It was a long time before Adriana learned the full story—told to her by Master Sunyata’s own son.More than sixty years ago, Sunyata and his wife, Han Lan, were married. In that era of arranged marriages—based on parental word and matchmakers’ agreements—young people had little say. The two had no time to develop feelings, let alone love. But shortly after the wedding, they gave birth to a son named Teng Zhifang, meaning “inheritor of medicine,” one destined to prescribe cures and heal illness. Later, he chose to take his mother’s surname, becoming Han Zhifang—the overseas Chinese doctor who had once cured Adriana’s parents.When his son was not yet five years old, Sunyata mistakenly entered the army and went to the battlefield, becoming a war doctor and traveling through many countries.He and his family were separated for seven or eight years…It was during that time that Mr. Teng took on the role of caring for the orphaned and widowed. After spending so much time together, the two
The atmosphere was quiet and oppressive. Adriana could hear her own heartbeat.What kind of grudge do these two brothers hold that the very air feels like it's about to weep before they even meet?Mr. Teng shuffled forward on heavy steps. At the sight of the pale visitor, his eyes clouded over. Tears crawled out from the depths of his sockets and slid down the rugged lines of his face.“Big… Brother.”Puff.He dropped to both knees without any cushion.Adriana instinctively moved forward to help—the old man’s bones were too brittle to withstand such kneeling—but Calvin pulled her back just in time, holding her in place, his heart shaking at the sight.Sunyata looked at his brother, whose hair was now silver-white. His usually calm face finally cracked under the weight of sorrow woven through the years. He lifted a hand, trying to help him up, but his hand trembled and failed.“You… get up.”Mr. Teng raised both hands and held the gleaming steel nails high above his head.“Big Brother,
Adriana thought that Calvin must not have heard of the word “human difficulty.”Calvin had always been lonely and arrogant, but not to the extent that he would disrespect his elders. So what was the reason for his strong prejudice against Sunyata?With doubts in her mind, Adriana lowered her head and messaged Calvin: (When you get off the plane later, please control your temper. Whether Mr. Teng can cure you depends on the outcome of their exchange. Didn’t you say you don’t want to go home empty-handed? Then please restrain yourself.)Now, it wasn’t just that he didn’t want to waste time—Adriana didn’t either. She had come all this way, climbed the mountain, and worked so hard. Was it all going to end in failure?After receiving her message, Calvin looked over lazily.Up in the sky, the light struck Adriana’s snowy-bright skin. Her pupils appeared a light brown under the strong sunlight. Her long, rooted lashes cast gentle shadows. Her ears looked almost translucent from the light, an
The coldness at the corner of Calvin’s mouth carried a clear hint of disdain.If just a few words could determine my future, he thought, then what do I need my own hands for?“I’ve always believed that fate is in my own hands,” he said firmly. “I won’t trouble the Master.”Sunyata sighed, his eyes resting on Calvin’s unwavering gaze—so full of defiance and resilience, unwilling to back down from his final struggle.“Young man,” he said, “there’s no need to be so arrogant. While people can indeed reach certain realms through their own effort, sometimes Heaven’s will is heavy—so heavy that it cannot be disobeyed.”What destiny in his life could he possibly not defy?Aside from Adriana, Calvin didn’t think there was anything in the world that could shake his resolve, make him feel lost, or cause him suffering.But if the one thing that could do all that was Adriana—then he would fight for her, no matter the cost.He didn’t need anyone telling him what path to take.That’s why Calvin repl
Adriana stepped over the wooden threshold, a dozen centimeters high, and entered the compartment. In the bright candlelight, she saw an old man sitting cross-legged on a futon. Though his head was shaved and bore no incense scars, his peaceful expression radiated a lightness—an air of insight that seemed to pierce through worldly matters.Looking closely, his face bore a surprising resemblance to Mr. Teng.Could he be related to Mr. Teng?This was something the young apprentice hadn’t mentioned—perhaps his master, still at a young age, wasn’t ready to share everything on his mind.With one hand, the old man slowly struck a wooden fish, each tap rhythmic and gentle, the sound inexplicably soothing.Compared to Mr. Teng’s cold seriousness, the old man before her appeared far kinder.Adriana softly greeted him, “Good day, Master Sunyata (Emptymind).”Calvin suspected there was something wrong with him—he had actually accompanied Adriana on this strange visit. She wanted to see an old mon
If what Mr. Teng’s young apprentice had said was true, then the person they were looking for was inside the temple. But as far as Adriana knew, these kinds of people were extremely stubborn—downright meddlesome. They were neither moved by pleading nor pressure, like oil and water refusing to mix.While she had managed to gain access to Mr. Teng’s house, opening the temple’s inner chambers might not be within her power.The main hall housed a tall and imposing golden Buddha statue. One hand was raised before the chest in the mudra of blessing, fingers curved like an open orchid. The statue’s eyes were kind, almost serene in their expression.Spiritual or not, the sheer size of the statue made any visitor feel small, naturally inspiring a sense of awe. This was the intended effect: Buddha statues were deliberately carved to towering heights, silently invoking reverence and intimidation.Calvin scoffed quietly, as if amused by h