Chapter 23

As soon as Zhao Yougong left, Zhao Fukun followed closely behind. Before they even reached the intersection, they heard a series of anguished screams.

Pushing aside the bushes, Zhao Yougong saw several lackeys lying on the ground, groaning in pain. In the middle of the scene stood a mighty monk. The monk's bald head shone brightly, his face covered in a thick black beard, and his height exceeded eight feet, truly a terrifying sight. Even more frightening were his eyes, which were wide open like two copper bells, making him even more intimidating.

Zhao Yougong's heart raced uncontrollably. Looking at the monk's exposed arms, he knew this man was no ordinary person. Zhao Fukun was also afraid of this fierce monk, but she was used to a life of luxury and still had a bit of pride.

"You, monk, are extremely impolite. Why did you hit people for no reason?"

Hearing Zhao Fukun's shrill voice, the monk rubbed his bald head, his left hand still clenched into a fist. "You, young lady, are quite shameless. How can you say I hit people for no reason? This mountain path has no name or owner. Why can you go up, but I cannot?"

The monk was extremely arrogant and domineering. His words made Zhao Fukun's face turn red. Pouting, she hid behind Zhao Yougong, unsure whether this monk was a real monk or a fake one.

"You, big monk, how dare you use such foul language? Aren't you disgracing the name of Buddhism?"

Zhao Fukun was afraid that the monk would get angry and hit her again, so she hid behind Zhao Yougong, only showing her delicate face.

"Amitabha, you, young lady, are quite sharp-tongued!" The monk glared with his bull-like eyes and forced his way through the bushes. Zhao Yougong, wanting to show his bravery, took a step forward but was slapped away by the monk into the bushes.

Zhao Yougong was slapped away, and Zhao Fukun was terrified. This monk was so frightening. Although Ling Ge'er wasn't very capable, he was good at fighting. Even such a skilled fighter was slapped away by the monk.

"Hey, you, big monk, stop right there!" Zhao Fukun, filled with anger, mustered the courage to run over and grab the monk's gray robe. "Monks should cultivate good karma. Why did you hit people? Do you know who we are?"

The monk, though domineering, was still a good man. He couldn't bring himself to hit a woman, so he blew his beard and said in a deep voice, "I don't care who you are. If you make me unhappy, even the Heavenly King will have to kneel and beg for mercy!"

Zhao Yougong touched his bleeding mouth, wondering where this monk came from. Not only was he incredibly strong, but his speed was also astonishing. It seemed that brute force wouldn't work. Zhao Yougong rubbed his cheek, stood up unsteadily, and saw that Zhao Fukun was still confronting the monk. He spat and pulled Zhao Fukun behind him. Looking at the monk, he imitated the gesture of a martial artist and said, "They say no acquaintance without a fight. May I ask for your name, Master?"

"There's no problem with that. I am Lu Zhishen. If you want to seek revenge, come to the small vegetable garden outside the sour jujube gate!" The monk's words were firm, and his heroic spirit was rare. The monk was proud, but his pride was filled with a sense of righteousness, which was different from the pride of an unbeatable warrior.

Lu Zhishen? Outside the sour jujube gate? Zhao Yougong's face twitched, and he felt a wave of regret. How could he have forgotten such a great figure?

Lu Da, also known as Lu Tixia, was generous and hated evil. More importantly, he valued righteousness and was straightforward. Although he looked rough, he was also thoughtful and not just a brute.

How could such a hero not be befriended? Zhao Yougong wasn't afraid that befriending such a person would raise Emperor Zhezong's suspicions, as Zhezong looked down on people like Lu Zhishen, thinking they were useless.

Zhao Yougong was a bit dazed, but the monk wouldn't wait. He snorted and ducked into the mountain path. Zhao Yougong smacked his lips and rubbed his sore mouth. "Xiao San, come here!"

Hearing the young prince's call, Xiao San, despite his painful leg, limped over. "Young Master, you don't need to say anything. I'll go back and gather some people to beat this monk into a pile of dog feces!"

"Smack!" Xiao San tragically received a slap on the back of his head. Zhao Yougong pouted and said angrily, "You insolent fool, when did it become your turn to make decisions for me? Go, yes, go to the tavern and get some beef and wine. Remember to be quick!"

Xiao San's small eyes darted around. Being hit and then asked to buy wine and meat was not the young prince's usual style. However, since the young prince had spoken, he had to comply. Xiao San and another unlucky person left, and Zhao Fukun, with a tight face, kicked Zhao Yougong's calf. "Ling Ge'er, what are you planning? That monk is still up ahead!"

"What can I do? I can't fight him, and scolding him won't help. I have to admit defeat!"

When the young prince said this, everyone was stunned. The young prince, who was fearless and loved fighting, was actually afraid.

