Chapter 8: Red Envelopes, a Mouthful of Tiangang Qi

    "Uncle Faming, that Jiang Liuer you brought back to Golden Light Temple two years ago nearly beat Huishan to death today! That boy is no good!"

        "Uncle Faming, Jiang Liuer has fled in guilt and remains missing. We've already sent people to report to the authorities."

        "That parentless brat has no upbringing - a walking calamity."

        "Who knows if Huishan will survive..."

        "Demon child! A certified demon child!"

        Monk Faming had repeated "This humble monk believes in Jiang Liuer" countless times today, convinced the boy would never act without reason.

        He soon found witnesses and pieced together the truth.

        "Amitabha..."

        Faming sighed. Who could have expected someone would insult Jiang Liuer's parents? The boy's deep attachment to his family made such provocation unbearable for any twelve-year-old.

        Facing the monks' complaints, Faming pressed his palms together: "Huishan slandered Jiang Liuer's parents with vile words. How could any filial child remain calm when their parents are insulted? Even those devoted to Buddhist scriptures cannot forget their bodily debt to parents, nor should they spread lies defiling others' parents."

        Faming invoked the ultimate feudal virtue - filial piety.

        His intention to protect Jiang Liuer was clear.

        The monks couldn't refute without challenging filial piety itself. They mumbled weak protests: "Still shouldn't have struck so hard" or "Huishan meant no slander."

        Buddhism's fragile position in Jambudvipa made criticizing filial piety unthinkable - Confucian scholars would pounce, risking even temple destruction.

        "Amitabha..." Faming gazed into the distance.

        "Jiang Liuer, where are you now?"

        ......

        Jiang Liuer's stomach growled despite morning buns. By noon, hunger gnawed fiercely.

        As Elder Tang Sanzang explained: body tempering consumed both lotus seed energy and bodily reserves, digesting any meal rapidly.

        Gluttons would rejoice at endless feasting.

        But for penniless Jiang Liuer...

        "No fruit trees near Golden Light Temple's back hill." Using a found stick as hiking staff, Jiang Liuer clutched his growling stomach. "Normal people survive days without food. I'd starve in hours."

        He considered asking the chat group elders again.

        But he'd already bothered them multiple times.

        Unless truly desperate...

        Best not disturb them.

        "Where does this back hill lead?"

        Faming warned against crossing it, claiming danger beyond.

        But staying meant starvation.

        Jiang Liuer ventured forward with only his stick, crossing the hill.

        Before him stretched lush woods with a dirt path - clearly human-made. Autumn air carried fruit fragrance.

        "Food!"

        Following the path, Jiang Liuer found orchards. He devoured fallen pears until satiated, littering cores.

        Rustling interrupted. Voices!

        He hid behind a tree.

        "Our King's wedding feast tonight - why must we gather all these fruits?"

        "Want the King to do it instead?"

        "Hush! Just complaining."

        "Work faster!"

        Bandits? Jiang Liuer peeked.

        "Bandits" vanished from his mind.

        "Monsters!" nearly escaped his lips.

        Two upright serpents with human limbs! Snake demons wearing curved swords and baskets, complaining while harvesting.

        Jiang Liuer's first real encounter with monsters froze him.

        [Jiang Liuer]: "Elders! Two snake demons! They speak Tang language! Their King marries tonight. What do I do?"

        [Cleansed Altar Attendant]: "Hah! Garden snakes granted wisdom! I could sneeze them away! But careful - they'll smell you."

        [Cleansed Altar Attendant]: "Fear not! Old Pig helps!"

        [Ding! "Cleansed Altar Attendant" sent private red packet!]

        Jiang Liuer gaped at the Bodhisattva's generosity.

        [Jiang Liuer]: "Thank you, Bodhisattva!"

        [Cleansed Altar Attendant]: "Call me Bajie! Busy now - princess needs guidance wink"

        [Ding! Obtained: Heavenly Gang Transformation Breath!]

        Foul-smelling smoke enveloped Jiang Liuer.

        "What stinks?" A snake demon looked over.

        "Hey! Lazybones! Help gather 500 catties!"

        Jiang Liuer stared at his scaled arms and flickering snake tongue.

        He'd become a monster!

        ......