Sword drawn from the constellations, poison as its edge.

Chapter 123 The verbal battle with Jiumozhi

The scene that came into Jiang Mingzhe's view resembled a chrysanthemum in bloom—

On the grass, Duan Zhengchun, Chu Wanli, Gu Ducheng, Fu Sigui, Zhu Danchen, and three unfamiliar middle-aged men, each fell in one direction, struggling to get up. Among them were two pretty young girls, Azi and Zhong Ling.

In the center stood a monk in a yellow robe, not yet fifty years old, tall and handsome, with exceptionally good skin, like a bright jewel, subtly radiant, inspiring affection and admiration in those who saw him.

At the monk's feet lay his little brother, Duan Yu.

Upon hearing Jiang Mingzhe's shout, the monk turned around, and Duan Zhengchun and the others also straightened up to look.

The monk immediately grinned, his attitude extremely gentle: "Hehe, you jest, benefactor. Seeing you travel-worn, you must have come from afar. How could you possibly be here in Suzhou planting trees? Are you making a fool of this humble monk?"

Jiang Mingzhe pulled on the reins, leaped off his horse, and said quickly, "I won't open this road, I won't plant this tree! You bald thief, if you want to go here, don't you want your bald head? Stay here for a moment!"

Her Suzhou accent was truly elegant, soft, and melodious.

When Azi saw Jiang Mingzhe appear, she was about to cheer, but when she heard him speaking in the local dialect, she immediately covered her mouth and thought: "Big Jiang is going to put on an act and deceive people again. I can't expose him!"
Thinking this, he struggled to turn around, raised his foot and pressed it against Zhong Ling's mouth, thinking smugly: Zhong Ling, that stupid girl, can't think this far ahead. I can't let her ruin the big ginger business.

The monk, having traveled all the way south, could tell that Jiang Mingzhe was speaking in the local dialect, but unable to understand the meaning, shook his head and laughed, "It seems that you are indeed from Suzhou. I didn't expect that in this prosperous Jiangnan region, there would also be a king who has established his own business. Well, it is fate that we have met. I am a poor monk. After I finish my business, these gentlemen are all dressed in gold and silver. Your Majesty, you can take your time to exploit them."

Jiang Mingzhe laughed and said, "Why be so modest, great monk? Since ancient times, Buddha has saved the rich. There have only been poor and miserable people, never a poor monk. As Su Dongpo said, 'If you are not poisonous, you are not bald; if you are not bald, you are not poisonous.' I see that you are both bald and poisonous, so you must be a very rich and powerful monk. If you don't hand over several hundred taels of gold today, you will be letting down Buddha and me!"

The monk wasn't angry at all. He touched his head and said with a smile, "Benefactor, you are quite eloquent! However, although I am bald, I am not wicked and cannot be rich and powerful. How about this, I don't lie. I do have nine taels of gold, twenty-two taels of silver, five strings of copper coins, and two fine horses. If you want them, please take them. I would consider it making friends with you."

Jiang Mingzhe's smile grew even brighter: "Haha, big monk, you're cutting off a cat's tail to make cat food! You were originally my merchandise, not to mention the horses and money, even your clothes and shoes were mine. How can you talk like you're giving them to me? According to my rules, I should have stripped you naked so you could leave without any attachments. But for the sake of your Buddha, I'll spare you your clothes. Go now, remember that—"

He put away his smile and earnestly instructed, "Go back to the temple, study Buddhism diligently, take good care of the crops, and remember the basic principle that you cannot eat without working. Don't just exploit the believers and be a useless parasite. You should remember these golden words of advice."

Upon hearing this, the monk's eyes flashed with a strange light. He put his palms together and said, "I never expected that you, benefactor, would be so well-versed in Buddhism while engaging in robbery and plunder. The saying 'No work, no food' comes from the 'Baizhang Rules of Purity' created by Zen Master Huaihai of the Tang Dynasty. It is said that Zen Master Huaihai was over ninety years old and still worked in the fields. He is a model for us monks. This is what it means to practice what you preach."

He sighed and said, “However, the reason I came to Jiangnan is precisely to put the four words into practice! I made a promise with an old friend to give him the sword manual stored by the Duan family of Dali. Although my old friend has passed away, I cannot break my promise. Therefore, I specially brought this person who is familiar with the sword manual to burn in front of my old friend’s grave to fulfill my promise and then return.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingzhe feigned surprise and cupped his hands, saying, "My apologies. It turns out that the great monk is actually my fellow practitioner. Otherwise, how could you have obtained the sword manual and the living person from the Duan family of Dali?"

The monk shook his head and said, "Your words are a bit too literal. Although the sword manual belongs to the Duan family, they can only possess the manual but cannot master it to protect themselves. That would be a loss of fate. I promised my friend years ago and now I have the ability to retrieve it. That would be a blessing."

