Chapter 58 Sword God (Bonus Chapter for 1500 Nutrient Solution Consumption) (Nutrient Solution...)

Li Chen had just sat down, wondering how to ask for news, when he suddenly heard someone at the next table say, "Hey, have you heard? There was another troublemaker at the Weeping Dew Pavilion this morning!"

The other man chuckled and said, "How could I not know? I was out on business this morning and happened to pass by the Weeping Dew Pavilion. Just as I was about to walk past, I heard someone inside shouting something like 'Give me back my wife! Give me back my wife!' I turned around and saw a man being dragged out and thrown by thugs from the Weeping Dew Pavilion!"

"Oh my! You have no idea! The thugs in the Weeping Dew Pavilion are really ruthless! That brother, who looked like a scholar, seemingly weak and gentle, was beaten black and blue, and one of his legs was even broken. It was truly a pitiful sight!"

"I asked the people around me, and they all said that the person who was thrown out was a madman. You know, he looked perfectly normal, so how could he be a madman? He even barged in early in the morning, demanding that his wife be returned. But where would his wife be in the Weeping Dew Pavilion? I think he's gone mad from wanting a wife, hahaha!"

The person who had raised the question earlier said, "A madman? Hmph, I don't think so. I've been to that Weeping Dew Pavilion once, and it looks very strange. Just one look makes you feel uncomfortable. Who knows, that person's wife might really be inside."

Upon hearing this, the man immediately blurted out, "Brother, have you lost your mind from drinking? How could his wife be in there? There's no one else in there. Could those burly thugs be his wife? With his small frame, he'd be more suited to be one of those thugs' wives!"

The other person continued, "Don't you think about it? We've only been here for less than a month, discussing business, and we've already seen a dozen or so people causing trouble at Qilu Pavilion, demanding that they return the people. Even if today's person is crazy, were all the dozen or so people who appeared before also crazy? Is there such a coincidence in the world?"

The man was taken aback, then clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Oh my! It really is!"

"That is indeed very strange. I'm too scared to go now. I was planning to take my brothers to Qilu Pavilion tomorrow, since we're leaving in a couple of days. I was thinking of broadening our horizons."

"It just so happens that my men are also curious and want to see it. I've already prepared the money for the entrance fee, but now that you've mentioned it, I'm a little hesitant to bring them along!"

Another person slowly said, "I advise you not to go. It's better not to broaden your horizons. I come from the territory of the Dharma Cultivation Realm. Although I'm not a disciple of the Dharma Cultivation Realm, I've seen some things from there. The things in the Weeping Dew Pavilion don't seem to be from the Dharma Cultivation Realm. They always have an evil aura about them, which is quite frightening."

"I'm telling you this in advance. I'm not trying to stop you from going, but I'm only telling you this because you helped me out before. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Anyway, I'm leaving with my men first thing tomorrow morning."

The man hurriedly said, "Brother, why are you walking so fast? Didn't we say that you and I were setting off on the same day? It would be good if we could travel together for a while and look out for each other!"

Another person said, "Originally, I was going to set off in two days, but recently when I passed by the Weeping Dew Pavilion, I felt something was off, so I wanted to hurry home. Coincidentally, about ten of my brothers also wanted to get their money as soon as possible and go back to reunite with their families, so I moved up the departure date by two days."

The man said, “Brother, I trust you. Now that I think about it, there doesn’t seem to be anything interesting in the Weeping Dew Pavilion. Who knows if there really is something strange there. Besides, if my wife finds out that I went to the dance hall, I’m afraid she’ll skin me alive. It’s probably better if my knowledge is limited.”

"Here's what we'll do, brother. I'll go up and talk to the brothers later. We'll get paid in advance, and then we'll all go together tomorrow."

The other person nodded and said, "Okay. Then let's come down for a meal tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), and leave after we finish eating."

"Alright! Brother, your prediction of my fate was incredibly accurate. And since you come from the realm of cultivators, I naturally trust you!"

