Chapter 68: True·Soul Salvation

"Ha!"

Lu Zhi laughed, "Monk, don't deceive yourself."

Anyone with eyes could see this plump figure—whether it was truly a monk or a fraud, it had nothing to do with this well-built white-haired monk.

Why did this white-haired monk jump out to play the good Samaritan?

The compassion of monastics isn't used like this.

Behind Lu Zhi, "Black Gold Palm Tang Senior" subtly nudged Lu Zhi, and when he turned, gave him a look.

Lu Zhi showed a questioning expression.

The sturdy Tang-surnamed elder nodded slightly.

"Alright, since the Dharma Master is interested in salvation, shall we broaden our horizons?" Lu Zhi rephrased.

"Thank you, benefactor." Tang Luo placed one hand before his chest and slightly bowed his head.

The two servants dragged the plump monk back and threw him before Tang Luo.

The plump monk moved quite nimbly, rolling on the spot, half-lying, half-kneeling on the ground: "Thank you, Great Master!"

"Thank you, Young Master Lu!"

"I was wrong! I won't dare do it again next time!"

After saying that, he tried to run away.

"Wait." Tang Luo spoke, stopping the plump monk, "The poor monk hasn't yet performed salvation; let the junior master repent."

Though he clearly looked much younger, he called this white, plump monk "junior master," which was somewhat strange.

"Great Master, I have repented! I truly know I was wrong!"

The plump monk dropped to his knees again, tears streaming, snot and tears flowing, wailing bitterly.

Simply hearing it was heartbreaking; seeing it brought tears.

But inside, he was frenziedly roaring and cursing.

He had already decided—later, when he left, he would go to the Kong family.

Sell all the Lu family's intelligence.

"Junior Master." Tang Luo extended his hand, gently stroking the plump monk's dog head, "Whether you have repented is for the poor monk to decide."

His five fingers closed, gripping the plump monk's head.

The plump monk's body instantly stiffened, unmoving; his face, still streaming with tears and snot, froze in expression.

"It's been a long time since I performed salvation." Tang Luo murmured, closed his eyes, silently recited a few sutras, and likewise remained still.

"What is this?"

Not only Lu Zhi, but everyone wore a dazed expression.

Is this what's called salvation?

What the hell?

This is clearly just stroking a dog's head, smiling silently.

"Tang Elder..." Lu Zhi looked toward the Black Gold Palm.

Tang Jin shook his head: "I'm not entirely sure either, but based on my years of experience, this little monk is absolutely extraordinary."

Lu Zhi nodded.

Tang Jin had traveled south and north, his experience extremely rich, his strength not insignificant, and he was utterly loyal to the Lu family.

Though a servant, his status in the Lu family was high.

Even Lu Zhi, this direct-line eldest son, treated him with added respect.

Though others couldn't see it, in reality, salvation had already begun.

At the moment Tang Luo gripped the plump monk's head, the monk felt himself being drawn out.

Consciousness separated from the body.

When he came to, he found himself floating in midair.

His body was like mist and cloud, vague and indistinct.

His head was still being held.

By that monk.

Suspended in midair just like him.

But compared to his own faint, elusive form, the monk looked almost like a real person.

The only difference was the dim golden light at the back of the head.

Which turned the white robe he wore into gold.

Looking closely, one would notice the monk also had a faint sense of transparency.

"The 'Soul Salvation Sutra'—I haven't used it in a long time." Tang Luo released his hand, his eyes showing a hint of reminiscence.

The so-called 'Soul Salvation Sutra' is the method Tang Luo cultivates, specializing in strengthening and fortifying the soul.

During his westward journey, Tang Luo, seeking to travel a thousand miles a day and soon master fate,

took the path of reducing strength tenfold through force, cultivating only the physical body.

This extreme path naturally had a major flaw in the early and middle stages.

For attacks that bypass the physical body and target the soul, he had little defense.

Thus, the 'Soul Salvation Sutra' was created—a special method jointly developed by all to compensate for the flaw.

After achieving great accomplishment in practice.

Not only did it compensate for the flaw, but it also enabled Tang Luo to self-attain a unique, physical-method-based soul salvation great method, which he called "Soul Salvation."

It is exactly the state now appearing somewhat like "primordial spirit emerging from the orifice."

At that time, during the first mission, after stepping out of that tomb chamber, Tang Luo looked back, and it was because he felt a sense of familiarity.

Of course, it is not saying that the special state at that time is the same as Tang Luo's current state of performing "Du Hun".

It is merely similar.

"Poor monk, I will now begin to convert you."

Tang Luo looked at the portly monk before him and smirked.

He slapped him across the face.

A cry of extreme misery.

If a normal person shouted like that, they would tear their throat.

But this portly monk will not.

Because the soul does not "tear the throat".

"Very good, the feeling is still there." Tang Luo nodded.

His only "non-physical attack" method is precisely the Du Hun before him.

Using his own soul to beat another's soul (spirit).

How to beat?

Just beat however one normally would, just as usual.

Moreover, because it belongs to "soul attack", when fighting, it is especially painful.

Much more effective than regular physical conversion.

Tang Luo rarely succeeded in persuading enemies to "lay down the butcher's knife and become Buddha instantly" — that was due to Du Hun.

