The First Volume: The Female Protagonist Chapter 9: Aftermath

  On that day, he left Lu Qian's house and called for a carriage to take Lin Chong and Shi Mu back home. His face was naturally solemn and respectful, his eyes not daring to glance at the beautiful Shi Mu even once.

  Then, accompanied by Lu Zhishen to the Daxiangguo Temple to collect his luggage, and after seeing the abbot Zhiqing again, he explained that he wanted to build a quiet room in the Temple Commander's Mansion and asked Master Zhishen to practice in the mansion. As soon as the abbot heard that the commander of the Imperial Guard had come to the temple to make an offering, he was so busy that he was on his hands and knees, serving tea and sweeping the floor. When he saw that Gao had written "500 taels of silver" with a big brush stroke in the incense register, his old face smiled like dried tangerine peel, and green light burst from his eyes.

  However, when he heard "Please invite Master Zhìshēn to the mansion for meditation", Chìqīng Lǎozǒng was taken aback at first and couldn't recall anyone named Master Zhìshēn in the entire temple. It wasn't until he saw Rúzhìshēn's unpleasant expression that he suddenly realized, but it wasn't a sudden enlightenment, rather a great shock: "How can such unruly and unorthodox monks like this be allowed to go to the Marshal's mansion for meditation? I hope the yamen isn't being deceived by others."

  With his identity, speaking such face-destroying words, he was already incoherent with anxiety. In fact, this elder still had some face, and not kneeling down to say "Your Honor, please choose me instead" would have been enough to justify the Buddha's teachings.

  Jiao Da saw Lu Zhishen's unpleasant expression, secretly laughed in his heart, and had to help his own master save face: "Master Fangzhang's words are wrong. Master Zhishen's Buddhist teachings are profound and do not fall into superficial appearances. He has already reached the highest level of cultivation. As for 'wine and meat passing through the intestines, but the Buddha's heart remains', this is the essence of Buddhism. After Master Zhishen pointed out the way in our temple, I suddenly felt enlightened, and all living beings in the world are within my Buddha's wisdom eyes. Therefore, we invited Master Zhishen to come to the mansion to pay respects, so that we can ask for his guidance morning and night. I hope Master Fangzhang will approve."

  Zhisheng could not help but agree, and ordered the abbot to transfer Luzhishen's personnel relationship to "Dian Shuai Fu Gong" and then escorted High Inspectress and Zhisheng out of the temple. The monks saw that Luzhishen was able to jump ship to Dian Shuai Fu just by looking at the vegetable garden, and after hearing High Inspectress's high-sounding words, they couldn't help but think what they thought, only from then on, the incidence rate of missing yellow dog cases in Dongjing Bianliang City suddenly soared, and the monks' faces in Daxiangguo Temple all had a few more strokes of oil.

  Gao Qiang accompanied Lu Zhishen back to the Marshal's Mansion, and ordered his servants to clean up a quiet room for the high-ranking monks of the Dasheng Temple. The words were issued from within the mansion, and naturally, the people below took action immediately, with swift efficiency, and in no time at all, a quiet room was set up next to Gao Qiang's small courtyard.

  After a commotion, they finally calmed down. Gongsun Zhi sent the crowd away and asked Lu Zhishen to sit in the quiet room. He bowed his head and said: "Disciple is sincere in paying respects to Master, but has been rude to Master many times, please forgive me, Master. Master is superior, accept disciple's bow!" As he spoke, he knocked his forehead on the ground four more times.

  Lu Zhishen had no choice and accepted it.

  He immediately took out the knife from his waist and held it up with both hands, saying: "Master, disciple pays respects to Master. I'm truly delighted in my heart, but unfortunately, there's nothing good to offer as a gift. This knife is still a decent sharp tool, please accept it with a smile."

  Lu Zhishen, being a military officer by origin, how could he not be moved upon seeing a fine weapon? He humbly spoke a few words with his mouth, but his hand had already reached for the knife. With a big thumb pressing down on the hilt, there was a "clang" sound. The light in the room became dim and dark, and an invisible chill spread out, making people's skin feel like they were soaked in icy water, their whole body feeling cold, with goosebumps rising straight up.

