As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 225 Yuanling
"Humph~"

The little bird turned its head and hummed softly.

Long Lian and Bai Lang never paid any attention to what the monk said.

That matter is considered closed.

"Um... what would you two like to eat?"

The tall, imposing monk seemed to know this distinguished guest.

The big monk's figure and appearance were still somewhat intimidating.

The waiter stood up, glanced at Mingchen's untouched teacup and teapot, and asked somewhat timidly.

"Benefactor, this humble monk has endured a long and arduous journey, and is both hungry and thirsty, yet penniless. Could you possibly treat me to a meal?"

The monk came over just to freeload a meal.

He pulled the child down to sit, bowed to Mingchen in a Buddhist gesture, and showed no embarrassment at coming over for a free meal. Instead, he spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The monk himself was poor, but the man in front of him was a wealthy man, so he figured he might as well take advantage of him.

"Hey, you monk..."

Mingchen laughed and scolded him.

This monk violated many precepts, was angry and irritable, and did not abide by the rules.

They don't act like ordinary monks, putting on airs and saving face.

But ironically, he also adheres to certain beliefs in his heart, making him quite an interesting person.

It is often those who do not appear to be enlightened masters who attain enlightenment.

He waved his hand casually: "Okay, okay, eat up!"

Just eat this food, and don't make a sound!

He then turned to the waiter and said with a smile, "Whatever the monk eats, it's all on my tab."

"Hey!"

Upon hearing this, the senior monk grinned, completely disregarding the formalities, and turned to the waiter, saying, "Bring me all your best food and drinks! Bring ten or eight dishes, don't worry, I have a big appetite, I can eat it all."

The guy next to him smirked.

In comparison, he was more inclined to believe that the seemingly aloof and nonchalant young nobleman who only drank tea was a monk.

The waiter glanced at the two strange couples again, then finally agreed and left.

"Benefactor, are you the one Master spoke of who can save this world?"

Compared to the last time when the monk was all alone slaying demons, this time he brought along a little tagalong.

His bald head gleamed.

The young monk sat next to the senior monk, looking at Mingchen and the other monk with some curiosity.

When Mingchen doesn't change his expression, Xiu Die, who is next to him, is just a simple-minded child who doesn't like to talk.

But the young monk brought by the senior monk was different.

He overheard his master's conversation with Mingchen and saw their attitudes towards each other.

He knew his master's temperament: fierce and easily angered. It was difficult for ordinary people to talk to him properly, let alone to maintain such a peaceful attitude.

I imagine the other person must be someone extraordinary.

Based on what he had said earlier, he probably had some guesses.

Perhaps this is the person Master is looking for, the person Master believes can change the current situation.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask Mingchen.

"Oh? Saving humanity?"

Mingchen looked at the child with great interest.

The senior monk had quite a high opinion of himself.

Young in age, with rosy lips and white teeth, bright eyes, she speaks with neither arrogance nor servility, her voice clear and pleasant, like a gentle breeze.

Buddhism values ​​innate wisdom and compassion. The monk, despite his long and arduous journey, has raised the child quite well.

"This is my disciple, and I have named him Yuanling."

The circle represents perfect enlightenment, which is unobstructed and unimpeded.

The spirit is the wisdom and spiritual connection, its wondrous uses are unimpeded.

The senior monk sat next to the junior monk and introduced his disciple to Mingchen, his words seemingly tinged with pride.

Look at the clever boy he brought along; he's definitely a cut above that autistic girl, Mingchen.

His state of mind and realm may not be comparable to Mingchen's, but the next generation of disciples may be.

Mingchen looked at Yuanling with great interest and asked the little monk, "Save humanity? Why save them?"

The young monk frowned: "Didn't you see just now, benefactor, that the people are in a daze, have lost their faith, and their beliefs have collapsed?"

"The world is in chaos, and people are suffering so much. Why not save them?"

Mingchen then asked, "If I could save you, what would you do?"

