Chapter Twenty-Two: Lu Liao Liao and the Young Monk

Birds soared through the sky, flowers bloomed amidst the grass, the wind sang among the woods, and his beloved girl was right by his side—such beautiful days of youth.

A group of fearless youths headed joyfully for Chengdu Prefecture. Unable to bear the display of affection between Lu Liao Liao and Tang Xiaoqi—their loving gazes and tender embraces—most of the group distanced themselves from the two.

Inside the carriage, the pair already nestled close together. Through the thin fabric of their clothes, Lu Liao Liao could feel the girl's smooth, tender skin. The faint scent of maidenhood and a trace of nearly imperceptible musk occasionally drifted to his nose, leaving him dazed and floating as if in the clouds.

Tang Xiaoqi lifted her youthful face, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lu Liao Liao. "Liao Liao, you clearly don’t believe what I say, so why don’t you ask me?"

"Everyone has their own secrets. If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t ask. When you want to share it, I’ll listen," replied Lu Liao Liao softly, still somewhat dizzy.

Tang Xiaoqi blinked. "Aren’t you afraid of being dragged into trouble with me?"

"Whatever happens, I’ll stand before you and never let you be wronged," Lu Liao Liao declared with confidence.

Tang Xiaoqi was deeply moved, yet she still asked, "What if you can’t protect me?"

"Don’t you know my courtesy name? Lu Liao Liao, courtesy name Yunyu—Cloud and Rain—what can’t I handle?" Lu Liao Liao answered proudly.

Tang Xiaoqi giggled, her cheeks blushing. "I wonder what your master was thinking, giving you the name ‘Cloud and Rain.’ You’ve only just left the mountain, and people have laughed at you so many times already."

"That’s because they lack knowledge and understanding. ‘Turning the hand brings clouds, raising the hand brings rain’—that’s the true meaning of my name," Lu Liao Liao replied without a trace of embarrassment.

"Are you really that powerful?" Tang Xiaoqi looked at Lu Liao Liao with admiration.

"Well, maybe not quite that powerful," Lu Liao Liao chuckled quietly.

"You’re so bad—bad, I say!" Tang Xiaoqi pinched his waist playfully.

Lu Liao Liao quickly retaliated, and for a moment, the two tumbled together in laughter.

Tang Xiaoqi suddenly felt something firm pressing against her from Lu Liao Liao’s waist, and the two parted as if shocked by electricity. They looked separately out the window, their hearts pounding wildly, not daring to meet each other’s eyes.

Looking outside, Lu Liao Liao spotted something interesting.

By the roadside, a young nun of sixteen or seventeen walked alone, graceful in figure despite the loose monk’s robes, which failed to hide her elegant form.

Seeing her struggle along, Lu Liao Liao felt pity and asked, "Little nun, you seem to be having a hard time walking. Are your feet blistered? Why not rest and take care of yourself instead of forcing yourself onward?"

The little nun turned around, and Lu Liao Liao was struck by her beauty. Though her head was bare and shining, her face was delicate and refined—a rare and lovely sight.

Her eyes brimmed with tears, stubbornly refusing to fall. She cast a pitiful glance at the young monk ahead, then shook her head and continued forward, faltering steps betraying her pain.

This scene angered Tang Xiaoqi, who hurried over to assert her presence, instructing the carriage driver to speed up and stop in front of the monk.

The young monk looked at them, surprised, making Lu Liao Liao feel as though he’d seen a ghost. The nun was beautiful enough, but this monk was even more handsome—a rare sight indeed.

Tang Xiaoqi, clearly not versed in worldly matters, didn’t care about the monk’s looks. She pointed angrily at him, "You baldhead, how can you be so heartless! The young nun behind you is hurt and can barely walk, and you won’t even stop and wait for her?"

The monk was stunned, his lips curling into a charming smile. "Madam, you’re joking. I am a monk, from where would I have a wife? The lady behind me and I are not related."

Tang Xiaoqi was confused, her face showing annoyance. "Don’t try to fool me! Aren’t monks and nuns all part of the same family? Otherwise, where would little monks and little nuns come from?"

The nun finally caught up, having heard Tang Xiaoqi’s “logical” words. She nodded repeatedly, clearly approving.

The monk’s exceptionally handsome face darkened, and he waved his sleeve irritably. "Little lady, you’re talking nonsense. I won’t argue with you."

Tang Xiaoqi grabbed Lu Liao Liao, who was laughing so hard his stomach hurt, and pouted, "This monk says I’m talking nonsense, and you’re laughing at me too. Tell me honestly—am I right or not?"

Lu Liao Liao had already sensed the monk was unusual. Though he moved slowly, he was calm and detached, and his clothes remained spotless despite the muddy road. Even his straw sandals were clean.

