Chapter 667: Encountering an old friend

Before leaving Jinzhou, Chen Guanlou went to the Zhen'an Temple a hundred miles away and brought a letter to the abbot of the temple. This was the last thing the Marquis asked him to do.

Once this matter was settled, he could set off back to the capital.

When leaving the temple, he strolled around.

He actually saw a familiar face.

The 'dead man' Liu Daowen!

This big corrupt official really didn't die.

He suspected that Liu Daowen might have faked his death back then, but he never expected that he had really guessed it.

Liu Daowen faked his death and actually hid in a temple outside Jinzhou City to be a monk; looking at his pious appearance, could it be that he really converted to Buddha?

After a little thought, he had a plan.

When the monks were resting and alone, he suddenly appeared in front of Liu Daowen with his real face, which really scared the other party half to death.

"Not here to arrest you. Just passing by, came to burn incense, didn't expect to see Lord Liu!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Daowen felt relieved, bowed slightly, and performed a ritual, "Amitabha, this poor monk Fa Neng has seen the donor."

"Lord Liu, are you doing this for show, or are you really a monk?"

"This poor monk is wholeheartedly serving the Buddha."

"Stop talking nonsense, say something understandable. Being able to meet here is our fate. I appeared to see you; you should understand that I'm not here to listen to you chant Amitabha."

Liu Daowen gave a bitter laugh, looking out the window, worried about anyone passing by.

Chen Guanlou told him to speak boldly. No one would pass by to eavesdrop; he could guarantee this.

Liu Daowen breathed a sigh of relief, "Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen fought the Jixia Academy's Master Qi, and I heard about it here too; I'm really happy for you."

"Speak, back then you faked your death and ran away, leaving your wife, concubines, and children; you were truly heartless. Who is helping you? How did you end up hiding here as a monk? You, a guy who doesn't avoid meat or vegetables, now you've changed to eating vegetarian; can you stand it?"

Liu Daowen gave a chuckle, and the monk's temperament instantly vanished, turning back into an old oil-slick of officialdom, "Nothing can be hidden from Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen. Since I've been seen through by Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, I don't need to hide it; it was Prince Cheng's people who helped me fake my death and escape. But too many people have seen me; alas, having many friends is not what I wanted. After the matter was settled, I became a monk at Zhen'an Temple. However, I set up a manor at the foot of the mountain, and occasionally go down to eat meat. I am an impure monk, failing the Buddha; I have sinned!"

After saying that, he faced the direction of the main hall and said Amitabha.

Chen Guanlou gave a sneer and scolded, "You fake monk! Do you intend to be a monk for the rest of your life and ignore everything?"

"Being able to save my life is already a fluke; I dare not hope for anything else."

"How did you get involved with Prince Cheng?"

"Alas, it's all because wealth moves people's hearts. Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen knows that I am a big corrupt official, having embezzled countless money. Prince Cheng set his sights on my money and took the risk to help me fake my death and escape; I can only repay him with money. Amitabha!"

Chen Guanlou was very curious, "You spat out the money, and Prince Cheng didn't kill you? He is so kind? Tell me, what kind of person is Prince Cheng."

Liu Daowen said righteously: "Prince Cheng is a good person! Although he has great ambitions but lacks talent, he doesn't kill indiscriminately. Especially toward those who have made contributions. Being able to meet Prince Cheng is my good fortune. As for the rest, originally I was a person who should have died; now that I can hide in the mountains to cultivate, I cannot hope for anything else. Let everyone in the world mistakenly believe that I am already dead."

Chen Guanlou gave a light laugh upon hearing this, "You are quite open-minded! I hope you do what you say, and don't let me see you in the capital. Don't mention the matter of seeing me today to anyone; if you reveal a single word..."

"If I dare to reveal a single word, may I be struck by lightning and have no descendants!" Liu Daowen swore a poisonous oath decisively. He was also guessing why Chen Guanlou appeared in the remote Jinzhou, guessing the purpose of the other party's visit. But he didn't intend to tell anyone about today's encounter; it was of no benefit to him.

So when he swore the oath, there was no hesitation, and he didn't need to worry about fulfilling the oath. At this moment, he was sure he wouldn't reveal a single word.

"Ask you one thing, what is the background of your abbot?"

"Background? Grew up in the temple since childhood, no background; he is an orphan. After the previous abbot passed away, he inherited the position of abbot as the eldest disciple, and all the masters are very convinced by him!"

"Is his Buddhist dharma profound?"

"In my opinion, the abbot is an enlightened monk who doesn't come out of the world; he is not worse than the high monks in the capital."

"You admire him very much?"

"The abbot is a person with real ability. Although the abbot's martial arts cultivation is very average, he has unique insights in the study of Buddhist dharma, which can make people think deeply. Within a few hundred miles, every first and fifteenth day of the month, people don't fear hardship, traveling a hundred miles to the temple to burn incense, hoping to get guidance."

Chen Guanlou thought to himself, could the Marquis have converted to Buddhism and become a believer?

He was a little curious, but didn't intend to get to the bottom of this matter.

For the things the Marquis's Mansion wanted to do and the future direction, he would pay attention, but only pay attention. When help was needed, he would help casually. As for prying into their privacy, he really didn't have this idea.

When leaving, Chen Guanlou turned back and asked, "Your official career benefactor, the former leader, Jiang Tu, died; what are your thoughts?"

Liu Daowen took out his monk identity again and acted.

This guy switched identities so smoothly.

Facing the direction of the capital, he sighed, "Amitabha. This poor monk wishes Donor Jiang a smooth journey. I will chant the Rebirth Sutra for Donor Jiang for forty-nine days, hoping for peace in the next life."

"You are quite thoughtful." Chen Guanlou dropped a silver note, "Incense money! I can be considered to have accepted some benefits from Jiang Tu. You copy the scriptures for me and burn them for him, and bring him words: it's not that I am incompetent, but the officials in the court wanted him dead. Tell him to think it over; at least he left smoothly without suffering too much."

"Amitabha! Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen is indeed a kind person."

"Stop saying those useless things. Today I am kind; tomorrow if you provoke me, I will let you die."

"Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, rest assured, I have mediocre abilities in other things, but in terms of knowing the situation, I don't lose to anyone. Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen wants peace, and I also want peace; our goals are consistent."

"That's excellent! If one day you can't live anymore, send someone to say a word, and I will burn paper for you in the capital."

"Many thanks, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen! If that day really comes, you must burn more."

"Don't push your luck!"

Neither of them said words of parting; Chen Guanlou turned around and left, leaving no trace.

Liu Daowen looked around for a while, his heart pounding a few times before gradually slowing down, let out a long sigh, gave a self-deprecating laugh, picked up the scriptures, and continued to be his monk ringing the bell for the day.

Chen Guanlou rushed on the road for days, didn't stop much on the way, and returned to the capital in two days.

Left silently, and returned silently; it seemed no one noticed that he was not in the capital during this period, all thinking he was addicted to the gentle village, his waist broken, unable to get out of bed.

Handed the things to the Chief Steward, and the matter came to a successful conclusion. ===== CHAPTER 668 =====