The two of them picked up the wine glasses on the table, and just as they were about to clink glasses, they suddenly saw a figure walking towards them.

They had assumed the person was just passing by, but to their surprise, the figure stopped at their table and smiled slightly at them, saying, "Gentlemen, I would like to ask you about something. Do you have the time?"

"Please rest assured, I will not waste your time. To be honest, I am a physician and can take your pulse. For example, sir, I observe that your complexion is pale and your lips are also pale, but your cheeks are flushed. This is a sign of yin deficiency and excessive fire. Have you been experiencing dry mouth and throat, or hot flashes in your palms and soles lately?"

After saying that, he looked at another person and said, "And this gentleman, I see that there are some dark circles around your eyes and your lips are a dark purple color. Have you been feeling sticky in your mouth and heavy and weak in your limbs lately?"

The two men stared at Li Chenjin and listened to her words, both of them taken aback. After exchanging glances, one of them asked, "Where did you come from, doctor?"

Li Chenjin smiled and said, "I come from Wufo Temple in the Zen cultivation world. My surname is Li and my given name is Chenjin."

When the other person heard her name, he suddenly stood up, his face showing excitement, and everyone around him looked at him.

It seems her reputation has spread quite widely lately; no wonder she treated patients all the way on the road until she herself was about to collapse.

Just as the man was about to speak, the person who had previously questioned Li Chenjin's origins stopped him, saying, "How can you prove you're from the Zen cultivation world? I've seen many people on the road impersonating Zen cultivators, begging for money from passersby. How can you prove you're genuine?"

Li Chen smiled slightly and said, "Then I really can't prove it."

Seeing her composure, the man, though not looking like a con artist posing as someone from the meditation community, couldn't completely trust her. After a pause and a moment of thought, he said, "Although I am from the Dharma practice community, I was fortunate enough to stay in a temple in the meditation community for some time when I was doing business."

“If you are truly a person from the Zen meditation community, then you will definitely be able to answer the questions I ask you.”

Li Chen nodded and said, "Please ask."

The man thought for a moment before slowly saying, “I once heard a saying in the Zen meditation community: ‘All ordinary people who wish to cultivate pure karma and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss should cultivate the Three Blessings (1)’ Tell me, what are the Three Blessings?”

Li Chenjin slowly said: "First, be filial to your parents, serve your teachers, be compassionate and do not kill, and cultivate the ten good deeds; second, take refuge in the Three Jewels, uphold all precepts, and do not violate the rules of conduct; third, generate Bodhicitta, deeply believe in cause and effect, read and recite Mahayana scriptures, and encourage others to practice (2)."

The man nodded, but the other was completely confused. He looked at Li Chenjin, then at the man who had stopped him earlier, and said, "Brother, I've never been to the Zen cultivation world! I don't quite understand what you're saying! Is she real or fake?"

The man said, "Now that I see it, it's probably true."

As he spoke, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Chen and said, "I apologize. I didn't mean to do that, but people's hearts are truly unpredictable. There are many good people in this world, but those of us who travel far and wide are bound to suffer losses at the hands of some wicked person. Alas..."

"People's hearts are easily cooled and hard to warm. I have suffered from evil people in the past, so even though I have met good people since then, I dare not trust them easily anymore."

Li Chen nodded in agreement. "Of course. Once bitten, twice shy, it's only natural."

The other person, listening to their conversation, showed little interest. Instead, he reached out his hand to Li Chenjin and hurriedly said, "Master Chenjin, I've heard of your great name for a long time, and I've also heard that you like to travel around, but I've never had the chance to meet you. Hey, I didn't expect to be so lucky today! Please take a look at me quickly, I have... I have..."

He lowered his voice and whispered, "Besides the symptoms you just mentioned, I...I haven't had any children for many years..."

"It's not that I'm afraid to seek medical help, it's just that none of the doctors I've seen have worked. From the day I got married, I've spent real money every single day, but not only has it had no effect whatsoever, my wife even said... she said that those quack doctors are making my condition worse..."

