354: Chapter 354 Xuan Yin's younger brother?

By the time the boat docked, the sky had already darkened a little.

The ferry terminal on Jinchan Island looked much tidier than the outer perimeter; steps paved with bluestone extended down to the water, flanked by neatly planted dwarf trees that were meticulously trimmed.

In the distance, the outlines of several pagoda spires could be seen against the twilight, their sparse lights suggesting they were accustomed to spending the nights in quietude.

Chu Sheng, Jiuer, and Xiaobai disembarked from the boat one after another.

The monk pressed his palms together in a salute at the bow of the boat, and without lingering, quickly turned the boat around and disappeared into the water mist.

Chu Sheng did not rush to head inside; he stood at the ferry terminal for a moment, observing the surrounding environment.

A few young monks in grey robes were sweeping the stone steps not far away, their movements unhurried, as if this were the final routine task of the day.

Upon seeing Chu Sheng and the others, they merely raised their eyes to glance at them, without coming forward to inquire or blocking their path.

Chu Sheng withdrew his gaze and turned to say to Xiaobai, "You stay here for now."

Xiaobai was stunned for a moment. "Huh? Me? Stay here?"

Chu Sheng nodded. "I will have someone arrange a place for you to stay. Digest that strand of spiritual power first, and don't be in such a rush to run around."

Xiaobai opened its mouth as if wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say.

A moment later, it nodded. "Oh… okay."

Its tone could not be called disappointed; rather, it carried a hint of surprise, as if it hadn't expected that it would be allowed to stay behind as well.

Chu Sheng did not offer much explanation; he simply called over a passing young monk and gave a few brief instructions, explaining that this pig demon was accompanying him and asking for help in arranging a place for it to stay temporarily.

The monk glanced at Xiaobai, asked no further questions, and nodded, gesturing for Xiaobai to follow.

Xiaobai walked a few steps, then turned back to look at Chu Sheng as if wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't open its mouth; it just waved its front hoof and followed the monk.

Chu Sheng watched it walk away, then turned and headed toward the depths of the island.

The interior of Jinchan Island looked even more expansive than the outer perimeter.

Tall trees were planted on both sides of the road, their crowns blocking out the sky, with sparse lights visible between the branches and leaves.

Occasionally, a few Buddhist halls were nestled in the shadows of the trees, their doors half-ajar, revealing a faint glow.

Jiuer walked by Chu Sheng's side, remaining silent the whole time, only occasionally looking around as if confirming the direction of the path.

After passing through several corridors, a not-so-grand courtyard appeared ahead.

The courtyard gate was wide open, and inside stood an old tree, beneath whose canopy sat a stone table and a few stone stools.

An old man wearing grey monk robes was sitting by the stone table, brewing tea.

When he saw Chu Sheng and Jiuer enter, he did not stand up, nor did he show an expression of surprise; he simply reached out a hand to gesture for them to sit.

Chu Sheng sat down on a stone stool, and Jiuer sat down beside him.

The old man poured a cup of tea for each of them; the tea was clear and carried a faint floral scent.

He did not make small talk, nor did he ask about the purpose of their visit; instead, as if he had known them for a long time, he spoke in a calm tone, "The benefactor has arrived."

Chu Sheng picked up his teacup but did not drink immediately, asking first, "Does Senior know me?"

The old man shook his head. "I do not. But I have heard my elder brother mention you."

He paused, as if recalling something, and added, "My dharma name is Xuandu. Xuan Yin is my elder brother."

Chu Sheng's hand holding the teacup faltered slightly.

He already knew that the monk held a high position within the Wanfo Sect, but sitting before him now was that monk's own younger brother, and the feeling of this direct encounter was still not very easy.

He silently weighed his words in his heart, then set down the teacup, took the fragment and the letter from his sleeve, and placed them in the center of the stone table.

"These items were entrusted by Great Master Xuan Yin for Junior to bring back to the Wanfo Sect."

Xuandu glanced at the two items but did not immediately take them; he simply nodded, as if he had already known they would be brought.

"Since my brother entrusted them to you, it means he trusts you."

His tone remained flat, as if stating a fact that had already been confirmed.

"However—"

He paused. "He should have also told you that once you get your hands on these things, it is not easy to completely extricate yourself."

Chu Sheng did not deny it, simply listening quietly.

Xuandu did not say anything more, simply putting those two items away.

He refilled Chu Sheng's cup with tea, his tone returning to the previous easygoing manner. "Since you have come, there is no need to rush off. Stay here for now."

Chu Sheng picked up the newly filled cup of tea, took a sip, and did not say anything more.

He knew clearly in his heart that while these words sounded polite, the depths of Jinchan Island were far beyond the measure of this single cup of tea.