met free Chapter 1965 His identity is even more astonishing than that of Little Buddha?
Chapter 1965 His identity is even more astonishing than that of Little Buddha?
These words seemed to resonate with the old abbot. He took a deep look at the prayer beads that Li Xiangnan had caught, then raised his eyes and gave Li Xiangnan a complicated look. His eyes contained weariness, deep worry, and a kind of heaviness that Li Xiangnan could not understand.
He sighed heavily: "Benefactor Li, you are a good person, and even more so, a person with keen insight and sharp eyes. The temple has indeed been going through a turbulent time lately, with constant turmoil! I have failed in my duties as the temple's head, and I have failed the Buddha and all the patriarchs of the past! Some old debts have not been cleared, and new sins have arisen. The cause and effect are entangled, like being trapped in a quagmire!"
At this moment, Master Yuantong's tone conveyed an even stronger sense of powerlessness and fatalism than before.
Li Xiangnan had noticed the old monk's prayer beads long ago. He had even counted them out of boredom when the monk closed his eyes to chant sutras. There were ninety-nine beads before, but one was missing after Yuan Neng died!
This made him suspect that the missing prayer beads corresponded to the deceased!
"Old debts?" Upon hearing the old monk's words, Li Xiangnan feigned ignorance. His earlier forceful questioning had finally made the old monk slightly relent. "What does the abbot mean?"
Yuan Tong shook his head again, avoiding the question, and instead said, "Benefactor Li's medical skills are superb, and he is both kind and skillful. He not only saves lives but also understands the hearts of the people! I came here today not only to inquire about my junior brother's last words, but also because I have a lot of pent-up feelings in my heart and want to find a quiet place to talk to a reasonable person."
His words seemed to explain another reason for his visit: seeking psychological comfort or to confide in someone. For an old monk who was under pressure and seemed to have nowhere to confide in, this reason made sense.
"Abbot, you flatter me! This junior is still inexperienced, but if you don't mind, I'm willing to listen!"
It seems that the people from Pudu Temple's attempt to persuade the old monk had indeed worked.
Li Xiangnan softened his attitude, released the prayer beads, and adopted a listening posture.
Yuan Tong remained silent for a while, as if he was organizing his thoughts or undergoing a fierce internal struggle.
“Benefactor Li,” he said slowly after a moment of silence, “you are young and promising, with a meticulous mind and a bright future! Knowing too much or getting too involved in some things is not a blessing! I have been through it all, experienced too much, and seen too many people who are obsessed with the truth and chasing the past, only to end up getting burned and harming themselves and others!”
His tone was low and gloomy, carrying a strong warning: "This pool of water... is much deeper and more murky than it looks! There are not only fish and shrimp in the water, but also man-eating evil dragons and unseen undercurrents!"
Li Xiangnan's eyes narrowed.
The old monk paused, his gaze seemingly sweeping intentionally or unintentionally toward the direction leading to the backyard, his voice low.
“Sometimes, you think you're fishing, but you don't realize you might be someone else's bait! Like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, it's a game of deception, a scheme within a scheme! Your boldness in luring the snake out of its hole is admirable! But…”
"Be sure to keep a close eye on your loved ones, especially the elders who need peace and quiet to recuperate, and don't let the storms of the outside world disturb their precious tranquility!"
boom!
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangnan was shocked.
That old bald monk really does know something!
Moreover, it seems that Yuantong has already learned of my recent plans!
How did he know?
How could he be so clear about his own actions?
How did he know he was luring the snake out of its hole?
He not only saw through his own scheme to lure the snake out of its hole, but also pointed out the danger of the mantis stalking the cicada unaware of the oriole behind it, and even explicitly mentioned the need to protect the elders and the peace of the back room!
How much does this old bald monk actually know?
Is he warning that the plan might be leaked, and that there are more dangerous predators lurking in the shadows?
Or is he implying that he himself is the one unaware of the danger?
