Chapter 72

In the quiet ward, Qin Yu sat cross-legged on the bed, breathing evenly, with faint glimmers of light occasionally flashing on his body. Qin Yu's hands formed a special seal.

As the special seal took shape, the speed of the light flashes increased. Just as the light seemed about to leave Qin Yu's body, two red halos of varying depths appeared around him. The light would immediately dissipate upon touching the red halos.

"Ah!"

Qin Yu sighed deeply, opened his eyes, and his fair face turned a bit pale, as if he had just suffered a serious illness, looking like someone who had been sick for a long time.

"This karmic entanglement has even slowed down my cultivation speed."

In the past, when he practiced the Zhuge Inner Canon, although the increase in his mental energy was not significant, he could still feel the growth. This time, after a full cycle of the practice, he did not feel any increase in mental energy at all.

Qin Yu frowned deeply. This karmic entanglement made him reflect. Since obtaining the Zhuge Inner Canon, everything had gone smoothly, and Qin Yu had gradually become somewhat arrogant. If it weren't for Zui Ying's help, he probably wouldn't have been able to draw the Heaven Stealing Talisman. If he hadn't been so arrogant, he could have observed the detailed situation in the scenic area and sensed the flow of the dragon qi before casting the spell, and the tragedy of the two dragons fighting wouldn't have happened.

This incident was a wake-up call for Qin Yu. The study of feng shui allows no room for carelessness. No matter when, one must be meticulous. Any oversight could lead to a great disaster.

The Zhuge Inner Canon did not provide detailed records about karmic entanglement, only mentioning that any feng shui master who did something that violated the natural order would have a red halo appear on their body. This red halo acts like a shield, blocking good fortune and absorbing negative energy such as sorrow, grief, poverty, and widowhood.

People who are long-term affected by these negative energies not only suffer misfortune in their lives but also affect their families, like a virus carrier infecting those with similar energy.

The only way to eliminate karmic entanglement is to accumulate good deeds and do more good. There is no shortcut. The saying "lay down the butcher's knife, and instantly become a Buddha" is just a means for Buddhism to promote its teachings. A person with blood on their hands cannot eliminate karmic entanglement by simply reciting scriptures and chanting.

"Staying in this hospital is of no use. The root of the problem is not here, and no amount of recuperation will help."

Qin Yu got dressed and went to the balcony, gazing at the stars. The two karmic entanglements had dealt him a significant blow, causing him to faint on the spot due to the surge of blood to his head...

"Xiao Yu, are you really going to be discharged? Your face still looks a bit pale. Why don't you stay for a few more days? The doctor also suggested we stay longer."

"Cousin, I know my own body. I'm almost recovered. Besides, the doctor just gives me a few bottles of nutritional fluid every day. They naturally want me to stay longer. The cost of this high-end ward is as expensive as a luxury suite in a five-star hotel."

"Alright, but you should still rest more over the next few days."

The next morning, Qin Yu went through the discharge procedures. Since he hadn't brought much with him, he left the hospital empty-handed and got into his cousin's car.

Back in the hotel room, Zui Ying was lying quietly on the table. Seeing Qin Yu return, Zui Ying flew to his side with a "Swoosh."

"Yiya!" Zui Ying's innocent voice was filled with concern. Qin Yu smiled, reached out to grab Zui Ying, and comforted him, "I know you're worried about me, but it's nothing serious. I'll be fine soon."

Putting Zui Ying down, Qin Yu took off his clothes and went into the bathroom to take a shower. In the hospital, no matter how luxurious and clean the high-end ward was, he always felt uncomfortable when showering.

In the weather of May, after a shower, Qin Yu felt much more energetic. He put Zui Ying in a box, locked the door, and left the hotel, hailing a taxi to Guangxiao Temple.

Guangxiao Temple was as bustling as ever. Qin Yu entered the temple and went to the Bodhi tree again. The figures of Masters Zhi Ren and Kong Jian were no longer there, probably because they had left after finding him.

Following the Bodhi tree, Qin Yu admired the ancient temple's scenery. Passing the Great Hall, he heard the chanting of a thousand monks inside, reciting scriptures and praying. Hundreds of believers knelt in front of the hall, praying for the Buddha's protection.

"Amitabha, this poor monk heard the magpie's call early this morning and knew a distinguished guest was coming. It turns out it's Layman Qin."

Qin Yu stood outside the Great Hall, and a group of monks approached from the left, led by Master Zhi Ren.

"Master Zhi Ren, hello." Qin Yu returned a Buddhist greeting.

Zhi Ren carefully examined Qin Yu, his eyebrows suddenly furrowing. He dismissed the monks behind him, looking puzzled, and asked, "Layman Qin, did something happen to you these past two days?"

"Hard to explain!"

"If Layman Qin has time, why don't you come to the back courtyard for a talk?"

"Thank you for the invitation."

Master Zhi Ren led the way, guiding Qin Yu through the garden path. The number of tourists gradually decreased, and a stone sign stood at the end of the path: "Monks' Residence, No Trespassing."

