Mount Dadao also has another name, Tianxu Mountain, claiming to be the closest place to heaven in the Kyushu region.
Not many people now know about Qingyun Taoist Temple and Shasheng Temple. Before the appearance of the Demon Suppression Bureau, these two places had a formidable reputation.
When the demons of Kyushu heard about these two places, it was like having eaten a dead fly. If they encountered people from these two places, it would be like losing their own parents.
Qingyun Taoist Temple, the so-called Qingyun, is not about cultivating clear energy into clouds but is named after the Qingyun Scripture.
It transforms observed demons into Qingyun, enhancing spiritual cultivation.
Ashes fluttered countless times, and the path to the Qingyun Great Dao led straight to heaven.
Shasheng Temple, the so-called Shasheng, is not about the Buddhist principle of not killing.
It does not kill humans but rather demons, monsters, and evil spirits. Killing tens of thousands of demons accumulates countless merits, allowing one to become a third-grade Vajra.
As time passed, these two places eventually declined. Excessive slaughter went against the natural order.
Now, only one monk and one Taoist are left, joining the Demon Suppression Bureau.
It's not bad; they are still doing their old jobs.
Moreover, the two no longer have to worry about their inherited traditions being condemned by the heavens. When they entered, they saw the big blue stones at the entrance many times.
That is where the Demon Suppression Bureau's fortune and merits are concentrated. Chen Xuanze didn't use fortune-telling, but if he did, he would have noticed that the stone isn't blue at all. Clearly, it's a blood-red, five-tailed, single-horned leopard lying there.
It's fierce!
A monk and a Taoist can handle such small matters.
So, a place where you are fed, taken care of, paid, and can cultivate easily—where else can you find it?
"Monk, if the Demon Suppression Bureau doesn't guard against us, I plan to stay here for a long time. Qingyun Taoist Temple only has me left.
Master also said that as long as the Qingyun Scripture is passed down, anywhere can be Qingyun."
The Taoist broke the silence first, and after expressing his thoughts, he asked, "What about you? What do you think?"
San Zang took out the wooden fish from his bag and placed it on the bedside table, wiping it gently.
Upon hearing what the Taoist said, he turned around, pointed to the Taoist, then pointed to the wooden fish, and nodded.
Taoist Wang Qingxuan was very happy, went forward, hugged San Zang, and after letting go, said, "Alright, let's do it here, at least we won't starve to death, haha."
At lunchtime, Chen Xuanze took the monk and the Taoist away on time. The three agreed not to use formal titles or mention Buddhist or Taoist phrases. They addressed Chen Xuanze as Chen Ge, while he called the Taoist Qingxuan and the monk San Zang.
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The members of the Huang team finally completed two consecutive months of tasks and appeared at the Demon Suppression Bureau.
In the cafeteria, when Chen Xuanze saw them, he deliberately counted their numbers. There were now forty-five people, and the last time they met, there were fifty-two. Well, seven of them must have died.
Chen Xuanze and the monk were both tall, around six feet tall, towering over most people. Not to mention that among the tall ones, there was also a big bald guy.
"Xuanze, over here," said Li Gou's team of six, along with four newcomers, already occupying seats. After finishing their meal, they sat together, chatting while eating.
No introductions were needed. There was a reason for that. Within the Demon Suppression Bureau, you only truly got to know someone after their probationary period.
Experienced Demon Wardens with seniority tended to be perfunctory when leading people. It wasn't that they didn't care; it was just that caring too much could lead to heartbreak. After investing so much effort, the person you brought out might end up getting killed in some mission.
It was better to let them roam freely until they survived the probationary period. By then, they would have learned what they needed to know.
As they chatted and ate, the topic shifted to the enchanting figures of the Eight Great Alleys, the water-like appearance of young ladies from wealthy families, and the affairs between maids and guards, topics that men liked. San Zang listened with relish.
The newcomers were too busy eating, keeping their ears perked, afraid to interrupt.
Chen Xuanze continued to act as the simple and honest guy, concentrating on his meal.
"Have you heard about what happened on Yanzhi Street?" At this point, one of the members of Li Gou's team, a bronze-ranked Demon Warden named Nanmen Puyu, mysteriously spoke up.
Chen Xuanze's ears perked up, waiting for more, but it didn't come.
Sitting next to him, Li Gou slapped the back of Nanmen Puyu's head with his earthenware plate, slamming his dark face into the wooden tray in front of him.
"Stop beating around the bush. Spit it out if you have something to say."
Nanmen Puyu raised his head, glaring at Li Gou, and gritted his teeth, "One day, sooner or later, your position as the chief will be mine!"
Just as he finished speaking, he received another slap on the head. "Giving you some face, huh? With your life intact till today, still not grateful?" Li Gou was ruthless.
The six newcomers remained silent, as still as cicadas in winter. Was this the imposing manner of a future boss?
The old folks kept their heads down, not saying a word. This was a display of authority, commonly known as a show of force.
The difference this time was that Nanmen Puyu had drawn the short straw twice in a row. This was his second time being the example, used to intimidate newcomers.
Chen Xuanze had known about their methods. When Li Gou had asked him to walk with him early in the morning, he had already informed him.
To avoid being chosen, Nanmen Puyu was the first to draw the straw, which led to his current situation. Chen Xuanze didn't even get to see what the straws looked like.
After enjoying Li Gou's punishment, he suddenly remembered that Nanmen hadn't followed the script today.
With a swollen and bruised nose, Nanmen forced a smile and said, "Ah? I thought you wanted to invite me to tour the new building, hahaha. Go on, continue. What's up with the new building on Yanzhi Street?"
Ignoring Li Gou's actions, Nanmen continued, "A new building opened there called 'Heartfelt Heaven Construction.' They've organized a Kyoto Courtesan List, claiming to rank the young ladies of Kyoto. And speaking of this, the illness that's half spoken and half kept in—"
Li Gou's gaze turned threatening, and Nanmen's illness suddenly disappeared. "In a few days, on the night of the fifteenth, Heartfelt Heaven Construction will host the Kyoto Courtesan Competition on the Yanzhi River. They boast about trampling on Xingchun Pavilion and proving who is the true top brothel in Kyoto."
The newcomers listened quietly. They hadn't heard of Heartfelt Heaven Construction, but Xingchun Pavilion was undoubtedly one of the top establishments in Kyoto. Those who had recently arrived in Kyoto were already familiar with its name.
The old folks looked curious. This was a new twist, a chance to see whose chicken feathers were fresher and whose figure was more elegant. They also needed to assess these chickens' talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting!
Excitement, what an excitement!
So, except for Chen Xuanze, the six old folks began discussing animatedly.
Some vowed to attend the event that day, while others suggested that the ladies should perform in the buff to stand out.
The most daring one was Li Gou, who declared that he would pay a hundred taels of silver. When the rankings came out, he would spend a night with any girl who made it to the list.
It wasn't until the honest and thin staff member finished his meal and let out a satisfied belch that he sighed and said, "The fifteenth of this month? What an auspicious day!"