Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 154 Ghost Messenger Xue San
“Amitabha, this matter is an imperial edict issued by Yujing Palace and Ci'en Temple. Even if the temple does not have enough manpower, it dares not refuse.”

The monk Zhenru sighed.

"Fortunately, we are closer to Kyoto, so it will be faster to get there. We shouldn't encounter many demons or ghosts before we get there, and our disciples will be fine."

"Didn't you teach them cultivation, fellow Daoist?"

The old abbot had long ago realized that the monks in the temple who possessed Buddhist teachings were merely profound in their understanding of Buddhism, emanating a Buddha-like aura, but they did not show any trace of magical arts.

"That is indeed a rule left by our ancestors."

"It is true," the monk said slowly.

“Back then, when the patriarch heard the monk’s guidance to cultivate Buddhism, he only cultivated the Buddhist teachings and did not pass on any magical techniques. All the magical techniques were derived from his own understanding and practice of the Buddhist scriptures, and then he exchanged and discussed them with his fellow practitioners.”

"From then on, this became the rule of our temple: we only transmit Buddhist teachings, not magical arts. If a disciple can comprehend them, it means he has a connection with cultivation. If he cannot comprehend them, he will only become a Zen monk."

"It does indeed contain some of the true essence of Buddhism."

The old abbot nodded, a smile on his face.

"Your lineage is better than many famous temples on mountains."

"How could that be..."

The monk Zhenru shook his head.

"They are all just trying to understand the principles of Zen, each in their own way, and there is no question of superiority or inferiority."

"It was only after gaining enlightenment from the Buddhist scriptures that I realized that the most profound techniques in the world are all contained within them, but one must be patient in learning them."

As he spoke, he stood up and broke off a dead tree branch from above his head.

"Life and death are like a spinning wheel of fire, never resting."

Chen Ji glanced sideways.

This is a sentence from the Surangama Sutra, a classic text. He had seen it in the fox clan's library, but hearing the monk Zhenru recite it now, he felt something different.

The surrounding spiritual energy surged, revealing it to be a magical technique.

Looking again at the withered branch in Zhenru's hand, the cracked brown bark had tiny strands of bark growing out of it and intertwining together, and the air was filled with moisture, as if the wound was being healed again.

Sap flows from the broken branches, and tender green leaves sprout from several lateral buds.

In no time at all, the withered branch was reborn in the monk's hands, and even began to sprout and bloom.

"What a trick!"

The old abbot raised an eyebrow in amazement, while Chen Ji was also somewhat taken aback.

"A withered tree coming back to life, a cycle of life and death, is indeed no simple matter."

The monk Zhenru remained silent, allowing the magic to continue until the flower buds formed and several peach blossoms bloomed. Only then did he take a plum vase from the incense table and insert it diagonally into the vase.

"Amitabha, this is just a little trick, please forgive my poor skills, fellow Daoist."

"Is this considered a minor technique?"

"It should be considered as such. This is just a Buddhist insight from the Surangama Sutra. The Surangama Sutra has ten volumes and more than 60,000 words. I don't know how many techniques it contains. The deeper one's cultivation, the more one can understand the importance of Buddhism."

Upon hearing this, the old abbot gazed at the peach blossoms and felt a pang of emotion.

"This method may not be a bad one. At least I have practiced Buddhism, and my mind is as clear as a mirror, unstained by dust, making it difficult for me to fall into demonic possession."

"Fellow Daoist, you will surely become famous throughout the world when you go to the capital."

The monk Zhenru shook his head.

"In this remote mountain temple, I dare not think so much; I only hope that the world can be at peace."

"It should be."

Chen Ji nodded, a thought flashing through his mind, for it was a message from the Sun Wanderer's Seal.

Upon touching it, he knew it was a message from the underworld, so he explained the situation, found a secluded place, and raised the token.

A chilling aura surged from the token, transforming into a ghostly messenger—the very same one that Judge Lu had sent earlier.

Upon seeing Chen Ji, he clasped his hands in a fist and knelt down.

"Lu Pan, the Ghost Messenger Xue San, greets the Imperial Inspector."

