Chosen One, how did I end up as the villain?

As soon as Qin Huaiyu finished listening to the young monk, he inexplicably felt a stinging pain in his eyes, as if pricked by needles, and his mind was also restless and uneasy.

He quickly suppressed it.

What happened?

Before he could think any further, the pain vanished without a trace.

"What's wrong, benefactor?"

The young monk, noticing the fleeting pain on Qin Huaiyu's face, quickly asked...

Shen Wan'er and Feng Yunming also cast concerned glances at them.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, I just feel a little dizzy because I didn't sleep well."

Qin Huaiyu patted the group on the shoulder and then followed them forward.

The group didn't think much of it upon hearing this and stepped onto the stairs.

Soon, they entered the main hall.

"Everyone, please wait a moment, I'll go and invite the host right away."

After saying this, the young monk walked around the incense table and went to the back.

Upon seeing this, Qin Huaiyu began to survey the main hall. Three prayer cushions were placed on the floor for those making wishes; above them was an incense table with offerings on it; and above that…

He raised his head.

It is an enormous Buddha statue, gleaming with gold, lying cross-legged with its hands folded over its waist and abdomen, and a huge swastika on its chest that shines brilliantly.

Its expression is serene, and its face is sculpted with extreme realism, featuring large ears, thick lips, and especially its eyes, which are clear and distinct, with faint red lines.

"This Buddha statue feels like it's alive."

Shen Wan'er's narrow eyes were filled with astonishment; it was the first time she had ever seen such a lifelike statue.

"hiss"

Just then, Qin Huaiyu looked at the Buddha statue, and suddenly a sharp pain struck his eyes again, this time even more intense than before. In an instant, it felt as if his eyes were being gouged out, and tears immediately streamed down his face.

He quickly covered his eyes, but the pain disappeared again.

Damn it, what's going on?

He let go, his face already streaked with tears.

Could there be something wrong with his eyes?

"Nephew, why are you crying?"

Feng Yunming turned his head and saw Qin Huaiyu's strange appearance, looking completely puzzled.

Screw you!

Qin Huaiyu said irritably:

"I was moved by seeing the Buddha; you wouldn't understand."

"............"

"Amitabha Buddha, it seems that you, benefactor, possess great wisdom and have an affinity with the Buddha."

Just then, an old monk wearing a red kasaya with a yellow robe underneath came out.

He had a shiny bald head, white eyebrows and beard, and very gentle eyes, looking like a typical enlightened monk with a kind and benevolent appearance.

"This Buddha statue was made by hundreds of devout people through countless hardships. Things made with heart are bound to be lifelike. Very few people can see the Buddha and feel emotion. It is truly a work of wisdom."

The old monk praised her generously, his eyes full of admiration.

...This works too...

Qin Huaiyu smiled awkwardly but politely:

"Master, you flatter me. It's just a feeling, not wisdom."

Seeing this, Feng Yunming quickly stepped forward and said:

"Let me introduce you. This is Master Kongzhi, the abbot of Yinling Temple."

"I have met the master."

Qin Huaiyu clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and said:

"Qin Huaiyu, son of the Qin family in Pingxing Town, has met Master Kongzhi."

Shen Wan'er glanced at the other person, her narrow eyes narrowing:

"Shen Wan'er, daughter of the Shen family."

...Succinct and to the point, Qin Huaiyu was speechless for a moment.

Feng Yunming's face was even more interesting. His eyebrows and eyes widened in surprise. What happened to not being reckless? What are you doing?

He quickly smiled apologetically, "Master Kongzhi, you flatter me. The little girl is just being silly, please don't take it to heart."

"Mayor is joking."

Master Kongzhi's expression remained unchanged, still kind and gentle.

"It is an honor for our humble temple to welcome distinguished guests. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Getting back to the main topic, Feng Yunming didn't mince words and recounted the whole story of the disappearance in town, including the discovery last night and the purpose of this mission.

