Lin Waner’s sorrowful emotions kept spreading, choking as she said, “Actually Masahira became a monk to seek enlightenment, I once told him that Buddhism is also a way of enlightenment, so from childhood he had the thought to seek enlightenment through Buddhist methods, saying that after enlightenment he could better and longer protect me, I never thought this decision made him persist for over a hundred years, only to finally realise it was utterly hopeless.”
With that, Lin Waner let out a long sigh, “He instructed that when arranging his funeral, to use his secular family name instead of his Buddhist name, that alone proves that in his last moment, he had already abandoned his illusions about the Buddha, so what meaning did his unwavering persistence of over a hundred years ultimately have?”
An Chengxi had not thought of this layer before, but after Lin Waner’s reminder, he instantly understood in his heart.
It turned out that Master Kong Yin had spent his life pursuing enlightenment through Buddhism, persisting for over a hundred years, his belief must have been extremely strong, and it was not until the last moment of his life that he realised his efforts of the past hundred years had utterly failed.
So, in his last moment, he decided to turn away from Buddhism and end his life with the secular family name given by his foster mother.
An Chengxi felt a mix of emotions in his heart, yet his admiration for Lin Waner grew even more.
At this time, Jing Qing, still supporting Kong Yin’s body, respectfully said, “Madam, Miss Lin, such a major event as the abbot’s passing into nirvana, we must notify Master Kong Yin’s disciples at once, if you two are chatting amiably, why not move to the side courtyard to continue, I will go inform the temple people.”
An Chengxi naturally had no objection, she and Lin Waner were chatting very congenially, more time together would certainly be a good thing.
But Lin Waner said somewhat dejectedly, “Lady Ye, this lady has finished what she came to do, and now Masahira has passed, there is no meaning for this lady to stay here, better not to linger longer.”
An Chengxi asked her, “Senior, do you not plan to participate in Master Kong Yin’s funeral arrangements?”
Lin Waner shook her head dispiritedly, “I will not participate, the deceased is gone, funeral matters are just going through the motions, moreover Masahira’s funeral will certainly be handled by the Golden Pavilion Temple, this lady cannot intervene anyway, better to come back to Kyoto later and pay respects at his grave then.”
With that, she handed the Rejuvenation Pill in her hand to An Chengxi, earnestly saying, “Lady Ye, this Rejuvenation Pill was given by the young master, but this lady has no use for it, why not keep it yourself, it can be for emergencies.”
An Chengxi was surprised in her heart, only after a moment did she shake her head and say, “Since this Rejuvenation Pill was given to Senior by Chen’er, he naturally had his reasons, Senior should keep it yourself.”
Lin Waner said, “Lady Ye’s struggle with Wu Feiyan will probably continue for a long time, and this pill can save a life at critical moments, you carrying it would be more useful than me.”
An Chengxi shook her head again, smiling faintly, “Senior need not insist, this junior cannot and will not accept it.”
Lin Waner smiled bitterly, “This Rejuvenation Pill is invaluable, wherever it is placed, it can incite a group of people to fight desperately for it, yet unexpectedly today it meets with cold reception here, offered twice in a row and still not given away.”
An Chengxi patted her back, smiling as she soothed, “Senior should still keep the pill and take it back, since Chen’er gave it to you, he must have had his reasons.”