"Envoy Xue, please rise. May I ask what brings you to the mortal realm to seek me out?"

"Firstly, we've come to deliver last month's salary and incense to the Japanese patrol; secondly, we've made progress on the ghost the Japanese patrol previously sent over."

"The salary is being paid so quickly?"

Chen Ji couldn't help but glance at him sideways.

Judge Lu had previously mentioned that the daily patrol also received a salary equivalent to ten incense sticks, but I didn't expect that the salary would be paid at the beginning of the month, much faster than in the human world.

"The underworld has always been like this."

Xue San smiled.

"There are many things to calculate in the human world, and identity verification is also required, so it is naturally more troublesome."

“The underworld doesn’t have these things; everyone has to go to the palace to get them, so it’s much faster. If the daily patrol officer weren’t human and couldn’t go in person, Judge Lu wouldn’t have sent his men to deliver them.”

He then took out incense and offered it to the customer.

"Thank you for your hard work, Envoy Xue."

Chen Ji thanked him sincerely, then poured a cup of tea and offered it to Xue San.

"Please, envoy, have some tea."

Xue San's eyes lit up. He lowered his head and took a sniff. The aroma of tea surged up, but after a moment, only a cup of cold water remained, bland and tasteless.

"Indeed excellent tea, thank you, Your Excellency."

Xue San was completely captivated.

"Doesn't the Underworld have tea shops too? Would Judge Lu really shortchange the messenger?"

"It's different, it's different."

A smile appeared on Xue Sanhei's face.

"Tea must be served piping hot. No matter how good the tea in the underworld is, it can't compare to the tea in the human world..."

He clicked his tongue as he spoke.

"The taste of it will have to wait until the daytime tour has the opportunity to go to the underworld to experience it, and it can't be done in the physical body."

"This……"

Chen Ji shook his head.

I have a feeling that none of these people in the underworld—oh, no, I mean these ghosts—have good intentions. I need to become their true colleagues as soon as possible.

He paused for a moment before asking about the second official matter.

"Which ghost is Envoy Xue referring to?"

"That fortune teller."

"Oh."

Chen Ji suddenly realized that he had sent so many souls to the underworld that he had almost forgotten about this matter.

Seeing that Chen Ji remembered, Xue San continued to speak.

"Judge Lu took the sorceress back to the underworld, and after some interrogation, she revealed some information."

"That blood demon did indeed practice the blood demon evil arts after being persuaded by others. He wanted to capture nearby earth spirits and weak demons and ghosts, all for the purpose of refining pills."

Chen Ji raised his eyebrows, feeling that he had heard the Iron Pot Demon say these words before.

"That's what the Purple Cloud Dragon King said too."

"Could it be the evil dragon from Purple Cloud Mountain?"

"Indeed, Envoy Xue, you also know of the evil dragon's reputation?"

Xue San smiled with a dark expression.

“The Japanese patrolman has forgotten what I used to do. I used to travel back and forth here to deliver messages for Judge Lu, so I naturally know what’s going on here.”

"I just didn't know he would actually target the demon race. I thought he just wanted to abduct wandering souls from the underworld. I need to report this to Judge Lu and also ask the Sun Patrol for credit."

"This deserves credit too?"

Chen Ji was somewhat surprised.

"Naturally, the underworld officials earn their incense offerings and merits through their work. Since the daily patrol discovered this matter, they will naturally receive a lot of merit. Moreover, they may even have to trouble the daily patrol to resolve it."

"Whose problem to solve?"

Chen Ji was taken aback.

Although his current strength is somewhat stronger, it is still limited. He might be able to hold his own against the Blood Demon of Fenshan Town, but if he were to face the Purple Cloud Dragon King, the outcome would be uncertain.

"Lu Pan never mentioned having the Sun Patrol confront the Purple Cloud Dragon King."

Xue San noticed Chen Ji's worry and offered an explanation.

“Judge Lu knows that the Japanese patrol wants to get rid of the escaped ghost king in Fenshan Town, and this is a good opportunity.”

"Ok?"

Chen Ji suddenly opened his eyes.

"Does the underworld also know about that Ghost King?"

"How are you going to explain this when you're leaving, Japan Patrol?"

