Killer Queen + 18

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"Please, have a seat."

As soon as Xiao Li stepped into the quiet little room, she saw an elderly monk with long eyebrows, dressed in a head monk's robe, sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion. On the incense table before him, two cups of tea were gently steaming.

"Master Abbot, do you already have a guest?" she asked casually, then couldn't help but smile at herself. She really had a bad habit of being nosy. A temple as renowned as Daming Temple surely had plenty of people coming by, hoping to meet the abbot.

The abbot, Master Liaokong, noticed her question and then her self-deprecating smile. He glanced at the two cups of tea on the table and smiled knowingly. "Amitabha. Junior monk, bring a cup of fragrant tea for this young lady." After giving the order, he gestured for her to sit. "Please, Miss."

Xiao Li sat down and got straight to the point. "May I ask, Master Liaokong, what's so special about the fortune stick I just drew that you had to come personally to interpret it?"

Master Liaokong gave her a long look, then chuckled. "Amitabha. You came to Daming Temple for a fortune, but unlike most young women who ask about love or children, you asked about your future. Am I right?"

Xiao Li gave a faint smile. "You're right, Master. But… is that a problem?"

The master looked her over again and smiled. "Amitabha. Not a problem, just… that fortune stick you drew..."

"Something wrong with it?" Xiao Li asked, a bit anxious.

But Master Liaokong went silent. After a while, he handed her a slip of paper. "Amitabha. Maybe reading it yourself will help you understand."

Xiao Li looked down at the paper. It only had a single line:

"All things arise from causes and conditions; the Buddha says so.When causes and conditions end, so do things. That is what I teach."

"What… does this mean?" It looked like a Buddhist saying, but she had no clue what it really meant.

"Amitabha. You're still so young, yet you came to the Buddha to ask about fate, not love. I imagine it's because something is weighing on your heart, something you can't resolve."

Xiao Li's eyes flickered, but she said nothing.

The master continued, "From your face and demeanor, I can tell you're not an ordinary girl. With the depth of your spirit, one day you may well become famous far and wide."

"Why do you say that, Master?" she asked, more confused than before.

But the master suddenly changed tack. "Amitabha. The Buddha said, 'It cannot be said, it cannot be said. If spoken, it is already a mistake.' Everything unfolds according to fate. When the time is right, the truth will reveal itself."

"Oh?" With no clear answers, Xiao Li could only sigh. "Well, I'll just wait for that day to come then."

Master Liaokong smiled kindly. "Amitabha. You're wise. That's why I wanted to share a few more words with you."

"A single foolish thought, and wisdom disappears.A single wise thought, and wisdom blooms.Life is like walking through thorns—If your heart stays still, you won't get hurt.But if your heart wavers, your body follows, and pain follows.Still, even if you don't ascend the Buddha's seat,someone must still rise to bring order to the world."

"That's all this old monk has to say. I hope you'll think on it carefully when you return."

"That's it?" Xiao Li looked up at him, puzzled. "That's all you wanted to tell me?"

"I've said all I can. The rest depends on your own fate," he replied. Then he accepted a cup of tea from another monk and placed it in front of her. "Since you've come all this way, why not enjoy some tea, have a vegetarian meal in the side hall, and then head back?"

Having a respected monk personally serve her tea made Xiao Li feel awkward. She quickly pressed her palms together in a respectful gesture. "Then… thank you, Master."

She raised the cup to drink, but it was scalding hot. The moment it touched her lips, she nearly jumped in shock.

Master Liaokong watched calmly from across the table. Seeing her flustered but trying to play it off with a smile, he said nothing. He just picked up another cup of tea and handed it to her. "If you don't mind, this one's freshly made. It should help."

Flushed with embarrassment, Xiao Li hesitated. "I… I really shouldn't..."

The master smiled. "The Buddha said: All is illusion. Why be so hung up on formality?" He lifted the lid of the cup—sure enough, it was untouched and just the right temperature.

With a gentle gesture, he offered it to her. Xiao Li, still slightly burned and in need of relief, gave in and took a sip.

After she finished, she stood up and bowed. "Thank you for the tea, Master. I'll take my leave now." She turned to go, but the master stopped her again.

"May I ask your name?"

"Xiao Li," she replied, a bit confused but still respectful.

"Miss Xiao, before you leave, this old monk wants to give you one last bit of advice."

