Chapter 106: The One-Eyed Old Man

A small black donkey appeared behind them, carrying an old man with a white beard. He had a wine gourd strapped to his back and was dressed in blue clothes. He was of short stature, with skin around his lone eye already decayed, making him look like a "one-eyed dragon." The man was urging his little donkey to run at full speed, closing the distance between them and the carriage of Ho Yuan Zhen.

The old man's donkey wasn't ordinary. With its short legs spread out, it was even faster than an average horse, quickly catching up to Ho Yuan Zhen's carriage. The old man glanced over, spotting Ho Yuan Zhen, and said with surprise, "The living standards these days are so high, even monks can ride in carriages!"

Ho Yuan Zhen smiled and replied, "Though this monk rides in a carriage, I can't roam freely like you, old sir!"

The old man chuckled, taking a swig from his wine gourd. "Hehe, I may envy you, but I'm not jealous. Look, over there, a man carrying firewood on his back is traveling too."

Ho Yuan Zhen laughed heartily and casually said, "The road is wide, but someday a mountain will arise. A bird in a cage can't compare to a donkey in the open."

The old man looked at Ho Yuan Zhen in shock. He had never expected a monk, a traditionally serious profession, to come up with such a whimsical poem in the middle of the street.

This piqued the one-eyed old man's interest. He sized Ho Yuan Zhen up and remarked, "A monk like you seems to have the bearing of the Buddha."

Ho Yuan Zhen smiled, but before he could respond with modesty, the old man continued, "But you have no hair on your head... looks rather shiny!"

The old man laughed loudly at his own remark, which made Ho Yuan Zhen's smile freeze. He had realized that he had encountered a rascal.

Damn it, you one-eyed pirate, come to land to mock me, and even wrote a three-line joke? You think I'm an easy target?

Ho Yuan Zhen wasn't one to back down. Though this old man seemed unusual, he wasn't worried. If he could deal with the monstrous Du Lao Guai, this old man wouldn't be a problem. With a sly grin, he retorted, "You're in a hurry, old sir, but even your donkey can run like the Dragon King."

Hearing Ho Yuan Zhen refer to him as "old sir" and praise his donkey, the old man nodded slightly. This monk was interesting—he was still respectful after being mocked and even composed a poem to compliment him.

Just as the old man was about to say something in return, Ho Yuan Zhen continued, "If the wind causes tears, walk alone."

The old man's words were immediately cut off, and his white beard stood on end in anger. This monk was taking him down a notch, mocking him with a poem about his one eye. The old man was furious, nearly exploding.

Ho Yuan Zhen chanted a Buddhist verse calmly: "Amitabha, my literary skills are poor. If there is anything inappropriate, I hope old sir will offer guidance."

The old man, trembling, took another drink from his gourd and laughed heartily. "Good! Good! I have wandered the world for many years, thinking monks were all dull and inflexible. Today, you've changed my view. Little monk, you're something special!"

"Likewise, old sir, you are a man of talent. I, a humble monk, bow to your greatness."

The old man laughed again, appreciating Ho Yuan Zhen's wit. The pace of his donkey was slightly faster than the carriage, so as he caught up to the two towering monks, Hui Wu and Hui Niu, he was taken aback. "Good heavens! These two giants are incredibly tall! Little monk, which temple are you from? Does your temple have enough offerings to feed these giant eaters?"

Hui Wu and Hui Niu were both infuriated. So what if they were big eaters? Why call them "giant eaters"?

The old man, however, seemed to speak without thinking, his gaze shifting to the white horse.

"Wow! This horse is magnificent! Its build, its head, I bet its teeth are just as fine. I like it! I like it!"

He urged his donkey closer and reached out to pry open the horse's mouth to inspect its teeth.

The white horse, already burdened with the carriage, was not having it. It kicked out in protest, startling the donkey, which dodged just in time. The old man failed to get a good look at the horse's mouth.

