In the past few months, Wuchen had never stopped trying to retrieve her little disciple's missing soul.
After summer passed, one day, Wuchen finally sensed the part of the soul that had been lost.
Just as she was about to perform the ritual to summon it back, the connection disappeared again. After that, she couldn't feel it anymore.
As time went by, the little disciple stayed awake for shorter periods and became more and more dazed.
If the soul didn't return soon, she feared the child wouldn't survive much longer.
In the end, she decided to leave the temple her master had left her and take the little disciple with her to search for the soul.
The Buddha Temple given by her master was just a small mountain temple with only her and her little disciple Yunxin. If no one was there, there was no point in guarding it.
She was looking for the soul of her little disciple. She believed her master and the Buddha wouldn't blame her.
Back then, when she found her little disciple, the child was only a little over two years old. Over the years, she had acted as both teacher and parent, raising her with great care.
After so many years of relying on each other, how could she just watch her little disciple die?
Gu Zhao got off her horse and walked to the young nun. She pointed her finger at the young nun's forehead.
A streak of red light, visible to the naked eye, shot out from the young nun's forehead and sped forward.
The old nun excitedly looked in the direction the red light was pointing—it was toward the capital city.
Could it be that the missing part of her disciple's soul was in the capital?
"I'm also heading to the capital, so we're going the same way," Gu Zhao said.
She wasn't someone who liked to interact warmly with others, but the little nun looked adorable, and it would be a shame if she died.
Also, some people, once gone, should go to where they're meant to be.
The old nun quickly chanted a Buddhist phrase and said, "Thank you, young friend. I'm Wuchen, and I'll leave my disciple Yunxin's life in your hands."
Gu Zhao chuckled and gave the old nun a teasing look. This nun really didn't act like a nun.
She climbed up the opportunity so fast!
Gu Zhao had only said they were heading the same way, and the old nun immediately pushed the responsibility of saving the little nun onto her.
Was she not worried Gu Zhao had bad intentions?
The old nun looked kind and spoke gently, "By looking at your face, I can tell you have a kind heart and great fortune. It's destiny that you meet my disciple. Helping her is both her blessing and your fate."
Her words were smooth and made people feel comfortable. Gu Zhao couldn't help but feel that if she didn't help, it would seem wrong.
"You're right, Master. Since we've met, it's fate. I'm Gu Zhao," she replied.
Wuchen gave her a kind smile and said, "Young friend, you have a good heart."
Gu Zhao didn't feel especially kind—she just believed in karma. Meeting the little nun today was part of that.
Anyway, she was heading to the capital, so helping them wasn't a big deal.
The old nun looked at Gu Zhao with a smile that seemed to see through everything.
When she said Gu Zhao had great fortune, it wasn't just flattery. Even though her own powers were average, she could still sense something unusual about Gu Zhao.
"You came here because you have karma to face. This is your chance."
Gu Zhao wasn't surprised. Her situation was similar to spirit possession in the cultivation world. Since she had taken over a new body and been reborn, others like her might exist.
For example, this old nun—though their paths were different.
Gu Zhao simply smiled and thought to herself, I wonder if I'll meet someone like me on this trip?
The three of them traveled together, but because the nun and her disciple were walking, they didn't reach the capital before nightfall.
"Master, what should we do? Should I go to the nearby town to get help?"
On the road, a young servant in green clothes looked worriedly at the carriage stuck in a pit and asked the person inside through the curtain.
A calm voice responded from inside, "The nearest town is over ten miles away, and it's getting dark. I can't let you go alone."
The old woman driving the carriage sighed. "It's my fault. I'm too old and weak to lift the wheel. Master, should I go instead? I'll be fast and try to come back before dark."
The young servant quickly shook his head. "No, Aunt Fu, you can't go. The master and I are both men. This place is remote. What if something bad happens? Let me go. I can run fast."
Clearly, the carriage had a problem.
When Gu Zhao got closer, she saw that the wheel was stuck in a pit.
The old woman and the young servant both looked happy to see someone approaching.
"Master, someone's coming! I'll go ask for help!"
The young servant sounded excited, his voice filled with hope.
After all, they had been stuck on the road for hours without seeing anyone, and now that help had arrived, he was naturally thrilled.
But since it was a woman approaching, the old woman didn't want the young man to go ask.
Even though two of the three were nuns, the tall woman on the horse with sharp features didn't look ordinary. Who knew if she was dangerous?
Thinking this, the old woman signaled to the young servant to stay and protect the master.
She walked toward Gu Zhao and the others, bowed, and spoke respectfully.
"Greetings, Masters. Miss, our carriage is stuck in a pit. I'm too old and weak to lift it. Could you please help us? My master and I would be truly grateful."
She bowed again after speaking.
Wuchen chanted a Buddhist phrase and said, "If someone is in trouble, I must help."
Then she turned to Gu Zhao and asked, "What do you think, young friend?"
You already agreed—why ask me?
It was just a small favor. Gu Zhao wasn't cold-hearted, so she nodded.
She walked to the back of the carriage, looked at the stuck wheel, bent down, and lifted it out with a bit of effort.
As she moved, the curtain on the carriage window was shaken and lifted slightly, revealing the person inside.
The young man inside had been listening nervously and was startled when the carriage suddenly lifted.
He let out a soft gasp. Gu Zhao looked up and their eyes met.
She saw a handsome young man.
Surprised to see a strange woman, the young master gasped again and quickly fumbled to close the curtain.
When the carriage settled, he held the curtain in one hand and clutched his clothes tightly with the other.
His heart was beating fast.
The young servant, hearing the gasp, thought the master was scared by the sudden movement and quickly asked, "Master, are you okay?"
The young master took a deep breath and said, "I'm fine."
But only he knew how fast his heart was racing, and his ears were warm.
Surprised? Unexpected? Falling for a pretty face already?