The young monk was taken aback, but replied matter-of-factly, "Of course, I beg you, benefactor, to spread your grace throughout the world and spare all living beings from suffering."

"What if I don't want to?"

"This……"

The little monk stared blankly at the older brother in front of him, completely bewildered.

Mingchen's words completely contradicted his thought process: "Why wouldn't you?"

If one has the ability to relieve the suffering of the world, isn't that a matter of course?
"I just don't want to, what reason do I need?"

Mingchen shook his head with a smile: "Little monk, why do you project your kindness onto others and demand that they do things according to your wishes?"

The young monk frowned upon hearing this, as if he were deep in thought.

Mingchen's words struck a chord with him, seemingly contradicting certain beliefs.

After a while, he relaxed and looked up at Mingchen, his eyes still clear and bright: "What you say is right, benefactor. I will always keep it in mind."

“If the benefactor is unwilling, this humble monk will do his best to do it himself, and cannot force others to do it.”

"Hahaha~"

Upon hearing this, Mingchen couldn't help but laugh: "You should have inherited some of your temperament from your master."

Throughout the entire process, the young monk remained calm and composed, showing neither arrogance nor servility, and thoughtfully reflected on the matter. He was indeed a child with great potential.

Not angry: ?
Heredity?

You shameless scoundrel, you sure know how to talk!
In front of his apprentice!

Is it really okay for this person to belittle themselves like that?
"Little monk, saving humanity is too big a topic."

"The common people are inherently a source of trouble. As long as there are social classes and the seven emotions and six desires, trouble will arise."

"Whether it's conquest or peace, it's simply a cycle of accumulating and releasing contradictions."

"When war lasts too long, people will yearn for peace. When peace lasts too long, those in power will also become arrogant and greedy... Living beings will always find their own way to survive."

"Neither you nor I are saviors of the world. The cycle of contradictions in the world is the torrent of the times and cannot be changed by individual will."

"Little monk, don't think too much."

Mingchen's beliefs have always been genuine.

Although his ultimate goal was to dominate the world and unify the dynasty, he never considered himself to be saving the common people.

He was just shouting slogans to recruit people from beginning to end; he didn't have that much ideological awareness.

Xiao Xinyue didn't have such a high level of awareness either.

She was benevolent and loved her people, but she couldn't let go of the throne, though that was more than enough for a monarch.

The young monk fell silent upon hearing this.

“Benefactor, this humble monk believes you are wrong!”

After a long while, he turned to his master and asked, "Master, is there any way to extinguish the seven emotions and six desires of humankind, to eliminate human greed and lust, so that the world may be in harmony, everyone may be equal, and there may be no more kings and nobles? Does the Buddha have any Dharma?"

Not angry: ...

Even the master himself hasn't extinguished his anger!

What do you say?
If everyone eliminates the seven emotions and six desires, and eliminates greed, wouldn't everyone become a Buddha?
Is it still the human world?

This world is pure bliss!

Seeing the master and disciple staring at each other, Mingchen smiled and said, "The little monk is quite clever. Master, please don't let him go astray."

She rolled her eyes at him and said, "This humble monk knows!"

The three chatted idly.

"Sir/Madam, your food is here!"

"This is our local specialty, Phoenix Liver and Dragon Claw!"

"This is a jade pig's trotter!"

"This wine is also our treasured Daughter's Red. When the Blood-Clad Army came, they almost kidnapped it from us."

A delicious aroma wafted over, and the waiter brought over two dishes and a pot of wine, speaking with a smile.

However, as I got closer, I inexplicably shuddered.

A chill ran through me, and I felt as if I were being watched by something terrifying.

Upon hearing "Phoenix Liver and Dragon Claw," Fuyao and Long Lian both raised their heads and looked at the newcomer, their eyes flashing with a hint of ferocity.

This poor guy, if he can't come up with a name, he doesn't have to.

What did the dragon and phoenix do to you?!

Just eat some pig liver and gnaw on some chicken feet, that's enough!

