86: Chapter 86 The Great Sun Tathagata's Marrow Cleansing Mantra

"That is not important."

Chen Mo patted the stack of books. "What is important is that I have this."

He reached into his robes and pulled out two more books.

The Golden Lotus, hardcover edition.

Trouble Follows the Widow.

The three books stacked together looked like a mountain of gold, blinding Monks Name with their luster.

"These three are all unique copies. The illustrations are exquisite, the plot is full of twists, and the positions... are all-encompassing." Chen Mo tempted him like a demon. "Great Master, once this opportunity is gone, it will never return. These are the works of a famous Suzhou Master. Look at these lines, this shading..."

Monks Name's breathing grew heavy.

At this moment, his reason was locked in a life-or-death struggle with his desire.

On one side was his sect's secret technique, and on the other was... a hall of art.

"No! Absolutely not!" Monks Name gritted his teeth. "Although this incantation is not a core secret technique, it cannot be passed on casually. If Master finds out, he will definitely break my legs."

"Forget it then."

Chen Mo didn't say another word, grabbing the books and preparing to stuff them back into his robes. "Since Great Master lacks sincerity, I will just keep them for myself to critique slowly. What a pity, such good things..."

"Wait!"

Monks Name roared, extending a greasy hand to press down on Chen Mo's wrist.

The fat on his face trembled, and his eyes darted back and forth between the books and Chen Mo's face.

"One book... cannot trade for it." Monks Name squeezed the words out through his teeth.

"I'll give you all three." Chen Mo generously pushed the books over.

Monks Name's fingers stroked the covers; the tactile sensation made him itch with desire. He frantically comforted himself in his heart: Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. This Benefactor Chen has a deficiency in his body, so I am saving a person, not reading for pleasure—absolutely not!

"Deal!"

Monks Name slapped his thigh hard, as if he had made a major decision. He looked left and right, confirming that there were no eavesdroppers, before pulling a crumpled, tattered cloth from his robes.

"I didn't bring paper or a brush. I copied this onto my foot-binding cloth... oh no, my sweat towel, a long time ago."

The corner of Chen Mo's mouth twitched.

A foot-binding cloth?

Forget it, heroes don't ask where things come from, and one doesn't ask about the medium for a Cultivation Technique.

Monks Name handed over the cloth strip, which emitted a faint, sour smell, looking pained: "This Great Sun Tathagata Marrow Cleansing Incantation is actually a method of breathing and Qi circulation. When combined with specific incantations to vibrate the internal organs, it can force the Impurities out of the bone marrow bit by bit. Especially for... ahem, for that aspect, it really does have miraculous effects."

Chen Mo took it, enduring the smell as he scanned it.

It was densely packed with tiny regular script. Although the handwriting was sloppy, it vaguely revealed a sense of uprightness.

【Detected incomplete Cultivation Technique: Great Sun Tathagata Marrow Cleansing Incantation.】

【Record it?】

The cold voice rang out in his mind, and the heavy stone in Chen Mo's heart finally fell to the ground.

It was real.

Although this fat monk was unreliable, this thing was real.

"Many thanks, Great Master."

Chen Mo solemnly tucked the cloth strip into his robes and then pushed the three books in front of Monks Name. With incredible speed, Monks Name instantly swept the three books into his robes; his movements were so fast they left an afterimage.

"Amitabha."

After putting the books away, Monks Name immediately resumed the appearance of an enlightened high monk, putting his hands together in a solemn manner. "Benefactor Chen, although this technique is miraculous, remember not to be overly eager for success. You must proceed step by step, practicing breathing and Qi circulation facing the rising sun every morning to grasp its essence."

"I will remember." Chen Mo nodded.

"Also." Monks Name lowered his voice, his face serious. "These books... have too much Killing Intent. Poor Monk needs to go into seclusion for forty-nine days after taking them back to dissolve the baleful energy within them using Buddhist dharma. During this time, unless there is something major, do not come to disturb Poor Monk."

Chen Mo almost laughed out loud.

Seclusion to read erotica?

This monk was quite the talent.

"Certainly, certainly." Chen Mo suppressed his laughter. "Great Master has worked hard."

"It is no hardship. If I do not go to Hell, who will?"

Monks Name stood up and patted his butt. He looked like he was heading to the execution ground, but his footsteps were so light he seemed ready to fly. "Uh, Poor Monk has things to do, I shall take my leave first. This bill..."

"I will settle it."

"Excellent, excellent."

After Monks Name finished speaking, he swept out of the private room like a gust of wind, as if afraid Chen Mo would go back on his word.

Watching the door still swinging, the smile on Chen Mo's face gradually faded.

He touched the sour-smelling cloth strip in his robes, and his eyes grew sharp.

The Marrow Cleansing Incantation was in hand.

Although it was only a High Grade mortal-rank technique, for him right now, this was a life-saving straw. With this, he could repair his body's deficiencies, and perhaps... go even further.

He picked up his wine cup and drank the remaining wine in one gulp.

The night in Qingyang City had only just begun.

And he, Chen Mo, finally had chips to sit at the table.

"Waiter! Bill!"

Chen Mo shouted, his voice filled with unprecedented relief.

"Coming—!"

The waiter's eager call came from outside the door.

Chen Mo stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

In the distance, the faint sound of dogs barking and the night watchman's gong could be heard.

In this chaotic world, human life was as worthless as grass.

To avoid being cut down like grass, one had to turn oneself into a blade.

A blade that was the sharpest and most ruthless.

Chen Mo tightened his clothes and turned to walk out of the Drunken Immortal Tower.

Returning home, the night was already deep.

Chen Mo closed the doors and windows tightly and lit an oil lamp. The lamp flame was like a bean, casting flickering shadows on the wall.

He pulled the tattered cloth strip he had obtained from the monk Monks Name from his robes.

A sour stench, like something soaked in a vat of aged pickled vegetables, assaulted his face. The monk said this was a foot-binding cloth, but Chen Mo felt he might have been modest; the smell was more like something used to pickle salted fish.

"For the sake of longevity, I will endure it."

Chen Mo held his nose and spread the cloth strip on the table.

The tiny regular script on it was densely packed, the characters written crookedly, but looking closely, the brushstrokes revealed a stubborn streak.

Great Sun Tathagata Marrow Cleansing Incantation.

The name was quite intimidating.

The content was actually not much, just a few hundred characters, accompanied by a few simple stick-figure drawings showing the posture for breathing and Qi circulation, along with a few obscure and difficult-to-understand incantations. These incantations were not meant to be chanted, but to be used in conjunction with breathing to vibrate at a specific frequency within the chest cavity.

Chen Mo sat cross-legged on the bed, following the posture on the diagram, with his five centers facing the sky.

Inhale.

Direct Qi to the Dantian.

Then, vibrate the chest cavity and silently recite that strange syllable: "Om... Ma... Ni..."

At first, there was no feeling, just like a fool talking to himself.

Chen Mo was not in a hurry. He had plenty of patience.

Once, twice, three times...

About half an hour later, just when Chen Mo was wondering if the monk had really tricked him with a foot-binding cloth, the spot three inches below his navel suddenly jumped.

Immediately after, a warm current, like a startled mouse, shot out with a swoosh.

This warm current did not travel through the Meridians, but specifically drilled into the crevices of his bones.

Itchy.

It was an agonizing itch.