"Amitabha. Benefactor Chen, be sure to take care."
"Please keep this prayer bead safe. If anything happens, crush it, and this humble monk will come at once."
Monk Fa Zang removed a bead from the string wound around his wrist.
"All right."
"Master, wait for my news."
Lu Mian put the bead away and quickly left the ruined temple.
After traveling a dozen or so li, Lu Mian took out a bronze mirror.
He certainly could not risk his real body just to gather information. The Mirror Nightmare Clone was best suited to the task.
Soon.
Chen Xiuzhu emerged from the bronze mirror in a gray robe.
Chen Xiuzhu's appearance was perfect for posing as a refugee.
If Lu Mian went to Black Leaf Temple in his real body, his overwhelming presence would draw attention far too easily.
Without a word, Chen Xiuzhu leaped away and vanished from Lu Mian's sight.
Half a cup of tea later, Chen Xiuzhu saw a temple with numerous pagodas and walls painted with all manner of bodhisattvas and arhats.
This was Black Leaf Temple.
Chen Xiuzhu staggered toward the temple and collapsed right outside its gates.
"Hm... another refugee!"
"He looks like he's not going to make it."
"He has to make it. Whatever it takes, we have to save him."
Several bald monks stood guard at Black Leaf Temple's gates.
They reacted strongly when they saw Chen Xiuzhu collapse, rushing forward to help him up.
One monk checked Chen Xiuzhu's breathing and beamed. "He's still breathing..."
"Quickly, carry him inside and take good care of him," said a slightly older monk.
"Yes."
The young monks carried Chen Xiuzhu into a guest room in Black Leaf Temple.
They even assigned a young monk to stay in the room and watch over him.
It was