Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 556 Xuanzang Inquires About the Shopkeeper

Chapter 556: Chapter 556 Xuanzang Inquires About the Shopkeeper

"No matter, my position is the Governor of Bianjing City, and since you have come to Bianjing, you are a citizen under my jurisdiction. Not to mention that you are traveling with us, even if we had simply met by chance on the road, I could not neglect you," the Kaifeng Prefecture official spoke.

"Bianjing is fortunate to have an official such as yourself, and I’m certain that its prosperity will only increase thereafter."

Words of thanks had been said enough, and to continue would be meaningless, so he changed the subject and began to praise other matters.

Tian Peng had already returned to his own body by now, and it was evening, with dinner time soon approaching.

However, owing to the lesson from the previous day, no one went downstairs to dine but rather nibbled on dry rations in their own rooms.

As Tian Peng was eating his dry rations, there came a knock at the door. He paused—could it be that someone from Buddhism had come to test him?

He asked cautiously, "Who is it?"

"It’s me."

The voice belonged to Monk Xuanzang, and Tian Peng relaxed a little.

After all, Monk Xuanzang had no memory, and if Buddhism intended to surveil him, they would do so in secret, not using Monk Xuanzang.

Although Xuanzang had come to find him on his own, Tian Peng remained cautious. He needed to avoid contact with Monk Xuanzang.

In his eyes, Xuanzang was like an explosive that would detonate upon contact, better avoided if possible.

Yet, he didn’t believe he had anything to talk about with Xuanzang. What could he want in his room at this time?

But since he had already asked "who is it" when the knocking started, it was too late to pretend to be asleep, so he could do nothing but muster his courage to ask, "Oh, it’s Master Xuanzang, is it? It’s rather late; do you need something? I have just changed and am preparing to rest."

There was a pause outside, then Xuanzang said, "I see, in that case, this monk will not disturb the donor’s rest."

"Wait a moment."

Hearing the footsteps about to leave, Tian Peng hastily called out.

Xuanzang stopped, "What is it, donor?"

"Is there something you need, Master Xuanzang? Is it something urgent?" Tian Peng inquired.

If it was indeed something important, even if he didn’t mention it now, it would still have to be addressed later.

Better to let him speak his mind all at once now, to avoid having to keep it on his mind constantly, looking for a time to discuss it.

"It’s not anything urgent; since the donor is already preparing to rest, then you should rest. I will choose another day to ask."

Xuanzang was simply curious to ask about the young man who sold oil in the town at the foot of Mount Taihang; since he managed to promote vegetable oil from Taihang and became famous for it.

His medical knowledge must be extraordinary too. He must be well-known in Bianjing. However, having been in Bianjing for so long, he had never heard of that young man, which he found a bit strange.

But that young man was originally rather low-profile and did not like to show off.

Perhaps with so many prominent figures in Bianjing, he did not want to stand out, preferring to conceal himself. Presumably, if one did not know him, they would not be aware of him.

Previously, when he bought oil, he felt that the little girl had given him an unusually large quantity, but when he held it in his hand, it surprisingly didn’t feel heavy.

It wasn’t until he began to pour the oil out at the temple that he realized there was so much; it must have been due to some Dharma bestowed by the oil-selling gentleman.

The rules of Buddhism dictate that one must not owe anyone anything.

Since he was young, he had remembered that he had to repay this kindness, especially since the oil was indeed good quality. The brothers, who used to be sallow and thin, were now looking rosy and healthy.

"No worries, I’m up now. If there’s anything you need, just tell me. Matters of the day should be settled that day and not be put off until later, so as not to be forgotten."

Xuanzang was ready to leave when Tian Peng suddenly came in and opened the door.

"This humble monk simply wishes to inquire about the location of that physician’s clinic. He has shown me kindness which I’ve always remembered in my heart, and I have been wanting to repay this favor but never had the chance."

"Now I would like to ask the Donor where that gentleman’s clinic is located. When I return to Bianjing, I will thank him in person."

Tian Peng had no idea what kind of favor Xuanzang could possibly be talking about regarding Chen Nuo. Monks can be incredibly stubborn; Chen Nuo himself might not even remember when he had assisted this monk, yet he had taken it to heart.

"Ah, it’s fine. That physician is naturally kindhearted. He has helped many people before. The favor he did for you might not seem like much to him. Master Xuanzang, you don’t have to keep it eternally in your heart."

"Donor, the gentleman might not remember it, but I cannot forget. The gentleman’s actions align with what is said in Buddhism: ’Do good deeds without seeking merit, but those who receive should never forget,’" Xuanzang said with his hands pressed together in prayer.

Tian Peng scratched his head, thinking that the monk was indeed quite inflexible.

After some thought, Tian Peng continued to weave his tale, "Well, the thing is, that gentleman isn’t a Bianjing local. He doesn’t have a clinic in Bianjing; he was merely visiting. I am well acquainted with him, and he prefers not to be disturbed by outsiders. You wouldn’t go and disturb him, would you?"

Having said this, Xuanzang could no longer express a wish to seek out the man in Bianjing.

It would be disrespectful, and besides, given what the Donor before him had said, it seems likely that the gentleman roamed the Four Seas, doing many good deeds wherever he went, so he might have already forgotten about himself.

"Since the Donor has put it this way, I certainly won’t disturb him. I would just like to inquire, where does this gentleman hail from originally, and what is his name? I will chant scriptures and pray for him in front of the Buddha Ancestor to express my gratitude."

"Oh, is that so?"

Tian Peng pulled at the corner of his mouth, glad that he didn’t know Chen Nuo’s name. If he knew Chen Nuo’s name, it would have been troublesome.

Buddhism would definitely track down Chen Nuo’s whereabouts. Even if there would be no danger for Chen Nuo at Chaos Residence, it could affect his movements in the mortal realm.

Tian Peng coughed twice, then said, "Actually, I don’t know either. That gentleman is very mysterious. He probably doesn’t want to be sought out by those he has helped to express their thanks, which is why he never reveals his true name."

Xuanzang, upon hearing Tian Peng’s words, reflected for a moment and felt that there was a lot of sense in them.

Indeed, with such capabilities and a preference for keeping a low profile, he wouldn’t casually divulge his true identity to others.

If it were him, he’d also conceal his real name and place of registration.

Xuanzang looked as if he had come to an epiphany and then said, "It seems I was indeed inconsiderate. The gentleman has much compassion, willingly helping others without seeking recompense. My insistence on finding his information was indeed improper. Donor, you are right. I apologize for the disturbance, I will take my leave now."

"Mm, okay," Tian Peng nodded then comforted the dejected Xuanzang, "You shouldn’t dwell on such matters, Master Xuanzang. That gentleman has done many good deeds; he already has ample good fortune and won’t miss one more. If you truly wish to repay him, do as he does, carry out many good deeds yourself. That would be a way of repaying him."

"What the Donor says is true!" Xuanzang agreed that Tian Peng made a lot of sense and, with a gleam in his eyes, bowed deeply to Tian Peng and then left.