Chapter 105: Rebirth

(Thanks to fellow readers "Alpha-Omega" and "ǒ⑧? You" for their generous rewards, becoming the masters of Liaozhai… Hmm, just seven more monthly tickets to reach the 500 milestone, shall we?)

The river flows endlessly, crowds press shoulder to shoulder—such is the bustling city of Suzhou.

From the moment she passed through the city gate, Jiao Na was like a bird freed from its cage, unable to contain her excitement as she kept stretching her head out of the carriage window, eagerly and curiously gazing at the sights outside, delighting in everything new and wonderful.

Blessed with a strikingly beautiful appearance, her lovely face was now fully exposed without concealment, attracting countless admiring glances along the way. Especially the passing scholars and young literati; upon seeing Jiao Na, they mistook her for a noble lady out for a stroll, their hearts secretly rejoicing. They hurried to display their talents and charm like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each striking poses and making gestures to catch her attention. Among them, two or three even loudly recited poetry, their voices rising and falling with emotion, throats tightening, spittle flying—truly an overly enthusiastic recital.

“Enough noise! You all sound like crows squawking!”

Suddenly, Miss Huangfu let out a fierce roar like a lioness from the east of the river. The scholars were startled, their faces pale, and quickly slunk away into the crowd.

Chen Jianchen saw this and, though struggling to hold back, to avoid unnecessary trouble, said to Jiao Na, “Miss Huangfu, why don’t you sit back inside the carriage?”

Jiao Na was thoroughly enjoying herself and was reluctant to listen.

Chen Jianchen’s face turned stern. “If you don’t behave, be careful, the master’s ruler might be waiting for you.”

Upon hearing the words “ruler,” Jiao Na reluctantly sat back inside but still couldn’t help lifting the curtain, leaving a small gap to peek out.

“Benefactor… it really is you…”

A familiar voice rang out, and from a nearby calligraphy and painting stall, a figure rushed out excitedly—it was none other than the scholar Zhang Huanyun!

Though several days had passed, Zhang Huanyun was still dressed in worn clothes, but now much cleaner and more orderly, no longer disheveled and listless; at least he looked like a normal person.

“Oh, it’s Brother Zhang! What brings you here?”

Chen Jianchen ordered the coachman to stop the carriage.

Zhang Huanyun bowed deeply to him, “When the young master did not leave his name, I thought I would never see my benefactor again.”

Chen Jianchen chuckled, “It’s just a small favor, no need to mention it.” He then pointed to the calligraphy stall and asked, “Is this yours?”

Zhang Huanyun’s face showed some shame. “I am but poor, with no other means to earn a living, so I set up a small stall to help support my family.”

Chen Jianchen’s heart stirred, realizing that his strategy of sending the beautiful writer Yan Ruyu had worked—though Zhang still refused to sell any of his treasured books to improve his situation, at least he had stepped out of his cage-like study, humbled himself to sell paintings on the street, and truly taken up a livelihood. Compared to his previous dissolute state, this was rebirth.

“Brother Zhang, the sages say ‘among all virtues, filial piety comes first.’ A man of your stature and age should not need your mother’s hardships. Reflect on this and do your best,” Chen Jianchen admonished.

Zhang sighed, “Your words awaken the dreamer. I am ashamed for neglecting the teachings of the sages… Reflecting on the past is like a fleeting dream, a dream of white emptiness. I have decided to work hard at my livelihood and study the classics, to take the provincial examination next year and earn an official title.”

He had read countless books and was skilled in composing the rigid eight-legged essays, always ranking near the top in his exams, thus qualified for the next year’s provincial test. With Yan Ruyu’s guidance, Zhang had a good chance of success.

Chen Jianchen cupped his hands. “Then I shall wish you success in the coming examination, may your name be known throughout the land.”

Zhang returned the gesture. “I see in you an extraordinary spirit; you are surely no ordinary man. I believe we will serve together as officials in the same court. When that day comes, I will invite you as my honored guest.”

Hearing this, Chen Jianchen laughed heartily—this scholar had clearly become much sharper in mind after his transformation.

They parted ways, Zhang standing in the street, watching until the carriage disappeared from view.

At the inn, after meeting with Wang Fu and his party to discuss some matters, things had mostly settled down.

Thinking of the impending separation, Lu Xiyue grew melancholy, speechless and choked with emotion.

Chen Jianchen came down the stairs only to suddenly discover Jiao Na was missing!

He asked Xiao Ju, who replied that Jiao Na had just said she needed to go out to relieve herself...

Hearing this, Chen Jianchen knew trouble was brewing—Jiao Na was clearly using an excuse to sneak out and play; but where in the vast city of Suzhou could he find her?

“Damn it!”

Chen Jianchen cursed inwardly, blaming himself for his negligence. He knew Jiao Na’s lively spirit would never obediently behave like a proper lady in Suzhou.

