Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 54 Monks don’t lie

Outside Cui County, on Xiaoyan Mountain, the aroma of roasted goose wafts from outside Qinglian Temple.

The dirty monk's robe swept away years of moss, polishing the bluestone until it was as smooth as a mirror.

The disheveled old monk was gnawing on half a roast goose, with someone under his feet—the unfortunate Wei Changsheng.

Wei Changsheng felt that his life had come to an end, and all of this was because of that damned little devil.

If he hadn't met Chen Ye, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state.

Chen Ye and Su Chun rode their swords and flew out of Cui County, unaware that Wei Changsheng hadn't gone far at all; they had simply overshot their target.

He still remembered his sect's mission to exchange for that heavenly book and secret technique; how could he just run away like that?

Once his temper subsided, Wei Changsheng realized that the little devil who had caused him such humiliation was the one who possessed the secret techniques of the Heavenly Book. Since they had already fallen out, how could they exchange secret techniques now?

Even if that little devil is willing to trade, he'll probably ask for an exorbitant price.

Wei Changsheng was still heartbroken over the loss of his magical artifacts and elixirs, which made him increasingly irritable.

Intending to find a place to rest and think of a solution, I came to Qinglian Temple in Xiaoyanshan to clear my mind.

Who would have thought that after landing on the ground and taking a few steps, they would encounter a strange old monk on this mountain path.

Wei Changsheng immediately felt disgusted.

There are only two branches of Buddhism today: Nirvana Sect and Cixin Temple. Nirvana Sect is definitely a demonic sect, but it has been killed into a coward by Zhang Qi, the leader of Qinghe Sword Sect. Cixin Temple is a heretical sect, and its monks usually stay behind closed doors to cultivate in seclusion. Outsiders can hardly see the monks of Cixin Temple.

However, the monk in front of him didn't seem to come from either of those sects.

To join the Nirvana School, one must shave their head completely. From the sect leader to the newly initiated novices, no one can have even a single hair. But the monk in front of me had a head of messy hair that looked like straw, tangled and matted as if he hadn't washed it in ten years.

He wasn't a monk from Cixin Temple, because Cixin Temple emphasizes purity, requiring both body and mind to be untainted by worldly dust; no matter how poor one is, one's clothes must not be dirty. Moreover, this monk's robes were covered in various stains, making it impossible to see their original color.

Wei Changsheng had only one conclusion: this was a fake monk.

Judging from his aura, he seems to be a cultivator, but he is probably the kind of rogue cultivator who stumbled upon a path to immortality, picked up some incomplete manuals, and diligently cultivated, which is why he became such a strange and unrecognizable monk.

The slovenly monk, reeking of foul odor, grinned at Wei Changsheng, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

Although the monk greeted him with a smile, Wei Changsheng was filled with disgust. He was already unhappy, and he didn't want to bother with such evil tricks. He opened his mouth and cursed, "A good dog doesn't block the way."

Upon hearing this, the disheveled monk not only didn't get angry, but instead smiled even more brightly.

But despite his happy face, his words were just as infuriating as Wei Changsheng's.

“Amitabha, this humble monk only wanted to ask for directions, but you spoke rudely and hurt me. It is clear that you need to be disciplined. I have not yet done any good deeds today, so I will guide you onto the right path. This will be a great merit.”

Wei Changsheng was furious on the spot.

"You heretics, how dare you act so arrogantly in front of my Incense Burning Sect! You're courting death!"

Wei Changsheng summoned the Five Immortals Furnace and smashed it down on the monk's head. If it hit, the monk would probably be smashed into mincemeat.

The disheveled monk chuckled, "Tsk tsk, what a powerful magic weapon, truly ruthless and merciless."

Despite his ruthless words, the monk showed no fear, letting the enormous alchemy furnace smash into his head.

Wei Changsheng had intended to scare him, but he hadn't expected the monk to bang his head against the alchemy furnace like that. It was too late to take it back.

