Chapter 385: Abbess Jiunan’s Trial

“I don’t know much about her, only that she’s called Ah Jiu. Speaking of which, that name is quite similar to yours, Abbess.”

Ye Wenxin’s tone hinted at something more, but Abbess Jiunan merely smiled gently, responding, “It seems we’re indeed fated, both sharing the character ‘Jiu’ in our names.” She said this naturally, betraying no sign of urgency, expertly hiding any emotions behind the flawless mask of Abbess Jiunan.

Ye Wenxin felt that if she were to have the abbess as her master in acting, she could rid herself of many of her own little tells. However, doing that would only add one more to her list of masters.

She already considered Ling Jue, the Junior Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, and Xiao Zhang, Commander of the Secret Guard, as partial mentors. Then there was Bai Chi, the Hall Master of Shura Hall, and Jin Xiaoqin, the head of the Azure Wings Sect’s Hall of Teaching. Counting them all, Ye Wenxin realized she had quite a few masters.

As she reflected further, she noted how much she had learned. Yet, since reaching first-stage Tribulation, there seemed to be no change in her cultivation. It was as if she had been busying herself every day, but without a clear understanding of what she was actually pursuing.

Abbess Jiunan noticed Ye Wenxin had been lost in thought for too long, so she gently called out: “Benefactor Wenxin?”

Ye Wenxin snapped back to reality, just as a cold breeze swept by, making her shiver slightly. Abbess Jiunan moved a bit closer, and Ye Wenxin immediately felt a wave of warmth, as if her body was being bathed in Buddha’s light, bringing a deep sense of comfort.

Her mood lightened, and it seemed as though her earlier worries had melted away. Even though Abbess Jiunan hadn’t brainwashed her during her stay at the Southern Dipper Temple, she couldn’t help feeling she was gradually evolving into a chill granny.

Abbess Jiunan noted Ye Wenxin’s discomfort and suggested, “Benefactor Wenxin, it’s getting windy. Why don’t we continue our conversation indoors?” She gestured towards her room not far away, subtly inviting Ye Wenxin to join her there.

Ye Wenxin, already curious, nodded in agreement and followed Abbess Jiunan.

The room was filled with the rich scent of sandalwood, completely devoid of any masculine presence and instead infused with a feminine fragrance. However, this scent also had an underlying hint of something more, like the faint trace of cosmetics. It was evident that Abbess Jiunan wasn’t entirely content with being bound to an ordinary lifestyle.

The room was simple yet tasteful, with everything crafted from the finest materials. The person in the room, too, was of exceptional beauty. Abbess Jiunan sat gracefully, preparing tea with captivating elegance. She had a sort of beauty that remained undiminished by the monk’s robes and hat she wore. Unlike when she was acting, the elegant Abbess Jiunan at this moment, was her most authentic self.

Ye Wenxin’s gaze lingered on her for a long time. When Abbess Jiunan lightly lifted her head, their eyes met, and she offered a soft smile. “Is there anything you would like to ask, Benefactor Wenxin?” she inquired.

Ye Wenxin felt awkward. She had many questions, but because she wasn’t very familiar with Abbess Jiunan, it felt difficult to voice them. Even though she had some interaction with the abbess, and had come to understand that she was someone who resisted a mundane existence, there remained an unspoken sense of distance between them.

Ye Wenxin couldn’t always tell when Abbess Jiunan was being sincere, or when she was putting on an act. This made her one of the most challenging people Ye Wenxin had ever dealt with. It also meant that Ye Wenxin had to remain vigilant, lest she actually spank the abbess for the third time.

“I was just curious—have you truly taken the vows?” Ye Wenxin had been wondering for some time why a nun would keep her hair, but she feared that asking such a question might provoke Abbess Jiunan’s ire, so she had held her tongue.

Now that she had the urge to leave, however, Ye Wenxin decided to voice the question that had been lingering in her mind.

Abbess Jiunan was slightly stunned, as if she didn’t expect Ye Wenxin would dare to ask such a question. She smiled faintly, yet there was no warmth in her eyes.

This was clearly a taboo subject for the abbess.

“I have indeed taken my vows, but I believe that to be free of human desires and passions doesn’t necessarily require shaving one’s head. So, I asked my master if I could keep my hair long.” She began to recount a story from long ago, her expression tinged with a trace of nostalgia.

Ye Wenxin listened intently as Master Jiunan continued to narrate, “My master simply gave me an indifferent glance and pointed to the praying mat beneath her.”

At this point in the story, Abbess Jiunan smiled bitterly. “I immediately understood her meaning. I was no longer the person I once was, and had no right to make such choices. Only by sitting on that praying mat, could I truly do what I wished.”

Abbess Jiunan gently stroked her long hair as she recounted her past, her tone flat yet carried a sense of melancholy. For some reason, it seemed Ye Wenxin could sense the hardships of that time—hardships that had forged the current Abbess Jiunan.

Just as Ye Wenxin thought the conversation had reached its end, the abbess revealed the origin of her name. “Later on, my master gave me the name ‘Jiunan’, signifying the nine great trials I would face in life. If I can overcome them, I will ascend and find enlightenment.”

This immediately reminded Ye Wenxin of Fairy Fengya. It seemed to her that the abbess’s so-called nine trials weren’t much different than Fairy Fengya’s nine tribulations. There were countless ways to live one’s life, and even more ways to ascend.

Yet, Ye Wenxin couldn’t grasp why Abbess Jiunan had chosen to share such a personal story with her. Before she could ask, Abbess Jiunan was already pouring her a cup of tea, preventing further questions. Ye Wenxin could only sip her tea, while the abbess sat quietly.

Ye Wenxin began to feel bored. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had forgotten something, but couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was at the moment. She pulled out her medical book once more, and carefully flipped through its pages. Meanwhile, Abbess Jiunan remained silent, merely pouring and drinking tea.

Two hours passed quietly; if Gu Xiangsi were still here, she would have found it painfully unbearable. But for those who were older, silence was a kind of enjoyment. After growing accustomed to solitude, being with someone could sometimes feel strange.

Ye Wenxin had finished reading the medical book in her hand. She subconsciously wanted to have another cup of tea, but noticed that Abbess Jiunan was standing there, gazing out the window, lost in thought.

Ye Wenxin hesitated to disturb her, and leaving just like that seemed a little rude, so she spoke up, “Abbess, it’s late. I should be going.”

Abbess Jiunan came back to herself and responded softly, “Sweet dreams.”

Ye Wenxin heard the words but felt something was off, so she asked, “What?”

Abbess Jiunan shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’ll escort you back to your room, Benefactor.” Then, she prepared to walk Ye Wenxin out of the room.

Outside, the moon hung higher in the sky, and a cold wind blew. Ye Wenxin looked at Abbess Jiunan, who still intended to accompany her back, and added, “By the way, Abbess, I plan to set out for Yangzhou City tomorrow.”

The abbess immediately nodded. “Very well.”

Her response was so straightforward that Ye Wenxin couldn’t help but feel that perhaps she had spanked Abbess Jiunan too hard, causing a change in her personality, to the point of no longer wanting the umbrella sword.