"Fairy Ranran? She is Yao Ranran?"
"No wonder she's called the fairest of them all. That face is stunning beyond belief!"
"Isn't Fairy Ranran supposed to be Yu Weifeng's illegitimate daughter? Why hasn't she returned to the Yu family yet?"
"..."
Listening to the whispers around her, Yao Ranran pieced together quite a bit of information.
Her father-daughter connection with the Yu clan patriarch had already been exposed!
The bronze sword in her hand was one of the sealing immortal artifacts used by Guan Fan Temple to suppress an ancient evil!
Which meant the monks from Guan Fan Temple would soon be coming for it!
"Put down the Sword of Wrath!"
Alright, not soon. Already here.
The voice in her mind was gentle and soft, suffused with boundless compassion, like a heavenly hymn.
Yao Ranran only gripped the sword tighter.
Mu Jialing blinked in surprise, then spoke again. "Fairy, please set down the Sword of Wrath."
Yao Ranran gave the bronze sword a shake and said helplessly, "I can't put it down!"
Mu Jialing's brows knit lightly. "Fairy, there is no need to deceive me."
Wu Changde and his companion also grew anxious. "Yes, Fairy! Holding that sword will do you no good. Please hand it to the Fózǐ!"
They had no idea how Fairy Ranran had pulled it out in the first place. They had only stepped away for a short while…
Yao Ranran shook the sword with all her strength. "I really can't put it down!"
Mu Jialing pressed his palms together and urged her, "Fairy, this sword has guarded this place for countless years. It has long changed from an immortal artifact into a cursed weapon. Keeping it will only bring you harm. Please release it while you can."
"…I said I can't put it down! Don't just stand there lecturing me, help me get it off!"
"Fairy Ranran, allow us to assist you!"
Wu Changde and his companion stepped forward and tried pulling the sword free.
Since Yao Ranran's hands clutched the hilt, the two of them could only tug at the rusted blade.
With a harsh tearing sound, the corroded edge sliced open their palms, sending two sharp trails of blood spraying through the air.
Both men froze where they stood.
The hushed whispers around them instantly erupted.
"Is Fairy Ranran refusing to hand over the Sword of Wrath?"
"Even if it's become a cursed weapon, it's still an immortal-grade sword! After tens of thousands of years, its edge remains this sharp!"
"She deliberately injured those two Senior Brothers! I heard rumors long ago that Fairy Ranran isn't as kind and gentle as she appears. Her sweetness is just a façade. Now that she's holding the Sword of Wrath, her ambition can no longer be hidden!"
"That must be it!"
The crowd's words reached the ears of both Mu Jialing and Yao Ranran.
Mu Jialing took a step forward. "Since Fairy cannot let go, then this humble monk must lend you a hand."
Yao Ranran turned the tip of the sword toward him. "Go on then, hurry and take it off me!"
Mu Jialing paused for a heartbeat. Her expression didn't look like she was lying. But how could the Sword of Wrath refuse to be put down?
He raised his porcelain-white hand. The blade rested against his palm, golden radiance flowing between flesh and steel. He pressed harder.
The Sword of Wrath didn't budge. Not even an inch.
Mu Jialing's eyes flicked over the crowd, who all wore varying looks of shock and disbelief.
"Could it be the Fózǐ cannot move it either?"
"Impossible. He's the next abbot of Guan Fan Temple. How could he fail where a mere female cultivator succeeded?"
"Why hasn't the Fózǐ simply taken the sword from her by force?"
Mu Jialing began circulating the Pure Heart Sutra. His feet sank three inches into the earth as true qi gathered into his palm.
Yao Ranran let out a small sigh of relief, hoping at last he would rid her of this cursed bronze sword.
His qi surged faster and faster, his silent chants of the Pure Heart Sutra multiplying in his mind. The golden light between palm and blade grew ever brighter. Sweat trickled from his brow as his feet sank three more inches into the ground.
Boom!
The golden light burst into a brilliant explosion. Everyone shielded their eyes, waiting to see the Fózǐ draw the sword away.
