Chapter 78: Holy Monk 44 (Peace Envoy Great Master)

Holy Monk 44 (Peace Envoy Great Master)

Because of the conflict between the king and the pope, the atmosphere in the capital gradually changed, but few people noticed.

What the nobles think about is always related to their own personal interests.

Recently, what they are most concerned about all has to do with Master Xuanji.

The sun is shining brightly, and the roses in the garden are in full bloom.

The daughter of Marquis William looked at herself in the mirror, admiring her beauty.

Her mother beside her muttered: 'The ship has been out for two months; I don't know how much longer it will take for the medicinal herbs to return…'

The marquis's daughter laughed: 'Mother, don't worry; if things go smoothly, it will be soon.'

'That's true! When the time comes, we'll ask the master to help and make more beauty and skincare medicine; the medicine from the great Eastern country is so effective, I look ten years younger just seeing it.'

The marquis's daughter looked at her mother's face and nodded in agreement.

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The baron knelt in front of his wife and pressed his ear against her swollen belly.

The baroness laughed nonstop: 'I heard that for a first pregnancy, fetal movement comes later; the baby won't be felt moving until six months.'

'I don't know whether our child will be a boy or a girl,' the baron said, stroking his wife's belly with a full smile, 'but whether it's a boy or a girl doesn't matter; they're both our treasure.'

The baroness gently said: 'We have to thank the master; thanks to him we have this child…'

As for the other nobles, those wanting to lose weight, those with constipation, those wanting beauty treatments, those with smelly feet…

They were all counting their gold, wanting to pay the consultation fee to the holy monk divine doctor who came from the East.

The holy monk is fine in every way, except he favors the poor, always taking the high consultation fees they give and using them to buy medicine for the poor, which makes them feel uneasy inside.

A certain holy monk whispered about by those nobles behind their backs is diligently building the reputation of a divine doctor in a foreign land.

The assassins sent by the pope were all thrown to his son and the guards to practice on, so he didn't need to worry about it.

In this world, no matter where you are, there are poor people, there are destitute folk who can't get enough to eat or afford treatment.

This Western continent isn't big, yet nearly ten countries are crammed together; Jiang He thought idly, if it were in the Central Plains, it would have long been unified into a single country.

Jiang Si Yin used to look at maps and couldn't help muttering: 'Even the smallest of these countries aren't as big as a county seat in Great Celebration; no wonder there are so many princes and princesses, they're practically worthless.'

Crammed together, the countries aren't without advantages—news can spread very quickly.

When Jiang He heard that a neighboring country had an outbreak, he didn't hesitate, immediately packed his bags, and took his son along.

That neighboring country really is close—riding a fast horse, they arrived in just two days.

Jiang Si Yin had originally been looking forward to it; he imagined the neighboring country should be a clean and hygienic nation.

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The despondent boy could only put on high heels with a face full of despair.

Indeed, fantasy would not become reality; he felt utterly hopeless about these countries where people relieve themselves anywhere—doesn't any king bother with sanitation?

The parrot laughed 'ga ga ga': 'Aren't you already used to it? Clearly, once you put on high heels you can move swiftly to cut down enemies, so why still look resistant?'

Jiang Si Yin wore an unhappy expression: 'It's true I'm used to it, but I always feel it's improper.'

If this were in Great Celebration, he'd surely be beaten to death by those who disapprove—a grown man actually twisting his waist and hips like that.

The parrot couldn't help bursting into laughter: 'Still a man? You little brat, has your fur grown in fully?'

Jiang Si Yin is fifteen in nominal age, but his actual age is still two years younger. Added to his late development, he still has a childish face; his body hasn't matured, which is fine, but his spirit hasn't either—clearly he should be at the age when youths start admiring love, yet he has little interest in women and only clings to his old father.

The parrot flew onto Jiang He's shoulder and asked anxiously: 'Host, are we considered a failure in raising him?'

Jiang He said calmly: 'He's still just a child.'

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It said softly: 'It seems that in the modern plane, every father of a sinful giant infant says this line.'

Behind every giant infant there is an indulgent old father; the system feels it can't be lazy any longer—where is child psychology? First give it five kilograms!

