Chapter 51: Curbing Greed

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“Elder, is this... is this true? Will it really harm our prospects for the future?” Not one of the scholars was unafraid; their faces turned pale in an instant.

The monk pressed his palms together and nodded. “In my humble estimation, there is an eighty or ninety percent chance that this world is not one of mere mortals; demons and spirits are ever-present. Should you offend them, you will inevitably have to contend with them, risking your own fate and fortune. That is the least of it—if your fate and fortune are insufficient, you may suffer nightly oppression from ghosts, ceaseless nightmares, or, in the worst case... there is even the danger of losing your life.”

“It can’t... it can’t really be that serious, can it?”

Panic swept the group; the more timid among them even clutched the monk’s hand in fright. “Elder, I beg you, please save me.”

The monk’s smile grew even kinder, and he nodded. “It is no trouble at all. Since fate has brought us together, I will not stand idly by.” As he spoke, he drew two talismans from his sleeve—one a yellow paper charm, the other made of jade.

“Gentlemen, I have here two types of spiritual talismans to expel ghosts and ward off monsters. The jade talisman is exceedingly powerful and will guarantee peace for a lifetime. The paper charm is much weaker, providing only a month’s protection. I wonder whether you would prefer the paper charm or the jade talisman?”

“If the jade talisman can bring lifelong safety, of course I want the jade one,” someone said. Given the choice between lifelong protection or just a month, any reasonable person would choose the former.

The monk, hearing this, became even more affable. “You are indeed wise and farsighted. Carrying the jade talisman with you will ward off all evil and ensure your safety for life. It also makes a fine pendant.”

He opened his inner sight.

The more the monk spoke, the more he reminded Shen Shi of a salesman. Without hesitation, he opened his spiritual eye.

With a glance, he saw that while the monk did possess a trace of Buddhist aura, there was much more greed, gloom, malice, and even a whiff of death about him.

The talismans in the monk's hands were revealed for what they truly were.

Talents Gathering Talisman—capable of absorbing the scholarly aura of mortals.

So that’s what it was! Whether the monk had ulterior motives or was simply a salesman, Shen Shi could not be sure.

Before Shen Shi could decide how to expose this charlatan, the other scholars were already nodding eagerly, saying, “Elder, your words are wise. It is truly our good fortune to meet you today. Your compassion in bestowing these talismans is a blessing we can never repay.” With that, they bowed deeply in respect.

The monk accepted their bows with gracious composure and revealed his true intent: “Our encounter today is fated. I ought to gift these to such worthy gentlemen, but though I do not keep money for myself, the Buddha requires offerings to restore his golden body.”

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“Contributing to the Buddha’s golden image is only right. May I ask how much is required?” a scholar inquired.

“These talismans are both spiritual tools and tokens of fate. A thousand gold pieces would not be too much, but since fortune has brought us together, I will only accept one thousand taels of silver from you.”

“Ah? That... that’s so expensive?” This price startled everyone.

By now, the monk’s intentions were laid bare.

It must be said, though monks are outsiders compared to the Daoist tradition, they have long outshone Daoists, and not without reason.

However...

“Elder, if you please—shouldn’t such talismans belong to Daoists?” Liu Yuanzhe directly voiced the question on everyone’s mind.

A thousand gold pieces or a thousand taels of silver—either sum was an exorbitant amount for scholars like them. After all, the Grand Chancellor of the Song Empire earned only 500 strings of cash a month, and since he was an official, his salary was only 770 coins per string.

Moreover, the purchasing power of a tael of silver exceeded a thousand coins.

“Heh, both Buddhism and Daoism possess spiritual powers from beyond. The paths differ, but their destination is the same,” the monk replied with a smile.

“Thank you for your kind advice, Elder,” said Liu Yuanzhe. “But I have no use for such a talisman, and it would be unseemly for you to make a loss on my account.”

Liu Yuanzhe’s refusal was not from stinginess, but simply because he didn’t have that much money on him.

As for Shen Shi, he certainly wouldn’t buy one either. He had yet to figure out how the talisman actually absorbed scholarly talent, but as someone who had awakened intelligence through talent, his own scholarly aura was barely enough for himself; why would he carry an item that would siphon it away?

“Alas! People value wealth more than life. Truly the mortal world is a sea of suffering. My Buddha is merciful, prajna...”

Seeing no one willing to buy, the monk began to chant sutras on the spot.

In the pitch-black night, the sound of Buddhist scripture unsettled the scholars all the more, rather than calming them.

“His Buddhist chant...”

Shen Shi opened his inner sight and saw that Bao Zheng was surrounded by righteous energy and a halo of starlight. The monk’s Buddhist chant, whatever power it might have held, instantly evaporated upon contact, vanishing without a trace.

After chanting for a while and still finding no buyers, the monk grew angry. “Hmph! If you are unwilling even to contribute to restoring the Buddha’s image, you are truly blinded by delusion. May you fend for yourselves in the future!”

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Failing to sell a single talisman, the monk flicked his robe and left at once. This time, everyone saw clearly the direction he departed—he had come straight from the marketplace.

The scholars had already been thoroughly frightened that night, and seeing the monk heading the same way as themselves, they hurried after him.

“Gentlemen, we are all weary today. Let us find an inn and rest in peace.”

“That’s right,” the scholars agreed one after another. As for their earlier talk of going for a stroll, faced with their real exhaustion, it now seemed laughable—no one mentioned it again.

“Sigh! That talisman sounded marvelous, promising a lifetime of safety, if only it weren’t so dear.”

Once they were settled in the inn, preparing for a good night’s rest, some still couldn’t help but lament the jade talisman that had slipped through their fingers. The things one cannot obtain always seem the most desirable.

“Excellent! As expected, they followed me.”

A pair of eyes watched as Shen Shi and the others entered the inn. Hands pressed together, the watcher turned and departed.

It was, in fact, the very same monk they had encountered earlier.

Seeing Shen Shi and his companions take rooms at the market’s inn, the monk returned to his own lodgings.

Along the way, whether merchants or patrolling guards, everyone treated him with great respect. Anyone overhearing their words would realize that, even if he was not the owner of the market, he was at least its chief steward.

The monk entered his residence and opened a small door leading down to a basement.

By lamplight, he entered the underground chamber. The furnishings were sparse—just a meditation cushion and a ritual altar—but the air was thick with the scent of burning incense.

Behind the altar stood a statue, but it was neither Buddha nor Arhat. Instead, it depicted an old man in blue robes, one hand holding a book, the other a sword.

All the incense offerings on the ground seemed to be drawn toward the statue, as if compelled by some invisible force.

The monk, entering the chamber, lit a stick of incense, pressed his palms together, and began to chant: “Lord Qingqiu, the steward of this marketplace humbly offers his prayers. I beseech Lord Qingqiu to lend this humble monk your aid...”