78: Chapter 78 The Monk with All Five Poisons

Chen Mo looked around to ensure Jiang Hongli was focused on scouting ahead and couldn't hear him.

He then mysteriously pulled at the air—miming the action of pulling out a book—and pressed it against his chest.

"It's not a scripture; it's a rare book."

Chen Mo had a "you know the one" expression. "A unique manuscript from the previous dynasty. It tells the story of an eminent monk who, to temper his Heart-Nature, actively entered the Mortal World to spar with various female demons and female benefactors... oh no, to discuss the stories of human nature."

Wunian's pace slowed down.

He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Discuss... human nature? How exactly did they discuss it?"

"It was very profound."

Chen Mo talked nonsense with a straight face. "The book is titled 'The Lamp, the Grass, and the Monk'."

"It details how that monk tumbled in the Mortal World, using Divine Abilities called 'Retracting the Yang into the Abdomen' and 'Length at Will' to subdue countless women who wanted to ruin his cultivation."

"The illustrations are exquisite, capturing every detail, even the fine hairs. Especially those few pages of 'Intertwined Roots' enlightenment scenes, it's simply... tsk tsk tsk."

Thud.

Wunian bumped his head against the stone wall.

"Ouch!"

Jiang Hongli turned back, frowning. "What are you doing? How can you walk into a wall?"

"No... nothing!" Wunian covered his forehead, his face flushing red as he waved his hand. "Poor Monk was just contemplating Buddhist principles too deeply and didn't watch the path."

Once Jiang Hongli turned away, Wunian grabbed Chen Mo's sleeve so hard he almost tore it off.

His small eyes no longer held any Buddhist light; they were filled with a terrifyingly bright green light.

"Benefactor Chen."

Wunian's voice trembled with excitement. "That... that critical book you mentioned, where is it now?"

"Locked in a hidden compartment under my bed at home."

Chen Mo sighed with regret. "A pity, such a book is too profound. A commoner like me can't understand the Zen secrets within; I just end up blushing. I was thinking of burning it one day to avoid corrupting my mind..."

"You mustn't!"

Wunian growled, the flesh on his face trembling with urgency. "Absolutely not! Such a... such a treasure that records the cultivation journey of a Senior monk, how can it be burned? That is great disrespect to the Buddha! It's a waste of a precious gift!"

He stared at Chen Mo, his tone becoming incredibly sincere, even pleading.

"Benefactor Chen, you can't handle this book; the water is too deep. Why not... let Poor Monk keep it? Poor Monk has deep Buddhist knowledge and will surely realize the supreme Dao from it to warn the world. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Chen Mo was laughing inside but acted troubled.

"This... isn't right, is it? Great Master is a monk; wouldn't reading such a book break the precepts?"

"What precepts!"

Wunian spoke righteously, puffing out his chest. "Wine and meat pass through the gut, while the Buddha remains in the heart. Poor Monk is reviewing it with a critical eye to subdue demons! If I don't enter Hell, who will? To explore the weaknesses of human nature, Poor Monk is willing to sacrifice his own eyes to face those... those indecent images!"

Then he switched to a flattering smile, rubbing his hands.

"Um... Brother Chen, look, about that 'Marrow Cleansing Incantation' earlier, can we discuss it again? As long as the book is provided, forget the Marrow Cleansing Incantation, Poor Monk can even give you some pointers on the 'Vajra Indestructible Kidney... Body' technique!"

Chen Mo suppressed his laughter and patted Wunian's shoulder. "Great Master is indeed a virtuous monk. I admire your spirit of 'if I don't enter Hell'. Once this job is done and we return to the county town, the book will be presented with both hands, and the pork hocks from Drunken Immortal Tower will be all you can eat."

"Deal!"

Wunian slapped Chen Mo's back in excitement, nearly making him spit blood.

At that moment, Jiang Hongli stopped.

She raised her hand, signaling for silence.

"We're here."

Her voice was soft but like cold water, instantly extinguishing Wunian's lust.

Everyone looked up.

Ahead, the space opened up into a massive underground grotto.

In the center sat a huge bronze coffin. It was suspended in mid-air, held by four thick iron chains at its corners, connected to the ceiling.

Below the coffin was a bottomless pool of water, black as ink and bubbling.

A visible black mist floated up from the pool, continuously entering the bronze coffin.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Dull thumping sounds came from the coffin, as if something inside was banging its head against the walls. Each hit made the chains rattle violently, shaking dust from the grotto ceiling.

The pressure was ten times stronger than the zombies outside.

"Is this... the Bronze Armored Corpse?"

Daoist Master Qian's teeth chattered audibly in the silent cave. "This... this Evil Qi is almost solidifying..."

Wunian also put away his lecherous face.

He squinted at the coffin, pulled out a string of dark purple prayer beads, and his expression became more serious than ever.

"Trouble."

Wunian said deeply, "This isn't an ordinary Bronze Armored Corpse. Someone is using the 'Nine Yin Evil-Gathering Array' to force its maturation! The bottom of this coffin is connected to a Yin Spring of the earth's ley lines. If this thing jumps out, we... might not even be enough to fill the gaps between its teeth."

Chen Mo gripped his blade, palms sweating.

He glanced at Wunian and whispered, "Great Master, can 'The Lamp, the Grass, and the Monk' subdue this thing?"

Wunian's mouth twitched, and he replied irritably:

"Don't mention the book now! If this thing comes out, never mind that monk, even if the Buddha himself were invited, it would take some effort. Prepare to fight for your lives!"

Jiang Hongli took a deep breath, her sword unsheathed, a faint red light glowing on the blade.

"Follow the plan."

She stared at the violently shaking coffin, her voice terrifyingly calm. "I will cut the chains and force it into the pool, using the water to drain its corpse energy. Monk, set up an array to block the exit. Chen Mo, you and Daoist Master Qian... if you don't want to die, land follow-up blows from the side, don't let it burst out of the water!"

"Move!"

With a sharp cry from Jiang Hongli, she leapt like a red swallow toward the suspended bronze coffin.

The battle was about to begin.