Scourge Messenger

Chapter 126 Seven Steps to Recite Buddha's Name
The fact that the Rat Monk was still alive surprised not only the merchants but also Yan Qing.

Last night, he first escaped from the Foundation Establishment Messenger, then was tortured to the point of near death by the human-machine verification in the secret vault. After returning, he had to play mind games with other thieves. After hastily filling his stomach, he fell into a deep sleep. He was woken up today by the urge to urinate and realized that he had forgotten Rat Monk in Jiangnan City last night.

But it wasn't intentional. After all, Black Wolf and White Fox said they hadn't encountered the monk with Shang Xuanwen, and Yan Qing's instructions to the Rat Monk were to stay by Shang Xuanwen's side at all costs. So, the moment Yan Qing received the news, he assumed that the Rat Monk was probably indeed dead.

He turned on the game console and found that Rat Monk hadn't deleted his account yet. His first reaction was confusion. Could it be that there was a problem with the automatic evolution program he compiled? Or had the AI ​​rebelled? Otherwise, according to Yan Qing's orders, Rat Monk would have crawled to Shang Xuanwen's side even if he had to... In Rat Monk's program, protecting Shang Xuanwen was the first priority, tricking him out of the Heaven Sword was the second, and only then did it come to his account, which had only survived for three days.

When Yan Qing opened the battle log, he realized that he had indeed misunderstood the alt account.

"The Rat Monk wasn't in the alley you mentioned, Father. When we rushed over, he was almost out of Jiangtai Street, hundreds of steps away from the alley."

The rat monk did not sleep in his room, but in a more spacious and grand dwelling, which was crowded with maids and servants, and an old doctor sat by the bed to monitor his condition at all times.

The father and son watched the Rat Monk from the side, their tone full of respect: "He seemed to have lost consciousness at the time. Even though I told him you were safe, he still insisted on going over to continue to perform his guard duties. Fortunately, Doctor Sun arrived in time and used cotton needles to put him to sleep and rest."

While players cannot harm each other within the main city, healing is clearly not an option. The game features numerous healing items with negative effects, such as sleep, confusion, blindness, and dizziness. However, without exception, these healing items share two main characteristics: close-range and long wind-up. Therefore, while healing items can be effective in the main city, their effects can be interrupted by a sneeze if the opponent is unwilling to cooperate.

In return, given enough time, these healing artifacts can cure most of the negative effects.

Yan Qing saw from the battle log that the Rat Monk had accumulated eight negative effects: 'Severe Burns (-5 Dexterity)', 'Severe Internal Injuries (-7 Health)', 'Crippled Hands (-9 Dexterity)', and 'Near Death (-1 Health Point/Second)', all of which could not be healed by taking blood-replenishing pills. Now, after a night, he only had 'Mild Internal Injuries (-1 Health)' left, showing how immediate the treatment effect was and how close the Rat Monk's life was to death.

"He's awake," Shang Xuanwen suddenly said.

Hmm? Yan Qing was certain that he had only looked at the battle log and hadn't controlled the Rat Monk at all. How could he tell that the Rat Monk had woken up? Physician Sun, who was standing next to Yan Qing, had the same thought. He said, "Prime Minister, my cotton needle therapy can put a person to sleep for at least six hours. The patient won't wake up now."

"You don't need to get up. Just rest and listen to me." However, Shang Xuanwen ignored their concerns and continued, "I've already taken care of your household registration. You'll be a black-belt military household. Although I could help you register as a merchant, I imagine you wouldn't want to be bound by the merchant's rules."

"As for where you go, I'll give you two choices. One is Xuanwu Lake Military Town, which includes first-level, second-level, and third-level secret realms. I will provide resources to help you up to the third job advancement. However, Xuanwu Lake Military Town is under the jurisdiction of the Jie and Zhou families, so I cannot guarantee your safety. You must also abide by the rules of Xuanwu Lake. The other is the Merchant's Tranquil Abode, a first-level secret realm. You can go into the secret realm with the Merchant's warriors, and I guarantee there will be no danger. You can also choose any of the secret realm's produce."

Shang Qia thought to himself, putting aside whether he could hear her or not, "Father, the difference between these two options is too great. The first one is risky and the return is not guaranteed, while the second one is risk-free and the return is optional. Anyone would definitely choose the second one."