Why do we have to deceive ourselves like this?!
For a moment, the heavy pressure pressed down on his spine, almost causing the waiter to fall, but the pressure was only fleeting.

Seeing this, Bu Chen, who was standing next to Ming Chen, nodded to himself.

Mingchen was indeed not lying to him.

If it were an ordinary demon, relying on its supernatural powers and magic, how could it allow itself to be insulted by this ordinary person? If it heard even the slightest dissatisfaction, it would probably take the person's life on the spot.

"Eat it!"

"You eat vegetarian food and drink tea! Don't break the rules!"

Bu Chen patted the shiny forehead of the little monk beside him, then picked up the pork knuckle and was about to gnaw on it.

The young monk glanced at his own meager bowl of clear soup, then at the oily pig's trotter in his master's hand, and at the shimmering wine.

The aroma lingered in his nose, and his stomach growled with hunger; for a moment, he fell silent.

My index finger twitched, and desire swirled in my mind.

Isn't Master being a bit hypocritical?

Then, he finally let out a soft breath.

My master said that spiritual practice is about fighting against one's own desires.

I picked up my chopsticks, just about to eat.

Just then, he was stopped by his master.

Bu Chen slammed the pig's trotter in her hand onto the table, then abruptly raised her head and turned to look in the direction of the waiter.

Its enormous head, with its wide, angry eyes that seemed to shoot out two beams of fire, exuded a fierce and menacing aura.

The Buddha's furious roar was deafening: "You dare to poison me?!"

Throughout the entire process, Mingchen remained smiling and did not drink a single drop of the tea the waiter offered.

Monks are practitioners, and they have their own special methods. They can taste the flavor after just one bite.

He wasn't stupid; he realized it was a shady business.

"Uh... Ah?!"

The guy was a coward. When he saw the tall, imposing monk carrying a large knife, he faced the oppressive roar and murderous aura emanating from him.

He was so terrified that he shuddered and collapsed to the ground.

"Da da da!"

Immediately following behind, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard.

Six burly men ran from the direction of the kitchen.

They had a rugged demeanor, carried weapons, and had fierce eyes; they were clearly not benevolent.

"bass!"

"bass!"

The sound of swords being drawn rang out one after another, the glint of blades sharp and chilling.

"Kill that monk first! He's taken the medicine and will soon be powerless!"

"The remaining scholar is nothing to fear!"

Terrified, the man scrambled to his feet and hid behind the group of burly men.

He shouted, his voice blustering but his heart was filled with fear.

He suspected that the strange scholar had already figured out the trick.

They didn't even touch the tea when it got cold.

But it doesn't matter, this person is just a weak scholar.

Once we deal with this unexpected drunken monk, the rest are no threat.

He tried to comfort himself by thinking this, but for some reason... he had a bad feeling.

However, not long after...

"Thump!" "Uh..."

"what!"

"This……"

The sounds of fighting and screams filled the air, and those who had initially been confident of victory gradually changed their expressions.

He stood frozen in place, his face ashen, drenched in sweat: "How is this possible?"

He was clearly a monk who advocated benevolence and kindness, was unwilling to kill, and only wished to help all beings escape the sea of ​​suffering.

At this moment, however, his face was contorted with rage, bathed in blood, and he was wielding a nine-ringed broadsword, displaying a fear even greater than that of the demons and demons of the deepest hell.

Tables, chairs, and benches were scattered everywhere, and wood chips flew all over the place. The already shabby shack was now a complete mess.

The six men, who had an overwhelming numerical advantage, all fell to the ground.

"Ah! Ah... my leg!"

"My hand, my hand!"

"No...please...have mercy!"

"Spare my life!"

……

The slap in the face came too quickly!

The bandits who had appeared so menacingly were now either having their hands or legs cut off, and were being punched and kicked. They lay on the ground, writhing and groaning in agony.

The monk, despite taking the medicine, showed no signs of it working. He stood there with his knife, not a speck of dust on him.

He's practically a god of war.

The post station was in complete disarray, yet one table remained intact.