"I'm listening."

"You asked about fate. But in doing so, you've already become attached to the idea of fate. And attachment leads to trouble. So, let me just say this—once you leave here, be careful."

"What do you mean, Master?"

The master gave her a small nod. "No need to worry. There may be a scare, but no real danger. You're blessed, and someone will come to your aid."

Though not entirely convinced, Xiao Li pressed her hands together. "Still, thank you for the warning." She turned and left, going off to look for the Yu Wen sisters.

After she left, a figure stepped out from behind the screen.

It was Hoatian.

He walked over, sat cross-legged in front of the master, and smiled. "That girl from earlier—what kind of person is she, that you gave her such special attention?"

Master Liaokong smiled back. "Did the Fourth Prince hear all that?"

Hoatian nodded. "I was just behind the screen. I didn't go far, so I heard everything clearly."

The master nodded. "Fate brought us together." Then he pointed at the two cups on the incense table. "That cup meant for the Fourth Prince, I gave it to her. Shall I have a novice fetch you a fresh one?"

Hoatian laughed. "I came today hoping to have a long talk with you anyway."

So the master called over a young monk and had him bring a new cup of tea.

After a vegetarian meal and a bit of rest at Daming Temple, the afternoon arrived. Xiao Li, along with the Yu Wen sisters, wandered around the temple grounds for a bit before deciding to head back down the mountain.

As they traveled, a cool breeze blew in. The coachman, sitting up front, sighed with delight. "Ah, that's refreshing!"

The girls stuck their heads out of the carriage and laughed along as they moved.

But within moments, the breeze grew into a strong wind, and the once-clear sky suddenly turned dark with clouds.

The coachman looked up, worried. "Looks like rain's coming fast. For your safety, I'll speed up. Hold on tight, ladies!"

Yu Wen Ruocai peeked out and gasped. "Whoa! The sky just flipped on us! Jia Chun, be careful driving!"

"Yes, yes, Second Miss, please get back in. I'm picking up the pace!" With a crack of his whip, the horses broke into a gallop.

The carriage rushed ahead as the sky darkened and thunder rumbled in the distance.

Suddenly—

BOOM!

Lightning flashed, and a deafening crack of thunder followed.

The sisters screamed, and Xiao Li frowned. This day really wasn't going well.

Then—

"Neighhh!!"

The horses screamed, and the carriage shook violently, as if it had lost all control.

"What's happening?!" Ruoxue screamed.

Ruocai pulled open the curtain to look out—just as a tree branch whipped past, nearly scratching her face. "Ah! The horses are spooked!"

Xiao Li knew something was wrong. She stood up inside the carriage, leapt to the door, and shouted, "Jia Chun! Are you okay?"

Jia Chun shouted back without turning. "Miss! That thunder spooked the horses! I can't control them!"

Another bolt of lightning lit up the sky. Another thunderclap followed.

The lead horse reared up and then bolted even faster.

"Jump on it!" Xiao Li shouted. "Get on its back and take control!"

Jia Chun obeyed and leapt onto the horse—but before he could even settle, he was thrown off.

"Agh!" Judging by his cry, he didn't land well.

Xiao Li jumped onto the front of the carriage and grabbed the reins, pulling with all her strength. "Everyone, get up here! I can't stop it alone!"

But the crazed lead horse had already panicked the others. The escorts riding behind were struggling to keep their own horses in check, let alone help her.

The storm raged. Wind whipped her hair and rain soaked her to the bone. But she had no time to care.

Ruocai peeked out again, screamed, and shouted, "A-Li! It's bad! It's Fei Feng Cliff up ahead—"

Xiao Li looked up. Less than 200 meters ahead, a sheer cliff.

Her heart dropped.

No time to think. She jumped, trying to land on the horse and get control.

But in its panic, the horse bucked wildly. She was thrown hard to the ground.

Pain exploded through her body. But she gritted her teeth and lunged again—this time grabbing the reins.

The horse charged forward, and Xiao Li was dragged behind it. She tried to run, but tripped on a rock and hit the ground hard.

Agony shot through her—but she wouldn't let go.

Dragged across the rocky path, soaking wet, bleeding, clinging to the reins.

The cliff edge rushed closer—

"Ahh!! Sister—no! We're at the cliff!"

"....."