Chapter 391: Rumors Abound and the Mutated Golden Lotus
Chapter 391: Rumors Abound and the Mutated Golden Lotus
Lu Zhou was puzzled. ‘What are all these monks doing here?’
Apart from Zhou Jifeng and Pan Zhong, his disciples and the other old men were not present on the scene.
"Greetings, Benefactor Ji." The monks bowed in unison.
Lu Zhou remained silent as he waited for Xu Jing’s explanation.
Xu Jing said, "The Heaven Choice Temple has recruited 2,000 new disciples. I’ve called them over as reinforcements, but the battle had already ended when they arrived. However, they arrived just in time to help with the clearing of the corpses. We’re fortunate to have accomplished what was entrusted to us. The foot of the mountain is now cleared."
Lu Zhou nodded when he heard this. He was pleased. It was not a bad thing to have them help out around these parts. He replied curtly, "I see."
Xu Jing seemed embarrassed as he said, "However, many trees and plants near the foot of the mountain are half-withered. I’ve tried the Merciful Ark of Salvation, but it did not help."
The withering of the plants was within Lu Zhou’s expectations. Fortunately, the purple mist had been quickly dispersed. Otherwise, all the plants on Golden Court Mountain would wither and the mountain would be barren. He was deep in thoughts at this moment. He finally decided to restore the barrier should the chance presented itself. Without the barrier, the defenses of Golden Court Mountain were too weak.
Xu Jing said, "Benefactor Ji, the Buddhist prayer beads are too precious of a gift. I can’t take it without earning it. Kindly take it back, Benefactor Ji." He removed the prayer beads from around his neck and respectfully presented them to Lu Zhou with both hands.
Lu Zhou glanced at the Buddhist prayer beads. Was any of his disciples thinking of becoming a monk? ‘Who should I give this to if not a monk?’ Finally, he said, "I’ve never liked monks, but your performance is worthy of praise. Since I’ve given you the prayer beads, I won’t take them back."
Xu Jing was slightly taken aback by this. When he received the prayer beads yesterday, he thought it was a ploy by the Evil Sky Pavilion to temporarily bribe them for their help. He did not expect to keep it. When he heard Lu Zhou’s words, a contrite expression appeared on his face. His benefactor had sincerely offered him a gift, and yet, he had questioned the benefactor’s motives. "I’m ashamed of myself!"
Was this the bearing and thoughts worthy of an erudite monk? Xu Jing was so ashamed he wished the ground would open up and swallow him.
Lu Zhou who did not spare any thoughts to his matter was rather speechless when he looked at Xu Jing. He finally understood why his disciples greatly disliked those on the Noble Path. The people on the Noble Path assumed too much and thought too highly of themselves. ‘I’m just giving you the prayer beads because you’ve been of help to me. Moreover, the prayer beads aren’t worth much.’
To each his own.
Xu Jing wore the prayer beads around his neck. He lifted his monk robes and kowtowed piously. "On behalf of the Heaven Choice Temple, I thank you, Benefactor Ji."
Xu Jing’s disciples, naturally, could not stand by idly when their master was kowtowing. They kowtowed at Lu Zhou as well.
"Ding! Received a genuine kowtow from 1,020 individuals. Reward: 10,200 merit points."