Chang Geng seemed unable to sit still, making a brief movement, inexplicably raising his hand, not knowing what it was that he was trying to reach for. Halfway through, he found out that Liao Ran was looking at him. He forced down his emotions, placed his hand on the teacup, then uneasily took a sip as a cover-up.

Master Liao Ran, who used to act mysterious, also had to wonder, "What's the matter, is the Marquis coming to collect debts?"

Gu Yun came in very quickly, his expression filled with only distaste, as if he wished nothing more than to walk in on tiptoe. Casting a glance towards Liao Ran, he revealed an unamused smile: "After not seeing you for years, the master has become a lot whiter."

Liao Ran bore the demeanor of a highly educated monk; he did not pay any mind to trivial matters. He stood up, put his hands together to greet, then signed: "Amitabha, the monk is like a clear mirror, no dust could catch on."

Turned out a classical quote could also serve as an excuse for not bathing!

He seemed to feel the scent of fermentation again; he could not wait for a moment longer in this place. He turned towards Chang Geng: "You have been disturbing the master's meditation for several days already, it is time to come home."

Chang Geng's heart, which was not easily settled, was once again stirred up by the words 'come home'. He knew that even if he stayed under the Bodhi tree*, he still couldn't recite 'existence exactly is non-existence '*. He then put away his anxiousness and stood up obediently.

*Bodhi tree is where Buddha supposedly achieved enlightenment.

*色即是空, a part of the Buddhist sutra 'The Heart of Prajna Paramita' that is chanted daily in temples for meditation. The sutra teaches about 'Emptiness'.

The smoked firewood in Hu Guo Temple caused Gu Yun to let out a few coughs; he rushed outside of the Zen Room to wait, watching Chang Geng bidding goodbye with boredom.

In fact, with relatives and friends one was used to seeing, it was difficult to notice whether the other was beautiful or unsightly. Gu Yun had always known that Chang Geng resembled his barbarian mother more, but after careful examination, that was not entirely true. His facial features after growing up were handsome and fair; he momentarily could not tell who he resembled. He only knew that his appearance was like jade, uniquely pleasing to the eye.

Gu Yun was slightly startled, remembering that there were many types of people in this world. Especially since the opening of the sea route, the people of Great Liang were quite open-minded. Particularly along the coast of the Eastern Sea, it was said that relationships between men were also prevalent. Chang Geng was a dragon in the disguise of a fish; would there not be anyone who would be as blind as to tease him?