Chapter 148: First Meeting with the Sweeping Monk

Jiumozhi has a great reputation in the Central Plains. He has visited various temples and scripture halls and never lost in debates! I thought he must be a great monk, but who would have thought! He actually looks like Murong Ji!
Xu Zhu put his hands together and said, "Amitabha, what you used was not the 72 Shaolin unique skills, but the Xiao Wuxiang Gong from the Lingjiu Palace of Tianshan Mountain."

"The current master of Lingjiu Palace is Gusu Murong. Senior, please go to Gusu to explain the origin of the technique to avoid disaster."

Xu Zhu's kind words of advice sounded like a threat to Jiumozhi. Jiumozhi frowned and glanced at the monks in Shaolin Temple.

"Don't worry about it! A little monk who hasn't even achieved enlightenment yet already has such profound internal strength and martial arts. He didn't learn the Shaolin Temple's unique skills, but secretly learned other people's martial arts. Isn't that a violation of the precepts?!"

"Amitabha," Monk Xuanci stepped forward and said, "Shaolin Temple has strict rules and regulations, and will deal with it impartially."

Xuan Ci gently twisted the rosary in his hand, "Master, you are tired from the journey, please go to the guest house to rest, Master."

Jiumozhi snorted coldly and walked directly outside.

Murong Ji and the other two were standing at the door. When Jiumozhi saw Murong Ji, he was shocked and his face looked unhappy.

"Master, are you not going to give me an explanation?"

Jiumozhi's face darkened, and he put his hands together and said, "Amitabha, I am honored to meet you, benefactor. My skills are unique, and they are secret techniques that can transform all the world's moves for my own use."

As he said this, he turned around and glanced at Xu Zhu, "Young Master Xu Zhu is inexperienced, so it is only natural that he misunderstood me."

Murong Ji sneered. This statement might be fine to fool other people, but it really made him want to laugh out loud. "Pfft, so that's it. It was I who misunderstood the Imperial Master."

As he said this, he made way and extended his hand in a gesture of invitation.

Murong Ji looked at Jiumozhi's back with a sneer on his face, then turned to look at the monks of Shaolin Temple, who were already asking about the precepts that Xuzhu had violated.

Murong Ji thought in his heart that when Xu Zhu solved the chess game and entered the valley, it was Xuan Nan who agreed, but Xuan Nan died on the way back to Shaolin Temple.

Logically speaking, Shaolin Temple should know and understand Xu Zhu's situation, but I don't know if they will still expel Xu Zhu from Shaolin Temple...

If I were not there, he would definitely be expelled from Shaolin as the head of a sect, but the problem now is that I am the head of the Xiaoyao Sect.

Murong Ji frowned slightly, but he was thinking in his heart that if Xu Zhu was still expelled from Shaolin Temple, it would actually be a good thing for him.

I can't stay in Lingjiu Palace for a long time, Xu Zhu is just right, so I will set up a Buddhist temple for him and let him play there.

"Xu Zhu, you violated the four major precepts of meat, alcohol, killing, and adultery without authorization. You will be punished with 100 heavy sticks! You will be expelled from Shaolin!"

Murong Ji looked up suddenly, and happened to meet Xuan Ci's gaze. At this moment, Murong Ji seemed to understand everything.

Xuanci went down the mountain to investigate, and he must have gained something! Then, could Xu Zhu's identity...

Murong Ji's pupils shrank and he didn't say much.

"Host! Here are the visiting cards from the heroes of the martial arts world."

Murong Ji came back to his senses and turned to Mei Jian, "When Yu Po comes back, tell her to take Xu Zhu to Lingjiu Palace. If Xu Zhu doesn't go, tell her that Meng Gu is there too."

Mei Jian clasped his fists, said "yes", turned around and left to contact Yu Po.

Murong Ji thought for a moment to see if there was anything missing, then turned around, left the backyard and returned to the guest house.

In the next two or three days, forces from all sides rushed to Shaolin Temple.

Murong Ji sat in front of the desk, quietly reading the scriptures. The accumulation of Shaolin Temple was very terrifying, with countless scriptures of various kinds.

"Master, Young Master! Countless people are gathering at the foot of Mount Shaoshi. Shouldn't we go and join in the fun?!" Feng Bo'e was so anxious that he scratched his ears and cheeks. He wanted to go to the foot of Mount Shaoshi to take a look.

But Murong Ji asked them to practice in peace, how could he resist? !
There were three other people sitting in the room, Deng Baichuan, Bao Bu Tong, and Zhuo Bufan.

Murong Ji did not answer immediately. After glancing at Zhuo Bufan, he said, "Don't worry. The big show hasn't started yet."

Bao Bu Tong pondered for a moment and said, "Quan Guanqing is a sinister villain. Since he said he would nominate a leader of the martial arts world, whether it is true or not, the Shaolin Temple has been set up."

Deng Baichuan continued, "We really can't be impatient. It's not easy to gather people from the martial arts world, and there are still forces from far away who have not arrived. Now that they have begun to gather, we must come to an end no matter what."

"I'm afraid the Shaolin Temple has already started preparing. Debates and martial arts competitions are inevitable."

Deng Baichuan was silent again, thought for a while, and then said: "Master... Patriarch, why are we here this time?"

"Probe into the Shaolin Temple and show off the strength of the Murong family. This is a rare opportunity, so give your men a chance to practice."

Murong Ji put down the scripture in his hand and was stunned. If he had known this would be the case, he would have brought his wife here. It would be good for her to broaden her horizons.

