Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 63 Huashan Town

As for the fourth level BUFF, the poor scholar, the poorer the better.

Xiao Chen thought about it and decided to give up and not fold it.

He couldn't give up meat and fish, and couldn't stand the hard life of eating steamed buns and pickles every day.

He has a lot of gold and silver on him, so he might as well be a wealthy scholar! Who would give up a good life to live a hard life?

With three layers of BUFF, he would naturally gain a good impression in front of the fairy, and maybe even meet Yang Chan in person. He wanted to see if he could find an opportunity to touch the copy of the Lotus Lantern while asking the Three Holy Mothers to heal his injuries.

Looking at Mount Huashan getting closer and closer, Xiao Chen was secretly cautious.

"I'm afraid that the entire Huashan Mountain is under the divine consciousness of the Three Holy Mothers of Huashan Mountain. You must be careful not to waste your magic power and reveal your flaws."

Xiao Chen wore a square scarf and a Confucian robe.

It was the hottest summer season, and he was carrying a cool rack to cover himself, which was the standard attire for a scholar.

Xiao Chen, leaning on a crutch, limped along the mountain road with a miserable look on his face.

Huashan.

It was called "Xiyue" in ancient times and "Taihua Mountain" in elegant style. It is one of the Five Sacred Mountains.

Huashan Mountain is steep, with many upright cliffs and dangerous peaks standing upright, as if they were cut by knives or axes, and is very spectacular. Since ancient times, it has been known as "the most dangerous mountain in the world."

It was summer at that time. The vegetation on Mount Hua was lush and the peaks were shrouded in clouds and mist, giving people a feeling of being in a fairyland.

There is a big town at the foot of Mount Hua, called Huashan Town, with a population of more than 10,000.

At this time, Xiao Chen was leaning on a crutch, limping into Huashan Town. He was covered in dust and injured, and looked extremely miserable.

This attracted the attention of people on the street, who pointed and talked about it.

"This big brother is so miserable!"

A little boy who was being held by his mother broke free from her hand and handed the half-eaten bun with a row of teeth marks on it to Xiao Chen.

"This... am I... pretending to be miserable? Have I done it too much?"

The corners of Xiao Chen's mouth twitched, but he still reached out to take the half bun and said with a smile:
"Thank you, little brother!"

"Big brother, don't be hungry. Eat enough."

The little boy looked at Xiao Chen with innocent eyes, smiled, and jumped back into his mother's arms.

Xiao Chen looked around Huashan Town.

Countless blue bricks, black tiles, and wooden carved window lattices form a group of ancient buildings in Huashan Town. Most of the streets are paved with bluestone slabs, with ups and downs, bends and windings, forming a unique streetscape.

Many courtyards are built along the water, rivers run through the town, and scenes of small bridges, flowing water and houses can be seen everywhere.

Shops are lined up on both sides of the street. The midday sun shines on the red bricks and green tiles, shining brightly, as if covering this ancient town with a layer of golden gauze.

The streets and alleys are crowded with people, and the place is bustling and lively.

"It seems that the people here are protected by the Three Holy Mothers of Mount Hua, and they have good weather, no worries about food and clothing, and live and work in peace and contentment."

Xiao Chen chuckled and randomly pulled someone to ask for directions.

The palace of the Three Holy Mothers is located on the Lotus Peak, the western peak of Mount Huashan. This is one of the main peaks of Mount Huashan. There is a huge rock on the top of the peak that looks like a lotus petal.

Xiao Chen limped along the mountain road and arrived at the Three Holy Mothers Temple.

The incense of the Three Holy Mothers is very popular, and there are many male and female pilgrims who come here to make wishes, some for marriage, some for wealth, and some for the birth of a son.

Xiao Chen donated a considerable amount of money, lit three incense sticks, and said in front of the statue of the Three Holy Mothers: "I am here..."

At this moment, a loud shout was heard from outside. The shout seemed to be for the people, and it was righteous and full of justice.

"I, Liu Mingyan, am a scholar. I once made a vow to guard the temple for the Three Holy Mothers for eight years!"

"It's only been three years now, so I can't leave."

Xiao Chen was stunned when he heard this, and looked back, only to see a down-and-out scholar wearing a square scarf and carrying a cool rack on his back, rushing in with a large roll of quilt in his arms, and speaking loudly.

This person's outfit is very similar to Xiao Chen's, and it feels like they are wearing the same clothes.

A woman dressed in Taoist robes and looking like a temple priest walked out of the Three Holy Mothers Temple and shouted at him angrily:
"Liu Mingyan, I have made it very clear. The Third Holy Mother has already issued an order to let you go!"

