I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: The Gaunt Monk

As Duan Rong stepped out of the dilapidated tavern, he was already a bit tipsy, his swarthy face now glowing with a touch of healthy redness.

Duan Rong staggered along, planning to return to his dormitory for a short nap to sober up.

He had just reached the entrance of the Yuan Shun Escort Agency when a voice suddenly came from behind.

”Are you Escort Master Duan?”

At that moment, the afternoon sun was blazing; Duan Rong turned his head abruptly, and the sunlight dazzled his drunken eyes.

He tilted his head, squinting, and vaguely saw a tall skinny figure standing not far from the stone lions at the entrance of the Escort Agency, silhouetted against the light!

Duan Rong descended a few steps before he could see that it was actually a monk, clad in a yellow silk kasaya, a string of glossy prayer beads hanging around his neck, with nine precept scars burned into his shaven head, as thin as a skeleton.

Duan Rong was slightly startled, then joined his palms in respectful greeting and politely said, ”I am indeed Duan Rong. May I know what guidance Master seeks to provide?”

In his previous life, Duan Rong had always shown courtesy to monks and clergy, believing in the saying, ”There is a deity three feet above the head.”

Ever since his soul transmigrated, he had become even more convinced of this belief.

After all, if transmigration could happen, who could say that matters of gods and ghosts weren’t real?

Seeing this monk, Duan Rong felt even more pious than in his past life.

Moreover, Duan Rong held a prejudice: the skinnier the monk, the truer the monk!

This monk before him, skin and bones, almost looked like a ghost, could not appear more genuine! Thus, Duan Rong’s demeanor became even more respectful.

The skinny monk immediately joined his palms in return greeting, smiling, ”How could I dare to instruct? Our temple has a request for Donor Duan!”

”Oh?” Duan Rong revealed an interested expression.

The skinny monk appeared amiable and humble in demeanour, saying with a smile, ”The abbot of our humble temple has a senior monk who has become an abbot at Yongning Temple in Ruyang Prefecture. He originally hailed from our Kudu Temple and has a connection with our temple’s divine statue. Though he is far away in Ruyang, naturally he’s in contact with our temple’s divine statue, after receiving a mysterious dream. Surprised by this, he suddenly penned a letter, seeking an authentic portrait of the divine statue from our temple. He plans to find craftsmen at Yongning Temple and remodel a statue according to the portrait!”

Hearing this, Duan Rong was amused; once again, business had come knocking.

What was happening today? It seemed fortune was truly smiling upon him!

”I wonder if Donor could...”

”No problem!” Before the monk could finish, Duan Rong interrupted.

The skinny monk was slightly surprised, respectfully joining his hands, ”Donor is kind and humble, truly connected to our Buddha!”

Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat, sensing that the conversation was turning odd.

This monk’s praise seemed like he intended to use him for free, so he joked, ”As for painting, I am happy to serve! But regarding the silver coins...”

He spoke, a reluctant expression on his face...

”Ah, Donor, rest assured, our Kudu Temple is supported by devotees from all directions, and the incense offerings are quite abundant. The reward for this task has been arranged by the abbot, would two hundred taels of silver coins find you agreeable?”

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat; it seemed that the temples in this world were also places to amass wealth. Although not comparable to the minor fortune god, two hundred taels were quite a fortune! As expected, temples really know how to make money!

”Certainly, certainly!” Duan Rong laughed and asked, ”Might the esteemed temple have painting supplies? If not, I could bring my own!”

”All necessary supplies are fully prepared!”

”Then... Master, shall we leave now...” Duan Rong warmly approached the skinny monk, displaying a sense of familiar cheerfulness.

Duan Rong had walked a few steps when he noticed a carriage parked not far behind the skinny monk, and the old horse harnessed to it stood there quietly.

Duan Rong’s eyes shifted; having a carriage suggested the place wasn’t close!

Monks aren’t minor fortune gods; the carriage isn’t for showing off, it’s purely a means of transportation.

Besides, what’s there to show off with an old horse and a broken cart?

His original self was indifferent to ghosts and deities, unaware of how many temples or nunneries were in Xianggu County, with nearly no information on such matters in the inherited memories!

”May I ask Master, where is your temple located?”

”Our humble temple is at the foot of Silver Mountain, six or seven miles east of the county outskirts!” The skinny monk replied with a wholesome smile, ”We can take this carriage. Don’t underestimate this old horse; it pulls the cart quite steadily!”

Duan Rong laughed awkwardly, thinking: indeed, the fine horse has turned into a broken cart! Six or seven miles isn’t far, for two hundred taels, it’s worth the trip!

He climbed into the carriage, with the skinny monk driving.

The skinny monk stood by the horse, skillfully leapt backward, landing firmly on the front of the cart, then a cracking whip snapped against the old horse’s bony back, and as the horse winced in pain, it galloped instantly!

Duan Rong was slightly amused; this monk was quite the driver!

At first, it was fine; the West Main Street was paved with bluestone slabs, making the ride fairly smooth!

However, once they left West Main Street, the carriage began to wobble, but Duan Rong had martial arts skills, keeping his rear securely seated!

However, once outside the town, on the soil road of the suburbs, the jolting increased dramatically!

Occasionally, when the carriage passed over a pit, Duan Rong’s rear would leave the seat!

If not for his martial arts skills, having mastered the Cloud Serpent Step in both step and body techniques, his rear might have been in bits by now...

After about half an incense stick’s time, Duan Rong couldn’t bear the cabin’s jostling any longer; one more bump and he’d surely throw up.

Duan Rong simply stopped sitting, stood up, and began practicing the Complete Round Pile Skill directly in the cabin!

Duan Rong’s Pile Skill was already quite deep, and combined with the Cloud Serpent Step’s step and body techniques, once he stood up in the cabin, his feet seemed rooted, securely sticking to the floorboard.

Bump as you may left or right, I remain unshakeable!

This way, the dizzying sensation of jolting vanished, as Duan Rong stood there with eyes closed, circulating his Inner Breath!

The skinny monk’s driving was quite rough, the speed very fast; after about two incense sticks’ time, a ”whoa” was heard as the skinny monk pulled on the reins.

The carriage halted abruptly; Duan Rong’s body tilted back but his mind remained clear, his leg muscles adjusting to the external forces, standing steadily!

He opened his eyes and hopped off the cart, saying, ”Master, have we arrived?”

The skinny monk was slightly taken aback upon seeing Duan Rong looking unruffled, with a subtle smile on his face, thinking: such jolts along the way, how could this person be unfazed?

The skinny monk quickly composed himself, smiling, ”Donor, we have arrived, that over there is our humble temple!”

Following the monk’s gaze, Duan Rong indeed saw a fairly majestic temple faintly visible amidst the mountain stones and woods.

Nonetheless, an odd feeling lingered in Duan Rong’s heart. The monk said Kudu Temple was bustling with incense, yet it appeared desolate now; no Buddhist chants emanated from the temple, nor were any worshippers in sight nearby.

Duan Rong squinted up at the blazing sun overhead, silently musing, ”Perhaps it’s just because it’s afternoon and not many people are around...”

”Donor, please follow me!”

The skinny monk tied the carriage reins to the trunk of a white birch tree, then led Duan Rong along a mountain path towards the temple!

The two walked one after the other along the mountain path, circling around a glistening white boulder, and suddenly found themselves standing on the platform outside the temple entrance.