Jiang He and the system were happily bantering in his mind, not interfering with his actions: 'Xiao Yin, come over, dissect this mouse.'

Jiang Si Yin responded with an acknowledgement, picked up the small knife without changing his expression.

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The news that the holy monk from the East is a divine doctor spread across the continent in just a few short months.

Upon the arrival of the Eastern holy monk, this small country, covered in violets and named after its national flower, was very welcoming.

The king of Violet Country specially allocated Lo La Village near the capital as a medical clinic, sending all the sick there.

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According to past custom, rulers would gather the infected together and burn them to death.

But they soon discovered that the king wasn't actually intending to burn them to death; he truly wanted to find someone to cure them.

Jiang Si Yin examined the mouse corpses: 'Dad, these mouse remains are strange; I think they might be the source of this epidemic.'

'Not only that, there should also be the reason that people here neglect hygiene.' Jiang He said in a low voice; he hadn't slept for several days, his voice hoarse.

In Lo La Village, the only good thing is that the pope tacitly accepted that after he came into contact with so many patients, he was likely already infected and would eventually die, so they finally stopped sending assassins over.

The parrot always felt this wasn't the pope's style; looking at him, he didn't seem like a patient person.

It suggested: 'Host, we should still go check, but the pope's residence is three countries away—it's really far.'

Jiang He lowered his head, busy at work, with various plants beside him.

These plants were gathered by him from the nearby forest; although they can't completely cure the epidemic, after patients drink them their spirits improve greatly, able to greatly reduce the mortality rate.

Without raising his head he said: 'You go first to the king of Violet Country to check the situation.'

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Soon it found out that the people the pope had sent were actually ordering the king of Violet Country to burn the people in Lo La Village to death, to contain the spread of the epidemic.

The king of this country had just ascended the throne, still a soft-hearted youth; he looked displeased, several times wanting to jump up and curse the pope's lackeys, but his mother repeatedly pressed down on his shoulders.

"This is the Pope's order! Those who are sick should all be burned to death to eliminate future trouble." The messenger knight said arrogantly.

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Those who are sick should be burned to death, right? Then if the Pope gets sick, should he also be burned to death?

Upon hearing this news, Jiang He's severely sleep‑deprived eyes seemed shrouded in a gloom, looking sinister.

He saved the subjects under the Pope's rule; as a heretic, he couldn't bear to see the people of another nation die, while this Pope is quite generous.

He said gloomily: "Totally, you will convey the Pope's meaning out there, making sure everyone on this continent knows this is the Pope's meaning, and..." He handed the parrot a small pouch: "This is the virus‑strengthening extract I prepared; you go onto the Pope, then spread the news that he's infected, and I'll see if he's willing to burn himself to death!"

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Actually, after experiencing so many worlds, his mindset has become very calm; as long as it doesn't touch his bottom line, he won't worry too much.

But no matter what, respect for life is etched into his soul; he cannot be indifferent to life, nor does he allow others to be indifferent.

Previously, the Pope sent a bunch of assassins; he didn't mind, using them as practice for his son and the guards in the count's mansion. However, his not acting doesn't mean he's afraid.

Does the Pope really think that not moving against him means he's afraid? Does he truly believe he's God's spokesman, while this Buddha's spokesman would be afraid?

When the news spread out, it indeed caused an uproar.

The people were furious beyond measure; anyway, it's not you who dies, just flap your jaws and let them die, right?!!

Just then, other countries also reported outbreaks.

Even closing borders would be useless, since there are patients everywhere; they soon heard that the death rate in the Violet Kingdom had dropped, thanks to the Eastern holy monk treating them.

The sick felt as if they'd heard the gospel of God; that heretic had come to save them!

In this fervent atmosphere, even if God himself descended it wouldn't help; many people quietly sought Buddhist scriptures, deciding to still believe in the heretic, feeling he was more powerful, at least he could truly save them.

As a follower of the Buddha, spreading the Dharma is naturally also part of a monk's duty.

When Jiang He initially stayed at the blond captain's house, he specially translated a foreign‑language version of the Buddhist sutras and printed several thousand copies to distribute to the world.