The seemingly frail scholar, faced with this mess and chaos, remained completely unperturbed, sitting calmly at his table, playfully teasing the birds.

Completely disregarding the chilling glint of blades around them.

"Um?!"

"Who are you anyway?!"

I was just enjoying my meal, and this had to ruin my mood!
The senior monk's eyes were fierce and menacing.

He hasn't gotten rid of his anger yet!

Otherwise, he would have succeeded!

"Spare your life!"

"Spare my life!"

"Please! We beg Buddha to spare our lives!"

This monk is a monster!

In a single encounter, these burly men, armed with weapons, were easily dealt with by the monk.

This is really like kicking a steel plate!
The man immediately knelt down.

He cowered, staring at the blood-stained broadsword in Bu Chen's hand, and kept praying.

"We had no choice!"

"Liuling City was poor to begin with."

"The Blood-Clad Army entered the city and seized our savings and food."

His face flushed red, and he knelt before him repeatedly, weeping bitterly: "How can we live if we don't do this?"

The monk frowned, holding his knife with the tip pointed directly at the shopkeeper's forehead: "So you run this shady inn to rob and murder people?"

A chilling aura emanated from the blade's tip, and the waiter shuddered violently: "No...no..."

He spoke incoherently, only crying and pleading, but unable to articulate his grievances clearly.

"stop!"

Just then, a middle-aged man with a limp came over and said, "Brave man, please spare my servant's life."

Judging from his appearance and clothing, he is probably the shopkeeper.

Looking at the mess around him, he frowned and pleaded with the monk, "Master, my servant was rude and offended our distinguished guest. Please forgive him."

"I am willing to pay compensation, and I hope the master will stop and spare our lives."

"Our shop used to be a legitimate business, but now that the blood-stained clothes have entered the city and the world is in chaos, we have no choice but to do this in order to protect ourselves."

"Our son is dead, and we still have an elderly mother to support. We beg the master to spare our lives."

He knelt on the ground, his eyes shining, and said earnestly and sincerely, "We will never dare to do it again!"

They're just trying to survive!

What can be done then?

Those fierce-looking, blood-clad soldiers stormed into the shop, cut off his legs, and robbed them of their money and food. Who could save him?

"Ok?"

Bu Chen raised an eyebrow and sized up the shopkeeper in front of her.

He was deceived by many people along the way, and he also became much smarter.

He could tell that the other person spoke sincerely and seemed genuinely helpless, and was not lying.

Perhaps before the Blood-Clad Army's attack and chaos, they were indeed legitimate merchants.

only……

"Please!"

"Master, please spare my son's life!"

Before Bu Chen could speak, another person walked over.

She used a cane, and her hair was completely white.

He staggered over and knelt down beside the shopkeeper, his cloudy old eyes brimming with tears as he looked at Buchen with pleading eyes: "Master, my son did this only to support me."

"Please, let him go! Let us go!"

The old woman's head slammed heavily against the ground, drawing blood, as she continued to pray.

"mother!!!"

"What are you doing?!"

The shopkeeper stared wide-eyed at his mother's condition, supporting her as he cried out in sorrow.

"Please, Master, spare my son."

The old woman ignored everything and just kept kowtowing and begging Chao Buchen.

Seeing this scene, Bu Chen paused, his hand holding the knife still.

Regardless, those who commit murder will be killed in return.

Bu Chen may feel some pity for those who are sinking into depravity in this world, but that does not mean he will be lenient.

And at this moment,
"Why are you babbling on and on about all this useless stuff?!"

"Haven't you ever killed anyone?"

Suddenly, a mocking voice rang out.

The wealthy young master, who had been sitting on the sidelines watching the show and whose fighting prowess had been overlooked, finally spoke up.

He squinted, his gaze seemingly able to see into people's hearts.

The shopkeeper was startled by his question, his eyes flickered, and he was about to say something.

next moment,
A flash of emerald light appeared.

"Forehead……"

Before the shopkeeper could even speak, his eyes widened.

