Chapter 310: Master Jueliao

Chapter 310: Chapter 310: Master Jueliao

Last night, he observed the celestial phenomena and found that the Phoenix Star was in great danger. This led to the scene of him seeking an audience at the entrance of the Imperial Palace today. Unexpectedly, the newly-appointed Emperor, like Chu Xiong, didn’t believe in Buddhism and considered him a charlatan. Angered, he returned directly to the temple.

However, not long after he returned, a young novice arrived to report that Eunuch Liu Desheng, who served by the Emperor’s side, was seeking an audience.

Jueliao initially didn’t want to meet him. But Xiangguo Temple was a temple of the Royal Family, and he had no choice but to see him when called upon.

So Master Jueliao came out to meet Liu Desheng.

Liu Desheng clasped his hands together and said, “Master Jueliao, I’m sorry for what happened earlier. The Emperor didn’t know you were Master Jueliao of Xiangguo Temple, so he specifically sent me to invite you to the Imperial Palace.”

Liu Desheng was a clever man, having served the Emperor for nearly twenty years. He saw Master Jueliao’s expression and knew he was very displeased. He immediately apologized and explained the reason, fearing that if the Master threw a tantrum and he couldn’t bring him back, he would be the one to suffer.

He didn’t believe that a monk, always known for mercy and compassion, would actually unleash his fury on him.

As expected, when Master Jueliao heard Liu Desheng’s explanation, half of his anger dissipated.

“Then please lead the way, Eunuch Liu. This old monk will accompany you,” Jueliao said.

Liu Desheng was overjoyed and quickly followed Jueliao out of Xiangguo Temple.

「In the Imperial Study,」Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli had already arrived.

Gu Qingli, with worries on her mind, wasn’t even interested in looking around the Imperial Study.

When Master Jueliao arrived, he saw the two of them waiting for him there.

Master Jueliao hurriedly approached, clasping his hands together. “This humble monk greets the Emperor and greets the Empress. May Your Majesty the Empress enjoy golden health.”

These two are the Emperor Star and the Phoenix Star. It’s not wrong for me to address them as Emperor and Empress. Besides, the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony is in five days; their titles as Emperor and Empress are truly deserved. Of course, I will also be present on that day.

Gu Qingli glanced at Master Jueliao. He was bald, draped in a kasaya, and held a string of prayer beads. His eyes were slightly downcast, hands clasped. He had long eyebrows, large ears, and a kind, dignified appearance.

This Master Jueliao somehow brought an inexplicable calm to her heart.

She also clasped her hands and replied, “Greetings, Master.”

Xiao Yunjing said, “Please have a seat, Master.”

Xiao Yunjing then had Liu Desheng bring a stool for Master Jueliao. After chanting a Buddhist invocation, Jueliao sat down.

Liu Desheng discreetly withdrew and closed the doors of the Imperial Study.

Xiao Yunjing wasted no words, getting straight to the point. “I spoke rudely to you earlier, Master. I hope you don’t mind. The reason I’ve invited you back to the Imperial Palace is to ask about what you said earlier, that the Phoenix Star is in peril. Are you referring to My Empress? And how can this be resolved?”

Master Jueliao stood up, looked at Gu Qingli, and bowed to her with clasped hands. “Amitabha. Your Majesty the Empress is indeed the Phoenix Star this old monk spoke of. Your Majesty the Emperor, please grant this old monk pardon for speaking frankly.”

Gu Qingli frowned. “Master, please speak plainly.”

I’m dying of anxiety, and this monk is still being so verbose!

Master Jueliao said, “Amitabha. Your Majesty the Empress, your Yintang point is dark, and a faint black qi is rising from the top of your head. This is a sign of a great calamity, a great disaster!”

Xiao Yunjing’s eyes reddened with anxiety. He pulled Gu Qingli into his embrace and comforted her, “Li’er, don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Gu Qingli looked up at Xiao Yunjing, who was even more nervous than she was, and felt touched. She clenched his hand tightly. “Mm, I’m not afraid.”

