Celestial Demon Starting from Attribute Points

Chapter 83: Chapter 73: Compassion of the Mind Severs Mortal Attachments; The White Bone Courtesan Dwells in the Guest House

She finished speaking and beamed with a smile, brought her hands together and said, "The mortal world is always bitter; only by crossing the sea of suffering can one see the truth.

When the heart is in turmoil, the earthly realm becomes a prison; a clear mirror without dust sees the Buddha.

Jing Miao is doing very well here.

If I hadn’t met you, Jing Miao might not have been enlightened yet. I must thank you."

The charming nun stepped back two steps and said, "Amitabha."

After chanting, she smiled gently, then turned around and departed gracefully. Her moon-white monk robe exuded a sense of true enlightenment in the sunset.

Such highs and lows, after experiencing various trials, now she has overcome the hurdle of feelings, who says women cannot achieve enlightenment?

In the distant Zen room, an elderly nun was sitting quietly on a meditation cushion, fingering a prayer bead. Though she didn’t open her eyes, it seemed her eyes had Divine Abilities, seeing events happening afar. She nodded slightly, and then said to Jingzhu beside her, "Your junior did well. From now on, guide her and help her enter the path as soon as possible."

Jingzhu respectfully said, "Yes, Dharma Protector."

The elderly nun thought for a while and asked, "The spirit has emerged from the deep sea and now needs incense and Believers. Have the people from the Ministry of War come to cause trouble?"

Jingzhu said, "The senior uncle is handling this matter, I’ll ask later."

The elderly nun said, "Keep a low profile, make sure not to draw Liang Shigu’s soldiers over."

...

...

In the Zen room, on the couch.

The little maid was wearing her underclothes, her legs slightly bent. She giggled and said, "Young master was turned down."

Li Xuan thought back to Cao Yi’s appearance earlier, feeling she seemed truly enlightened.

He didn’t quite understand this state, but...since Cao Yi had made her own decision, he decided to leave it for now.

But overall, there was a vague feeling of lack of interest.

An epidemic had changed so many things.

It truly was a case of the world being different from before. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He set down the book and lay on the couch.

The little maid sat over, massaging his shoulders softly, and said gently, "Jing Miao is really annoying. She doesn’t show any concern for young master."

Li Xuan closed his eyes, enjoying her service, said, "Tomorrow, let’s take a walk in the distance, clear my mind a little."

...

...

In the following days, Li Xuan didn’t read but strolled around Yeguang Mountain.

On this day, coincidently, he was walking in the mountains when he saw a familiar face.

Li Xuan took a closer look—wasn’t that Cao Wen?

He shouted from afar, "Brother Cao!"

Cao Wen heard the voice, turned to look, and upon seeing Li Xuan, he likewise called out joyfully, "Brother Li!"

As he called, he hurried over, saying, "Brother Li, long time no see."

While speaking, his face showed a lot of melancholy.

The two walked together, chatting about various things.

Only then did Cao Wen find out that Li Xuan had already met his sister, and she seemed enlightened, decisively rejecting Li Xuan. He sighed repeatedly and beat his chest regretfully.

Cao Wen and Cao Shi were born of different mothers, but with Cao Yi, they were of the same mother.

The two were real siblings.

Naturally, Cao Wen hoped his sister could marry Li Xuan, but at this moment...there arose a feeling of fate playing tricks.

He could only resign to it.

Li Xuan also learned that Cao Wen had been preparing for the autumn examination all along.

Cao Wen strongly disliked the governor’s son, Zhou Changye, so he hadn’t stayed at Green Willow Pavilion but came to the deep mountains.

Yet, Cao Wen wasn’t staying at Xinci Temple but at a friend’s villa.

"Brother Li, the monastery’s simple meals aren’t really suitable for young men of our vigor. Why not move over here? I’ll speak to that friend, and we can reside together, prepare for the exam, how about it?"

Cao Wen showed great fondness for Li Xuan, saying with a sigh, "My late father also wanted you to live with the Cao family, and prepare for the exam together. Yet, unexpectedly, we are indeed preparing together but not in Cao’s home."

Li Xuan had grown tired of the monastery’s plain fare, so he agreed.

...

...

Several days later.

Yeguang Mountain, deep mountain villa.

The three were exchanging toasts.

These three were Li Xuan, Cao Wen, and the villa’s owner—Jin Jingsong.

The Jin family was a well-known large family in the state, and before, the Jin family and Hundred Flowers Mansion’s Cao family had frequent interactions, Cao Wen and Jin Jingsong counted as childhood pals, even sharing clothes as good brothers.

Cao Wen introduced Li Xuan to Jin Jingsong.

Jin Jingsong, after spending two days with Li Xuan, also found their temperaments compatible.

Hence, this wastrel from the Jin family hosted a small banquet every three days and a grand feast every five days, as a reward for the trio’s hard studying.

He spent lavishly, inviting dancers for relaxation at small banquets, while inviting famed courtesans from State City to accompany in drinking at grand feasts, later picking one to keep company.

"Books shouldn’t be read dead; only through elegance and refinement can the true meaning of books be understood!" Jin Jingsong laughed heartily, saying, "Brother Li, Brother Cao, today I invited nine courtesans from Celestial Fragrance Pavilion, all charming beauties. I wonder how many each of you can handle?"

Cao Wen laughed and said, "Three per person, let’s see who can’t get up the next day, haha."

Jin Jingsong clapped and said, "Good idea."

Saying this, he clapped his hands.

A group of courtesans, chirping like orioles, fluttered in like colorful butterflies, began dancing gracefully in the hall.

Li Xuan, snacking on seeds and sipping wine, watched the State City courtesans showing off.

The common, heavy makeup wasn’t appealing—after all, the truly wealthy young masters wouldn’t fancy them.

These courtesans, from appearances alone, did not seem at all like brothel women; some were dignified, some seductive, and even some were innocent, very alluring...

And the one in the center was extraordinarily beautiful.

Both Jin Jingsong and Cao Wen widened their eyes, staring at that courtesan.

Swoosh~~

Amidst the music, the extraordinarily beautiful courtesan suddenly twirled, the two wide sleeves fluttering like butterfly wings, soaring gracefully in the long wind.

Cao Wen was entranced, yet suddenly said, "Miss, why do you keep your hands in your sleeves and not let anyone see them?"

Behind the wine table, Jin Jingsong already somewhat tipsy, directly ran down and burst into laughter, hugging that extraordinarily beautiful courtesan from behind, and whispering, "Let the young master see your little hands."

Swoosh!

The wide sleeve was pulled up.

Pulling higher and higher, yet no hand was seen.

Jin Jingsong felt something amiss, kept pulling.

Suddenly, he finally saw the "hand."

But that "hand" had not a bit of flesh, only bare bones.

With a pull, the extraordinarily beautiful courtesan suddenly fell over to the side, turning directly into a skeletal frame.

Jin Jingsong screamed in fright, instantly sober.

Li Xuan also frowned slightly, but...this time, he didn’t panic too much.

He...hadn’t progressed in such a long time.