He claimed not to be related to the nun behind him, yet had clearly been waiting. He called the nun “lady,” though she wore monk’s robes—these two surely had a story.

With Tang Xiaoqi’s affectionate gaze upon him, Lu Liao Liao dared not contradict her, replying solemnly, "Of course you’re right, my Xiaoqi is always right."

Tang Xiaoqi, sweetly pleased, pointed at the monk. "Then explain my reasoning to this unreasonable monk."

Lu Liao Liao did not dare slacken, putting on a dignified air. "One day, the Buddha appeared troubled. Guanyin asked, ‘Now that Buddhism is flourishing and all beings wish to take refuge, why do you worry?’ The Buddha pointed at the masses, ‘They all sever their desires and take refuge, which seems good, but they don’t understand the true intent of Buddhism. If this continues, who will carry on?’ Guanyin understood, manifested countless forms, and taught the matter of coupling. Thus, the teachings could be passed on. So, my Xiaoqi is right—monks and nuns are a pair."

Tang Xiaoqi and the nun blushed, but their eyes shone with admiration for Lu Liao Liao.

The monk grew angry. "Your words are sharp, but you distort the meaning of the Buddhist path. Aren’t you afraid of the punishment for slander?"

Lu Liao Liao turned contemptuously, glancing sideways at the monk. "What are you pretending for? The great Mahasattva of your Buddhism once saw Guanyin’s dignified form and desired union; Guanyin complied. So how can monks and nuns not be a pair?"

"Only by severing desire can one cultivate. When the Bodhisattva appears in a female form, it’s not for desire, but to inspire renunciation. The Avatamsaka Sutra says: ‘Ten thousand kings of the heavenly realm make music in the sky, honoring and offering. Upon seeing the Brahman’s blazing body, the light shines on our palaces and maidens, causing us not to seek pleasure but to soften body and mind, and we gather together to receive his teaching, purifying our minds, softening our hearts, bringing joy, and ultimately attaining the pure body of ten powers, countless bodies, and the Buddha’s wisdom and voice.’"

The monk would not let Lu Liao Liao’s nonsense go unchallenged and argued fiercely with him.

Seeing the monk’s endless retorts, Lu Liao Liao handed him a small flask. "Monk, your mouth must be dry. Want a sip to quench your thirst?"

"I do not touch alcohol!" the monk replied angrily.

Lu Liao Liao withdrew the flask, muttering, "A monk who leads a beautiful nun astray—so you don’t like wine, but you like women."

"I do not desire women!" The monk was nearly beside himself with rage.

"Got it, got it! Girls who become nuns are all monks now, so there’s no question of desire," Lu Liao Liao said, glancing knowingly at the nun.

The monk’s fists clenched tightly. "I have nothing to do with the nun!"

Lu Liao Liao looked surprised. "You don’t fancy the nun, so are you waiting for a princess of the Tang dynasty?"

The monk couldn’t take it any longer, stomped his foot, and marched ahead.

Tang Xiaoqi helped the pitiful nun into the carriage; naturally, Lu Liao Liao could not sit inside, but slipped out lightly and quickly caught up with the monk.

The monk could not endure Lu Liao Liao’s meaningful gaze and quickened his pace, but Lu Liao Liao, like sticky candy, kept up, leaving the carriage behind.

Lu Liao Liao shook his head, clicking his tongue in regret. "Monk’s cultivation is lacking—anger is one of the seven Buddhist prohibitions, isn’t it?"

The monk took a deep breath, but the resentment within him would not settle, and he ignored Lu Liao Liao.

"Where is monk from?" Lu Liao Liao began to spar with him.

"I am Wuhua, from the small Zen temple on Mount Zhongnan," the monk answered, uncooperative.

"Where are you headed?" Lu Liao Liao pressed on.

"To the Great Mercy Temple in Chengdu Prefecture."

"What brings you there?"

"To seek scripture, and to deal with a wicked thief who covets flowers."

"Why are you bringing a little nun along? Are you a lecherous monk?"

Wuhua would not look at Lu Liao Liao again, burying his head and forging ahead.

Lu Liao Liao lost interest, and soon the carriage caught up quickly. Tang Xiaoqi, ignoring those around, shouted angrily, "How could you two run so fast and leave us poor girls behind!"

"Chengdu Prefecture is just ahead, what trouble could there be on the road? Didn’t we stop to wait for you?" Lu Liao Liao replied with a smile, noting that Wuhua had also stopped.

Tang Xiaoqi glared fiercely at the monk ahead and snorted coldly. "I don’t care, Liao Liao, you must help Miss Luoluo!"

Lu Liao Liao felt a headache coming on and replied helplessly, "Joking about monks and nuns is one thing, but taking sides is not so easy."

"Miss Luoluo wasn’t a nun, but cut her hair and donned monk’s robes just to be with that monk," Tang Xiaoqi said angrily, her lips pouting high.