Finest Servant

Chapter 282 The Fairy and the Strong Woman

This girl, she had made such a request, wasn't she forcing him to make a mistake? Lin Wanrong thought embarrassingly. Seeing his hesitation, Yushuang pouted her small mouth, her face blushing as she hummed, "Coward! I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of, hmm—"

A powerful embrace pulled her into his arms, her small red mouth was tightly blocked, a pair of mischievous hands gently stroked her waist, her breath was light, and her body was passionate like fire, melting in this sudden passion.

"Hmm—" Lin Wanrong took a long breath, his anaerobic endurance training needed to be strengthened. He couldn't hold on for just twenty minutes, he should at least last an hour to pass.

Second Miss looked around, whimpered, and hid in his arms, not daring to raise her head, her face was burning hot, she gently patted his chest and said, "Bad guy, you're so bad, what if my sister sees it? I promised her that I wouldn't let you bully me at will. If she sees it, wouldn't I die of shame?"

This girl, where did her initiative go just now? Lin Wanrong laughed and said, "Why be afraid of her, what we have is mutual affection, if she wants to watch, let her watch enough." Second Miss had no way to deal with him, so she let him do as he pleased with a blushing face.

After a while with Xiao Yushuang, when he returned to the room, Xiao Yuruo was writing something. It seemed the Eldest Miss and Sister Song had almost decided on something. Seeing Yushuang's blushing face, the Eldest Miss helplessly scolded, "What have you two been doing, it took so long to come back? Sister Song and I have decided on some methods, come and see what you think?"

Lin Wanrong laughed and said, "I had a verbal exchange with Second Miss—whatever plan you and Sister Song have decided on is fine, I'm very reassured."

Sister Song was unsure of what relationship Lin San and the Eldest Miss had, as he spoke so casually. Xiao Yuruo gave him a reproachful look and said lightly, "You're good at shirking responsibility. If this matter is messed up, not only will it cost the Xiao family, but it will also cost you."

"I trust the Eldest Miss's ability to handle matters!" Lin Wanrong said with a smile, and Xiao Yuruo gave him an annoyed look.

When it came to business matters, Lin Wanrong was always too lazy to manage, just like he left the restaurant to Qiaoqiao. For perfume and soap, the Eldest Miss would be more dedicated than him. He was only responsible for giving ideas, and his ideas were golden ideas. As long as they were implemented well, they would basically not fail. As for the specific planning and arrangement, that would depend on the Eldest Miss. After all, she was a woman and knew the habits and temperaments of the ladies and young ladies. If a big man was forced to get involved, it would turn into a mess and backfire.

The Eldest Miss knew he wanted to be lazy, but she had no way to deal with him. Thinking of the warm scene last night, a soft feeling rose in her heart, so she didn't force him to do things he didn't like.

Lin Wanrong remembered his appointment with Qingxuan, and felt anxious. He pulled Sister Song and asked, "Sister Song, you are familiar with this capital city, can you tell me where the Jade Buddha Temple is?"

"Jade Buddha Temple?" Sister Song frowned. "Where is this precious palace? I have been in the capital for more than twenty years, but I have never heard of it."

Lin Wanrong was stunned. When he had parted ways with Qingxuan, she had clearly told him they would meet in front of the Jade Buddha Temple on the seventh day of the seventh month. She would never deceive him. Why was it that Sister Song, who had been in the capital for so many years, didn't know about the Jade Buddha Temple?

He had originally planned to explore around the Jade Buddha Temple first, but instead, he had been hit with a metaphorical blunt force. Sister Song, who was a native of the capital, didn't even know where the Jade Buddha Temple was located. Where was he supposed to find Qingxuan?

Sister Song asked, "Brother Lin, are you going to burn incense? There are countless famous temples in the capital. Grand Prime Minister Temple, Small Prime Minister Temple, and Pure Pool Temple are all famous sanctuaries with flourishing incense. Every Lunar New Year, officials and nobles go to burn incense and pray to Buddha. If you go and pray, it will surely be effective!"

