Hong Kong films: Starting from Shaolin Temple

Page 200

Chapter 155 Wang Xian'er, Who Devotes Herself to Buddhism

The door to the meditation room was gently pushed open.

Long Yan sat cross-legged on a futon. His gray monk's robe had been changed and was now neat and clean, as if the battles and bloodshed of the previous night had been washed away with the old robe. His aura was even more profound than before, like a bottomless ancient pool.

Upon seeing Wang Xian'er at the door, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm and undisturbed.

Wang Xian'er stood at the door, somewhat uneasy. She hadn't slept all night, and her face was still a little pale, but her eyes no longer held simple fear; instead, they held a complex expression, a mixture of determination and understanding.

“Master Longyan…” she said softly, her voice still a little hoarse.

"Miss Wang, please come in." Long Yan's tone was as calm as ever.

Wang Xian'er took a deep breath and "670" entered the meditation room. The meditation room was extremely simple, with nothing but a wooden bed and a futon. A faint sandalwood scent filled the air.

She didn't sit down, but stood in front of Long Yan and bowed deeply to him.

"sorry."

This apology surprised Long Yan.

“Yesterday… I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I…” Wang Xian’er’s eyes reddened again. “I don’t understand your world. I only saw bloodshed and killing. I was terrified. But I thought about it all night, and I figured it out.”

She raised her head, bravely looking directly into Long Yan's eyes, and said, word by word, "You're right. The light exists because there are people who resist the darkness in places we can't see. You killed them not because you enjoy killing, but to protect. To protect me, to protect this temple, to protect those... ordinary people like me, living in the sunlight, yet knowing nothing of the darkness."

"So, I'm not here to ask for your forgiveness. I'm here to... thank you."

"Thank you for saving my life once again. And thank you for letting me see...another side of this world."

Her words were sincere and earnest. After a night of inner struggle, this hothouse flower seemed to have grown and matured overnight. She began to understand that the world is not just black and white, but also contains a gray area that lies between light and darkness.

Long Yan listened quietly, a hint of tenderness appearing in his eyes for the first time.

“It’s good that you understand,” he said slowly. “Miss Wang, you don’t belong here. The turmoil outside has subsided, and you… should return to your own world.”

His words were both a consolation and a form of... severance.

He knew that Wang Xian'er was a person of the mortal world; she deserved a glamorous and glamorous life, not to be drawn into his bizarre and dangerous world filled with killing and violence. Letting her leave was the best protection for her.

However, upon hearing this, Wang Xian'er shook her head violently.

Her eyes shone with an unprecedented, stubborn light.

“No,” she said, “I’m not leaving.”

This answer not only stunned Long Yan, but also surprised Uncle Da, Xiao Zhen, and Zhang Ling, who were eavesdropping outside the door.

“I know that my staying here will cause you trouble. I’ll only be a burden.” Wang Xian’er’s voice became firm. “But is it safe outside? This time it was the Vietnamese gang, what about next time? As long as I am still Wang Xian’er, the grudges left by my father could come after me at any time. Besides…”

She looked at Long Yan, mustered all her courage, and spoke her truest thoughts: "Besides, I don't want to live in a false, protected bubble anymore. I want... I want to see clearly the world you're talking about. I want to know what you face every day, what you carry on your shoulders."

“Perhaps I can’t be of much help to you. I don’t know martial arts or magic. But…” She bit her lip, her cheeks flushed, “but I can do your laundry and cook for you, and I can help Uncle Da clean the courtyard. I can… stay somewhere where I can see you. Only then can my heart find peace.”

"In this vast and chaotic world, wherever the heart finds peace, that is my sanctuary. For me, the place where I can see you is my safest 'sanctuary'..."

These words are almost the most straightforward and courageous confession.

A superstar, admired by millions, is willing to abandon all the glamour and stay in a dilapidated ancient temple deep in the mountains, just to find peace of mind and to see one person.

How ardent and sincere this affection is!

Outside the main hall, Uncle Da was so excited that he kept slapping his thigh, wishing he could rush in immediately and agree on Long Yan's behalf.

Xiao Zhen's expression became complicated in an instant. She looked at Wang Xian'er with a hint of jealousy in her eyes, but more than that, she felt...admiration. She asked herself if she could be as pure and brave as Wang Xian'er in completely revealing her inner thoughts.

Zhang Ling stroked his chin, watching the scene with great interest, muttering, "Tsk tsk tsk, even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. Great monk, this is a great test of your resolve."

Inside the meditation room, Long Yan fell into a long silence.

Wang Xian'er's heart leaped into her throat as she anxiously awaited Long Yan's verdict.

After a long while, Long Yan finally let out a soft sigh.

He looked at the girl in front of him, whose eyes were stubborn and whose face was full of expectation, and finally, he slowly nodded.

"In that case...you may stay." 2.2

He knew that rejection would be too cruel for this girl who had just experienced a huge shock. He also knew that his usually calm and unwavering heart had, in the face of such fervent sincerity, finally stirred with a ripple.

Perhaps this is also part of his spiritual practice.

Only by engaging with the world can one transcend it.

Upon seeing Long Yan nod, Wang Xian'er's eyes instantly shone with an incomparably brilliant light, and tears of joy, which she could no longer hold back, streamed down her face.

From that day on, one more person was added to the list of permanent residents of Wulong Temple.

A big star named Wang Xian'er, a "handyman".