Or does it represent another force?
Was his final reminder about the back room a well-intentioned warning, or did he have ulterior motives?
Alarm bells rang in Li Xiangnan's mind!
Despite his inner turmoil, he maintained a composed expression of surprise and contemplation: "Abbot's words... I don't quite understand. I'm just a doctor, how could I possibly be involved in any schemes? As for my elders, I will take good care of them and ensure they are not disturbed!"
Yuan Tong looked at Li Xiangnan with a complex expression that was almost pity mixed with helplessness. It was as if he saw through Li Xiangnan's disguise but did not want to expose him. He slowly got up and put his palms together.
“No need for further words, Benefactor Li, this old monk understands! Thank you for informing me of my junior brother's situation today. Although there were no explicit words, this old monk feels... at least I have some closure! I have troubled you for a long time, so I will take my leave now!”
After saying this, the old monk said no more, turned around and went out, walking unsteadily towards the outside of the courtyard.
"Ah, Master Yuantong..."
Song Ziming had been listening from the sidelines, and his doubts were growing stronger. Not only was the old monk's purpose for coming unclear, but even his last words were full of suspicion. He rushed forward to stop him.
"Zi Mo!" Li Xiangnan grabbed him and gently shook his head.
The two men got up to see the old monk off, escorting him to the entrance of Yuejin Store before stopping to watch his figure disappear completely into the alleyway and blend into the crowd on the street.
"Brother Nan, something's not right! This old monk lives in an ancient temple, detached from worldly affairs, so how come he's so familiar with all sorts of things concerning the Li family? His methods are too extraordinary! Who exactly is he? Could it be that you're right? This guy is Little Buddha?"
Li Xiangnan stood there, his brows furrowed, not in a hurry to answer.
Yuan Tong's visit not only failed to solve the mystery, but instead, like a boulder thrown into a lake, stirred up even more turbulent waves of doubt!
What exactly was he trying to express with those enigmatic and cryptic words?
Is it a genuine warning? Or a helpless outpouring?
Or is it a more sophisticated scheme that Li Xiangnan has yet to figure out?
This seemingly detached old monk, who is actually deeply embroiled in the vortex, has a true stance and purpose that are more complex than Li Xiangnan had anticipated!
Perhaps the old monk's identity is even more mysterious than that of the young Buddha.
It should be noted that Li Xiangnan did not miss Yuan Tong's reaction when he was identified as Little Buddha.
That kind of demeanor is not something an old, decrepit monk could possess!
Who exactly is this old monk?
"Zi Mo, go to Pudu Temple immediately and have Captain Guo step up his efforts to uncover Yuan Tong's background! There are too many mysteries surrounding this man; I feel his identity is probably even more astonishing than that of the Little Buddha!"
Li Xiangnan took out a cigarette and handed it to Song Ziming, his tone stern.
"Even more astonishing than the Little Buddha?"
Song Ziming clicked his tongue, looking surprised, but before he could even think of anything, he quickly realized what he'd done and tucked the note behind his ear. "Then I need to hurry and ask Captain Guo to urge him! I'll be right back if I get any news!"
"Ok!"
Li Xiangnan watched his departing figure, then looked up at the gray sky, his eyes sharp as knives.
This scene was far more complicated than he had anticipated.
The real opponent may be hiding beneath that seemingly tattered monk's robe, engaging in a silent and dangerous struggle with him from a great distance.
The full moon celebration is in just one week!
Is it too late to finalize the layout?
There's still one important thing I haven't done.
"Hey, what are you doing? What are you spacing out for?"
Suddenly, a series of silvery voices interrupted Li Xiangnan's thoughts. Looking down, he felt an overwhelming tenderness in his heart.
Lin Youwei, holding Duoduo and Lele's hands, stood at the bottom of the courtyard steps, looking up at him. Her face was bright, like a ray of light shining into the heavy courtyard, dispelling all the gloom.
"Youwei, what brings you here?"