Volume Two: Carrying On the Family Legacy in Brocade and Blood Chapter 128: Crimson Allure, White Feather

As soon as Jing Kong finished speaking, Yang Ning noticed several monks around him subtly changing their expressions. Even Zhen Ming, the young monk beside him, shuddered slightly, as if they all recognized the significance of the visitors. Yang Ning had never heard of Baiyun Island before, but he was familiar with Eastern Qi.

Eastern Qi was a small nation caught between Northern Han and Southern Chu. Though small and sparsely populated, it commanded a powerful naval force. It was said that the Crown Prince of Southern Chu had gone to attend the enthronement ceremony in Eastern Qi. The emperor had passed away, yet the prince was delayed outside.

Suddenly, a clear, melodious sound rang out, and a vibrant, colorful creature flew into the hall. It resembled a peacock but was much smaller. The bird circled the hall once before perching on a crossbeam, overlooking the grand chamber with an imposing aura.

Following this, a man in official robes entered the hall first, followed by several others. Yang Ning’s eyes were drawn to two particularly striking individuals among them.

One was a man dressed in immaculate white, his robes pristine and spotless. He was slender, appearing to be around thirty years old, with long raven-black hair tied back with a ribbon that hung behind him. His features were refined and handsome, his arms crossed, and beneath his left arm rested a long sword. His expression was unreadable, giving off an otherworldly, ethereal vibe, as if untouched by worldly matters.

Beside him walked a woman dressed in fiery red, also seemingly around thirty. She was like a flame incarnate.

The woman was stunningly beautiful, with a graceful figure—curvaceous and alluring. Her makeup was bold and vivid, lending her an exotic, almost enchanting appearance. Despite the onset of winter, her attire was surprisingly scanty. Her red dress had slits along the sides, and as she moved, the hem swayed, revealing glimpses of her snow-white legs, fairer than frost or snow. Her slender waist swayed enticingly, exuding a sensual charm.

The man in white was handsome, while the woman in red was dazzling. Either alone would attract attention; together, they were impossible to overlook.

Some monks who saw the woman’s seductive sway grew uneasy. Some lowered their eyes, unwilling to look directly at her, while others pretended to gaze ahead but stole glances sideways. Her overwhelming allure was undeniable. Given that Daguangming Temple rarely saw female visitors, it was no wonder the monks found her captivating.

Behind them were four burly men clad in hemp robes, their manner of walking revealing they were no ordinary men.

Upon entering the hall, the official leading the group stopped and bowed respectfully to Jing Kong and Jing Neng, folding his hands. “Venerable Masters, I am Su Luo, Deputy Minister of Rites. I come with two disciples from the Baiyun Island sect of Eastern Qi to pay respects at your temple. Our noble guests accompany the Eastern Qi delegation to honor the late sovereign. They specifically requested to visit your temple and seek your guidance. We humbly ask for your kind attention.”

His tone was exceedingly polite toward the monks of Daguangming Temple, even referring to himself as “your humble servant” before Jing Kong. Such humility from a high-ranking official astonished Yang Ning. It also made clear the exceptional status of Daguangming Temple within Southern Chu.

The woman in red stepped forward, her waist swaying like a willow branch. With a captivating smile and a voice as sweet as a whisper, she said, “Disciple Chi Danmei of Baiyun Island pays respects to the venerable masters.”

Her voice was sultry and flirtatious, like softly spoken love words in your ear. Many who heard it felt a shiver run through their bodies, their spirits adrift. Yang Ning’s heart stirred involuntarily; the name “Danmei,” meaning “charming,” was truly fitting.

Though her tone was seductive, it seemed innate rather than contrived, which made it all the more stirring.

The man in white spoke next, his voice cold and emotionless, like a slab of ice: “Eastern Sea White Feather Crane.”

Yang Ning noted the similarity in tone to Zhao Wushang, one of his own men—both men sparing with words. However, in terms of presence, Zhao Wushang could not compare to White Feather Crane.

Jing Kong’s voice was gentle and kind as he replied, “I have long heard that the master of Baiyun Island serves as the national teacher of Eastern Qi but dwells in seclusion on Baiyun Island in the Eastern Sea, a carefree recluse, indifferent to worldly affairs. Though I have admired the master’s name for some time, I have never had the fortune to meet him. Today, to see the master’s two distinguished disciples is truly a blessing.” He raised his hand. “Please, take a seat.”

A cushion was promptly brought forward and placed on the floor.

Deputy Minister Su Luo gestured toward White Feather Crane and Chi Danmei. “Please, be seated.”

White Feather Crane stood like a pillar, motionless and silent. Su Luo grew somewhat awkward, but Chi Danmei smiled coquettishly, saying, “Lord Su, my senior brother is like this even when he sleeps. No need to be polite to him.” She then knelt elegantly on a cushion, her slender body upright. Her firm bosom accentuated her curves.

Jing Neng noticed many disciples in the hall staring unabashedly at Chi Danmei, some openly, others more subtly. Annoyed, he spoke coolly, “Honored guests from afar, may I ask the purpose of your visit?” The monks of Daguangming Temple were usually devoted to Buddhist studies and adhered to strict temple discipline, but this blatant ogling was damaging to the temple’s dignity. He bore a strong dislike for Chi Danmei’s seductive presence.

