The character "Buddha" was written with dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing; one could tell at a glance it was the work of a master. Yun Jinnian dared not defile it, she stepped forward and knelt beside Master Micheng, palms pressed together, paying her sincere respects.
"Amitabha, there is no Buddha here, why does the young lady worship?!" Master Micheng asked.
"Where there is Buddha in the heart, Buddha is everywhere, hence I dare not defile!"
"Amitabha," Master Micheng murmured softly, then said, "Bodhi has no tree, the clear mirror is not a stand, originally there is not a single thing, where can the dust alight?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Jinnian took a deep breath and remained silent.
It was a while before she said, "The gate to the mountain monastery is always open, but how many have hearts as still as water?"
It seemed she was asking Master Micheng, but also questioning herself.
"With such a heart, the young lady has no fate with the Buddha!"
Yun Jinnian pursed her lips and said lightly, "In the wind, one sees flower-like illusions, but with Buddha in the heart, the Buddha is real. Master, does a person with Buddha in their heart really need to discuss so many doctrines to be considered fated with the Buddha?"
Master Micheng was silent for a long while before saying, "It is I who am shallow!"
Yun Jinnian said nothing, looking at the brocade box on the table, feeling an inexplicable sourness in her throat, and her eyes suddenly reddened, brimming with tears.
There was an impulse to claim the brocade box as her own.
This was unprecedented.
Master Micheng looked back and saw Yun Jinnian staring at the brocade box on the desk, he sighed.
Even if she were to return to her childhood, separated by the world of the living and the dead, it was predestined by fate that she was the birth mother of the Demon King of Chaos, and the Demon King of Chaos would only ever restrain himself for her sake.
"Do you like that brocade box?" Master Micheng asked.
Yun Jinnian shook her head.
The brocade box itself wasn’t attractive, dark and black, but the ring of golden auspicious clouds around the edge was beautiful.
"Would the young lady like it?" Master Micheng asked again.
Yun Jinnian looked at Master Micheng in surprise, "Is it a beloved object of the Master?"
"If it is not, then why has the Master placed it upon the desk?"
"Because I do not care for it!"
"Is that so?" Yun Jinnian murmured softly, then after a while, she said, "Would the Master graciously give it to me?" Fearing Master Micheng’s reluctance, she added, "I can give something in exchange!"
"What would the young lady give in exchange?" Master Micheng asked curiously.
Yun Jinnian looked at the brocade box, swallowed, and said, "Gold and jewels are too vulgar, fine silk and satin are not suitable for the Master, so let it be my sincere heart. I promise the Master, as long as I live, I will protect this brocade box well!"
Master Micheng laughed, picked up the brocade box and held it in his hands, "Does the young lady fancy the brocade box, or the object within it?" As he spoke, he opened the brocade box and passed it to Yun Jinnian.
Yun Jinnian took the brocade box with both hands, looking at the pearls inside, and her tears fell unceasingly, "I did not know what was inside the brocade box at first, it was just a greedy wish to possess it, but now that I have the brocade box in my hands, I understand that it is the pearls inside it that I desire!"
"Amitabha, it is a gentleman’s action to fulfill others’ wishes, since the young lady likes it, I will give it to you, but..."
Yun Jinnian hastily said, "Master Micheng, please give your instructions!"
"Stay at Wanfu Hall in Huguo Temple and chant the scriptures for ninety-nine days, follow a strict vegetarian diet, and from dawn till dusk, do not step outside the hall one step, take care of your own living needs, can you do it?"
"I can!" Yun Jinnian responded decisively.
"Very well, then this brocade box and the pearls are yours!"
Yun Jinnian quickly bowed her thanks, "Thank you, Master, for making this happen!"
"Amitabha, after all, the young lady is fated with the Buddha, engage in good deeds and you shall have a good end!"
"Thank you, Master Micheng, for your guidance; I, Jinnian, will bear it in mind forever, never daring to forget!"