The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir

Chapter 254: Haohao and Yan Shengqian's story:

Once upon a time, there was a mountain. On that mountain, there was a temple. The temple had an old monk that was telling a story to a young monk.

"You have an innate talent for cultivation. If you properly cultivate, you'll definitely become great," Monk Xuwu sincerely and earnestly said to the teenager.

"This disciple understands the meaning of Shifu's words, but this disciple wishes to go down the mountain to earn money." The elegant teenager's inky black hair was tied up high. When he raised his face, his radiance made everything around him pale in comparison. His thin lips were slightly raised as he extremely seriously said, "If this disciple doesn't leave the mountain to earn money soon, this temple is going to collapse."

A gust of wind blew by, and some of the straw on the temple's roof was blown away. Monk Xuwu sighed. "This place is the closest spot to Heavens. It doesn't matter if its broken down or not. You've already been studying Buddhism for eleven years. After a few more years of cultivating, you'll definitely surpass me."

"And then?" The teenager tilted his head. "Does attaining enlightenment bring joy? Why do people feel sorrow? Humans are the mayflies of the world. Buddhism is detaching oneself from the world. To attain enlightenment and leave behind human society, there would be no meaning. Why not stay in this world and live a natural and unconventional life for a while?"

Ning Jinchen had been kidnapped by Monk Xuwu as a child under the excuse of detoxifying. But, after the poison was removed, he didn't let him go. He said Ning Jinchen had amazing innate talent, and it would be best for him to stay with him to study Buddhism.

Having left home so young, Ning Jinchen only vaguely remembered that he had a dad. He seemed to have a mom and a teacher too. He had originally been fine with wholeheartedly learning Buddhism from Monk Xuwu, but recently, he kept dreaming about his mother that he had no impression of. He thought it would be immoral to not show any filial piety. How could he ascend to an immortal before repaying his parents?

Monk Xuwu sighed. He recited a prayer, "Amitabha. This old one knew you have unfinished business in earthly world so you're reluctant to leave it. That's why this old one hasn't shaved your head. That's alright. Go on then. Once you've gained understanding of the earthly world, that will be the best time for you to commit to converting."

Ning Jinchen nodded. "Then, I'll be leaving, Shifu."

"En." Monk Xuwu magnanimously nodded.

Raising his foot to go down the mountain, Ning Jinchen ended up having to stop his steps. He looked down at the old monk that was hugging his thigh. "Shifu, you've already agreed. Shouldn't you let go of me then?"

Monk Xuwu looked up with a face full of tears. "It was so hard for me to swindle you from Marquis Moyu. I truly feel reluctant to let you go. Just let me hug you a while longer. Wahhh..."

Ning Jinchen: "..."

With pants that were wet with tears and snot, wearing a monk's attire and a wooden hairpin, Ning Jinchen finally left the mountain at sixteen.

---

He brought along a token that would confirm his identity when he went back to look for his parents, but actually, there was no need to bring that token. As soon as he stepped into Marquis Moyu's estate, he was directly invited to the main hall. Everyone was pointing at his face and stuttering.

They acted as if they were seeing a ghost. Ning Jinchen hadn't seen this many people before. His childhood memories had already been blurred by time. He couldn't recognize anyone.

Until a woman came inside.

"Haohao!" Ji Man was so excited that she was shaking. As soon as she reached him, she hugged him. Her warm breath blew over him.