Chapter 58: Acknowledging Achievements

Chapter 58: Acknowledging Achievements

The atmosphere inside and outside the Righteous Shrine was quiet, occasionally interrupted by faint moans of pain and the chirping of birds.

Zhang Lingfeng entered the shrine, supporting Zhang Guinian, and fed him a pill, pushing it into his mouth.

Surprisingly, Mother Luo was still alive, sitting paralyzed on the ground, her body shattered, blood flowing from her seven apertures, yet she managed to produce a few hoarse laughs from her throat.

This was the image of a dying person entering nirvana. Mother Luo laughed strangely as she recited a verse, "Climbing to that enlightenment..."

But before she could finish her verse, the Taoist priest on the roof leaped down and kicked Mother Luo in the face.

"How annoying! Even when taking a dump, you have to recite verses! Recite, recite, recite, what's with this nirvana verse? Who do you think you are?"

The Taoist priest, who seemed like a carefree and unfettered figure, suddenly spoke with an intimidating tone, "You have the appearance of a high monk, but not the essence. Chasing after forms, you are a thousand miles away from the truth. It's like drawing a tiger that looks like a dog!"

Mother Luo made a gurgling sound in her throat but couldn't utter a word. The Buddha light on her body faded, and she was covered in blood. Her eyes were already hollow, but her expression remained hideous and filled with resentment.

As she gurgled, the blood on her body slowly ignited into flames.

"You have a method of planting thoughts, but I have the ability to move heaven!" The Taoist priest stretched out his hand, pressing it against Mother Luo's forehead, and then retracted it. The flames on Mother Luo's body were completely drawn out, and she seemed to be in great agony, rolling on the ground in pain.

"It's done!" The Taoist priest stood up, holding the handle of his dustpan brush, with a faint smile on his face, clearly hiding his achievements and fame.

"Great joy! Great joy! Great joy! We've found the master!" Baoxi Xian flew into the air above the shrine, circling and cawing excitedly.

But at that moment, flames of fire appeared on Mother Luo's body again, slowly burning from within.

Zhang Lingfeng was startled and repeatedly cast spells, but he couldn't extinguish the flames.

Seeing Zhang Guinian's furrowed brows and the puzzled expressions of the others, the Taoist priest immediately broke into a sweat. His carefree demeanor vanished, leaving only panic.

Soon, Mother Luo turned into ashes, and no one inside or outside the shrine spoke.

"No joy! No joy!" Baoxi Xian wanted to say more, but the Taoist priest gave him a stern look, and he obediently flew onto Gong Zihua's shoulder.

"This is karmic fire," the Taoist priest said with utmost seriousness, as if trying to restore his reputation. He turned to Zhang Guinian and said, "Brother Zhang, it's best to find someone else. The opponent has planted karmic fire, which is unceasing. Their cultivation level is probably not low. With my abilities, I'm slightly insufficient. But such a high-level cultivator must have a background. Why would they send their disciples here to cause trouble?"

In the Buddhist Sect, various actions form karmic forces, and karmic fire is the result of these forces, also known as karmic retribution.

For example, if someone harbors greed, anger, and ignorance, they will inevitably create many evil karmas. In the future, they will bear the consequences of their actions and suffer the torment of karmic fire.

In simple terms, this is the Buddhist doctrine of cause and effect. Someone not only planted thoughts in Mother Luo but also had the cause of karmic fire.

"At least we know that the opponent is truly a high-level cultivator," Zhang Guinian said, not discouraged. He smiled and said, "There are still other survivors, so the achievement is not lost."

He looked around at the people outside the shrine, "Inspect this place, and let's finish up!"

As Zhang Guinian gave the order, the crowd became busy. They tied up all of Mother Luo's disciples and loaded them onto donkey carts.

Even Mother Luo's ashes were collected, and the inside and outside of the shrine were thoroughly inspected.

"Xiao Meng, although you're not one of us, you still saved my life and killed an Eighth-Rank monk. It's a significant achievement. I'll ask Zhang Tou to acknowledge your merits later." Gong Zihua, when not wielding his saber, was a gentle and refined gentleman, speaking with a pleasant tone.

"Thank you, Brother Gong," Meng Yuan replied with a smile, then asked curiously, "How long does it take to receive the reward for this achievement?"

Meng Yuan was currently desperate for money. He had borrowed two hundred taels from Nie Shi, giving half to the little maid to manage and spending most of the other half today.

Therefore, Meng Yuan wanted to earn some money quickly.