Lin Wanrong shook his head. "Sister Song, I want to go to this Jade Buddha Temple. You really haven't heard of the name?"

Sister Song shook her head. "I've been in the capital for so many years, been everywhere large and small, and I truly haven't heard the name Jade Buddha Temple."

The Eldest Miss, seeing his foolish demeanor, didn't understand the purpose of his questions, but seeing his absent-minded expression, she felt a pang of discomfort in her heart. She gently said, "Could it be that you have misremembered?"

"Even if I lose my life, I would not forget this place," Lin Wanrong stated firmly.

Seeing his decisive attitude, she knew this place was of utmost importance to him. She softly said, "Don't panic. The capital is large, and Sister Song can't possibly know every place. I will ask around more, surely we can help you find this place."

Lin Wanrong gave a bitter smile. "Thank you, Eldest Miss."

Xiao Yuruo was taken aback, then spoke quietly, "When you thank me like this, I feel somewhat uneasy. In the future, please refrain from saying such things, it's uncomfortable to hear."

The ever-silent Sister Song furrowed her eyebrows, pausing before saying, "Brother Lin, could it be that you're referring to the Reclining Buddha Temple?"

"Reclining Buddha Temple?" Lin Wanrong hastily replied, "Forget about whether it's Jade Buddha or Reclining Buddha, as long as it's a Buddha temple, please tell me about it."

Sister Song nodded, "The Reclining Buddha Temple is located in the northern suburbs. More than twenty years ago, it was a thriving place of worship, but it has declined in recent years. I'm not sure if this is the place you're talking about."

Lin Wanrong was overjoyed. Regardless of which Buddha it was, as long as it was a Buddha temple, there was hope. He quickly bowed to Sister Song, "Thank you, Sister Song. I will repay your great kindness in the future." As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly rushed out the door, disappearing into the bustling crowd in the blink of an eye.

"This Brother Lin is very anxious. I wonder what he wants to do at the Jade Buddha Temple, could there be a sweetheart waiting for him?" Sister Song laughed.

The Eldest Miss turned her head away, snorted, "Let him be. Even if he brings home all the women in the world, let him be."

Sister Song glanced at the overcast sky and voiced her concern, "The weather seems bad today, it looks like it might rain. If Brother Lin gets caught in the rain, it won't be good."

The words had barely left her lips when the Eldest Miss grabbed an oil-paper umbrella and rushed out in haste. But in this sea of people, where could she hope to find a trace of Lin San? She stood in the middle of the bustling street, watching the endless stream of people coming from all directions, momentarily stunned...

Meanwhile, Lin Wanrong had eagerly set out, making his way towards the north of the city. The capital was bustling, filled with commoners and entertainers, a myriad of sights and sounds that could bewilder anyone. The streets were jammed with people coming and going, with ceaseless shouting and hawking, an extreme liveliness.

However, Lin Wanrong, with the Jade Buddha Temple etched in his mind, had no interest in the city's splendors. He inquired about the location of the Reclining Buddha Temple from a few passers-by and hurried towards the outskirts.

The capital was vast. He had walked for nearly half an hour, gradually encountering fewer people until he had reached the outskirts of the city. After covering some more distance, he noticed that the path was becoming increasingly rugged. Looking up, he saw a steep cliff rising sharply before his eyes. The cliff was several hundred feet high, sheer and slick on all sides, offering virtually no footholds for climbing. Mist and clouds enveloped the mountain peak, and he could vaguely make out pavilions and towers amidst the haze, looking like a celestial realm within the clouds.

At the foot of the cliff, there stood a dilapidated temple. Its wooden doors were incomplete, moss-covered the ground everywhere, and rust was evident all around, with hardly any sign of human activity. Most of the roofs and walls of the buildings within the temple had collapsed, except for the main hall, half of whose roof still provided some cover.

A surge of emotion rose within Lin Wanrong. Was this the Reclining Buddha Temple? Could it be the Jade Buddha Temple that Qingxuan had mentioned?

