Chapter 226: Disaster Looms

The old monk was sitting on the heated brick bed in the side room when he saw Chen Feng enter with a food box, and he squinted in a smile.

He greeted her with folded hands, saying, “Amitabha, this humble monk was hoping for the lady’s presence, and here she is. The lady always acts with determination, and will undoubtedly have a long and prosperous life.”

Everyone loves to hear good words, and Chen Feng smiled warmly. She placed the food box on the heated brick bed table and bowed to the old monk, saying, “Master, you are a venerable monk. Hearing you wish me a long life fills me with joy. However, I am unworthy of the ‘hope’ from the master.”

The old monk invited Chen Feng to sit down and, with great enjoyment, took two pieces of pastry from the food box. He uttered one word, “Delicious.”

Then he asked, “Lady, why didn’t the young master who came with you last time follow along this time? I quite like him.”

Chen Feng replied with a smile, “I was afraid he might disturb the master’s tranquility, so I sent him directly to the Yingshuan Monastery.”

Master Wuzhi nodded, then solemnly said, “Lady, be cautious. That young master may face a disaster.”

Startled, Chen Feng asked, “Will Dabao be in danger?”

Master Wuzhi, with a mysterious air, said, “Yes, there is danger, ranging from fatal to disabling.”

Regardless of fatal or disabling, these words associated with Dabao were unbearable for Chen Feng. Anxiously, she asked, “How can it be averted? Please, Master, guide me.”

Master Wuzhi, with his wise eyes, blinked twice and said, “I do have a solution. However, the divine plan must not be revealed, and I cannot tell the lady. If the lady could provide some green swallow’s nest for me to perform a good deed, that young master will also benefit, and his disaster will naturally be averted.”

Before Chen Feng could speak, she heard Golden Swallow’s disdainful voice in her mind, “Mommy, did you hear that? The old baldy donkey is trying to get green swallow’s nest from you in a roundabout way.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng started to have doubts. She said, “Master, didn’t I already give you some green swallow’s nest and a leaf last time? You are a monk, it’s not right to use someone’s life like this.”

Master Wuzhi folded his hands and said, “A monk does not lie. Every word I said is true.” With great sincerity, he added, “The little green swallow’s nest from last time is just a drop in the ocean, not nearly enough. If the lady does not believe or offer assistance, I can only watch as fate is reversed and people perish unnecessarily. In the end, the lady will also witness the misfortune of the young master. Amitabha, forgive me, forgive me.”

Finishing his words, he closed his eyes and started to count his prayer beads.

Chen Feng may not care about those she didn’t know, but she couldn’t disregard Chen Dabao. The fact that this old monk even knew about her Swallow Agarwood tree indicated his true abilities. His warning of a disaster and altered fate for Dabao might indeed hold weight.

Although she had the Golden Swallow, who possessed the miraculous medicine green swallow’s nest, what if something happened during the Golden Swallow hibernation? What if it was a fatal blow or his legs or arms were directly severed…?

As she hesitated, the Golden Swallow said, “The old baldy donkey is trying to scare you, Mommy. Don’t believe him.”

Chen Feng thought about the occasional glint of shrewdness in the old monk’s eyes, scaring her to get green swallow’s nest might not be beyond him. However, what if what he said was true? She couldn’t gamble with Dabao’s life.

She gritted her teeth and said, “Master, how much do you need? I can’t promise too much.”

Master Wuzhi opened his eyes and chuckled, “That’s the way to do it, lady. Plant good seeds and reap good fruits. In this life, you possess treasures that were not originally yours and have brought them into this world. It means you’ve done a great deed…”

Feeling he had digressed, he stopped himself and said earnestly, “I need a piece of green swallow’s nest, three fingers wide and eight leaves.” Seeing Chen Feng shaking her head, he continued, “A piece of green swallow’s nest one finger wide and five leaves.” When Chen Feng still declined, he persisted, “A piece of green swallow’s nest half a finger wide and two leaves! It can’t be any less. This is the minimum amount, and I’m not sure if it can completely cure.”

Then, he tactfully left the meditation room.

When Chen Feng was alone in the room, she looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. She covered her mouth and whispered, “Darling, everyone says the master is an enlightened monk, so he surely wouldn’t lie. Mommy is begging you, please give it.”

The Golden Swallow was also distressed. It didn’t mind giving a few extra leaves, but the thought of giving away so much made it feel a pang in its chest.

Chen Feng continued, “Darling, you get along so well with Dabao. How could you bear to watch him die or become disabled? If that happens, Mommy won’t want to live anymore.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll give it to that old baldy donkey. Oh, my chest hurts, my tongue hurts, and my head, wings, and claws hurt, everywhere hurts, oh…” the Golden Swallow’s voice trailed off, as it began to cry in pain.

Chen Feng covered her left hand with her sleeve. Sensing something in her hand, she extended it. In her hand lay half a finger-wide of green swallow’s nest and three leaves.

With tearful eyes, the Golden Swallow couldn’t see clearly and mistakenly added one extra leaf.

Instantly, the room was filled with a rich fragrance.

Chen Feng raised her voice and called out, “Master Wuzhi, please come in.”

The old monk entered the room with a smile.

Just as he was about to reach for the items, Chen Feng withdrew her hand and asked, “Since I’ve given you so much, you should tell me where my uncle is, shouldn’t you?”

Master Wuzhi said, “This is to avert danger for the young master. If the lady wishes to know about your uncle, you must provide more leaves.” Seeing Chen Feng flushed with anger, he added, “Alright, I’ll also offer a freebie, the lady has great fortune and will surely achieve her wishes.”

Was he implying that she could reunite with her uncle? Chen Feng then extended her hand again.

The old monk took the items and found an extra leaf. His smile broadened. He said, “The lady must have caught a whiff of the agarwood leaves in this room. This is a fragrance I’ve created, mixed with the remaining leaf. It’s called Swallow Leaf Agarwood, much better than any agarwood. Not only is the fragrance long-lasting, but it also calms the mind, sharpens the senses, strengthens the body’s resistance, guards against various diseases, and burns much slower than regular incense. I’ll gift the lady three Swallow Leaf Agarwood incense. If you find it good, bring more leaves, and I’ll give you more incense.”

He then placed the green swallow’s nest and leaves into a copper box, sealed it, and placed it in the cabinet. From the cabinet, he took out a small copper tube the length of a hairbrush and handed it to Chen Feng.

Upon opening one end of the copper tube, Chen Feng found three green incense sticks inside.

While the Golden Swallow continued to cry in its space, Chen Feng didn’t want to linger and promptly took her leave.

(End of this chapter)