Asked About The World Of Mortals

Chapter 20: The Monkey

Returning to Li Qinglin's mansion - well, it's not really a mansion because Li Qinglin doesn't have a title, so it's just a prince's residence. Qin Yi doesn't know why Li Qingjun has a title while Li Qinglin doesn't.

Of course, this place will soon become the Crown Prince's residence, so whether there is a title or not is no longer important. Qin Yi stood at the door, took out Li Qinglin's waist token, and was about to inform someone when he saw the main gate wide open and Li Qingjun standing in front of him.

"Why are you back?" Qin Yi was surprised. The death of the Crown Prince is such a big deal, and you came back to the palace so soon?

"The King and my... and the Crown Prince are in a meeting. I was just sitting there, so I came out to see you." Li Qingjun said expressionlessly, "I was worried that you wouldn't be comfortable, but it turns out you didn't even enter the mansion."

"I went out for a walk and bought some things."

Li Qingjun's gaze fell on his backpack.

The bulging backpack, with the handle of the wolf-toothed club exposed, already looked very out of place. Now, there was also an unknown wooden handle, making it look even more like a country bumpkin entering the city. Li Qingjun said impatiently, "If you need anything, just tell the people in the mansion to buy it for you. They will try their best to satisfy you. Why bother wandering around on your own?"

"Is it that good?"

"Of course." Li Qingjun turned around and led him inside, saying, "You are a guest personally invited back by the Crown Prince. Who would dare to neglect you?"

Immediately, the mansion's staff nodded and bowed, "Princess, Mr. Qin's residence has already been prepared."

Li Qingjun said calmly, "Lead the way."

Qin Yi looked at Li Qingjun with great interest and found it quite amusing.

Before, she was like a reckless and courageous heroine in the martial world. Now that she had returned to the capital and arrived at the prince's mansion, she had become a graceful and composed princess.

Qin Yi was convinced that the Li Qingjun in the martial world was her true self, but he didn't know if the Li Qingjun in the capital was just putting on an act or if it was another side of her personality.

The residence prepared for Qin Yi by the mansion's staff was a separate courtyard. The layout was similar to Qin Yi's own small courtyard, but much more luxurious with exquisite carvings and paintings. Instead of medicinal herbs, the courtyard was filled with flowers and green grass, emitting a refreshing fragrance, elegant and beautiful.

The staff said respectfully, "Your Highness, we have already sent someone back to report that Mr. Qin prefers tranquility and elegance, so we made this arrangement. If Mr. Qin is not satisfied, we can change to another room."

Qin Yi shook his head and said, "This place is fine. It would be even better if there was a sunny open space. Sometimes I have some use for it."

The staff immediately turned and ordered, "Go and level the grassland behind..."

But Qin Yi quickly said, "Wait, no need."

The servant immediately stopped, following orders without question. It seemed like Li Qinglin's military management style was being used at home?

Qin Yi looked at Li Qingjun with a headache. Li Qingjun remained expressionless and silent. He helplessly said, "That's enough, the princess and I have something to discuss."

The staff tactfully led the people away, and Li Qingjun stood quietly for a while, watching the servants walk away. Soon, she dropped the ladylike and noble appearance, and sat down on the nearby lawn, saying, "I'm really tired."

Qin Yi couldn't help but laugh and sat down with her on the lawn, asking, "When you were fighting against demons and your mouth was bleeding, I didn't hear you complain. How long have you been back..."

Li Qingjun fell silent for a moment, sighed softly, and said, "If it were my big brother who died, I'm afraid I would be just as tired."

As she spoke, her eyes turned red, clearly holding back her sadness, but now she couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Um..." Qin Yi apologized, "I'm sorry."

This girl had been bullied by him before, and she cried with a grievance. This was the first time Qin Yi had seen her show such a vulnerable and sad side. It seemed that no matter how much of a heroine she was, there was still a soft spot in her heart, like family.

She had a very good relationship with Li Qinglin, and her relationship with the Crown Prince, whom Qin Yi had never met, seemed to be equally good. Qin Yi believed that it would be difficult for such a sister to have conflicts with her brothers. They should all care for each other.

"It's nothing." Li Qingjun sniffed and her expression turned fierce. "It must be the savages from the Western Wilderness who did this. They just want to cause trouble!"

Qin Yi didn't know how to respond. Li Qingjun didn't expect him to solve the case either. She just wanted a place to talk and continued, "One day, I will eradicate the Western Wilderness and avenge my big brother!"