Meanwhile, the king secretly helped a lot.

According to the king's idea, if his subjects converted to this religion it would be good; I heard that the Buddha's sons of this sect all have to obey the emperor.

The king's ambition was completely ignited; if the Pope could also listen to him, that would be good.

Originally, Jiang He's missionary work in this country, where the religion is extremely exclusive, naturally wasn't smooth; until this plague outbreak, he tirelessly entered the epidemic zone, even going into the forest to gather medicinal herbs to save people.

Compared with the Pope ordering people to seal off villages and burn the sick, especially targeting heretics, it's clear that the heretics are more trustworthy to them.

In this situation, Buddhist sutras mixed with Jiang He's ideas spread rapidly across the continent.

When the suffering masses heard that the Eastern holy monk had found the source of the epidemic, almost every household wanted to collect a Buddhist sutra, and some even gathered to recite them, with extremely devout expressions.

But soon, these people were dumbfounded.

"What? This epidemic is because of rats and our lack of hygiene?"

Both nobles and commoners were stunned, faces full of disbelief.

Various pieces of news quickly spread among the nobles and commoners of various countries.

"Our king adopted the heretic... holy monk's suggestion, saying he would properly handle waste, turning it into fertilizer to sell to farmers for planting; hearing it could increase yields by twenty to thirty percent, the farmers are very interested."

"I heard that the Eastern great nation handles it this way; their wheat grows sturdier than ours."

"Great, two birds with one stone! I really don't want another epidemic."

The people of this continent remain uneasy; just how many died in this epidemic? Rumor says about ten to twenty thousand.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Good news! Good news!" A commoner rushed into the crowd shouting, "The Pope is sick!"

As soon as this news came out, the people erupted in an uproar.

The king of the Violet Kingdom jumped up happily, "Quickly send a letter to the Pope, telling him to burn himself to death!"

Hardly had he finished speaking when the young king's mother slapped him, and the king dared not utter a sound.

The current Pope hopes more than anyone that the heretics quickly find a cure.

He held a pitch‑black Chinese medicine, uneasy, asking his attendants repeatedly: "Is this medicine really the strength‑tonic prescribed by the heretics for those patients?"

The attendant nodded, wearing a mask, and moved back silently without changing expression.

If the Pope weren't dead, his status would plummet; who would want to serve him?

The parrot stood at the window, silently watching.

After returning, it wore a pained expression and complained to its host: "Host, I really wish the Pope would die soon! You don't know, the Pope is sick yet he still goes to fight with his concubine fairies, calling it true love, but it's actually feudal superstition, thinking that passing the virus to others will cure him..."

The parrot swore: "Nonsense! Really thinking what he sprays out is virus?... If he weren't the leader of the church, I'd love to kill him right now!"

Yet it can't act, and must also watch lest competitors seize the chance to kill the Pope, fearing karmic repercussions.

In the mission world, if a figure of far‑reaching influence is killed directly or indirectly by the mission‑taker, they lose a lot of merit; only after the parrot personally carries out the mission does it understand these hosts' frustration.

Although the Pope is annoying, he is indeed a weighty figure in this world; since he is the Pope, he must not die at the hands of the mission‑taker.

Jiang He comforted: "Don't worry, soon he'll be willing but unable."

The parrot was finally soothed, and returned to diligently monitor the Pope.

One month later, Jiang He finally researched a cure for the epidemic.

At that time, the virus had already infected half the continent.

Because of the strength‑tonic formula he had initially published, most of the infected didn't die, and after taking the appropriate medicine they survived.

After formulating the medicine, Jiang He did not rush to leave.

Over the next two months, he brought his son and traveled nearly the entire continent, guiding epidemic treatment work.

Jiang Siyin matured greatly; although countless continental doctors joined, they didn't understand Chinese medicine and could only assist, he was busy running around, and at his young age his face already showed obvious dark circles.

"Doctor Jiang, when I grow up I want to marry you!" said the five‑year‑old blonde‑blue‑eyed girl, hugging his neck sweetly.

Jiang Siyin rarely teased the little girl, "But I'm about to head back east soon."

