Рай — это берег праха смертных

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A narrow crack gradually appeared in Master Fei's navel, and a small "wriggling monster" poked out its bald head. Its triangular eyes looked around and saw that the folds of the host's navel were clean and refreshing, so it quickly crawled out.

"Grandma, let me do it," Youliang said to the Hakka nanny, reaching out to grab the lively little worm and tossing it into the fire. After a squealing sound, a wisp of smoke rose from the fire.

The Hakka woman nodded, thinking to herself, "She's still just a child, her childlike heart hasn't faded. What's so fun about catching bugs?" She stood up and said to Xu Feng, "Please come with me, I have something to ask you."

Xu Feng respectfully followed the Hakka nanny to the outside of the main hall. The old woman's skill in catching insects was truly amazing; he had never heard of such a thing before. At this point, Xu Feng was completely impressed.

Inside the main hall, Shen Caihua and You Liang worked together to catch five or six small "wriggling barbarians" and threw them all into the fire to burn to death.

"Hehena, jajie tingtingpo..." Shen Caihua secretly changed the incantation, turning "walking corpse" into "ghost wall", and his hand gestures changed from fingers to palms, moving horizontally and converging on Fei Daozhang's blind eye.

Driven by the "ghost wall" curse, the remaining "wriggling barbarian" larvae in Master Fei's body converged on the blind eye and finally hid in the depression behind the optic nerve in the eye socket, where they remained motionless.

“Alright,” Shen Caihua said happily to Youliang in a low voice, “I left him a few, this guy might turn into a ‘human-shaped wriggling Taoist priest’.” After saying that, he actually chuckled coldly to himself.

Shen Caihua was born from a ghost infant, originally bloodthirsty and violent. During his formative years, influenced by the kind and gentle Han Sheng and Lan'er, he became more reserved and taciturn. However, after meeting Huang Jianguo at the bottom of Poyang Lake, absorbing all of his original Zhu You Qi and merging it with the Zhu You relic in his skull, the child's personality will forever change…

Chapter 100 of the main text

Outside the main hall, a gentle breeze blew and the moonlight was as clear as water. Dongfang Hong and Xiong Dahai stood respectfully with their hands at their sides under the old ginkgo tree. Without the nanny's permission, they dared not move around at will.

The Hakka woman stood on the stone steps and said to Xu Feng, "Xu Feng, this old woman asks you, are you really here to find someone?"

“That’s right,” Xu Feng replied cautiously. “Youliang’s sister was kidnapped in Tongguan. We searched all the way to Fenglingdu in Hedong with her.”

"So, you didn't know this fake monk Li Dihuo before?" the Hakka woman continued to ask.

“This is Xu’s first time in Hedong; we’ve never met before,” Xu Feng replied truthfully.

“Hmm,” the Hakka woman nodded, thinking that Li Dihuo had stayed in the demon den of Huanglongfu in Guandong for decades and had only left a few days ago. There couldn’t possibly be any connection between them. So she asked doubtfully, “You said he is the new abbot sent down from the province, named ‘Monk Liaokong’?”

“Yes, during the day, Mayor Guo contacted the Shanxi Provincial Buddhist Association. They confirmed that the newly appointed abbot, Monk Liaokong, is a highly respected monk and asked the local authorities to avoid disturbing his meditation as much as possible,” Xu Feng explained.

“Li Dihuo is undoubtedly a fake monk, and this old woman knows that,” the Hakka woman said decisively.

Xu Feng pondered and said, "If this strange man is impersonating the new abbot of Fengling Temple, then the real monk Liaokong has likely already been murdered."

"Hmm, that's possible. This Li Dihuo is capable of anything," the Hakka old woman said calmly, looking at Xu Feng. "The three people in the main hall are no longer a problem. Let them put on their clothes, and you can leave."

“It’s late. Would you like to go to an inn in town to rest together?” Xu Feng politely suggested.

