Chapter 265: Jinguang Temple, Corpse Matron, Gufeng

The innkeeper was surrounded by magnificent fortune, and Li Yanchu had already noticed this after mastering Qi Sight.

But Fang Qinglan was merely a wandering heroine of the

jianghu

. She had even been wounded before by some rough men from the Five Lakes Gang, and her martial arts were only at a modest level.

How could she possibly be a wandering spirit or immortal sustained by incense power!?

“Senior Uncle, you didn’t see it wrong, did you? Could it be that she has been possessed by someone who seized her body?” Li Yanchu asked.

This matter was truly beyond his expectations, and so he found it hard to fully believe the words of the Celestial Master of Mount Longhu.

“Absolutely impossible!” the old Daoist said firmly. “Her spirit is light and her form pure, bearing the grace of an immortal. She in no way resembles someone taken over by a wild spirit.”

Mount Longhu’s incense offerings were abundant, and the Celestial Master was famed throughout the Kingdom of Qian.

As one who had once been the foremost of the Four Great Celestial Masters, he would never make such a mistake on this matter.

Li Yanchu fell silent.

He thought of all the moments he had shared with Fang Qinglan before. It was hard to accept that this aloof, cool

jianghu

heroine could have such a hidden identity!

Qinglan... Qinglan...

Li Yanchu’s expression suddenly turned strange as a bold guess arose in his heart.

Fang Qinglan, as a wandering heroine, had joined the public service to become a rare female constable. She was stationed at Lady Qingyi Temple, and she often stayed there.

“Could Qinglan actually be Lady Qingyi herself?” Li Yanchu’s face showed a look of astonishment.

However... This was only his own speculation. He had no way of knowing for sure.

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

He let out a long breath of turbid qi and gave a bitter smile. “Senior Uncle, that news of yours really blew my mind!”

“Boy, you’re lucky you’re a disciple of the Zhengyi Daoism. If you had joined the Quanzhen Daoism, with your peach-blossom fortune[1], you’d probably have been expelled long ago.”

Quanzhen disciples were not allowed to marry.

Li Yanchu shook his head with a smile. “Senior Uncle, to be fair, there’s only one woman by my side even now, the innkeeper. There’s nothing between Qinglan and me.”

The old Daoist winked. “The disciple of Master Kumei from Donglin Prefecture still can’t forget you. Master Kumei even sent me a message especially to ask about you.”

“Master Kumei[2]?” Li Yanchu asked.

“Kumei and I are of the same generation. Her Daoist arts are profound, and she is especially skilled in divining the heavenly patterns and in physiognomy and fortune-telling. Her disciple had also entered the Blissful Land of Mount Jinting recently, and nearly lost her life there. But she met a benefactor, escaped danger, and her cultivation rose sharply!” the old Daoist said slowly.

Li Yanchu remembered it now; it must be Ding Rou, that Daoist priestess plagued by relentless bad luck.

“Master Kumei truly tells fortunes very well. I’m impressed,” Li Yanchu said lightly.

The old Daoist smiled. “You’ve just returned from beyond the passes, and you ought to rest well. But I have something on hand that must be delivered to Jinguang Temple[3] in Donglin Prefecture by someone I can trust. Would you be willing to make the trip for me?”

“Since it’s your request, I naturally won’t refuse. When should I set out?” Li Yanchu replied readily.

“I’ve calculated the date for you. Two days from now will be an auspicious day. It’ll be favorable for travel, and you’ll have great fortune. Everything will go smoothly. Set out for Jinguang Temple then, and hand this over to Master Yushu personally.”

“What exactly is it that you want me to deliver?”

“A sacred relic.”

Li Yanchu stared at the Celestial Master in disbelief, blurting out in surprise, “What!?”

The old Daoist, whose real name was Zhang Huaihe[4], gave a low chuckle. “You didn’t mishear, it’s the relic of a Jinguang Temple eminent monk who passed away in a seated posture[5].”

“Why would a sacred relic from the Buddhist sect be delivered by a disciple of Zhengyi Daoism?” Li Yanchu asked.

At this moment, the old Daoist’s breath was clear, and his eyes shone brightly. He had completely suppressed the vicious curse.

He stood, stretched lazily, and then said to Li Yanchu, “The great age of strife has arrived. Not only are we of the Daoist sects embroiled in it, but wars between kingdoms are also on the horizon.

“For over a hundred years, the Kingdom of Qian’s national fortune has been bleeding away. Monstrous calamities are arising, and evil spirits are killing innocents.

“To suppress the state and hold back the loss of fortune, the court has repeatedly honored the Mount Longhu Celestial Master’s Office and the Great Xiangguo Temple, making them the recognized leaders of Daoism and Buddhism in the land.

“In return, the two great teachings have helped the court suppress demons and evil, cleanse the Demonic Dao, and restore clarity to the realm, so that the national fortune no longer drains away as before.

“The court has also established the Court of Judicial Review, independent of the six ministries. It’s tasked solely with matters of demons, evil spirits, and disturbances to the realm.

“But for now, they still rely heavily on the two great teachings. That Jinguang Temple eminent monk slew a tiger spirit of a thousand years’ cultivation before passing away in a seated posture[6]. He left behind a sacred relic to suppress the evil spirits on Beishan Road and protect the peace of the region.”

“Now, Jinguang Temple faces an upheaval unseen for centuries. They are recalling all the sacred relics used for suppression throughout the land. This matter is extremely grave, as a high monk’s relic exerts an inexplicable pull on demonic and heretical paths. So it must be entrusted to someone reliable.”

