The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!-Chapter 165: Bandaging

Even though Kong Chan admitted to being one of their own, Huangfu Jingchen still felt no goodwill towards the bald-headed monks, speaking in a cold, hard voice: "Many young girls have gone missing from villages at the foot of the mountain. My brother Wenjin and I have been investigating, and the trail went cold around here. Originally, we suspected it had something to do with the monastery. But who would have thought that all those missing girls were here, on this mountainside, forced by these wicked monks to use their beauty to please others, suffering terrible abuse and defilement. This monastery is nothing more than the depraved lair of evil monks!"

Ming Cheng and Ming Xuan were both shocked. If the matter of the maternity Zen room had made them think that Ming Qing and others were already exceedingly sinful, hearing now that there were even more heinous deeds being committed was beyond anything they could have imagined.

Ming Cheng said in a deep voice: "Could the missing girls really be at Shian Temple?"

After sporadic instances of girls going missing, some villagers had no choice but to plead with the Buddha for protection, hoping to find their daughters soon.

Ming Cheng had heard about it and even suggested to the distraught parents that they should report to the authorities.

However, he never imagined that those missing girls were being violated by monks at Shian Temple.

Ming Xuan suddenly exclaimed: "Senior Brother, over the years the number of monks in the monastery should be over four hundred. But in the Zen court, there are only about three hundred. Moreover, not a single one of the eight chief deacons can be seen."

Huangfu Jingchen cut in coldly: "They’re all on the back mountain!"

The eight deacons were all promoted by Ming Qing.

Even Ming Ze and Ming Xi, two of the four chief monks, came to the mountain within the last five years.

Ming Cheng was completely in the dark.

Now, his face was ashen and gloomy, hands clasped, softly chanting "Amitabha Buddha," feeling deeply guilty and sinful.

As the abbot, he had failed to oversee, allowing the entire monastery to descend into hell, those poor girls were crying in vain in hell, and he knew nothing about it.

Now, even if he sets things right, arresting the evil monks and handing them over to the authorities, driving away the evildoers, those unfortunate girls’ lives have been shattered, and he cannot absolve himself of blame!

He looked at Huangfu Jingchen, eyes filled with sorrow and regret, asking gravely: "Where are they?"

Huangfu Jingchen pointed in the direction he had come from, saying: "There’s a courtyard over there, with more than ten rooms. Once you get there, you’ll know everything!"

Master Lu scratched his head and remarked: "So this whole monastery is filled with wayward monks? My goodness, I have to report this to the Sect Leader. Our young lady was also captured but managed to escape; still, this grievance needs redress!"

Ming Xuan turned pale: "Do they even deserve to be called monks?"

Ming Cheng said: "Do not worry, layperson. This humble monk will ensure a thorough investigation. Anyone found guilty will be handed over to the government for punishment, with no exceptions!"

Master Lu was clearly skeptical, scrutinizing him and rudely said: "You’re all from the same monastery, and you’re the abbot. If they committed evil, you’re implicated too!"

Kong Chan patted his shoulder, admonishing: "Young man, you shouldn’t speak like that. Do you know who he is? Even your Sect Leader would show respect to him. What he says is absolutely credible!"

Master Lu was taken aback, standing with his companions in a defensive stance, on guard, yet suddenly someone had come close enough to pat his shoulder without him realizing.

He turned to see an old monk with white eyebrows and a white beard, his heart skipped a beat, but his strong spirit from the Jianghu world kept him from backing down, saying with a hostile look: "Are you a monk too? Are you with them?"

Kong Chan pointed to himself and smiled benevolently: "I am from Bodhi Temple!"

Master Lu immediately said: "Ah, a master from Bodhi Temple, my apologies for being disrespectful. I trust your words, Master!"

Xia Wenjin saw a glint of satisfaction in Kong Chan’s eyes, almost intolerable, as this fellow was clearly enjoying his role as a monk.

Master Lu’s previous fierceness disappeared entirely, instead showing a hint of flattery, asking: "Master, you said even when our Sect Leader comes, he must show him respect; what is his lay identity...?"

Kong Chan waved his hand and laughed: "Ask him yourself!"

Seeing Master Lu looking over, Ming Cheng clasped his hands and said: "Once you enter the monastery, you live two lives. There is no need to speak of matters from my lay life!"

His words did not leave Master Lu feeling perfunctory; instead, they evoked a sense of respect, causing him to clasp his own hands in salute, saying: "Master, you are a high monk. We have the utmost respect, but those people inside have captured our young lady. Although she escaped, this is a grievance we cannot overlook. I want to kill that scoundrel!"

Ming Cheng said: "Layperson, the matters here should be handled by the authorities! The crimes they’ve committed have nothing to do with the Jianghu. The victims are not from the Jianghu either."

Master Lu cast a peculiar glance at him: "Abbot, not to meddle, but have you considered that if you report it officially, you might be implicated since you’re the abbot. Your reputation would be ruined, with people cursing you! Why not let us handle it and rid the world of filth? That way, you don’t have to deal with the mess!"

Ming Cheng clasped his hands and declared: "This humble monk also failed to oversee properly, and would rightfully share in the punishment!"

Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen exchanged looks filled with newfound respect. Despite being emaciated, Monk Ming Cheng possessed a noble soul that commanded admiration.

Master Lu, hearing Ming Cheng’s words, felt a bit embarrassed and said: "Alright then, I’ll leave it to you guys, but I will follow the whole process. This concerns our young lady, and I must report it to our Sect Leader."

Xia Wenjin tugged at Huangfu Jingchen and said: "Let’s leave this to the abbot. Come, let me dress your wounds!"

Earlier, when she embraced him, her hand touched several sticky spots, she knew he was wounded, but wearing black clothes in the moonlight made it hard to see clearly.

Ming Cheng spoke solemnly: "Rest assured, layperson!"

Nearby was an empty room with no one inside. Xia Wenjin pulled Huangfu Jingchen in, took out a flint, and lit a candle. At first glance, she was startled by how many wounds Huangfu Jingchen had.

His entire outfit was soaked with blood, not visible due to his black clothes, but his attire was in tatters, with wounds of varying depths visible where the fabric had been torn.

Xia Wenjin exclaimed in surprise: "How did you get injured like this?"

Huangfu Jingchen smiled nonchalantly: "It’s not too serious, mainly caught off guard, as one of the chief deacons was a martial arts expert!"

Xia Wenjin pondered, unfamiliar with Huangfu Jingchen’s abilities, but feeling he was not weak. If he called someone an expert, how skilled must they be? She probed: "A first-class expert?"

Huangfu Jingchen nodded: "At least a first-class middle-tier expert!"

Xia Wenjin was genuinely surprised and said in shock: "Even the chief Ming Qing is only second-class high-tier!"

A first-class middle-tier? Someone like that could easily make a name for themselves in the Jianghu, dominating one area; yet they served as a minor deacon in a monastery?