Wei Changsheng thought to himself, "I've already slowed down. You're courting death, so don't blame me."

A muffled thud, like the tolling of an ancient temple bell.

The disheveled monk didn't smash his head; instead, cracks appeared on the Five Immortals Furnace.

Wei Changsheng was dumbfounded. His magic weapon was the most sturdy, how could it be shattered by a mortal body?

But it was true; the Five Immortals Furnace was already riddled with cracks and completely shattered amidst the monk's loud laughter.

In the instant it shattered, bronze fragments poured down like a torrential rain. Wei Changsheng's eardrums were ringing from the shock, and he watched helplessly as the cloud-patterned runes engraved on it vanished inch by inch, and the essence of the Li Fire at the core of the magic weapon turned into fireflies and scattered.

The backlash of energy surged into his meridians like a venomous snake. Before the metallic taste in his throat could even rise, the old monk's withered claws gripped his crown, slamming him to the ground. Then, he stepped on him with his mud-covered black feet.

The slovenly old monk's withered feet were wrapped in layers of dirty cloth, and dark yellow toenails were visible through the holes in his toes, which were now deeply embedded in Wei Changsheng's left cheek.

The rough texture of the linen pressed blood marks onto his cheekbones, and the sticky, sweaty stench mixed with the odor of rotting flesh constantly filled his nostrils.

Wei Changsheng could clearly feel the pebbles stuck to the other person's feet moving between his skin and flesh with the crushing force, as if hundreds of poisonous ants were gnawing at him, and his face was almost deformed from being trampled.

He had already undergone the Qi Refining Technique, making his physical body practically indestructible, possessing immense strength and impervious to ordinary spells. Yet, he had just encountered Chen Ye, an unreasonable man whose spells directly targeted his soul, and then he turned around and met this unreasonable monk whose cultivation was unbelievably high.

If I had known this would happen, I should have turned around and left.

But it was too late. The disheveled monk rubbed Wei Changsheng's head and earnestly advised, "Benefactor, you are full of hostility and act eccentrically and domineeringly. Why not chant scriptures with me to subdue the demon in your heart?"

Wei Changsheng mustered all his strength to squeeze out the words: "I am a disciple of the Incense Burning Sect! If you dare to kill me, you will suffer eternal damnation!"

“Amitabha, benefactor, do you not know that in the eyes of Buddha, all beings are equal? ​​Whether you are a disciple of the Incense Burning Sect or a stray dog ​​on the roadside, this humble monk treats you all the same.”

The monk seemed to genuinely disregard Wei Changsheng's sect, and with a bit more force, he stomped Wei Changsheng's head directly into the mud, occasionally grinding it down.

Wei Changsheng felt as if his face had been rubbed raw. The filth from the monk's feet seemed to seep into his flesh from his wounds, making him weak all over and unable to even mobilize his spiritual energy.

"Come, benefactor, chant with me, Amitabha Buddha. The cycle of birth and death burns fiercely, suffering immeasurable; let us generate the Mahayana mind, to universally save all beings. May I bear immeasurable suffering on behalf of all sentient beings; may all sentient beings ultimately attain great bliss..."

The monk, enjoying his chanting, sat down on the ground and, from who knows where, produced some strong liquor and roast goose, which he then devoured with great relish.

While eating and drinking meat, the monk also chanted scriptures, seemingly determined to dispel Wei Changsheng's violent temper until he was convinced.

Although Wei Changsheng was captured, he still gritted his teeth and persevered.

He thought to himself that since the monk didn't kill him, he must be afraid of the power of the Incense Burning Sect.

Since that's the case, I should grit my teeth and persevere, and not disgrace my sect. Once the elders of my sect arrive to rescue me, I'll tear this monk to pieces and vent my anger.

The two remained locked in this stalemate for a long time until a sword flashed across the sky.

The disheveled monk then stopped talking and looked up.

"Qinghe Sword Technique, tsk tsk, what virtue or ability does this Cui County have to attract so many disciples from prestigious sects?"

