Two Monks

Same old rule: the extra update will come at midnight.

Welcoming Guests.

A somewhat shabby tavern with exceptionally booming business.

Since its main customers were nearby peddlers and laborers, whenever mealtime came around, the boisterous shouting in the tavern hall could normally be heard two li away.

Yet on the morning of the eighth, the little establishment was much quieter.

There were no fewer customers; it was simply that the regulars, who usually loved to hold forth, had all lowered their voices without prior arrangement—and the cause of it was two monks, one old and one young.

Strictly speaking, neither monk had three heads or six arms. At most, the younger monk was rather handsome.

Nor was there anything improper on their table, only two vegetarian dishes.

The problem was that this tavern stood near the main gate of Qingxu Temple!

Even if the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism had not yet become apparent, for two monks to come eat and drink outside Qingxu Temple still seemed rather ill-timed.

Yet under the many sidelong glances of the crowd, the two monks remained perfectly at ease. With a pot of freshly brewed Gao Mo tea, they leisurely sampled their food.

When a bowl of plain noodles had been eaten clean, the younger monk set down his chopsticks and remarked with a smile, "These Hot and Sour Bamboo Shoots truly are something. No wonder the 'Blood-Eyed Divine Detective' praised them so highly."

The older monk did not answer. He silently finished the noodle soup in his own bowl, rose to settle the bill with the proprietor, then turned back and pressed his palms together. "Amitabha. Though this food is delicious, it is not something we monks should become attached to. Disciple, let us be on our way."

With that, keeping his palms