Zhikong looked at Xinding in surprise. What a good question! Why have I never thought of that?

“Converting the Red Lotus Demoness is certainly not possible.” The little old man spoke unhurriedly, answering Xinding with a genial smile. He had cultivated for several hundred years, guarding the herb garden with remarkable meditative Chan skill.

“Marriage is a worldly affair. Buddhism is a Pure Land for ascetic cultivation. If the Red Lotus Demoness were to convert to Buddhism and marry Zhiyuan, wouldn’t that bring worldly affairs into the Pure Land and defile its precepts?”

Zhikong was enlightened. As expected of Junior Uncle Wunian. A few words were all it took to clear up my confusion.

Xinding was still confused, looking at the little old man with clear eyes. “But our servants’ courtyard...