After transforming the members of the Fengsha Sect, the group of two became a group of three.
The good news was that Young Master Hu no longer had to carry the luggage. The bad news was that the lackeys carrying the luggage might have been stimulated a bit too much. They were muttering to themselves crazily along the way.
Although Young Master Hu despised such wicked individuals, their pitiful appearance was truly hard to bear. Besides, Young Master Hu had a talkative nature and couldn’t help but strike up a conversation.
However, it seemed that the traumatized lackey had no intention of chatting. He continued to lower his head and mutter as if he hadn’t heard anything.
Young Master Hu had serious doubts. By the time they arrived at the government office to hand over the person, he wondered if this man would still have a functioning brain.
No wonder nobody in the Jianghu mentioned the unique method of “transforming” people by Master Shiheng. Just think about it, those who were “transformed” by him either turned into yellow sand or went mad. The true identity of this compassionate master was naturally unfathomable.
It wasn’t until they walked out of the desert that Young Master Hu finally realized why Master Shiheng’s compassionate reputation spread so widely.
Outside the desert was a small town.
Young Master Hu looked disheveled, and the lackey was still acting crazy. Ahead of them was Lin Shiheng.
Lin Shiheng was dressed in a white robe with a gold-colored monk’s tunic underneath. He held a unique black and dark wood staff with a warm hue. Despite just having walked out of the desert, his feet that were adorned with a pair of monk’s shoes, completely free of sand and dust.Furthermore, with his jade-like face and compassionate clear eyes, with every step he took, Young Master Hu felt as if he could see Buddha’s radiance emanating from him.
The obsession with appearance, known as “fac-fan,” not only exists in modern times but was even more serious in ancient times.
It’s like when a martial artist travels the Jianghu, performing chivalrous deeds and rescuing damsels in distress. If the martial artist was handsome and charming, the rescued woman might shyly say, ‘In gratitude for saving my life, I offer myself to you.’
But if the martial artist unfortunately had an unremarkable appearance, he might receive a response like, 'I can’t repay your kindness for saving my life, but in my next life, I will be your loyal servant and work hard for you.’
This was the difference brought about by differences in appearance.
Naturally, when the people in a small town saw a monk with a face as beautiful as jade, even more handsome than heavenly deities, walking step by step, each step seemed to convey the message, Tm a great monk.’ Even if they didn’t know about Master Shiheng’s reputation in the Jianghu, their favorable impression of him would instantly soar.
This was the importance of appearance.
When Young Master Hu traveled the Jianghu alone, performing chivalrous acts and showing compassion for all beings; with his handsome and charming appearance, combined with his impressive martial arts and benevolent attitude, he was sought after wherever he went.
He was passionate about doing good deeds, and if all the good deeds he had done over the years were compiled into a book, it would easily fill several volumes.
When they were in the desert before reaching this small town, it hadn’t occurred to Young Master Hu. But as soon as he saw the plaque on the town gate, he immediately remembered. This was the territory where he had once started his journey, a place where he had demonstrated his heroic righteousness.
At that time, while he was walking, he somehow ended up in the desert. When he came out, he saw this small town. Originally, he planned to go in and rest for a while, but unexpectedly, he happened to come across child traffickers. Those traffickers had good martial arts skills and were cunning. The constables couldn’t catch them, so it was Young Master Hu who endured 2 days without food and fought with them for 2 days and nights before capturing them.
When he rescued the children, the people in the town were grateful and regarded Young Master Hu as a great hero. If it weren’t for his intervention, they would have erected a monument for him.
Returning to this familiar place brings a different feeling to his heart.
Only a few years have passed since that incident. I suppose these simple-minded townspeople haven't forgotten the handsome and charming face of Young Master Hu.
Young Master Hu was accustomed to being in the spotlight. As soon as he entered the town, he tidied up his hair, cleared his throat, and walked proudly behind Lin Shiheng, ensuring that he wouldn’t be overshadowed by this master radiating holy light.
He wanted the master to know that he wasn’t just a follower carrying bags; he had his own reputation in the Jianghu.
However, along the way, Young Master Hu sadly discovered that the people in the town admired Master Shiheng with reverence, and some looked curiously at the pitiful lackey carrying the bags, but no one glanced at him.
Hey!
It's me!
I'm the one who saved dozens of children back then!
Didn't you call me a great hero? Weren't you supposed to remember me for a lifetime?
Young Master Hu’s heart was filled with roaring frustration. Unfortunately, as a “well-rounded hero”, even if he wanted to stick a label on his face saying, Tm the person you said you would remember for a lifetime,’ he could only maintain a calm expression on his face, devoid of any expectation.
The common people in the town indeed appeared as simple as he remembered. Even though they were curious about the impressive clothes Lin Shiheng was wearing, no one dared to approach and ask questions. They could only sneak glances.
Lin Shiheng calmly endured their gazes, holding his staff and continuing to move forward step by step, neither fast nor slow.
“Master, should we find a place to stay?”
“When away from home, why bother with food, clothing, and shelter?"
Young Master Hu’s lips twitched.