"Ah! This beast has some guts! Little monk, this horse is wasted pulling your cart. How about selling it to me? Name your price."

Ho Yuan Zhen waved his hand. "Old sir, this horse is not for sale. And please stay away from it. If you think it's trying to kiss you, you'll provoke it into a frenzy."

"What? Kiss it?"

The old man was taken aback. "I love horses, but I wouldn't kiss one! And even if I did, surely it wouldn't go mad, right?"

Ho Yuan Zhen smiled wryly. "You don't understand, old sir. There's an old saying, 'Donkey legs don't match horse mouths.' If you try to kiss it, it won't agree."

"Ha! You bald monk, so you're calling me a donkey now!"

The old man was furious again. This monk was clever at twisting words, getting him back with each retort. The old man's temper flared as he thought of another trick.

"Little monk, this road goes through the Songshan sect. What are you doing here? Are you going to Songshan?"

"Indeed."

"Little monk, what's so special about Songshan? Why not go back to your temple to eat and meditate?"

"I wish to dismount, but there are no stirrups. I'll leave everything to fate."

The old man's eyes twinkled, and he said, "Little monk, since you are in the martial world, let me tell you something. I am a member of the Tiandao Alliance. Are you planning to join us on your journey to Songshan?"

Ho Yuan Zhen sized the old man up. Though the old man appeared friendly, Ho Yuan Zhen felt an unsettling aura from him. His eyes darted around too much, and based on Ho Yuan Zhen's experience as an abbot, this old man seemed like he was trying to deceive him.

Ho Yuan Zhen remained calm and replied, "I only wish to spread the Buddha's teachings and help the people, with no intention of joining any organization."

"Little monk, you should think carefully. In the Henan region, opposing the Tiandao Alliance will bring you no good," the old man said, his brows rising as he seemed to get angry.

"I am resolute in my path, old sir. I do not seek conflict, and I trust that the Tiandao Alliance, despite its strength, would not trouble me."

The old man's tone became more imposing. His white hair stood on end as his single eye gleamed with a cold light. It seemed like he was about to make a move if Ho Yuan Zhen did not agree.

Ho Yuan Zhen, however, did not flinch. He was used to such mental battles, having honed his skills over years as an abbot. No one could defeat him with a mere glare or threaten him with killing intent.

"I am steadfast in my heart. Please do not pressure me further," Ho Yuan Zhen said firmly.

The old man studied him closely, seemingly trying to figure out whether Ho Yuan Zhen was bluffing. After a long silence, the old man seemed to give up, his fierce aura subsiding. "Fine, little monk. You're clever. I can't deceive you. But I like you, so let me give you a word of advice: when you go to Songshan, go quickly and return quickly. Speak less, observe more, and leave at the first opportunity."

"Thank you for the advice, old sir. I will keep it in mind."

"You are from what temple?"

"I am from Shaolin, the Abbot of yi jie."

"Good heavens, so young and already the Abbot!"

The old man was stunned, but he seemed to have little regard for the name "Shaolin."

This wasn't unusual; while Shaolin's reputation was rising, its fame was still limited to the local region. Even though some outsiders knew of it, the news hadn't spread widely yet.

"I see. One戒 from Shaolin. I will remember this. If I have a chance, I'll come to see it."

Before Ho Yuan Zhen could respond, a wisp of black smoke rose in the distance. It seemed to be a signal. The old man glanced at it and quickly said to Ho Yuan Zhen, "Little monk, remember my words. Don't stay long at Songshan. Go now!"

With that, the old man urged his donkey into a swift gallop and disappeared in an instant.

Ho Yuan Zhen stood there silently, watching the old man leave.

This old man was formidable—perhaps even stronger than Yi Chen. If the old man had decided to attack earlier, Ho Yuan Zhen would have had no chance to resist.

The old man didn't seem to be a righteous person, and his actions lacked any moral restraint. Was something brewing with the demonic sect?

In any case, the journey to Songshan was not going to be simple.