Chapter 37: Just Seeking Peace of Mind

After leaving Master Sansheng, Pei Ji arrived at the bamboo hut. From a distance, he saw Jiang Huaiyue sitting dazedly by the stone table.

Seeing him, she waved her hand: “Prince, you’re finally here. Come eat quickly.”

Jiang Huaiyue had been waiting for a long time and was almost starving.

After saying that, she immediately picked up her chopsticks and started eating. The meals in the temple were all vegetarian, with no trace of meat, but surprisingly quite tasty.

Pei Ji sat opposite her, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating as well.

Jiang Huaiyue ate quickly. When she finished, she looked at Pei Ji: “Prince, I’m done eating. Can I go out for a walk?”

Since they had come all this way, she felt she had to explore a little.

“I’ll go with you,” he said, putting down his chopsticks and taking a sip of tea.

Jiang Huaiyue softly said, “Prince, you probably haven’t finished eating yet. I’ll go alone then.”

What was going on? Could it be that he liked her? Otherwise, why was he always following her?

But his expression didn’t seem like it; it was truly strange.

“I’ve finished eating,” Pei Ji said as he stood up. Seeing her not responding, he smiled slightly: “Don’t want me to come?”

“Of course not. I’m happy you’re coming,” Jiang Huaiyue said with a slight smile. The temple wasn’t hers, so naturally, he could go wherever he wanted.

So, the two walked side by side out of the bamboo hut. The back mountain of Fayun Temple rose sharply, with thousand-foot green peaks, lush branches and leaves—a truly beautiful sight.

Jiang Huaiyue found it quite strange to be traveling with Pei Ji since before this he had wanted to kill her at every moment.

After a while, Jiang Huaiyue looked up at the towering Buddha statue inside the main hall. The golden statue shone brilliantly, looking down with compassionate eyes upon all beings, as if it could see deep into people’s desires and fears.

Jiang Huaiyue knelt on the meditation cushion, hands clasped:
“All the gods and Buddhas above, I, faithful Jiang Huaiyue, have three wishes:
First, to live this life free from worries every night, with long-lasting happiness.
Second, that we may successfully escape and live carefree days.
Third, that this world’s chaos will end, the common people can live in peace and prosperity, and that we can earn lots and lots of money.”

Having silently recited her wishes, Jiang Huaiyue sincerely kowtowed three times.

Outside the hall, Pei Ji watched her bowing before the Buddha with an indifferent expression.

After she finished offering incense, Jiang Huaiyue came to Pei Ji’s side: “Prince, aren’t you going to pray?”

“I don’t believe in these things,” he said with deep eyes and a cold tone.

If there really were Buddhas in this world, then why would they watch so helplessly as people suffer? Why do good people often get wronged, while the wicked roam free?

Moreover, his hands were stained with blood. How could the Buddha care for him? Otherwise, why had his only family suffered so much torment?

Jiang Huaiyue pursed her lips and said, “It’s just seeking peace of mind.”

She knew well that the wishes she made wouldn’t come true easily. Otherwise, those with wishes wouldn’t have to do anything and would be better off just burning incense to pray.

Pei Ji glanced at her peaceful face and said slowly, “Instead of relying on so-called gods and Buddhas, it’s better to rely on yourself.”

“Without suffering, one doesn’t believe in gods or Buddhas. But because of those we love, we gamble on gods and Buddhas. When people feel powerless, they can only place hope in the divine.”

Jiang Huaiyue suddenly remembered those days in the modern world when her grandmother passed away. She prayed every day, hoping Heaven would grant her only remaining family more time and spare her some suffering.

But in the end, her grandmother still left her.

Hearing this, the aura around Pei Ji suddenly grew cold.

A flash of mockery appeared in his eyes. “Those you love?” So she was praying to Buddha for her relationship with Jiang Jingchen, regretting marrying him instead of being with that man?

For some reason, the sudden rising anger in his heart made him want to strangle the person in front of him, to make her see only him, to make her cry bitterly.

Jiang Huaiyue snapped out of her thoughts and noticed his cold gaze, her heart shrinking suddenly.

Had she said something wrong? Why did he look like he wanted to devour her? Was he mad?

“Legend has it that the peach blossom forest at Fayun Temple is unique. Let’s go see it,” Jiang Huaiyue said, stepping down the steps, wanting to get as far from Pei Ji as possible.

Pei Ji suppressed his rising anger and quietly followed behind, watching her back.

They passed through a lush green forest path. The sound of a bubbling stream came to their ears, with occasional pink petals drifting downstream.

Suddenly, looking up, the entire mountain was covered in pink blossoms—a breathtaking sight that brought joy to anyone who saw it.

“So beautiful,” Jiang Huaiyue said in a daze. A gentle breeze blew, scattering petals like rain. She reached out to catch them instinctively.

Her joyful figure was imprinted in Pei Ji’s eyes. Standing not far away in white robes, his smile was like the peach blossoms themselves. For a moment, none of the peach blossoms on the mountain could shine brighter than her.

Pei Ji stroked the jade ring hanging at his waist, his expression thoughtful.

Jiang Huaiyue picked a branch of peach blossoms, playing with it. Suddenly, a silver flash appeared before her eyes—a long sword was thrust toward her!

Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes widened in shock, her body frozen on the spot.

No way—was she going to die here today? She didn’t expect Pei Ji to save her because she hadn’t even thought he would.

Unexpectedly, Pei Ji leapt forward and blocked the attack. He struck out with one palm, sending the black-clad attacker flying into a nearby peach tree, scattering petals everywhere.

“Go find Fuyao,” Pei Ji drew his sword from his waist and fought fiercely against the other black-clad men around.

Jiang Huaiyue’s heart leapt into her throat as she hurried to hide behind Fuyao.

The attackers were fierce, but Pei Ji was equally formidable. For a while, the fight was evenly matched.

Just then, several more black-clad men surged out from all directions, surrounding them.

Jiang Huaiyue gripped the peach blossom branch tightly, fearful and anxious. No way—they intended to wear them down to death?

Pei Ji sneered coldly. Jiang Jingchen was quite generous, sending all his trusted men.

Fuyao decisively cut down all the black-clad men attacking Jiang Huaiyue. This was the first time Jiang Huaiyue had witnessed such a bloody fight after arriving.

Not to mention, she was really scared, but she knew there was no room for fear now. She couldn’t falter or hold them back.