Her presence made this already peculiar temple, which had gathered figures from Buddhism, Taoism, demons, and monsters, even more... bustling and extraordinary.

Chapter 156 Wang Xian'er's Temple Life!

Wang Xian'er's staying is like adding an unexpected top-quality ingredient to the already complex "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" soup at Wulongyuan.

In the first few days, everyone felt a subtle sense of unease.

Uncle Da was the happiest; the way he looked at Wang Xian'er was just like looking at his future daughter-in-law.

He took on all the easiest and cleanest jobs, afraid of tiring out the big star.

Every day, I try different methods and use limited ingredients to research new dishes, all to make the beauty smile.

Xiao Zhen seemed a little awkward.

On the one hand, she admired Wang Xian'er's courage; on the other hand, seeing the subtle understanding between Long Yan and Wang Xian'er always brought a pang of sadness to her heart.

She began to intentionally or unintentionally "compete" with Wang Xian'er. If you sweep the courtyard today, I will wipe the entire main hall spotless tomorrow; if you refill Long Yan's teacup with water, I will turn around and serve him cut fruit.

Zhang Ling found the subtle thoughts of these young women fascinating. His daily pleasure was to sit on a small stool and watch how these two stunning beauties "fought" and "competed" around a clueless, unromantic monk.

Wang Xian'er herself was completely immersed in a brand new life experience.

She took off her expensive clothes and put on simple cloth. For the first time, she picked up a broom, learned to start a fire and cook, and woke up to the sound of the morning bell for the first time, feeling the tranquility of the mountains.

At first, she was clumsy and awkward, either getting covered in soot from the stove or nearly slipping into the stream behind the mountain while washing clothes.

But she never complained.

Her face always wore a genuine, contented smile. This sense of peace and tranquility, something she had never experienced in the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, was something she thoroughly enjoyed.

Her favorite thing to do was to move a small stool, sit under the eaves of the main hall, and quietly watch Long Yan practice his skills.

Watching him punch, with his fierce, domineering, and overwhelming aura; watching him sit in meditation, with his dignified and serene demeanor, one with heaven and earth, she gradually ceased to fear his demonic side. She understood that the Vajra's wrath and this Bodhisattva's gentle gaze were the same person.

He is as gentle as he is powerful.

Long Yan tacitly accepted her existence.

Although he still didn't talk much, occasionally, during breaks in his practice, he would give her a slight smile.

That smile, like the warm winter sun, could melt away all the ice and snow in an instant.

These peaceful and warm days gave everyone the illusion that the previous bloodshed and turmoil were just a nightmare.

However, the world of martial arts is not something you can simply leave if you want to.

That afternoon, Uncle Da excitedly returned from town with newspapers.

His favorite thing to read every day is the entertainment section, because it always has reports about Wang Xian'er.

But today, the expression on his face was more solemn than ever before.

"Something's happened! Miss Xian'er, your agency is in big trouble!" Uncle Da slammed the newspaper on the table and said breathlessly.

The headlines in the newspapers were no longer any entertainment gossip, but rather a shocking piece of social news.

Film mogul Charlie Cho died mysteriously; his company was the target of a hostile takeover!

Charlie Cho is the boss of the agency where Wang Xian'er works, and also a very influential figure in the Hong Kong film industry.

The report states that he suffered a sudden heart attack and died on the spot while hosting a private party on his luxury yacht last night.

Less than twelve hours after his death, shares of his company were aggressively targeted and acquired in the stock market in a manner that was almost predatory.

The entire company has now changed hands.

"Mr. Cao...is dead?" Wang Xian'er's face turned deathly pale upon seeing the news. Although Cao Charlie was a lecherous man with a bad reputation, he had always been kind to her.

“This isn’t a normal heart attack!” Zhang Ling, standing nearby, picked up the newspaper and pointed to the photo of Cao Charlie after his death, his brows furrowed. “Look at his forehead, black energy is condensed, his eyes are wide open, and there’s a strange smile on his lips. This… this is a sign that someone used evil magic to steal his soul!”

The wise master nodded and said in a deep voice, "Not only that. Look at the name of the acquiring party—'Vladimir Investment Group'."

This name, of all times, appeared at this very moment.

It seems our 'old friend' has changed its approach and begun to act.

Everyone was shocked.

Vladimir!

That terrifying "Shaper"!

Instead of attacking Wulong Temple directly, he chose to start with Wang Xian'er's worldly relationships.

His purpose in buying Wang Xian'er's agency was self-evident—he wanted to use the contracts and rules of ordinary people to legitimately "invite" Wang Xian'er out of the sanctuary of Wulong 670 Courtyard!

Sure enough, that evening, a stretched Lincoln limousine pulled up in front of the Wulong Temple gate.

Several men dressed in black suits and wearing sunglasses, who looked like lawyers and bodyguards, got out of the car. Leading them was a tall, blond, blue-eyed, effeminate young white man.

He walked to the mountain gate, faced inside, and politely said in fluent Chinese:

"Excuse me, is Ms. Wang Xian'er here? I am Lester, the legal counsel for the Vladimir Investment Group."

"By order of the board of directors, I have come to pick up Ms. Wang and bring her back to the company to fulfill her unfinished acting contract."

His tone was polite, yet it was filled with an undeniable firmness.

What he held in his hand was a legally binding performance contract, personally signed by Wang Xian'er.

Isabella used underworld coercion.

But this Vladimir used a scheme from the civilized world... a calculated move!

He intends to use the law to completely dismantle Longyan's protection!