"That's not OK!"

"A man without faith cannot stand"

"Since the Third Holy Mother cured my father's chronic illness, I will come to fulfill my vow!"

"I will guard the temple for the Three Holy Mothers for eight years!"

"If a scholar cannot even keep the oath he made, how can he stand between heaven and earth?"

The down-and-out scholar hugged his bedding, found a corner, and looked at the pile of bedding on the ground, looking as if he was going to stay there.

"There are many people in the world who do not keep their promises. One more like you is not much of a difference."

The temple keeper shook his head and tried to persuade him. "What you said is wrong. How can you compare me, Liu Mingyan, with those who don't keep their promises?"

This down-and-out scholar shook his head like a rattle, acting as if he was different from them.

"What do you want me to do in exchange for leaving?"

The temple keeper was helpless in the face of this persistent person and sighed.

"Please ask the temple priest to tell the Three Holy Mothers that the eight-year term is over."

"I, Liu Mingyan, will leave on my own."

"I will be here to prove my sincerity to the Three Holy Mothers!"

This down-and-out scholar spoke with great confidence, and as he spoke, he even set up a platform to share worries, as if he was going to help the Third Holy Mother to share her worries and solve her problems.

Seeing this, Xiao Chen's mouth twitched, and he thought to himself, "Why did this guy come here with the same tactics as Liu Yanchang? I feel like he is here to trick the Three Holy Mothers."

"What are you asking for?"

The temple keeper looked at Xiao Chen and asked.

Xiao Chen pointed to his calf and begged:
"I am a failed scholar. When I returned home after failing the exam, I accidentally broke my leg and became unable to move. I would like to ask the Three Holy Mothers for treatment."

"The Third Holy Mother is no longer in Huashan. Go to the Xinglin Shop on Hefang Street. There is a good doctor there. Ask her to treat you."

The temple keeper pursed his lips, glanced at Liu Mingyan, and said helplessly.

"Not at Huashan anymore?"

Xiao Chen glanced at Liu Mingyan. Was it because this person had been pestering the Third Holy Mother? Did the Third Holy Mother run away?

"Damn it, it delayed my copying of the treasure."

"Let's go meet him."

Xiao Chen came to Liu Mingyan's side and said with a bow, "Hello, brother. I am Xiao Chen."

"Hello, brother. I am Liu Mingyan."

Liu Mingyan also stood up and greeted politely.

The moment their eyes met.

A trace of horror flashed through Xiao Chen's mind.

He had seen this kind of look, even though it was hidden very deeply.

The old yellow cow demon, a disciple of Dingguang Happy Buddha, also had this kind of obscene and lascivious look when he saw him.

That old bull demon is still in his stomach, getting stabbed every day.

This kind of look made him feel nauseous at the time, and he remembered it so vividly that he almost vomited to death.

However, the old bull demon did not hide his true colors.

This Liu Mingyan is very secretive.

In the words of the old yellow demon, they like Zen, which is an appreciation of the beautiful things in the world.

"Hold!"

Xiao Chen cursed in his heart, why are there these people everywhere, always catching the Jade Emperor's female relatives and raping them.

Xiao Chen remained calm and asked with a smile, "I heard that you are guarding the temple here."

"That's right. The Third Holy Mother cured my father's chronic illness. I am so grateful that I have vowed to guard the temple for the Third Holy Mother for eight years."

"Let's build a platform here to help the pilgrims solve their problems and also to relieve the worries of the Three Holy Mothers."

Liu Mingyan said righteously.

"I understand. Brother, you are so righteous. I admire you. I won't bother you anymore."

Xiao Chen secretly memorized the man's appearance, bowed and said goodbye, and walked out of the Three Holy Mothers Temple.

Xiao Chen's mind moved, and his heart and mind entered the world of Qiankun in his belly. This was his independent world. He was the master of the world, a world of his own, isolated from the outside world, so he was not worried about being discovered.

"Moo, moo, moo!"

"Please spare me, let me die quickly!"

When the old yellow bull demon saw Xiao Chen, he was so excited that he kept wailing and begging.

It has been nearly thirty years, and every day I have been suffering from the pain of hundreds of swords piercing my heart, unable to live or die. How miserable it is.

"Have you ever seen this man's appearance, old ox? But you are a person who likes Zen?"

In the world of Qiankun in his stomach, Xiao Chen's mind moved, and he outlined the appearance of Liu Mingyan and asked the old yellow bull monster.

(End of this chapter)