Chapter 67: Not as Good as Having the Poor Monk Salvation

"Master, your righteousness is commendable." The shopkeeper praised him.

Returning to the two ordinary rooms the shopkeeper had prepared for Tang Luo and his group.

Everyone gathered in one of them.

They needed to discuss how to proceed next.

"I once undertook a similar mission," Tang Luo said, "which bears some resemblance to this one."

He referred to the mission to find Jack the Ripper.

Likewise, in the same city, a series of bizarre murders occurred, and similarly, they were tasked with finding "a certain object."

Setting aside various backgrounds, essentially, it is the same.

Only the mission requirements differ: one is to search, the other to obtain.

The latter requires going even further.

After hearing Tang Luo's description of that mission, the four fell into deep thought.

After a while, Han Guang spoke: "Master, do you mean that the origin of the mission might be its endpoint? Is the skull we seek located in that abandoned village?"

"No, I wish to say, the essence of gods and demons—" Tang Luo paused.

All four widened their eyes.

Are we jumping straight to the essence of gods and demons?

This master is too intense!

It's as if we're still learning addition and subtraction, while the other side has already begun researching the essence of mathematics, entering the realm of philosophy.

"I believe the essence of gods and demons is the same as that of humans—both are repeaters," Tang Luo said.

The essence of gods and demons is a repeater.

Tang Master's words were startling and enlightening.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Hahahaha!" Three seconds later, Han Guang burst into laughter.

The three newcomers stared at Han Guang in bewilderment.

That joke is so cold.

"Master, you're truly humorous." Han Guang laughed until tears came.

"..."

"Well, Master thinks the two missions are similar. So, are the strange events in Anshan City related to our mission?" Du Shun asked.

"No, I mean to say, I am truly not skilled at such search missions," Tang Luo said.

"..."

Han Guang's smile froze—no way!

Where's the promised thigh?

Why did he suddenly become unreliable?

"Master's abilities are extraordinary; naturally, he need not concern himself with such trifles." Two seconds later, Han Guang shifted tactics, finding a new angle to praise.

Regardless of skill, the other's strength stands before us.

It's better than blindly bumping around as an ordinary person.

"I plan to check out that bounty tomorrow morning," Tang Luo said, "regardless of whether it's related to the mission, I will act. What are your plans, benefactors?"

"We... should inquire about the little matchstick girl?" Han Guang pondered and said.

The three newcomers also nodded.

They also dared not rashly involve themselves in any mysterious, strange events.

With the situation unclear, acting rashly could get one killed.

"Very well, I will bestow a blessing upon you all, granting one safety," Tang Luo said.

The four agreed.

They were not worried that Tang Luo might use the pretext of blessing to tamper with them.

Or rather, worrying would be useless.

The path before them is not broad.

Leave Tang Luo, decide your own fate.

Or choose to follow Tang Luo, accept his certain degree of protection and blessing.

Let the blessing be the blessing.

Throughout the journey, Master Xuanzang's conduct still matched everyone's image of an enlightened high monk.

Neither hurried nor delayed, balanced in tension and relaxation.

The blessing process is very simple.

Xuanzang silently recited a few sutras; golden light flickered on the four, then quickly faded.

It will activate autonomously when danger arises.

As Tang Luo said, it grants one safety.

After that, it depends on the individuals' fortune.

The next day, Han Guang and the four went early to inquire about information regarding the "little matchstick girl."

Tang Luo headed toward the several major households mentioned by the shopkeeper.

The bounty notice was issued by the three prominent families of Anshan City.

They are the Lu family, the Kong family, and the Ding family.

But this bounty is quite interesting.

The bounty is divided into two parts in total.

One part is jointly issued by the Lu family and the Ding family.

The other part is issued by the Kong family.

According to the shopkeeper's gossip, the Kong family actually hasn't encountered any trouble.

He posted the bounty just to annoy the Lu and Ding families—more precisely, to annoy the Ding family, so they wouldn't quickly find capable people to resolve the matter.

The bounty has been posted for over a month, yet it remains unresolved.

It's unclear whether the Kong family's troublemaking is the main cause, or if the situation is genuinely strange.

The major households of Anshan City all reside in the northern district.

It is near the mountains and has lakes, with an elegant and comfortable environment.

There is nothing particularly worth considering.

Tang Luo naturally tore down a bounty notice and headed to the Lu family.

The Kong family is merely causing trouble; Tang Luo's true goal in stirring up affairs in Anshan City is—whether it be monsters and spirits, or whatever demons and monsters.

Following the address on the notice, he arrived at a courtyard of the Lu family.

Several household servants were present.

Though all were quite sturdy in build, they appeared somewhat lethargic and uneasy.

Upon the arrival of the person who took the notice, there was no particular delight.

Before Tang Luo arrived, several others who had taken the notice were already in the courtyard.

There was a burly man carrying two large cleavers.

A very plump, pale-faced monk.

A middle-aged swordsman with a goat beard, carrying a sword.

There was also a man of ordinary appearance but with thick, coarse palms.

Dong Yuan and Xu Yi were not seen.

Normal divine or demonic wanderers would not act like Tang Luo does.

The task to be completed remains utterly confusing, with no clues at all, yet he proactively involved himself in other matters.