Upon hearing the monk's words, Wei Changsheng immediately shouted, "That's my junior sister Su! The Qinghe Sword Sect and the Fenxiang Sect are old friends. I was traveling with my junior sister Su, so she must be looking for me. You must release me now, or you will have offended both the Fenxiang Sect and the Qinghe Sword Sect!"

The monk hadn't paid much attention to the name of the Incense Burning Sect before, but now that Wei Changsheng mentioned the Qinghe Sword Sect, the foot grinding against his head eased its pressure. "The Qinghe Sword Sect... that sect leader is indeed not to be trifled with."

However, the old monk sighed and then stomped Wei Changsheng's head into the ground three feet deep.

"However, this humble monk is not provoking the Qinghe Sword Sect. This humble monk is just doing a good deed to help you avert disaster. Quickly follow this humble monk to chant the sutra. After you finish chanting, I have some questions to ask you."

Wei Changsheng, however, became defiant and roared, "Disciples of the Incense Burning Sect would rather die than submit to you, you demon! Ask your questions if you want, I will never recite your demonic scriptures!"

The monk laughed and said, "You slippery fellow, shouldn't you just say you want to kill and then kill?"

Wei Changsheng wouldn't respond to that. He was a disciple of the Burning Incense Sect with a bright future ahead of him; who would want to die like that?

The monk didn't argue with him, but he increased the pressure on his foot, almost stomping his head off.

Wei Changsheng finally couldn't help but scream loudly. He felt like his neck was about to be broken. It seemed like the monk really wanted to kill him.

This is not the time to be stubborn, so Wei Changsheng quickly said, "I'll recite it, I'll recite it right now. Amitabha, Amitabha!"

"Haha, that's more like it. This humble monk does one good deed every day, so you can accept it."

The monk laughed triumphantly and forced Wei Changsheng to recite the scripture once, but he did not loosen his grip on the big black foot; he merely reduced his strength.

Once Wei Changsheng had a chance to catch his breath, the monk asked, "When did you arrive here? Have you seen another monk with the Dharma name 'Ku'e'?"

Wei Changsheng quickly replied, "The Bitter Monk? No, I just arrived here less than a day ago and haven't seen any monks!"

"Then you... um?" The disheveled monk suddenly frowned, and gently waved his right hand as if he were plucking a flower.

The movements were gentle, yet they seemed to strike the waves, creating ripples out of thin air.

After making this gesture, the monk said, "So you've pinned this on me? It seems the Qinghe Sword Sect disciples really are looking for you. You said you just arrived in Cui County, but I've heard that Cui County has some entanglements with the Qinghe Sword Sect, which have been going on for quite some time."

"I don't know, I know nothing. I just arrived in Cui County and have never seen any monk suffering in misery."

Wei Changsheng assumed that the disheveled monk had come seeking revenge. After all, monks were not good people, and if Su Chunyi had really encountered another monk, they would most likely have fought.

This is the elders of the sect coming to avenge their junior disciples. I was definitely implicated. The Qinghe Sword Sect is truly despicable.

If that were true, then he certainly couldn't protect her from disaster. Wei Changsheng quickly said, "I've heard about the matter in Cui County. Someone is impersonating the Qinghe Sword Sect and collecting young boys and girls in Cui County. The Qinghe Sword Sect sent Su Chunyi to investigate. She has been to Cui County several times. If that monk Ku'e is really in Cui County, then she must have seen him."

The monk put down the roast goose in his hand and sighed, "If he had really encountered a disciple of the Qinghe Sword Sect, he would probably have lost his life."

"Yes, yes, yes, the Qinghe Sword Sect has always been ruthless. It's most likely that Su Chunyi killed Monk Ku'e!"

The monk had almost broken his neck just now, and with his life hanging in the balance, Wei Changsheng no longer cared about the relationship between the Qinghe Sword Sect and the Fenxiang Sect.

"Better to die for a fellow Daoist than for myself"—this isn't just a thought held by demonic cultivators.

