Chongming the Old Monk, Hundred Taels of Merit! (Seeking Collection)

"Grandpa, Grandpa, he's waking up!"

"."

Muzzy-headed, Qin Zheng only felt a child's tender voice speaking in his ear.

His eyelids fluttered a few times before he suddenly sat up.

He quickly scanned his surroundings, finding himself in a dilapidated temple.

Around him, several children, ranging from three to four years old to eight or nine, were gathered.

His sudden sitting up had startled them, causing them all to fall to the ground.

Where am I?

This was the first thought that surfaced in Qin Zheng's mind.

He only remembered hearing a Buddhist chant faintly before he lost consciousness.

Immediately, Qin Zheng lowered his head to examine himself, reaching into his chest.

His clothes hadn't been disturbed, and the item in his chest was still there.

This brought a slight sigh of relief to Qin Zheng.

"Benefactor, you are awake."

At this moment, an old monk appeared at the entrance of the dilapidated temple.

He was lean and his clothes were ragged, making him look less like a monk and more like a beggar.

He held a bowl of medicine and slowly approached Qin Zheng.

As the old monk arrived, the children who had been startled earlier quickly ran behind him, fearfully peeking at Qin Zheng.

"Alright, you children run along and play now."

The old monk said kindly to the children.

The children then ran out of the dilapidated temple, laughing.

"May I ask, Master, where is this place?"

Qin Zheng finally spoke, asking the old monk before him.

"Amitabha! As a monastic, I dare not claim the title of 'Master.' My Dharma name is Chongming. Benefactor may simply call me Chongming."

The old monk first spoke, then continued, "Benefactor is currently within Black Goose City, in a temple on the east side of the city."

Qin Zheng nodded upon hearing this, immediately understanding that it was this old monk, Chongming, who had brought him back.

He looked at the old monk before him, a sense of familiarity surfacing in his mind.

After a brief recollection, he instantly remembered that this was the monk who had been chanting Buddhist scriptures outside the execution ground every time he carried out an execution, starting several days ago.

With this thought, he looked at the old monk, finding his eyes to be clear and pure, untainted by impurity, like those of a child.

At the same time, the Merit Scroll in his mind vibrated slightly, and a line of text appeared.

[Monk Chongming, became a monk later in life. Pure and kind-hearted. Killing him will deduct one hundred taels of merit.]

The moment this line of text appeared, Qin Zheng's heart instantly jolted.

Previously, the Merit Scroll had mostly shown those burdened by sin, whose deaths would earn merit.

Or, like Bailiff Xu, there was no information displayed, indicating they were ordinary people without sin or merit.

But the appearance of Monk Chongming today presented a new situation.

If he were to kill the old monk, he would actually have one hundred taels of merit deducted!

Qin Zheng had not yet accumulated a hundred taels of merit. If he were to have a hundred taels deducted, he didn't know what the consequences would be.

However, this also proved that Monk Chongming was indeed a good monk with the heart of a Bodhisattva, who performed good deeds.

Such a kind and virtuous person meant there was no need to suspect him of harming him; he could be trusted.

Qin Zheng thought this.

"Benefactor, you exerted yourself forcefully and have sustained internal injuries. You need to rest quietly for a period of time."

At this moment, Monk Chongming spoke slowly, holding out the bowl in his hand to Qin Zheng.

He continued, "This medicinal soup will be beneficial for healing your internal injuries."

Qin Zheng took the bowl, which contained a dark, thick medicinal soup emitting wisps of steam, clearly freshly brewed.

However, Qin Zheng didn't drink it immediately. Instead, he paused, looked at the old monk, and said, "Thank you, Master, for bringing me back."

"However, since Master resides within the city, why were you there at that time?"

Although he was certain the old monk was a good person, he still needed to ask.

After all, the place where he had collapsed was in the deep mountains outside Tongguan Town, which was not a place where people usually traveled.

Being there must have had a purpose, indicating he had gone there intentionally.

Hearing Qin Zheng's question, Monk Chongming clasped his hands together, uttered a Buddhist chant softly, and then slowly said, "Benefactor Shi Dian is deeply sinful."

"My purpose in leaving was precisely to awaken Master Shi Dian, to stop him from continuing his misguided path, which harms both himself and others."

"I just didn't expect to encounter your group on the way."

Qin Zheng's eyes darkened slightly upon hearing this. He then asked, "So, Master, you witnessed the entire process?"

This means my situation can't be hidden anymore!

"Amitabha!"

The old monk Chongming chanted another Buddhist phrase.

As he looked at Qin Zheng, his gaze was filled with admiration.

"Benefactor, you have a connection with my Buddhist sect. Your martial arts possess the power of Buddhist Vajras, and coupled with your compassionate heart, you are destined for great wealth and honor in the future!"

The old monk Chongming said this.

Qin Zheng, however, frowned slightly and then looked up, casting a somewhat surprised glance at the old monk.

Not only had this old monk seen him kill Shi Dian, but his martial arts were also likely not low!

Otherwise, why would an ordinary monk dare to speak of awakening a tyrant who was grieving the loss of his son?

Furthermore, he could discern that Qin Zheng's martial arts were related to Buddhism!

With this thought, Qin Zheng hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Master, I ask that you keep what I did a secret."

The old monk Chongming nodded upon hearing this and said with a smile, "I am but a humble ascetic monk. In this vast Black Goose City, no one pays attention to me."

"And as a monk, I naturally wouldn't gossip or reveal Benefactor's information. Please rest assured."

Qin Zheng nodded, then looked at the medicinal soup he was holding, and drank it down in one gulp.

Indeed, after the bowl of medicinal soup went down, a warmth immediately spread from his stomach.

Streams of warmth quickly integrated into every part of his body, nourishing and soothing the pain.

His body felt much better immediately.

Qin Zheng placed the bowl aside, stood up, bowed to the old monk Chongming, and said, "Qin Zheng thanks Master for this!"

The old monk Chongming returned the courtesy as well.

Now that he had woken up and his body had recovered somewhat, Qin Zheng didn't intend to stay here any longer and immediately asked to take his leave.

However, at the end, the old monk gave Qin Zheng a prescription, asking him to gather and boil the herbs according to the list to heal his internal injuries.

He also advised, "Benefactor, your roots are excellent, and your comprehension is extraordinary. It should be a joyous occasion that you could quickly master martial arts."

"However, without internal energy as a foundation to temper your physical body, forcibly practicing martial arts will only harm your body and damage your original essence."

"Benefactor, in the future, unless absolutely necessary, you should refrain from forcefully activating power that exceeds your body's limits, to avoid further accidents."

Qin Zheng nodded upon hearing this, understanding that the old monk was looking out for his well-being.

He bowed again, and then Qin Zheng left the dilapidated temple.

First, he went to the market to buy some herbs according to the old monk's prescription.

After returning home, he boiled the herbs.

When he had free time, he took out the martial arts he had obtained from Shi Dian from his embrace.

At the same time, he sent a trace of his consciousness into his sea of consciousness.