Chapter 47
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Chapter 47: False Shaving and True Monastery Life
This was Mu Qianyun’s first experience of battling with powers—the manipulation of the forces of heaven and earth, the fierce moments deciding everything. Each breath she took felt exhilarating, as near-death specters suddenly darted away, leaving a deep impression on her.
So this is how majestic battle was!
So this is how extraordinary it could be!
The power of mortals was utterly helpless against it; no wonder cultivators controlled everything in the world.
To be honest, this time was a big loss. It was a high-quality artifact constructed entirely of four-pattern spirit talismans. Li Hui was worried that expert enemies might arrive, so he had to create such a grand scene.
“Where are we going?” Mu Qianyun’s face turned red as Li Hui pulled her along in a frantic run. This was her first time holding hands with a man, and it felt deeply engraved in her heart.
“Of course, we’re going to a temple to take refuge! I’ve made up my mind; being a monk is the safest option. If I wander around with this head of white hair, I’ll attract attention everywhere. Who told you I was charming and talented?”
“Stop joking. Can’t cultivators do disguises?”
“Junior Sister, who told you that? If I knew how to do disguises, would I be in such trouble? I still look young; this white hair is eye-catching.”
“Hey, who’s your Junior Sister? I still don’t know if I’m suitable for cultivation!” Mu Qianyun was astonished. Although their movements were swift, she didn’t feel tired at all and could talk calmly.
Of course she wasn’t tired! Li Hui had been using the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique to take her along; otherwise, with her own legs, they wouldn’t reach the temple until noon to hide.
In just a short time, they arrived at a shop called Jinghui Courtyard.
The shopkeeper had just lifted the door panel to open when he suddenly felt a cold breeze pass by, making him shiver and awakening him from his slumber.
“What are we doing here?” Mu Qianyun asked, puzzled.
They passed through the front hall and entered the backyard, which was arranged neatly and elegantly, with a small bridge over flowing water and a koi pond. Near the guest room, a few clusters of delicate green bamboo had been specially cultivated, adding to its charm.
Li Hui chuckled, “Hehe, this is a good place! Many women go to Guangxiao Temple to pray for children and are told by the welcoming monks to come to Jinghui Courtyard to get a child-bearing talisman. If they are willing to build good relationships and pay generously, they might get a chance to stay in this courtyard, gaining children, relationships, or even official positions!”
“Is it really that effective?” Mu Qianyun quickly looked around, trying to notice any differences.
“Of course it is! I’ve observed for two days, used my Spirit Sense Talisman, and saw monks drawing child-bearing talismans using aphrodisiacs as a medium. Devotees take them home and are motivated to conceive, increasing the chances of pregnancy. The sandalwood used in the surrounding guest rooms has a strong seductive effect, making all the ladies who stay there fall for the shopkeeper’s tricks. As for seeking official positions, it’s even easier; this shop was opened by the abbot of Guangxiao Temple. I personally saw him send people to take away gifts from officials in Fusu City.”
“Hmph, so it’s a place that hides dirt and filth,” Mu Qianyun said, frowning.
Li Hui, however, didn’t notice that the golden beads in his pocket were emitting a faint glow, causing his mindset to shift. He felt that desire and gain were similar to a transaction. In the past few days, he had seen many women who couldn’t conceive living in difficult circumstances; some even had to agree to their husbands’ extramarital affairs. Buying a child-bearing talisman was a chance for them. As for the shopkeeper providing the opportunity for fatherhood, it was all based on careful management, keeping records and standards to avoid chaos.
Additionally, regarding the officials, Guangxiao Temple was clearly cultivating potential benefits. Influenced by the dragon vein, while the outside world lay barren, Fusu City still operated normally, with the faint shadow of Guangxiao Temple behind it. Achieving this was quite remarkable.
Coming from different backgrounds, perspectives and thoughts naturally differed. Li Hui, who had eaten in various homes, barely survived on coarse pieces of bread given from rough hands. He knew well that every family had its own troubles; sometimes, not bearing a son led in-laws to heartlessly push their daughter-in-law to her death, all too often remarrying their sons.
Within the sea of lights, there were bright spots but also dark corners. Just as there is darkness beneath the light, good people do bad things while bad people look after orphans. There is no real good and no real evil…
Mu Qianyun sensed a connection and looked at Li Hui, often feeling that he radiated an ethereal aura, his demeanor more outstanding than any high monk she had encountered. However, what this “enlightened one” did next left her confused.
Li Hui rushed into the guest room, rummaging through the place while mumbling, “It should be here. Twenty bundles of talisman paper should yield about two thousand sheets. Even in the Jade Symbol Sect, that’s worth twenty silver money symbols; if sold outside, the price would at least double.”
Before long, he had the twenty bundles of talisman paper in hand. Li Hui grinned, saying, “These monks are so wasteful! They make the lowest quality medicinal talismans using high-quality talisman paper. How extravagant! Besides, having monks draw talismans is truly an insult to the talisman-making industry. I bet they barely preserve the efficacy for a month. If I were to draw them, I’d ensure the effects multiplied several times and could be preserved long-term—two years later, they would still be vigorous and bless us with children!”
“Haha, look at you, so capable! Taking without permission makes you a thief! No wonder they call you a little thief,” Mu Qianyun laughed and scolded, feeling that she hadn’t relaxed and been happy like this in a long time. After leaving that Wooden Building, it felt like the whole world had opened up.
“Pfft, old-fashioned! Isn’t it said that only petty people and women are hard to raise? So, women and petty people should hold the same status, and be no better than little thieves?”
“You, you, you…” Mu Qianyun felt unable to keep up with Li Hui’s thoughts. This guy had a knack for being unreasonable.
“Twenty bundles of talisman paper are so few, but Guangxiao Temple might have supply channels. I need to figure this out,” Li Hui pondered as he shaved his head. Just as he had shaved a few strokes, he felt a delicate hand press down, warmth radiating from her fingers.
“Are you really thinking of shaving your head?”
“It’s not a real shave; it’s a false shave to avoid trouble, don’t you understand? I can’t let the old Li family end!”
Mu Qianyun’s face turned red, shaking her head. “Even if it’s just a false shave, it still connects you to the Buddha. I will pray to the Buddha for you to pass through this tough time smoothly and that you will be blessed with many children.”
“What do you mean?” Li Hui was stunned.
“I know there’s a nunnery in the city. The abbess there is quite good. You’re doing a false shave, but I plan to enter the monastery for real.”
After witnessing the danger of the cultivation world during the battle, Mu Qianyun did not want to hold Li Hui back, making her decision with resolve. She thought Li Hui would persuade her otherwise, but he nodded and said, “You are so thoughtful! If I become a monk, you become a nun; real monastic life may not be comparable to a false shave. How do you know that the nunnery isn’t just a major cesspool? If tranquility leads to far-reaching outcomes, why build the nunnery in Fusu City?”
His words made Mu Qianyun’s heart tremble. She felt like a frog at the bottom of a well, unable to cope with the world outside. Then Li Hui said, “You can shave my head! The nunnery is fine; I can practice cultivation with my hair! Living simply, meditating, and if you can’t sense the spiritual energy, just buy a courtyard in the city to settle down. When my time is up, I will ask you to do a few things for me…”