The young, beautiful concubine knelt to kiss, face devout, her mind full of gemstone sparkle; the last time she spent a night with the Pope, she received a set of jeweled ornaments.

"Public favor drops by 1, minus 1… favor drops by 100086…"

The farmer enthusiastically thrust a sack of flour over, and if it weren't for Jiang He's great strength, he would have barely caught it.

It was fine when the knight didn't shout, but when he did, the citizens present instantly felt a surge of bloodlust.

He laughed, "Yes, let's all clean the streets together, saying we'll use the cleanest city to welcome the Holy Monk's return."

Jiang Siyin came over and happened to hear his father's words, "Dad, what a blunder? Is the Pope sending assassins again?"

The Marquis William's daughter, for the sake of beauty, specially opened a sea route to the East.

The parrot smiled slyly, "Don't worry, I'm only reasoning with them and presenting the facts!"

The old steward was so angry he cursed loudly.

It turned out that even pagans could be so popular in a country with such strong religious exclusivity.

Human hearts are flesh, and they admit they won't follow the Eastern Holy Monk's teachings, but the fact that he saved them is undeniable, so they only read the Holy Monk's sutras privately, never openly changing their faith.

When they got home, the old steward brought a stack of invitations, all meant to invite monks as guests, "Holy Monk, would you like to pick one?"

During this time, the Marquis William's wife's words spread, saying the master's beauty medicine is more effective at delaying aging than a maiden's blood.

They first returned to the blond captain's country.

It's like the same dessert, same ingredients, same recipe, yet the dessert master's and an ordinary housewife's finished products are worlds apart.

When the Pope himself contracted the plague, he immediately changed his tone, saying it was God's test of this devout believer, and only by passing the test could one receive divine glory.

The parrot also started hopping, so its hatred of the Pope isn't without reason.

"Exactly." Jiang He nodded slightly, enjoying letting his son think, "If the Pope wants to keep the king in his grasp, what do you think is the best way?"

The Pope greedily indulged in the youthful vigor of his young mistress.

This scene was just like the steppe years ago.

"This time the king's capital tour, the guard—no, he'll probably have soldiers escort him."

When everything ended, he waved his hand for the mistress to step down and summoned his capable subordinate.

The parrot hopped on its host's shoulder, exclaiming, "Wow, Jiang Siyin's kid is quite popular with women! Speaking of which, at his age he should be arranged a marriage in Da Qing."

Jiang Siyin smiled and replied with a nod.

Jiang He said, "You're wrong; they're not welcoming pagans, but doctors… or rather agronomists."

This is the classic "lift the bowl to eat, put the bowl down to curse mother" scenario.

Jiang Siyin asked puzzled, "The king's thirtieth birthday celebration?"

The farmers wore joyful smiles, pushing forward forcefully, shouting, "Thank you, Holy Monk, we used the fertilizer you mentioned; this year's wheat is a great harvest!"

Jiang Siyin finally couldn't hold back laughter, laughing uproariously, "But when you grow up, I'll already be old."

A lifesaver's filter made these noble ladies firmly believe that the Holy Monk's beauty cream can definitely make one beautiful.

They shouted, "My main goal is to eliminate pagans!"

He decided that after returning, he would advise the Emperor of Da Qing to raise the marriage age by two years, since girls of nominal age fifteen or sixteen marrying too early makes childbirth dangerous.

Jiang He was here pulling a cold stick on a church knight, and upon hearing it he warned, "Don't let this get out of hand."

Jiang He, after listening, glanced at him, "Then after we finish our report, we'll return to Da Qing."

Jiang Siyin said goodbye to those enthusiastic patients and left with his father.

Ahhh, it must be the aftereffects of chanting!

At that time the mistress strutted over the former mistress, looking at the former's dull blond hair and skin gaunt from illness, she thought proudly, "Serving the Pope is such an honor; I certainly won't be as indiscreet as the former mistress."

The master who dotes on his son has no choice but to go along; now the Pope has murderous intent again, and he truly can't trust the child to go out alone.

A young girl voiced the world's thoughts in public, only to have a frightened mother quickly cover her mouth.