"The first one." The Rat Monk immediately opened his eyes: "This humble monk is willing to go to Xuanwu Lake."

Both Shang Qia and Dr. Sun were shocked. "Are you sure you want to choose the first one?" "Why did you wake up?"

Only Shang Xuanwen had anticipated this. He nodded and said, "Alright, let me know when you've fully recovered, and I'll send someone to take you there."

"This humble monk is almost fully recovered." Although the Rat Monk still has some internal injuries, they don't affect his combat ability. Compared to that, getting to the dungeon to earn money is the most important thing. "We can set off immediately."

Doctor Sun quickly stopped him: "No, as the saying goes, it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone. Master, your injury is so serious that there must be many hidden injuries inside. It is impossible to cure it completely in just one day. Let me treat you for at least a few more days—"

Yan Qing glanced at the duration of 'mild internal injury', which had a full 96 hours remaining. The injury system in "The Messenger" is quite exaggerated. Once you are seriously injured, it is very difficult to heal, and even if you do heal, there will be long-lasting aftereffects. It is a kind of alternative stamina limit. When players get injured while playing dungeons, they realize that they should go play other parts of the game.

"No need. This injury can be completely healed by my job advancement. It's perfect for fighting in the secret realm." The Rat Monk got off the bed and tore off his bandages. "When can we reach Xuanwu Lake Military Town?"

"Prime Minister!" Doctor Sun could only turn to Shang Xuanwen, hoping the Prime Minister could help persuade him: "How can we let the patient participate in the secret realm battle?"

Unfortunately, Shang Xuanwen's thought process was different from that of normal people: "I will arrange for the carriage to depart in half an hour, and you will arrive at Xuanwu Lake Military Town in about four hours."

"it is good."

Without hesitation, Shang Xuanwen sent Shang Qia to fetch pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and immediately wrote a letter of recommendation, handing it to the Rat Monk: "After arriving at Xuanwu Lake, hand this letter over, and they may arrange for you to start as a soldier. If they frame or plot against you, you can handle it yourself, or you can write to notify me."

Yan Qing accepted the letter, thought for a moment, and asked, "If this humble monk, unable to contain his anger, kills someone and escapes, what will you, Prime Minister, do?"

"Interesting, there was a similar case recently." Shang Xuanwen raised an eyebrow: "If you dare to disregard the law and commit murder in private, the court will naturally issue an arrest warrant for you. I will not protect any criminals. If you are caught, the Ministry of Justice will punish you according to the law."

In other words, you'll help me avoid getting caught? Yan Qing suddenly felt that this old guy was quite interesting.

When they arrived at the carriage, Yan Qing discovered that it was a family carriage of the same standard as Shang Xinlei's, complete with all the living facilities, practically a mobile house.

"This carriage is lent to you while you're at Xuanwu Lake," Shang Xuanwen said. "It contains clothing and rewards prepared for you, and a coachman and servants will help take care of it. Is there anything else you need?"

"That's all." "Goodbye, don't bother seeing me out."

He meant no parting with the visit. After giving his instructions, Shang Xuanwen left the Shang family, accompanied by many guards. It seemed he had taken time out of his busy schedule to visit the Rat Monk. As the prime minister of the country, and given what had happened last night, he had no right to waste his time. Many official matters in the palace and the Ministry of Personnel awaited his approval.

Yan Qing also disliked wishy-washy situations. If Shang Xuanwen insisted on keeping him to repay a debt of gratitude, Yan Qing would have a headache. This was fine, like an NPC in a game: I help you, you give me a reward, then we're even, you continue your life, and I continue my game.

Two maids waited at the carriage door, their appearance gentle and lovely, their figures curvaceous, as they softly welcomed the Rat Monk in. Yan Qing thought to herself, "Shang Xuanwen, you're using this to test the monk? And you even specially sent such beautiful maids. Did the old man notice my occasional glances at the pretty girls on the street through the Rat Monk?" But the Rat Monk was a gentleman, after all, "The Messenger" was an all-ages game.

The carriage was extremely luxurious, with maids attending to him on both sides. If the Rat Monk were to wear a brocade cassock, anyone who saw it would secretly admire him, thinking, "What a lewd monk, all show and no substance!" Observing the street outside through the window, one could vaguely hear the voices of people discussing the theft case from the previous night. Some lamented that they had missed the opportunity to exchange ordinary items for the breastplate, while others burned paper money and prayed to the Marquis's mansion in the street, making it as lively as a festival.

