Chapter 95: Chapter 95: High-Sounding Pretexts

“Fraudulent monk indeed!” Xia Wenjin spat. Eight lives, and no one knows if they’re dead or alive, yet he dared to blab, using gods and spirits as an excuse, to let this matter slide into obscurity.

With anger rising in her heart, she said, “I don’t know where this charlatan monk comes from, but if I meet him, I’ll surely teach him a good lesson!”

Huangfu Jingchen sighed and said, “The rural folks are lacking in knowledge. For things they can’t comprehend, they like to attribute them to gods and spirits, making everything reasonable and awe-inspiring. That charlatan monk knows that saying this would make the villagers believe without a doubt. He’s probably a habitual offender!”

Xia Wenjin said, “I wonder if we can find him, I want to give him a beating!” As she spoke, she cracked her knuckles, ready to give it a try.

Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes deepened.

He really couldn’t understand this person, who would resort to any means to deceive, yet he himself got caught by her tricks several times. However, in Widow Liu’s case, she was able to stand up. Governor Wang and his daughter were oppressing the countryside, and although she was alone and without support, she dared to directly confront them.

An affair like Aunt Wang’s had nothing to do with her, but after hearing from the waiter about Aunt Wang’s encounter and the disappearance of several girls from River Mouth Village, she resolutely came here with him.

He stepped up because his father and mother often reminded him that a great man born into this world shoulders responsibility and acts with standards, knowing when to act and when not to. He should never forget the words filial piety and loyalty, always act with benevolence, value promises in all matters, and if he lacks the ability, he should hold fast, remain unchanged by poverty, not indulge in wealth, and not be subdued by power; if he has the ability, he should support the weak and do more good deeds!

Moreover, the entire Nanxia belonged to his grandfather, and as the Imperial Grandson, he bears more responsibility than ordinary individuals.

But what about Xia Wenjin?

Huangfu Jingchen suddenly remembered that until now, he still didn’t know Xia Wenjin’s identity. He only knew that the bandits of Haotian Village wanted to capture him as a son-in-law.

But is this really any information?

Even if he doesn’t know his identity, so what?

He knows the person before him, spending each day together; Xia Wenjin’s character, principles, and methods are all evident to him, and that is enough.

Gradually, people started sending their daughters over. The disappearance of many people in the village was heard by all; each wore frightened expressions and a disturbed demeanor, especially the women.

Even if there was some high monk saying that the River God was taking wives, who would want to marry a River God who had never been seen before but could snatch someone away in an instant?

At this time, the village chief came again to ask the two “officials” where to settle the daughters, besides those from Butcher Zhang’s family, all families with daughters had sent theirs over.

Xia Wenjin asked, “Why is Butcher Zhang unwilling to send his daughter?”

The village chief looked a bit unnatural, but a villager next to him said, “Butcher Zhang only trusts himself. He sharpened his butcher knife until it gleamed, saying he wouldn’t sleep all night, watching to see who dared to take his daughter under his nose!”

Xia Wenjin asked the village chief to settle the people in a house, and the young men of the village, along with them, would guard outside. Fortunately, the gender barriers weren’t too strict in the village, although some timid women were accompanied by their mothers.

The room seemed very crowded, but it wasn’t too cold now, and with everyone on edge, who could think of sleeping?

Outside, Xia Wenjin asked the village chief, “You said that high monk claimed the River God was taking wives, where did that high monk come from?”

The village chief said, “I’m not sure where that high monk came from. At that time, the county magistrate wanted to send someone to invite a high monk for rituals and planned to invite the Abbott Master of He Tou Temple, but halfway, they met him. He claimed to be from Bodhi Temple in the Capital City, wandering to this place, and seeing the sky-high resentment, mixed with a strong presence of yin over yang, he guessed it stemmed from women and so came to take a look. When the County Officials heard, this high monk spoke accurately and invited him over. The high monk spoke convincingly, and the officials asked him to divinate the whereabouts of those girls.”

It turned out to be a monk encountered halfway, swindling and pretending to be a Bodhi Temple monk from the Capital City.

Bodhi Temple is the National Temple, said to have a Master Xu Yun a few hundred years ago, who could rejuvenate and later ascended to heaven. It’s unknown if this is true, but Bodhi Temple gained great fame from this, known throughout the world as a sacred land, protecting the country’s destiny.

However, Xia Wenjin scoffed. If it truly protected the country’s destiny, the world would still be called Tianqian, not Nanxia.

Bodhi Temple holds a high status in the hearts of people all over the land, and no wonder the wandering monk, claiming the name of Bodhi Temple, was easily venerated as an immortal by the henchmen sent by the county magistrate, and no one doubted his words as he coaxed with heavenly claims.

The village chief asked, “Are the officials planning to seek that high monk again?”

Xia Wenjin felt a stir inside, “Could we find him?”

Being a wandering monk, after swindling food and benefits, surely he’d make a quick escape.

The village chief said, “That high monk did leave a message, saying if the River God captured people again, they could go find him, and he’d catch the River God and spank him. He even recited some verses before leaving.”

“What verses?”

“Wen Hua Chen Jin Xu Tianji,

Fair maidens wed to the River God.

Tears stream flooding River Mouth,

Resentment fills the rocky shoal.

The blue sky, even it is troubled,

Yet the white clouds dare act wantonly?

Only wish the world takes care,

Who fears Hell to be my abode alone!”

Huangfu Jingchen glanced at Xia Wenjin, lowering his voice, “The first line, is it a coincidence? How does it have your name embedded in the middle?”

Xia Wenjin gave him a sidelong glance, “You’re overthinking. I’m not that narcissistic. This so-called high monk is suspicious. See, he says those young women have been married to the River God, yet he also says they’re tearful and resentful, so even the blue sky and white clouds can’t comfort them, let alone humans? But still, he feigns nobility, saying that if heaven could pay more attention to the world, he’d endure Hell alone! Hi, his words sound grand but are actually nonsense.”

Huangfu Jingchen repeated it in his mind several times and looked towards the village chief, “The river by your River Mouth Village, what is it called?”

The village chief, puzzled, replied, “Heavenly God River!”

Huangfu Jingchen asked again, “Earlier, you said you originally intended to invite the Abbott Master from He Tou Temple to perform the rites?”

The village chief, even more puzzled, nodded, “Yes, but we met that master on the way, so we didn’t go.”

Huangfu Jingchen asked, “Is that temple called Shian Temple?”

The village chief was taken aback and then laughed, “I didn’t expect Shian Temple to be so famous, even the officials have heard of it. But speaking of Shian Temple, it is indeed known for its efficacy, quite renowned in this vast area.”

Huangfu Jingchen shook his head, he hadn’t heard of it, in fact, before this, he didn’t even know such a name or such a temple existed.

Upon hearing Huangfu Jingchen ask these two questions in succession, Xia Wenjin’s eyes also brightened; she understood why Huangfu Jingchen asked about the name of the river and knew that the temple was Shian Temple.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep