The young man in blue stood in the crowd and spoke a true word from the heart.
The sound was neither loud nor soft, but it happened to spread throughout the town.
More and more people came over to watch, wanting to see who was speaking.
Zhang Ling continued, "You guys are complacent about making dirty money by shortchanging customers, and over time, this has become a habit. Instead of repenting, you gang up on your customers, not realizing that you are wasting all your good karma, fortune, and longevity.
Open your eyes and look at the children around you. They were young and promising, but their hair has turned gray at an early age. If you don’t repent now, when will you?”
Another word was spoken, like spring thunder, spreading in all directions.
In a moment, the mortals here woke up as if from a dream, and stood there in a daze. After two or three breaths, some of them collapsed on the ground, crying.
Zhang Ling's guidance was like a fairy's enlightenment. Seeing that everyone suddenly realized the truth, he felt that the secret was revealed, so he immediately counted with his fingers.
It is a pity that those who are involved are often confused, while those who are on the sidelines can see clearly.
In the past, this town was a reputable business that never cheated its customers. It was truly fair to everyone and offered good quality products at low prices.
This place is connected to three counties and five districts, and there are many tourists coming and going from other places. Business is booming. Three or two people had evil intentions and adjusted the scales in secret, hoping to make more money from each customer. By making a small profit, they reaped a lot of rewards. They set up a stall for more than a month and ended up making enough money for half a year. They didn't need to prepare more ingredients, but could make more money just by adjusting the scales. It was no problem for them to make a fortune.
Over time, some people became jealous and began to follow suit. Once this unhealthy trend started, it could no longer be stopped, and the entire town was like this.
This behavior did cause dissatisfaction among some outsiders, but after all, the strong dragon cannot defeat the local snake. The locals ganged up to bully the tourists, and no one could do anything about it. They could only swallow their bitterness and say nothing.
Zhang Ling sighed, took out some silver from his sleeve and handed it to the woman who was setting up the stall, then took Jin Zhu Fanjiu and walked towards the land temple.
He originally counted with his fingers, but he didn't notice the existence of the land.
Logically speaking, the land manager should bear the primary responsibility for such major events. He does nothing about the bad customs of the people, which has led to the corruption of people's hearts. He is no better than a demon.
Jin Zhufanjiu took a bite of the osmanthus cake and his eyes lit up, marveling at the fact that there was such a delicious food in the world!
Zhang Ling said that it was true, the pastries were delicious and a great delicacy, and it was fine even if they were sold at a higher price and clearly marked with a price, as there would still be a lot of people buying them. But one should never shortchange customers on weight, cheat them, and not feel ashamed of it, but rather be proud of it, or even gang up on them to bully customers.
If Zhang Ling had not passed by this place today and the immortal had not shown the way, enlightening these mortals and clearing their confusion, it is estimated that these mortals would have died in the end because of money without knowing it.
Soon the two arrived at the land temple. Zhang Ling saw that there were no clay statues in the temple, and he was speechless after seeing it with his Dharma eyes.
There is no land here?
How strange.
Zhang Ling counted with his fingers and immediately understood.
It turned out that the land of this place had exhausted its lifespan and returned to the underworld. It had been about three to five years, but there was no new land master coming to take over, which was surprising.
After thinking it over, Zhang Ling used the magic talisman to inform the god on duty of the situation here, and then left the town with Jinzhu Fanjiu.
Logically speaking, this situation should not occur. How could a piece of land remain vacant for three to five years?
I can't figure it out after thinking about it.
But after all, I was just passing by here and it was just a small episode.
——
"After a long time, you and I will part ways with this place. I hope you can find your soulmate soon and realize your wish."
On the mountain road, Zhang Ling gave the osmanthus cake in his hand to Jin Zhu Fanjiu and said, "Take care."
Jin Zhufanjiu was in tears and knelt on the ground to kowtow to the benefactor in front of him, thanking him for giving him a new life twice.
Finally, the two said goodbye to each other, one heading east and the other heading west, and they didn't know when they would meet again.
Zhang Ling was alone again, striding forward alone.
Holding a folding fan in your hand and gently waving it, a gentle breeze blows, which makes you feel comfortable.
More than a month passed, and in the evening, they arrived at a county town - Baiyun County.
It was October, and although it was night, the weather was neither too cold nor too hot.
The streets were deserted, without much of the usual atmosphere. Occasionally, a few passersby walked hurriedly, with a look of fear on their faces.
I found a red building, which was brightly lit and bustling with people.
Several slim women with veils and dark eyebrows behaved frivolously and charmingly.
The pipa tune echoed all around, and the noisy sounds of laughter and flirting were endless.
"Hey, sir, you look unfamiliar. This must be your first time here!"
An elderly woman, wearing rouge and powder, came over with a red cloth in her hand.
Zhang Ling held the folding fan in one hand and said that he was tired from the journey and felt a little hungry, so he asked him to bring some good wine and food.
The old woman smiled knowingly and said, "Sir, would you like some tea? We have some new tea on the table today, why don't you try some?"
Hearing this, Zhang Ling looked around. There were three floors, and the pavilions were connected to each other, forming a circular corridor from bottom to top. There were several women and two or three men walking towards the rooms upstairs, arm in arm.
"Please bring up all the new tea so we can taste it!"
Zhang Ling did not refuse the other party's courtesy and appeared very generous.
The old woman was delighted to see the young man in blue with extraordinary temperament, graceful demeanor and handsome appearance. She wondered which rich young man must be playing in the Red Mansion. So she personally led the way, taking Zhang Ling along the red carpet-covered stairs and straight into a private room on the third floor.
"Sir, ours is the finest brothel in all of Baiyun County. We are well-versed in all kinds of arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Look at the courtesan sitting on the second floor. She's our courtesan. She just happened to be in the mood to perform on stage today. You've really come at a lucky time. How many outstanding men would be willing to spend a fortune just to witness the beauty of a courtesan and win her smile."
Zhang Ling followed the old maid's direction and looked towards the second-floor seating area. There, he saw a woman with a graceful figure and pretty face, playing the pipa and singing along to the lyrics. Her voice was gentle and graceful, which made people feel comfortable.
Zhang Ling nodded, said nothing more, and walked into the private room.
Inside there was a large mandarin duck bed, a large lacquered wooden round table with red flowers, and seven or eight armchairs. The evening breeze blew in through the open window screens, and a faint scent of incense wafted around, intoxicating the air.
"Sir, please wait a moment, the new tea will be here soon!"
After saying that, the old woman covered her mouth with her hands, smiled, gently closed the door, and walked away.
Zhang Ling sat on a chair, opened his Dharma eyes and looked around. After searching for a long time without any results, he said "strange".
When he passed by the Red Mansion just now, he clearly felt a sudden urge, as if something strange was hidden in it. How come he couldn't find it now that he walked in?
While he was thinking, he heard the old woman's earnest laughter outside the house: "Oh, Master Wang, you are awake. Did you sleep well today?"
This sentence was not said to Zhang Ling, but to someone else.
Then a deep voice sounded: "Well...something happened at home, so I won't be staying here tonight."
It seemed that the person who was speaking was a little hesitant. From his voice, it was clear that he was short of energy and had a weak body. It seemed that his body was drained by alcohol and sex.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
