Chapter 0: Liao Chen, You Don’t Understand Love (1)
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In the dead of night, Lin Nan quietly opened the window and jumped out after confirming that the residents of Fen Yue Sword Manor were all asleep, her black figure swiftly blending into the night.
On her way back to the inn from the meeting hall,
Lin Nan sidled up to Ao Hongtu and learned that a group from the Shaolin Temple was temporarily staying at a small temple about two or three miles from Lehua Town.
The Demon-Subduing Temple.
The master who named this temple probably never thought that a hundred years later, a gang of mountain bandits, led by the remnants of the Demon Sect, would actually take up residence on the mountains near Lehua Town.
It was quite fitting that over ten monks from the Shaolin Temple had moved into this very temple.
In the pitch-black night where one couldn’t see a thing, the leaves rustled overhead in the wind, and within the dense forest, it felt like unfathomable creatures could leap out at any moment.
Darkness was humanity’s most primal fear.
Even in desolate woods with no one around, nightfall could turn the place into a spine-chilling forbidden ground.
Yet at this moment, Lin Nan walked slowly through the darkness.
The reason she didn’t rush towards the Demon-Subduing Temple was that she was pondering how to make her presence known to Master Liao Chen.
After all, he was a monk.
If she barged in recklessly, it would probably backfire.
Perhaps, she could use some creative means to lure Liao Chen out.
……
Inside the Demon-Subduing Temple, all was silent.
Aside from two watchful monks strolling back and forth at the entrance, there were no other sounds in the temple.
This was their third day at the Demon-Subduing Temple.
The night was deep, and having just taken over the shift, they found it rather challenging to shake off the remnants of sleep.
So, while yawning, they tried their best to keep their eyelids lifted as they patrolled their designated route.
Although they knew that in this desolate mountain, no one would be interested in a couple of poor monks, rules were rules. To ensure safety, the Shaolin had arranged for personnel to take turns on watch.
They thought this night watch would be just like any other.
However, not long after, the two sleep-dazed monks heard a woman’s moaning coming from outside the temple.
The two of them had been sent to the Shaolin Temple since childhood, practicing their monk skills, and while they grew up, it was inevitable that they would develop some interest in women during the quiet hours of the night.
But Buddhist teachings warned against such thoughts, and the slightest lustful inclination would set their bodies ablaze with unendurable pain. Only by stilling their minds and purging impure thoughts could they restore normalcy and reduce their suffering.
Usually, they practiced meditation in the temple with little chance to descend the mountain.
Yet this time, these eager young monks had been tasked with accompanying Master Liao Chen down the mountain for business.
Along the way, brandishing the Shaolin Temple’s name, they encountered men and women of all ages who greeted them with utmost reverence. This earned them a sort of inner respect and temporarily diminished their desires.
But tonight, in the small temple far from town, they heard unusual sounds.
Exchanging glances, both felt a bit parched and dry-mouthed.
That continuous, whispering sound echoed in their minds like an enchanting lullaby.
“Should we go check it out? What if some lady is in trouble and we hear her but do nothing? Isn’t that like watching someone drown and not throwing them a lifeline?”
“Brother, you speak rightly.”
Finding their justification, the two of them left their patrol spot without a second thought and ventured into the shadowy woods.
Though the ground was rugged and thorns surrounded them,
They wore excited grins, seemingly enveloped in an indescribable emotion.
Soon enough, they spotted a woman curled up against a large tree, softly whimpering.
“Wuwu… It hurts so much…”
“Lady, what happened to you?”
“My… My foot seems to be twisted.” The woman winced as she replied.
The older monk glanced at the younger one, pressed his palms together, and said, “Amitabha, dear lady, the temple we’re staying at is just ahead. It’s late, and being alone here could be dangerous. Why not come back with us and we can decide what to do when it’s brighter?”
“Thank you, Master, but I can’t walk at all with this foot…”
“What… what should we do then?”
“Brother, as the Buddha says, ‘If I do not enter hell, who will?’ How about I carry this lady?”
“Do not rush, Brother. Such a thing would diminish my virtue. Let me do it.”
After a bit of back-and-forth, the older monk squatted down in front of the woman while the younger one sulked nearby.
Meanwhile, within the open doors of the Demon-Subduing Temple, a gaggle of women in white robes, each uniquely beautiful, suddenly made their entrance.
The one leading the group gently pushed open a door to a nearby room,
And soon, the quiet chambers were filled with a faint, enchanting fragrance.
One of the women, exquisitely alluring and almost clad in nothing, stealthily entered the room where Liao Chen sat.
She moved closer, her fingertips gliding gently across his cheek, even in the dark.
Liao Chen remained unmoved, as if he had completely entered a state of ignorance toward the outside world.
The woman, of course, didn’t believe it. How could there be a man in the world who felt nothing towards her?
With a figure and beauty to boast, she was even seasoned in the art of pleasing men.
Thus, conquering a virgin who had never touched a woman was merely a matter of time.
The quickest method was simple: just grab him in the right spot and make him cry.
Just as she was squatting down to showcase her skills, Liao Chen slowly opened his eyes, the exclamation mark above his head shining even brighter.
“Who could have guessed that Lehua Town is a den of demonesses. As the Buddha says, when chaos descends upon the world, demons shall roam freely.
Demoness! Do you not know that the Buddhist precept forbids lust, yet you dare to tempt this poor monk? Your heart deserves punishment!”
The woman laughed, “Master, you’re overthinking it. I’m not a demoness. I simply saw you all alone and thought about keeping you company on this lonely journey. Why must you be so conflicted?”
In the still of the night, even through the wall, one could hear the happenings in the other rooms.
No sooner had she finished speaking than Liao Chen heard soft cooing noises from the next room.
The woman quickly covered her mouth and giggled, “Master, look! The other monks have already begun to enjoy this rare pleasure. Why do you have to insist? After all, sharing joy and burdens is the way! How would you know this isn’t for you unless you give it a try?”
Liao Chen snorted, “The sea of suffering is boundless; turning back is the shore! Demoness, since you’ve fallen into my hands tonight, there’s no chance of escape!
Great Might Heavenly Dragon!
Earth Treasure Buddha!
Prajna Buddhas!
Prajna Ba Ma Kong!”
Far away in the woods, Lin Nan’s heart raced, “…”
Aren’t you supposed to be a Shaolin monk? Why are you turning into a sorcerous sea monster now?