Xue San clicked his tongue in amazement.

“If one or two ordinary little ghosts were to sneak out, the Underworld might not know, but how could the Underworld not know that such a powerful ghost king has escaped from the Underworld?”

"Then why wasn't it dealt with before?"

"fishing."

Xue San replied truthfully.

"Judge Lu had known the Ghost King's whereabouts for a long time, but he hadn't taken any action before, and he didn't know how the Ghost King got out. So he had people keeping an eye on him and even planted demons and ghosts as spies inside. He wanted to find the Ghost King's passage in and out of the underworld." "But this fellow is too cunning. After settling down in Fenshan Town, he hasn't made any moves."

"If it weren't for the fact that the Blood Demon and the Ghost King had some dealings, I'm afraid Judge Lu wouldn't have asked the patrolman to cause trouble for the Blood Demon."

"If the Blood Demon seeks help from the Ghost King, perhaps we can find some clues."

"It's just a blood demon, so it should be fine. Please report to Judge Lu that I understand."

Chen Ji breathed a sigh of relief, understanding the arrangements made by the underworld.

He had no protection from the underworld, but he still had to make this trip for the sake of the stone mill demon. Now, he can even take advantage of the situation to get a job.

"Then I won't bother the Japanese patrol any longer, I'll continue on my way..."

"Wait a minute."

Chen Ji called out to Xue San, took out a jade bottle, and handed it to him.

"This is a soul I captured today. Its origin is somewhat unusual. I need to trouble Judge Lu to inquire about it. If you have any information, please let me know."

"I wonder if this is in accordance with the rules?"

Chen Ji asked.

Xue San waved his hand dismissively, not caring at all.

“The Japanese patrol thinks that the origin is unusual, which is a problem. At this moment, the Ghost Gate is damaged, and the Japanese patrol is ordered to investigate. This matter is being handled with caution and is naturally in accordance with the rules.”

Chen Ji was silent.

I finally understand why the divine way emphasizes conscience and righteousness more than the human way.

If it were a wicked and evil god instead, this matter would probably not have been resolved so easily.

So he cupped his hands in thanks to Xue San.

"The Japanese patrol hasn't even said what they want to ask, and I've already arranged everything?"

"No need, I will write a letter and please give it directly to Judge Lu."

"That's good. It saves us from having to send messengers to relay the message. If there are problems with the relay, it will delay the important matters of the daily inspection."

Xue San bowed and waited to the side for Chen Ji to write a letter.

Chen Ji then briefly described the matter of the Rain Monk, and mentioned that this Rain Monk could perform divination, and that it was because he consulted a oracle that a mountain had become like this.

He wanted to ask Judge Lu how to interpret the specific Eight Treasures and the message conveyed in the spirit writings at that time.

In a short while, he finished the letter, packed it up, and handed it to Xue San.

Xue San took it, then transformed into a wisp of ghostly energy and disappeared underground.

Chen Ji then returned to find the old abbot and Abbot Zhenru.

The two were drinking tea and discussing philosophy when they saw Chen Ji return and smiled slightly.

"But did that underworld messenger return?"

"gone back."

Chen Ji didn't ask them how they sensed it.

That yin energy was something even a fox with relatively low cultivation could sense; these two probably could sense it even more clearly.

He then briefly explained why the underworld had come to find him.

“Fenshan Town.”

The monk and the Taoist priest exchanged a glance and both smiled.

"I have a feeling that you guys discussed something while I was away."

Chen Ji looked at the two of them, about to ask something.

The old abbot then spoke first to explain.

"We plan to send our disciples to Fenshan Town to clear out the demons and ghosts in the surrounding area. If you are going, please take care of us."

"If I were to face the Blood Demon, it would likely be even more dangerous than their journey."

Chen Ji instinctively refused.

Regardless of whether they are monks or Taoists, the disciples these two bring will certainly not stand idly by when they face the Blood Demon. If the Blood Demon charges at them, they don't know how they will protect themselves.

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to worry. Their cultivation has already improved. If they dare not face demons and ghosts, they will not have the courage in the future."

"Facing the Blood Demon head-on might be too difficult, but the surrounding lesser demons are manageable. If all else fails, you can have them do some chores."

