Chapter Twenty: The Gold-Devouring Beast

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Every dignitary who comes here donates some incense money. Jiang Lan nudged Xue Mingrui with her elbow, whispering in his ear, "This time it's for Cousin and you—shouldn't it be your expense, not mine?"

Xue Mingrui looked at Jiang Lan's shameless face, truly wanting to give her a good beating.

In the end, helpless, he still took out a banknote from his chest.

"A small token, hoping to contribute a little incense money to the temple."

"Amitabha. The temple has already prepared rooms and vegetarian meals for you. Please, this way."

The young monk led Jiang Lan and the others to their rooms. Before leaving, Jiang Lan caught hold of him. "Where is your Master Kong Kong? Take me to him."

The young monk was easily coaxed, first saying Jiang Lan was lucky—his grand-uncle had only just returned recently and was now meditating in his chamber. He should have finished by now, and could take Jiang Lan over.

Xue Mingrui, beside them, dared not be left out, tugging at Jiang Lan's sleeve. "I'm coming too."

Jiang Lan hooked her arm around Xue Mingrui's shoulder. "Not angry anymore?"

"Who’s angry!"

"Alright, alright, you're not angry. I was being petty, okay?" She patted his shoulder. "Come on, together."

"That old monk lives really far." After walking for a long while, Jiang Lan, with her lazy temperament, would have shamelessly asked Xue Mingrui to carry her if she weren't afraid of revealing her identity.

Xue Mingrui dragged most of Jiang Lan's weight, and seeing she was about to start acting up again, quickly covered her mouth.

"Settle down," Xue Mingrui whispered in her ear. Seeing the young monk turn back, he immediately put on a smile. "Nothing, nothing."

Seeing the daggers in Xue Mingrui's eyes, Jiang Lan could only walk step by step, leaning pitifully against him, while inwardly she dismembered the old monk a hundred times.

The young monk was very respectful, not daring to raise his voice in the courtyard. Jiang Lan glanced around, thinking this old monk really enjoyed good treatment—the room he lived in was much nicer than her own.

Unfair~

The young monk knocked on the door. "Grand-Uncle, Young Lord Xue and the Heir of the Duke of Wei request an audience."

Jiang Lan, nearby, wore a rebellious expression, scoffing.

Request an audience? What airs!

"Let them in."

The young monk pushed open the meditation chamber door. "Please, benefactors."

Jiang Lan and Xue Mingrui entered. The interior was not as ostentatious as the courtyard—a meditation mat, a table, a tea cup on the table, and water bubbling away on a small stove beside it.

"At such a time, a pot of spring tea is just right!"

Jiang Lan swept aside her robe and sat by the table, hands propped behind her, looking utterly nonchalant. "Old monk, you sure know how to enjoy yourself. Why aren't you coming out?"

Xue Mingrui hurriedly kicked Jiang Lan, cursing under his breath, "Even now, you’re still causing trouble!"

Behind the curtain, Kong Kong's mouth twitched. Who dared to treat even that Young Lord so casually? An extraordinary person, surely! He must cling tightly to such a patron, no matter what.

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Kong Kong, having made up his mind, stepped out, dressed in yellow robes and a kasaya, radiating compassion.

Xue Mingrui, steeped in Buddhist study thanks to his grandmother, was particularly knowledgeable about the Dharma.

To meet a true Buddhist master was a rare fortune, and naturally, he was overjoyed.

Kong Kong, in his seventies, with a ruddy complexion and a long white beard, looked every inch the profound Buddhist sage.

Indeed, the inexperienced Second Young Master Xue immediately turned into a little fanboy.

"Master, please sit."

"Young Lord Xue, you are too kind." Kong Kong smiled and bowed slightly to Xue Mingrui, which made the latter ecstatic.

Rumor had it that even the Emperor himself might not receive much favor from Master Kong Kong, but now he was treating Xue Mingrui differently—perhaps this was destiny.

Jiang Lan, clutching her "injured" leg, shrank to one side, looking aggrievedly at Xue Mingrui, as if accusing him of abandoning her once she was useless.

Seeing her cousin ignore her, Jiang Lan’s gaze toward the old monk grew even fiercer.

Kong Kong felt a chill on his neck—

But he dared not meet the gaze of such a formidable person.

Hot water was poured into the teapot, releasing a delicate fragrance.

Though old, the monk’s tea-brewing skill was exquisite.

Jiang Lan tasted the cup before her; it was slightly bitter at first, but after drinking, only the faintest hint of fragrance lingered between her lips and teeth.

Even Jiang Lan, who didn’t know much about tea, couldn’t help but praise, "Good tea~"

Kong Kong wiped his sweat—so long as the great one was pleased.

Jiang Lan sipped her tea on the side, seeing her cousin and the old monk deep in conversation, and noticing her cup hardly touched, picked up the whole pot and drank to her heart’s content.

After more than an hour, Jiang Lan was rudely awakened by her cousin, who pulled her up.

"The matter of the statue is left in Master’s hands."

"Buddha is compassionate, and with such filial piety from the benefactor, this humble monk will do his utmost."

Jiang Lan pressed her chest and nose, to keep herself from retching.

Seeing her cousin about to give thanks, Jiang Lan grabbed his arm and pulled him out. "Cousin, the master has said enough. It’s already late—we shouldn't disturb him further, let him rest early."

"Jiang Lan! Jiang Lan!"

Knowing what her cousin was about to say, Jiang Lan quickly covered his mouth. "The master won’t mind, will you, Master?"

Seeing Jiang Lan look over, Kong Kong, so nervous he nearly knelt, hurriedly nodded, not daring to look up.

Out in the courtyard, Jiang Lan slumped onto the corridor.

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"What’s wrong?"

Jiang Lan rolled her eyes. "My feet hurt."

"Did I hurt you earlier?"

Xue Mingrui felt guilty, knowing he had held back, but his cousin had only just recovered from serious injury—how could she bear it?

"Should I carry you?"

Jiang Lan had been waiting for those words, and before Xue Mingrui could take them back, she pounced on him.

Anyway, this body hadn’t grown up yet—what was there to worry about!

Never doubt a lazy person's shamelessness—never.

They dined together, and after thoroughly disparaging the vegetarian meals of White Horse Temple, Jiang Lan returned to her room to rest.

Late at night, the window of Jiang Lan’s room quietly opened.

A shadow slipped in like a ghost—Jiang Lan drifted into Master Kong Kong’s chamber.

The old monk was counting his silver, and when a figure suddenly appeared in the room, he nearly jumped out of his skin, hurriedly hid the silver in his robe, and shouted, "What monster are you!"

He was answered by an even more ghostly laugh.

"You really know how to enjoy yourself."

The old monk lifted the curtain and stepped out. When he saw her, he immediately knelt at her feet, tears streaming down his face.

"Great Immortal, spare me~"

Jiang Lan couldn't stand it, and kicked him aside.

"No one’s around, stop acting like this. I can’t stand it."

"Alright, alright, whatever the Great Immortal says goes."

With a loud "bang," a golden mist spread through the room. When it cleared, there was no old monk—only a humanoid Gold-Eater beast.

"Is it fun to trick my cousin?"

The Gold-Eater beast sweated, its smile even more awkward. "Great Immortal, it’s just that your cousin likes it, doesn’t he?"

Jiang Lan rolled her eyes. "Watch your words! What old man? You’re an ancient monster, and you call my cousin old? Has a dog eaten your face?"

The Gold-Eater beast secretly stuck out its tongue. "No matter how old I am, I’m not as old as you."