landbeastnovel Chapter 9 Mohai Cave
Chapter 9 Mohai Cave
Regarding the handling of Lai San.
Liu Sheng had also given it considerable thought.
First of all, I really never intended to take the other person's life.
Having lived two lives, he was not yet accustomed to killing, especially since there was no mortal feud between his family and Lai San.
He even questioned his father privately.
I learned that Lai Sanping was usually quite unlikeable.
But in this commercial street, Lai San really only sought money, not lives.
That was all Liu Sheng could ask.
He couldn't care less about anything further away.
"I underestimated this old lad; he's a real talent!"
Liu Sheng's principles for handling affairs are very simple.
Murderers must pay with their lives.
Since you didn't kill anyone, let's put this matter aside for now.
Anyway, I'm already a formal disciple of Bajiquan now, and with my dad by my side, I have a life-saving charm.
Moreover, 150 taels of silver is enough for a rogue like him to atone for his sins.
Secondly, Liu Sheng was concerned about the unclear and ambiguous relationship between the government and the Beggars' Sect.
He had heard the commotion of the beggars keeping watch outside the wall tonight, and now they must have gone back to the Beggars' Guild to inform them.
If Lai San dies in his own home tonight.
That means Dad's business will be tough from now on. And if business is tough, his martial arts training will have to be delayed.
Even if Lai San had died elsewhere in the county, his family might not have been able to absolve themselves of responsibility. After all, the beggar had heard that Lai San had fallen into their hands.
In particular, the current imperial order has not yet collapsed.
The death of someone has a significant impact.
I should focus my energy on improving my skills and minimize other troubles.
After thinking it over, Liu Sheng realized that the problem was quite simple.
To use one tiger to devour another, to use another to kill.
Everyone knows that the Mingsha Gang and the Beggars' Gang are mortal enemies.
Last time, I heard Old Man Kang mention that people from the Mingsha Gang patrolled the houses near the market at midnight.
That's perfect!
"Hmph, I'm not going to take your life, but how the Mingsha Gang 'treats' you, and how the Beggars' Sect will treat you in the future, is none of my business."
Liu Sheng returned home satisfied and told his father what happened next.
He also said that he would keep the martial arts school informed of the situation tomorrow, and there shouldn't be any major problems afterward.
He also instructed that if the Beggars' Sect asked later, they should say that they saw Lai San go to the Mingsha Gang and that they didn't know what was going on.
The two also split 150 taels of silver notes into three portions.
They kept 50 taels to cover the upcoming taxes from the imperial court, and used the rest to purchase goods. The father and son each received 50 taels, and the father kept a little over 3 taels of loose silver.
"Whether it's for practicing martial arts or helping Aunt Song with her illness, this money can come in handy."
Liu Sheng felt slightly relieved.
Then he went back to his room and lay down.
Perhaps it's because I slept well in the afternoon, or perhaps it's because I practiced my punches and kicks with Lai San earlier and am still quite energetic right now.
He couldn't fall asleep for a while.
Only then did he take a closer look at his own cramped room.
The wall was just a simple rammed earth wall.
It wasn't whitewashed.
Several wooden stakes were nailed to the wall, along with a few pieces of everyday clothing and a straw hat for protection from the wind and rain.
The window is a simple straight-pane window.
Moonlight filtered through the paper, casting blurry, grid-like shadows on the smooth, low-legged table.
The roof is a standard gable roof, covered with reeds, which will leak if it rains heavily.
Fortunately, heavy rain is rare on sandbars.
Beneath me was a narrow cypress bed, covered with a thick, rough mattress filled with reeds, but unfortunately, it wasn't as warm as I'd imagined.
In fact, this applies to this street, and even to Crescent Moon County.
My family isn't even considered poor.
But Liu Sheng now inevitably compares his life to his previous one.
"The food wasn't actually very good, but thankfully the staff helped with the laundry."
We're still too poor!
My father was an old merchant who did a good job, but under the exploitation of the imperial court, even the best business was useless.
If I hadn't had the foresight to buy this shop, I would have ended up losing money after paying taxes, levies, and rent every month of hard work.
He subconsciously touched the 50 taels of silver notes in his pocket.
He knew that without real strength, even if he made money, he couldn't hold onto his wealth.
"I still need to practice martial arts diligently and continue to get stronger!"
Liu Sheng doesn't have any grand ambitions yet, but he wants to make sure that he and his family can live a decent life.
But what supports this simple idea is the continued improvement of one's martial arts level!
"If one day I can be as strong as the master of the sect, not only will I have nothing to fear from the Beggars' Sect, but even the county magistrate would probably have to give me some face. Then I can cling to an even stronger and more powerful figure, hehehe..."
Lost in various daydreams.
Liu Sheng fell into a deep sleep.
The backyard of a small shop.
