Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 102 My senior brother is good in every way, except I don't like his Dharma name.

'This person does not bear the aura of someone who has been tortured under the precept against killing...'

'His martial arts skills are a bit weak, but his style is similar to that of the Great Xiangguo Temple...'

'Is he a monk burdened with negative karma?'

Zhan Zhao had a very deep impression of the precept against killing.

It's likely that for a long time, there won't be a weapon that will leave a more lasting impression on him than the one that he takes from killing.

In his view, the aura of the precept against killing contains a characteristic of being both opposing yet cleverly integrated.

One thought becomes a Buddha, one thought becomes a devil.

Therefore, it is the best test of a monk's character, and once he passes the test, the help to his mental cultivation is immediate.

Monks who have committed karmic offenses must take vows against killing every year, and their aura will definitely reveal certain characteristics, which is the key basis for judgment.

But this attendant did not have it.

Moreover, the opponent's martial arts skills were not as strong as expected; however, his walking gait revealed a foundation in the martial arts of the Great Xiangguo Temple.

When Zhan Zhao examined the man's face again, he discovered another clue.

The face looked unremarkable, with a hint of stiffness about it.

'A disguise mask?'

Previously, Zhan Zhao might have just found it strange, but couldn't be sure.

However, he had recently been diligently studying the art of disguise in the Lotus Heart Mirror and quickly made a judgment.

This kind of disguise mask is of a low level. Those who know their stuff can tell it's fake at a glance, while ordinary people will find that the other person's face is somewhat stiff, like the overly surgically enhanced face of later generations, unable to make any expressions.

Of course, no one in the hall noticed this at the moment.

Because everyone's attention was focused on Xi Yan, whom Luo Shijun had just introduced.

Luo Shijun carefully lifted the lid, and a strange flower appeared before the eyes of several people in the hall.

The flower is shaped like a drooping epiphyllum, with very thin petals, half silver-blue and half pale purple. There is a bit of vermilion-colored nectar in the center of the flower, which emits a cool fragrance that is quite pleasant.

"This kind of flower grows on secluded valleys and cliffs, blooming only at dusk and moonrise. After being picked, it must be preserved using a secret method before it can be used in medicine."

After a brief introduction, Luo Shijun smiled and said, "This ointment is not yet finished. I brought it today because I wanted to give you a surprise."

Luo stared intently, her eyes shining, and she even unconsciously touched her cheek.

Don't say that women value their appearance the most; in ancient times, men also applied powder and perfume and took pride in it. In fact, who doesn't want to stay young forever?

Especially at their age, they can clearly feel the aging of their appearance and the decline of their physical strength almost every year, and of course, they are more eager to regain their youth than strong young people.

But after a moment, Madam Luo shook her head: "This item is precious, and I am already this old, it would be a waste to use it!"

She wasn't refusing; she wanted to use it for her daughter. If it could truly preserve youth forever, the thought was wonderful.

Luo Shijun saw through it: "Don't worry, sister. Although the Xiyan Flower is rare, it's not unique. You and Lingyi will both have one! How could I, as your uncle, not think of my beautiful niece? Haha!"

"Lingyi! How have I treated you in daily life?"

A hearty laugh came from inside, and Wang Xiaoniangzi outside immediately moved closer to Pang Lingyi.

"Lingyi! How have we treated you?"

The others immediately realized what was happening, and even the usually frank Huyan Zhuohua became unusually awkward.

Pang Lingyi said helplessly, "Don't get excited. If this flower really has such miraculous effects, how could we possibly enjoy it? It would probably have to be offered to the palace!"

Upon hearing this, the noble ladies exchanged glances and immediately began to sigh.

Wang Xiaoniangzi's eyes darted around, but she didn't give up: "If it's a competition, we certainly can't compete with Her Highness and Princess, but with Her Highness's virtue, how could she possibly compete with us?"

If we were to discuss the most esteemed women in the dynasty, they would undoubtedly be the Empress Dowager and her daughter, Princess Zhaoning.

These rare and beautiful flowers should also be enjoyed by them.

But it is precisely because the Empress Dowager and the princess are under the spotlight that they are sometimes subject to certain restrictions.

So at this moment, they shamelessly said, "Good sister! Good sister! If you have any extra ointment, please give us some!"

"What are you talking about? If it were true, would I forget you all?"

Pang Lingyi knew that refusing at this moment would truly make her an enemy's confidante, so she readily agreed.

But I felt uneasy.

She was different from other noble ladies.

She knew that her uncle was suspected of being involved with the wicked monks of Daxiangguo Temple.

With this information, combined with the sudden appearance of the strange flower Xiyan, things suddenly seemed suspicious.

But the words came back again.

Although Pang Lingyi wasn't particularly fond of Luo Shijun, she was certain of two things.

First, her mother, Madam Luo, had a deep affection for this brother and never became estranged from him after he became Madam Pang;
Secondly, unless Luo Shijun is so stupid as to be beyond redemption, he would never harm this sister. Otherwise, wouldn't he be digging his own grave and bringing down his own backer?

Therefore, it seems that there shouldn't be any problem with the Xiyan Flower.

While she was pondering, Luo Shijun in the hall closed the lid, and his attendant, carrying the brocade box, stepped back a few paces and stood behind her.

After that, everything in the hall remained the same, and when noon approached, everyone went to the main banquet.