After hearing the story, Master Kongzhi frowned, his face showing sorrow. He clasped his hands together and said:

"Amitabha Buddha, what a sin, what a sin! Sowing evil deeds brings evil consequences. The Buddha is merciful and should answer to the dead. Now that the temple's items have been discovered, this humble monk will cooperate."

"Thank you very much, Master!" Feng Yunming said gratefully.

Even the Buddhist sects in this dark world are so knowledgeable and understanding...

Qin Huaiyu felt something was amiss, but seeing is believing, and with his goal achieved, he could only suppress his doubts.

"Master, how many rooms in the temple use yellow silk?"

Upon hearing this, Master Kongzhi pondered for a moment and said:

"Buddhists do not pay attention to appearances. The monks' rooms in the temple are not equipped with this item. There is only the main hall for welcoming guests and the scripture pavilion in the back hall."

Two rooms, that's alright, fewer than I expected.

Qin Huaiyu glanced at the curtains in the main hall. The curtains on both sides were already unfolded, and everything was clearly visible without any missing curtains.

He asked, "Has the master noticed that the yellow silk in the hall has been changed in the past two days?"

"This humble monk holds his morning prayers here every day, and there has been no change of location recently."

"What about the library?"

Shen Wan'er asked impatiently.

Master Kongzhi was taken aback, then shook his head. "I'm not quite sure. I haven't been to the Sutra Repository recently."

"May I go and take a look?"

"Of course, please come with me."

After saying this, Master Kongzhi walked around the incense table and led the three of them to the back.

After exiting the main hall, there is a small courtyard behind it, with simple monks' quarters on both sides, and the rear hall, the library, at the very back.

At this time, monks were busy in the courtyard, either cleaning or chatting with each other.

Upon seeing the newcomers, they all stopped what they were doing.

"I've met the host!"

Master Kongzhi nodded in agreement.

"Huaiyu, don't you think these monks are acting strange? Look at their expressions."

Shen Wan'er's pretty face was full of doubt, and she lowered her voice to speak.

After listening, Qin Huaiyu glanced around and saw that all the monks in the courtyard were focused on them, specifically on the three outsiders.

And they were staring intently at them, their gaze unfriendly, as if they were not welcome at all.

That's strange, we didn't do anything?

Could it be that they knew the purpose of our visit, and therefore harbored resentment?

"The immediate issue is more important; let's ignore them for now!"

As they spoke, the four of them arrived at the entrance of the Sutra Repository. Master Kongzhi opened the door and went in first.

Seeing this, the three quickly followed.

Inside the room, rows of bookshelves were visible, with scriptures neatly arranged in different categories. Two curtains were tied to the pillars at the entrance.

"There are only these two places where the yellow paste is present," Master Kongzhi said, pointing to the pillars in the corridor.

"........... doesn't look like we're lacking anything!"

Feng Yunming glanced at it.

Qin Huaiyu did not reply. He walked to the pillar. The yellow silk was a dark color, indicating that it had been used for some time and had not been replaced in the short term.

He untied the ropes, and the wide curtains spread out naturally.

next moment

"Wait, something seems to be missing at the bottom!"

Feng Yunming let out a gasp.

Qin Huaiyu's eyes lit up. He noticed that a large part of the curtain was missing at the back, with silk threads hanging to the ground. It looked like it had been torn off by brute force.

They're really being too clever for their own good, thinking that if they covered it up, no one could see it?

"As expected, it's someone from your temple. I never imagined that a dignified Buddhist sect would engage in such despicable acts."

Shen Wan'er looked coldly at Master Kongzhi.

"What a sin, what a sin."

"Master, has anyone entered or left the Sutra Repository in the past two days?" Qin Huaiyu asked hurriedly.

"This is a sacred place for storing scriptures; junior monks are not allowed to enter. Apart from the monks sweeping the floor, only this humble monk and my fellow disciple, the abbot Kukai, are here!"

"Where is the abbot located?"

"Someone come here!"

Master Kongzhi called out, and soon a monk ran over.

"Go and fetch my junior brother, Kukai!"

"Yes, host."

After saying that, the monk ran out.

.............