After the carriage left Jiangnan City, Yan Qing lost interest in looking at the scenery. Before switching to his alternate account, he remembered that Shang Xuanwen had mentioned there were clothes and gifts on the table. When he went over to take a look, he was both amused and exasperated. Shang Xuanwen had actually prepared a brocade cassock for him. He wondered how Shang Xuanwen had managed to buy it. Such high-level professional equipment must have been custom-made, right?
Besides the brocade kasaya, there are many other comfortable and convenient undergarments. Since the products from this merchant are of high quality, Yan Qing decisively bought two sets for herself.

But what surprised Yan Qing the most was that there were actually "Basic Sword Technique Mastery Manual" and "Advanced Sword Technique Mastery Manual" on the table!
His first thought was to use them himself; these two manuals would be enough to allow him to advance to the second rank on the spot, especially since he had already purchased the Advancement Steps Mastery Manual from the State of Qi. However, after a brief moment of thought, he abandoned this tempting idea.

First of all, even after the second job advancement, the Bingzi Jiaolin remains his strongest offensive artifact. If he were to advance using swordsmanship, Yan Qing would most likely switch to a sword-based class, which wouldn't synergize well with the Bingzi Jiaolin.

Secondly, although he considered the smaller item to be his, it was still a gift from Shang Xuanwen to the Rat Monk, and Yan Qing hoped that the Rat Monk would accept the gift.

This is undoubtedly just a pointless form of self-gratification. The Rat Monk is merely a puppet he controls; the one who truly did Shang Xuanwen a favor is Yan Qing, the player. But a game, by its very nature, is a game in which players project themselves onto game characters, fantasizing about experiencing different lives through those characters, thus achieving self-satisfaction.

Besides the two manuals, there was also a box. When Yan Qing opened it, he was surprised to find a rare second-tier longsword with the Buddhist verse "All phenomena are illusory" engraved on it.

"Seven Steps to Recite Buddha's Name"

"Rank: Second-tier Rare"

"Durability: 70/75"

Equipment Requirements: 10 HP

"Equipment Requirements: Advanced Swordsmanship MAX"

Basic attack power: 15~40 points

"Effect - Accumulated Damage: The damage dealt by this sword will not manifest immediately. After the enemy has moved seven steps or seven seconds, the accumulated damage will be released all at once, dealing 150% critical damage. You can toggle this effect on and off."

"Effect - Killing: This sword deals an additional 10 damage to humanoid enemies and is guaranteed to deal maximum damage."

"Commentary: It is said that the swordsman once made a bet with the monk. The swordsman believed that his sword could cut through anything, while the monk believed that Buddha would protect him. After the swordsman killed the monk, the monk was unharmed, but after taking seven steps, the monk's head suddenly fell off. It is said that the sword was so sharp that the monk did not even realize that he had been killed."

It's clear that Shang Xuanwen had considered this. This Seven Steps to Recite Buddha's Name weapon doesn't require any spirit jade, and even if the Rat Monk turns it once, it can still achieve its full effect. However, giving a monk a weapon for killing other monks... feels a bit strange.

Inside the sword box, there was also a note. Yan Qing picked it up and was slightly taken aback.

"Seeing how much you cherish the Heaven-Slaying Sword, I originally intended to request His Majesty to gift it to you, but alas, things are unpredictable. I hope you find this Vajra Buddha Sword easy to use, and from this day forward, our grudges will be settled, and we can remain friends."

"Vajra Buddha Sword?" Yan Qing chuckled. "These illiterate people, don't just name a sword whatever they see with Buddhist verses on it."

He dressed the rat monk in a cassock and equipped him with the Seven-Step Recitation of Buddha's Name. The carriage was very stable, the road was smooth, and there was no shaking inside.

"friend……"

Yan Qing suddenly sighed, "It's making me want to have friends now."

Communication is a perfectly normal emotional need. While communication is possible in games, it's always just a secondary account, limited to the persona of that account. But how could a shut-in like him, hiding in a thief's den, possibly meet anyone? Unless fate grants him a romance born from a home invasion robbery.

"Forget it, let's go to Zhen Sanshan and try out the Seven Steps of Reciting Buddha's Name. Hopefully, Zheng Shannai will cut some of the price."

(End of this chapter)