Jiang Mingzhe was overjoyed and said, "That's well said! It's like when I rob and plunder, the fat sheep's money and women can't be protected and end up in my hands. That means they are not destined for me and I am. I see. How wonderful!"

The monk frowned, thinking that his interpretation was an insult to Buddhism. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard Azi glare at him and shout, "B-B-B-B! You big robber! It's one thing to steal money, but how dare you steal women? Quickly kill all the women you stole, or I'll have to do it myself!"

Before she could finish speaking, Mu Wanqing said calmly, "If my husband wants to steal a woman, that's fine with him. I, as his first wife, haven't even interfered. How dare you, his concubine, interfere?" Azi was shocked. She struggled to lift her head and saw that Mu Wanqing was behind Jiang Mingzhe. She was instantly enraged, feeling as if her brains were on fire. She shouted, "Wooden man! How dare you be with Big Ginger! Whose first wife are you? Who are you calling a concubine! You stinking monk, release my pressure points so I can poison this wooden man!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhong Ling broke free from her foot and shouted, "Pah, pah, pah! You little brat really don't know what's important. You've ruined Brother Jiang's plans. Brother Jiang, I didn't say a word even when she pressed my stinky feet down on me, just so you wouldn't be distracted and worried."

Azi angrily retorted, "You all want to steal my giant ginger! When I get up, I'll poison you all to death!"

Mu Wanqing glared and said, "If you want to poison me, fine, but why do you also want to poison Zhong Ling? Zhong Ling, do you also have designs on my husband? If so, don't blame me for not showing any mercy!"

Zhong Ling immediately cried out, "Brother Jiang, they ganged up on me! Ling'er is so scared!"

The three women chattered noisily, prompting the monk to ask in surprise, "Who exactly are you, benefactor? How do you know the Duan family?"

Jiang Mingzhe laughed and said, "I am Duan Yu's sworn brother. I heard that a highly accomplished monk robbed the Duan family, so I came here specifically to rob you to settle the karma. Great monk, don't you know that every cause has its effect? ​​Your retribution is me!"

Upon realizing that his identity had been revealed, Duan Yu hurriedly exclaimed, "Brother, don't underestimate him! This man is the Tibetan National Preceptor Kumārajīva, whose martial arts skills are incredibly high. Even the experts from our Duan family's Tianlong Temple couldn't stop him."

Jiang Mingzhe waved his hand and said, "Brother, don't worry. I think Master Kumārajīva is a reasonable person. If we reason with him, he will naturally let you go. Master Kumārajīva, I only have one question for you. Monks don't lie. Did you steal the Duan family sword manual to burn it for an old friend to fulfill a promise, or were you shameless and planning to secretly read and learn it?"

Kumārajīva shook his head and said, “How can you insult me ​​like this, benefactor? I come from the Great Snow Mountain Great Wheel Temple and have my own supreme Dharma lineage. Why would I covet another’s sword manual? I swear to heaven that my actions were only to fulfill my previous promise and to clear my mind of all worries so that I can devote myself to Buddhism.”

Jiang Mingzhe laughed and said, "That's very simple. You take us to your old friend's grave, sweep and pay our respects, and then we'll leave. Let my sworn brother recite the sword manual in front of your old friend's grave."

Duan Yu was overjoyed: "Good, good, this method is good, I am willing to memorize it."

Kumārajīva was stunned, and his smile became somewhat stiff. He shook his head and said, "The Duan Family Sword Manual is profound and extensive. I'm afraid my old friend won't be able to remember it after just one recitation."

Jiang Mingzhe immediately said, "That's simple. Prepare some writing materials, and have my brother write it down in front of your old friend's grave. Write one page, burn one page, and your old friend can slowly observe it from the afterlife. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The smile on Kumārajīva's face gradually disappeared, and after a long while he said, "I'm afraid that won't work either. If Young Master Duan deliberately writes it wrong, wouldn't that break my promise?"

Duan Zhengchun said sternly, "Kumārajīva, your deceitful words can't fool yourself, can they? So what do you suggest? Have Yu'er write it down for you to check? But what can you possibly find out? Is the only way to verify its truthfulness is to practice it yourself first?"

Kumārajīva clenched his fists, his breathing becoming heavier.

Jiang Mingzhe's smile grew even brighter as he waved his hand and said, "My sworn brother is honest and kind. He doesn't lie to people, so why would he lie to ghosts? If you don't believe me, I'll have him swear a solemn oath in the name of his Duan family ancestors to guarantee that every word of the Suomo Sword Manual is true. Hey, you can't possibly not believe even a solemn oath he swears in the name of his ancestors, can you?"

Kumārajīva remained silent for a long time, all the kindness in his eyes vanishing, replaced by a cold and ruthless look. He said coldly, "Your words are indeed sharp, but I wonder how your fists and feet are?"

(End of this chapter)