Qin Yi nodded and replied, "With Brother Qinglin's strategic planning, this day will come sooner or later."

"Mm." Li Qingjun trusted Li Qinglin a lot and said, "It will definitely happen."

After saying this, there was a moment of silence between the two. Qin Yi didn't know what to say to comfort her, so she absentmindedly looked at the sky. The two of them sat quietly on the grass, wordlessly.

After a while, Li Qingjun suddenly said, "I still remember what you said when we first met, about eating well, sleeping well, and living carefree. Isn't that what immortals do? But now? You have become an immortal in the mortal world, and we are ordinary people trying to transcend."

Qin Yi sighed, "There are always things that must be done, even immortals have their own desires."

"Only those who seek the path of immortality have desires. True immortals don't seek anything," Li Qingjun looked at the sky and whispered, "You taught the woodcutter to sing the song 'Good Song,' which reveals the attachments of all beings. Once those attachments are gone, one becomes an immortal and no longer seeks anything, right?"

Qin Yi knew that Li Qingjun was deeply affected by her eldest brother's assassination, and the desire to seek immortality that had always been rooted in her heart was stirred up again. So she advised, "I know a monkey that traveled through countless mountains and rivers, searching for a true immortal for ten years, and finally found the True Immortal and learned the art of immortality. Do you think it can be considered an immortal without desires?"

"Of course, if it has achieved immortality, how can it not be an immortal?" Li Qingjun became interested and asked, "What happened next?"

"Well... I know that before it sought immortality, it was truly carefree and worry-free. But after achieving immortality, it was restless and couldn't find peace. In the end, it became a Buddha, wearing shackles and losing the heroic spirit to fight against the heavens and earth. I don't know how much difference there is between this kind of immortality and its original aspiration, and whether it regrets it in the end."

Li Qingjun stared at Qin Yi, feeling that the story of the monkey was a metaphor for herself. "Are you... advising me?"

Qin Yi shook her head and said, "No, everyone has their own destiny. I just think that people must know what they seek."

"What I seek..." Li Qingjun stared into the sky and murmured to herself, "What I seek is to wield my silver spear, roam the world, traverse the Qingming, and eliminate all injustices... instead of being a noblewoman in the capital, and eventually marrying a boring husband, trapped for the rest of my life."

Qin Yi couldn't help but say, "You really were born into the wrong life."

Li Qingjun laughed and changed the subject, "Can you tell me more about the story of that monkey?"

"That's a long story..."

At this moment, Li Qinglin was busy, and Qin Yi didn't know what she should do for the time being. Coincidentally, Li Qingjun was sitting here chatting, and she was the only person Qin Yi was familiar with in the capital. Qin Yi didn't think the story was too long and started telling her about Journey to the West.

They talked about the story until the part where the Monkey King wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace. Li Qingjun listened to the unheard-of story with fascination and chuckled, "What a wild and untamed monkey with great courage."

Li Qinglin's voice came from outside the courtyard, "This is a monkey that dares to rebel and fight for what it wants, even if its actions may be sinful. It's an interesting story. I look forward to hearing more from Brother Qin."

Both of them stood up, and Li Qingjun's expression became serious again. She asked, "How is the situation?"

"No leads." Li Qinglin said in a deep voice, "The killer was very fast. According to my brother's guards, they only saw a black shadow flash by, and then my brother... I personally suspect it was the work of the Western Wilderness."

Li Qingjun pursed her lips.

Li Qinglin continued, "You and I weren't here when it happened, and we can't intervene at the moment. Father is investigating with all his might, and there will eventually be results."

Li Qingjun sighed, "Are you going to become the crown prince?"

"Mm..." Li Qinglin's face didn't show any joy, but instead shook his head, "This is really... a difficult situation."

Li Qingjun asked, "Do some people suspect you?"

"Mm, although it's only a few, it's inevitable. But these doubts are meaningless."

Indeed, it was meaningless because the king only had two sons, and it was impossible for the remaining son to be treated as a suspect based on baseless doubts.

Li Qinglin didn't continue this topic and turned to Qin Yi, saying, "Brother Qin, I'm really sorry. Things happened suddenly, and I neglected you."

"The princess spent the whole day chatting with me. How could that be neglect?" Qin Yi pointed to the sky and said, "The sun has already set. It's neglect if you don't invite me to dinner."

Li Qinglin burst into laughter.

(End of this chapter)