Master Monk

Chapter 47: Master Monk

Yunbi County. Legend has it that a Cloud Lord once descended from the heavens here, and an ancient mural depicting this scene remains, giving the county its name.

A Daoist priest arrived, dusty from his travels on a donkey. The further north he went, the more desolate the land became. The grass by the roadside was withered and yellow, and dust swirled in the wind. It wasn't until he neared Yunbi County that things improved.

Outside the city, lush greenery could be seen. Though the streams and rivers were sparse, their gentle flow was audible.

The first thing one noticed upon arriving at Yunbi County was an old tree outside the city gates. Its roots were gnarled, its trunk and branches thick. Coupled with the weathered city walls and the ancient "Yunbi" inscription, it exuded a profound sense of history.

Beneath the tree, old and young men were resting, some even playing a game of chess. It lacked the bustling atmosphere of Jiangzhou or the large cities of the south. While there weren't many merchants or travelers, there was a palpable sense of leisure.

The lazy donkey stopped beneath the tree, its head poking out to observe the chessboard. If Great Immortal Kongchen hadn't forbidden it from speaking, it would likely be offering unsolicited advice, potentially causing the players to flip the table.

The Daoist priest bent down and asked an old man resting under the tree, "Excuse me, elder, how far is it to Lingzhou from here?"

The old man pointed northwest. "Lingzhou is just beyond this area. Are you heading there, young Daoist?"

The Daoist priest nodded. "I must pass through Lingzhou."

The old man immediately grew serious and advised, "Young Daoist, you must have only recently descended the mountain. I urge you not to go."

The Daoist priest inquired, "Elder, why do you say that?"

The old man sighed. "Lingzhou had a poor harvest last year and suffered a disaster this year. It's very chaotic there now. You see, even the traveling merchants and peddlers aren't going that way anymore. The usual caravans and merchant convoys are fewer."

"If you go to Lingzhou at this time, and something unfortunate happens on the road, it's not worth it."

After explaining his reasons, the old man offered the Daoist priest a way out. "Rest in the city today and perhaps turn back!"

The Daoist priest offered no explanation and said little else. "Thank you, elder."

He then rode his donkey towards the city. However, he paid close attention to the old man's words about the situation in Lingzhou.

Inside Yunbi County, a crowd of men, women, young, and old had gathered along the street, watching a spectacle and pointing.

Many had set down their burdens, their bundles of firewood, and their wheelbarrows, clearly captivated by what was happening.

A young man in fine clothes had just emerged from a grand residence. Before he had walked far, he was called to a halt by a tall, burly, and imposing monk in grey robes.

The monk had short, stern hair that stood up like a hedgehog. Despite his imposing build, his face was kind and clean, immediately evoking a sense of goodwill.

"Esteemed patron, please wait."

The young man in fine clothes, well-mannered, did not become annoyed when stopped. Instead, he cupped his hands and asked, "Master Monk, what business do you have with me?"

The Master Monk examined the young man's face and then nodded, as if confirming something.

"Do you often feel dizzy and weak?"

"Yes!" the young man exclaimed in surprise.

"When it's quiet at night, do you hear a roaring sound in your ears, continuous and incessant, as if someone is shrieking beside you?" the Master Monk continued.

The young man was even more astonished and stepped forward. "Yes? Master Monk, how do you know?"

"I've been hearing a buzzing sound in my ears for a while. When I asked others, they said they couldn't hear it, so I worried if there was something wrong with my ears."

"Hearing you say this now, could it be that I'm being haunted by an evil spirit?"

The more the young man thought about it, the more frightened he became, and the more he felt the buzzing sound was abnormal. It seemed to echo in his ears again.

It was like ordinary people, when healthy, reading too many medical books or listening to gossip, becoming suspicious and frightening themselves into illness.

The Master Monk repeatedly shook his head. "No, no. I am not one of those charlatans who roam the Jianghu, claiming everything is related to ghosts and spirits."

"You are recently married, aren't you, patron?" the Master Monk asked with a smile.

"Master Monk, your Divine Calculation is truly remarkable." The young man nodded repeatedly, appearing quite naive and inexperienced.

"Young man, such things are common in the early days of marriage. If you exercise restraint in the future, these symptoms will disappear."

Although the Master Monk spoke subtly, everyone on the street understood the implication. The crowd burst into laughter, their expressions suggestive, while some women and young girls blushed deeply.

The young man in fine clothes turned beet red with embarrassment. Seizing the moment, the Master Monk revealed his true intention.

