The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 31 Pure Land of Buddhism

Xiao Yi stood by the window and looked into the alley. He saw the six soldiers leave the inn, and the squad leader pointed and sent one of them to the main street.

Behind her, Guo Xin yawned and said, "Zhan Zhao, it's your turn to be on duty. I need to sleep for a while."

Xiao Yi said, "Let's leave here and find another place to hide."

"Why?" Guo Xin asked, "This place should have been searched already. Isn't it the safest place?"

“They checked my official document and were taken aback at the time. But after calming down and thinking about it or reporting it, they quickly realized something was wrong. We were leaving the city, so why didn’t we have a place to stay in the city? Why didn’t we stay at the official post station? As soon as they questioned us, our disguise would be exposed immediately.”

If I don't pretend to be an official today, I won't be able to deal with the cannibalistic patrolmen; but if I do pretend to be an official, there's a risk of being exposed.

"Where?"

Willow Creek Lane.

Guo Xin said, "That's a government soldier. Going there would be like walking into a trap."

“He’s been reassigned and his information network isn’t as good,” Xiao Yi said. “I gave him a generous gift, which might at least get him to find us a place to stay for the night.”

"Why do you believe him after only meeting him once?"

"This is how I judge people."

Guo Xin said, "I think it's too risky. I'd rather go back."

"I'll make the decision."

As they spoke, Xiao Yi had already taken off his official robe, wrapped it up, and changed into a fine linen robe.

"Walk."

The four immediately went downstairs and headed straight for the stables in the backyard.

But upon closer inspection, I was taken aback.

The innkeeper was so attentive that he even removed the saddles and bridles from their horses.

"What's going on?" Guo Xin spat, "That meddlesome shopkeeper said there's no need to unload it."

Guo Xin said, "He must be thinking that since the city gates won't be open today, he wants to make the horses more comfortable at night."

"Prepare the horses."

Xiao Yi and Guo Xin acted quickly, each carrying the saddle and mounting it on the horse.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps and the shopkeeper's voice came from the front yard.

"Why is the official back?"

"Guard the gate, you lot come upstairs with me!"

Judging from the noise, there were even more soldiers this time.

Xiao Yi deftly pulled the saddle strap, turned his head and saw that Guo Xin had already harnessed the horse, while Guo Xin and Guo Zongyi had not yet untied the ropes.

"It's too late. Two people on one horse, let's go."

Guo Xin was quick-witted and immediately pushed open the side door to the backyard.

Seeing Guo Zongyi staring blankly at his luggage, Guo Xin hurriedly lifted him onto the saddle.

Xiao Yi mounted his horse and, as he spurred it out the door, he reached out and deftly pulled Guo Xin onto the horse. With a tug on the reins, they dashed into the alleyway at dusk.

I hadn't gone far when I heard shouts from behind.

"They're there!"

"Chase them! Don't let them escape!"

A sharp whistle sounded.

The number of people who came to arrest him exceeded Xiao Yi's expectations; he had clearly only impersonated a minor official.

Ahead, Guo Xin suddenly slowed his horse down.

"quick!"

"We can't get through!" Guo Xin shouted. "There are soldiers ahead, what should we do?"

"detour!"

"Come with me!"

Guo Xin's horse suddenly turned and galloped into the main street. Ahead, a group of soldiers was surging from the direction of Liuxi Lane.

Xiao Yi had no choice but to chase after Guo Xin and rush into the long street.

It wasn't dark yet, but an eerie quiet permeated the streets of Kaifeng.

"clang!"

In the distance, the sound of a wooden clapper could be heard, followed by a sharp shout.

"A curfew is in effect in Kaifeng tonight. Anyone loitering outside will be arrested immediately!"

"Curfew tonight, no loitering allowed..."

The hooves clattered as Guo Xin rode his horse swiftly down the long street. Although Xiao Yi could keep up, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

He realized that they were heading in the direction of the Guo residence.

"Stop!"

"Come with me!"

"Zhan Zhao, I told you to stop!"

No matter how much Xiao Yi scolded him, Guo Xin wouldn't listen. Perhaps it was the frustration of being bossed around for half a day that finally erupted, and he insisted on doing things his own way.

Galloping at full speed, leaving his pursuers behind, Guo Xin continued to turn into the intricate network of paths, deliberately choosing to navigate through narrow alleys.

Finally, the high walls of the Guo family mansion came into view.

"Uu——"

But they had to rein in their horses.

At the alleyway ahead, barricades with spikes had been erected, and more than ten imperial guards in gleaming armor were checking passersby.

Upon hearing the sound of horses' hooves, the imperial guards turned around and shouted loudly.

"who?!"

Guo Xin did not answer, his back view showing some hesitation.

Xiao Yi stepped forward, grabbed the reins of his mount, and turned the horse around and rode away.

The Guo family home is just a stone's throw away, but there's no going back.

"stop!"

"Halt! Who are you?!"

Xiao Yi did not answer, and spurred his horse to gallop away.

The sharp whistle rang out again.

Amidst the alleyway ahead, a dense throng of footsteps surged forward. Their escape route was blocked.

Caught in a pincer movement, they were trapped in a dead end.

"Fight!"

Knowing he had caused trouble, Guo Xin gritted his teeth and said, "I'll cover your retreat, you all go!"

Xiao Yi suppressed the urge to slap the kid, tried to remain calm, and looked around for a glimmer of hope.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a majestic and solemn octagonal glazed tile palace came into view.

"Come with me."

"..."

"Hey!"

The horse neighed and galloped rapidly toward the other side of the alley, drawing away the pursuers.

As dusk fell, the outline of Daxiangguo Temple appeared serene and peaceful. The temple gates were not yet closed, and occasional worshippers could be seen entering and exiting.

