https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-19-The-Great-Sun-Golden-Cicada-Skill-Seeking-Collection-/12984498/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-21-Mental-Cultivation-Martial-Arts-Seeking-Collection-/12984506/
Chapter 20: Chongming, the Elder Monk, and 100 Taels of Merit! (Seeking Collection)
Chapter 20: Chongming, the Elder Monk, and 100 Taels of Merit! (Seeking Collection)
"Grandpa, he's waking up!"
". . ."
In a daze, Qin Zheng faintly heard the voice of a child beside his ear.
His eyelids twitched a few times before suddenly opening, and he instantly sat up.
He quickly scanned his surroundings and realized he was in a ruined temple.
Several children, ranging from three to eight years old, surrounded him.
Startled by his sudden movement, the children fell to the ground in fright.
"Where am I?"
This was the first thought that came to Qin Zheng's mind.
He vaguely recalled hearing a Buddhist mantra just before losing consciousness.
Qin Zheng immediately lowered his head to examine himself and reached into his bosom.
His clothes were undisturbed, and the item in his bosom was still there.
This slightly relieved Qin Zheng.
"Benefactor, you've awakened."
At that moment, an elder monk appeared at the entrance of the ruined temple.
He was thin, with tattered robes, looking more like a beggar than a monk.
In his hand, he held a bowl of medicine and slowly approached Qin Zheng.
As the elder monk arrived, the frightened children from earlier scurried behind him, peeking at Qin Zheng with trepidation.
"Alright, go out and play for a while."
The elder monk gently spoke to the children.
The children giggled and ran out of the temple.
"Master, may I ask where this place is?"
Qin Zheng finally spoke, addressing the elder monk.
"Amitabha Buddha! A humble monk dares not claim the title of 'Master'. My Dharma name is Chongming. You may call me Elder Chongming."
The elder monk spoke modestly and then continued, "You are currently in Black Goose City, at a temple in the eastern part of the city."
Hearing this, Qin Zheng nodded, realizing that it was Elder Chongming who had brought him here.
As he looked at the elder monk, a sense of familiarity arose in his mind.
After a moment of recollection, he instantly remembered that this monk had been reciting Buddhist scriptures outside the execution ground each time after the executions for the past few days.
Looking at the monk, Qin Zheng noticed his eyes were pure and innocent, like those of a child untainted by impurity.
At the same time, the virtue scroll in his heart sea trembled slightly, and a line of text appeared.
【Elder Monk Chongming, a late-life monk with pure and virtuous conduct. Killing him will result in a deduction of 100 taels of merit.】
The moment this text appeared, Qin Zheng's mind was shocked.
Previously, the virtue scroll had only shown information about individuals with heavy sins, whom he could kill to gain merit.
Or, like Xu Capture Chief, there would be no information displayed, indicating a person without notable virtues or vices.
But today, a new situation had arisen with Elder Chongming.
If Qin Zheng were to kill him, he would lose 100 taels of merit!
Qin Zheng had not yet accumulated 100 taels of merit, and he wondered what consequences he would face if such a deduction occurred.
Nevertheless, this also proved that Elder Chongming was indeed a compassionate and virtuous monk.
Given his virtuous character, Qin Zheng had no reason to suspect the monk of any ill intentions and could trust him.
"Benefactor, your forceful exertion has caused internal damage. You need to rest and recuperate for a while."
Elder Chongming spoke softly and offered the bowl of medicine to Qin Zheng.
"This herbal soup will aid in healing your internal injuries."
Qin Zheng took the bowl, which contained a thick, black liquid, emitting a warm vapor, indicating it had just been brewed.
However, Qin Zheng did not drink it immediately but paused to think, then turned to the other person and said, "I am grateful for the master's assistance in bringing me back."
"But, if the master was staying in town, how did you happen to be there at that time?"
Although he could confirm that the other person was a good person, he still needed to ask.
After all, the place where he finally passed out was deep in the mountains outside Tongguan Town, not a place travelers would frequently pass through.
To appear there, one must have had a specific purpose and intentionally gone there.
Upon hearing Qin Zheng's question, Chongming Elder Monk clasped his hands together and softly chanted a Buddhist mantra before slowly saying, "The benefactor Shi Dian has committed grave sins."
"This humble monk went there to awaken Benefactor Shi Dian and prevent him from continuing his delusions, which harm both others and himself."
"But I never expected to encounter you and your group on the way there."
Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, and he asked, "So, did the master witness the entire process?"
There was no way he could keep his situation hidden now!
"Amitabha Buddha!"
Chongming Elder Monk chanted the Buddhist mantra again.
As he looked at Qin Zheng, admiration filled his eyes.
"Benefactor, you have a connection with the Buddhist path. Your martial arts possess the Vajra Intent, and with your compassionate heart, you are destined for great wealth and honor!"
Chongming Elder Monk spoke with admiration.
Qin Zheng's eyebrows furrowed slightly upon hearing this, and he looked at the elder monk in surprise.
Not only had the elder monk witnessed him killing Shi Dian, but his martial arts skills were also likely extraordinary!
Ordinary monks would not dare to claim they could awaken an evil tyrant experiencing the pain of losing a child.
Moreover, the elder monk could discern the connection between his martial arts and the Buddhist path! With this thought, Qin Zheng hesitated and said, "Master, regarding what I have done, I ask that you keep it confidential."
Chongming Elder Monk nodded and smiled, "I am but a humble ascetic monk. In this vast Black Goose City, no one pays attention to me."
"As a monk, I naturally would not spread rumors or disclose your information. Please rest assured, benefactor."
Qin Zheng nodded and then looked at the bowl of soup in his hand before raising it to drink it all.
As expected, after drinking the soup, a warm feeling spread from his stomach.
Streams of warmth quickly infused his body, nourishing and soothing the pain.
His body immediately felt much better.
Qin Zheng placed the bowl down, stood up, and bowed to Chongming Elder Monk, saying, "Qin Zheng thanks the master for this!"
Chongming Elder Monk returned the bow.
Now that he had awakened and his body had recovered somewhat, Qin Zheng did not plan to stay longer. He bid farewell.
Before leaving the ruined temple, the elder monk gave Qin Zheng a prescription, instructing him to buy the prescribed herbs and cook them to heal his internal injuries.
The elder monk also advised, "Benefactor, your constitution and intuition are exceptional, and your quick mastery of martial arts is commendable."
"But without a foundation in internal martial arts, refining your physical foundations and forcibly enhancing your skills will only harm your body and disrupt your body's origin."
"Benefactor, unless it's absolutely necessary, refrain from forcing your body beyond its physical capacity to avoid unforeseen misfortunes."
Qin Zheng nodded in understanding, knowing the elder monk had his best interests at heart.
After bowing once more, Qin Zheng departed from the ruined temple.
He first went to the street to purchase the prescribed herbs according to the elder monk's instructions.
Upon returning home, he prepared the herbs for cooking.
With some free time, he took out the martial arts technique obtained from Shi Dian's body and allocated a strand of his consciousness to immerse himself in the Heart Sea.
(End of Chapter)
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