Chapter 168 - 108: Astonished to See a Celestial Being

Words : 899 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

Chapter 168: Chapter 108: Astonished to See a Celestial BeingRan Yan felt the annoyance caused by Sang Chen ease slightly in her heart and resolved to have a calm and patient heart-to-heart with Sang Chen later, persuading him to cancel the engagement. Wan Lu spoke a few words with the monk at the entrance, and then the monk led her inside. Yuncong Temple also accepted incense offerings from worshippers, so it was common for ladies and wives to come and go. Ge Lan sent Wan Lu to find Sang Chen mainly because she considered the demureness appropriate for a lady, who could not simply storm in directly. Moreover, seeing Ran Yan’s previous state, Ge Lan thought it best to give her time to calm down, to avoid damaging Sang Chen’s face, for he was after all from the prestigious Cui family of Boling. There were many young novices and monks at the temple entrance, as well as the occasional worshipper, all appearing to be ordinary folk. Ran Yan and Ge Lan stood under a willow tree not far from the temple gate, its dense leaves hanging low, half-concealing their figures. "Amitabha Buddha. The master has returned," the crisp voice of a young novice came. Soon after, a melodious Buddhist chant followed, "Amitabha Buddha." It seemed to drift down from the clouds, clear as a flowing spring. Ran Yan and Ge Lan turned around as the breeze stirred the green willows. Through the flickering leaves, they saw a monk in a loose monk’s robe with wide sleeves, hands joined in prayer and slightly bowing in salutation. From the delicate profile, the long neck leading to broad shoulders, even to the shorn head, the lines were flawless. Whether a person is truly good-looking can be discerned when all adornments and hair are removed, and the monk before them was undoubtedly very handsome. "Master Huai Yin," another monk greeted him. So this was the Huai Yin that Wan Lu mentioned, the monk so stunningly handsome it seemed a sin. Ran Yan’s gaze followed him, and Huai Yin seemed to sense someone watching him and turned his head in their direction. Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Through the swaying branches and leaves, his flawless face was revealed, serene and ethereal. His narrow, phoenix-like eyes needed just a slight glance to exude a captivating beauty, yet he chose to gently lower his eyelids, join his hands in prayer, and chant a Buddhist mantra to Ran Yan and Ge Lan before slightly bowing and calmly walking away. From start to finish, his face maintained a tranquil indifference, and those extraordinary eyes harbored only detachment from the mundanity of the world. His gaze upon people or objects was one of detachment, as if looking down upon all beings, with no distinction. Four words flashed through Ran Yan’s mind: Enlightened High Monk. If there truly were celestial beings, surely they would be like this. In terms of appearance, Xiao Song and Su Fu were not inferior to him, but Huai Yin exuded a worldly detachment in every gesture, appearing completely untainted by the secular world, like a solitary white lotus that stands tall and unsoiled amidst the mud. While Ge Lan and Ran Yan were still in shock, Huai Yin had drifted away. As he had only taken a few steps, he met Sang Chen, who was coming towards him with joy written all over his face, "Master Huai Yin, have you returned from your travels?" "Amitabha Buddha, when did Sui Yuan arrive here?" Huai Yin spoke a bit more this time, but his expression remained unchanged. Sang Chen returned the Buddhist greeting and respectfully said, "I came the day before yesterday. I’m assisting with copying scriptures in the temple. Now that master has returned, Sui Yuan can play chess with you again." Sang Chen’s skill in chess was almost peerless, finding some joy only when playing against himself, rarely finding a worthy opponent. Yet among these rare individuals was this monk, Huai Yin. "I await you at any time," Huai Yin nodded slightly. The two exchanged Buddhist salutations, and Huai Yin headed back into the temple, while Sang Chen, with joy on his face, approached Ran Yan under Wan Lu’s guidance. Seeing Ran Yan wearing a mask, Sang Chen flushed, scratching at his robe as he remembered he must look disheveled before hurriedly composing himself and shyly calling out, "Wife." Ge Lan and Wan Lu, knowing to be discreet, retreated two zhang away, leaving the two alone. Within moments, Sang Chen’s blush had spread to the root of his neck. Watching his cautious yet expectant demeanor, Ran Yan suddenly didn’t know how to begin. After a moment of silence, it was Sang Chen who managed to stammer out, "I, I have asked for your hand in marriage from your father." "Why did you propose?" Ran Yan moderated her tone to its gentlest and followed his lead in asking. Sang Chen kept his head down, not daring to look at her, fiddling with a tiny ink spot on his robe and said softly, "In my heart, I believe the wife is kind-hearted, gentle, and virtuous. With the subtle hints you gave that day, I was overjoyed. Although I am penniless now, as a man, I would never let you be wronged..."

Chapter 168 - 108: Astonished to See a Celestial Being

Comments (0)