I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 297 One shouldn't be too immoral

Meanwhile, the monk Xinyuan was furtively peering towards the entrance of the county magistrate's mansion.

He had made an appointment with his little apprentice yesterday to sneak out early this morning to study scriptures and learn skills from him!
But it's already dawn, why hasn't his precious apprentice come out yet?

Could it be
"Could it be that the child overslept?"

The beds in the county magistrate's mansion are so soft, and children are at the age when they love to sleep the most.

"Enough, enough. We've waited all these years, so I'm not in a hurry."

The eccentric monk always acted on his own whims, as if he had never known what it meant to be anxious or angry.

Seeing no movement at the county magistrate's mansion, Xin Yuan smacked his lips, rubbed his flat stomach, and thought that once his little apprentice came out, he would have the boy use his pocket money to buy him two steamed buns as a token of his respect.
The mad monk was deep in thought, completely unaware that a creature from the underworld was silently approaching from behind him.

As he got closer, Xu Qing aimed at the shiny bald head and slapped it across the face!

"You bald thief! What are you doing sneaking around like that!"

Monk Xinyuan was preoccupied with figuring out what kind of buns to eat later when he was suddenly slapped like that, and he jumped up in fright!

Monks also possess some spiritual abilities. In this world, as long as a person is breathing and making footsteps, it's impossible to find them without any warning signs.

Unless the other party's cultivation level far surpasses his!
Startled, Xin Yuan twisted her waist, jumped back, covered the back of her head, and stared wide-eyed. The face looked somewhat familiar.

Isn't this the benefactor who gave him roast chicken when he was in Qianzhou? I remember he even left him a sixteen-character prophecy back then.
In the prophecy, he instructed Xu Qing to avoid temples and retreat from temples, and to part the clouds to reveal the bright moon.

The monk had said this to others many times. The former was because Cizhao Temple and Ruyi Temple in Quyang County were not good places. They were no different from bandit dens, and even more vicious.

Therefore, Xinyuan would kindly remind anyone going to Yunmeng Mountain.

As for the last two sentences
The idea that Yunmeng Mountain has a connection to immortals has a long history. Even the mad monk could tell that Xuan Yu beside Xu Qing was no ordinary girl. Who knows, she might just encounter that connection to immortals?

By becoming a monk and cultivating oneself, one forges a virtuous connection. While the path to immortality may be beyond one's reach, one's heart naturally extends this connection to others who are destined to be connected.

But from beginning to end, Monk Xinyuan never thought that Xu Qing was a true cultivator with real spiritual power. No matter in the past or present, no matter how he looked at it, even if the Buddha himself came, the other party would still be an ordinary person.

But can an ordinary person get close to him quietly, without any presence or presence?
The mad monk was unsure of himself. His path of cultivation was related to worldly affairs, and he was more sensitive to people than anyone else. He could even tell good people from bad people just by sniffing them without looking at them!

But the pale-faced youth in front of him
Monk Xinyuan twitched his nose, but apart from a strangely pleasant floral scent, he couldn't smell anything else!

"I'm asking you a question! What are you doing sneaking into Tianjin territory like this? Who sent you, and what is your purpose? Tell me the truth!"

"."

The three questions made Xin Yuan feel inexplicably guilty.

No! This is the Tianjin of the world, not your backyard. What is there for me, a monk, to feel guilty about strolling around in public?
Once Xinyuan realized what was happening, she immediately put on a friendly, smiling face.

"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk is a wanderer who happened to pass through this place and is begging for alms here. Speaking of which, you and I are quite destined to meet. I have been longing for the roast chicken you gave me back then!"

Xu Qing glared at the mad monk who was seizing the opportunity and said through gritted teeth, "Begging for alms? You look more like a child trafficker!"

"What makes you say that? Please don't wrong the monk. I really came here to beg for alms!" Xin Yuan didn't mention the matter of tricking the child into shaving his head.

"Do people go to the front of the county magistrate's mansion to beg for alms?" Xu Qing asked rhetorically.

"Yes, yes! I've long heard that Magistrate Chen is a compassionate and upright official who respects Buddhism and Taoism! This magistrate's mansion is also a grand and wealthy place, with plenty of wine and meat. If I don't come here, where else can I go?"

The mad monk has never suffered a loss since he became a monk; he relies on his crazy, nonsensical talk!
In his eyes, these younger generation members were all very reserved. How could they be opponents like him, who was shameless and could be rubbed clean even with mud on his body?
Even if you were to actually do it, you'd probably find it dirty, wouldn't you?

Xu Qing squinted at the mad monk in front of him, knowing that he had met his match.

However, he had plenty of ways to get the monk to tell the truth.

After a moment of silence, Xu Qing put his hand on Xin Yuan's shoulder, and the two of them put their arms around each other, without him finding it disgusting at all.

Are you kidding me? He's handled all sorts of filthy corpses in the morgue, why would he be disgusted by a living person?
Xin Yuan turned her head and glanced at the hand on her shoulder. She had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

At this moment, Xu Qing gave the mad monk no chance to escape. He asked with a smile, "Are you really here to beg for alms?"

