Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 653: Accomplished Monk

Although Shi Chan failed in tempering his mental state, as a highly accomplished monk proficient in Buddhist teachings, he was not discouraged. “Senior brothers, you need not worry about this poor monk breaking the precepts. The path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties. How could it be smooth sailing without any waves? Failure is inevitable.

“It is precisely through failure that one understands the preciousness of success. It is precisely by knowing the pleasure of indulging lustful desires that a successfully tempered mental state appears even more firm.”

“...Then what if Master Jiesha finds out you broke the precepts?”

“Only the three of us know about this matter. Monks do not speak of falsehoods, but you are not monks, senior brothers. If my shifu asks, please lie.”

Lu Yang signaled for Shi Chan to sit down and have some water instead of standing. “And what if Master Jiesha asks you?”

Shi Chan’s expression changed slightly as he thought of the consequences if his shifu found out, but then he suddenly relaxed. “Then this poor monk will have no choice but to cultivate the Mouth-Shut Chan Meditation as well.”

Lu Yang, “...”

As expected of an accomplished monk, his considerations are thorough.

Meng Jingzhou looked at Shi Chan with a resentful gaze. The ancient Pure Yang Immortal Physique having a girlfriend is one thing, but now even a monk can visit brothels?

So I’m the only unlucky fellow left?

“A Buddha said, ‘One must climb back up from where one fell.’ Since this poor monk failed today, once I earn some money, I shall fight again another day. I plan to stay in this city for a few days. What are your plans, senior brothers?”

Meng Jingzhou made a “time-out” gesture. “Are you sure a Buddha said that?”

Shi Chan chuckled. He rolled up his wide sleeves, dipped his index finger in water, and drew three circles on the table, explaining, “Buddhism emphasizes that the past, present, and future are one. There are Buddhas of the past, present, and future. As a Buddhist disciple, my goal is naturally to achieve Buddhahood. Although I am not a Buddha now, I will definitely be one in the future. Since the past, present, and future are one, aren’t my words the words of a Buddha?”

Meng Jingzhou felt that Shi Chan joining the Hanging Monastery was the Dao-Seeking Sect’s loss.

Lu Yang wasn’t familiar with the matters of Buddhism and consulted the Everlasting Immortal Fairy, who had single-handedly founded Buddhism. “Immortal Fairy, is there such a saying in Buddhism?”

“I can’t remember. I was only in charge of fabricating stories; theoretical aspects weren’t my responsibility.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy was lazily sprawled on her lotus throne, stretching like a little kitten.

At the moment, Lu Yang’s mental space had transformed into a spacious Mahavira Hall,[1] with liuli-glazed tile roofs, interlocking wooden brackets under the eaves, and exquisitely carved doors and windows.

The Mahavira Hall thrived with incense and offerings. It enshrined the true form of Buddhism’s founder, the Everlasting Immortal Fairy, and her lotus throne.

Since I’m the founder of Buddhism, all current Buddhist monks are considered my grand-disciples. Since we’ve met one of them, I might as well redecorate the Second-in-Command’s mental space for a change of atmosphere.

“Then who was responsible for the theory?” Lu Yang asked.

“Everyone except me.”

Lu Yang, “...”

He turned to Shi Chan. “Senior Brother Shi Chan, could I ask how you plan to earn money?”

Judging by Shi Chan’s idea of earning money by reporting the black market, Lu Yang was highly skeptical of Shi Chan’s moneymaking skills.

“By performing rituals,” Shi Chan replied.

“Oh right, you’re a monk.” Lu Yang suddenly remembered Shi Chan was from the Hanging Monastery.

Shi Chan looked at Lu Yang in bafflement, then glanced down at his own attire. From my appearance to my actions, everything about me should be the image of a monk.

“Then this poor monk will rest for the night and meet you two here tomorrow morning.”

“Wait a moment, do you have any money left? Where are you planning to stay?” Lu Yang stopped the reckless Shi Chan from departing.

If Shi Chan was previously just too poor to buy Old Meng’s body but could go to the brothel, it’s now hard to say whether he has any money left after going to the brothel.

After being forcefully pulled back by Lu Yang, Shi Chan explained, “This poor monk has no money. However, when traveling the world, anywhere can be home. I have already found a bridge archway. It cannot block the wind but can shelter one from rain. There will be no wind or rain tonight, so the place is suitable for lodging.”

Lu Yang was speechless. We’re all fellow immortal sect disciples. The two of us staying in an inn while you live under a bridge—how would that look if word gets out?

“In any case, we two earned quite a bit tonight. Old Meng will treat you to an inn.”

Meng Jingzhou glowered at Lu Yang. You get to be the good guy while I fork out the money?

Lu Yang placated Meng Jingzhou. “I’m letting you do a good deed. Think about it, who is Senior Brother Shi Chan? He’s an accomplished monk from the Hanging Monastery. Meanwhile, you usually commit many misdeeds. Providing lodging for an accomplished monk is a great meritorious deed. It’s only because you shared the spirit stones with me that I’m giving this amazing opportunity to you.”

“Get lost.” Meng Jingzhou wasn’t buying it. However, staying at an inn didn’t cost many spirit stones, so he didn’t mind paying.

He turned to Shi Chan. “I haven’t seen a Buddhist ritual before. It’s a perfect chance for us to stay a few days and watch how you conduct them.”

“Then thank you, senior brothers.” Shi Chan was genuinely happy that the two were willing to stay in the city.

Perhaps I’ll get the opportunity to learn the two fist techniques and also learn from Senior Brother Meng about how to restrain one’s desires.

The blood of an ordinary Single’s Spirit Root wouldn’t have such an effect. Senior Brother Meng must have pushed himself to the extreme to create this yang-boosting blood.

I can’t even withstand twenty drops; I dare not imagine how Senior Brother Meng endured it while having blood coursing through his whole body.

Speaking of inns, Meng Jingzhou had some bad memories. “We stayed at three inns in a row, and all three had incidents. Surely the fourth one won’t have any incidents again, right?”

Lu Yang had always been confident in his luck. “It won’t. Think about the number of battles we’ve encountered involving Fusion cultivators, Transcendent Tribulation cultivators, and half-immortals. Didn’t we survive them all without even a scratch?

“This is clearly a sign of our good luck.”

Meng Jingzhou remarked inwardly, Why don’t you first think about why we’ve encountered so many battles involving mighty experts?

The three successfully found an inn catering to cultivators. Such inns had Spirit-Energy Gathering Arrays inside to aid cultivation. If it were just Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, any inn would do. They could simply open their mouths and perform “Swallowing Heaven,” which was more effective than a Spirit-Energy Gathering Array. But with Shi Chan, that wouldn’t work.

“Boss, three Heaven-Grade Rooms.” Having earned money for once, Meng Jingzhou was in high spirits and paid for all three of their rooms.

The boss is a male, so it seems that a case of a younger brother-in-law on the husband’s side vying for the inheritance won’t occur.

Heaven-Grade Rooms were abundant, ensuring cultivators wouldn’t come to blows over them.

The three headed to their respective rooms.

Lu Yang pushed open the door to see the room in a mess. The wardrobe and table were overturned, while the window was wide open and let in a cold draft. On the bed, a man and a woman were wrestling. The man was dressed in black and held a dagger, his eyes filled with killing intent. The disheveled woman struggled desperately and had a streak of blood on her neck matching the blood on the dagger.

The room had a Soundproofing Array, preventing any sound from escaping.

The woman looked at Lu Yang as if she had seen hope.

Lu Yang backed out of the room and checked the room number.

Wrong room.

1. It refers to the main hall of a temple. ☜