"We'll just stay in this temple," the Hakka woman said indifferently, then walked to the old ginkgo tree.

Such is the temperament of all the great masters in the world… Xu Feng thought as he returned to the main hall and helped Master Fei and the Guo brothers put on their clothes. “We can go now,” he said.

"What happened just now? Why are we all naked?" Youfu asked Xufeng in surprise as he picked up his pistol from the ground.

"Yes, where is Monk Liaokong? And that big bubble? Hmm, why does his mouth smell so foul?" Master Fei rubbed his blind eye, smacked his lips, and mumbled incoherently.

"Wow, where did this big parrot come from in the temple?" Mayor Guo exclaimed in surprise as he caught sight of Shen Caihua and Dudu.

"Let's talk about it in detail when we get back to town," Xu Feng said, pulling You Liang along as they walked out of the main hall.

Master Fei and the others also came to the outside of the main hall. They saw a Hakka woman standing under the ginkgo tree and two other people in police uniforms. As they passed by, Youfu couldn't help but ask, "Are you from the county bureau?"

Dongfang Hong and Xiong Dahai remained expressionless and silent.

Having made a fool of himself, Youfu shook his head and followed Xufeng and the others out of the mountain gate, leaving Fengling Temple dejectedly.

Inside the main hall, the Hakka matron's eyes were a little red as she gazed at Chen Caihua for a long time, then sighed with a sense of loss, "My two senior sisters, the Zhuyou Sect finally has successors..."

Shen Caihua gazed silently at the campfire, lost in deep thought. After a long while, he spoke softly, "Master, when are we going to find Momo?"

The Hakka nanny smiled slightly and said, "Once your master goes down to the Earth's navel and finds out what the Earth Water is hiding, then I will take you to find Mo Mo. Don't worry, even if it's the ends of the earth, your master will be able to help you find her."

"When are we going to the Earth's Navel?" Shen Caihua asked eagerly.

“This afternoon around Shen or You time,” the Hakka woman said, waving her hand, “Caihua, go and call them in.”

"Yes, Master," Shen Caihua replied, then walked outside the main hall and waved to Dongfang Hong and Xiong Dahai under the old ginkgo tree. The two quickly entered the main hall.

"You all need to find something to eat," the Hakka nanny instructed.

"Yes." Dongfang Hong and Xiong Dahai responded and went out. They found the back kitchen of Fengling Temple and discovered that there was still rice, flour, oil and salt stored in the cupboard. So Xiong Dahai started a fire, and Dongfang Hong quickly added water and kneaded the dough to make Northeastern hand-pulled noodles.

Inside the main hall, the Hakka matron looked at Chen Caihua with a heavy heart and said, "Li Dihuo invited Master to go down to the Earth's navel, and he seemed quite confident. It seems that this trip will not be very smooth. There may be a fierce battle. You and Dudu should not go. Stay in the temple and wait for Master to return."

Shen Caihua shook his head and said resolutely, "No, Master, I want to go."

“Master will go alone so as not to be distracted in taking care of you. There must be many traps and dangers inside that navel,” the Hakka nanny said gently, trying to comfort her.

"I can't rest easy..." Shen Caihua said softly, looking down. After spending so much time together, he had silently accepted the old woman in his heart. Children are like that; they can sense who truly loves them.

The Hakka woman felt a surge of warmth in her heart and reached out to embrace Xiao Caihua. She had been childless and lonely all her life, but unexpectedly, she had gained a beloved disciple in her old age. It was like having a child in her later years, and she felt a warm current flowing through her body.

"Dinner's ready..." Dongfang Hong and Xiong Dahai carried steaming hot hand-pulled noodles into the main hall. The fragrant oil floated on the noodle soup, making it look incredibly appetizing.

The Hakka grandmother took a bite, and found the wide, hand-rolled noodles to be soft, smooth, and chewy, with a natural wheat aroma. She sincerely praised, "Dongfang Hong, your skills are really excellent."

