劍問蒼天 - 第237章 異寶 - 翰墨軒

Ming Li's heart had been soaring with hope as Master Pude's words grew more encouraging, but then, at the last, a troubled look came over Master Pude's face, as though he were deeply hesitant. Suddenly Bi Li's green figure flashed through Ming Li's mind—lying so quietly in the cold-jade chamber on Fox Ridge Mountain. His body trembled faintly, hot blood surged through him, and he clenched his teeth and strode two great steps forward, coming to stand before Master Pude.

Pu Cheng and Fa Cheng were both startled, and Master Pude was somewhat taken aback as well. He raised his eyes to Ming Li—and saw that Ming Li showed not the slightest disrespect. Instead his knees gave way, and he knelt before Master Pude.

"Thud!"

A low, heavy sound echoed among the stone flags of the floor. Ming Li knocked his forehead to the ground before Master Pude. Seen from the side, his hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles showed white, and his body was trembling. His voice, thick with tears, went on in a low, unbroken murmur: "Master, my sins are deep, and I have failed those who trusted me. If I cannot save her, I—I—I... I beg the Master's compassion, I beg the Master's compassion..."

By the end he seemed unable to master himself, and could only plead over and over.

Fa Cheng, standing to one side, was visibly moved, and a look of pity crossed his face.

Master Pude too was briefly taken aback. He was silent a moment, then turned to look at Pu Cheng. Pu Cheng, palms pressed together, said nothing; after a long while, he gave a slight nod.

Master Pude slowly turned back and looked at the young man still prostrate before him. After a long pause, he said softly, "Rise."

Ming Li remained kneeling on the ground, motionless.

The corner of Master Pude's mouth twitched, as though in the faintest of smiles. Who knows what he was remembering. Then his low voice came slowly: "A temper like yours—how utterly unlike junior brother Pu Zhao in his day..." For an instant, something like a faint sorrow flickered across his face. Then he said quietly, "Get up. I will grant your request."

Ming Li's body shuddered. Wild joy surged through him, impossible to contain, and he jerked his head up.

Master Pude reached slowly into his robe and drew something out. His movements were very slow, with pauses here and there. Ming Li saw that it was a round object about half a foot across, wrapped in black cloth; what lay within he could not make out. It seemed this treasure was kept on Master Pude's own person—truly not to be taken lightly.

The black cloth was not knotted tight. Master Pude set it on the ground before him and undid the knot with a light tug. But when it came to lifting the cloth aside, he seemed to hesitate a moment. Then he sighed softly, shook his head, and drew the cloth away.

A soft white radiance slowly spilled out as the black cloth moved aside, growing brighter and brighter, yet never once hurting the eye. In the gentle light, fine motes of dust drifted and danced, and in that remote, silent little room, from somewhere unknown, a sweet, low, lingering melody seemed to rise, faintly echoing through the invisible air.

The black cloth was fully drawn back, and at last Ming Li saw clearly what lay before him—the treasure on which he had pinned his one-in-ten-thousand hope of saving Bi Li.

But the very next moment, astonishment came over his face, as though he could scarcely believe it. He raised his head and looked blankly at Master Pude, whose face was without expression. After a moment Ming Li turned instinctively toward Pu Cheng—but Pu Cheng only sighed softly, pressed his palms together, and said quietly, "Amitabha!"

Fox Ridge Mountain, the main hall of the Ghost King Sect.