Chapter 547

After all, the Water and Land Dharma Assembly is a critical moment for expanding the influence of Fomen, so many monks who were unable to participate in the assembly were using the method of begging for alms to propagate the concepts of Fomen, the Buddha, and information about the Western Paradise.

Therefore, in Changancheng now, a beggar holding a Nine-Ringed Monk Staff of Fomen and wearing a tattered kasaya had become famous.

The two had not walked far on the streets of Changancheng when a foolish monk who had not been chosen to participate in the Water and Land Dharma Assembly saw the treasure in their hands, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Hey! Beggar, stop looking, I'm talking to you!"

The Subduing Dragon Luo Han and the Subduing Tiger Luo Han, who had transformed into beggars, were called out by a monk.

"I see that you two have an affinity with my Buddha. This poor monk is willing to convert you both into Fomen, as long as you hand over the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff in your hands. What do you two think?"

This monk had taken a fancy to the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff in the Subduing Dragon Luo Han's hand; after all, even with its divine light hidden, the appearance of the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff was quite eye-catching.

Therefore, this monk wanted to pocket it.

As for the Brocade Kasaya on the Subduing Dragon Luo Han, the monk gave up on it entirely; after all, it was a smelly kasaya, and he didn't know if it was tainted with any diseases.

The monk had no interest in it.

Hearing the monk's words, the Subduing Dragon Luo Han and the Subduing Tiger Luo Han could not help but complain inwardly.

Saying they had an affinity with Fomen—as the Subduing Dragon Luo Han and the Subduing Tiger Luo Han, how could they not have an affinity with Fomen?

And the moment he opened his mouth, he wanted the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff that belonged to the Monk Cihang.

One can only say that this person had truly inherited the mantle of the two Saints, Jieyin and Zhunti.

But even so, it was impossible for the Subduing Dragon Luo Han to hand over the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff; after all, if the Subduing Dragon Luo Han could decide the ownership of the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff himself.

I fear that by now, the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff would have long been pocketed by the Subduing Dragon Luo Han, and there would be no business for the old monk.

"No, no, joining Fomen doesn't even guarantee a full meal, I won't agree."

The Subduing Dragon Luo Han was currently in the guise of a beggar, so his words had to fit the persona of a beggar.

"Since you two do not wish to convert to my Fomen, then name a price. This poor monk is very fond of this Nine-Ringed Monk Staff."

When it came to money, the old monk felt a pang of heartache; after all, with the convening of the Water and Land Dharma Assembly.

Fomen had spread throughout Changancheng, and naturally, he had 'begged for alms' quite a bit during this time.

However, having been poor for so long, he felt heartache even spending a single cent, which is why the old monk had initially tried to get the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff by offering to convert them to Fomen.

"If you can produce five thousand taels for this staff, I will sell it!"

The Subduing Dragon Luo Han stated a price that the old monk could never possibly afford, hoping the man would retreat in the face of difficulty.

"What! You poor beggar, have you gone mad from poverty? This broken staff is actually worth five thousand taels?"

The old monk, hearing the Subduing Dragon Luo Han's quote, could hardly believe his ears.

One must know that in all the days the old monk had been begging, he had only managed to obtain a thousand taels of silver.

"Where did this foolish monk come from? If you can't afford it, don't ask."

The Subduing Dragon Luo Han had no good feelings toward this old monk, so his words were quite harsh.

"You! You! You! This staff, worth five thousand taels, tell me then, can it help people live forever, or can it send people directly to the Western Paradise?"

The old monk was very fond of the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff in the Subduing Dragon Luo Han's hand, so he was unwilling to give up just like that, and thus he began to haggle.

"You want to live forever or go to the Western Paradise for five thousand taels? Are you the one who hasn't woken up, or am I?"

The Subduing Dragon Luo Han did not want to tangle with this person, so he took the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff and left with the Subduing Tiger Luo Han.

This day was finally the eighty-first day of the Water and Land Dharma Assembly.

Seeing that the Water and Land Dharma Assembly was about to conclude, the Subduing Dragon Luo Han hurried toward the Xuanwu Gate, preparing to hand the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff and the Brocade Kasaya to the Monk Cihang, the reincarnation of the Great Bodhisattva Guanyin.

At this moment, there were not many commoners watching outside the Xuanwu Gate.

It was not that the people of Changancheng were not curious about the Water and Land Dharma Assembly, but because there were troops stationed outside the Xuanwu Gate to prevent any accidents that might cause the assembly to fail.

After all, this concerned the life of the Tang Emperor Li Shimin, so it could not be taken lightly.

Currently, the person responsible for maintaining order outside the Xuanwu Gate was Cheng Yaojin, one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion.

As for Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong, the two were still guarding the side of the Tang Emperor Li Shimin.

At this moment, the bored Cheng Yaojin was lying on a recliner, fast asleep.

And at this moment, the Subduing Dragon Luo Han and the Subduing Tiger Luo Han, acting as if there was no one else around, walked directly toward the Xuanwu Gate.

"Stop, this is a restricted area of the imperial palace; is this a place where two beggars like you can enter?"

The Subduing Dragon Luo Han and the Subduing Tiger Luo Han had not yet approached the Xuanwu Gate when they were stopped by a soldier.

And Cheng Yaojin, who had been fast asleep, opened his eyes the instant he heard this voice.

Seeing the beggar transformed from the Subduing Dragon Luo Han holding the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff, Cheng Yaojin became interested.

It was not that he had any opinion about the beggar or had heard of the Subduing Dragon Luo Han's deeds, but rather that guarding this place was so boring that even the slightest change could pique Cheng Yaojin's interest.

"Let them in!"

Hearing Cheng Yaojin's voice, the soldier who had stopped them dared not say another word; he not only let them enter but even personally led them to pay their respects to Cheng Yaojin.

Just as Cheng Yaojin viewed the Tang Emperor Li Shimin, this soldier viewed Cheng Yaojin.

He was a big shot whose single thought could decide their wealth, future, and even life or death.

Therefore, having an opportunity to curry favor, the soldier was prepared to seize it.

However, before the soldier could say anything, Cheng Yaojin waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw.

Cheng Yaojin had seen too many people like this, so naturally, he did not give him a pleasant look.

Instead, Cheng Yaojin looked directly at the beggars transformed from the Subduing Dragon Luo Han and the Subduing Tiger Luo Han.

His eyes were drawn to the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff in the Subduing Dragon Luo Han's hand.

It was not that Cheng Yaojin saw the extraordinary nature of the Nine-Ringed Monk Staff, but rather that he saw its extraordinary weight.

One must know that Cheng Yaojin wielded a Xuanhua Mountain-Opening Axe, and he was exceptionally fond of such heavy objects.