With an extremely sincere expression, Dongfang Hong said, "As long as my benefactor, Granny, is happy with the food, Dongfang Hong will do his utmost, even unto death." Throughout the journey south, Dongfang Hong was in charge of everyone's meals, acting according to Granny's wishes and fulfilling his responsibilities to the best of his ability.

The Hakka grandmother once asked the two men in detail about the living habits and weaknesses of the "Ruotou Man", but they were vague in their answers, probably because the creature had just been unearthed.

Xiong Dahai handed a bowl of noodles to Shen Caihua. The boy had broken through the wall to save him from being burned, and he was extremely grateful. He insisted on teaching Caihua Tongbei Quan, just as the saying goes, "A drop of water in need is repaid with a spring of water."

Xu Feng and the others left Fengling Temple and headed towards the jeep in the distance.

A cool night breeze swept by, and Master Fei's mind gradually cleared. Suddenly, he slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "I remember now, that big blue-feathered parrot and that child!"

"Master Fei, have you met them before?" Mayor Guo asked in surprise.

“Yes, it’s them, in Hukou County by Poyang Lake in Jiangxi…” Master Fei stamped his foot and turned to return to Fengling Temple.

"Where are you going?" Xu Feng asked, puzzled.

“This little boy is an accomplice of an old beggar. That blind old beggar stole my precious ‘Ling Ge’, but today I’ve finally caught this little fellow again.” As Master Fei spoke, he turned and walked away.

"Wait!" Xu Feng called out sharply, then said, "Master Fei, do you three remember that the monk Liao Kong poisoned you all with those insects in the main hall? They were inside that big bubble. You shot and broke the bubble, and the insects fell down and crawled all over you..."

"So what if it is?" Master Fei stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked at Xu Feng.

Xu Feng sneered, "It was that child who used magic to drive all the worms out of your bodies and burn them all to death. Otherwise, would the three of you have come back alive?"

"Oh, I remember now, those little pink bugs were crawling all over my body, it hurt and itched so much, I even scratched my skin raw," Mayor Guo said, touching his face in sudden realization.

"Was it that little kid who saved us?" Youfu asked, puzzled.

“Exactly,” Xu Feng said. “The strangely dressed old woman with that child must be a reclusive master. Master Fei, putting aside the fact that the child saved your life, do you think you can handle that old woman?”

Master Fei hesitated upon hearing this, realizing that what Chairman Xu said made sense, and that going there rashly was indeed risky.

“Master Fei, let’s go back and discuss this first. If we really need to arrest them, we should send more people. Also, I need to report to Secretary Qin about tonight’s incident,” Mayor Guo advised.

"Alright then." Master Fei reluctantly followed him into the jeep, which drove back to Fenglingdu Town overnight.

"After a whole night of running around, everyone must be hungry. Let's go have some drinks to calm our nerves." Mayor Guo drove the car directly to the entrance of the small restaurant at the ferry crossing.

"Old Wang, it's me, Guo Youcai..." He pounded on the door, waking up the sleeping Boss Wang, and ordered him to prepare some wine and food.

Old Wang didn't dare to delay and quickly ran into the kitchen. He busied himself with the clattering and sizzling sounds, bringing out several steaming dishes and two jugs of wine.

"Chairman Xu, please tell me in detail what happened tonight. I need to report to Secretary Qin after dawn," Mayor Guo said to Xu Feng while drinking.

“Alright.” Xu Feng nodded and began to recount the whole story, starting from when “Monk Liaokong” stretched his neck and spat out that big bubble. However, he concealed the fact that the old woman and the fake monk Li Dihuo were already acquainted, and that they had agreed to go down to the navel on the day of Wushen at the hour of Shenyou.

"Oh, so we almost died..." Mayor Guo said in astonishment.

“This old monk is an imposter; the real monk Liaokong has most likely already been murdered,” Xu Feng speculated.

