Now that the crisis was finally over, Joy Bodhisattva turned to Ouyang De, Ye Qing and Yi Pin and saluted them deeply. “My warmest thanks to senior Ouyang and the two of you. If you don’t mind, I would like to invite you all to the Buddhist Hall of Joy, play the host, and repay the favor as best I can.”
“Forget it. I’m just paying back a favor I owe. From now on, you and I are in the clear, understand?” Ouyang De waved her off impatiently. He never liked jianghu matters, and he would likely never get involved in another if he could help it especially after the very person he was supposed to protect had tricked him.
His old heart just couldn’t take such excitement anymore.
“We just happened to be at the right place at the right time, Bodhisattva. We do not deserve such courtesy from you.”
Although he had helped Joy Bodhisattva, Ye Qing didn’t dare to impose on a Grandmaster and hurriedly returned the salute. He had made a gamble based on the variables he was handed, and he was glad he made the right choice.
That said, he had no intentions of getting involved with Joy Bodhisattva any more than was necessary, at least not now. He was well aware that he didn’t have the strength to get involved in a conflict at this level just yet.
“Wait a second. I thought you’re one of Joy Bodhisattva’s hired help?” exclaimed Ouyang De in surprise even as realization struck him.
Ye Qing tilted his head at the old man. “Not at all. I’ve only arrived at Bei You a couple of days ago. How could I possibly know the great Joy Bodhisattva?”
“Really?” Ouyang De looked back and forth between Ye Qing and Joy Bodhisattva with clear doubt.
Ye Qing purposely emphasized the words “pure coincidence” as he spoke. He had more or less figured out why Ouyang De had dragged them into this mess after listening to his words.
What an unfortunate coincidence it is!
“Ahem…” Ouyang De coughed awkwardly. He didn’t miss Ye Qing’s subtle change in intonation, of course. Heavens, this is embarrassing.
Ouyang De was sure that Ye Qing was Joy Bodhisattva’s hired help. That was why he threw the Joy Arhat and the Lampholding Protector over to the young man when it looked like the guy was trying to shirk his job. But now, it turned out that Ye Qing was just an innocent bystander, and he had become the asshole who dragged an innocent into a violent, deadly conflict.
Sure, he cared little for trifles when he made up his mind to do something, and sure, some of his actions appeared outlandish in the eyes of those who did not understand his greatness, but this? This was well and truly beneath him.
I can’t believe my flawless record is ruined, and it’s not even my fault. What else was I supposed to think when Joy Bodhisattva herself asked this guy for his hand in marriage??? Anyone in their right mind would think that they’re in cahoots with each other, right?!
“Er, I still have some business to attend to, so, buh-bye!” The old man said rapidly before pushing off the ground. An instant later, he was over a hundred meters away from his original spot. By the time the sound of his movement faded with the wind, Ouyang De was already gone.
Ye Qing shrugged. He wasn’t actually planning to demand compensation from Ouyang De, of course. He was just teasing him a little. However, the old man had run away before he could say anything else. He had never encountered such a thin-skinned senior in his life. Yi Pin might as well be a god compared to him!
Even Joy Bodhisattva was smiling a little. The woman was expressionless most of the time, so it was a rare expression to say the least.
Her smile was so beautiful that Ye Qing blanked out a little. By the time he returned to the earth, he realized that the woman was looking at him. He hurriedly let out a quick cough to cover up his embarrassment before saying, “Senior Ouyang is truly… unpredictable.”
“There’s a reason he got his reputation.” Joy Bodhisattva chuckled. “Now that he’s gone, let us discuss our business, shall we?”
“... Do we have business with each other?” Ye Qing was completely confused.
Joy Bodhisattva said, “Of course. It’s about my marriage proposal. Speaking of which, I haven’t even gotten your name yet. May I have the honor of knowing your name?”
“Please, Bodhisattva! You’re killing me here! My name is Joyless. Joyless Ye.” Ye Qing saluted her.
“Joyless Ye? You are definitely destined with my Buddhist Hall of Joy.” Joy Bodhisattva nodded.
“You jest, Bodhisattva.” Ye Qing rubbed his nose while barely resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Destined? Joyless and joy sits on the opposite side of the spectrum, okay?
