The Qian Family Residence.
In the bronze mirror, a rather disheveled face was reflected.
"Damn it..."
Qian Shaoyou touched his face, which was already severely swollen.
His elder brother's gaze, which looked like he wanted to kill him, and that warning, had been circling in his mind all night.
But the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
He, Qian Shaoyou, the dignified Second Young Master of the Qian Family, when had he ever suffered such grievance in this Liangzhou Prefecture?
It was just a woman, wasn't it?
Although she was a Brigade Commander of the Demon Suppression Division... and had even slain a beast... wasn't she still just a woman in the end?!
And that good older brother of his, Qian Boyong!
Not only did he fail to help his own brother, but he even turned around and lectured him? Talking about the Demon Suppression Division, talking about the Brigade Commander... telling him not to covet her?
I'll covet her all I want!
The more he thought, the fiercer the wicked fire in his heart burned.
The initial spark of admiration from that brief glimpse had long been twisted into something else by humiliation and resentment.
Annoyed, he slammed his fist onto the table, making the teacups rattle.
No, this Qi, if bottled up in his heart, would eventually make him sick.
He straightened his somewhat messy clothes, pushed the door open, and walked straight out of the residence.
After passing through several streets and alleys, he deliberately avoided the taverns and brothels where his usual cronies gathered, heading west with increasing speed.
Finally, in a remote corner of the west side of the city, he stopped in front of an inconspicuous temple.
This temple was his place of peace.
The Qian Family practiced Buddhism, influenced by the Old Madam.
Qian Shaoyou had been naughty since childhood and was often dragged by his mother to various temples to listen to scriptures.
They said it could calm the mind, but he was not the type of person who could settle down.
However, he had coincidentally become very familiar with the abbot of this temple.
The Fat Monk here, whose Buddhist name was Buddhist Monk, spoke pleasantly and could always say something that resonated deeply with him in just a few words.
Therefore, whenever he felt depressed or was angry with his family, he would come here to seek counsel from this monk.
Qian Shaoyou straightened his somewhat messy robes, stepped forward, and knocked on the door.
Creak—
The door opened from the inside, and a Fat Monk with a large belly poked his head out, his face beaming with smiles.
"Oh my, Second Young Master, what wind blew you here today?" When Buddhist Monk saw it was him, the smile on his face deepened. "Please come in, please come in."
He welcomed Qian Shaoyou inside, his sharp eyes noticing the redness and swelling on his face. He feigned surprise, saying, "Second Young Master, are you..."
Qian Shaoyou waved his hand, annoyed, "Don't mention it, it's bad luck!"
"Right, right, right, we won't mention it."
Buddhist Monk quickly closed the door, bowed, and led him into the courtyard. "Looking at your expression, you must have run into some trouble again. Come, tell this poor monk about it. There is no knot in this world that cannot be untied by the word 'affinity.'"
Qian Shaoyou followed Buddhist Monk inside.
After walking for a while, he suddenly frowned, feeling puzzled.
In the past, although this temple was small and didn't have many pilgrims, there were always a few monks sweeping the courtyard or chanting scriptures.
But today, not a single person could be seen.
"Buddhist Monk, why is your shabby temple so quiet today? I can't even hear the chanting bugs chirping."
Upon hearing this, Buddhist Monk quickly put a finger to his lips, lowering his voice.
"Shh—Second Young Master, keep your voice down. A distinguished guest arrived at the temple today and is meditating in the Zen room. We must not disturb the noble person's peace."
"Distinguished guest?"
Qian Shaoyou sneered, his face full of disdain. "How distinguished could they be? Did the old Emperor come?"
Buddhist Monk just bowed, smiled mysteriously, and said no more.
Qian Shaoyou was too lazy to ask further.
The two entered the Zen room where Buddhist Monk usually received guests, one after the other.
The furnishings inside were simple: a low table, two prayer mats, and a slightly worn Buddha statue.
"Second Young Master, please sit."
Buddhist Monk smiled and poured him a cup of coarse tea. "Look at you, the anger on your face is almost enough to set this poor monk's temple on fire."
Qian Shaoyou plopped down onto the prayer mat, picked up the teacup, drank it in one gulp, and slammed the cup heavily onto the table.