When faced with a life-or-death situation, few can truly be selfless.

Moreover, Wei Changsheng felt that he hadn't lied; he genuinely didn't know who the monk Ku'e was. As for whether Su Chunyi was truly the murderer, he'd let the monk ask for himself.

Su Chunyi's cultivation level is higher than his own; perhaps he can defeat this monk?

Thinking to himself that it was none of his business, Wei Changsheng only hoped that the monk would be merciful and spare his life.

“You are right. The word ‘fate’ is truly mysterious. I found the clue with just a casual question. It is truly the Buddha’s blessing. Amitabha, well done.”

The large black foot on his head was removed, and Wei Changsheng quickly got up, rubbing his bruised neck, and carefully observed the disheveled monk's expression.

My feet are free, but can I really walk?

Seeing Wei Changsheng's timid appearance, the monk laughed and said, "Don't panic. This humble monk is not some demon who extracts souls and refines spirits. Did you feel that the malevolent energy was greatly reduced after you recited the sutra just now?"

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Master. I will definitely... definitely..."

Wei Changsheng wanted to feign flattery, saying that he would remember it and dare not act recklessly again. But when the words came out, he couldn't get them out.

The monk just grinned, as if waiting for Wei Changsheng to continue.

Wei Changsheng continued with all his might, "In the future... I will... I will... cut you into a thousand pieces, skin you alive, and tear your tendons out, so that your soul will be scorched by the flames of calamity for all eternity!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Changsheng covered his mouth.

Oh no, I blurted out what was on my mind!
This monk is cruel and ruthless. If he said those words, wouldn't he be courting death?

Just when he thought he was about to be tortured again, he heard the monk laugh loudly and say, "This is what you really want. You can remain silent in front of me, but you cannot lie to me."

Wei Changsheng exclaimed in shock, "You, what kind of magic did you cast on me?!"

The monk clasped his hands together and said with utmost sincerity, “This is not magic, but a rule. Once you have recited the scriptures with me, you are considered a monk. Monks do not lie. If you want to lie again, you will have to return to secular life first.”

Wei Changsheng never expected that he would be placed under such a vicious restriction simply because he had recited a few lines of scripture, and he felt nothing at all.

This monk's cultivation level is unbelievably high; it's not just about reaching the profound realm, but a much higher level!
Knowing that this monk was worlds apart from himself, Wei Changsheng quickly said, "Master, please let me go. Since I cannot lie, you should know that what I said is the truth. I have never seen any suffering monk."

“I believe you. You have indeed never seen suffering, but what you say is also true. The disciples of the Qinghe Sword Sect should have seen it. This humble monk is not skilled in divination, so I can only trouble you to lead the way.”

Wei Changsheng was both amused and exasperated, and quickly declined, "Master, I don't know where Su Chun is either. You just saw how fast her sword was; I couldn't catch up at all."

"It's alright, I didn't mean for you to go after them yourself."

Upon hearing this, Wei Changsheng thought he could escape this calamity, but the monk then reached out and grabbed his shoulder, throwing him into the air.

Wei Changsheng felt dizzy and then fell heavily to the ground.

The monk glanced at Wei Changsheng's position lying on the ground, his left hand swinging forward, his finger pointing north.

The monk sighed, "Unfortunately, it seems you're not deeply involved with that Qinghe Sword Sect disciple. I can only point you in the general direction."

After saying that, the monk grabbed the dazed Wei Changsheng and flew north.

Several miles later, Wei Changsheng was thrown into the air again, spinning as he landed on the ground.

The monk asked in confusion, "Huh, why did we change direction? This is... the Incense Burning Sect? Are the disciples of the Qinghe Sword Sect going to the Incense Burning Sect to deliver a message?"

This chapter is 4,000 words long, which is a combination of two chapters. Before it's published, I can't update at a rapid pace. I'm writing 4,000 words a day to keep getting recommendations, so please forgive me. I'm currently saving up chapters and will be able to update rapidly once it's published.

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(End of this chapter)