"oh?"

Li Chen's expression was subtle as he lowered his gaze, landing on the man's lower body. "What do you mean by 'not working'?"

The man coughed lightly, awkwardly tightening his legs, and embarrassedly touched the back of his neck, almost whispering, "Just... just before I came here to discuss business... it's been five or six months since I've shared a room with my wife. Before our wedding, it... it was slow... not that kind of slow, it was... it stood up slowly..."

Li Chenjin suddenly realized something, let out a long "Oh", looked up at the person in front of him, and waved his hand with a smile, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. I've encountered this situation many times before. Don't worry, if you use the right medicine and go to bed early and get up early, it will be effective soon."

"Really...really?" The joy on the man's face was fleeting, quickly replaced by worry and anxiety. "But...but it's even worse than during our honeymoon period, it's just...it...it can't stand up...you understand?"

Li Chen smiled gently, like an experienced doctor who had practiced medicine for many years and was very good at soothing patients' emotions. He nodded and said, "I understand, I understand."

Han Shannan, who had been listening quietly to the conversation, also glanced at the man's lower body, his expression a mixture of curiosity and confusion. It was unclear whether he was curious about what could stand up or puzzled that it couldn't.

His face was completely calm, without a trace of mockery, yet the other person couldn't help but squeeze their legs together again, one leg covering that area, and the other hand silently raised to cover their face.

At that moment, another person coughed lightly and then whispered, "Um... Master Chenjin, my problem isn't as serious as this brother's. It's just that I'm getting older, and... well... I'm a bit lacking in strength... Could you perhaps prescribe some medicine for me to try?"

Han Shannan's gaze then fell on another person, who, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, raised his hand to cover his face, and couldn't help but sigh, "It's so good to be young."

Compared to Han Shannan, Li Chenjin remained calm and composed, as if he had only heard some idle chatter over tea and a meal. He simply nodded repeatedly and said, "Alright, I understand. This illness cannot be rushed. I will first take your pulses and then prescribe some medicine."

"After you two go back and drink it for a month or two, you should feel the effects. After that, you can find a doctor near your home for further treatment. If that doesn't work..."

Li Chen paused for a moment, and the expressions of the two people opposite him became serious. "My master, Zen Master Mingcun's eldest disciple, Monk Dusheng, has recently returned to the Zen meditation world and will be in seclusion for about one or two months. After he comes out of seclusion, he will stay at Wufo Temple for about five or six months. You two can go to Wufo Temple in the Zen meditation world to find him then."

"If we are destined to meet, he will not refuse; if we are not destined to meet, there is nothing I can do but hope that we two will have the chance to meet again."

Upon hearing this, the two nodded and said, "Alright, we've got it all figured out. Thank you, Layman Chenjin."

As they spoke, the two men exchanged another glance. The older man pointed to the man beside him and said, “Layman, my brother here… well… he’s more anxious than me. When I was his age, my son was already two years old. You should take a look at him first.”

The other man said with a wry smile, "Thank you, brother..."

Li Chen couldn't help but chuckle as he watched them being so courteous.

Earlier in the small building, a few people almost got into a fight over who got there first, but these two people I've met now are very polite and courteous, which makes things much easier for me.

After taking their pulses, she wrote down several prescriptions for each of them. Seeing that they accepted the prescriptions, she began to ask about the things she had wanted to inquire about earlier, "May I ask you two, what is strange about the Weeping Dew Pavilion? And what is the situation with those people who went to the Weeping Dew Pavilion to search for someone?"

One person said, "Qilu Pavilion is a famous dance hall in Zhang County. The girls inside are all entertainers who don't sell their bodies. Well... of course, even if those girls wanted to sell their bodies, they couldn't, because those girls aren't human. I heard they are puppets created by the magic cultivation world and the weapon cultivation world. Their bodies are empty, there's nothing inside them."

"Those puppets are driven by spiritual power and can dance day and night. But to be honest, those dancers are really good! They dance better than ordinary women who learn to dance. They are just like living people, and even more agile than many living people!"