"Don't worry. I have a bottle of Great Strength Pills here, which will cure you. I guarantee these symptoms will never return, and it will also strengthen your body and keep you free from illness."

Although somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, the young man couldn't help but ask, "Does it really work?"

"Of course. This is a secret recipe from Tianlong Temple, passed down for a thousand years."

After a brief exchange of whispers, silver changed hands, and the Great Strength Pill was placed into the young man's sleeve.

The surrounding onlookers also began to step forward to buy a bottle. In a short time, the Master Monk had earned a considerable sum.

After pocketing the silver, the Master Monk's business was not yet finished. He looked at the young man in fine clothes again.

"However, this is a minor matter. The true danger lies in the Head-severing Ghost Curse around your neck." The Master Monk's face became genuinely grave, instantly blurring the line he had just drawn between himself and the Jianghu charlatans.

"What Head-severing Ghost Curse?"

As the young man finished speaking, he saw the Master Monk pull out a mirror and hold it up to him.

The young man immediately saw his reflection. Around his neck was a circle of blood-red marks, as if he had just been beheaded.

The young man was utterly terrified and reached out to touch his neck.

The Master Monk immediately shouted, "Don't touch it! Absolutely do not touch it!"

"This Head-severing Ghost Curse will erupt faster if you touch it. If you don't want to die, stop immediately."

The scene that had just unfolded had already made the young man in brocade believe wholeheartedly in this Master Monk. Now, in a panic, he knelt on the ground.

"Master Monk, save me! What exactly is this Head-severing Ghost Curse?"

The Master Monk didn't rush to answer. Instead, he addressed the surrounding townsfolk, intending to spread his reputation further throughout the city with this display.

"Everyone, please look here. You should all be able to see it!"

Everyone gasped, staring at the bloody marks on the young man's neck. None dared to approach, instead instinctively stepping back several paces. This reaction only made the young man more flustered.

"We see it, we all see it!"

"I saw it just now, I was wondering what it was!"

"That's the legendary Head-severing Mark!"

"How could something like this appear for no reason? This young master of the Lin family must have offended something unclean!"

The monk sighed, "This humble monk has traveled the world and seen such things in the Southern Dynasties. It is called the Head-severing Ghost Curse."

"It is a notorious witchcraft and sorcery from the Southern Dynasties. Those afflicted will die. Young master, have you offended someone recently?"

"I think I've heard of this before," someone immediately chimed in.

"They say everyone who gets it dies," another added, sounding quite knowledgeable.

"I think I've heard of it too." At this point, not adding a comment would make one seem ignorant and unworldly.

In just a short while, this Head-severing Ghost Curse, whose origin was unknown, seemed to be known by everyone, even ranking among the top ten most fearsome curses.

The people around said, "You should still ask the Master Monk to go back and take a look, to help you resolve it. Better safe than sorry!"

The young man in brocade, terrified, burst into tears and rushed forward, grabbing the Master Monk's leg. "Please, Master Monk, save me! I'll pay any amount of silver. I still have parents, a wife, and children at home. I can't die yet!"

The Master Monk, with compassion, took out his prayer beads from his sleeve and looked up at the sky, "If I do not go to hell, who will..."

A hidden joy flickered in his eyes. It seemed he was about to make a fortune this time!

Before he could finish, the Master Monk seemed to sense something and suddenly looked towards the edge of the crowd.

At that moment, a Daoist rode a donkey down the street. The crowd parted as if on its own, creating a path.

The Daoist paid no attention to the unfolding farce. He passed directly by the Master Monk and the young man in brocade, continuing on his way.

Then, a leisurely voice drifted from afar.

"When you get back, wash your neck properly. The hanging string has faded."

The young man in brocade finally reacted. He reached inside his clothes and grabbed the jade pendant hanging on his chest. He pulled it out and saw that the red string was indeed brand new.

He then wiped his neck. The so-called "Head-severing Ghost Curse" came off with a single wipe, turning into red dye that stained his hand and neck a deep red.

"Pfft!"

"Hahahaha!"

"Hahahaha!"

The street erupted in uproarious laughter, shaking the entire thoroughfare.

From the vegetable seller aunties to the woodcutter uncles, the traveling hunters, and all the men, women, old, and young on the street, everyone was doubled over with laughter, unable to contain their mirth.

The young man in brocade, furious, immediately got up from the ground. He snatched the jade pendant from his neck and pointed towards where the monk had been standing.

"You... you..."

He stood up, intending to catch the swindler, but found that the man had already disappeared from the crowd.

He had vanished without a trace.