CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153: CUTTING THE FLESH (PART 1)

The main character finally appeared.

Chen Jinyu sneered coldly in her heart and turned around.

Standing before her was none other than Master Pusuan, the renowned high monk of Jingzhou.

With his current status and reputation, Master Pusuan had his exceptional qualities. Not to mention his kind face and peaceful demeanor, he was indeed a daunting figure.

Unfortunately, the Commandery Princess does not believe in Buddha, and neither does Chen Jinyu. Today, she came on the Commandery Princess’s orders to tear apart the façade of the high monks of White Cloud Temple.

"So, it is Master Pusuan," Chen Jinyu unconsciously emulated the Commandery Princess’s usual aura, slightly raising her head and pointing her chin at the high monk. "Heaven is merciful, and those who have renounced the worldly life should be compassionate. A disciple of Master Pusuan accidentally killed someone; does Master Pusuan feel any guilt while reciting scriptures?"

Master Pusuan sighed softly, "It was due to my lax oversight that this disaster occurred. Please inform the Commandery Princess that I will go to the county government today to plead for forgiveness."

Ci’en and the Martial Monk were shocked: "Master!"

Admitting guilt in this way confirmed the charge of accidental murder, leaving an indelible stain on White Cloud Temple. How would they face the public with compassion in the future?

Master Pusuan glanced over calmly, "Both of you stay in the temple; wait for my return."

Ci’en hurried forward, "Master, we cannot go to the county government! We didn’t kill anyone, we cannot confess!"

The Martial Monk gritted his teeth, kneeling down, "An eye for an eye. The thief died in the woodshed, and I cannot defend myself. I will go to the county government to plead guilty and await the Commandery Princess’s decision. Master had no knowledge of this, so there’s no need for you to go."

Two foolish disciples!

The Commandery Princess had meticulously set up this trap to force White Cloud Temple to bow its head. Without paying a sufficient price, how could they withdraw unscathed?

Master Pusuan sighed inwardly, his voice heavier: "Both of you return to the Zen room; I will go plead for forgiveness from the Commandery Princess."

Ci’en and the Martial Monk’s eyes reddened, watching helplessly as Master Pusuan left with Yang Zheng’s group.

Master Pusuan hadn’t left White Cloud Temple for two years. On this rare occasion, instead of being greeted by kneeling citizens, only a dozen expressionless personal soldiers from the Prince Mansion were there. Not far away, two young individuals eyed him intently—Chen Sheren and Ma Sheren.

Once in the carriage, Master Pusuan closed his eyes to rest.

Chen Jinyu kept a close watch on Master Pusuan’s face.

Ma Yaosong thought for a moment and quietly reminded, "Chen Sheren, since Master Pusuan voluntarily went to the county government to see the Commandery Princess, he won’t flee halfway. No need to keep staring."

Chen Sheren replied, "What if he pretends to faint halfway and blames it on the Commandery Princess?"

Master Pusuan: "..."

Renowned for his magnanimity, Master Pusuan couldn’t help but open his eyes, "Chen Sheren, I am seventy-two this year, and at such an age, how could I resort to such childish tricks?"

Chen Jinyu raised her eyebrows and sneered, "That’s hard to say. Considering what Master Pusuan has done in the past, it’s no different from the tyrants who dominate regions. In Zhi County, citizens toil all day and still go hungry; some even sell their children for religion. If the Buddha above knew Master Pusuan’s bandit-like actions, he might feel ashamed to be called Buddha."

Master Pusuan remained unmoved, saying "Amitabha Buddha": "Chen Sheren is young and does not understand Buddhist doctrines, which inevitably leads to bias."

Ma Yaosong winked at Chen Jinyu, who swallowed her retort and said blandly, "When we meet the Commandery Princess, we can discuss bias."

An hour later, Master Pusuan met with Nanyang County Princess Jiang Shaohua.

The Commandery Princess was unexpectedly gentle and courteous, "Please be seated, Master Pusuan."

Master Pusuan thanked the Commandery Princess for her kindness and sat below her.

Jiang Shaohua neither questioned Master Pusuan’s intention nor mentioned the murder case at White Cloud Temple, just smiled and watched.

Master Pusuan sighed again in his heart.

Compared to the eloquent and sharp Chen Sheren, the younger Commandery Princess was calm and possessed exceptional depth; she was the truly daunting one.

"Commandery Princess," for the reputation of White Cloud Temple, Master Pusuan had to bow his head: "I’ve come to plead guilty. The incident at White Cloud Temple was due to my inadequate supervision. Please punish me, Commandery Princess!"

Jiang Shaohua slightly curled her lips, replying leisurely, "Master Pusuan need not assume blame. The case involved an accidental death caused by White Cloud Temple’s Martial Monk, unrelated to you. I won’t exaggerate the matter; on the day of the public trial, Magistrate Yang will judge according to court law, ensuring no injustice to the innocent."

If it came to that, White Cloud Temple’s long-standing reputation would be ruined, with no standing left. How could he, a high monk, preach in the future?

Master Pusuan had to bow his head because he was caught at his weak point.

Lowering one’s head naturally meant loss.

If the Commandery Princess wasn’t satisfied, the issue couldn’t be resolved.

Master Pusuan’s voice grew more respectful: "I’ve heard that the Commandery Princess inspected Zhi County’s Taiping Grain Warehouse, which has only thirty percent of the grain. The benevolent Buddha wouldn’t want citizens to suffer. White Cloud Temple has some reserved grain and wishes to donate it to the county government to replenish the warehouse."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Master Pusuan, with just a word, donates a thousand stones of grain. Such a benevolent heart and generosity truly impress this Commandery Princess."

Master Pusuan pondered, then said, "Zhi County also needs to build three additional Taiping Grain Warehouses, lacking silver. White Cloud Temple wishes to donate a pure gold Buddha as a token of goodwill."

The so-called pure gold Buddha was made of brass with a layer of gold plating. Considering the size of the statues at White Cloud Temple, scraping and melting the gold surface of one could yield at least a hundred taels of gold—no small amount.

Jiang Shaohua continued to praise, "Master Pusuan is indeed generous."

Still not enough?

Master Pusuan imperceptibly frowned, finally revealing his trump card, "As the ruler of Nanyang County, the Commandery Princess protects its citizens with compassion. I shall promote the Commandery Princess’s name, ensuring Zhi County’s citizens feel gratitude."

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow with a smile and instructed Yin Zhu, "Yin Zhu, go brew a pot of good tea."

Master Pusuan quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Yin Zhu smiled as she responded and, after a moment, returned with the hot tea.

Finally, he got to drink the Commandery Princess’s good tea.

After sipping the warm tea, the Commandery Princess calmly spoke, "The people of White Cloud Temple are reclusive, and going to court is indeed inappropriate. Therefore, I will have County Magistrate Lei post a notice for this case to be tried at White Cloud Temple. Let’s not let the citizens gather and conclude this case quickly."

Master Pusuan stood up and expressed his gratitude.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly, "It’s rare for Master Pusuan to enter the mundane world; this Commandery Princess must show some respect. I only hope for peace in Zhi County, so its citizens can have enough food and clothing. If Zhi County is stable, White Cloud Temple will be stable. Isn’t that right, Master Pusuan?"

Master Pusuan solemnly replied, "The Commandery Princess’s words are very true."