Chapter 221: Break
When Qiao Wan woke up again, she saw Xiao Boyang sitting in front of her with a complicated expression on his face.
"You're awake?"
His gaze fell on her... on her shoulder, as if he had seen a ghost.
Qiao Wan hesitantly reached out and touched it. Two words flashed through her mind like lightning.
"Oh my gosh!"
The smooth texture... the wonderful feeling of water flowing through her fingers...
Wide-eyed, Qiao Wan asked in fear, "My hair?"
Xiao Boyang handed her a mirror and said, "It became like this when I first saw you."
In the mirror, the girl had a beautiful, shiny black hair that was even better in quality than before. No split ends, no tangles, just smooth and silky.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Qiao Wan felt a bit dazed.
She remembered hearing a sound before she went to sleep, but now she couldn't recall it. Her sea of consciousness was empty, with no memories left behind.
Is this the magic of a kind-hearted fairy grandfather?! Xiao Boyang looked at Qiao Wan and tugged at the hair on her head, feeling a bit complicated. He had only heard of turning white overnight, but never heard of growing overnight. But in the world of cultivation, anything strange could happen.
"Enough about that," the young man's voice suddenly became serious. "Do you know that Taoist Friend Mu has been released by Precept Hall?"
Qiao Wan was surprised by this news and looked around.
This was her cave dwelling.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Three days."
These past three days, she had almost no recollection, not even a memory with Lu Cixian on the other side.
Luckily, before she could ask, Xiao Boyang dispelled her doubts with his next sentence. "Lu Cixian has also been asleep for three days. We don't know if he has woken up yet."
Both of them had been deeply unconscious, and the others simply thought it was because they had exhausted their spiritual power. It didn't cause much suspicion.
Xiao Boyang's mood was not very pleasant. The usually arrogant Young Master Xiao from the Xiao family seemed to have grown up overnight. Just as he had encountered the old man ginseng spirit that he didn't want to face a moment ago, now he saw his own... his own beloved causing trouble for him within their sect.
Xiao Boyang felt that he couldn't consider himself a good person, but he was different from Xiao Boyu. He was determined not to do such despicable things as framing others, yet he happened to witness this scene.
Until today, he finally understood that he had misplaced his true heart, and this feeling was not good at all.
"Is that so..." Qiao Wan calmly replied, lying down on the bed, silently staring at the ceiling.
"Taoist Friend Mu personally went to Precept Hall as Xiao Huan's guarantee, so it's not without punishment." Xiao Boyang added with a frown, "Precept Hall gave him thirty lashes, but..."
"But, is it a delayed execution?" Qiao Wan turned her head.
Xiao Boyang fell silent.
Qiao Wan closed her eyes, and the sound of Xiao Boyang's voice reached her ears.
The spiritual master and Martial Brother Lu Pihan stepped in to take the punishment on behalf of Taoist Friend Mu. They both received fifteen lashes, with Taoist Friend Mu receiving five of them. The remaining ten lashes were postponed due to her upcoming birthday. Qiao Wan clenched her lips.
This ruling didn't come as a surprise to her. Even Martial Brother Lu Pihan enduring the punishment in place of Mu Xiaoxiao didn't surprise her.
"I think I need some time alone," Qiao Wan emotionlessly pulled up the blanket. "Martial Brother Xiao, can you please leave for now?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xiao Boyang felt a twinge of guilt towards Qiao Wan. He glanced at the bulging figure under the blanket. The young master from the Xiao family had never shown consideration for others, and now hearing the calm "Martial Brother" from her, he suddenly felt uneasy.
Since he was now addressed as "Martial Brother," and considering that no one else seemed willing to take care of Qiao Wan, he felt obligated to show some brotherly warmth.
After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Boyang clumsily patted the large bundle of blankets and said, "You...rest well. This time, Taoist Friend Mu was not unaffected at all."
At least, in front of Kunshan, their reputation was almost completely ruined.
Back then, Xiao Boyang also witnessed the execution in Precept Hall. They never hid or covered up their methods. Instead, they made it public, aiming to warn other disciples in Kunshan. When Mu Xiaoxiao was executed in Precept Hall, many people gathered both inside and outside.
The whip used by Precept Hall was real. It had thorns on its body. When the whip struck, the thorns tore into the flesh and caused fresh wounds.
Mu Xiaoxiao, who had been cherished and protected by Zhou Yan since childhood, had never experienced such pain. Kneeling on the execution platform, she couldn't help but let out miserable cries as the five whips struck, and her tears flowed onto the ground.
As for the disciples watching from below, few showed sympathy while many were shocked.
After all, cultivators have endured a lot of hardship. Although the whip in the Precept Hall is indeed a bit terrifying, everyone can grit their teeth and get through the first lash. This first lash is particularly pitiful, which is rarely seen.
Suddenly, something unknown froze inside the blanket and made a sound like "hmm".