He approached the temple and found the interior walls had collapsed, and the roof had been left open to the elements. A giant Maitreya Buddha, about twenty feet long and eight feet high, lay carved from stone, with a pleasingly chubby belly, smiling gently as it reclined on the ground. The elements had worn away the sharp edges of the stone Buddha, imbuing it with an air of tranquility.

In front of the statue, there stood a large incense burner, still bearing traces of smoke and flame, faintly reflecting the temple's once-vibrant past.

After surveying the grand hall, Lin Wanrong found nothing but the giant stone Buddha constructed against the mountain, leaving the place almost empty. Most of the walls of the Reclining Buddha Temple had collapsed, with the main hall being the most intact. Exiting through the hall, he found an extensive forest behind the temple. The trees were tall with robust branches. Even though spring had just passed, leaving the leaves wilted, there was no sign of desolation.

The structure of this temple was simple, and it was easy to see whether there were any living things in the front and back. Despite searching back and forth, he found no trace of life.

He explored the surrounding area, finding the cliffs steep and the surfaces smooth, offering hardly any foothold. Water surrounded the peak on three sides, with only the flat land at the Reclining Buddha Temple providing some solid ground. He wondered who had built the pavilions and towers on the peak and how they had climbed up there.

After circling the area, he returned to the forest where he had started. Not only had he not found Qingxuan, but he hadn't even spotted a rabbit. He wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and lay down on the dry grass, sprawling his limbs out and panting heavily.

Was this really the Jade Buddha Temple? And where was Qingxuan? As he lay there, his thoughts scattered, his eyes gradually closed.

He had no idea how long he had lain there, in a hazy daze, when he sensed tiny droplets of moisture on his face. It was raining! He sighed to himself and, with bleary eyes, opened them to look ahead, immediately widening them in shock.

Above the treetops, a figure of a woman dressed in flowing white was faintly discernible, her delicate feet stepping lightly on the thin branches, gliding over them like an ethereal fairy vanishing in the clouds, untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

Had he seen a ghost? Or a deity? The sight instantly banished Lin Wanrong's sleepiness. He sat upright with a start, shouting loudly, "Hey, hey--"

The woman seemed not to hear him, continuing her movement, wafting forward like a wisp of smoke. Her figure was enchantingly beautiful, but she was not Xiao Qingxuan.

Lin Wanrong, having already despaired at the Reclining Buddha Temple, was rekindled with a shred of hope upon seeing this sudden apparition. He chased after her, shouting, "Miss, fairy, beautiful lady,--"

No matter how hoarse his cries became, the woman didn't turn around. Her form gradually became faint, and she was about to disappear from his sight. Lin Wanrong gave chase for a few paces, panting and hoarse, even losing his shoes in the process.

Damn it, did she think she was a real fairy just because she could fly? He despised anyone flying before him. If he had a missile, he would've shot her down already. Rage surged in Lin Wanrong, courage fueling his ire. He picked up the cloth shoe he had lost, and with a vengeance, he threw it at the fairy--even if it couldn't hit her, it would give her a fright!

The fairy seemed to sense something, her long sleeve flapped, and she suddenly turned her head, casting him a glance.

Lin Wanrong felt a jolt in his heart, and his footsteps came to a halt. The woman had phoenix eyebrows, light eyes, snow-white skin, and red lips. Her flawless cheeks were as clear as jade, and a faint smile played on her lips. She stood on the tip of the tree branches, her long skirt billowing, like a noble, sacred fairy from the heavens, devoid of worldly taint. It felt almost sinful to lay eyes upon her.

God, was she a real fairy? So breathtakingly beautiful. Even the formidable Lin Wanrong felt somewhat inferior before this woman. Suddenly, he snapped out of his trance, swearing inwardly, ‘What kind of woman isn't suitable for a man? Why should I fear her?’ But as he boldly lifted his head, the woman had vanished like a wisp of invisible smoke.

