Chapter 17: The Pauper

“No matter how big the matter is, you cannot come in. Get out!” the disciple shouted.

Zhang Lingshan had no choice but to withdraw from the main hall.

Fortunately, Shi Lei had followed him. With an expressionless face, he asked, “What big matter has occurred?”

Zhang Lingshan replied, “Li Fu’s family of three committed suicide by hanging.”

“Oh.”

Shi Lei remained unmoved. He simply took the money bag Li Fu had given him earlier from his robe, handed it to Zhang Lingshan, and said, “I did not handle things well. Return this money to them.”

With that, he turned and left.

Zhang Lingshan knew Shi Lei was shaken and didn't know what to say. Regardless, Shi Lei couldn't help him now anyway; the reason he had sought him out was specifically for these twenty taels of silver.

Only with silver in hand could he go to Red Leaf Temple to request a talisman. Otherwise, going empty-handed, who would even know what Zhang Lingshan did for a living?

With no time to waste, Zhang Lingshan took the money and immediately sprinted toward the outskirts of the city.

Familiar with the route, he headed straight for Red Leaf Temple.

Because his physical constitution had improved recently, his speed was twice what it used to be, and he wasn't even tired by the time he reached the foot of Red Leaf Mountain.

However.

To Zhang Lingshan's surprise.

When they had been supplying materials to Red Leaf Temple previously, the place was desolate. Now, it was teeming with people; even at the foot of the mountain, a dense crowd was packed together.

'Is it really this popular? Is everyone here to pray to the gods and Buddhas?'

Zhang Lingshan was quite astonished.

But judging by the speed of the crowd's movement, he estimated he wouldn't even be able to squeeze his way up the mountain by noon.

However, this wouldn't stop him.

After all, he had worked here for half a year; he knew every single mountain path by heart.

Soon, he found a hidden shortcut and made his way into Red Leaf Temple.

“This benefactor.”

A young monk in gray robes was practicing standing meditation in the back mountains. Suddenly spotting Zhang Lingshan, he hurriedly called out, “Why are you coming up this way? Outsiders are not permitted to walk here.”

“Greetings, little master. I have lost my way and wish to find a grand master to request a talisman to ward off evil,” Zhang Lingshan said, pressing his palms together in greeting.

The gray-robed monk did not respond immediately. Instead, he stared at him with bright eyes for a long time before sighing, “The situation surrounding this benefactor is complex. There is a mass of black Qi within your body and a layer of blood-light on the outside. This humble monk cannot fully discern it, only knowing that you are plagued by extreme misfortune. Please follow me to see my master. My master is the renowned Zen Master Du'e; he will surely have a way to resolve this.”

“Thank you, little master.”

Zhang Lingshan was overjoyed.

This little novice looked very young, perhaps only twelve or thirteen, but his eyes were piercing; he had actually seen through his condition in an instant.

The black Qi within his body was clearly the cause of the red marks on his skin.

The blood-light on the outside was, of course, the curse from Li Fu’s family.

If even this little novice could see it at a glance, his master's methods must be even more profound and surely possessed a way to help him dispel the evil and resolve his misfortune.

It seemed this trip was worth it.

Filled with anticipation, Zhang Lingshan’s steps grew lighter. Following behind the little novice through several passages, he finally arrived at a simple and elegant courtyard.

“Master, your disciple Huixiu has encountered a benefactor who climbed up from the back mountains. His situation is complex; I ask you to provide guidance,” the little novice announced loudly at the courtyard entrance.

“Come in,” an old, kind voice drifted from within.

Just from the sound, one could tell it belonged to an elderly monk of great virtue, possessing an air of transcendence and wisdom.

*Creak.*

Pushing open the courtyard gate.

Zhang Lingshan indeed saw an old monk sitting amidst a sea of red leaves. His yellow monk's robes stood in stark contrast to the ground, drawing the eye.

Faintly, one could even see a layer of yellow light cascading over him.

Buddha's light?

Zhang Lingshan hadn't expected that even though Red Leaf Temple had only recently been completed, such a high master would be living in seclusion here.

He hurriedly pressed his palms together and bowed. “This humble one greets the Holy Monk.”

“Amitabha.”