Four figures walked into the sparse crowd.

Xiao Yi's heart was pounding, but he slowed his pace, appearing calm and composed. Occasionally, he would turn his head and speak gently to the three people behind him, "Don't turn around, be natural, we're going to offer incense."

"Oh."

"Mingyan, Qingwen, you often come with Madam. Do the monks recognize you?"

"Do we need to step in?"

"No, I'm just afraid that being recognized would cause trouble."

Guo Xin said, "We used to follow behind, but now that we've changed our clothes, we can't recognize you."

"Boom!"

"Boom-"

The deep, resonant sound of drums emanated from the solemn temple, seemingly drowning out the clamor and murderous intent outside.

Xiao Yi walked to the temple gate and was stopped by a guest monk.

"Amitabha Buddha, esteemed guests, the evening drum has sounded, and our temple is about to close. May I ask what brings you here?"

The monk's voice was gentle, yet carried an unyielding sense of discipline.

Xiao Yi stepped forward, put his palms together in greeting, and showed a hint of weariness and apprehension on his face. He said, “I’m disturbing your meditation, Master. I came from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng to visit relatives, but they have moved away and we have nowhere to go. We also did not expect that there is a curfew in the capital. I have long heard of the compassion of Buddhism at Daxiangguo Temple. I humbly request that you grant us the right to stay overnight. We will leave early tomorrow morning.”

The monk's gaze swept over the four people. Guo Xin and Guo Zongyi quickly lowered their heads, while Guo Xin tried his best to suppress the arrogance that had not yet faded from his face.

"Amitabha, our temple has strict rules. You need a recommendation to stay overnight. Please come in."

After saying this, the monk in charge of receiving guests closed the door.

"Boom-"

Another solemn Buddhist drum sounded, as if urging them to leave.

Between the drumbeats, the faint sound of fierce shouts could be heard in the distance.

“I have a sponsor.”

With time pressing, Xiao Yi steeled his heart, reached into his robes, and pulled out the jade pendant he had obtained from Shi Deyuan.

The jade pendant is as translucent as mutton fat, warm to the touch, and exquisitely carved. The front features a lotus petal pattern surrounding a Buddhist swastika, while the back is a round shape resembling a cake.

"I am fortunate to have received guidance from Zen Master Wenyan and been given this pendant. He said that if I encounter difficulties, I can seek help in places where Buddhism is flourishing. I wonder if this item can serve as a recommendation?"

"Grandmaster Wenyan?"

The monk in charge of receiving guests was indeed moved. He took the jade pendant and examined it carefully, murmuring, "It really is a perfect form... 'Perfect Sambhogakaya, all dharmas return to one,' our master has achieved it, Amitabha."

Xiao Yi also put his palms together in prayer and said, "Amitabha."

The monk who was in charge of receiving guests looked at Xiao Yi again, his eyes now showing great importance. He stepped aside and bowed, saying, "Please come in, benefactor. This humble monk will go and invite the abbot."

“No.” Xiao Yi quickly replied, “The Zen Master is compassionate and once gave his disciple some pointers. How can we disturb the abbot’s cultivation because of this? It is precisely… that not a single leaf should cling to one’s body.”

"Been taught a lesson."

"If you could provide us with a room to stay temporarily, it would be a great kindness from the Buddhist community."

"Then please follow me, gentlemen. However, the temple has rules that prohibit entering the monks' quarters and female relatives from entering the main hall."

"Thank you, Master. I will certainly comply!"

The sound of the temple gate closing came from behind Xiao Yi.

The room was simple, a single room divided into two sections by a curtain. The bedding was old but clean, and the air was filled with the faint smell of firewood and soap.

The monk serving the meal said, "Please rest well, and do not go out at night unless necessary."

"Thank you, Master."

As soon as he bolted the door, Guo Xin frowned and said, "The house is surrounded! Have they come out yet?"

Guo Xin was very worried and said, "What good will it do if they leave the manor? The city gates are tightly closed, how can they leave?"

Guo Zongyi sat obediently on the edge of the bed, head down, and soon tears streamed down his face.

"Don't worry," Xiao Yi said. "Being surrounded but not having your home ransacked means you haven't been punished. I believe Madam and Erlang are still trying to negotiate."

Guo Xin said, "But..."

Xiao Yi suddenly demanded, "Do you know that what you did today almost killed all of us? I know you're worried about your family, and I know you're not afraid of death. But I ask you, is it alright if Brother Yi and Fifth Sister die? Is it alright if Commander Guo doesn't get the news and is persecuted by the court?"

"I……"

"Think about why Madam made you and Erlang leave separately."

After saying this, Xiao Yi stopped talking to Guo Xin, took a vegetarian meal, and began to eat it seriously.

After a while, a "snap" was suddenly heard.

Guo Xin slapped himself and said with his head down, "I was wrong today. I'm just impulsive by nature. I didn't obey Mother's military orders and I deserve to be punished."

Xiao Yi said calmly, "Let's eat."

Guo Xin said, "It's alright, it's alright. It's not in vain that Mother burns incense every day. Daxiangguo Temple has protected us, and Buddha will also bless the Guo family."

"Mmm." Guo Zongyi put his hands together, closed his eyes, and made a sincere wish.

Guo Xin also said softly, "My lord, don't be angry. Let's wait here until the city gates open."

Xiao Yi turned to look out the window.

It was already dark, and there was no time to see Hua Nong.

The sound of wind whistles through the eaves of the ancient temple, carrying the chanting of Buddhist hymns from the Xiangguo Temple.

The lanterns inside the temple were dim, and the distant bell tower stood out forlornly, as if the hustle and bustle of Kaifeng had been shut out.

The Buddhist Pure Land brings peace of mind.

(End of this chapter)