Another person said, "I've seen those dancers. They're definitely not human, but they don't seem to be from the cultivation world either. They always seem to have an evil aura about them, and they don't seem to be controlled by spiritual power."

"Of course, although I am from the world of magic cultivation, I am not a cultivator and know nothing about the path of cultivation. The reason I know some things about the world of magic cultivation is because cultivators in the world of magic cultivation can always get along with us ordinary people, so I have seen a lot of magic treasures. The ones in the Weeping Dew Pavilion are different from the ones I have seen before, but I can't explain why. I just feel that something is not right."

Li Chen nodded. "If, according to what you've said, none of the dancers in the Weeping Dew Pavilion are alive, then how could someone have gone in to look for someone?"

The two men exchanged a glance, their faces showing a strange expression.

One of them said, "To be honest, we've only seen it once or twice. We overheard the details when we were out discussing business. We heard that for the past eight or nine months, people have been coming into the Weeping Dew Pavilion to cause trouble, saying that... the Pavilion Master of the Weeping Dew Pavilion has arrested their family members and insists that those dancers are their missing family members. But don't you think that's ridiculous?"

"Who doesn't know that the dancers in the Weeping Dew Pavilion are just puppets? Besides, the Pavilion Master of the Weeping Dew Pavilion is on good terms with people from the magic cultivation world. When some people caused trouble at first, disciples from the magic cultivation world even came forward to vouch for the Pavilion Master of the Weeping Dew Pavilion! Also, I heard that those dancers are made to look like living people, so it's common for them to resemble people!"

Another person said, "That's what they say, but I still feel something's fishy. I heard that since the trouble started at the Weeping Dew Pavilion, almost a hundred people have gone there. Surely not all the missing people look exactly like the dancers in the Weeping Dew Pavilion?"

Li Chen nodded repeatedly, muttering, "It is indeed somewhat strange..."

The man looked at Li Chenjin, paused, and said, "Actually, we don't know much about this matter. Most of it is just wild speculation, and some is just hearsay. We are just outsiders who came here to discuss business. We have parents, wives, and children waiting for us at home. It's really better to avoid trouble."

"Master Chenjin, if you just happened to overhear something interesting, then that's enough. The Weeping Dew Pavilion is quite powerful. Since its establishment, the emperor has summoned the pavilion master and those dancers three or four times. The pavilion master also has close ties with the cultivation world. I've heard..."

The man paused as he spoke, glancing around to make sure no one was around before approaching Li Chenjin and lowering his voice to say, "I heard that the Pavilion Master is a close friend of that ancestor from the Dharma Cultivation World!"

"Therefore, Qilu Pavilion can be said to be able to do whatever it wants in Hezhang County. Even people from the sword cultivation world have to give Qilu Pavilion some face."

Li Chen raised an eyebrow, but before he could say anything, another person exclaimed in surprise, "What? Now the sword cultivators have to give face to the magic cultivators? Didn't the magic cultivators always turn around and run away when they saw the sword cultivators?"

Han Shannan, who had been listening in, couldn't help but interject, "That's right! When did the sword cultivator world get overshadowed by the magic cultivator world?!"

Li Chen glanced at Han Shannan, who was filled with righteous indignation, picked up the teacup on the table, and shook his head repeatedly.

This guy usually knows the saying "silence is golden" and "too much talk leads to mistakes," but when it comes to this kind of situation, he can't hold back a word, and you can tell what's on his mind just by looking at his face.

Ultimately, he's still too young.

Seeing that two people were refuting him, the man, who originally did not want to continue, was also somewhat unable to hold back and sighed, "My two brothers, I come from the world of magic cultivation. How could I not know these things? The world of sword cultivation used to be the only one that mattered in the world of cultivation, but that was when the Sword God was still around."