Zen Master Du'e slightly raised his eyes. After a brief glance with his clouded eyes, he shook his head. “This benefactor carries the weight of slaughter, has stolen the wealth of the dead, and is entangled in karmic debts. Your destiny has reached its end. You should descend the mountain.”

“Master, I beg you to save my life!”

Zhang Lingshan hurriedly produced the twenty taels of silver.

Yet, Zen Master Du'e did not even glance at it. He calmly closed his eyes and waved his sleeve. “Huixiu, lead him down the mountain.”

*Whoosh!*

Zhang Lingshan felt a sudden gust of wind strike him, and he found himself involuntarily stumbling backward.

By the time he regained his senses, he was already standing outside the courtyard, and the gate had closed with a soft *creak*.

Everything had happened in an instant.

Zen Master Du'e's methods left Zhang Lingshan shocked.

“Benefactor, my master says he is powerless to help, so I can only wish you good luck. Please follow me down the mountain,” Huixiu said, making a gesture of invitation.

Zhang Lingshan’s heart felt heavy.

Zen Master Du'e had summarized his recent experiences in just a few words; his insight was clearly immense.

But he had said his destiny was at an end.

Could it be that he truly could only close his eyes and wait for death?

With a heavy heart, Zhang Lingshan followed the young monk Huixiu, walking step by step down the mountain.

Suddenly, Huixiu stopped and sighed. “This humble monk observes that the benefactor is not an evil man; there must be an explanation behind this.

“Master lives in seclusion to avoid worldly entanglements and does not wish to involve himself in karma, but I believe that saving a single life is greater than building a seven-storied pagoda.

“I have two talismans here. One is a Ghost-Suppressing Talisman, which can suppress the Greed Ghost within your body.

“The other is a Grievance-Resolving Talisman, which can ward off the curse of karmic debts.”

As he spoke, he pulled two talismans from his robe.

Zhang Lingshan asked in surprise, “Can these two talismans truly resolve my plight?”

“Naturally. But the benefactor must request them with sincerity.”

“How does one show sincerity?”

“Just as you showed sincerity before my master, so must you show it now.”

As Huixiu spoke, his eyes flickered toward the money bag in Zhang Lingshan's robe.

Zhang Lingshan suddenly understood.

“Haha!”

He suddenly burst into laughter. “I understand. Goodbye!”

Too lazy to continue wasting words with Huixiu, he turned around and ran straight down the mountain, heading back to the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall.

Rather than spending twenty taels on two useless talismans from Huixiu, it was better to hurry back to the martial arts hall; at least a bowl of rice there could increase his energy by 0.1.

Why call them useless talismans?

Because Zen Master Du'e had already said his destiny was at an end. If even that old monk couldn't save him, how much skill could his subordinate have?

It was obvious they were trying to scam him for money.

Earlier, in his desperation, he had actually thought of seeking gods and talismans to save his life.

How foolish.

It is better to rely on oneself than on others.

Instead of spending money on spiritual talismans, it was better to spend it on medicinal herbs and dried meat to accumulate energy.

As long as his energy was sufficient, his strength would increase and his blood and qi would be abundant. What would he fear—a Greed Ghost or a curse of karmic debt?

Ghosts fear the wicked.

As long as he was fierce and ruthless enough, he wouldn't have to fear any evil spirits.

The reason Li Fu’s family of three didn't dare curse the Sanjiang Gambling House was precisely because they were sufficiently ruthless!

Having realized this, Zhang Lingshan felt the world had suddenly become vast and open.

His steps became even lighter, devoid of fear or dread.

At this point, forget about evil spirits—even if the Emperor himself came, he would dare to take a bite out of him.

As long as I am not afraid, it is others who should be afraid.

“Ugh, that pauper just ran off. Does he look down on my talismans?”

Seeing Zhang Lingshan run away without looking back, the young monk Huixiu felt a surge of annoyance.

No wonder Master only took one look and drove the boy away, not even bothering to speak a word to him.

Master truly has piercing eyes; he saw at a glance that this kid was a pauper.

Buddha only saves the wealthy.

With just these two talismans, a pauper couldn't even afford them; how could he be qualified to buy Master's high-level spiritual talismans?

Bah!

(End of Chapter)