She looked at the eye-closing Master Jueliao and took a deep breath. “Master, is there a way to resolve this? How can it be resolved?”

Master Jueliao slightly raised his eyes. “Your Majesty the Empress need not worry excessively. What seems like a great misfortune can also be a great blessing. As long as Your Majesty the Empress remembers to take things as they come and face them with peace of mind, it will depend on Your Majesty’s willpower. If you overcome this tribulation, Your Majesty the Empress will surely see a turn for the better after extreme adversity.”

These words nearly made it explicit: the Phoenix Star was a visitor from beyond this world, not the Original Host of this body. The Original Host would certainly contend with her, but if the otherworldly visitor possessed a firm will, she could defeat the Original Host.

The Original Host’s lifespan had already ended; she should no longer exist.

Xiao Yunjing’s anger flared upon hearing this.

Willpower… What if her willpower isn’t firm? Then Li’er might…

He clenched his fists, on the verge of erupting. “The Master’s words are as good as saying nothing!”

Gu Qingli quickly patted him. “Yunjing, don’t be anxious. Master Jueliao has already told us what to do. To put it plainly, this matter ultimately relies on me. External forces cannot help. Isn’t that right, Master?” she added, turning to Master Jueliao.

Master Jueliao replied, “Her Majesty the Empress possesses great wisdom!”

Gu Qingli smiled.

What great wisdom? Isn’t it obvious? The Original Host is just an intangible, untouchable soul, not a ghost. How could she be captured? Just as Master Jueliao said, it can only be a contest of wills. The one who wins will naturally become the master of this body.

“Master, thank you. May I speak with you in private?”

Master Jueliao clasped his hands. “Amitabha. If Your Majesty the Empress has any questions, please ask directly.”

Xiao Yunjing glanced at Gu Qingli, who nodded at him.

He understood; he needed to give them some privacy.

So he said, “Master, since Her Majesty has questions for you, please help resolve her doubts. I will go for a walk outside.”

As Xiao Yunjing left, he shot Master Jueliao a warning glance before striding out of the Imperial Study and ordering Liu Desheng to close the door again.

Only Master Jueliao and Gu Qingli remained in the Imperial Study.

“Please have a seat, Master,” Gu Qingli offered.

Master Jueliao dared not sit. He remained standing. That warning look from the Emperor just now… he certainly wouldn’t dare to offend the Empress.

“Your Majesty the Empress, please ask whatever questions you have. This old monk will do his utmost to resolve your doubts.”

Gu Qingli nodded. “Master, I presume you’ve already discerned that I am not from this place, correct?”

Master Jueliao replied, “Amitabha. Your Majesty the Empress, please rest assured. The Phoenix Star is a visitor from beyond the heavens.”

Gu Qingli mulled over Master Jueliao’s words.

His meaning is that I am the Phoenix Star. If I live, I am the Phoenix Star. If the Original Host lives, then it’s not me.

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“Master, this I understand. Can you clarify how I might have a better chance of succeeding?”

Master Jueliao clasped his hands. “Your Majesty the Empress, as the Phoenix Star, you naturally have the protection of the True Dragon. That which resides within Your Majesty’s body, that thing which should not exist in this world—Your Majesty need not be overly troubled by it. Face it with composure. As long as Your Majesty’s will is firm, she will not be able to stir up any storms. However… she also has a sliver of a chance at life. For anything more, please forgive this old monk. Heavenly secrets must not be divulged. This old monk has already said too much today.”

Gu Qingli said, “Thank you, Master!”

Master Jueliao said, “Amitabha. Your Majesty the Empress, this old monk shall take his leave now.”

Gu Qingli noticed Master Jueliao’s complexion wasn’t good.

He probably revealed too much to me and suffered a backlash.

She immediately clasped her hands. “Master, are you alright?”

Master Jueliao replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This old monk is fine!”

“Then, Master, please return and rest quickly.” As she spoke, Gu Qingli took a small medicine bottle from her sleeve. “Master, thank you for your efforts. This medicine will be beneficial for you.”

Master Jueliao said, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Master Jueliao accepted the medicine bottle nonetheless.

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