Unless the divine or demonic wanderer has already decided to abandon the task and now seeks to make amends through other means.

Sometimes, after attempting to complete the task, one finds it overly difficult.

Then one gives up, instead seeking other benefits from the task world to enhance oneself—this is also a good option.

Of course, the premise is that the number of failed tasks is not too high.

If one reaches the critical point, even the most difficult task must be pursued desperately.

Regarding Tang Luo's arrival, the others showed no reaction.

On the contrary, the plump monk's smile faded.

Such a situation makes fellow travelers enemies, alas.

Tang Luo's appearance surpasses his by more than just a little.

Aside from a slightly youthful face, he completely outclasses him.

Not long after, a group entered the courtyard from within.

Leading them was a pale-faced young nobleman with no facial hair, dressed like a scholar, his complexion somewhat sallow, occasionally coughing twice.

It is unknown whether he is unwell or injured.

Besides the household servants behind him, he was also followed by a sturdy old man.

"This is the Lu family's eldest son, Lu Zhi," the servant introduced, "and this is Senior Tang of the Wujin Palm."

Lu Zhi bowed slightly to the group and spoke loudly: "Since you've all taken the notice, I won't waste words—let me now tell you the specifics..."

These days, servants of the Lu and Ding families have been dying one after another.

Some have been found with broken corpses.

Others have not even left behind bodies.

The places of death are scattered throughout Anshan City.

All died mysteriously while out on errands.

At first, the deaths occurred at night, later spreading to daytime.

Even on certain nights, the gatekeepers at the mansions of both families vanished—two died.

Such great families, yet forced to be unable to leave their homes.

Fortunately, there has been no "killing at home"—for now, they are safe.

After hearing Lu Zhi's words, some turned grave, others remained unchanged.

"Master Lu, the monk understands the situation—what about the reward?" the plump, pale-faced monk said with a smiling squint.

Initially, the Ding and Lu families had clearly stated the price.

But the Kong family added a bit to their offered price, clearly intending to annoy people.

Now the notice only says "heavy reward," without specifying the amount.

"Rest assured, monk, my Lu family may lack other things, but we still have some wealth," Lu Zhi said, slapping his palm with great generosity.

Soon, someone presented a wooden tray covered with black cloth.

The black cloth bulged high, like a small hill.

The servants carrying the tray also appeared somewhat strained.

Lu Zhi pulled off the black cloth with one hand, revealing a pile of silver inside, with a piece of gold on top.

Tang Luo wasn't quite clear how much purchasing power this tray of gold and silver represented.

But seeing the greed bursting from the eyes of the fat monk, and the others' breathing quickening somewhat,

one could tell the value was absolutely not insignificant.

"Is this... for all of us, or just one person?" the fat monk asked.

"Whoever resolves the matter gets it." Lu Zhi said, "The Ding family will also present an equally grand gift—provided they remain unharmed afterward."

One matter, double reward, double joy!

"Amitabha." The fat monk said, "This matter I will take upon myself, though I need some funds to make preparations, I wonder..."

"No rush."

Lu Zhi interrupted the fat monk's words, "Our sincerity, you few have seen. What about the sincerity of those few?"

The implication was simple.

At least show what you're actually capable of.

"What's difficult about that?" The fat monk smiled slightly, walked to the corner of the courtyard, and bent over.

When he returned, there were two more stones in his hand, apparently just picked up.

"Young Master Lu, watch closely!" The fat monk exerted force with both hands.

The two stones held in his palm were actually crushed into powder by him outright.

Not merely crushed, but directly ground into fine powder, which fell from his palm.

"A trifling trick, please forgive my clumsiness." The fat monk said with a smile, clapping his hands.

No one nearby laughed.

Everyone's expressions varied, some strange.

Seeing the atmosphere was off, the fat monk's smile gradually stiffened.

"Such a trick, daring to come to my Lu household to swindle! Take him away and slaughter him!" Lu Zhi instantly changed expression.

Two servants, without a word, lunged forward.

They subdued the fat monk's resistance.

Clearly, the earlier "stone to powder" really was, as Lu Zhi said, just a trick.

The fat monk's face turned truly pale now—originally just trying to swindle some money, he hadn't expected to possibly be killed?

He panicked and shouted: "I was wrong! Young Master Lu, I dare not do it again!"

Lu Zhi remained unmoved.

At such a critical moment, one must use thunderous methods.

Previously, those who encountered this were handed over to officials; I didn't expect there to still be fools.

Then let's kill the chicken to scare the monkey.

The Lu family can afford it.

"Junior brother! Junior brother! Save me!" The fat monk, seeing his pleas were useless,

"Panicked and without recourse," he suddenly turned and shouted at Tang Luo beside him: "Even if we have grievances, now is this time—you can't just stand by and watch someone die, can you!"

I don't know if it's desperation driving him to seek any cure, or dragging someone down with him at death's door.

Or perhaps both?

"Huh?"

Lu Zhi looked doubtfully at Tang Luo.

"Amitabha."

Tang Luo raised one hand before his chest and said to Lu Zhi, "Benefactor, heaven values life and abhors wanton killing; this person's crime does not deserve death. Better yet, let me guide him to repentance."