"I wonder if you, young benefactor, like playing chess?" Master Taixu directly shifted the topic back to chess.
"Not bad!" Shen Li fiddled with the chess pieces in the box, spinning them between her fingertips.
"Some people like playing chess to enjoy a relaxing time, regarding it as a way of pastime. Others see this chessboard as a battlefield where two sides fight. They won't stop until one side is completely defeated!"
"I wonder what you, young benefactor, see chess as when you play?"
"And what do you see it as, Master?"
Master Taixu took out a chess piece from the box in front of him and examined it carefully in his palm.
"It's a tool to test people's hearts and peek into their true thoughts. At the same time, it's also an assistant to guide people towards goodness!"
"Master, your realm is so high that we ordinary people can't reach it. It's just a chessboard. All I enjoy is the feeling of strategizing and winning from afar!"
Shen Li clenched a few chess pieces in her hand and then loosened her grip, letting them fall back into the chessboard. "As a chess piece, one can't decide their own fate. Only the one who sets up the game can control the life and death of themselves and others!"
"I don't want to be a pawn at others' mercy. So I have to be my own master and fight for a place to settle down in this chaotic world!"
Master Taixu also looked at the chess pieces in Shen Li's box. "I wonder if you, young benefactor, have ever thought about the fate of those chess pieces in your hand?"
"Not all chess pieces can break free from the chessboard. I was able to break free because of my efforts. Whether they can escape the fate of being a pawn depends on how hard they try. Not everyone can change their fate and escape being manipulated."
"I'm not capable of considering everyone's well - being. All I can do now is to protect myself!"
Master Taixu didn't say a word because deep down he knew that Shen Li was right. No one was a saint who could consider the interests of everyone in the world. After all, people were selfish.
"Perhaps you, young benefactor, could look at things from a different perspective. Maybe, just like a wrongly placed chess piece, you'll find your true position. Who knows?" After a moment's hesitation, Master Taixu continued to persuade.
Shen Li shook her head. "As you said, Master, who knows? For something uncertain in the future, why should I give up what I've already got and look for something that may not even exist?"
"Moreover, some things can't be simply given up. Even if I'm willing to let them go, they won't let me go. This is fate. It's either their death or mine. So, no matter what, I won't give up what I want to do."
"Your mind is made up, benefactor?"
"My mind is as firm as a rock and won't change!" Shen Li said firmly.
Hearing this, Master Taixu shook his head helplessly. "Since your mind is made up, it's useless for me to say anything more. But I still have a few words to advise you."
Shen Li put on a humble expression. "Please go ahead, Master!"
"Your chess - playing skills are just like your personality. You're full of momentum and keep pressing forward. But in this way, you're more likely to expose your weaknesses and leave flaws in your strategy!"
"You might as well slow down, plan more carefully, be more reserved and implicit, avoid the opponent's edge for the time being, and advance by retreating. This way, it'll be easier for you to win!"
"Thank you for your advice, Master!" Shen Li stood up and bowed sincerely to Master Taixu. She really meant this.
"Miss Shen is extremely intelligent. Even without my advice, after experiencing a small setback, you'll be able to sum up experience and find a more suitable path for yourself. I can't really help you much. You don't need to be so polite."
Hearing this, Shen Li was silent for a moment and then slowly sat back in her seat, lost in thought.
Master Taixu said in the main hall at the beginning that she had a knot in her heart, which was to lead her here. Then, he used the chess - playing as an excuse to persuade her to give up revenge and not hurt more people. After being rejected by her, he then advised her not to show her edge too much but to learn to be more reserved so as to develop better.
She guessed that he was Master Taixu because in her previous life, she heard that there was a Master Taixu in Pufa Temple. He founded Pufa Temple when he was only in his thirties and then personally trained four abbots.
Pufa Temple has been established for more than a hundred years, and this Master Taixu is still alive. He just rarely cares about worldly affairs and has been living in seclusion in Pufa Temple all year round. Few people have seen him.
In her previous life, Master Taixu was also a mysterious and powerful figure. It was rumored that he could listen to the will of heaven and change a person's fate. He could also observe people's hearts, and just a few casual words could benefit many people for a lifetime.
She just boldly guessed from the respectful attitude of the people in Pufa Temple towards Master Taixu. The Master Taixu in front of her looked just like an ordinary old man, but he was in good health and walked steadily. He didn't look like a man over 130 or 140 years old at all.
Today, from beginning to end, Master Taixu had been very friendly to her. He didn't put on any airs, and it was hard to understand his intention.
Master Taixu seemed to see the doubt in Shen Li's heart. This time, he didn't rush to ask Shen Li anything. Instead, he just poured another cup of tea and slowly sipped it.
"I wonder if our encounter today is a coincidence or on purpose?"
"What's the difference between coincidence and intention? Man proposes, God disposes. As long as one wants to meet, there's always a way. As long as one wants to do something, no difficulty is insurmountable."
Shen Li nodded in agreement. "I wonder who asked you, Master, to persuade me today?"
Master Taixu put down the teacup in his hand and looked into Shen Li's eyes. "No one asked me. I just find you, young benefactor, quite congenial. So I just wanted to give you a few words of advice!"
"In that case, thank you, Master!" Shen Li stood up to thank him and then took her leave. "Thank you for the tea today, Master. I'll invite you for a cup of tea when I get the chance!"
"Really? Then I'm looking forward to your tea, young benefactor!"
"Then, Master, see you if we're fated!"
Master Taixu watched Shen Li return along the original path, pass through the corridor, and slowly disappear in the distance.
"What's meant to be a blessing won't be a disaster. What's coming will surely come! Some things should not happen twice once they've happened once!" Master Taixu said, looking at the empty corridor.
"It's time for us to make some preparations!"