  "Good sword!" This sword can be wrapped around the waist, it can be known that its toughness is excellent. However, now holding it in hand, slightly shaking the wrist, it doesn't feel any softness at all, only feeling the force directly penetrating to the tip of the sword, with both rigidity and flexibility perfectly combined.

  He twirled the knife in his hand a few times, and suddenly with a flick of his wrist, the five-foot long knife shot out like lightning towards Gao Qiang's brow!

  Gao Qiang was still reacting when the knife tip reached his eyebrow, but it suddenly stopped. Lu Zhishen then shouted: "Gao Qiang, why didn't you dodge?"

  "Where did I not hide?" Gaohan Xin said. "I haven't even reacted yet!" This mouthful of sharp words was like a knife pointing directly at his brow, although it hadn't reached his body yet, a chill ran straight into his brain, but his mind was still able to move: "Master, as the saying goes, 'one day as master, lifetime as father', since I've called you Master and kowtowed to you, I'm willing to serve you, how could you possibly harm me?"

  Lu Zhishen hummed and held his long knife steadily in the air: "How did you know about my past behavior? Quickly tell me the truth!"

  His palms were sweating profusely, he had thought of a lie beforehand to cover himself, but hadn't expected it to be in this situation. However, if he could get through this hurdle, Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong, the two mighty men, would definitely become his own people. He steeled himself and said: "Master, that was what the Buddha told me in my dream last night."

  "Nonsense! A pack of lies, only good enough to deceive foolish husbands and wives. How dare you try to deceive me with this? You'd better confess the truth!"

  The strong and upright monk continued, "The Buddha not only told me about my master's life story, but also said that both my master and Lin Daoyi are connected to me by a predestined bond. He said that my master is fated to encounter certain things: encountering Lin will bring him prosperity, encountering mountains will bring him wealth, encountering the state will bring him promotion, and encountering rivers will bring him stability. Every word I say is true; if you don't believe me, just behead me with one stroke of your knife."

  Lu Zhishen was shocked all over, other things are easy to say, someone saw them, but only the four-parting poem sent by the abbot of Wutai Mountain, as it is said "the law is not transmitted to six ears", there is no third person in the world who knows, this kid actually knew clearly, if it's not heaven's will, how can it be explained?

  Lu Zhishen sighed softly, sheathed his sword and handed it back to Gao Qiang: "Since it's the Buddha's will and we have a predestined relationship, I'll take you as my disciple. However, I don't recite scriptures or worship Buddha, so there's nothing much for me to teach you in terms of Buddhist teachings. Luckily, you have this precious sword, and I happen to know some sword techniques here that can be used for self-defense."

  Overjoyed, I thought "Amitabha Buddha", it's finally settled, this disciple is so lucky! Hurriedly kowtowed to thank him, extremely happy in my heart.

  Lu Zhishen asked him why he had the nickname "Flower and Prosperous Age", Gao Qiang wiped his nose with one hand and tears with the other, telling the story of how Fu An framed his wife to death and made himself bear this evil name. This matter has been on his mind for a long time, every time he thinks about it, he gnashes his teeth in anger. If the former official was a just and generous person who would have given him a good reputation like "Dongjing's Timely Rain or Bianliang's Protector of Righteousness", wouldn't all the heroes in Jianghu be impressed and willing to surrender? Therefore, his crying complaint was especially sincere and heartfelt.

  Lu Zhishen, having a predestined relationship with him, naturally trusted him without a doubt. He suddenly became furious: "This kind of evil scoundrel, if I saw him, would definitely be beaten to death with one stick!" Hearing that the person who just died upstairs was Fu An, he repeatedly said "Good kill". He also earnestly advised Gao Qiang not to indulge in lustful desires. Gao Qiang naturally had no words to respond, but thought to himself: "I wonder if watching adult videos counts as indulging in lust? Unfortunately, I don't have the chance to watch them now, sigh."

