Master Jingqing did not know the truth, but he still nodded resolutely and said: “Very well, Master Kong Yin. I shall support you as we go out.”
Master Kong Yin’s legs were unsteady, yet he murmured excitedly: “Quickly, quickly…”
Jingqing felt the tremors in his body and was all the more shocked inwardly.
To him, the over one hundred and twenty-year-old Kong Yin was a true enlightened monk in every sense. Even when they had just discussed death, Kong Yin had remained utterly calm and composed, without the slightest trace of pretence. Thus, Jingqing was all the more baffled: what on earth could have happened outside to agitate Kong Yin so?
The two pushed open the door and emerged. Outside, the novice was still tussling with his senior brother.
The senior brother, seeing Master Kong Yin emerge supported by Master Jingqing, grew even more furious and said to the novice: “You fool! Instead of guarding your post properly, you come here to disturb the master’s serene cultivation. Get out of here at once!”
Master Kong Yin, upon seeing this, scolded in a low voice: “Yuan Cheng, hold your tongue!”
Master Yuan Cheng said aggrievedly: “Master, I… I feared he would disrupt your debate on the scriptures with Master Jingqing…”
Master Kong Yin waved him off, ignoring him, and immediately asked the novice: “Hui Yi, is there a young lady at the gate?”
“Yes, Abbot Master!” The novice hurriedly replied: “She says she is Miss Zhengping and wishes to see you.”
Upon confirmation, a childlike joy lit up Master Kong Yin’s face. He promptly said to him: “Hui Yi, support me to the main gate to greet her. Yuan Cheng, escort Master Jingqing back.”
Master Kong Yin knew most of Lin Wan’er’s affairs and that she was constantly evading pursuit by her enemies. Thus, he dared not leave Jingqing there; should he catch sight of Lin Wan’er and uncover her identity, it could prove harmful to her.
Master Yuan Cheng had never expected his master to truly go and greet a young lady. Astonished, he immediately realised he had wronged his junior brother named Hui Yi. Thus, he first responded: “Very well, Master.”
He then bowed to Hui Yi and said: “Amitabha, Junior Brother Hui Yi, your senior brother was rash earlier. Please forgive me.”
Over these many years, Master Kong Yin’s single-minded devotion to the Buddha, free of any utilitarian motives, had served as a prolonged and highly effective screening process for those around him.
Disciples driven by quick gains or seeking fame and profit through him had long since grown impatient and dropped out midway.
Those who remained might not possess exceptional talent in Buddhist studies, but like Master Kong Yin, they could all achieve true unity of knowledge and action.
Thus, upon realising their error, they would admit it at once, without making any excuses for themselves.
The novice Hui Yi returned the courtesy: “Amitabha. It was merely a misunderstanding; it is in the past. Senior Brother Yuan Cheng, you did it all for the abbot master.”
With that, he said to Master Kong Yin: “Abbot Master, that Miss Zhengping said that given your advanced age, you must not come to greet her personally. She will come in to see you herself.”
Master Kong Yin hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded and said: “In that case, Hui Yi, go and invite that young lady in. Be exceedingly courteous and do not slight her in the least. Yuan Cheng, go and escort Master Jingqing.”
Master Yuan Cheng nodded and turned to Master Jingqing, speaking in Chinese: “Master Jingqing, my master has a sudden matter to attend to. Allow me to escort you back.”
Jingqing understood no Japanese and could not fathom what was happening, but since the other party was seeing him off, he naturally could not press further. Thus, he handed Master Kong Yin over to the novice Hui Yi and said respectfully: “Master Kong Yin, this monk shall take his leave first.”
After Master Jingqing’s departure, the young novice Hui Yi turned to leave as well, but Master Kong Yin called him back and cautioned: “Hui Yi, when you meet that young lady, there is no need for excessive courtesy. Treat her as an ordinary pilgrim and simply usher her in. Do you understand?”
Master Kong Yin knew Lin Wan’er’s secrets and how sensitive her identity was. Although the temple was currently closed to the public, tourists still came to Kyoto for sightseeing and might approach for photos. If Hui Yi were overly deferential to Lin Wan’er, he feared it might betray unusual information.
In those years by Lin Wan’er’s side, he had long cultivated meticulous caution in all things, great and small.
Though Hui Yi did not understand, he still nodded respectfully and said: “Abbot Master, I shall go and invite that Miss Zhengping in then!”
Master Kong Yin nodded and waved him off: “Go on.”
Moments later, the young novice Hui Yi dashed to the temple gate.
Lin Wan’er, with her twin ponytails, was tiptoeing playfully back and forth at the entrance, as if amusing herself.
Hui Yi approached and said softly: “Miss Zhengping, the abbot master invites you. Please follow me.”
Lin Wan’er nodded with a smile: “Please lead the way, Master.”
As Lin Wan’er followed Hui Yi into Kinkaku Temple, Master Kong Yin had already instructed Yuan Cheng to support him to the entrance of the main hall.
He said to Yuan Cheng: “Yuan Cheng, withdraw. Instruct everyone to clear out within a hundred metres of the main hall; no one is to enter.”
Master Yuan Cheng asked with concern: “Master, can you manage alone?”
“I can.” Master Kong Yin nodded and said: “Withdraw.”
Master Yuan Cheng said respectfully: “Very well, Master. This disciple shall withdraw first.”
