Chapter 53: Follow Me |
“He’d rather die than leave alone?” Niu You Dao was intrigued.
He knew little about this world, yet he had still gleaned some information. Buddhism was not widely prevalent here, and its founder was not Buddha Shakyamuni. It seemed Buddhism had flourished during the Wu Kingdom era. But then, times of military turmoil had greatly impacted the religion. After that, among hundreds of small temples, the Buddhist faith gradually began to decline. However, the Southern Mountain Monastery, it turned out, was a follower of the Buddhist teachings, and they even had a devout bear.
If Niu You Dao had previously been interested in the shapeshifter, now he found him even more fascinating as an individual. Thus, he joyfully declared:
“Perhaps I should go pay this shapeshifter a visit... Great Princess, please return. You should rest!”
Shu Qing did not interfere and, from her sleeve, produced a scroll:
“I once read the *Records of Wild Beasts*, and after reviewing the monks' interrogation, I found a bear matching a description from that list. I'm not sure if my finding is correct or not. Lord Dao can verify it himself!” She handed him the scroll with both hands and departed.
“A shapeshifter from the Records of Wild Beasts list?” Niu You Dao froze. He approached the eaves and, under the lamplight, began examining the monks' interrogation records. Afterward, he handed the interrogation materials to Yuan Gang, then whispered:
“A golden-furred bear that cannot be pierced by a knife. Could it really be the Golden King Bear from the Records of Wild Beasts?”
Yuan Gang had not seen the Records of Wild Beasts; he only had a slight understanding of the situation.
“That girl is cautious and thoughtful. Let's go take a look at this bear.”
The two friends asked a bodyguard for the whereabouts of the Buddhist monks and immediately headed there.
In a small courtyard, 20 monks were housed in two rooms. They slept pressed tightly against each other. The bear, Yuan Fang, was also among them. Bodyguards were also present in the small courtyard.
They were heavily fatigued from the long journey, so everyone was fast asleep. However, a shapeshifter is still a shapeshifter. As soon as Niu You Dao entered the room, he saw Yuan Fang, who had been sitting with his legs tucked under him, immediately open his eyes. He immediately crawled towards them and began bowing, grinning from ear to ear.
Niu You Dao examined him. Yuan Fang was not tall; he had an elderly appearance, a somewhat thin build, and a drooping gray beard. Only his eyes appeared spirited. He was already dressed in simple, everyday clothes, and a felt hat covered his bald head, though one could still glimpse it around the edges.
Glancing at the sleeping monks, Niu You Dao waved his hand, signaling not to disturb the others. He summoned an attendant to escort Yuan Fang out. As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, they immediately entered a sitting room.
Niu You Dao immediately turned around and, smiling, spoke to Yuan Fang as he entered:
“Take off your clothes.”
“Ah!?” Yuan Fang's eyes widened, and he asked in surprise.
Niu You Dao waved his hand:
“Don't be afraid. I've simply never seen a shapeshifter before and wish to broaden my horizons.”
*So that's it!*. Yuan Fang breathed a sigh of relief and helplessly began slowly removing his clothes. Immediately, the parts of his body that had not yet fully transformed into human form became visible.
The two men walked around him, examining him with curiosity. Niu You Dao even went as far as pulling his fur back and forth, and the poor fellow had to endure it.
He couldn't but tolerate it, otherwise he would have to resist. But if he resisted, severe consequences would fall upon the monks of Southern Mountain Monastery.
After circling him a few times, Niu You Dao suddenly winked at Yuan Gang, and one could see the latter drawing a dagger from beneath his foot.
A cold glint appeared in the air.
“Shhsshhsshh!” The sound of metal grating against metal rang out.
Indeed, his fur was not cut, and his skin was impenetrable.
Yuan Fang was startled and immediately stepped back, turning around. He hadn't even noticed the knife passing over him.
Niu You Dao seemed pleased and joyfully said: “Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Now, take off your lower garments; let's see.”
Noticing Yuan Fang's hesitation, Niu You Dao furrowed his brows.
Yuan Fang had witnessed how Niu You Dao dealt with Song Yang Qing and others, and he understood that he was certainly no match for Niu You Dao. Therefore, he obediently lowered his trousers, remaining only in his underwear.
For a bear, there was nothing unusual about shedding its fur or 'clothes'. It was only through cultivation and transforming into a human that he developed human embarrassment.
As soon as his clothes dropped to the floor, Yuan Fang began to draw breath. He seemed to sense freedom. All his limbs began to change and swell. Fur appeared on his head, and his face also began to transform.
This transformation process was quite repulsive, yet Niu You Dao and Yuan Gang were no ordinary men. In their past lives, they had opened countless tombs and seen innumerable corpses. Moreover, they had even witnessed living corpses. On the contrary, they found the transformation quite intriguing.
Yuan Gang, who usually stood with a stone-faced expression, now showed curiosity.
