasure was also my junior brother Pu Zhao's..." Master Pu Cheng suddenly gave a bitter laugh, broke off, and rose from his meditation couch. Looking at Ming Li, he joined his palms and said, "Benefactor, please come with me. I will take you to see someone."
Ming Li started, but from the Venerable Pu Cheng's words he gathered that the master meant to pursue the source of the news no further, and even had a mind to lend him the treasure. Overjoyed beyond measure, he bowed to the ground, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "Thank you, Master."
Master Pu Cheng stepped forward and raised him up, smiling. "No need for such courtesy, benefactor. Let us go."
With that he swept his monk's robe and walked out of the room; Ming Li and Fa Cheng followed behind him. Ming Li could not help asking, "Master, whom are we going to see?"
Master Pu Cheng said mildly, "You must know, benefactor, that the world commonly names this old monk and his fellow disciples together, do you not?"
Ming Li nodded and said, "Yes—the Four Great Divine Monks of the Temple of the Sanskrit Voice: Hong, De, Zhi, and Kong, revered by all the people." As he spoke the character "Zhi," a flicker of something complex crossed his face, and even his voice sank a little.