When they returned to the mountain path, they saw Lu Zhishen sitting on a high stone watching the competition. The bald, shiny monk was enjoying the performances of the courtesans, which was quite unusual.

Buddhists emphasize the emptiness of the four elements, but a monk like Lu Zhishen was rare. Hearing the sound of footsteps, Lu Zhishen turned and smiled. "You two are quite strange. Do you want me to hit you again?"

".... Monk, you're joking, hehe, joking, this mountain path is open to everyone. If you want to come, no one can stop you!"

"Hmm?" Lu Zhishen rubbed his bald head and looked curiously at Zhao Yougong. This young man was quite interesting, changing his attitude so quickly. "Interesting, interesting, I've never met anyone as shameless as you!"

"Uh," Zhao Yougong felt a bit embarrassed. Lu Zhishen was really straightforward, and if it weren't for his own lack of pride, anyone else would have been offended.

Zhao Fukun, who had been angry and tight-lipped, couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. Ling Ge'er had met his match, trying to be friendly with someone who didn't care. Ha, this was amusing.

Zhao Yougong didn't get angry as expected. He still had a smile on his face and took a few steps toward Lu Zhishen. "Being shameless can be a good thing. Has the monk ever heard a saying?"

"Oh? What saying? Tell me!"

"Um, the saying goes, 'A thick-skinned person never goes hungry, while a thin-skinned person goes hungry....'"

"...."

The monk and Zhao Fukun were both stunned. After a while, they burst out laughing. Lu Zhishen clapped his hands without restraint. "Ha, you, young man, are truly amusing. Come, tell me your name!"

"Zhao Ling. This is my sister, Zhao Xin. We came to this valley today and found this place because we didn't like the crowd below. We didn't expect the monk to know about this place too, ha!"

Hearing Zhao Yougong's words, Lu Zhishen felt a bit embarrassed. At first, he had mistaken Zhao Yougong and Zhao Fukun for a couple, but now he realized they were siblings.

Lu Zhishen was a straightforward person. Once he realized his mistake, he didn't make a fuss. He jumped down from the stone and bowed to Zhao Yougong. "Little brother, don't be angry. I was rash earlier. However, your lackeys were quite annoying. I just wanted to enter the mountain path, but they said I looked like a bull!"

"...." Zhao Yougong's eyes widened, and he quickly betrayed his lackeys. "Monk, don't be angry. It's my fault for not disciplining them properly. Sigh, they are all lowly people!"

Zhao Fukun's mouth was open, but she couldn't say anything. Lowly people? Wasn't the first one to look down on the monk Ling Ge'er himself? She was becoming more and more confused by him.

Lu Zhishen waved his sleeves and laughed. "Forget it, forget it. It's a small matter. Hey, little brother, this is my first time watching the courtesan competition. Tell me, who is likely to win this year?"

"Oh! The monk is interested in women?"

"Hey, not at all!" Lu Zhishen looked troubled, leaning over the edge of the path. "Since I came to Daxiangguo Temple, I've been assigned to the vegetable garden. There's nothing but vegetables there, and I've been so bored. I heard the courtesan competition is quite interesting, so I sneaked over!"

Zhao Yougong understood. It seemed that Lu Zhishen had just been assigned to Daxiangguo Temple and coincidentally encountered the courtesan competition. Given his nature, it was only natural for him to come and watch.

When it came to chatting and boasting, Zhao Yougong, who had spent a long time in the marketplace, was quite skilled. His speech was a bit crude but suited Lu Zhishen's taste. When Xiao San brought the wine and meat, the monk, the prince, and the princess started eating and drinking together.

The mountain path was filled with the aroma of wine and meat, while the stage was filled with the allure of the courtesans.

By the third hour of the morning, the courtesans had completed their paintings. The attendants unfolded the scrolls, and several famous scholars from the capital admired them. Among the seven paintings, the most outstanding were those by Li Shishi and Nian Nuer.

Li Shishi painted a grand hall with the Three Pure Ones of Daoism at the top, surrounded by incense smoke. Although the painting didn't show a temple, the presence of the Three Pure Ones indicated the location.

In contrast, Nian Nuer's painting was simpler, showing a small mountain stream with a Daoist boy fetching water. Behind the boy was a vast expanse of white clouds.

The Daoist boy, the white clouds, and the boy carrying water up the mountain implied that the temple was above the clouds.

Nian Nuer won the first round, and Li Gang called her name. However, many people in the audience threw flowers to Li Shishi.

Nian Nuer had anticipated this. In terms of reputation, she couldn't match Li Shishi. A tie in the first round was a good start.

In the spring breeze, the white clouds drifted, and the distant mountains were visible. But she couldn't find the special young prince she was looking for.

Li Shishi had been paying attention to Nian Nuer. Seeing her gaze wandering, she felt a bit puzzled. Was Nian Nuer waiting for someone?