Welcome to the Bizarre Games

Chapter 142 Lama
Lupin seemed extremely excited to be able to follow his idol alone.

The boy kept turning east and west, occasionally offering local specialties to Zhou You like treasures.

"Master, look at this passion fruit pastry. It's a specialty of Lizhou; you won't find it anywhere else."

Then, in the blink of an eye, two more hot steamed buns were brought over.

"Master, please try these pan-fried buns. This Feng Yun Ji restaurant has been open for decades, and the ingredients they use are absolutely top-notch."

Then, in a moment of distraction, another enormous statue was brought over.

"Master, please look at the wood carving."

Seeing Lu Ping's unsteady gait, Zhou You waved his hand, both amused and exasperated, telling him to quickly return the thing.

But then, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

He suddenly remembered Lu Xiuping's suggestion from before.

"If you really have concerns, you don't have to accept him as a disciple. If you have the time, just teach him some skills. That will fulfill one of the boy's wishes."

She is kind-hearted, has a good character, and is very young, making her easy to mold.

He seems like a perfect candidate for the Yun Jing Sect.

So, Master Du Xin and Uncle Xuan Yuan probably wouldn't mind if I took on a disciple on their behalf, right?

Seeing the boy running over excitedly again, Zhou You shook his head but didn't mention the matter to him. Instead, he casually said...

"Lu Ping, it's getting late. We can explore the temple fair later. Let's find a place to grab something to eat first?"

Upon being instructed by Zhou You for the first time, Lu Ping immediately became excited and hurriedly said.

"Don't worry, Daoist Master, I've been to Jianhu County several times before, and I know which place makes the best things. Wait a moment, I'll take you there right away!"
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However, while grand pronouncements may sound impressive, when it comes to actual implementation, it often turns out that things are not as they seem.

Lu Ping led Zhou You around the county town for almost half an hour, but they still hadn't eaten a single meal.

There is no other reason.

The entire Jianhu County is packed!
Looking around, all the restaurants, eateries, and food stalls were packed with people. It was impossible to find a table; there were even three burly men holding bowls of rice crowding the doorstep.

This is just an ordinary restaurant.

Those well-known establishments, as Lu Ping mentioned, had already started their reservation system three days in advance, and those who couldn't get an appointment were simply turned away.

Such a grand occasion made Lu Ping sweat profusely, fearing that he would mess up this first instruction. Even his originally handsome face began to turn red.

In the end, Zhou You couldn't stand it anymore and patted him on the shoulder.

"Master Zhou, please don't worry, I'll do it right away, very soon."

—No, am I the one in a hurry, or are you?

Zhou You grabbed Lu Ping, who was about to rush out, and then pointed to a building next to them.

"Don't bother looking anymore, look, there's a seat right here."

Lupin looked up and was taken aback.

"Master, is this place you're talking about... a theater? But do they have food here?"

Zhou You waved casually.

"We'll find out if there's anything to eat once we go in."

It seems the whole city went to see the high monk preach today, so the theater was quite deserted. Only a servant was lying on a bed made of two chairs pushed together. When someone came in, he lazily called out.

"Sir, I'm sorry, we're closing today—the troupe leader and everyone who went on stage have gone to worship Buddha. You'll have to go home today, since there's no one to perform anyway." Zhou You didn't say anything, but simply flicked his hand, sending something flying at the man.

The servant immediately became anxious.

"Hey, I told you there were no ones going on stage, why are you throwing stones at people like that!"

The servant immediately wanted to stand up and argue with Zhou You, but when he picked up the thing on his face, he suddenly froze.

—That was a piece of broken silver.

Only then did Zhou You laugh.

"It's perfect that the troupe leader isn't here. All the money you make now is yours. Go, bring us a pot of tea and some snacks. We're not going to watch the show, we'll just enjoy the street scene."

The servant thought about it carefully and realized it made sense. He immediately beamed with joy and saw the man throw his handkerchief over his shoulder and shout.

"Alright, please wait a moment, gentlemen, I'll be right there."

Lupin was left standing there completely bewildered.

"Can this still happen?"

"The theater itself has tea and snack service, and it is usually prepared in advance, so there is no need for a special chef to make it. Although it is not as good as hot soup and hot food, at least there is a place to sit and you can fill your stomach."

Zhou You pulled out a chair, sat down casually, and then called out to Lu Ping.

"sit down."

Lupin sat down somewhat awkwardly.

"Um, Taoist priest, I'm really sorry."

But before he could finish speaking, the sound of drums and music suddenly rang out from outside the street.

The two looked up at the sound and saw a procession slowly walking along the street.

Leading the procession were seven or eight novices dressed in grey robes, holding flower baskets and vigorously scattering flowers. In the middle were several tall horses pulling a Dharma cart, decorated with a profusion of flowers. On a lotus seat sat a gilded image of the withered charnel ground deity. Behind them was a whole team of drummers, playing Buddhist chants with great effort.

But these are not the point.

The key is the last batch, the grand finale.

Eight strong men carried a palanquin, upon which sat a bald monk. Dressed in lama robes, his expression solemn and dignified, he appeared to be a highly respected monk.
The deathly aura swirling around this guy was almost solidifying into a tangible form.

Looking around, Zhou You saw that the monk held a skull staff in his left hand, with the head of the vajra hanging at each end, a hideous human head embedded on it. Even though the flesh had been removed, the details revealed the pain and torment the man had suffered in his life. In his right hand, he held a white bone conch shell. Although no one sang it, the sound of the wind would immediately produce a mournful sound.

In front of him were a kapala bowl and a kapala drum. The bowl was made of a human skull and contained not some holy nectar, but thick, foul-smelling blood. The drum was made of human skin, and the texture of the skin could still be seen on it.

The monk would occasionally put down his skull club, drink a mouthful of blood from the bowl, and then strike the human skin drum beside him with force.

At this time, all the people around would kneel down and offer their praise.

"My Buddha is compassionate!"

Zhou You, who was sitting in the theater, was taken aback.

—Where does this sense of compassion come from?
Just then, the servant brought over tea and snacks. Upon seeing this scene, he didn't even bother to greet them. He hurriedly bowed deeply and excitedly exclaimed.

"It's the Guru! The Guru has actually come to this street to preach the Dharma!"

　感谢书友20230413124216960的100点打赏，感谢瞳朦月的100点打赏，感谢书友20220614072401008的500点打赏，感谢一粒糯米糍的500点打赏。

　　I've been suffering terribly from an acute attack of bronchitis lately and have been so busy that I haven't been able to express my gratitude. I'm truly sorry.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)