Kapitel 39: Talent Of Chief Monk Hui Neng
Redakteur: Dragon Boat Translation
After nightfall, Fang Zhou specifically went to check out the treasure viewing platform built by the monks.
The so-called treasure viewing platform was a simple wooden platform, over a dozen feet high, located on the hillside beside the Lanruo Temple.
Upon climbing up, Fang Zhou indeed found a monk standing guard, vigilantly monitoring the treasure day and night.
From the platform, one could see the distant hilltop where the old Lanruo Temple site was. However, as it was already night, everything was enveloped in darkness and nothing could be seen.
According to the description given by chief monk Hui Neng, if the secret treasure were to appear, the entire hilltop would emit a colorful rosy glow, the light reaching up to the sky, clearly visible.
There had been no glow for the past ten or so days. According to the monks' estimates, it should be happening soon, the interval would not exceed half a month, but it wasn't worth hoping for tonight.
Fang Zhou descended from the treasure viewing platform and returned his room.
Han Li, who was next door, had already fallen asleep. Ling Xiaoyue, on the other hand, went to the top of the locust tree. She was like a monkey, and liked to stay on the tree.
There was no moon tonight. Fang Zhou decided to cultivate in the room and didn't want to go out and feed mosquitoes.
Before beginning his cultivation, Fang Zhou set up a simple warning system at the door. Following the confrontation with those four women today, although he had successfully intimidated them, there's an old saying that goes, "The more one tolerates, the more they seethe with anger."
If these women, fueled by resentment, decided to attack while he was in the midst of cultivation, it would be a disaster.
Always prepared for every possibility, Fang Zhou deemed it necessary to remain cautious. He couldn't fully depend on Ling Xiaoyue, who was outside. What if she fell into a deep sleep?
At this moment, Fang Zhou found himself envious of Li Ruyu's ability, who could inscribe secret exorcism symbols and protective measures on the ground that would automatically activate when triggered by people or malicious entities.
However, all he could muster was a manual setup. The gap between their abilities was indeed significant.
After setting up the small device, Fang Zhou sat cross-legged on the bed to start cultivating. But while cultivating, he divided some attention to keep track of the surroundings, not completely immersing himself in cultivation.
As time passed, the monks finished their night class, turned off the lights and rested. The entire Lanruo Temple was quiet.
After midnight, the night was like water, and everything was deathly still.
As Fang Zhou was cultivating, he suddenly smelled a faint scent of fresh grass, just like the smell that permeates after rain.
Then he heard a click, the small warning device behind the door had been triggered.
Fang Zhou instantly woke up from cultivation, but he didn't rush to open his eyes. He continued to maintain the pose of cross-legged cultivation. His evil slaying sword was by his side, within reach at any time.
The door creaked as it was gently pushed open, and a slightly cold night breeze blew in.
Fang Zhou listened carefully but didn't hear anything. Instead, the grass scent became more apparent.
He slightly opened his eyes.
A pale face was close at hand, with two large pitch-black eyes staring at him.
"Damn!"
Fang Zhou was startled and let out a curse, reflexively leaning back. He grabbed the sword beside him and swept it forward.
With a swish, the sword cleaved through the air, not striking anything.
Fang Zhou quickly shrank to the corner of the bed, looking around. He didn't see anything. The dim room was empty, only the door was wide open.
He clutched his racing heart and swallowed.
What was that just now? A ghost or an illusion?
"Hee-hee!"
A woman's laughter suddenly sounded in his ear.
Fang Zhou turned and stabbed his sword out, piercing the wall.
Suddenly, a cold sensation brushed against the back of his neck, as if someone with a hand soaked in ice water had touched him.
Fang Zhou's scalp tingled. He quickly circulated his Qi gathering technique, filling his body with spirit energy in an instant. He turned back and punched out with all his strength, hitting the air, making a crisp sound, but striking nothing.
"Hee-hee...hee-hee..."
The woman's laughter was sometimes far, sometimes near, as if she were mocking Fang Zhou.
Fang Zhou vigilantly scanned his surroundings, his mind racing with strategies. He suddenly noticed the faint smell of grass had disappeared.
Feeling a sudden urge, he drew his Evil Slaying Sword and hopped off the bed, pursuing it.
In the courtyard, he could again smell the scent of grass, rapidly fading, seemingly drifting in a certain direction.
His nose, have been honed by Ling Xiaoyue, could detect the unique aroma of demons and evil spirits.
Thinking of Ling Xiaoyue, Fang Zhou quickly glanced up at the top of the locust tree, hidden in the darkness, uncertain whether she was still there.
