The Monk of Rebirth Temple! (Seeking Reads)

He wore a white monk's robe, with red lips and white teeth, a truly handsome monk.

As Qin Zheng's gaze fell upon him, the monk coincidentally looked up and met Qin Zheng's eyes.

"Amitabha, benefactor, we meet again."

A benevolent smile appeared on the monk's face as he nodded at Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng's eyes flickered, and he also cupped his fists towards the other man.

This monk actually recognizes me?

Earlier today, although I saw him in the east of the city, his eyes were closed, and he was chanting Buddhist scriptures. He shouldn't have noticed me.

Could it be that after I walked past, he opened his eyes and saw my back?

Qin Zheng thought this, then recalled the Ghost-Head Saber on his back, finding an explanation.

With this saber, my distinguishing features are indeed very high.

"Young hero Qin, you know Saint Monk Wuchang?"

Advisor Liu, seeing this, immediately asked with a smile.

"I saw him in the east of the city this morning."

Qin Zheng nodded and replied.

"Excellent, excellent!"

Advisor Liu's smile widened. After arranging everyone to be seated, he addressed the dancers and musicians by his side, "Louder! More festive!"

Then he looked at everyone and said with a smile, "Everyone, Magistrate Gao will be here soon. Let's drink and watch the performance first!"

"Alright!"

"No rush, no rush!"

"."

The crowd responded in agreement.

Qin Zheng had no choice but to follow suit, turning his gaze to the dancers on the stage.

It had to be said, Magistrate Gao's taste was truly excellent.

The dancers on stage were all beautiful women with skin like congealed fat.

As their bodies swayed, their glances were radiant, and every frown and smile was captivating.

During this time, Qin Zheng noticed that the white-robed monk had his eyes closed, silently chanting Buddhist scriptures, seemingly unwilling to witness the sensual scene.

I've heard Buddhism has the Eight Precepts; this is indeed a monk who follows the rules.

Qin Zheng merely glanced at it briefly before shifting his gaze away.

After the performance ended, Qin Zheng's ears twitched, and he slightly turned his head to look in a certain direction.

A few moments later, a slightly plump figure arrived, panting.

Upon seeing everyone, he cupped his fists and said apologetically, "This official is late and has kept all you heroes waiting. I shall punish myself with a drink first!"

As he spoke, he moved to the head seat at the table, picked up a wine cup, filled it, and drank it down in one gulp.

"Magistrate Gao is too kind!"

"Magistrate Gao need not do that!"

"."

With the magistrate's arrival, the atmosphere instantly reached its peak, becoming extremely lively.

This was also Qin Zheng's first time seeing the official in charge of Black Goose City.

He didn't seem as old as Qin Zheng had imagined; in fact, he looked quite young, likely no older than thirty.

However, his eyes were somewhat long and narrow, giving him a somewhat sinister and unapproachable appearance.

Furthermore, Qin Zheng's senses were heightened, far surpassing those of ordinary people.

At this moment, he detected the scent of women's rouge and an indescribable, chaotic aroma emanating from Magistrate Gao.

His entire being subtly furrowed his brow almost imperceptibly.

Everyone waited for him here, and the important matter he mentioned was to go do that?

And in the yamen, no less.

No wonder he married eighteen wives and concubines; he truly is a lecherous ghoul.

Qin Zheng thought this, and as Magistrate Gao took his seat, Advisor Liu quickly urged, "Everyone, please enjoy the banquet."

Then he looked towards the stage and shouted, "Continue the music! Continue the dance!"

The atmosphere immediately became even more fervent.

The banquet lasted for nearly half an hour.

Although none of the attendees were lacking in food or clothing, they were all martial artists with astonishing appetites.

So, while everyone ate, the cooks kept bringing out more dishes.

Once everyone was full of food and drink, the servants came forward to clear the table, and the expressions on everyone's faces turned serious.

"I'm sure everyone is already well aware of the situation in Black Goose City, so I don't need to elaborate further."

"I've asked all of you to come here today precisely because of this matter," Magistrate Gao cleared his throat, then swept his gaze across the assembled guests and began to speak.

As his words fell, the atmosphere in the room became utterly silent, so quiet you could hear a breath. Everyone watched Magistrate Gao, awaiting his next words.

Everyone present understood the yamen's intentions, but it all depended on how much sincerity the yamen could show to make them willing to risk their lives.

"The bandits outside the city are utterly audacious. They've surrounded the garrison led by Captain Ji within the mountains and furthermore, they brutally murdered eighteen constables from my yamen and tossed them into the river."

"What many of you may not know is that the bandit leader, Zhang Xiuwen, has already sent me a letter of warning."

"His message stated that if the gates of Black Goose City are not opened within three days, they will bring their army and directly break down the city gates!"

"And then they will allow their army to plunder the city for three days!"

"Tell me, a group of lawless thugs like this, they dare to call themselves an army, and they intend to break down the gates of Black Goose City and let their army plunder it for three days!"

Magistrate Gao's voice gradually rose, becoming more and more impassioned until he was filled with righteous indignation, his face flushed red, clearly enraged.

Upon hearing this, the faces of everyone present also suddenly darkened, becoming extremely grave.

All the various businesses within Black Goose City, every single one, basically belonged to them. If the bandits were to enter the city and run rampant with their looting, they would be the ones to suffer the greatest losses. Although each of their families had quite a few gang disciples, they were still far inferior to those bandits who could surround the garrison in the mountains.

After Magistrate Gao finished speaking, some among the crowd, who had initially intended to gauge the yamen's sincerity before making a decision, had already begun to consider how they might repel the bandits.

Qin Zheng watched everyone in silence, not uttering a word.

"I have invited all of you here today to discuss a solution to this matter together."

"You are all the pillars of Black Goose City; without you, Black Goose City would not be so prosperous."

"But similarly, if Black Goose City is breached, you all likely won't be as well off as you were before."

Magistrate Gao spoke as he swept his gaze across the assembled guests.

"Why doesn't Magistrate Gao write to the imperial court for help?"

Just as his gaze was about to land on Qin Zheng, a voice rang out. Qin Zheng turned his head and saw that it was the First Boss of the Canoe Gang, Zhang Wei, who had spoken. The others also turned their gazes to Magistrate Gao. The esteemed official of Black Goose City, however, shook his head and continued, "Since this incident occurred, I have already penned no less than thirty letters requesting reinforcements from the imperial court."

At this point, his expression instantly sank. "But, right now, they are all neatly arranged on my desk!"

Everyone's eyes narrowed instantly.

"Among those bandits, there are several skilled archers," Advisor Liu spoke up, explaining to those who hadn't quite understood.

"Therefore, we can only rely on the strength within the city, on all of you!" Magistrate Gao looked at everyone and continued, "If you are all willing to step forward, the bandits outside the city will definitely not be a problem!"

"My yamen will not be stingy either. All forces that participate in expelling the bandits this time will be exempt from taxes for three years!"

"For individuals participating in expelling the bandits, the yamen will reward them with a thousand taels of silver!" His expression was serious, his gaze fixed intently on the crowd.

And just as the scene fell into a moment of silence, a figure in white slowly stood up.

"Amitabha! This matter, let our Rebirth Temple resolve it."