He stared blankly at the emerald green jade rod that had pierced his throat.

why?
He just wanted to survive!

He did nothing wrong!
Blood splattered and landed on the old woman's gray hair beside him.

She trembled, her eyes widening in disbelief: "My son!!!"

"Son!!!"

She collapsed onto the lifeless innkeeper, wailing incessantly.

She begged and pleaded, even kowtowing.

Why won't these wicked stars of death spare their lives?

"Give me back my son's life!!!"

She turned to Mingchen and wailed, as if she had gone mad.

"You old hag, you die too!"

However, immediately afterward, the scholar showed absolutely no manners or respect for elders.
Unrestrained and speaking carelessly.

A flash of emerald light appeared and easily took the old woman's life.

"thump."

The old lady fell on top of her son, and the two of them had been together for the rest of the journey.

Double kill!

One good thing about Mingchen is that he never engages in internal strife, never questions himself, and never wrongs himself.

They acted decisively and swiftly.

For a moment, the entire post station fell into an eerie silence.

Seeing that things were going badly, the waiter quickly ran towards the door.

"Hey buddy, where are you going?"

However, as soon as he turned around, he heard mocking words.

He trembled instantly, as if ghosts and gods were whispering in his ear.

Immediately afterwards, a green light pierced through his chest. Blood spilled from his mouth, and he stood there blankly, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word.

Three kills!

"Master, it's been a year since we last met. Has your knife become dull?"

Mingchen flicked the blood off the jade staff with a look of disgust, and asked the somewhat dazed monk with great interest.

Back then, this person didn't care about the life of that innocent girl at all in order to slay the demon.

Why are you hesitating now?

When you draw your sword to strike the weaker, be prepared to have your head chopped off as well.

In a sense, the yellow toad demon back then was not much different from the people in the post station now.

It's just that they're only thinking of themselves and disregarding others.

What if they are no match for these strong men?

These people who are crying and wailing are nothing more than people standing in front of corpses, counting their money and laughing.

When will they have an epiphany?

Perhaps I will never achieve enlightenment in this lifetime.

Do they realize their mistake?
What is right or wrong in this world?
Of course, this is the senior monk's line of thinking.

Mingchen doesn't need so many reasons to take action; perhaps it's just because these people schemed against him and disturbed him.

Who doesn't want some noodles?
I am a dignified marquis!
Feed me a cup of poisoned tea, and I don't care if you're good or bad, you're all going to die.

"Humph!"

Bu Chen snorted coldly, and with a flash of light, the heads of the several struggling men fell to the ground, giving Ming Chen no chance to steal their heads.

Those who kill will always be killed.

If you kill someone, take their life, and steal their money, and claim it's unavoidable, then don't complain when the butcher's knife is at your throat.

He had already broken the taboo against killing, and had killed quite a few people along the way.

He never intended to spare the shopkeeper's life.

I just wanted to talk to him, to argue with him, to make him confront his own conscience, and to let him die a worthy death.

He snorted at Mingchen, flicked the broadsword in his hand, and then slung it over his back.

Ignoring the blood and filth on the ground, he sat down directly, made a mudra with one hand, and chanted Buddhist scriptures.

The young monk didn't say a word the whole time.

He pitied the suffering of people, but he did not question the fact that Mingchen and his master had killed him.

After everyone had died, he got up from his seat, sat down next to his master, closed his eyes, and chanted the scriptures with him in a very proper manner.

A gentle breeze blew outside the door, and the drizzle grew heavier and heavier until finally, a torrential downpour began.

"Boom boom boom!"

A series of thunderous booms echoed.

The people who wander the streets singing songs and dancing have no home, no shelter from the wind and rain.

Perhaps, in their hunger and cold, they stopped singing and dancing, collapsed to the ground, and lost their lives.

They can sing and dance freely, at least without struggling and praying, and finally their souls return to the eternal land they believe in.

As the dynasty draws to a close, the world is in the midst of its growing pains, and life, too, fades away like a flower.

(End of this chapter)