Youfu shook his head, still unable to understand how a human could have such a long neck and be able to spit out so many terrifying little insects... It seems that there really might be monsters in this world.

"Who exactly is that old woman?" Master Fei asked, rubbing his blind eyes.

Xu Feng shook his head and replied calmly, "The temperament of reclusive masters is usually very eccentric. Since she refused to reveal it, I naturally had no way to ask."

Chapter 101

After listening to Mayor Guo's report over the phone, Secretary Qin pondered for a moment before saying, "Youcai, the identity of this 'Monk Liaokong' who spits out insects is indeed suspicious. I completely agree with your analysis. The real Liaokong sent by the province is likely already dead. The county will contact the Provincial Religious Affairs Bureau and the Buddhist Association as soon as possible. The Hong Kong businessman surnamed Xu and the young monk Youliang should be temporarily placed under house arrest. They say that Master Jia kidnapped Nizi, but we can't tell if that's true or not. As for that strange old woman and her group, don't disturb them for now. Anyway, Chairman Song has already arrived from Beijing and should be at Fenglingdu by this evening. We'll discuss everything after Chairman Song arrives. Also, you need to send someone to keep an eye on the old woman to prevent her from sneaking away, understand?"

“You understand,” Mayor Guo replied.

"Youcai, are you alright? Please be careful, Ruhua and Daguai are counting on you," Secretary Qin earnestly advised.

"Thank you for your concern, father-in-law..." Mayor Guo's nose tingled, and he almost shed a tear.

"That's good." Secretary Qin hung up the phone.

The Fenglingdu Town Guesthouse was located in the backyard of the town government building, where Xu Feng, You Liang, and Daoist Fei were all arranged to rest. Mayor Guo first went to Daoist Fei's room and told him what Secretary Qin had said on the phone.

"Master is coming?" Master Fei's heart skipped a beat. He had already been scolded by his master for his unsuccessful trip to Foya Temple in Tongguan last time.

“He arrived here tonight,” Mayor Guo said.

"I'll stay here and watch over Chairman Xu and that little monk. You quickly send someone to Fengling Temple to keep an eye on them and prevent the old woman and the others from getting away, or Master will scold us again," Master Fei said anxiously.

Mayor Guo said, "It's alright, Youfu has already gone to Fengling Temple."

Mayor Guo went to Xu Feng's room next door and told him that the county's opinion was not to take any rash actions for the time being, and to wait until the people from the capital arrived tonight before making a decision. He also asked Chairman Xu and the child to stay in the room and not go out.

"Who are these people from the capital?" Xu Feng asked in surprise.

“Song Diweng, president of the Chinese Archaeological Association,” Mayor Guo replied.

Xu Feng had heard of this person. He was a well-known figure in the archaeological and antique collecting circles in the capital. He was rumored to be a dwarf, which added to his mystique.

"Understood," Xu Feng said with a faint smile.

After saying his farewell, Mayor Guo left the room, leaving staff members sitting on benches in the corridor.

"Don't let this Hong Kong businessman and his child leave the room," Mayor Guo instructed.

Inside the room, Youliang asked anxiously, "Daoist Master, are we just going to wait in this house?"

"No, this humble Taoist is quite eager to go inside that 'earth navel' and see for himself," Xu Feng chuckled.

As night fell, a jeep pulled up in front of the town government building, and Secretary Qin accompanied Song Diweng into the gate.

Inside the mayor's office, Guo Youcai served two cups of hot tea and then gave a detailed report on what had happened over the past two days.

After listening for a long time without speaking, Song Diweng finally spoke slowly and said, "So, it was Master Jia who abducted Guo Ni in Tongguan?"

"That's what Chairman Xu said, and also that little monk Youliang," Mayor Guo replied.

"Hmm..." Song Diweng pondered, "Can the monk Liaokong really stretch his neck to two meters? And be able to spit out small insects?"