Lin Wanrong shook his head vigorously to clear his mind. Was he dreaming? A fairy descending to the mortal realm? He searched through the woods, but where could he find the trace of a fairy?

He took a long breath. The whole day's events had been strange. He was here to find Qingxuan, so how did this fairy appear? And so shockingly beautiful? He couldn't figure out the fairy's age. Was she related to Qingxuan? An elder or younger sister? Could this Reclining Buddha Temple be the Jade Buddha Temple that Qingxuan had spoken of?

A series of questions flooded his mind, making him dizzy. He rubbed his temples hard: ‘Qingxuan, Qingxuan, why are you playing all these riddles with me?’

After such astonishing sights, he was wide awake. He looked up at the sky, which was a gloomy grey. Flashes of lightning suddenly turned the sky blinding white. Tiny raindrops fell on his face, refreshingly cold, which sobered him up. A heavy rain then began to pour.

The Reclining Buddha Temple was in ruins, with decaying walls and shattered parapets. The only shelter from the wind and rain was a section of roof over the main hall that hadn't yet collapsed. Lin Wanrong covered his head with both hands, making a dash for the main hall. As he absentmindedly raised his eyes, he saw the exposed reclining Buddha, under the lightning's illumination, shimmering with specks of jade-like luminescence. It was so dazzling that it made his eyes swim.

A reclining Buddha? A jade Buddha? He slapped his hands together, leaping up in excitement. Damn it, so this Reclining Buddha Temple was actually the Jade Buddha Temple! The natural stone used to carve the reclining Buddha was, in fact, an uncut jade, unnoticeable in normal light but revealing its unique properties under intense illumination. This Reclining Buddha Temple was the Jade Buddha Temple mentioned by Qingxuan. There could be no mistake.

With this discovery, his excitement knew no bounds. He let out a few long shouts, overpowering even the thunder, wishing he could wrap his arms around this potbellied Maitreya Buddha and give it a kiss.

Having confirmed that this was the Jade Buddha Temple, he was elated. His feet moved faster, and in no time, he was under the eaves of the main hall. Just as he was about to step in, he heard a female voice from inside, "Who's there?"

His steps came to an abrupt halt. There were people in this dilapidated place? Could it be the flying fairy from before? Could she be inside, changing her clothes because they got wet in the rain? He chuckled to himself, calling out, "Madam, I've brought you some tea—"

"Thump!" A stone came flying out from inside, causing Lin Wanrong to jump. He quickly dodged, calling out, "Fairy, it's me! We just met. I even chased you for a while."

The woman inside was silent for a moment before speaking, "What madam? What fairy? Are you a monk from this temple? No... this Jade Buddha Temple has been in ruins for years. Where would a monk come from? What are you doing here?" The woman's voice was slightly apprehensive at first, then it calmed down.

"Jade Buddha Temple?" Lin Wanrong trembled. The woman said this was the Jade Buddha Temple? It really was the Jade Buddha Temple! Damn, could anyone in the world be smarter than him?

He let out a few laughs. His attention now turned to the woman in the temple. If the woman inside was indeed the flying fairy, even two Lin Sans wouldn't stand a chance against her, let alone converse peacefully. This was quite puzzling. Who was this woman inside?

Although he thought all of these thoughts, they only took a moment. Judging by the woman's pleasant voice, she must be young. He chuckled, "The lady inside need not fear. I am San Lin, a very good man. I came here today to look for a friend. I won't harm you!"

The woman's voice was calm, "So, it's Young Master San. My respects to you. Today, I came out with some friends for painting. Seeing the gloomy weather, we took shelter here. My friends went out to gather firewood and will be back shortly."

Lin Wanrong laughed, "That's great! The rain is getting heavier, and it won't be long before the eaves can no longer provide shelter. I'll also come inside to take cover!"

Just as he was about to step in, he heard the woman say, "No!"

"What's not allowed?" Lin Wanrong asked, about to take another step forward when another stone came flying, landing in front of his feet. Lin Wanrong, feeling helpless, said, "Miss, what are you doing? Starting a fight? You're no match for me!"