  The master and apprentice chatted for a while, then Gong ordered the servant to bring in food and ate with Lu Zhishen. After the meal, he invited Zhishen to rest and went back to his own room.

  As soon as he arrived at the gate of the small courtyard, a person came face to face with him. After taking a closer look, it was indeed Lu Qian. He saw that his expression was calm and peaceful, and when he approached, he bowed and greeted: "Sir, Lu Qian has been waiting for a long time."

  Lu Qian was a ruthless and cunning individual who would stop at nothing to get ahead. His mind was as sharp as a blade, and if used correctly, it could be a powerful tool, but if misused, it could also harm himself. He was more difficult to deal with than those straightforward and honest Jianghu heroes. He adjusted his mood slightly and said calmly, "Lu Yu, what brings you to see me today?"

  Lu Zhenniang and others, who had just seen the scene of Gao Qiu subduing Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen in the small building, were already secretly impressed. This official was both soft and hard, with endless means, and Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen could be said to be heroes on their own, but they were played around by him, subdued and obedient. Thinking again that he came from a noble family, his father being the commander of the Imperial Guard, the number one martial arts official in the court, this person would surely have a boundless future ahead of him. He immediately decided to stake all his life's luck on this official Gao Qiu, which was why he killed Fu An to gain his trust.

  At this time, he saw the official move and ask, and hastily replied: "Report to the official, the humble one was ordered to bury the rich An who had just protected the official, and also buried two women who were involved in the case. I came to report to the official and ask about the official's funeral affairs for the rich An."

  Gao Liang was taken aback, but quickly regained his composure and couldn't help but shiver: this Lu Qian was indeed ruthless! Just to keep today's events of subduing Lin Ru and the two women a secret, not only did he kill Fu An, but also didn't spare the two women, and even fabricated a lie that Fu An had died protecting himself. It was seamless, truly impressive how he came up with it.

  The ball is now in my court, if I don't help him out of this lie, Lu Qian's road will be cut off, and immediately it will be a situation where we turn against each other and both lose; but if I go along with his words and cover for him, then from now on he'll become one of my trusted followers, sharing the same breath, sharing fortune and misfortune... no, just sharing fortune, as for misfortune, haha, sorry, not going to join in.

  After some thought, it was just a momentary thing. Gao Jiang took a deep breath and sighed: "Alas, at the time of the martial arts competition, knives and guns were blind, I had already told you all to use wooden swords and bamboo spears, but you didn't listen. As a result, you lost control and even implicated Fu An in his death while protecting me. It's really a pity. Fu An has been with me for many years and died for me. This funeral cannot be handled carelessly. We must have a grand burial. Lu Yu, you will be in charge of the funeral arrangements. All expenses will be taken from the Commander's palace account."

  Lu Qian let out a sigh of relief: Finally found the organization! It seems that this boss is not bad, entering the door and sending a sum of money first, it's a good boss. He respectfully gave Gao Qiang a bow, and choked with sobs: "The official treats his subordinates so kindly, it's like being reborn from parents, I'm deeply grateful, willing to be a cow or horse for the official." This is considered a declaration of loyalty.

  Gao Liang's voice responded, but then Lu Qian said again: "Sir, I don't know if Fu An has any relatives. It would be better to invite them all to come and pay their respects together." This is saying: Boss, when you cut the grass, you must remove the roots, don't leave any tails behind.

  Gao Jiang shivered, suddenly remembering the pretty little maid Xiang in the house. His heart was filled with annoyance and he waved his hand, saying: "Don't bother yourself with these things, just go and prepare for the funeral."

  Lu Qian agreed and left with a pleased expression. Gao Qiang watched his back disappear into the distance, let out a soft, cold laugh, and just as he turned around, he was met with Xiaohuan's lovely face, but it was deathly pale without a hint of blood color.

  Suddenly a loud noise echoed in his mind, and Lu Qian's words reverberated in his ears: "Does Fu An have any relatives? Does he have any relatives?"