"What's the rush?" Baoxi Xian interrupted, "Do you think you'll get it within ten days or half a month?"

Meng Yuan smiled, understanding the situation. He then asked, "Brother Baoxi, what is the reward for this achievement?"

"We should discuss this and carefully consider the merits. With me and Old Gong as witnesses, your little contribution won't go unnoticed!" Baoxi Xian was very familiar with the situation and added, "Invite me for a drink when the time comes."

Meng Yuan didn't think it was far-fetched; instead, he felt this was normal.

In less than a quarter of an hour, everyone had packed up.

The Taoist priest had already disappeared, and the group, including Zhang Guinian, who seemed exhausted, didn't ride horses but instead sat in a donkey cart, dozing off.

Meng Yuan and Gong Zihua, with their swords drawn, walked alongside the donkey cart, while Baoxi Xian led the way.

The group of forty to fifty people, most holding torches, marched grandly to the outskirts of the North City, immediately attracting the attention of the local commoners.

Many devotees had been present during the earlier battle with Luo Mu, and they had already spread the news by this time.

Some brave ones even came forward to inquire about the reason, and Zhang Guinian specifically pointed to Gong Zihua and the others to explain Luo Mu's tactics of drugging and then curing.

"Your Grace!" Meng Yuan was just thinking that it was late and the little maid would probably be unable to sleep when he saw Hua Jie's younger brother rush forward and kneel before him.

"I'm not Your Grace; I'm just returning a favor." Meng Yuan helped Hua Jie's younger brother up, "Live well from now on. Remember, proper sects all preach kindness, filial piety, and love for family and friends. Those who ask you for offerings, make you recite scriptures, and sing religious songs are all ill-intentioned."

"I'll remember that. They don't mean well; they're ill-intentioned!" Tears welled up in Hua Jie's eyes. "I finally understand that everyone in this world, without exception, is a prostitute. Only Your Grace isn't a prostitute."

Meng Yuan rubbed his forehead and said, "Go now and live well."

"What's your name?" Hua Jie took a few steps and then turned back to ask.

Meng Yuan smiled and shook his head, not saying more.

"Your sweetheart is asking for your name!" Zhang Guinian, sitting in the donkey cart, had the leisure to joke.

After Hua Jie's younger brother left, Meng Yuan also sat in the donkey cart.

By now, it was deep into the night. Zhang Guinian took out his token and sent Zhang Lingfeng to get someone to open the city gate.

In no time, the city gate opened, and the group entered the city.

"You're quite capable, not only being an Eighth Rank official but also saving Little Gong's life. It seems your mind isn't only occupied with women!" Zhang Guinian, sitting in the donkey cart, patted Meng Yuan's shoulder and said casually, "You have merit. Come with me to the garrison, and I'll record your achievement. It'll be officially documented!"

"Uncle Zhang, I didn't report my departure today, so I must return quickly." Meng Yuan wasn't in a hurry to have his achievement recorded.

Although they were guest troops this time, they fought to the death, and Meng Yuan wouldn't let anyone take credit for his achievement. This was something he deserved.

However, Meng Yuan clearly understood that he was a modest and virtuous gentleman, as gentle as jade, and his face was too thin.

The last time, he was cheated out of his meal money. If he went to have his achievement recorded, he estimated that ten parts of his merit would be reduced to six or seven, and it would be documented on paper. He might even have to spend money on a celebration banquet.

Moreover, Meng Yuan wasn't familiar with the garrison's situation and didn't know how the merits were divided.

Therefore, he needed to find someone who was shameless and understood the ins and outs to negotiate.

For such matters, only someone like Nie Shi, who had taught him his skills and could vouch for his abilities, would do.

"Tomorrow, I'll ask Master Nie to take me to the garrison tomorrow. Uncle Zhang, you've shown me the world, and Nie Shi will be very grateful." Meng Yuan spoke sincerely.

Sure enough, Zhang Guinian immediately became anxious, "You're helping Uncle Zhang, and he's very happy. But if you let Old Nie come to claim the achievement, Uncle Zhang won't be happy."

"As long as Uncle Zhang is happy, that's good! Once the achievement is confirmed, I'll invite Uncle Zhang for mutton soup!" Meng Yuan pretended not to understand and quickly gave Zhang Guinian a fist bump before jumping off the donkey cart and running away.

"This kid..." Zhang Guinian opened his mouth, "He seemed so honest, but I didn't expect him to have already learned bad habits from Old Nie!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end