"Now that the Sword God has fallen, and there are no other great figures in the cultivation world, the only one who is somewhat powerful is Zen Master Mingcun in the Zen cultivation world. But as you all know, Zen Master Mingcun is either in seclusion or traveling around preaching and expounding the Dharma, and he doesn't care whether he is in charge of the cultivation world or not. Zen Master Mingcun is the leader of the Zen cultivation world, and since Zen Master Mingcun doesn't care, the people in the Zen cultivation world naturally don't care either."

"Moreover, the Zen cultivation world and the Dharma cultivation world are currently at their most amicable, and both worlds are standing together. If the Zen cultivation world doesn't want a share of the pie, then wouldn't the Dharma cultivation world be the only one to dominate the cultivation world?"

Seeing that the other two were still unconvinced, he had no choice but to continue, "If you don't believe me, then I'll tell you something else. I once met the Sword God."

Upon hearing this, Li Chen silently raised his eyes and looked at the person opposite him.

Although the person opposite was a merchant, he knew the principle of not flaunting his wealth in public. Therefore, his clothes were very simple and plain. If he were to blend into a crowd, he would not be able to be found at a glance. He was an ordinary-looking person with no spiritual power. Indeed, as he had said before, he had never cultivated. So where did he see this sword god?

Although Li Chenjin had questions in his heart, he did not show them on his face, still wearing a faint smile, as if he were just an attentive listener.

The person beside that man couldn't help but say, "Brother, how come you've never heard of this before? What does the Sword God look like? To be honest, I've always been very interested in the world of sword cultivators. I've wanted to cultivate there since I was a child, but it's a pity that my parents insisted I inherit the family business, so I've never had the chance to go to the world of sword cultivators. Sigh..."

The man said, "Sword God... does look somewhat like the Hermit of Dust."

Li Chen laughed, "Ah? What a coincidence! I never thought I would have the honor of looking like the Sword God. It's truly an incredible fate. Actually, I have always admired the Sword God, but unfortunately, I have never had the chance to meet him. It's quite a pity."

As Han Shannan listened to what she said, he couldn't help but turn his head to look at her, and the more he listened to her, the wider his eyes became.

Just as he was about to speak, Li Chenjin moved his foot slightly to the side under the table, gently touching Han Shannan's shoe.

After sensing Li Chenjin's movements under the table, Han Shannan silently raised both hands and covered his mouth, as if afraid that even with only one hand covering it, Li Chenjin would still be unable to help but speak.

Seeing that the three were very curious about this matter, and not wanting to continue the previous discussion about the Weeping Dew Pavilion, the man went along with it, saying, "Actually, my meeting with the Sword God was just a coincidence. Since you are interested in the sword cultivation world, you must know that before that Sword God fell, he was at odds with the ancestor of our magic cultivation world. One day..."

According to that person, one day Shen Zhengyuan happened to leave the Pure Realm to go on an inspection tour, wanting to see how the people in the Dharma Cultivation Realm were doing.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Shen Zhengyuan appeared, a dazzling silver light pierced through the void and headed straight for him.

Although he managed to dodge in time, he was still injured, with a gaping wound on his neck from which blood was gushing out. Had he reacted even a second slower, he would have been beheaded on the spot.

Before those around Shen Zhengyuan could even see what had injured him, the object that had streaked across the air with several silver streaks was caught by a figure that suddenly appeared.

The figure caught the object and stopped not far from Shen Zhengyuan. Only then did they realize that the object was a three-foot-long sword that gleamed with a cold light.

There's no need to ask too many questions about who came; the only one capable of harming Shen Zhengyuan is the current Sword God.

That was also the first time he had seen the legendary Sword God. His face was like ice, his eyes were like sharp blades, and he was surrounded by boundless killing intent. He was even more frightening than the "God of Slaughter" described in the rumors.

The author's note: (1) From the "Buddha's Discourse on the Contemplation of Amitabha Buddha".

(2) From the Amitabha Sutra.

Oh dear, the event is almost over. I'll see if I can get 1700 points from the nutrient solution; I don't even dare to dream of anything more, hehehe [shy]