“Senior Uncle, I’m not refusing, but since it’s so serious, why don’t you go yourself? My cultivation is far below yours,” Li Yanchu asked.

The old Daoist indeed was afflicted by a corpse-poison curse and evil qi, but Li Yanchu had just helped him suppress them with a quadruple enhanced Plague-Dispelling Talisman, and even given him the great jujubes of Mount Jinting. His injuries should now be under control.

“You’re right, the curse in me is already under control, and removing it completely wouldn’t be difficult. But I have an appointment for a duel. I was worried about finding someone for this errand, but now that you’ve returned from beyond the passes, you can take care of it.”

Li Yanchu thought for a moment. Though he felt there was more to it, he didn’t press.

“Senior Uncle, may I at least ask who injured you?” He didn’t inquire about the opponent in the coming duel, but instead about the origin of the wounds.

The old Daoist curled his lip. “With such venomous means, who else could it be but the Bare Body Sect’s Lord Gufeng, and the Lord Corpse Matron.”

Bare Body Sect...

Li Yanchu’s brow lifted. “Senior Uncle, they didn’t come looking for me, did they?”

After all, he had already killed several of their experts and sabotaged their plans. Logically, if they came to Wei City, it should be for him.

The old Daoist shook his head. “This has nothing to do with you. Of the Bare Body Sect’s Four Heavenly Kings, two came this time, clearly for me I’ve already severed Gufeng’s arm, and broken one of the Corpse Matron’s legs. In the next battle, I’m confident I can kill them both and end this trouble for good!”

When he said this, his domineering aura surged.

The Bare Body Sect was a sect long wanted and hunted in the Kingdom of Qian, and Daoism and Buddhism had led righteous sects in besieging them many times before. The Four Heavenly Kings were all terrifyingly powerful figures, otherwise they wouldn’t be the Kingdom of Qian’s most wanted criminals. And the fact that they had never been exterminated by the righteous sects or the imperial court spoke for itself.

Coming to Wei City this time was a rare opportunity. The old Daoist also wanted to take the chance to wipe out two of them and remove future troubles.

I have a bad feeling that you’re tempting fate...

Li Yanchu fell silent.

He glanced at the old Daoist. “Senior Uncle, actually there’s another option... What if you and I team up, kill the two of them, and

then

deliver the sacred relic to the Jinguang Temple?”

The old Daoist was startled, then laughed. “Young men shouldn’t be

too

full of themselves. They may not have reached the third realm, but they’re still fearsome names in the Demonic Dao, how could you possibly be their match?”

1. “Peach blossom fortune” usually refers to a person’s favorable destiny in attracting the opposite sex. It not only involves romantic fortune, but also one’s popularity and social charm. Its cultural origins can be traced back to the

Book of Songs

and the

I Ching

. In the

Book of Songs

, peach blossoms symbolize the beauty of a woman’s marriage, while in the

I Ching

, the flourishing of peach blossoms is seen as an omen of favorable romantic prospects. ☜

2. The female name “枯梅” (Kūméi) literally means “withered plum blossom.” While plum blossoms traditionally symbolize purity, resilience, and beauty that flourishes in hardship, the addition of “withered” gives the name a distinctly austere and melancholic quality. As a woman’s name, it is highly unconventional, since Chinese feminine names usually highlight grace, fragrance, or elegance rather than decay or desolation. To me, such a name evokes imagery of solitude, transcendence, and detachment from worldly desires. ☜

3. The name Jīnguāng Sì (金光寺) literally means “Temple of Golden Light.” In Buddhist symbolism, 金 (gold) represents purity, incorruptibility, and the highest spiritual value, while 光 (light) signifies wisdom, enlightenment, and the dispelling of ignorance. Together, golden light evokes the radiance of the Buddha, a protective and illuminating force. Naming a temple 金光寺 thus emphasizes its role as a sacred space where divine wisdom shines and practitioners seek spiritual awakening. Several temples with this name exist across China and East Asia, each drawing on this auspicious imagery rather than a single historical origin. ☜

4. To me, the name 张怀和 (Zhāng Huáihé) carries a refined and harmonious quality, evoking traditional Chinese cultural values. The surname 张 Zhang is the third most common surname in China and Taiwan and it is one of the most common surnames in the world. The given name combines 怀, which suggests cherishing, embracing, or holding something dear, with 和, symbolizing harmony, peace, and balance. To me, the name conveys the image of someone who values inner calm, kindness, and harmonious relationships with others. It feels scholarly and cultured, reminiscent of classical ideals, giving the impression of a man of gentle character, thoughtful temperament, and a life guided by the pursuit of peace and balance. ☜

5. Zuòhuà (坐化), also called zuòshì (坐逝), is a Buddhist term referring to the passing of a well-practiced monk or eminent master while seated in the cross-legged meditation posture. Unlike ordinary people, who typically die lying down, this form of passing symbolizes an accomplished practitioner’s attainment of a peaceful end, free of suffering, and reflects the high level of realization achieved through their cultivation. ☜

6. Yuánjí (圆寂), also known as wánjí (完寂) or rùjí (入寂), is a Buddhist term and another Chinese translation of Nirvana or Parinirvana. This translation was created by Xuanzang, drawing on the meaning of ‘all virtues perfected and all evils extinguished.’ In modern times, when Buddhist monks and nuns pass away, their death is often referred to as yuánjí, and thus the term has also come to be used as a synonym for death. ☜