This statement didn’t seem to matter to the master. Throughout the journey, he was the one boiling water and cooking meals. Even when they rested at night, he was the one setting up the bedding. Young Master Hu had traveled the Jianghu for a long time, but he had never seen such a particular monk.
However, he didn’t dare to say a word, as they hadn’t even passed the first 7 days since meeting the Fengsha Sect.
The meticulous Lin Shiheng passed by the largest inn in the town, walking straight ahead without glancing sideways until he reached the government office.
“This is the disciples of the Fengsha Sect whom I have already converted.”
The monk’s face was filled with tranquility, and his eyes faintly revealed a compassionate expression, “Although he has been converted, the sins of the past cannot be instantly absolved by me reciting a few sutras. I will hand the person over to the authorities.”
The constable had heard before that a monk had arrived in the town. Just by looking at his appearance, one could feel respect and admiration. Now, seeing that the high monk had brought a wanted criminal, the constable’s face was filled with admiration.
“Thank you, Master.”
He compared the face of the petty thug with the description, “What a coincidence! This criminal is actually a person from our town. After killing a family of seven, he fled. His crimes are heinous, and a bounty of 30 taels of silver has been placed on him. Master, please wait a moment. Let me inquire with the official about the name of the criminal, and then I will fetch the reward money.”
The monk, with a face shining with holiness, slightly furrowed his brow and refused, saying, “I converted him not for the sake of the reward money.”
The constable’s admiration grew even stronger when he heard that.
30 taels of silver isn't a small amount. To push away such a sum, such an admireble monk!
Young Master Hu watched as the constable entered with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Wow, this is a true expert.’ He whispered, “Master, you really not want the reward money?"
“Amitabha."
The monk chanted the Buddha’s name and said, “In this world, everything has its predetermined fate.”
Oh...
In other words, he did want it.
Young Master Hu helplessly watched as Lin Shiheng took the 30 taels of silver and immediately went to the inn to rent a room.
He was very dissatisfied with this.
“Master, I have followed you all the way here, shouldn’t you at least give me a room?”
Lin Shiheng glanced at him, placed the bundle on the table, and started searching inside it.
Young Master Hu was curious. Could it be that he was looking for silver taels to rent a room for him?
Then he watched as the monk took out a piece of rice paper from the bundle, ground some ink, and in front of Young Master Hu, he painted a room.
After finishing the painting, Lin Shiheng pushed the paper in front of Young Master Hu, implying that it was for him.
Young Master Hu: “...”
Considering the 300 people in the entire mountain village, he swallowed his frustration and put together a few chairs, using them as a makeshift bed.
He woke up to the sound of commotion from below as dawn approached.
When he raised his eyes, he saw Lin Shiheng sitting cross-legged by the bed, murmuring something.
“Master, what are you doing?”
“Performing a ritual of deliverance.”
Young Master Hu immediately got up and looked around, relieved to see no ashes.
He leaned towards the edge of the bed and looked down, realizing that it seemed like some kind of event was taking place in the town. People were scattering yellow paper into the air, and others were holding wooden sculptures. The atmosphere was solemn and noisy. Many half-grown children were dressed in mourning attire and following behind. There were women wiping away tears nearby.
What’s going on? Did someone pass away?
Young Master Hu’s ears perked up, and he leaned towards the window to listen.
“Such a good-hearted person, why did they leave so early?”
“Heaven envies talent. I heard he wasn’t even 30 yet.”
“Mi’er, go and offer a prayer to the virtuous person...”
It seemed that they were performing a memorial ceremony for a virtuous person.
Although he had no connection to this virtuous person, seeing so many people mourning him after his death, willing to offer prayers despite not being blood relatives, he must have been a truly great person.
Young Master Hu couldn’t help but sigh.
“Master, should we go down and offer incense?”
The monk sitting by the window glanced at him with a strange expression and said, “If you wish.”
Since the monk was unwilling to go, Young Master Hu went downstairs by himself, squeezing through the crowd to get a glimpse of the names written on the memorial tablets held by the people.
Before he could see clearly, a loud shout suddenly resounded from above.
“Hahaha! Good riddance! Good riddance!!”
“Today, I will kill a few brats to send him on his way!”
Question: Laughing and saying that the deceased deserved to die, and threatening to kill innocent children at a memorial ceremony, what kind of behavior is this?
Answer Deserving of a beating!
Even though Young Master Hu didn’t know the virtuous person, like the surrounding people, a strong sense of anger welled up within him.
He immediately reached back, intending to draw his sword and turn that disrespectful trash into a swollen pig’s head.
Although since following Master Shiheng, he had primarily used his fists and martial arts skills.
But compared to swordplay, Young Master Hu dares to claim that he ranks among the top one hundred in the entire Jianghu.
He crouched down, leaning forward, his eyes sharp, hands placed behind his back, slowly drawing out the sword that had been strapped to his back all along.
“How dare you! Today, I, Hu...”
Young Master Hu’s cool and handsome movement suddenly froze.
Huh?
Where’s my sword???