"Don't mention it! It's all because of a woman!"
"Oh? A man of the Dragon and Phoenix among men like Second Young Master, is he actually troubled by love?"
"Love?"
Qian Shaoyou sneered, "What kind of love is that bullshit! That bitch is completely unyielding! My good older brother even hit me because of her!"
The more he spoke, the angrier he became, pouring out all the grievances he had suffered at the residence earlier.
"...I'm telling you, that woman surnamed Jiang, sooner or later I'll make her kneel before me and beg!"
Jiang Yuechu?
Buddhist Monk's heart skipped a beat.
What damned coincidence.
How come everyone recently is getting involved with this woman?
Not only did the Chief of the Disciplinary院 come here for her, but this ignorant Second Generation Ancestor in front of him was also obsessed with her Divine Soul?
Is this woman a Reincarnation of a Fox Spirit?
He was puzzled internally, but dared not show it, quickly adopting a look of sudden realization.
"So it was Commander Jiang..."
Buddhist Monk twirled his non-existent Buddhist beads, shaking his head as he said, "this poor monk has also heard that this woman possesses beauty that can topple cities and abilities that reach the heavens, like an Exiled Immortal from the sky. It is only natural for Mortals to feel admiration upon seeing her."
"Moreover, Second Young Master, you are dashing and elegant, a Dragon and Phoenix among men. A person like you deserves to be matched with this woman..."
After being flattered by Buddhist Monk in this manner, the wicked fire in Qian Shaoyou's heart dissipated considerably.
"That's enough, that's enough."
He waved his hand, stood up, and stretched.
"I'm going to the latrine first."
With that, he pushed the door open and left.
Buddhist Monk let out a long sigh of relief, just about to pick up his teacup to wet his throat.
A withered figure had silently appeared opposite him at some unknown point.
Buddhist Monk's hand trembled, spilling tea all over himself. Ignoring the mess, he quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Chie... Chief."
The old monk did not look at him, but quietly watched Qian Shaoyou's retreating figure.
"Who is this person?"
Buddhist Monk was startled, and cold sweat instantly slid down his temples.
He dared not hide anything and quickly whispered:
"Reporting to the Chief, this person is Qian Shaoyou, the Second Young Master of the wealthy Qian Family in the city, and he has... some Incense Affinity with this temple."
"Oh... just now, what did he say?"
How could Buddhist Monk dare to conceal anything? He could only repeat everything exactly as it was said.
"...That's how it is. That Second Young Master Qian developed an obsession with Commander Jiang of the Demon Suppression Division, and after being lectured by his elder brother, he felt depressed and came here to vent his frustrations..."
Buddhist Monk spoke cautiously, but the more he spoke, the brighter the other party's eyes seemed to get.
Once Buddhist Monk finished speaking, the figure slowly walked over to the prayer mat and sat down cross-legged.
"Amitabha."
"All phenomena arise from affinity, and everything is connected by fate. Since this boy and that Female Donor are entangled by Karma, and he has this Incense Affinity with our Buddhist Sect, how can our compassionate Buddha stand idly by?"
Twirling his Buddhist beads, he slowly said, "Since there is a demonic obstacle in his heart, this poor monk will intervene, help him resolve this matter, and guide him back to the right path, which will also count as an act of Karma."
"Huh?"
Buddhist Monk was completely dumbfounded.
What is your status, venerable elder?
The Chief of the Disciplinary院 of Baosha Temple, a mighty expert of the Core Formation Realm!
Is it worth your time to deal with the messy affairs of a Dissolute Young Man?
His mind was a mess, and he was about to say something.
Just at this moment, Qian Shaoyou walked back from outside, cursing under his breath.
"Damn it, your broken latrine stinks worse than a Public Toilet..."
As soon as he entered the door, he saw a withered, old monk sitting cross-legged in the room, and he paused.
"Who is this?"
Buddhist Monk immediately jumped forward and respectfully introduced, "Second Young Master, this is the distinguished guest I mentioned to you earlier."
He took a deep breath, his voice filled with reverence.
"The Chief of the Disciplinary院 of Baosha Temple, Master Wangchen."