Jiang Siyin had no choice but to swear to his father that he would be careful and never cause a death, and only then did his father pause his chanting.

"Dad is overthinking; there are only so many test subjects, they must be reused, how could I cheapen lives?" Jiang Siyin muttered softly.

If they remember correctly, when the Pope first fell ill with the plague, it was the pagans who cured him.

Thus, the visitors increased, and even the king was intrigued.

"Whoa, Lao Te Pu!" the parrot flapped its wings, eyes wide, "Your city has become so clean; everyone finally cares about hygiene."

As soon as they entered the royal capital, they were shocked, then they saw the old steward waiting there.

"The Pope is really annoying!"

Indeed, politicians have filthy hearts; their skill at burning bridges is formidable.

The parrot said, "Host, don't worry; in my view the king will act soon."

Jiang Siyin was very interested; he simply enjoys joining the excitement.

Assassins swarmed from all directions, but this time he could finally not be a hindrance, no longer needing his father's protection; he could fight side by side with his father!

The Pope despised her for not being sincere enough during his illness, tossing her out like trash.

Jiang Siyin never imagined they would leave this western continent in such a distinctive way again.

The old steward said, "Yes, when the time comes our nation will hang lanterns and streamers to celebrate the king. The king will tour the capital, and all the citizens will come out to see him… Our count's mansion has booked the best seats to watch the royal procession."

"Since you're unwilling to serve God, then go see Satan!"

The parrot flapped its wings and stood silently in the shadow of the magnificent castle.

After the Pope recovered, she, however, became infected.

They heard her ship was waiting at the dock; they can set sail for the East whenever they wish, as long as he returns to Da Qing and immediately makes her a beauty cream.

Jiang Siyin thought for a moment, then clapped, "An alliance marriage! He's definitely looking for a noble lady to present to the king…"

"This is flour we milled from this year's new wheat, for your pastries."

The young girl thought hard, "Then when I grow up I'll come find you; you can't marry someone else."

Though the Marquis's daughter's apprentice's work was far better than what's popular domestically, it still fell short of the master's own hand. The Marquis's daughter harbored no doubts; she watched the entire pharmaceutical process from start to finish, attributing the difference solely to the Holy Monk's craftsmanship.

The young girl stared at him with a bewildered face, "If you're old, can't you get married?"

You must not deduct merit!

After all, now is the best time to act; this time the pope has contracted an epidemic, letting the continent's subjects realize that the pope is not God's spokesperson—look, which God's spokesperson gets sick?

"I heard the heretics made a medicine that makes people younger? How effective is it?"

Jiang He frowned, still saying that line: "He's still young."

Jiang Si Yin came to his senses, smiling obsequiously at his father, "Father, who is the pope's foolish move aimed at? The king?"

This time the pope is preparing to lose face, because the knights sent over are all wearing the church's uniforms, blatantly not caring about their faces.

The smile on his face was bright: "Although I've taken many detours, I finally found a career I can persist in and want to pursue for life."

The pope held the porcelain bottle in his hand, his eyes full of delight, but his tone carried regret: "What a pity he's a heretic; disrespecting God is his greatest sin! I sent people to test him—if he's willing to abandon the Buddha and convert to God, I'd give him a bishop's position—but he actually refused."

The mistress felt her luck was truly good; the pope's former mistress, during his illness, hid for fear of infection, and in the end was tied to the bed by the pope.

Jiang He, considering the gold, naturally agreed.

"By the pope's order, heretics must die!"

Jiang Si Yin's ears buzzed; clearly his father isn't one to ramble, so why is he so talkative? It's like chanting sutras.

Tsk, when the pope fell ill, he nevertheless prayed to God, hoping the heretics would live well and quickly research a cure.

Later he realized, since the medicine's main test subject is humans, it doesn't matter that he couldn't find white mice for testing—he directly used humans.

On both sides of the royal city's streets were commoners holding sutras, offering flowers to the holy monk father and son; even the parrot's neck had a small garland placed on it, so beautiful it flew about wildly, showing off to people.

The old steward warmly welcomed them into the city, as if welcoming the master's return.