Calculating the time, it’s not too late to come now.

"Brother Bao San, are you going to run for a while?"

"The master ordered."

"Return to Gusu and bring the Madam here. Grand events here are rare and you may not come across them many times in your lifetime. It would be good to broaden your horizons."

"Yes"

Feng Bo'e watched his third brother leave the house, then he said, "Master, do you want to be the leader of the martial arts world?!"

Our mistress was born into the Yang family, a military family, which is an official power. Coupled with Murong Ji's strength and family influence, she really has the strength to sit on the throne of the leader.

Compared with Shaolin Temple, the only thing it lacks is reputation. Murong Ji shook his head. The leader of the martial arts world is the target of public criticism. Without a strong force, it is the way to death.

"I don't have that idea." He threw two bags of gold leaves on the table, "Plum Sword!"

"Squeak!" Mei Jian pushed the door open and came in, clasping his fists and saying, "My Lord, please give me your orders."

"Select a group of strong people from the Nine Heavens and Nine Sects who came with us and arrange for them to challenge the masters of various sects. Just do it when the time is right. Practice your skills!"

"Yes!"

Murong Ji turned to look at Deng Baichuan and said, "Brother Deng, please go buy some herbs for injuries, detoxification and heat clearing, and then find some good fighters to support our people."

Deng Baichuan nodded and agreed, "Okay."

He naturally understood Murong Ji's thoughts. It was a rare opportunity to train one's own masters. He then turned to look at Zhuo Bufan, feeling somewhat reluctant. Until now, he did not think that these people were from the Murong family.

Murong Ji looked at Deng Baichuan's reaction, understood what he was thinking, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Looking at Zhuo Bufan, he said, "Brother Zhuo needs to talk to Boss Wu. If you are willing to follow me, Murong Ji, then you should obey my arrangements. I will naturally not let you suffer any loss."

"Yes!"

After everything was arranged, Murong Ji waved his hand, signaling them to get to work quickly.

He then took out the scriptures and began to read slowly. After finishing reading a book, he copied it down.

He stood up, holding the scriptures, and walked slowly towards the Shaolin Temple's Sutra Library.

This was a deal between him and Xuan Ci, an inexplicable deal. He arranged everything for Xu Zhu, and he tacitly allowed himself to go to the Sutra Repository.

The Sutra Repository is a small courtyard. Around this courtyard live high-ranking Shaolin monks. If one wants to sneak in here, the requirements are quite high.

I walked into the yard as if no one was around, and looked up. I saw that the Sutra Repository didn't even have a plaque, it was just a three-story building.

There was an old monk in the yard sweeping the fallen leaves of the sycamore tree, very slowly and unhurriedly.

Murong Ji stopped and looked at the man. He could not sense any internal strength in him, nor did he feel any danger at all.

Compared to Tong Piaoyun and Li Qiu Shui, this person's kung fu and internal strength are much stronger. It is as if, on the verge of a certain realm, one step forward will open up a vast ocean, but one step back will lead to an abyss.

In spiritual practice, if you don’t make progress, you will regress.

Murong Ji was very familiar with this feeling. He had sensed this feeling in Shi Leyuan before. Unfortunately, Shi Leyuan did not move forward.

The same is true for this old monk now.

Murong Ji watched the old monk sweeping the floor as if no one was around, over and over again, as if this was the only thing he could do. He didn't look annoyed, nor did he look happy.

[Don't be happy with things, and don't be sad with yourself? 】

Looking at the pile of fallen leaves, Murong Ji touched his chin and suddenly struck out with his palm, causing the fallen leaves to fly all over the sky.

The old monk didn't react at all. He continued to carefully gather the fallen leaves together, but without any extra emotion.

Murong Ji ignored him and walked into the Sutra Library. He put the sutras back to their original places and dusted off his hands. He was a little moved. How could the Shaolin Temple, with so many Buddhist scriptures, be covered in dust? !
Then he walked around the Sutra Repository.

Zen monks mainly study the Diamond Sutra, the Heart Sutra, the Shurangama Sutra, the Lankavatara Sutra, the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Vimalakirti Sutra, and the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch.

There are also the most interpretations of the scriptures here.

Murong Ji picked out several scriptures, then found a tattered table, dusted it off, and placed it in a sunny spot on the first floor.

Then he took pen, ink, paper and inkstone and began to copy the scriptures.

The old monk glanced at Murong Ji, then continued to sweep the fallen leaves.

Neither of them bothered the other, and they lived in harmony.

Murong Ji came back to his senses and had already finished copying several scriptures, but he realized that the sun was about to set, so he put the originals back.

When he went downstairs to pack up the manuscripts, Murong Ji suddenly asked, "Senior, can you help me with something?"

The old monk was like a deaf-mute, with no reaction and continued sweeping the fallen leaves.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Murong Ji felt that this monk was like the reflection of Taoism. He didn't know how many years ago, he had been sweeping the floor here alone.

I don’t know why, but it seemed like it was recorded by this yard and played on a loop.

Murong Ji's pupils shrank slightly, and his eyelids drooped. [He is rejecting me.]

Murong Ji chuckled, "It's not for nothing that I ask you for help. You will be paid for it."

As he spoke, Murong Ji raised his sword finger and wrote a few words on the empty space above the table with his internal force: Do not establish written words, pass on the teachings outside the religion, point directly to the human heart, and see the nature to become a Buddha.

Then he picked up the books and walked outside.

(End of this chapter)