Ahead was the living area of the monks of Guangxiao Temple, with courtyards crisscrossing. Zhi Ren walked straight in, and monks occasionally bowed to him as he passed. Zhi Ren also returned their greetings.

"Layman Qin, my residence is humble, please bear with me."

"Master is too modest. The Zen fragrance in your courtyard is a rare treasure."

Qin Yu followed Zhi Ren into a Zen courtyard. The courtyard was not large, with two rooms and a garden. Under a large tree that required several people to encircle, a stone table was placed, and in the center of the table was an incense burner with a few sticks of Zen incense burning.

As soon as Qin Yu entered the courtyard, the Zen fragrance filled his nostrils, and his mind became more peaceful. Although Qin Yu didn't understand incense, the fragrance that could calm his mind with just one whiff was certainly not ordinary.

Actually, Zen incense was not originally a term for incense. Buddhism believes that incense has a special relationship with wisdom and virtue. Therefore, Buddhism uses incense as an aid in cultivation, advocating the use of incense during meditation to create a good atmosphere.

As people later studied Buddhist culture, especially with the involvement of scholars, Zen incense began to take on a poetic and spiritual meaning. Many scholars and literati would invite a few friends, light a stick of Zen incense, and sit to discuss philosophy.

"Layman Qin, please sit."

"Master, please."

Qin Yu and Master Zhi Ren sat on opposite sides of the stone table. A young monk served them two cups of tea. Qin Yu thanked him and took the cup. Master Zhi Ren said, "This tea is from the tea trees planted in the temple. Layman Qin, please try it."

Qin Yu lifted the tea cup and saucer together, half-opened the lid, and gently blew a few times. In Chinese tea culture, "harmony between heaven and man" is emphasized. The saucer represents the earth, the lid represents the sky, and the cup represents the human. If the saucer is lifted together, this technique is called "the union of the three talents."

The first sip of tea was intensely bitter, and Qin Yu almost couldn't resist spitting it out. They say that in Buddhism, "Zen and tea are one," using tea to aid in Zen practice, experiencing bitterness and emptiness to achieve the purpose of cultivation. Regardless of whether he understood Zen, Qin Yu certainly experienced the bitterness.

"Layman Qin, why not take a few more sips?" Master Zhi Ren saw Qin Yu's facial expression and laughed, encouraging him.

"More sips?" Just one sip was already difficult for Qin Yu. Another sip might make him feel so bitter that he would vomit, and he wouldn't blame him if it happened.

After three sips, Qin Yu gradually tasted something different. The first sip was bitter, the second was less bitter, and by the third, the bitterness had decreased, and a refined fragrance began to wrap around his tongue. Qin Yu's eyes lit up, and he drank the remaining tea in one gulp.

"Everyone says that bitter tea, when drunk for a long time, can inspire thought. After drinking Master's tea, I truly understand this." Qin Yu put down the tea cup, and the refined fragrance lingered in his mouth.

"Layman Qin, can you explain the Zen meaning in this bitter tea?" Master Zhi Ren asked.

"The Bodhi tree is not a tree, the bright mirror is not a stand. There is nothing to begin with, where can dust arise? Buddhism emphasizes clearing the mind of distractions, and tea cleanses the soul, leaving no trace."

"I once heard a saying: 'Silence is the head of the Buddha, emptiness is the essence of the Buddha, bitterness is the body of the Buddha, and concealment is the principle of the Buddha. To follow the path of the Buddha, one must practice Zen through tea. To break through the bitterness, one must learn the way of the tea. Tea is the true Buddha.'"

"Bitter tea, the true Buddha!" Master Zhi Ren repeated it twice, then suddenly laughed and bowed to Qin Yu, saying, "Master Zhi Ren thanks Layman Qin for the enlightenment. It's a shame that I have been drinking bitter tea since childhood and have not seen through it as clearly as Layman Qin. You have truly revealed the Zen meaning."

Qin Yu quickly moved away, not daring to accept the bow. He hurriedly explained, "These are just words I heard from others, and I am just repeating them."

"Whoever said it, the words came through Layman Qin's mouth and enlightened me. Layman Qin deserves this bow." Master Zhi Ren did not allow Qin Yu to refuse and respectfully bowed. Qin Yu had no choice but to accept it.

After Master Zhi Ren finished the bow, they sat down again. Master Zhi Ren smiled and said to Qin Yu, "No wonder Master Jue Ming said that Layman Qin has a connection with Guangxiao Temple. Just this conversation today has been as enlightening as a sudden awakening."

"Master, you are too kind. With your cultivation, understanding these things is just a matter of time."

Master Zhi Ren smiled and then looked at Qin Yu, his expression becoming serious. He asked earnestly, "Layman Qin, I see that you are entangled in many karmic ties. What happened to you these past two days?"

Buddhism emphasizes cause and effect, and with Master Zhi Ren's cultivation, he could naturally sense the karmic energy on Qin Yu, which is why he asked.

"Without hiding anything from Master..."

PS: Fellow Daoists, in 2014, where did Dad go? Where did time go? Where did the plane go? Jiu Deng weakly asks: Where did the votes go? Where did the favorites go?

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