"That's right." The monk nodded.

"Want some good wine and meat?" Xu Qing continued to press.

"I, a monk, cannot live without meat and cannot be happy without wine; you should know this, benefactor."

"That's good!" Xu Qing's smile widened. He patted Xin Yuan's shoulder, reached down to take the gourd from his waist, uncorked it, and the mellow aroma of wine instantly filled the air.

What do you think of this wine?

"The taste of this wine"

Monk Xinyuan's eyes lit up, and he sincerely praised, "Fine wine! Truly fine wine! Only a genuine century-old vintage can have this flavor."

"Would the master like to try some?"

Xin Yuan reached out her hand, but then withdrew it.

Although he is mad, he is not stupid. Why would anyone give him good wine out of the blue?
“Esteemed benefactor, you may taste this wine, but if you finish it and demand payment from the monk, I have not a single penny to my name!”

Xin Yuan sighed and said, "That's why they say monks have no good fortune."

Xu Qing chuckled and said, "No money needed. Consider this wine as my offering to the master. Just remember, after you drink it, don't try to trick other people's children into becoming monks!"

"Absolutely not! I, a monk, am a law-abiding citizen and would never do anything as immoral as a slave trader!"

Xu Qing paused as he handed over the gourd. He dodged Xin Yuan's outstretched hand and his smile faded. "Wait! Give me the wine gourd from your waist. I'll give you some of each."

Taking the wine gourd, Xu Qing poured himself a drink while keeping an eye on the scene at the county magistrate's mansion in the distance.

At that moment, Xu Qing suddenly exclaimed, "The county magistrate is out! And there are two little bald heads with him!"

Xin Yuan hurriedly turned around and saw that the gate of the county magistrate's mansion was tightly closed, with only a crow perched on a stone statue of a mythical beast at the gate, preening its downy feathers.

Xin Yuan turned around. Xu Qing had already finished serving the wine. He handed the monk's wine gourd back and said with a smile, "The county magistrate has chased that little bald guy who chased after us back to his residence."

The mad monk took the gourd, still somewhat suspicious.

Did his little apprentice really come out just now?

Before Monk Xinyuan could think further, he heard Xu Qing speak again: "Look! The county magistrate has really come out!"

The monk turned his head and indeed saw Magistrate Chen walking out with a stern face.

Before the magistrate got into the sedan chair, he specifically instructed the maid at the door, "Make sure to keep a close eye on the two young masters and do not let them come into contact with strangers!"

Early this morning, Chen Liuer sneaked out of the mansion. Luckily, the guards discovered him in time, otherwise he might have caused some trouble!

At the same time, Xu Qing's slow voice also rang out from behind Xin Yuan.

"Chen Liuer and Chen Zi'an's parents are still alive and well. It's not their turn to sever their worldly ties and become wild monks in a temple who eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures."

"I've watched these two kids grow up. I don't care what happens to them when they're older, but if you dare to kidnap them when they don't understand anything and don't comprehend anything..."

Xu Qing chuckled and turned to walk away. Monk Xinyuan wasn't a bad person, but he clearly harbored many secrets. Xu Qing even vaguely sensed a resemblance in him to Sister Liu's master, that old woman.

Xu Qing was unsure of the other party's intentions. Perhaps they had taken a liking to Chen Liuer's aptitude and wanted to find a successor to carry on their legacy, or perhaps, like the old woman, they harbored ulterior motives.

But before Chen Liuer and Chen Zi'an grow up, he will not stand by and watch their parents be distressed all day because of this.

After all, his first Baosheng Temple was built with the help of Chen Guangrui and his wife. If he sat idly by and did nothing, he would be no different from the cold, aloof deities in the temple who do not care about the suffering of the people!

"Take money from people and solve their problems."

"Receiving offerings from others ensures their safety."

Although Xu Qing was just a minor deity in the Baosheng Temple, he understood the principle of reciprocity.

Monk Xinyuan watched the young man's departing figure and curled his lip.

"Those outside the gate, how can they know the true meaning of Buddha?"

The mad monk subconsciously raised his gourd and took a swig.

"This wine."

"That's really great!"

Inside the county magistrate's residence.

Ever since her godfather Chen Guangrui went to work in the government, Chen Liuer has been kept in the backyard by her godmother.

Meanwhile, the county magistrate's wife had already sent someone to Chen's cloth shop to inform his mother, Madam Yin, and they were just waiting for Madam Yin to come so that they could have a joint trial!

Chen Liuer knew that his godparents had reservations and couldn't hit or scold him, but if his biological mother came, his bottom would definitely be bruised and battered!
After all, he even took his godfather's son, Chen Zi'an, to get his head shaved.

If Madam Yin hadn't punished him, he would have suspected the other person was a ghost in disguise.
Chen Liuer was afraid that his mother would come over, and he was also worried about the monks outside. He was extremely anxious.