Now, the injury limit is already "one success force".

Performing Du Hun poses no problem.

So, it is time to let this fraudulent monk "lay down the butcher's knife".

"Ah ah ah ah! Master, I was wrong! I truly was wrong! I dare not do it again!"

In the view of Lu Zhi and others, it was that white-haired monk grabbing the bald head of the portly fraudulent monk.

Both sides remained motionless, continuing for a while.

Then, the white-haired monk withdrew his hands and stepped back, palms together.

Tranquil, harmonious.

Following his motion, the motionless portly fraudulent monk instantly burst into tears like a two-hundred-catty newborn infant.

Lu Zhi swore.

In his life, he had never seen an adult cry so "unrestrainedly", as if wanting to cry out his soul.

In this crying and shouting, everyone could feel the sincerity of repentance.

Completely different from the earlier "wailing with tears, feigned repentance".

"Master, I will now disperse all my family wealth to give to those in need, then turn myself in."

The portly fraudulent monk twitched his body, speaking intermittently: "If there comes a day when I emerge, I will truly be an ancient Buddha with the green lamp, never parting, repenting and atoning."

"Good."

Feeling the merit jade lotus again absorb a stream of merit power from the void, Tang Luo slightly nodded.

Who said Master Xuanzang only knows physical conversion?

"Young Master Lu — "

That portly fraudulent monk again knelt before Lu Zhi, almost prostrating himself fully to express apology.

"Did he really convert him?" Lu Zhi stared, mouth agape.

What exactly did this white-haired monk do?

Does the world still have such terrifying, mysterious martial arts?

His gaze toward Tang Luo directly changed.

After the fraudster kowtowed, he slowly rose, step by step walking out of the courtyard.

So painful, my whole body aches.

At this time, no one pays him any attention.

Everyone looks at Tang Luo, their gaze as complex as Lu Zhi's.

Even the well-traveled Tang Jin is the same.

"Cough — "

Finally, Tang Jin broke the somewhat eerie atmosphere: "Unknown Dharma Master..."

We haven't properly introduced ourselves yet.

"Poor monk Xuanzang, come from the Eastern Land." Tang Luo said, "I somewhat know methods of subduing demons, eliminating evil, opening light, and conversion."

"Good, good."

Tang Jin laughed, "With Master Xuanzang here, this matter can probably be resolved."

Whether it can or not, first blow some hot air, flowery sedan chair carried by people, anyway it doesn't cost money.

Tang Luo nodded silently.

Lu Zhi also came to his senses, looking at others and saying: "I don't know what specialties the others have."

That Xuanzang certainly needs no doubt.

He is a ruthless person.

But we cannot let others off just because a ruthless person appeared.

"Since Master Xuanzang is here, I am not needed." That middle-aged swordsman said, without another word, turned and left.

Their steps were hurried, as if they feared being converted if they were even a step slow.

I'd guess they're just like that person from earlier—a fraud.

Speaking of which, these two are still the best-looking among the four.

In the end, they're both frauds.

Lu Zhi and Tang Jin exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

The two who remained were both martial artists of the jianghu.

One was skilled with dual blades, the other's martial arts were centered in the palms.

They could be considered capable jianghu fighters, but that was all there was to it.

Neither displayed any further special qualities.

They might not be able to resolve the situation.

These two, their strength is still not on par with Tang Jin of the Black Gold Palm.

If a few jianghu people could resolve the situation, then the prices offered by the Lu and Ding families wouldn't be so high.

They have money, yes, but they're not fools.

Lu Zhi and the others directly placed their hopes on Tang Luo, whose methods were strange and mysterious.

As for the other two, feeling overlooked, they didn't say much more.

After all, Tang Luo had demonstrated his own special qualities.

At most, they felt a bit discontented in their hearts.

"Master Xuanzang, I don't know where you're currently residing?" Lu Zhi looked toward Tang Luo and asked.

"The inn." Tang Luo said, "I don't know if Young Master Lu can arrange this, but this poor monk still has four attendants."

"Very well."

Lu Zhi took charge of arranging food and lodging, which was naturally his duty.

It's just four more people.

A minor matter.

Lu Zhi provided the location of the incident, and Tang Luo went to inspect it with a tentative attitude.

Sure enough—nothing was found.

In the evening, the Lu family brought back to the inn the four conspicuous attendants, Han Guang among them.

The five ate the food sent by the Lu family, night fell, and they gathered together again.

"Master, is this matter related to the mission?" Han Guang asked.

"We don't know yet." Tang Luo said, "What about you—any discoveries?"

"These are the matches from this place." Han Guang and the others each produced their matches.

The matches here are not like those in the real world—each one is extremely thin and small.

More like short stubs, uneven in size, not particularly uniform.

Most are about the size of a finger.

They can be used multiple times.

In Anshan City, these matches are mainly sold by street vendors calling out along the streets.

Available day and night.

There are no dedicated shops, but general stores and the like do carry them.

As for the vendors, they include men and women, old and young.

Han Guang and the others had specifically inquired, and the vendors said they had never heard of the story of a little matchgirl freezing to death on a cold winter night.

On the contrary, there was an old match seller who died.

Not long ago, it snowed, he slipped and fell, and died from the fall.