Master Duanchen gathered the three pilgrims in a side hall, leaving them to talk through their own matters while he stepped back.

“My apologies for the spectacle, benefactors.” Master Duanchen smiled apologetically. “I usually don’t resort to violence when receiving pilgrims.”

“Great master, you are a man of character.” Meng Jingzhou placed a hand over his chest, impressed by the abbot’s earlier actions.

Master Duanchen sighed. “Actually, cases like the third pilgrim have become common in recent years. I have no idea why.

“They seemed to have fallen into some strange trance, viewing their wives and children as shackles, whereby they abandon their families and enter monastic life. After several months or years, they get over it and want to return to secular life. I’m not sure about faraway temples, but from what I know, those nearby temples have encountered similar cases.”

“There’s such a thing?” Lu Yang became pensive. He couldn’t help but feel that something was amiss.

“Immortal Fairy, did you notice anything unusual about the third pilgrim?”

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy swept her immortal consciousness over the side hall. “Nothing seemed wrong. He looked like a pretty normal person. It’s just that he didn’t dare to fight back despite getting beaten up badly.”

Lu Yang frowned. Am I overthinking?

“Old Meng, what do you think?”

“Great Master struck well.” 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Lu Yang. “...”

The subsequent pilgrims were much more normal. Master Duanchen was, after all, an eminent monk who had made a grand wish; he possessed genuine skill. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou gained much by observing and learning from him.

Even if his method of counsel was essentially filling a bottle and emptying it again.

Nonetheless, Master Duanchen’s manner and bearing were so perfect that he could lead the pilgrims into his rhythm step by step.

“To make the other party trust your words, background, lighting, speech, bearing, and expression—all of it matters.” Lu Yang analyzed everything about Master Duanchen, checking which aspect he himself failed to achieve.

The last pilgrim of the day surprised Lu Yang—it was the young girl who had nearly bumped into him yesterday. Although her clothes were patched, indicating that she came from a poor background, her garments and her face were clean, lending her a likable appearance.

According to the young girl’s self-introduction, she was Tang Qiaoqiao, fourteen years old. She lived with her elder brother, Tang Chuanwu, who was her only family.

“Great Master, I don’t know what’s gotten into my elder brother lately. It’s as if he’s become a different person, always suspicious and paranoid, practicing some fist technique all day long. I don’t know where he learned it, but when I ask what’s wrong, he won’t tell me.”

Tears welled in Tang Qiaoqiao’s eyes as she recalled the methods of diabolic cultivators in the pingshu storytelling. Biting her lip, she hesitantly asked, “Great Master, could someone have taken over my elder brother’s body?”

Master Duanchen activated the scriptures hung on the wall, calming Tang Qiaoqiao. A benevolent, reassuring smile spread across his face. “Young benefactress, your brother’s behavior actually proves that his body has not been taken over. The culprits try to maintain the host’s original mannerisms as much as possible to avoid arousing suspicion. Their temperament won’t undergo drastic changes.

“Those who take over others’ bodies are typically accomplished cultivators, calculating and meticulous; they won’t leave any flaws. Even those who know the hosts well won’t notice anything unusual.”

Unlike the Great Xia, where laws were strict, the Buddhist Kingdom occasionally saw cases of body takeovers. Some even cultivated diligently and became abbots. Master Duanchen had encountered such individuals and was aware of their characteristics.

Lu Yang nodded. Master Duanchen is right. When the Immortal Fairy took over my body, she had also tried her best to imitate my behavior, though her efforts left much to be desired.

“Then what’s wrong with my brother?”

Master Duanchen rolled his prayer beads between his fingers, pondering for a moment. “Perhaps you are truly in some danger. After your brother learned of it from some source, he feared you would worry and chose not to tell you.”

From his sleeve, he produced a yellow talisman. Tying it with a red string, he hung it around Tang Qiaoqiao’s neck. “Keep this safe. Should you encounter danger, it can protect you.”

“But...I have no money.” Tang Qiaoqiao lowered her gaze to her toes, her voice barely a whisper. She fidgeted restlessly, afraid Master Duanchen would throw her out.

“No matter. Perform more good deeds in the future, and it will be considered your payment for this talisman.”

“Ah? Thank you, Great master!” Tang Qiaoqiao’s head snapped up.

Master Duanchen pressed his palms together, intoning the World-Honored One’s name. “Monastics take compassion as our guiding principle. This humble monk hopes you will never need this talisman.”

If she never needed the talisman, it would mean she didn’t face danger. That would naturally be the best possible outcome.

After Kaihuang Temple closed for the day, Lu Yang secretly followed Tang Qiaoqiao. If Tang Chuanwu truly has his body taken over and the culprit is as artless as the Immortal Fairy, the situation would be dire.

Tang Qiaoqiao lived in a squalid environment—a foul stench filled the air, houses were crammed tightly against one another in a haphazard maze of winding lanes, and not even sunlight could penetrate the area.

“Elder Brother, I’m back.” Tang Qiaoqiao’s mood was visibly better than usual after receiving Master Duanchen’s counsel. On her way home, she had even bought some fish bones to brew soup.

Tang Chuanwu was stripped to the waist and drenched in sweat, his gaze resolute. His movements were precise, as if he had practiced a thousand times.

“Elder Brother, you don’t have to practice so hard, alright?” Tang Qiaoqiao said, her heart aching for him.

Tang Chuanwu collected his breath and gently caressed his little sister’s head. “Only by becoming stronger can your brother protect you.”

“I’m perfectly safe.”

Tang Chuanwu sighed, his gaze drifting somewhere far away. “It’s never wrong to be prepared.”

“But I heard the great masters at Kaihuang Temple say that they drink the All-Inclusive Great Tonic Soup for replenishment after martial art practice. But we can’t afford such things. What if you harm yourself while practicing martial arts?” With how poor they were, she could only buy fish bones for her brother, hoping they would at least be a little helpful.

“Don’t worry. Your brother will find a way to earn money.”

From the shadows, Lu Yang raised an eyebrow. He found Tang Chuanwu’s movements familiar. “Long Arm Fist?”

Among the nearby cities, only monks of Kaihuang Temple know this fist technique. Why does Tang Chuanwu know it? He doesn’t look like he has joined Kaihuang Temple.

Lu Yang was worried that the body takeover culprit’s cultivation surpassed his and that probing with his spiritual consciousness would alert them, so he asked the Everlasting Immortal Fairy to step in.

“He’s just a kid. There are no signs of body takeover,” the Everlasting Immortal Fairy stated.

Lu Yang touched the three immortal-searching tokens in his robe; there was no response. “That’s great then.”

If he doesn’t have his body taken over, he must have learned the Long Arm Fist secretly. But such trivial matters are not worth my attention. It’s fine as long as he’s safe.

Before leaving, Lu Yang secretly left a few gold beans in Tang Chuanwu’s home. Tang Qiaoqiao is right—if he continues training like this without proper nourishment, he will surely harm himself. He will need great replenishment from tonics.

The two children seem precocious. They’ll likely understand not to flaunt their wealth outside.

I’ll just treat it as forming a good karmic connection.

Shortly after, Tang Chuanwu discovered the gold beans on the table. A chill ran down his spine. “Who’s there?!”