82: Chapter 82 Remember That Book

His old face bloomed like a chrysanthemum as he approached the horse and cupped his hands. "It's all thanks to Lord Jiang's matchless Divine Might! This Poor Daoist was just playing a supporting role, assisting on the side. I don't dare take any credit, really!"

While he said he didn't dare, those small eyes were gleaming. He was clearly already calculating how much silver this credit could be exchanged for, or if he could get an unofficial consultant title at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Jiang Hongli ignored his flattery, merely nodding faintly before looking at Chen Mo.

"You're not bad either."

Chen Mo was helping push the cart and looked up upon hearing this.

"Calm in the face of danger. Though your saber technique is crude, you're brave enough to risk your life," Jiang Hongli's evaluation was fair, even carrying a hint of that high-and-mighty tone. "Go to the warehouse and get two bottles of Golden Sore Ointment when we return. It'll be on the public account."

"Thank you, My Lord." Chen Mo grinned without further nonsense.

He knew exactly what was going on in his heart.

What 'calm in the face of danger'? He was forced. What 'brave enough to risk his life'? He was just afraid of dying. As for the Golden Sore Ointment, it would be a waste not to take it.

Compared to these empty verbal praises, he cared more about the fat monk walking beside him.

Monk Wunian wasn't riding a horse or sitting in a carriage.

His fat jiggled with every step, and the Buddhist staff in his hand clattered against the ground. Reasonably, now that the business was done, this monk, being a wandering monk, should go back to wherever he came from.

But this fellow simply wouldn't.

"Great Master, the fork ahead to the east leads to the official road. You can head straight to the next county," Chen Mo tested.

"Amitabha."

Wunian chanted a Buddhist invocation, looking compassionate. "Benefactor Chen, you are mistaken. Although this Bronze Armored Corpse has been under Seal, the corpse qi left along the way hasn't dissipated. Since this Poor Monk has encountered it, I must see the task through to the end. I plan to follow everyone back to the city, chanting sutras along the way to offer prayers for the deceased and purify the Evil Qi, so as not to harm innocent passersby."

Chen Mo's mouth twitched.

Purify Evil Qi?

Just now, when they passed a tea stall, this monk drank three bowls of herbal tea in one go and even pilfered two flatbreads, yet he didn't see him chant a single sutra.

He clearly just wanted to hitch a ride back to the city.

As for what he wanted to do in the city...

Chen Mo glanced at the monk's shifty, darting eyes and knew what was up.

Halfway through the journey, the group stopped by a stream to rest.

The Runners went to fetch water, while Jiang Hongli closed her eyes to rest.

Wunian looked around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, he sneakily approached Chen Mo.

"Benefactor Chen."

The monk's voice was very low, with a familiar and friendly tone. "A word in private?"

Chen Mo put down his waterskin and followed him behind a crooked-necked tree.

"What guidance do you have, Great Master?"

"It's not really guidance, it's just that..." Wunian rubbed his chubby hands, his expression becoming a bit lewd and expectant. "Back at the Ren family estate, we had an agreement."

Chen Mo played dumb: "What agreement?"

Wunian got anxious.

"Aiya, Benefactor Chen, you're being unkind!"

The monk's eyes widened as he gestured. "The reward promised by that old man of the Ren Family—this Poor Monk put in a lot of effort! Also, once we're back in the county town, the vegetarian meal at the Drunken Immortal Tower... ahem, 'wine and meat pass through the intestines,' you understand. Most importantly!"

He suddenly lowered his voice, acting like a thief, and gestured a rectangular outline in the air.

"That... book."

Wunian winked and nudged. "That one, the illustrated version, the out-of-print sole copy. Benefactor Chen, you're a scholar, you surely know the trade. For that book, this Poor Monk traveled through the night until my legs grew thin."

Looking at the monk's impatient appearance, Chen Mo found it amusing.

Where was the enlightened monk? This was clearly a meat-eating, wine-drinking monk, and an old pervert to boot.

However, this was exactly what Chen Mo wanted.

If this monk were truly righteous and devoid of desires, it would be difficult to fish for secrets about the 'corpse elixir,' 'Wild Maoshan,' and 'extending Lifespan.'

As long as there were desires, he would be easy to manipulate.

A look of realization appeared on Chen Mo's face.

"Oh—! Great Master means that!"

He slapped his thigh, his voice slightly louder, startling Wunian into quickly reaching out to cover his mouth.

"Shh! Shh! Lower your voice!" Wunian nervously looked back toward Jiang Hongli. "That female benefactor has heavy Killing Intent, don't let her hear."

Chen Mo laughed and pushed the monk's hand away.

"Don't worry, Great Master."

Chen Mo leaned in closer, his tone as sincere as if he were baring his soul to a brother. "I, Chen Mo, am a man of my word. Regarding the Ren Family's money, I'll go and push for it as soon as we return; your share won't be missing. The banquet at the Drunken Immortal Tower will be arranged tonight! As for that book..."

He paused, intentionally leaving him in suspense.

Wunian's Adam's apple bobbed as he stared at him expectantly.

"I've already asked a friend to look for it in the black market," Chen Mo whispered mysteriously. "I heard it's even a deluxe edition with color pages. As long as Great Master stays in the county town for a few more days, this book will definitely be presented with both hands."

"Excellent, excellent!"

Wunian was so happy he couldn't close his mouth. He pressed his palms together and bowed repeatedly to Chen Mo. "Benefactor Chen is indeed a man of his word! This Poor Monk was right about you! I've definitely made a friend in you!"

Chen Mo smiled and returned the gesture, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

The book?

He could just buy any illustrated erotic book from a bookstall.

The important thing was to keep this monk in Qingyang City.

Back in the cave, the "Wild Maoshan" secret technique Wunian mentioned had been dismissed as an evil art by Jiang Hongli, but the four words "increasing Lifespan" were too tempting for Chen Mo.

He was now like a terminally ill patient; even if it were a folk remedy or poison, as long as there was a sliver of hope, he had to grasp it.

This monk was knowledgeable and had a loose tongue. As long as there was enough wine, meat, and books, he wasn't afraid of not being able to squeeze out some useful information.

"Great Master, the road back to the city is still long. It just so happens I have some doubts about cultivation that I'd like to ask you about," Chen Mo threw out a hook.

"Sure, sure!"

Wunian was in a great mood now and patted his chest in assurance. "As long as it's something I know, I'll tell you everything! We're friends, after all!"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

One was after money and lust, the other was after his life.

Each took what they needed, acting in collusion.

Not far away.

Jiang Hongli opened her eyes.

She coldly glanced at the two heads whispering together behind the tree.

One was a fleshy-faced bald head, the other was a Runner who looked honest but was actually full of bad ideas.

Both had that peculiar, knowing, lewd smile unique to men on their faces.

"Heh."

Jiang Hongli let out a soft snort.

Although she couldn't hear what they were saying, she could guess with her toes that it certainly wasn't anything proper. Most likely, they were splitting loot or discussing which girl was pretty.

She didn't care to bother.

As long as it didn't interfere with official business or violate the law, these stinking men could do whatever they wanted.

"Depart."

Jiang Hongli flipped onto her horse and coldly spat out two words.

Chen Mo and Wunian immediately separated, one running to push the cart, the other pretentiously waving his Buddhist staff to clear the way, as if the dirty deal just now had never happened.

The group moved again, swaying toward Qingyang City against the setting sun.