She couldn't wallow for too long. She quickly switched to Lu Cixian's account, comforted Ruyi and the others, and made arrangements for Lai Fu. She thanked Qi Feidao and Ma Huaizhen for helping her take care of Lai Fu.
In theory, Lai Fu was supposed to be taken to the Precept Hall, but according to Qi Feidao, Ma Huaizhen stopped him.
Switching back to Qiao Wan's main account, she comforted Gan Nan, Jun Caiwei, and Ciji among others.
As for Venerable One Miaofa, he didn't come. He only had Ciji bring a letter.
Qiao Wan looked at the letter brought by Ciji. When she unfolded it, she was a little stunned.
There was only one word written on it, exactly the same as the one she saw in Venerable One's meditation room in the Great Hall of Light.
A bold and steep word, each stroke sharp and powerful.
"断" (meaning "severed" or "broken").
The Buddhist teachings often mention the five aggregates that bring forth various forms of suffering. By letting go of attachments, one may find liberation.
It's easier said than done, but this bold word "断" undoubtedly brought her some comfort.
Just as she was about to carefully put the letter away in the drawer, the Souvenir Jade Ball in her room suddenly made a sound, reflecting the handsome face of a man.
Qiao Wan was startled. "Senior?"
Li Pan sat upright in the "chess room" and calmly asked, "How was your trip to Kunshan?"
At this thought, Qiao Wan felt slightly ashamed and remained silent for a moment. "Thank you for your concern, but..."
Li Pan keenly grasped the key point and said calmly, "It seems that it didn't meet your expectations."
This was almost within Li Pan's expectations as well.
Li Pan quietly gazed at the young girl sitting upright with respect and courtesy in front of him.
He forced her to go to Kunshan, with his own selfish intentions. Unfortunately, Qiao Wan's performance didn't disappoint him, but he couldn't say he was completely satisfied either.
At least, he managed to achieve his goal of erasing any sentimental feelings towards Buping College from her heart, with the help of Kunshan, Zhou Yan, Yuqing Peak, and others. From then on, Buping College would be her only retreat.
Buping College didn't need a head who had allegiance to other sects. They needed someone who could make decisions quickly, be decisive, and navigate various forces with ease.
Only a young person who hasn't grown up yet would care so much about seeking recognition and praise from others. Those who have reached Li Pan's age no longer care about such silly things.
However, it is because of this passion, determination, and childishness that people find laughable, that young people are called young.
For Buping College, having such a passionate "young mountain leader" like Qiao Wan might not be a bad thing after all.
Li Pan, who has always believed in practicality, felt a rare trace of guilt as he looked at Qiao Wan inside the Souvenir Jade Ball. A slightly soft expression appeared on his face. "Well, you've already done a good job. Rest well."
His gaze inadvertently glanced at the letter on the table.
"What is this?"
She knew about Venerable One Miaofa, and Li Pan also knew there was no need to hide it. Qiao Wan placed the letter in front of the Souvenir Jade Ball.
"This is a letter sent by the senior..."
"What did you notice?"
After considering for a while, Qiao Wan answered truthfully, "Everyone has their own sufferings, which burn fiercely due to attachments. By letting go of attachments, one may find liberation. The senior wants me to let go of attachments."
Li Pan's gaze suddenly contracted. "Yes, and no."
No?
Qiao Wan was taken aback.
To be honest, this one character doesn't really reveal much. We can only speculate based on the basic teachings of Buddhism.
"Who is Venerable One Miaofa?" Li Pan quietly observed Qiao Wan and calmly said, "Just a word that symbolizes emptiness and superiority, is that all you have received?"
Honestly, even at their level, even someone as esteemed as Venerable One Miaofa doesn't always act according to the teachings of Buddhism.
By "doing things," it doesn't mean waiting until someone mistreats you and then preaching about "letting go and finding liberation."
Practicing Buddhism also requires following certain principles. The teachings can be a guide for faith and actions, but when people live in the world, especially when holding the position of Venerable One Miaofa, they cannot always adhere strictly to the teachings.
Throughout history, every established religious sect and enlightened monks striving to save their sects from danger have sought to protect their own interests.
The teachings are empty, reciprocity is important, flattery and sycophancy are real. But alignment with the current is also real.
If one does not enter the world, how can they navigate through it? If one does not develop their own power, how can they influence others?
Naturally, Venerable One Miaofa couldn't just send an empty word like "断" superiorly and ask her to let go of her attachments.
After listening to Li Pan's analysis, Qiao Wan was stunned again.
"What do you mean, senior?"
Li Pan said, "Literal meaning."
"断" means to end things, to end the troubles that are weighing you down, to make a decisive resolution.
Being quick and decisive suits the character of this Venerable One.
As for why he sent this word, according to his protective nature—
"This is to tell you," Li Pan's voice was deep and powerful, he explained the meaning behind it word by word, "He has your back."