“I’m serious. I really would like to ask for your hand in marriage. Are you willing to fulfill my wish?” Joy Bodhisattva said seriously.
Realizing that Joy Bodhisattva was actually serious about this, Ye Qing fell silent for a moment. “If I may ask, why on earth would you want to marry this junior?”
Joy Bodhisattva answered honestly, “To tell you the truth, my cultivation art transforms desires and emotions into nothing. I have now reached a desireless and emotionless state, but my Buddha is merciful, and he sympathizes with the plight of the people. This state is not the end.”
“If I wish to improve my cultivation, then I must experience all the desires and emotions that exist in the world. It is the only way to reach the state where I can empathize with all living things, and all things living are equal before my eyes.”
“Love is the root of all emotions and desires. That is why I wish to marry you and experience love. I will then transform this love into love for all living things.”
In other words, she just wants me as a cultivation tool, thought Ye Qing while rubbing his nose. He was so sure that it was his extraordinary and unparalleled good looks and aura that made the Bodhisattva fell in love with him at first sight, but as it turned out, it was just his imagination.
I can’t possibly surrender myself to a woman who doesn’t even want my body, can I?
“Please don’t make a decision before you hear my terms, scion,” Joy Bodhisattva said when she saw that Ye Qing was silent. “I won’t make you help me for free.”
“First, my cultivation art is a dual cultivation art. If we marry, your cultivation is sure to improve by leaps and bounds.”
“Second, you will become the most powerful member in the Buddhist Hall of Joy besides me. The only one you will answer to is me, and you are free to mobilize and utilize the resources of my sect as you please.”
“Finally, you may come to me for help if you have any problem or need regarding your cultivation. I swear that I will not hide anything from you.”
Ye Qing sucked in a deep breath. To be entirely honest, her terms were extremely good. No, that would be an understatement. It was like those web novels where the protagonist married a sexy, competent CEO and never had to worry about life ever again, relatively speaking.
Even if Joy Bodhisattva hadn’t offered him these very lucrative terms, the fact that he could count on her and the Buddhist Hall of Joy to act as his shield alone was a tempting offer. It would certainly ease his burden and make it easier for him to take revenge against Fang Muyun and everyone else who wronged him.
Beside him, Yi Pin was blinking at him rapidly with clear envy in his eyes. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that he wanted Ye Qing to say yes.
Sure, he would be living off a woman, but so what? Only an idiot would reject a competent, powerful woman, not to mention one as beautiful as Joy Bodhisattva!
“Ahem… if I may dare ask, why me?” Ye Qing took a moment to calm himself before asking.
If a tool was all she needed, then she could have picked anyone. Surely a willing candidate like say, a disciple of the Buddhist Hall of Joy would cost her far less than a reluctant guy like him?
Joy Bodhisattva answered honestly, “Because you are incredibly accomplished for one so young, and because your looks are good enough to match mine.”
“Ehehe… you have a good pair of eyes on you.” The flattery made Ye Qing feel so much better.
I knew it! Just like fireflies, excellent people would always shine no matter how dark their surroundings are!
On the inside, Ye Qing was feeling as gleeful as a child. But on the outside, he maintained a humble appearance, “You flatter me, Bodhisattva. I cannot possibly deserve such praise.”
Before Ye Qing could finish, Joy Bodhisattva continued, “Of course, the most important factor is that my Buddha has bound our destinies together. After all, it cannot be a coincidence that you have met me at this place and time.”
Ye Qing didn’t say anything to that. Buddhist beliefs were steeped in karma and destiny, so it was perfectly normal for Joy Bodhisattva to say and act based on such statements.
“Please take your time to think. I will deal with them in the meantime,” Joy Bodhisattva said while looking at the Wisdom King of Joy, the Joy Arhat and the Lampholding Protector.
“Of course.” Ye Qing nodded.
Joy Bodhisattva first walked up to the Joy Arhat and pointed a finger at his body. The man immediately burst into flames and dissolved into ash in no time. She then walked up to the Wisdom King of Joy and the Lampholding Protector and did the same thing.
The Lampholding Protector was still alive, but Joy Bodhisattva didn’t care to save her. She had delivered the woman straight to the ultimate bliss that was her next life.