"..."

Having said that, it wouldn't be appropriate for Chen Ji to refuse again, so he nodded in agreement.

They then agreed on a time to go to Fenshan Town together, and then went to Sendai Mountain again to bring back the demons to the medicine hall.

Upon landing, he saw Miss Bai in the courtyard and asked her in surprise how she had returned.
“The foxes on the mountain have finished talking and will naturally come back. An excuse to gather herbs won’t last long.”

As they spoke, the four foxes filed out and were pleasantly surprised to see Chen Ji.

Then he asked Chen Ji what he had been doing earlier.

"I went to see a group of frog demons."

He then recounted his experiences with the Rain Monk, which broadened the foxes' horizons, though there were also dissenting opinions in his words.

"I never expected that someone would actually guide a demon to practice Buddhism."

"Ha, if Baojie can become a Confucian cultivator, what's so strange about a few Buddhist frogs?"

"Exactly, to be able to do something like this, I really don't know how they cultivated themselves into Buddhas."

The four foxes expressed their disdain and curled their lips, showing no envy for not being enlightened by the powerful being.

They paused for a moment, then looked at each other again at the bronze toad.

"Senior Copper Toad, is the frog demon you mentioned similar to yourself?"

The bronze toad demon hurriedly shook his head.

"I am a bronze toad demon, a proper demon cultivator. They are Buddhist cultivators, so we are different. But I am also curious about how a frog became a Buddhist disciple."

"If I had the chance, I would really like to have a discussion with them about the law."

"There will be a chance."

Chen Ji smiled slightly and looked at them.

"There are thirty-six Rain Monks, and even now there are still thirty-four of them out there. Given the opportunity, you can still run into them."

"but……"

Chen Ji lowered his voice and looked at the four foxes.

"The monk who enlightened them may be the one who bestowed the magic upon Senior Huai."

"what?"

The four foxes' eyes widened instantly, unable to believe it.

They had heard Elder Huai mention this before, and at the time they thought the monk was extraordinary.

I even thought that if I ever got to meet this monk, I would definitely greet him properly.

I was quite bewildered to hear about this from a group of frogs and toads.

Then he quickly inquired about the details.

"There are no details. When the monk Yu told me, he only said one sentence: You should all just focus on your cultivation."

"Mr. Chen is right."

"You should still cultivate yourselves honestly and not think about these shortcuts."

"Didn't you hear that they now need to gather together to cultivate and attain enlightenment?"

Miss Bai guessed Bai Qi and the others' plan, and took out a smooth twig to tap the four foxes on the head.

The four foxes hurriedly covered their heads.

"Miss Bai, please stop knocking. We understand and will never mention this matter again."

Chen Ji looked at the tree branches with a hint of curiosity.

These foxes usually play with stones freely, so why would they be afraid of a twig?

Seeing Chen Ji's curiosity, Miss Bai explained earnestly.

"This is not an ordinary tree branch, but a piece of fox-blood mulberry wood, which is used by the Fox Academy to discipline fox cubs."

"Others are fine when they come into contact with demons, but foxes feel pain when they touch them. Most students of fox studies have to study magic to avoid the pain."

After hearing this, Chen Ji thought for a moment and then suddenly burst out laughing.

Upon seeing this, the four foxes hurriedly cried out.

"Sir, you really have no compassion!"

“We’re all in such a sorry state, yet the gentleman is still laughing.”

"Why don't you persuade Miss Bai not to use this to teach us a lesson next time? It's really upsetting."

Chen Ji simply shook his head upon hearing this.

"You all still haven't understood Miss Bai's good intentions!"

"If I didn't know you could get into Fox Academy, why would I use Fox Academy methods to educate you?"

"We'll talk about it when you can figure it out yourselves."

"Ok?"

The four foxes were stunned, their eyes widened, and they realized it was true. They quickly thanked them.

"I am so dull-witted that I only learned about this after being reminded by you, sir. Let's disperse."

Bai Gu Niang waved her hand, shooing the four foxes away to go read, before chatting with Chen Ji about their trip to Baishou Temple.

(End of this chapter)