Chapter 175 — The Meditation Chamber
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 5 of 5
Ming Li stared at Facheng, watching him long and hard. Facheng met his gaze openly, his smile never wavering. After a long while, Ming Li suddenly closed his eyes and looked at Facheng no more. Facheng gave a slight nod and said, "Your wounds are grave and not yet healed. You still need to rest more than anything."
With his eyes shut, Ming Li suddenly asked, "Why did you save me?"
Facheng was silent for a moment, then said mildly, "That is a question I cannot answer."
Ming Li drew a deep breath and said, "Why?"
Facheng softly intoned a Buddha's name and said, "There is no need to be anxious. In a few days, when your injuries have greatly improved, someone will tell you."
Ming Li opened his eyes and frowned. "Who?"
The corner of Facheng's mouth twitched, as though he hesitated once more, but at last he said, "There is no harm in telling you. It is my honored master, the abbot of the Brahma Sound Temple, the Venerable Pucheng."
Ming Li was struck dumb for a moment. A moment later, looking at Facheng's face, he reckoned he could get nothing more out of him, so he simply let out a long breath and lay down, burying his head.
In the distance, the bell tolled, long and lingering, drifting over once more, faint and mournful.
"Dong... dong... dong... dong..."