PNB Chapter 889 Changing Fate Against Heaven
Chapter 889 Changing Fate Against Heaven
Under Zhang Ping'an's encouraging gaze.
Huiyuan composed himself and continued, "This humble monk would like to ask Benefactor Zhang to help investigate the cause of Master Xuankong's death!"
“Master Huiyuan, don’t be anxious. Do you mean that Master Xuankong did not pass away normally?” Zhang Ping’an pondered.
Huiyuan nodded heavily, his eyes filled with anger: "At first, I was also kept in the dark and unaware of the truth. Later, I accidentally discovered that Master Xuankong was actually killed by Abbot Yuantong. He was a hypocrite who looked virtuous but was not worthy of being a monk!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping'an guessed that Huiyuan must have discovered something in the temple.
His expression became more serious as he reminded him, "Master Huiyuan, I can understand the master-disciple relationship between you and Master Xuankong, but Abbot Yuantong is not only the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple, but also the national teacher of the Great Zhou Dynasty, with a far-reaching reputation. If word gets out that you said he killed Master Xuankong without any evidence, it might be inappropriate and not good for you. Do you have any evidence?"
“Benefactor Zhang, I know you meant well in reminding me, but I swear to heaven that everything I said to you today is true. If there is even one lie, may I be struck by lightning!”
As Huiyuan spoke, he raised his hand and solemnly swore an oath.
Then, somewhat dejected, he said, "However, I do not have any solid evidence at the moment. Otherwise, I would have gone directly to the Jingzhao Prefecture to file a complaint. Today, I am asking Benefactor Zhang for help, hoping that you can investigate secretly so that Ancestor Xuankong can rest in peace in the afterlife."
Looking at the expectant eyes of the young novice, Zhang Ping'an understood his feelings but didn't rush to make a promise.
Instead, they continued to ask for more details.
“I trust Master Huiyuan’s character. The fact that he asked me for help shows that he trusts me. May I ask, Master Huiyuan, how did you determine that Abbot Yuantong was the one who killed Master Xuankong?”
"Of course!" Huiyuan was lost in thought upon hearing this.
He replied in a low voice with resentment, "It was once when I was so tired after finishing my work that I fell asleep. I overheard it by chance in the small Buddhist hall. It turns out that Abbot Yuantong had been using evil magic to help people change their fate. After Ancestor Xuankong discovered this, he strongly opposed it. Fearing that the news would leak out, they secretly killed Ancestor Xuankong."
"Helping people change their fate?"
Zhang Ping'an's first reaction upon hearing this was: "Is there really such an evil magic that can change fate? Is it for the Second Prince?"
“Benefactor Zhang, how…how did you know it was to help the Second Prince?” Huiyuan asked with a look that said, “How are you so clever?”
He then answered Zhang Ping'an's question with some hesitation: "I don't know if such evil magic exists. It probably does, otherwise Abbot Yuantong wouldn't have said he could help the Second Prince defy fate. However, I've always been dull-witted, so what my grandmaster taught me when he was alive was very superficial, and I haven't come into contact with these things yet."
Although the Second Prince wasn't particularly favored, he was still of noble birth. Because he was involved, I didn't dare to speak out when I heard about it. But as time went on, I felt more and more that I couldn't just keep burying my head in the sand and continue to be cowardly.
Over the past few years, I have constantly hated my mediocrity and cowardice. My master was so good to me when he was alive, but he was murdered, and I could do nothing about it. If I cannot help him clear his name, I'm afraid I will live with a guilty conscience for the rest of my life.
At this point, Huiyuan's gaze gradually hardened.
"Moreover...moreover, I also know that Abbot Yuantong is a frivolous monk. Not only does he secretly drink alcohol and eat meat, he also...he also hangs out with nuns from other temples. I heard that the two of them even have a child, but I have never been able to find out who the child is. It must have been fostered by them somewhere else."
When these things are mentioned, Huiyuan feels ashamed for them.
How can a person who has renounced worldly life be impure and do such filthy things?
This is a disgrace to the reputation of their Great Xiangguo Temple!
Zhang Ping'an's heart stirred upon hearing this, though he felt it was unlikely.
But still, with a try-it-out attitude, he reached into the painting vat, pulled out a scroll, slowly unfurled it, and asked in a gentle voice, "Excuse me, Master Huiyuan, is the nun you mentioned her?"
After carefully examining the document, Huiyuan stared in disbelief, then looked up at him, exclaiming, "Master Zhang, how do you know everything? You're so clever!"
Now, Huiyuan was even more certain that she had truly found the right person.
One of them is more than ten times as smart as him!
“Master Huiyuan, to be honest, I have also been investigating Abbot Yuantong, but he is meticulous in his work, and I have been struggling to find any evidence.”
Zhang Ping'an never imagined that Sanya would get involved with Yuantong.
Zhong Zheng's biological father was most likely Abbot Yuantong.
This explains why Zhong Zheng has been frequenting the Daxiangguo Temple in recent years.
Life is truly full of surprises! Zhang Ping'an couldn't help but grind his teeth as he thought about it.
His expression turned somewhat gloomy.
Huiyuan, unaware of the situation, assumed it was very complicated and comforted Zhang Ping'an: "Benefactor Zhang, it's already quite remarkable that you have such insight, being able to see so early on that Abbot Yuantong wasn't a good person. Gathering evidence against them is indeed difficult. I've been in the temple for so long, and even after all these years, I only know a little bit. I don't have any substantial evidence to bring him down and expose his true colors. Alas, Rome wasn't built in a day. As long as we work together, we'll succeed one day!"
“Well, Master Huiyuan, tell me more about what you discovered about Abbot Yuantong. I probably don’t have as much information as you do right now.”
Huiyuan was simple-minded and, for some reason, trusted Zhang Ping'an implicitly. Before long, he spilled everything he knew, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube.
Everything else is fine, as these are all matters within the capital, and there are many high-ranking officials and dignitaries coming and going. Too many people make it difficult to investigate.
Only one thing alerted Zhang Ping'an: "You mean, there have been many letters from Shandong in recent years?"
"Mmm!" Huiyuan nodded, he was thirsty from talking too much.
Huiyuan gulped down two more cups of tea before continuing, "They did it very discreetly. The beeswax on the letters was always very complicated, making it impossible to secretly see the contents. I only noticed it when I was cleaning; I could vaguely see some writing on some burnt-out charcoal paper. The address was from Shandong, and it happened more than once. After it happened so many times, I started to pay attention. I don't know if it was useful, but I wrote them all down."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping'an quickly pulled out a piece of paper and pushed the pen and ink over: "I would like to trouble Master Huiyuan to write down what I have noted down. I will have someone check it later. It might be useful."
“Okay!” Huiyuan was naturally more than happy to agree.
We hope that Yuantong can be brought to justice as soon as possible.
Zhang Ping'an took it and looked at it. He felt like he had seen or heard of it somewhere before. It was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen it.
We had no choice but to put it aside for the time being.
Finally, he gave Huiyuan a few words of advice: "I can understand Master Huiyuan's feelings. However, the Great Xiangguo Temple is now under the control of Abbot Yuantong. No matter what you want to do, Master Huiyuan, you must take good care of yourself first and never put yourself in danger. There will be plenty of time in the future, and there will always be opportunities."
"Yes! Thank you very much, Benefactor Zhang!" Huiyuan couldn't help but cry this time.
No one can understand the isolation and situation he faced at Daxiangguo Temple over the past few years, or how precious this warmth was.