Chapter 997: Three Treasures (II)
The lake grew even more silent. The fingertip-sized relic hovered in midair. It was translucent and pure white. Rings of rainbow light swirled around it, forming shifting illusions, while the lotuses on either side released wafts of fragrance.
Kongheng gazed quietly at the relic before him, then gently took it into his palm and put it away. The black-and-red glow of sunset draped over him, and the lake’s light dimmed to an uncanny darkness.
Fuxia’s death was like that of the twelve Master Monks shot dead by Li Xuanfeng on the great river. Aside from the relic, it left only a brief rain of glass petals and the blooming of a few lotuses.
The Pure Land willing to appear for Kongheng gave no sign at Fuxia’s passing. There was not a flash of golden light and not a toll of a bell. Only the hazy red sunset lingered on the horizon.
It was only when Li Ximing arrived in a beam of light that a sliver of daylight touched Kongheng’s body. The narrow-eyed monk seemed to awaken from a dream as the five-colored radiance on his face faded away.
He returned to his earlier gentle, courteous demeanor, his expression tinged with shadow as he said softly, "I’ve troubled you, Ximing."
"Think nothing of it!" replied Li Ximing.
The Radiant Origin Pass gathered heavenly light, obscuring the view of the surrounding cultivators. Only Li Ximing, standing nearby, could see clearly. His expression was complicated and his heart full of feeling, as he asked quietly, "Master Monk, are you well now?"
"It is nothing serious." Kongheng answered earnestly, cradling the kasaya and staff in his hands, "Only, the bond between myself and your esteemed family has now come to an end."
Li Ximing had long expected this. He closed his eyes and bit down hard, while Kongheng bowed to him and said guiltily, "When Xijun met with misfortune, I should have left, but I felt guilt in my heart and wished to guard you a little longer. I never thought I would nearly bring disaster to your esteemed family. This is truly my fault! Now I must roam the world and verify my Dao."