Chi Danmei smiled like a blooming flower and purred, “On the orders of my master, we accompany the Eastern Qi delegation on two errands in your country. The first is to pay respects to your late emperor. The second is to fulfill a long-held wish of my master from over twenty years ago.” Her voice was entrancing and bewitching.

Her figure was irresistible, her skin flawless and white as jade. Kneeling, her snow-white legs were partially revealed beneath the scarlet dress, red and white blending like fire and snow. Her body was a perfect blend of youthful beauty and mature allure, appearing both like a young maiden and a sensuous woman.

Jing Kong folded his hands again. “A wish from twenty years ago? Could it be that the master of Baiyun Island’s wish is connected to Daguangming Temple?”

Chi Danmei smiled and said, “Given your venerable age, Master, you should recall an event that happened at your temple twenty years ago.”

“Please enlighten us, honored disciple,” Jing Kong invited.

“Twenty-three years ago, my master journeyed a great distance to your temple,” Chi Danmei began. “Daguangming Temple is the foremost temple of our age, the royal temple of Southern Chu, home to many masters. My master greatly admired your temple and came under an alias to seek a connection but was rejected.”

The monks all paled slightly. Jing Neng exclaimed, “Are you saying that the master of Baiyun Island actually came to our temple over twenty years ago? That’s... impossible!”

Chi Danmei’s voice was soft and coaxing. “My master used the name Wu Dong at the time. Do you remember him, Master?”

“Wu Dong?” Jing Kong pondered silently. Jing Neng, who already disliked Chi Danmei’s provocativeness, sneered, “If the master of Baiyun Island wished to join the temple, why not come openly? Many have sought to become disciples of Daguangming Temple, but our selection is strict. Not everyone is qualified.”

Meanwhile, White Feather Crane closed his eyes slightly, clutching his sword, unmoving as if asleep.

Yang Ning observed him from the side and guessed he was likely a swordsman. His aloof demeanor suggested his swordsmanship was formidable.

He now understood that the master of Baiyun Island was the national teacher of Eastern Qi.

From the side, Yang Ning noticed Chi Danmei’s figure resembled a gourd: a slender waist that flared at the hips, forming full, rounded curves. Kneeling, her scarlet dress was stretched tight over her ample hips, outlining their perfect shape. Yang Ning worried the dress might tear under such strain.

Jing Kong suddenly asked, “You said the master of Baiyun Island used the name... Wu Dong?”

“Seems Master remembers,” Chi Danmei purred. “Do you recall how my master was rejected back then?”

Jing Kong sighed, “As far as I know, the master had not yet settled on Baiyun Island at that time. You two would not have been his disciples then.”

“That is correct,” Chi Danmei said softly. “After being rejected by your temple, my master returned to Eastern Qi and ascended Baiyun Island. He waited at the foot of Zijin Mountain for five full days and nights, without a drop of food or water, nearly dying, but your temple showed no compassion.”

Jing Neng seemed to recall something and looked at Jing Kong. “Brother, are they speaking of that... person?”

Jing Kong nodded slightly. “Indeed, it was him. So he was the master of Baiyun Island all along.”

“Humph, so that was the master of Baiyun Island,” Jing Neng said disdainfully, glaring at Chi Danmei. “Back then, he came under an alias and even demanded to become a disciple under our abbot. He asked for the transmission of the Daguangming Temple’s ‘Bright Scripture’—an absurd request.”

His face hardened. “The ‘Bright Scripture’ is the temple’s most treasured scripture, only the successive abbots may study it. Even we have never seen it. For an outsider to demand its transmission—was he hoping to become abbot himself?”

Chi Danmei remained composed and smiling. “But my master promised that if your temple would teach the ‘Bright Scripture,’ it would become the premier sect in the world. You refused, and to this day, Daguangming Temple remains powerful only in a limited region.”

Hearing this, Yang Ning understood the situation. The disciples from Baiyun Island had come harboring ill intentions, seeking to avenge a grievance from over twenty years ago.

Since the master of Baiyun Island was also Eastern Qi’s national teacher, he could not appear in person and thus sent these two disciples instead.

Yet, Daguangming Temple was the world’s foremost temple and the royal temple of Southern Chu, with deep roots and prestige. For the master of Baiyun Island to send only two disciples to settle this old score was somewhat arrogant.

Jing Kong remained calm and folded his hands. “Our temple has no ambition to dominate others, nor have we sought to become the world’s foremost sect. The master of Baiyun Island’s aspirations differ greatly from ours and cannot be reconciled. Furthermore, his demands were excessive and thus bound to be refused.”

Chi Danmei smiled. “My master waited five days and nights at the mountain’s base for a response, but your temple remained silent. So he left a message on a stone tablet.”

Jing Kong asked calmly, “Do you remember the words on the tablet?”

“‘Eventually return,’” Jing Kong replied quietly.

Chi Danmei giggled coquettishly. “Exactly. ‘Eventually return.’ This was my master’s long-cherished wish. We have come today to fulfill it.”