Chapter 118: A Duel of Arts

“Quietly? Just going through the motions?” Jiang Lan looked at the two men, her eyes gleaming. “I want to see exactly what kind of master was invited. Will he be steadfast, or will hidden selfishness lead him to completely betray the Buddha?”

Jiang Lan stood and headed toward the door, no matter how much Haizi and the deputy commander tried to stop her.

“Deputy Commander Yuan, what are we going to do?” Eunuch Hai, anxious, tapped his foot gracefully with a raised orchid finger. “The master’s carriage is right outside. If he gets disturbed and storms back to the temple in anger, how will we explain ourselves? This master is the hardest to invite. Even the late emperor knocked on the mountain gates several times just to catch a glimpse. How could we afford to offend him?”

Deputy Commander Yuan understood the gravity of the situation. This enlightened monk was almost like a national tutor. Resolute, he raised his hand. “Then I shall go down myself.”

Eunuch Hai quickly shook his head. “That won’t do. If the heir apparent is harmed, not even the Empress Dowager or Prince Anping could cover for us.”

“You misunderstand, sir,” Yuan whispered, leaning closer. “I only mean to knock him unconscious.”

Eunuch Hai pondered briefly and found it plausible.

The two immediately reached an agreement and set off together to catch up with Jiang Lan.

At that moment, Jiang Lan scanned the two lines of palace guards and walked straight to the main gate. Normally, this gate never opened, but today it stood wide.

Standing at the threshold, Jiang Lan gazed at the enormous imperial carriage outside. The base alone was as tall as a grown man. The fluttering canopies above were embroidered with gold thread. Even an emperor’s carriage would hardly compare.

Such a massive carriage was entirely human-powered. On either side of the road, crowds of devoted citizens knelt in reverence.

The grandeur and scale were truly no ordinary affair.

Looking toward the center of the carriage, Jiang Lan saw a bare head—sure enough, a monk.

Though the golden silk curtains fluttered, obscuring his face, Jiang Lan caught a familiar scent.

Suddenly, a probing gaze from someone among the entourage behind the carriage caught Jiang Lan’s attention, but it vanished without a trace in an instant.

Jiang Lan carefully observed the group behind. “It’s him,” she whispered.

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck her neck.

Eunuch Hai hurriedly supported the now “unconscious” Jiang Lan and loudly expressed concern, “See, the heir is exhausted and falls asleep after just a few steps. Deputy Commander Yuan, quickly help him inside to rest.”

“Yes, Eunuch Hai.”

Watching Deputy Commander Yuan escort the heir into the residence, Eunuch Hai let out a deep sigh of relief, quickly tidied his attire, and hurried down the steps.

---

“Master, please come inside.”

Inside, Kong Kong was already stunned. This eunuch was far too bold, daring to make a move against this lord openly. Better to keep distance in future. If the master found out the eunuch had taken advantage, who knew what fury might be unleashed.

Originally, Kong Kong had heard that the court wanted to invite his disciple. He had no intention of getting involved, but upon learning it concerned the Duke of Wei’s household, he had his disciple feign illness and sent himself in his place.

He was here to assist the heir and couldn’t afford to falter, lest all efforts be for naught.

Kong Kong stepped down from the carriage, and the quiet surroundings suddenly grew lively. Numerous worshippers knelt and prayed. Some even tried to approach the carriage, hoping to become disciples or discuss Buddhist teachings. The guards outside struggled to hold them back.

Kong Kong wore a benevolent smile, stepping slowly from beneath the carriage in the fading sunlight.

The attendant novices followed close behind, trailed by several eunuchs.

Kong Kong was led into the residence and asked Eunuch Hai, “Where is the master of this household?”

“You may not know, Master. The old Duke of Wei suffers from leg ailments and rarely goes out to receive guests. The heir is frail and collapsed after only a few steps. Deputy Commander Yuan has taken him back to his room. Only Lady Chen, the mistress of the third household, remains to manage affairs. She was frightened yesterday and is not in a state to meet you. We hope you understand.”

Kong Kong waved his hand. “No matter, the important matter comes first.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Master.”

Eunuch Hai guided Kong Kong’s group through every corner. They first visited the eastern wing because they heard the heir had also invited a formidable master to dispel evil spirits. They insisted on seeing for themselves, hoping to catch something unexpected.

If they could truly shield the Empress Dowager’s family from harm, perhaps the Empress Dowager would be appeased rather than angered.

Kong Kong proceeded to perform rituals in the garden, much like the master in Jiang Si’s courtyard. Both had prepared animals beforehand, but where the other used a snake, Kong Kong now employed a vibrant green frog.

Watching the fierce ghost reveal its true form under swift, precise movements, Kong Kong smiled knowingly.

The frog and toad were kin. Kong Kong assumed the other master summoned from outside was also here to deal with the heir and couldn’t resist a little mischief — secretly rescuing the frog trapped in a bamboo cage.

The other master was about to deliver a dramatic finale when a cold wind swept through, releasing a green snake from another bamboo cage.

Shouts of alarm rose, escalating in intensity.

“A powerful presence is at work!” the other master thought.

Glancing around, he quickly pinpointed his target: a group of formidable-looking individuals, among them an old bald monk who seemed to be staring directly at him.

Kong Kong advanced, releasing a rabbit. Suddenly, a strange scent filled the air.

---

“I will go investigate over there. If anything happens, do not follow, or you will not survive.”

Eunuch Hai, who was supposed to accompany him, immediately abandoned the idea upon hearing this.

“Life is precious, life is precious,” he muttered, patting his chest.

Kong Kong followed the scent to a spot near an artificial rock formation.

There stood a man with hands clasped behind his back. Kong Kong hurriedly bowed with a flattering smile. “Master, it’s been such a long time. I have missed you greatly.”

Jiang Lan turned. “Didn’t we just meet last night?”

“Did I? Perhaps I’m confused,” Kong Kong replied.

“Why are you here? Did you deliberately take on this task just to ‘see me off’?”

Kong Kong waved his hands nervously. “Master, master, please don’t misunderstand. I had no such intention.”

“The court originally intended to invite my foolish disciple. When I heard this involved your household, I feared you might be in trouble, so I dropped everything and came to assist.”

“Master, is there anything I can do for you?”

Jiang Lan glanced at Kong Kong’s extravagant attire. Kong Kong looked down at his own robes.

“Master, what is this you’re wearing...?”

The other master, having just secured the green snake back into its cage, suddenly heard a voice nearby.

“Look at those who just arrived; among them is a familiar face from last night.”

The master nodded and, following the heir’s instructions, looked that way—sure enough.

He began packing up his things, having prepared numerous talismans for protection and blessings for the entire residence. But the moment he took them out, they were snatched up in an instant.