novelraw Chapter 24: Today I Finally Know I Am Myself
Chapter 24: Today I Finally Know I Am Myself
"This place is called Crotch Mountain. This poor Daoist is Jiang Tingyue, acting on behalf of the local Mountain God to guard a territory of three hundred li in all directions."
The water curtain in the air dispersed, and the young man slowly spoke.
"Nations have their laws, Heaven has its rules. As a Mountain God, I cannot easily intervene in mortal karma. Now, beneath the mountain, remnants of the Medicine Master are gathering followers with sinister intentions. I would like to ask you two to help me investigate the true situation."
"If you can eliminate the villains and rescue the ignorant masses from fire and water, I will have suitable rewards here. If the villains have extensive connections behind them and the matter is thorny, you may also return and inform me, then we'll seek another solution."
Very straightforward, so straightforward that Li Qiuchen felt somewhat flattered.
Summarized in one sentence: the big boss can't personally act, you'll work for him, and there will be compensation afterward.
Though the person before him claimed to be a Mountain God, and his bearing and prestige indeed seemed extraordinary.
In other respects, however, he was unexpectedly filled with humanity.
Moreover, he himself said he was "acting on behalf of" the Mountain God.
There was a lot of information in that, though what Li Qiuchen wanted to ask now was: why pick the two of us?Actually, the answer had just been demonstrated.
You two did a good job last time, the big boss is very satisfied.
He pondered for a moment in his heart, about to speak...
"Gaga gaga gaga!"
Instead, the white crane couldn't help but cry out first.
Li Qiuchen wished he could stone this stupid bird to death. Don't you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?
Its beak had healed, but when it got anxious, it still went gaga gaga.
"Very well."
Unexpectedly, Jiang Tingyue actually understood its gagas and nodded, saying, "However, as far as I know, your family's elders have all gone deep into the primordial wilderness and I don't know when they'll return. If you don't wish to involve yourself in this matter, that's fine. I can ask a friend to send you home."
Li Qiuchen's eyes widened as he looked at the stupid bird.
Although he knew the stupid bird's origins were not ordinary, he hadn't expected its background to far exceed his expectations.
It wasn't some agile mountain spirit at all. From the Mountain God's tone, it was at least from some immortal cultivation clan.
"Gaga!"
The white crane decisively shook its head.
If there were nothing happening, that would be one thing, but now that evil demons were committing misdeeds, how could it just wash its hands of it?
"Good."
Not knowing what deal Jiang Tingyue had reached with it, he turned to look at Li Qiuchen, saying, "If you have any questions, you may ask me directly."
I was trying to speak, but this stupid bird got ahead of me.
Li Qiuchen quickly asked, "Senior Mountain God, I would like to ask you, how should we judge whether these Medicine Master remnants are committing evil, and if we discover they are committing evil, how can we contend with them given our meager abilities?"
What he actually wanted to ask was, are those called Medicine Master remnants anyone who possesses the Medicine Master's blessing, for instance, someone like me?
But once this question was asked, his life and death would be uncertain.
Though this Mountain God seemed very reasonable, his temper wasn't very good.
Back then, Xiao Tian had only cursed at him once...
Jiang Tingyue looked deeply at Li Qiuchen and said softly, "The so-called Medicine Master remnants are those who harm others to benefit themselves, willingly degenerating. They receive blessings but are unwilling to work hard and improve, lazy and idle, stealing others' lifespans to occupy for themselves. Not knowing how to restrain their minds, they indulge their inner greed, sooner or later falling into demonic deviation and poisoning innocent beings in all directions."
"As for your insufficient strength, then don't confront them head-on. Find ways to gather intelligence and ascertain the origins and backgrounds of these Medicine Master remnants. As long as you're within three hundred li of Crotch Mountain, burn incense and pray, directly call my name, and you can contact me. At that time, someone will naturally come to eliminate demons and protect the Dao."
The big boss was very reasonable, only requiring them to gather intelligence.
Li Qiuchen relaxed a little.
Actually, he really wanted some benefits, like cultivation methods, treasures, or miraculous elixirs.
Even the King of Hell doesn't starve his soldiers but given that his own background wasn't very clean, he didn't quite dare say this.
The boss gives you a chance to perform, this is your good fortune.
If you don't do it, there are plenty of people who will.
"Gaga! Gaga!"
Li Qiuchen was too embarrassed to speak up, but the white crane had no embarrassment whatsoever.
"Very well."
Jiang Tingyue nodded and summoned the white-clothed maiden, saying, "Take him to bathe and change clothes."
Bathe and change clothes for what?
Li Qiuchen looked blankly at the stupid bird.
The stupid bird cast him a disdainful look.
What's the meaning? You think I'm dirty?
I can't help it, I only have this one set of clothes and nothing to change into.
You don't even wear clothes, what right do you have to disdain me?
Li Qiuchen felt inexplicably grieved and indignant, but in this setting, he had no way to deal with the stupid bird. He could only cast it a "just you wait" look and obediently follow the white-clothed maiden away.
Leaving the cave dwelling and coming to the foot of the mountain, the white-clothed maiden raised her hand to disperse the mist. A hot spring carved out from the mountain wall appeared before Li Qiuchen.
Li Qiuchen was pondering whether to strip directly or politely ask her to leave first before stripping. Then he saw the white-clothed maiden break into a smile, his vision went black, and he knew nothing more.
In a daze, he heard someone giggling by his ear, saying, "A little brat dressed like a beggar, and he still knows shame."
"Hasn't even grown all his hair yet... so cute..."
You're going too far!
Killing someone is one thing, but this humiliation!
How can I, Li Qiuchen, a great man, endure such disgrace...
Li Qiuchen suddenly shuddered and woke from his dream, only to feel that every pore on his body was completely clear, the greasy grime on him swept away completely.
Opening his eyes, he found himself back at the place where he had been meditating, seemingly having not moved at all. However, this unusually fragrant floral scent on his body, as well as the new clothes he had changed into, all proved that what just happened was absolutely not an illusory dream.
Li Qiuchen stood up and walked to the lakeside, looking down by the moonlight.
The beautiful youth in green Daoist robes before him left him stunned for several seconds.
Who is this?
Turning his head, he found the stupid bird had also widened its eyes, staring at him fixedly as if watching some exotic spectacle.
Who the hell are you?
I don't know!
Li Qiuchen thought to himself, what did those two white-clothed young ladies do to me while I was unconscious?
What about the specific scenes? Why can't even I see them?
Even his hair had been trimmed.
With his current appearance, even if Li Qiuchen explained to people that he wasn't some young master from a wealthy family, they might not believe him.
His personal cultural level was low, and he couldn't find appropriate descriptive words.
He could only say... quite elegant and handsome.
At this moment, Li Qiuchen also noticed that on his right wrist was an additional simple-styled green wooden bracelet.
A magical treasure?
He scanned it with his eyes and immediately rejoiced in his heart.
It wasn't a magical treasure, but it was as good as one.
This was a storage bracelet!
Senior Jiang understands.
Though he said he couldn't interfere with mortal karma, within the permitted conditions, he still provided as much convenience as possible.