Instantly, a massive golden-furred bear, resembling a black Himalayan bear, stood on its hind legs before the two friends. He was now three times their height. The underwear that had been around his waist now stretched like a grass skirt. His appearance was terrifying. From his huge, muscular paws protruded claws as sharp as razors.
Delighted, the two men began circling him, examining him and marveling at his golden fur.
And the bear, with only his dark, lively eyes, could watch them stare and wait for them to have their fill.
Not long after, Niu You Dao winked at Yuan Gang again. The latter, drawing his dagger, once more slashed at the fur several times. The dagger failed to cut through the fur. Then Yuan Gang suddenly struck from a different angle and breached the defense, drawing blood. The dagger sank in halfway.
“Ahhh...” The golden bear roared and pleaded in human speech:
“Gentlemen, I beg you, please release this monk!?”
Niu You Dao realized that its fur was indeed impenetrable. However, the bear could be pierced in less dense areas. Afterward, he waved his hand and joyfully said:
“My apologies, my apologies. Return to your original form!”
The golden bear immediately exhaled and, like a deflating balloon, shrank back to its original size. Having resumed human form, he immediately took out a piece of cloth and began bandaging the wound.
After finishing the bandaging, he put on his clothes and headwear, only then standing up. Although a mournful expression could be seen on his face.
Niu You Dao, patting him on the shoulder, said:
“With that leg of yours, you'd better not stand. Sit down, sit down.”
After Niu You Dao's words, Yuan Fang took two steps back and sat on a chair. Niu You Dao then began to thoroughly interrogate him. He essentially recounted everything just as he had to Song Yang Qing. He also embellished his tale, claiming all his evil deeds were for a good cause.
Niu You Dao listened and rejoiced. It didn't matter if it was for the temple or for his own aims; he was still chasing wealth, and everything else was merely a pretext. He simply tried to sugarcoat the definition of a bandit. Saying he stole from the rich to give to the poor... that was just nonsense. He might have helped the local settlement a little, but did that negate all his wicked deeds? Such actions had also impacted the monastery's affairs.
“In two years, how much have you managed to earn?” Niu You Dao asked, tapping the teapot as he sat on the chair.
Yuan Fang shook his head: “There's no money left.”
Niu You Dao furrowed his brows and, with a cold smile, asked: “What, are you afraid I'll take what you've acquired?”
Yuan Fang shook his head:
“No, you've misunderstood everything. The Southern Mountain Monastery's location isn't prosperous enough for us to get rich. Moreover, there are many people there who need to be fed. We also need to repair the houses and rooms. And we occasionally help settlements. We had a few hundred gold coins left, but even those were completely taken by the prince. He said it was needed for campaign expenses!”
Niu You Dao smiled. So, Chao Zong took it all?
“You... shapeshifter, are you perhaps resentful? Your encounter with us is your good fortune. Constantly going around and engaging in robbery, sooner or later you would have run into a spear or met with cultivator-exorcists. You'd do much better to follow me. I will then give you a position where you can move freely.”
Yuan Fang said sadly:
“Master, please let me go. I promise to lead the Southern Mountain Monastery and refrain from bad deeds. I still need to fulfill the sect head's wish, otherwise I'll fall into hell!”
Niu You Dao chuckled and said:
“That's easy to do. Follow me, and later you can build the greatest temple under heaven.”
Yuan Fang turned his head in surprise and asked: “Truly?”
Niu You Dao: “You'll only need to acquire money, and then you can build the grandest temple.”
Yuan Fang sensed that Niu You Dao was not a very reliable sort, then weakly replied:
“There's no need to cause you trouble; I'd rather find a way to build the temple myself.”
Niu You Dao chuckled coldly:
“Do you disrespect me? I'll give you one last chance to think carefully. Don't anger me!”
Yuan Fang's expression immediately changed, and he resolutely said:
“Very well!”
“Now listen to Master's orders.—” Niu You Dao leaned towards Yuan Gang and said: “If this shapeshifter isn't cooperative, then slaughter those monks!”
Yuan Gang nodded his head and gave Yuan Fang a sidelong glance.
Yuan Fang trembled and, waving his hand, said:
“No, no, that won't happen. We monks are honest people!”
By taking on this shapeshifter, he would be able to gradually study him! Niu You Dao was now pleased:
“We've been talking for so long, yet I don't even know your name.”
Yuan Fang stood up and, clasping his hands together, stated: “This humble monk is Yuan Fang.”
Niu You Dao replied impatiently: “No, your true name!”
Yuan Fang immediately reacted and replied: “I have no name. Previously, the monks called me Xiao Jin.” (Xiao Jin means "Little Gold")
“Xiao Jin?” Niu You Dao looked at him, then, pointing at Yuan Gang, said:
“He... is Monkey. From now on, we'll call you Bear!”
Yuan Fang stood up and immediately looked at Yuan Gang:
“You... are Monkey?” he looked as if he hadn't realized Yuan Gang was also a beast.