The woman humphed, "That's not necessarily true. What do you see right in front of you?"

Lin Wanrong looked up and gasped. In the corner, the tip of a crossbow emerged, an arrow already notched, taking aim at him.

He was a seasoned soldier. He had seen this weapon in Li Sheng's Divine Machine Unit. It was called a repeating crossbow, capable of loading five arrows at once for rapid fire, an instrument of immense power. It had played a crucial role in their battle against the bravest warrior of the White Lotus sect. How could he not recognize it? The repeating crossbow this woman held was delicate and exquisite, clearly modified for a woman's self-defense.

He had spent his days hunting geese only to be pecked blind by one, and now, in this isolated Reclining Buddha Temple, he had met a wild woman. He sighed in frustration, "Miss, you've even managed to get your hands on a repeating crossbow from the Divine Machine Unit. You're no ordinary person!"

"You recognize this repeating crossbow?" The woman inside laughed, "Young Master San indeed has exceptional knowledge. I mean you no harm. From your words and deeds, are you a scholar?"

"No!" Lin Wanrong answered promptly. Standing under the eaves, rain seeped in, wetting half of his body and making him extremely uncomfortable. With his current martial prowess, it wouldn't be difficult for him to disarm her if he could just locate her. But why should he? Just because she wouldn't let Lin San take shelter from the rain? That would be laughable!

"Young Master, you're quite interesting!" The woman said, "I'm alone in this hall. If you were to barge in, we would inevitably fall under suspicion. Even if we're innocent, rumors stop at a wise man, but to avoid criticism in this world, one has to be cautious. Don't you agree, Young Master?"

Lin Wanrong laughed, "Didn't you say just now that your friends were about to return? This wouldn't count as a case of a man and a woman alone. Moreover, you don't own this temple. Just because you want to take shelter from the rain, should others suffer the chill and the rain outside? Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

Unable to see the woman's reaction, Lin Wanrong only heard her sigh after a long silence, "Young Master San is polite. Unfortunately, life is tough and we women are often in vulnerable positions. If we don't learn to protect ourselves, I fear we will be the ones to suffer most in the end. For a man like yourself, the worst outcome might be a severe illness from not taking shelter from the rain. However, for a woman, a single misstep can ruin her entire life. You can surely understand which is more important."

This girl sure had a sharp tongue. Lin Wanrong laughed, "Is it not just taking shelter from the rain? Miss, do you really intend to shoot a complete stranger, who is incredibly excellent, kind, and handsome, over such a trivial matter? I would like to give it a try!"

As he talked about giving it a try, he subtly stepped back, picked up a stone near his foot, and threw it into the hall.

With a humming sound, a small arrow hit a wooden column next to him, sinking in a few inches. The arrow's feathers vibrated slightly with a humming sound. Lin Wanrong broke into a cold sweat. This girl was serious about shooting. ‘You're the first woman who dares to fire at me,’ he thought, impressed.

"Young Master San, please do not test my patience. For me, my reputation is more important than my life! If I have to hurt you to protect my reputation, I'm willing to exchange my life for yours, even if it means hanging myself in front of everyone," the woman said resolutely.

"Alright, Miss, you've got quite the personality! May I ask, are you married?" Lin Wanrong asked, gritting his teeth.

The woman in the hall did not respond. Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I guess not. Given your taste and personality, there must be many gentlemen pursuing you. Can I be one of them?"

The woman's voice carried a hint of anger, "Young Master, show some respect!"

"My goal is to win your affection, and then reject you. I wonder if I can achieve it?" Lin Wanrong muttered, but loud enough for the woman in the hall to hear.

Hum—Hum—Hum—Hum—

Several arrows were fired in quick succession, hitting the door pillar. As the woman emerged from the hall with her crossbow, she saw a mischievous shadow fading into the misty rain. She couldn't make out his features. A laughing voice came from the rain, "Miss, better not let me run into you again, or I will definitely keep my promise."

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