When the light faded, Mu Jialing folded his hands before him, hiding the blood seeping from his palm, his face serene and devout.
"Fairy, these barren mountains are chaotic, and the night winds bitter. Guan Fan Temple has warm halls and safe chambers. Why not accompany me there, away from this desolation?"
Yao Ranran glanced at the sword stuck to her hand, then at the sweat still beading on Mu Jialing's forehead. She silently nodded.
Best to let this Fózǐ keep some dignity.
And the mountaintop really was rather cold.
"Amitabha."
Only four words, but spoken more quickly than before.
With a sweep of his robe, golden runes enveloped Yao Ranran, along with Wu Changde and his companion. They turned into a streak of light, flying straight toward Guan Fan Temple.
The mountaintop fell silent.
"…Did you see it?"
"We saw."
"What did you see?"
"The sword… it's still in Fairy Ranran's hand!!!"
…
At Guan Fan Temple.
Yao Ranran was treated like a treasured guest.
The Fózǐ prepared the finest residence for her. Five of the temple's masters came in turns to visit her. Tens of thousands of young monks lined up to catch a glimpse. The abbot himself led chants for her in the great hall.
Clutching the Sword of Wrath to her chest, Yao Ranran felt like both a monkey on display and a Buddha on a pedestal.
Still… the living conditions were excellent.
As for Wu Changde and his companion, their treatment was far worse.
They were confined to a small side room beside Yao Ranran's quarters. That very night they tried to send word to Wuxiang Sect for rescue. Every day they were given only thin millet porridge and plain boiled greens. Their tongues felt numb from the blandness. They were barred from seeing anyone at all, as if the monks had completely forgotten their existence.
Meanwhile, in the Central Continent.
Yu family estate.
"Clan Leader, a message has arrived from the abbot of Guan Fan Temple."
Yu Weifeng reclined lazily on his luxurious couch and beckoned with his hand. "Bring it here."
"Yes, sir." The clan disciple delivered the letter and departed.
"What could the abbot of Guan Fan Temple want with me?"
Yu Weifeng opened the golden envelope. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper until he suddenly shot upright.
"Ranran is in their hands? And she's holding the Sword of Wrath?"
He flung the letter onto the ground.
"These bald donkeys are mad! The Sword of Wrath is stuck to her hand and they can't pry it free, so they want to trick me into handing over the Imperial Bell? Why should I give them the Imperial Bell just because of her?"
Half an hour later.
At Wuxiang Sect.
In the main hall.
"Patriarch Yu, I trust you've received the news by now. Your daughter is currently in the hands of the monks of Guan Fan Temple," said Han Huijun with grave seriousness.
Yu Weifeng's expression darkened. "Sect Master Han, they have no right to imprison Ranran. We must demand her return!"
Han Huijun raised an eyebrow. "You are correct… but what does that have to do with me?"
Yu Weifeng stared, dumbfounded. "Ranran is a disciple of Wuxiang Sect. Will Sect Master Han truly allow the bald donkeys of Guan Fan Temple to trample over our sect's dignity?"
Han Huijun replied coolly, "They are trampling on you. Who was it who insisted on recognizing this daughter? Who spread news of his illegitimate child across the entire Central Continent?"
He didn't wait for Yu Weifeng to answer. "It was you."
Yu Weifeng: "…"
"Sect Master Han, must you truly be so ruthless?"
Han Huijun shrugged. "It was your own daughter who acted ruthlessly. What does that have to do with me, Han Huijun?"
Yu Weifeng ground his teeth. "…Fine!"
He never should have been so quick to spread the news!
===
To be honest, I'm not completely sure about 佛子 (Fózǐ), or "Buddha Son." I have a rough idea about what an Abbot is, but Fózǐ is a bit confusing to me. From what I can tell, it seems to refer to a leader of the younger generation—kind of similar in status to a true disciple in a sect, but in a monastery setting, I think? I'm not entirely certain.
If anyone knows more about Fózǐ, feel free to leave a comment down below! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