If she were obedient, she wouldn’t be Jiao Na.

Xiao Ju suddenly realized the seriousness of the situation and panicked, repeatedly asking Chen Jianchen what to do. If Miss Huangfu got into trouble, it would be grave.

Chen Jianchen was not worried about Jiao Na’s safety—she was a fox spirit who had attained enlightenment and taken human form; ordinary people were no match for her. What worried him was that she would cause all kinds of trouble in the city.

After some thought, he told Xiao Ju and the coachman to wait at the inn while he went out alone to find Jiao Na. Xiao Ju wanted to come along but Chen Jianchen stopped her—she was just a sheltered girl who hadn’t seen much of the world and might lose herself searching for a spirit.

Such things happened all too often.

Chen Jianchen strode out, first searching the nearby streets.

…

As for Jiao Na, she had found an excuse to send Xiao Ju away and quietly slipped into the bustling streets. Seeing the throngs of people, she suddenly felt as free as a bird in the sky, as unbound as a fish leaping in the vast sea. Looking here and there, sneaking quietly, hopping along, before long she had wandered quite far without even realizing where she was.

She cared little, strolling at ease, and happened upon a vendor selling candied hawthorns. Seeing the bright red, glistening skewers, she was instantly tempted and walked over.

The vendor eagerly plucked a large skewer and held it out, shouting, “Big and sweet candied hawthorns! Young lady, have a taste. Buy one, get three!”

Jiao Na, heedless of reason, took it and bit in with a smile, “So sweet!”

In no time, one skewer was gone.

The vendor asked, “Want more?”

“Yes.”

Soon she had one skewer in each hand, nibbling on one while flicking the other, feeling utterly delighted.

The vendor beamed, “That’ll be eleven copper coins.”

Jiao Na’s smile faded; she suddenly recalled her father’s warning that taking other people’s things required payment. But she had never been out before and didn’t carry a single coin. What to do now?

Hmm, the best strategy is to run away.

With that decision, she dashed into a nearby alleyway.

The vendor’s smile vanished: What world is this? When did young ladies as beautiful as flowers start freeloading? Had he been tricked?

He barely had time to think before shouting, “Young lady, you haven’t paid yet!”

Hoisting his goods, he gave chase.

Jiao Na, unfamiliar with the streets, chose a dead-end alley. She ran for dozens of steps only to face a bare wall.

Without hesitation, she whispered an incantation and used the “Wall Passing Technique.” Her small body dashed straight into the wall and instantly vanished without a trace.

This was…

The vendor, witnessing this, was so startled his eyes nearly popped out. “A monster! A monster!” Terrified, he dropped the candied hawthorns and fled, screaming.

“Amitabha!”

A Buddhist chant sounded like a morning bell, ringing sharply in his ears, clearing his mind.

Looking up, the vendor saw a tall monk in white robes standing beside him. The monk had a full forehead, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a handsome, youthful face. His posture was upright, and his robes were pure white, spotless, giving off an ethereal, almost celestial aura, unlike ordinary monks.

In his right hand he held a nine-ringed staff, and in his left, a purple-red alms bowl, small and flat at the mouth, emanating a faint, radiant glow—clearly no ordinary object.

The monk joined his palms and said, “Greetings, benefactor. I am the Dawn Monk of Jinshan Temple. The world is vast and clear—why did you shout about a monster?”

The vendor swallowed nervously and recounted the whole incident.

“Oh? Is that so?”

The Dawn Monk’s mind was already clear. He stepped into the alley, scanning his surroundings. Reaching the wall at the end, he stopped and suddenly spat into the alms bowl in his left hand.

Hum!

The bowl shimmered with mist, and in moments, a pool of clear water appeared inside.

The water was crystal clear, like a mirror reflecting images.

Indeed, it displayed a moving image—a perfect replay of Jiao Na running into the alley and using the wall-passing technique to escape.

“So it’s a fox spirit who has cultivated for a hundred years… Hmph. To dare take human form and roam the bustling city under the light of day—she must not wish to live. Well then, I shall consecrate the Dawn Pagoda. I need to subdue and refine nine hundred ninety-nine shape-shifting demons and monsters to awaken the spirit of the pagoda…”

At this thought, a radiant smile spread across his lips, bright as sunlight. Were he not a bald monk but a scholar, such a gracious smile might charm countless noble ladies and maidens.

“Master, is it really a demon?” The vendor timidly asked behind.

“Indeed, it is. I shall go now to exorcise this demon.” The monk leapt lightly, drifting over the wall with graceful ease, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

The vendor, overwhelmed with reverence, knelt down and kowtowed with loud knocks on the ground. It is said that every monk at Jinshan Temple is profoundly skilled in the Dharma and a true enlightened master—indeed! He resolved to visit Jinshan Temple often to burn incense and pray…