Men also have beauty needs; he divorced the queen and still wants to remarry—if the new queen were younger, standing beside her wouldn't feel so out of place.

Because of this idea, his father muttered 'Amitabha Buddha' for half a day, then lectured him for three days and three nights, saying to respect life, not act willfully, not disregard life, etc.

These words were spoken with righteous vigor, and everyone was shocked by them.

An assassin's life is also a life; he will cherish it carefully, even preparing ginseng, guaranteeing he can rescue the person before the assassin dies.

The parrot flapped its plump wings, looking startled as it covered its beak: "Oh dear, host, you said when you went to the grasslands, the grassland war broke out; when you came to the Western countries, war was also about to break out... Do you look like a detonator to you?"

He saw some farmers mixed in the crowd; they were easy to identify.

Hehe, let this weak, innocent parrot investigate the pope's shortcomings; meanwhile, the king over there is sharpening his swords, eager to start a war—better to lend the king a hand, so he doesn't miss his chance.

That prescription is indeed good; the problem is, only the medicine he personally makes achieves the best effect.

Jiang He and his son, carrying a pile of gifts, finally returned to the blond ship captain's home.

After traveling for nearly three years, he finally had enough courage, preparing to return to Daqing, that land where he once lost much of his homeland.

This time, what will the pope send her?

Jiang Si Yin felt he would never forget this scene.

In the blink of an eye, they were at the king's celebration.

The king's celebration would only start tomorrow; he never imagined the pope would pick this time to kill.

The guards responsible for picking them up breathed a sigh of relief; the citizens of the royal city were too enthusiastic, they were almost being squeezed flat.

The continental commoners who first witnessed the effects of Chinese medicine were simply crazy; even the miss of the William Marquis' mansion, who had herbal medicine bought from the East brought to the dock, saw a constant stream of visitors—all noblewomen wanting to beautify themselves.

"Guards! Protect the holy monk!"

In the luxuriously decorated castle, the pope extended his hand covered with age spots.

Jiang He said coldly, "So after the celebration, we'll leave; in the situation of losing face, we're even less safe."

Just like the previous king and his queen cousin, having a queen supported by the pope makes it difficult for the king to divorce.

The knight lurking in the shadows replied, "Lady William Marquis looks ten years younger."

The king isn't stupid either; launching a campaign now is exactly what the people want; wait for the pope to come to his senses, then sweet-talk the people back—by then there won't be such a good opportunity.

In Daqing, girls are thirteen or fourteen, boys fifteen or sixteen when they meet; then the marriage preparations take one or two years—basically, once the girl turns fifteen and has her coming-of-age ceremony, the boy aged seventeen or eighteen can marry.

It shouted, "Master, wait, justice will descend from heaven!"

Before the pope contracted the epidemic, he kept saying the epidemic was because they disrespected God, God grew angry and sent punishment—being burned to death was what they deserved.

Jiang He's calm voice sounded: "What are you thinking? The pope's foolish move isn't aimed at us; the only things aimed at us are open assassination and covert assassination, so even if Dad is by your side, you need to stay alert."

The marquis's miss also had a good business sense, and had considered buying the prescription from the holy monk.

Now he isn't the slightest bit afraid of this, speaking enthusiastically: "Indeed, it's a great idea to kill us during the king's parade when there's a crowd! Oh dear, I just made some medicine, and I lack test subjects."

At that moment, a hand as beautiful as white jade lightly tapped his head.

Anyway, the pope has said all the good and bad; if the pope had a favorability system, he would surely hear:

So he wouldn't have to painstakingly catch mice for testing.

Fresh flowers, fruit, pastries, handkerchiefs...

Jiang He pondered, quickly grasping the king's thought: "He's trying to show off his muscles... Tsk, by then the pope will surely panic, and in his flustered state he'll definitely make a foolish move."

Jiang He: "..." I'm not, I didn't, I'm wronged! Look at me, such a big peace envoy!

Outside the earl's mansion, citizens hearing the news rushed over, they lay at the gate anxiously watching the master being besieged by a group of knights.

His father said white mice were best, but he hadn't seen a single white mouse; all he could catch were black mice.

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