Chapter 87: Be a Monk, Eat at Everyone's Table, Full!

At the gate of Wanren City.

The old monk pulled at the little monk, whose fierce expression was on full display and whose tawny-brown eyes were flickering incessantly.

He kept soothing him: "It's okay, it's okay!"

"It will be over soon."

"The new master I've found for you will be here any moment, be good, just wait a little longer."

"How much longer?" The little monk bit down anxiously on the back of the old monk's hand.

He gnashed his teeth and tugged relentlessly.

But no blood was drawn.

Seeing this, the look of loving kindness in the old monk's eyes grew even deeper.

The people coming and going nearby, however, frowned in disapproval at the sight.

Especially when they saw that the old monk not only failed to stop him but seemed to approve of it, they were left speechless.

That the little monk had been raised to have such a bad temper was at least half the old monk's doing!

Under the gaze of the crowd, the person the old monk had been waiting for so long finally appeared.

Although he had never met Lu Ren.

Yet, upon observing the monstrous, baleful flames on Lu Ren, he knew the person he was waiting for had arrived.

He felt slightly alarmed.

Even though he knew this Lu Family Head was no pushover, seeing the heaven-defying Merit and the monstrous demonic flames on him still made him tremble with fear.

This person was a mix of good and evil.

Without checks and balances, he would surely trigger chaos in the world.

But...

The old monk lowered his eyelids, looked at the little monk's fair, tender face, and ultimately just smiled.

What did the chaos of the world have to do with him?

This world was not that good to begin with.

"You are the monk who wants to find me?"

Lu Ren looked indifferently at the pair, one big and one small, before him, curious about their intentions.

When people from the Buddhist path met him, it was nothing but shouting and killing, or demanding he hand over the Red Lotus Karma Fire.

This was the first time he had encountered a bald donkey that wasn't so annoying.

However.

Wasn't the fawning look on this old monk's face a bit too thick? He seemed born to be inferior, looking at everyone with a hint of obsequiousness, and the way he rubbed his hands looked extremely wretched and base.

Lu Ren suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Interesting.

He had discovered a very interesting point.

But he did not expose it in front of others, instead waving his hand casually.

"All who come are guests, enter my Wanren City."

"Good, good!"

The old monk was overjoyed.

He scooped up the little monk, tucked him under his armpit, and hurried to keep up with Lu Ren's pace.

As he walked, he looked around Wanren City.

The layout and scenery within a city can greatly reflect the character of its lord.

The layout of Wanren City was grand, decorated with splendor, and possessed an extremely imposing atmosphere throughout.

Whether for mortals or cultivators, it was always suitable for living.

Unlike Hanbing Cheng.

The entire city of Hanbing Cheng was built from thousand-year cold ice; while it was crystal clear, it was also bone-chillingly cold.

Of course.

This could also reflect the financial power of a city lord.

However, he had heard that the lord of this Wanren City possessed a Dilao made of Silent Water.

Thinking distractedly, the old monk followed Lu Ren's pace.

When the two arrived at the Lu Family reception hall, the old monk was even more amazed.

Truly wealthy! Gold and jade splendor could be seen everywhere.

A rich man indeed.

So rich that even an old man like him felt a bit envious.

"You aren't a monk, are you?"

The old monk had not yet recovered from his reverie when he heard Lu Ren's sudden question.

He was stunned for a moment, then rubbed his bald head in extreme embarrassment.

"Is it that obvious?"

After muttering this, the old monk spoke frankly, "I am indeed not a monk, but monks are more popular these days."

If he dressed as a Daoist, he would be too embarrassed to go and sponge off other people's banquets.

But as a monk, one could just put on a show of chanting a few scriptures and sponge a meal at a mortal's house. This was their reliance for filling their stomachs.

He gave a fawning smile, his thin body also squeezing out a sycophantic look, "Lu Family Head has extraordinary insight; I have come this time to offer you an opportunity."

"An opportunity? I don't need it," Lu Ren said indifferently.

"This is an excellent opportunity; I wouldn't let anyone else know about it!" Ying Shi hurriedly urged.

The skin on his face was all bunched together.

It looked all wrinkled.

Like an old, dried-up vegetable.

And an old vegetable that had completely lost its moisture.

"Furthermore, I am dying," Ying Shi said with solemn certainty, spitting out the fact that his lifespan was nearing its end without hesitation, "Lu Family Head need not worry that I would use this opportunity to blackmail you."

"Only Lu Family Head can control such an opportunity."

"And you don't need to pay anything."

"You only need to adopt him."

As Ying Shi spoke, he pushed the impatient-looking little monk beside him forward.

He patted the little monk's shoulder and pointed at Lu Ren.

"Hurry up and say a few nice words."

"This is the new master I've found for you!"

Master.

Lu Ren keenly caught this word, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"What is his origin?"

Since he was a master, this little monk was definitely not human.

After hearing Lu Ren's question, Ying Shi rubbed his hands together in embarrassment.

A cautious smile squeezed out onto his wrinkled face.

"This... that..."

"Although Guai Guai's origin is a bit problematic, I believe Lu Family Head will definitely be able to afford to raise him!"

"And Guai Guai is really very well-behaved."

"He never eats people indiscriminately."

Eats people?

"His origin is a Fierce Beast?" Lu Ren narrowed his eyes slightly, connecting this to what the old monk had said, and a realization flashed through his mind, "He eats a lot? A Taotie?"

Ying Shi's expression suddenly froze.

He nodded with some restraint and unease.

"Indeed... yes..."

But he hurriedly tried to patch up his words.

"Lu Family Head, don't look at the fact that Guai Guai's origin is a Taotie, but I can guarantee you, he is really very well-behaved!"

"From the time he was born until now, I have been the one raising him."

"Guai Guai has never eaten anyone indiscriminately."

"I dare to swear upon the Great Dao."

A Taotie that doesn't eat people.

This was somewhat interesting.

Lu Ren sized up the little monk with tawny eyes; this little Taotie appeared extremely impatient, yet he was barely suppressing his temper.

A Taotie is never full in its entire life, always searching and seeking to eat to fill its stomach; if it were hungry to the extreme, it might even swallow the entire world.

Although the Qiongqi is a Fierce Beast and loathed by heaven and earth, it ultimately still has a chance to survive.

But the Taotie is different.

Heaven and earth never make things difficult for the Taotie, because the more the Taotie grows, the hungrier it becomes.

And then.

It devours itself.

Yet Ying Shi had actually taught this little Taotie so well that even though he was so hungry his eyes were almost turning red, he still obediently endured it.

But...

Raising a Taotie is Merit.

Ying Shi had already done the greater part of it.

Lu Ren was unwilling to be the one to reap the rewards.

He shook his head casually and, without waiting for Ying Shi to grow anxious, said, "You have indeed taught him well, but I have no intention of plundering another's Merit. If your lifespan is nearing its end, you may sell your services to my Wanren City, and I can provide you with a Life-Extending Pill."

Hearing the first part of Lu Ren's words, Ying Shi had been extremely anxious, but after hearing the latter part, he slowly calmed down, and a bitter smile appeared on his aged face.

He shook his head.

"No need."

"Even if I could extend my life, my lifespan is truly at its end. My natural talent is poor, and being able to reach this point is entirely because Guai Guai was willing to share his lifespan with me."

"Lu Family Head, please, I ask that you accept Guai Guai."

(End of this chapter)