Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 104: Mission, Ambush 21

"Amitabha Buddha!"

"Good and evil have their consequences, fortune and misfortune follow each other, one bears them oneself, no one can substitute."

Cheng Xiaoxiao furrowed her delicate eyebrows, was Master Liao Ming mistaken! She’s not his disciple, each sentence of Buddhist teaching was more profound than the last—how could she grasp its Zen meaning? Wasn’t this like playing the lute to a cow?

Liao Ming noticed Cheng Xiaoxiao’s embarrassment, joined his hands together and gently explained: "Miss Cheng is one blessed with great fortune, as long as she dedicates herself to the people, she can surely save countless lives from peril."

Ha ha! So this old monk was urging her to be a great philanthropist then!

"Master overpraises me. Within my abilities, I will certainly help the weak, for example, the captives rescued outside are mostly homeless vagrants, and I am willing to do my utmost to provide aid to them."

Wasn’t she the one who promised a portion of people food rations as a reward?

So she’s not exactly lying, of course there are others she takes a liking to whom she can also help, but those she dislikes... she really doesn’t care.

One should know that human desires are never satisfied, who knows what secret calculations lie in another’s heart, she’s no saint, the great love the old monk spoke of, the selfless great endeavors, she has neither the courage nor the intention to fulfill. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The old monk didn’t mind the implications in her roundabout words, kindly saying: "This old man sees the lady may have a life or death knot, this is a sacred Buddhist artifact, perhaps it can help her overcome this crisis."

With these words, he produced a small jade Buddha figure and handed it to Cheng Xiaoxiao.

The craftsmanship was exquisite beyond belief!

The Buddha statue’s brows, eyes, and corners of its mouth were vividly lifelike, and Cheng Xiaoxiao dared not accept it, it was too priceless.

Jing Yuan became anxious, "Master, you’re so biased, you never let me even glance at this treasure, and now you’re giving it to Miss Cheng at their first meeting!"

Jing Yuan, huffing with anger, stomped his feet on the side, but didn’t dare snatch it away.

"Indeed, Master Liao Ming, since this is a sacred Buddhist artifact, wouldn’t giving it to me be a waste?" Cheng Xiaoxiao was tempted but had a nagging feeling the old monk was setting her up somehow.

Looking at that kindly and affectionate smile, it didn’t seem like he bore ill intentions!

Such a strange feeling.

Jing Yuan was displeased again, "Since the Master can give it to you, that is your fortune accumulated over several lifetimes, and you still refuse? You’re... you’re... truly ignorant of what’s good for you!"

"Jing Yuan, hold your tongue!"

Hearing his name called directly by the Master, Jing Yuan deflated instantly, knowing that the Master was truly angry, he could only squat aside in grievance drawing circles.

Cheng Xiaoxiao found it quite amusing to watch.

If she accepted it, she was unworthy; if she refused, she was ungrateful—the youth’s logic seemed contradictory, didn’t he think?

"Miss Cheng needn’t worry, consider it repayment for saving our group, would that be satisfactory?"

Hardly satisfactory, she had rescued so many others outside too, a few more didn’t make a difference.

"The Master said I have a fate disaster, may I know the general...?"

Before Cheng Xiaoxiao could finish speaking, Master Liao Ming interrupted her.

"Past life causes, present life results, only by maintaining an unwavering heart can one attain new life." Master Liao Ming uttered profound Buddhist language again.

Unchanging heart?

The old monk often spouted Buddhist words, really making it difficult for her, she had to rely on guessing. Fortunately, she somewhat understood the meaning of this sentence, it was probably telling her to be a good person to the end, lest her rebirth be in vain, right!

Was it not the system’s credit that she could be reborn?

What does accepting or not accepting his Jade Buddha have to do with it?

"Miss Cheng, just accept it, as it is destined by fate and the will of Heaven, don’t refuse anymore,"

Cheng Xiaoxiao looked at the group of monks behind, staring angrily, quite confused. If she didn’t accept, would she be drowned by the monks’ spit?

Did she commit some heinous crime? Each one wished they could skin her alive, this ungrateful person.

As if to say, receiving Master Liao Ming’s gift, she ought to be grateful and tearful, moved to her core, kneeling to express thanks.

Really speechless, aren’t they supposed to thank her, the savior?

Looking again at the sincere gaze of the old monk, Cheng Xiaoxiao indeed couldn’t refuse anymore, she did save them, factually speaking, accepting a bit of reparation made sense. Besides, this is something that could save her life, she certainly desired it, but hesitated for fear the old monk was digging a pit for her.

The old monk, with his cryptic manner, his words profound, seemed capable of discerning her origins, not a small feat, given his great fame, why bet on her? Was he not a better choice himself?

The old monk caught the inquisitive look from the little girl... understood!

"Amitabha Buddha!" he joined his hands together.

"All sentient beings are pure in nature, intrinsically neither born nor perishable, all dharmas arise from conditions, conditionally arise and conditionally perish; I observe the beings in Southern Jambudvipa, every thought and action is sinful, thus cannot engage in them."

What on earth?

Communicating with the Master was mentally exhausting, but the last sentence she understood, means the old monk cannot participate?

She could sort of guess the meaning, after all, it was something like, "I am an outsider, not meddling with mundane affairs," or such.

She didn’t wish to say more, fine she’ll accept it, otherwise the endless Buddhist words would make her head spin.

Reluctantly, Cheng Xiaoxiao reached out both hands to take the Jade Buddha from the old monk.

The Jade Buddha was warm and translucent, seemingly emanating a warmth that spread throughout her body via her palms, how miraculous, it even provided a kind of spiritual comfort, worthy of being called a sacred Buddhist artifact.

Seeing the old monk’s expression of being relieved, a trace of regret passed over Cheng Xiaoxiao, could it really be a hot potato?

"Miss Cheng, remember to keep it on your person," the old monk earnestly advised.

Cheng Xiaoxiao nodded, having boarded the pirate ship, what more could she do!

She immediately wore it around her neck, letting it be then!

Wearing it made her feel all pleasant, she wasn’t foolish, since such a good thing was hers now, she naturally would use it to the fullest. Didn’t see that pretty face of the youth Jing Yuan, out of jealousy, turned ugly?

Ha ha ha!

Anyhow, it was not a loss now, things for the future could be dealt with later. She, after all, was a cheerful girl.

Seeing Cheng Xiaoxiao wear it immediately, Master Liao Ming’s smile grew more kind and amiable.

At this moment they heard the sound of breathing in deeply from behind, Jing Yuan then reacted, realizing they still had wounded individuals here, hurriedly ran over to pull Cheng Xiaoxiao’s arm and ask, "Miss Cheng, do you have any injury medicine?"

"Yes! Who among you is injured?"

Jing Yuan, quite embarrassed, said, "It’s the junior brothers from Mingruo Temple..."

He and the master did not belong to any temple around here, the master spread Buddhist teachings along the way, just happened to be at Mingruo Temple in Gankuo County that day when they encountered bandit raids.

The master’s profound Buddhist practice was renowned throughout Tianqi, no monk from any temple dared stand on equal footing with the master, all respectfully called him Master Liao Ming. As for him, this lay disciple, he became the senior brother to abbots of various temples. The master disliked seeing people, yet he couldn’t sit still, loved wandering around, perpetually pestered by a group of old monks with all sorts of questions, which was endlessly bothersome.