But children are clever; they quickly came up with a plan and said they were thirsty and wanted to drink water.

Neither Madam Shang nor the wet nurse thought much of it; since the child was thirsty, they brought him some soup.

After drinking three bowls of tea, Chen Liuer burped and said he couldn't hold it in any longer and needed to urinate.

Mrs. Shang didn't think much of it. After the child drank so much tea, could she really stop him from going to the toilet?
However, Madam Shang was not easily fooled. She had two nannies accompany Chen Liuer to prevent the little rascal from slipping away in the blink of an eye!

Chen Liuer seemed completely unaware that as he left the Moon Cave and headed towards the outhouse, he looked anxious and was about to burst.

"No, I really can't hold it in anymore! You two turn your backs, I'll just pee in the corner!"

An old woman laughed and said, "What haven't we seen? I even helped the young master pee when he was a child!"

Another old woman chimed in, "Young master, are you perhaps planning to take this opportunity to run away?"

Chen Liuer said anxiously, "Why are you running? The gate isn't this way. Besides, the private tutor said that men and women shouldn't touch each other. If you two don't turn your backs, I'll put it in my pocket. Don't blame me if my godmother scolds the nanny!"

Upon hearing this, the two old women agreed and turned around.

Turning around, the two old women were still whispering to each other:

"Young master has grown up; he knows how to be ashamed now."

"That's right. Just a few days ago, he was taking Zian to the steps to see who could pee the farthest. He wasn't embarrassed at all then."

"."

The two old women hurriedly turned around to check, but there was no sign of Chen Liuer behind them!
In the alley west of the county magistrate's mansion, Chen Liuer slipped out through a side door and ran towards the place he remembered.

As the mischievous child walked through two alleys and arrived at the alley entrance, panting, a familiar voice suddenly rang out beside him.

"Chen Liuer, your deeds have been exposed!"

The words "Chen Liuer, your affair has been exposed" terrified the little kid, who froze on the spot, too scared to move.

At this moment, Xu Qing, who was leaning against the alley entrance, put the cork back on the wine bottle, his breath reeking of alcohol, and got up to go to the child.

After seeing Xu Qing's face clearly, Chen Liuer breathed a sigh of relief and said with lingering fear, "That scared me to death! I thought the pursuers were coming!"

"Little Liu'er, what did your godfather say yesterday? Are you going to secretly go see that mad monk again?"

Chen Liuer wasn't afraid of Xu Qing at all. He grinned and said, "The monk is my teacher. What he teaches is much more interesting than what we learn in school."

Xu Qing sneered, "Monks are supposed to sever all worldly ties. People say 'leave home, leave home,' but only those who have no parents and no attachments will become monks."

“A monk is supposed to be compassionate. If you act like this, how can you be compassionate?”

“Without compassion, one cannot become a monk.”

With just a few simple words, Xu Qing effectively subdued Chen Liuer on the spot.

Chen Liuer withdrew her short legs that were about to run out, and said with her head drooping, "You're right, I can't become a nun yet."

Xu Qing smiled with satisfaction and decided to change the subject to something lighter: "I heard you stole some of the offerings from the Goddess of Life a few days ago?"

"."

"How did you know?"

Xu Qing smiled and said, "Your godfather entrusted Baosheng Temple to me to manage. I go to the temple to check on things from time to time. You can hide what you've done from me, but you can't hide it from Sister Jin."

"Let's not talk about that. It's just a few offerings of fruit; I'm sure the Goddess of Life Protection won't mind. I have another question for you."

"Chen Liuer, did you get a green scale by the river a few days ago?"

"How do you know everything?" Chen Liuer looked as if he had seen a ghost.

Xu Qing said with an air of seriousness, "This matter was revealed to me in a dream by the Goddess of Life Protection. She said that these scales are from a demon dragon, and that demon dragon hates monks the most. If a mortal child gets hold of these scales, at best they will be plagued by illness, and at worst they will never be able to become a monk for the rest of their lives."

Two years ago, a young monk was expelled from the temple by the head monk simply for receiving a dragon scale, and was forbidden from ever becoming a monk again!

“Little Liu’er, this thing is of great importance. You’re just a child and can’t handle it. Why don’t you leave it to me for safekeeping? I have no interest in becoming a monk and I’m not afraid of the dragon’s curse.”

When Chen Liuer heard that it was the Goddess of Life Protection who had appeared to him in a dream, he believed it to a large extent. When he heard that he could not become a monk, he immediately became anxious!

"Little Liu'er, if you don't believe me, don't you believe in the Goddess of Life Protection?"

"I believe you! I believe you!"

Chen Liuer immediately took out a green scale from the small cloth bag slung across his shoulder and handed it to Xu Qing as if avoiding a plague.

"Alright, you can go back now! But remember what I said."

"Thank you, Uncle Xu!"

Xu Qing was only focused on the green scales in his hand. He waved his hand behind him with a cheerful smile, completely ignoring Chen Liuer.

These scales are indeed unusual!
(End of this chapter)