Pang Ji, along with his wife and children, thanked the guests for their hospitality. Luo Shijun was among them, clapping and smiling, a scene of joyous celebration. Pang Lingyi wanted to talk to her senior brother, but due to the attention the hosts were receiving, she was unable to find an opportunity.

After waiting for the return of the gift and the expression of gratitude, Pang Lingyi finally found an opportunity to briefly meet with the Abstinence Master: "Senior Brother, about that matter just now..."

"Luo Shijun has a big problem!"

Zhan Zhao said directly, "Have you ever thought about why he would present a treasure to your mother in front of me and Senior Brother Jie Xian, two outsiders?"

Pang Lingyi was taken aback. At first, she thought that the other party was a nun and probably wouldn't tell anyone, but then she realized something was wrong.

Even monks have emotions and desires. Many monks at Daxiangguo Temple are even called lay monks, as they are involved in all sorts of worldly affairs.

My uncle is a seasoned veteran; how could he possibly reveal such a treasure just because the other party is a monk?

unless……

"Unless Luo Shijun originally wanted the news about Xiyan Flower to spread, of course he wouldn't worry about outsiders being present."

"He even wants to use us as a mouthpiece to spread propaganda to the outside world!"

Upon hearing Zhan Zhao's words, Pang Lingyi couldn't help but nod: "It seems that's really the case. Could it be that he wants to sell flowers?"

This idea sounds absurd at first glance, but considering what was just said and the reactions of her girlfriends, it is actually quite feasible.

Luo Shijun won over the ladies with just a treasure at the birthday banquet. If he were to announce the sale of flowers, wouldn't everyone flock to him?
If he can keep this business, this tycoon of the capital will be a completely different person from before.

However, Zhan Zhao shook his head: "There is no such thing as something in the world that can directly reverse aging and preserve youth forever!"

"Could a female grandmaster return to the age of eighteen?"

"cannot!"

"If even a martial arts master with unparalleled profound skills cannot do this, how can a flower combined with some medicine, applied to the face, achieve the same result?"

Luo Shijun initially introduced the flower as extremely magical. When mixed with other medicinal herbs to make an ointment, and applied for 49 consecutive days, it could restore the skin to its youthful radiance and make fine lines around the eyes disappear.

This statement may be an exaggeration, but it's not entirely unfounded.

Many skincare product advertisements in later generations used the same approach, using terms like sheep placenta extract and skin unfolding, which essentially means moisturizing and wrinkle reduction.

The best method in this world is to practice martial arts. The higher one's martial arts skills, the better one's control over the human body, which naturally slows down aging.

But to expect to reverse aging and maintain youth forever with a single ointment is utter nonsense.

Therefore, compared to Pang Lingyi, who, even if she had doubts, still harbored some hope and expectation, Zhan Zhao was 100% certain that something was wrong with this flower.

Pang Lingyi voiced her doubts: "But Uncle wouldn't harm Mother!"

"There are many possibilities—"

Zhan Zhao said, "Perhaps Luo Shijun was just feinting and wouldn't actually make your mother use it. Perhaps Luo Shijun himself fell for it, or perhaps Luo Shijun doesn't think it's a threat!"

"But there's one thing you need to be sure of: if the two sides really become adversaries, who will you choose?"

Pang Lingyi replied without hesitation, "Of course it's my mother!"

"it is good."

Zhan Zhao wasn't trying to sow discord, but rather to prepare his junior sister mentally: "You need to confirm one thing next: whether Luo Shijun will stay at the mansion tonight, and how his attendant is being arranged?"

"My uncle is staying here tonight, sleeping in the guest room. He didn't bring any other bodyguards, so that attendant will definitely stay behind."

Pang Lingyi was prepared: "At Mother's sincere invitation, the two... masters also stayed at the mansion to chant sutras and pray for her."

Zhan Zhao nodded: "Very good."

Pang Lingyi's gaze darkened: "Is that attendant a monk burdened with karmic debts?"

"It doesn't seem quite right, but this person should be from the Great Xiangguo Temple, and is probably also related to the monks with bad karma!"

Zhan Zhao then mentioned another detail: "Junior Sister, you may not have noticed just now, but before and after Luo Shijun introduced the Xiyan Flower, he only opened the brocade box, and the brocade box was held in his hands the whole time."

Pang Lingyi understood: "So the Xiyan Flower belongs to this person. This person was not recruited by his uncle, but rather the two sides have started a cooperation around this rare flower?"

"It seems very likely at the moment."

Zhan Zhao said, "Even if this person is not a monk with bad karma, judging from his martial arts style, he must be from the Great Xiangguo Temple. If he has any evil thoughts that will harm the world, I will step in to clean up his sect!"

Pang Lingyi was taken aback: "Senior brother, are you planning to make a move directly?"

"Cut the Gordian knot!"

Zhan Zhao put it out in advance: "Junior sister, if you cooperate with me wholeheartedly and it can protect your family, I am of course willing to do my best. But if Luo Shijun is stubborn and insists on doing something immoral, I will never tolerate his evil deeds."

"Senior brother! I understand! I understand everything!"

Pang Lingyi was deeply moved, but suddenly became a little shy: "Your Buddhist name..."

"Someone's coming from over there!"

Zhan Zhao's expression turned serious: "Junior sister, the important matter is paramount. We can discuss the rest later!"

Having said that, he flicked his monk's robe and drifted away.

Pang Lingyi watched his figure disappear and pursed her lips.

My senior brother is good in every way, except for this Dharma name...

She doesn't really like it!

(End of this chapter)