After shouting several times with no reply, he gritted his teeth in annoyance. This woman seemed to have a knack for disappearing at critical moments.
Hearing Fang Zhou's shout, Han Li rushed out from the next room, "Mr. Fang, what happened?"
Just as Fang Zhou was about to explain, he stopped short at the sight of her face.
Someone had written two characters on Han Li's face using green paint. On the left was the character for "black," and on the right was the character for "girl," collectively reading as "black girl."
With Han Li's skin being naturally tanned, the words 'black girl' seemed appropriate. No, now was not the time to think about this.
"Do I have something on my face?"
Han Li noticed Fang Zhou's gaze, wiped her face with her hand, and saw a faint green color on it, although it was odorless.
Fang Zhou nodded, "The words 'black girl' have been written on your face."
A shiver ran down Han Li's spine. She didn't find the words insulting, as a strong, tanned woman could be attractive.
What chilled her was the idea that someone had managed to sneak into her room undetected and write on her face.
What if the intruder had intended to kill her? Would she be dead now?
Fang Zhou guessed what she was thinking and comforted her, "Don't worry. It seems like it was not a person who wrote it, but a ghost."
Han Li's face turned pale, "A ghost?!"
"Where's Senior Ling?" she hurriedly asked.
"She's gone! Follow me."
Fang Zhou followed the fading scent of grass. Puzzled, Han Li trailed closely behind him.
Before long, Fang Zhou caught the faint scent of grass again.
He patted his pocket, where he had a small vial of a Revelation Potion he'd obtained during a mission. Consuming it would allow him to see invisible things.
However, he only had one vial, and its effect lasted just thirty minutes, so he had to use it wisely.
He and Han Li followed the grass scent, winding around the temple, and finally arrived at a quiet courtyard, where a light surprisingly shone from a room.
The scent of grass ended here, and moans could be heard from inside the room.
Thinking someone might be hurt, Fang Zhou swiftly approached and kicked the door open.
The room was elegantly decorated, with a large bed at the center, on which Chief Monk Hui Neng was entangled with a man.
At the sight of the intruders, the man let out a scream and quickly wrapped himself in a blanket.
Hui Neng, taken aback, stared wide-eyed at Fang Zhou and Han Li. Her eyes seemed to silently accuse: It's you two again?!
Han Li's face turned red with embarrassment, but Fang Zhou indignantly admonished, "Chief Monk, how dare you claim to adhere to rules and precepts? Is sharing a bed with another man at night one of them?"
"This is what they call a preemptive strike: seizing the moral high ground first, making the other party feel guilty and ashamed.
However, the enlightened monk Hui Neng promptly regained her composure.
She donned a simple monk's robe and said to Fang Zhou and Han Li, "Amitabha, you two have misunderstood this humble monk."
Fang Zhou fixed his gaze on her, curious about what excuse she would offer this time.
Hui Neng pointed to the man on the bed, solemnly asserting, "Just as there are vegetarian chicken, duck, and fish, he is a vegetarian person. This is my method of controlling my desires."
Fang Zhou was taken aback, exclaiming, "I hadn't realized that's what vegetarian people were for! How can you justify being alone with him in the middle of the night?"
Hui Neng pressed her palms together and responded, "This vegetarian person was lost and confused, and I stayed up all night to guide him. What's wrong with that?"
Fang Zhou pointed at them, asking, "Did your guidance involve being naked?"
Without blinking, Hui Neng replied with a grin, "We undressed because transparency represents honesty. I hope you both understand."
Fang Zhou was stunned and momentarily speechless by Hui Neng's explanations.
This monk's twisted logic was on par with Ling Xiaoyue's.
"Chief," Fang Zhou inquired sincerely, "Are you especially adept with your fingers?"
Hui Neng looked surprised and replied, "How did you know? Yes, I am proficient in the three-finger Zen technique."
Confused, Fang Zhou asked, "Why not one-finger Zen?"
Hui Neng gave a knowing smile, "One-finger Zen isn't potent enough."
Grasping her meaning, Fang Zhou could only give her a thumbs-up and exclaimed, "Chief Monk, you're truly astounding!"
Chief Monk, you're truly amazing!
He then added, "Chief, your talent is wasted as a monk. I've heard of a profession in the East Sea country that attracts thousands. Its leading figures, like Master Sora Aoi, are renowned even in the Central Plains. And Master Kato is famous for his two-finger Zen. You'd probably achieve worldwide fame if you joined them."
Upon hearing Fang Zhou's words, Hui Neng pondered, "If I have the opportunity, I'll certainly visit that country and see for myself."
"I'll accompany you!"
-- Geschenk
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