Finally, it fulfilled the most reassuring dream he had had since awakening his innate wisdom.
It's past midnight.
At the same time.
It is located more than 30 miles southeast of Yueya County.
The cold night is tinged with frost and moonlight, and the north wind stirs up silver sand.
Under the dark blue sky, the Mingsha Mountain resembles a sleeping dragon's spine, stretching across the east and west.
Crescent Lake is like a dragon pearl, embedded in the landscape.
The Mohai Caves are located on the eastern cliff of the Mingsha Mountain.
735 caves have been carved into the cliff face, which is as sharp as if cut by a knife.
There are plank roads connecting them.
Tonight, all 735 Buddhist caves are lit with candles.
A cold wind swept in, causing the candlelight to flicker and dim.
Like the eyes of a thousand Buddhas, it gazes at the distant east amidst the sound of the wind.
They also bid farewell to the high monk of the Great Tibetan Dynasty before them—Lalong.
The high monk Lalong once assisted the Demon Emperor in ascending to the throne.
Unexpectedly, after the Demon Emperor ascended to the throne, he suddenly turned against Buddhism and launched a campaign to destroy Buddhism throughout the entire capital city of Lhasa, killing monks and destroying countless Buddhist temples.
Lalong had also disappeared for a time, but unexpectedly, he has now appeared in Shazhou, on the border of the dynasty.
Mohai Caves.
The central cave has a nine-story, eight-pillar building with double-eaved, upturned corners at the entrance.
Under the moonlight, it presents a magnificent dark red color.
Inside the entrance.
There stands a seated Maitreya statue, ten zhang tall.
The candlesticks inside the cave are arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper, with the tallest bronze lamp placed in the shadow of the Buddha's palm.
Wearing a yellow Buddhist robe, a khatti top, and a tanghit bottom, Lalong sat quietly on a prayer cushion to the side of the Buddha.
On the other side of the Buddha, on the same lotus-patterned floor.
There was a person sitting opposite him on a futon.
He was a man of upright posture.
She wore a white robe made of moonlight satin, with a hidden embroidery of a nine-colored deer.
Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and a bronze demon mask was bound to her left shoulder.
She had an ivory-white complexion, exquisitely beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and pale red lips.
If Lu were here, he would recognize him.
This person is none other than Gao Huang, the owner of the Bajiguan Pavilion.
Gao Huang advised, "Master, are you really going to set off tonight? My master is currently in critical seclusion. Why don't we wait until he comes out before discussing this?"
Master Lalong sighed, "The heart of the Demon Emperor cannot be melted by gentle water. Only the Vajra Dagger can break through karmic obstacles."
Upon hearing this, Gao Huang knew that the eminent monk opposite him had made up his mind, so he did not try to persuade him any further.
So he took out a short knife.
The knife is no more than seven inches long, with a simple and ancient design, and an ebony scabbard. Over the years, it has developed a subtle, warm luster.
Gao Huang drew his short sword, and in an instant, a cold light cascaded down like a silver waterfall. On the Big Dipper lamp stand, the two candles went out and then flared up again.
Seeing the cold light, Lalong's eyes lit up. He listened as Gao Huang explained:
"My master said that if the master insists on going first, he should be given the punishment of execution."
After speaking, Gao Huang closed the scabbard and presented the sword with both hands.
Lalong bowed his head, accepted the [Execution Method] with both hands, and said gratefully, "Please thank Commander Zhang for teaching me assassination techniques and for gifting me this precious sword, which has helped me accomplish my mission."
Gao Huang bowed in greeting:
"As fellow human beings, it is only natural."
Master Lalong said firmly, "The Demon Emperor will surely die within a hundred days. At that time, I ask Governor Zhang and everyone else to act according to the circumstances."
After saying this, Lalong solemnly put the dagger into his pocket.
Get up and move forward.
Behind them, Maitreya Buddha looks down with lowered eyes.
The stepped folds of the clay robe were drawn out by the light and shadow of the candlestick, revealing grooves of varying depths.
Before me lay a vast, desolate desert.
Across the ancient shifting sands, the howling wind seems to carry the chanting of monks, drifting erratically in the breeze.
Gao Huang watched Master Lalong's resolute departing figure, listening to him mutter incantations:
"May I, at the moment of my death, be free from all obstacles, see Amitabha Buddha, and be reborn in the Pure Land of Bliss..."
Dawn breaks.
Liu Sheng got up early.
He has now become a formal disciple of Bajiquan.
Having dealt with that fly Lai San last night, he now feels refreshed and invigorated. He's already looking forward to his senior brother's Bajiquan stance training today.
And in a couple of days, he will be able to meet the owner of the Bajiquan school, whom he had only seen from afar before.
Just as he was about to leave, he habitually grabbed a handful of dried dates, intending to bring them to Ye Qi.
But found...
"Dad, why have dried dates gone up in price?"