Chapter 120: The Purple-Gold Bowl

“Hmm~” Master Kongkong merely nodded slightly, still bearing that same look of kindness and compassion for all living beings, which only deepened the reverence of those around him.

From a distance, Jiang Lan rolled her eyes dramatically and then continued to hide in the corner, silently observing the master who had sneaked in with the palace entourage. She was curious about his intentions—had he truly discovered something about her identity? If so, she wouldn’t hesitate to take action against him.

The old steward led the way, while Eunuch Hai fanned himself beside Master Kongkong, who walked in the middle. Compared to the previous Three-Eyed, the household members showed less overt respect or curiosity toward this venerable master. Everyone quietly went about their duties; the chopping of wood was deafening, each cut deep and precise, startling Eunuch Hai so much that he nearly dropped his fan into the waste bucket.

“Your family’s cook is quite skilled,” Eunuch Hai remarked sarcastically.

The old steward smiled gently, acting naturally. “A family of warriors, sir. Your jest is appreciated.”

“…”

After passing through the kitchen, the group eventually arrived at the garden. After nearly half an hour, many of them were growing tired, so Master Kongkong suggested everyone take some shade and rest briefly.

The steward then arranged for tea, snacks, and seasonal fruit to refresh them. Eunuch Hai brought a cup of tea to Master Kongkong. “Please, master, have some tea.”

Master Kongkong accepted it with thanks, his eyes filled with compassion.

Eunuch Hai leaned forward, avoiding the steward’s gaze, and asked, “Master, have you found anything unusual in these areas?”

“Ah…”

Eunuch Hai felt both joy and sorrow—joy at the great benefit this promised for the Anping Prince’s residence, sorrow at how he would report this back to the Empress Dowager.

“But these are mostly scattered, wandering spirits. The sorcerer from earlier has already dealt with most of them; the remainder appear quite harmless, just some minor spirits with a bit of sentience. No need to worry. It’s getting late anyway, so I shall return to the temple for now.”

Eunuch Hai was displeased—after all the fuss, they found nothing. Thinking of the message from Anping Prince’s mansion, he quickly said, “Master, please proceed slowly. This is only the western residence; we haven’t yet inspected the eastern one.”

“Very well, I shall stay for another half hour.”

Hearing only half an hour more, Eunuch Hai didn’t dare rest; he hurriedly prepared to move.

Time was pressing. They arrived at the eastern residence, and Eunuch Hai wasted no time, addressing Master Kongkong directly.

“This is the Mountain Wind Pavilion where the heir resides. Master, please take a look and see if there is any malevolent presence.”

Master Kongkong gazed above the entire pavilion. “Tsk tsk—this is the first time in my life I’ve seen something so... so...”

“Master, so what?” Eunuch Hai, standing closest, was genuinely frightened by the master’s sudden change in tone, wishing he could hide within the folds of the master’s robe. “Is there a particularly powerful demon?”

“Powerful, an extraordinarily powerful demon!”

A strange gust of cold wind suddenly swept from the Mountain Wind Pavilion toward them.

Among the inner attendants, Rong Mu, who had been keeping his head down, now looked up. Indeed, a purple-blue demonic mist permeated the courtyard—a spirit that seemed to feed on the essence of men.

Terrified, Eunuch Hai abandoned his usual composure and grabbed Master Kongkong’s robe, hiding behind him.

Others were equally shaken, and the orderly procession began to scatter.

The old steward, however, showed no fear; instead, he furrowed his brow thoughtfully before bowing to Master Kongkong.

“Master, please advise us on how to dispel this demon and cleanse the residence.”

“Amida Buddha,” Master Kongkong bowed to the steward. “I have come precisely to exorcise demons; you need not worry.”

Jiang Lan, hiding nearby, observed everything carefully. The old monk, disguised as a greedy beast, took out a purple-golden bowl and began chanting. The bowl seemed filled with magical power, glowing with golden light. Suddenly, the old monk shouted, “Rise!”

The purple-golden bowl floated above the courtyard, its mouth inverted toward the ground, radiating beams of dazzling light.

“What a magnificent trick. From now on, when I travel the world, I too shall unleash such grand moves at will!” Jiang Lan remarked to the Three-Eyed, who had come to watch the spectacle.

“Everything is arranged,” Three-Eyed assured confidently, patting his chest.

Jiang Lan didn’t inquire further, turning her gaze back to the scene outside.

Indeed, Master Kongkong’s dazzling technique stunned many. Yet the master seemed uninterested in them, his eyes fixed solely on the courtyard—a clear sign that his intentions were transparent.

“Looks like that fellow’s motives aren’t pure. Prince, shall we expose him again? He’s deliberately disguised as a eunuch attendant, surely hiding something. We must find a way to catch him red-handed.”

Jiang Lan pondered briefly but rejected the idea.

“We don’t fully understand his true purpose yet. Acting rashly might only deepen his suspicions against us. Better to take things step by step.”

“So you mean: meet force with force, adapt to the situation?”

“Mm,” Jiang Lan nodded.

“Withdraw!” Master Kongkong commanded loudly. The purple-golden bowl returned to his hand, and Eunuch Hai immediately tiptoed, craning his neck to peer inside—his earlier fright completely vanished.

“Master, what kind of demon is this?”

Master Kongkong revealed the purple-golden bowl again, inside which lay a shiny green frog.

“A frog turned spirit?”

Master Kongkong nodded. “Exactly so.”

“Then, master, why do you think this demon has taken up residence in the prince’s courtyard?”

The steward’s brow furrowed deeply at the question.

“Perhaps a passing spirit, attracted by the prince’s auspicious fate, seeking to consume his essence to enhance its cultivation.”

The steward’s face brightened considerably. “Master’s insight is precise. Our prince indeed possesses a noble destiny, cherished by the Empress Dowager and favored by His Majesty, his kin. Even such spirits are no match for a master of your caliber.”

Eunuch Hai bit down hard on his teeth, swallowing nervously.

“Shall we enter and see if there are more demons trapped inside?”

Master Kongkong hesitated, a trace of difficulty in his expression.

“Master, the prince is inside as well. Let us go in and see if this demon has harmed him. We humbly ask for your guidance.”

Unable to refuse, Master Kongkong steeled himself and followed inside.

Upon entering the courtyard, they saw a man sitting on the steps of the main hall.

“Deputy General Yuan, were you waiting here specifically for us?”

Deputy General Yuan quickly rose from the steps, dusting himself off, his face pale and disheveled. “Master.”