“Amitabha, thank you, my lord, but there’s no need for tea. As this humble monk has already stated, I’ve come uninvited to form a connection with the young noble. I take no tea, no food, and no coin. I will recite a scripture, present prayer beads blessed by my master, and then continue my journey, wandering the four corners to refine my Buddhist nature and understanding.”
The fat monk smiled as he declined Zhu Ping’an’s kindness, reiterating that he was here solely to form a bond.
*Heh, the finest Biluochun tea, no less. Judging by the change in the target’s attitude, I’ve already gained his trust. This mission is as good as done.*
The target, Zhu Ping’an, was the governor of Zhejiang Province in the Great Ming, overseeing a vast territory with millions of subjects—more powerful than the ruler of the entire land of Wa. Assassinating such a prominent figure would be a new pinnacle in his ninja career.
*Perfect. I can hardly wait to pierce your heart.*
“No, no, this won’t do. Master, you’re far too polite. If word got out that I, Zhu, was so stingy and inhospitable as to not even offer a high monk a cup of simple tea, people would laugh their heads off. How could I, the governor of Zhejiang, show my face among my peers?”
Zhu Ping’an waved his hands repeatedly, even sounding a touch displeased.
Then, without waiting for a response, he said to Qin’er, “The master is a disciple of a great abbot; we must not neglect him. Qin’er, please escort the master to my study and serve fine tea. Ask him to wait there briefly. I will bathe and burn incense, and once the wet nurse has fed my son and daughter, I’ll bring them to the study to listen to the master’s Buddhist teachings and form this auspicious bond, creating a tale worth telling.”
“Amitabha, my lord’s kindness is hard to refuse. This humble monk will follow your arrangements,” the fat monk replied, clasping his hands together. Hearing Zhu Ping’an’s emphasis on the matter—bathing, burning incense, and bringing his children to the study to hear his teachings and form a bond—everything was aligning perfectly for his plan. Not wanting to complicate things and risk ruining this ideal setup, he agreed.
In his mind, he had already devised his strategy: once Zhu Ping’an brought the children to the study, he would approach under the guise of reciting scriptures and blessings. Then, with the poisoned dagger hidden on him, he would strike Zhu Ping’an’s heart, sending him to the afterlife. He’d seize the infants as hostages, making the household hesitate to act. Once he reached the courtyard, he’d deploy smoke to obscure his escape, using misdirection to slip away unnoticed.
The ancient Ming poet Li Bai once wrote: *“Ten steps, one kill; a thousand miles, no trace. When the deed is done, I brush off my robes and go, hiding my name and form.”*
*Isn’t this tailor-made for me?*
*Heh, I am the greatest ninja of the East. Once I succeed in this assassination, I’ll return as the undisputed top ninja.*
“Master, this way, please,” Qin’er said, giving a slight curtsy and leading the fat monk toward the study.
“My thanks, kind lady.”
The fat monk, having already planned his murder and escape, chuckled as he followed Qin’er to the study.
After the fat monk left, Zhu Ping’an was about to speak when Master Li, his father-in-law, turned and asked, “Is there something off about this fat monk?”
“What? Father-in-law, you’ve noticed something wrong with him too?” Zhu Ping’an was momentarily stunned. He had seen through the monk thanks to his ability to perceive *qi*—without that, he might not have detected the monk’s true nature.
Being able to see *qi* was like having a radar cheat.
He hadn’t expected his father-in-law, without such an advantage, to pick up on it too. Truly, the old ginger is the spiciest.
“I didn’t notice anything wrong with him. I noticed something wrong with *you*,” Master Li said calmly.
“What?” Zhu Ping’an was caught off guard, not expecting that it wasn’t the monk but himself who seemed off.
“Your behaviour today is highly unusual, completely unlike your usual self. Besides, if you truly wanted him to recite scriptures and bless the children, you could simply bring my dear grandson out from the bedroom. Why go through the trouble of taking them to the study?”
“And you know how protective Shuer is of those two little ones. She practically bars anyone from entering the room, worried about drafts. Do you think she’d agree to let you carry them through the halls and courtyard to the study just to hear this monk chant scriptures?” Master Li turned to Zhu Ping’an, speaking slowly.
Zhu Ping’an was thoroughly impressed. *The old ginger is indeed the spiciest.* Such keen observation—Master Li’s insight was remarkable.
“Is there something wrong with this fat monk?”
“What’s wrong with him? Why didn’t we notice anything?” Zhu Ping’an’s two brothers-in-law scratched their heads, puzzled.
“First, it’s rare to find a so-called enlightened monk who claims to be free of worldly desires. If he were truly untainted, why would he come seeking a connection? Second, he’s lying. Who in this world can see *qi*? It’s unheard of. *Qi* is mysterious and elusive. If he could see it, he’d be renowned across the Great Ming, not some obscure figure. Third, and most importantly, there’s a murderous glint in his eyes when he looks at me,” Zhu Ping’an explained slowly, working backward from the conclusion to provide three reasons.
*In this world, only I, Zhu Ping’an, can see qi. No one else could possibly have that ability.*
“There’s a murderous glint in his eyes? How did we not notice?” The brothers-in-law scratched their heads again, turning to Master Li for confirmation. “Father, did you see any murderous intent in the monk’s eyes?”
“I… I didn’t exactly see murderous intent, but I did feel something off about him,” Master Li said hesitantly.
“What was off?” the brothers-in-law pressed.
“A feeling—an indescribable feeling. Are you satisfied now?” Master Li snapped, spraying them with a bit of spittle.
“If you didn’t see it, just say so,” the brothers-in-law muttered, shrinking back. Then they turned to Zhu Ping’an. “What if you’re mistaken?”
“If I’m wrong, so be it. No one’s perfect; who doesn’t make mistakes? In matters like this, it’s better to err on the side of caution than to let it slide. We’ll apprehend him first,” Master Li interjected firmly.
Though he often found Zhu Ping’an disagreeable, his precious daughter adored him. If something happened to Zhu Ping’an, his daughter would be heartbroken. Moreover, if this fat monk was indeed an assassin, not only would Zhu Ping’an be in danger, but so would his two beloved grandchildren, whom the monk intended to bless with scriptures, and even his daughter, Shuer, to some extent.
This was a risk they absolutely could not take.
*Better to be wrong than to let it pass.*
“Father-in-law is absolutely right. I’ll issue orders to surround the study, apprehend him, search him, and interrogate him. If I’m mistaken, I’ll apologise and compensate him for the fright. But I trust my eyes—I’m certain this fat monk is trouble,” Zhu Ping’an said confidently. With his *qi*-seeing ability, how could he be wrong?
“He claims to be an enlightened monk, doesn’t he? They say Maitreya Buddha’s big belly can tolerate what the world cannot. If I’m wrong, surely a high monk like him would understand,” Master Li said with a chuckle, unfazed.
