As seen from the other person’s viewpoint, he had sohow been transford into an old rogue...
The elder continued, "Holy monk, this is truly just a misunderstanding."
Tang Sanzang chuckled, "A misunderstanding? The weather is clearly foggy and ssy, where on earth is it clear moon and sparse stars, light wind and scattered clouds?"
After speaking, Tang Sanzang looked up and was imdiately stunned.
Indeed, the clouds in the sky had dispersed, a bright moon hung high, and stars dotted the sky...
Looking in front of him, the ground was covered with peach blossoms, eyes filled with green bamboo, and a few thatched cottages with five or six oil lamps glowing.
A pond mirrored the firmant, moonlight like gauze amid the croaking of frogs.
The scene was truly filled with poetry...
While Tang Sanzang was enjoying the scenery, a burst of people’s laughter ca from the distance.
Soon soone exclaid, "The Eighteen Jing Jie has invited the holy monk!"
During the conversation, three old n walked out, the first with silver-white hair, the second with fluttering green temple hair, and the third with sparse hair...
Although their faces and clothes were different, each was vibrant and energetic.
Together, they approached, their conversation filled with the deanor of literary grandmasters.
However, this scene in Tang Sanzang’s eyes appeared as three sleazy old n holding hands, approaching with ill intentions.
Tang Sanzang placed one hand over his bottom and clenched one fist, thinking to himself, "If they dare to frisk , I’ll send them straight to paradise with a single punch!"
The three old n, obviously unaware of Tang Sanzang’s thoughts, ca up close and simultaneously greeted, "Greetings to the holy monk of the Great Tang!"
As the saying goes, ’do not hit a smiling face,’ Tang Sanzang humd in response as a form of greeting, waiting for what was next.
At this mont, Jing Jie climbed up from the ground, smiled, and said, "Holy monk, we really have no ill intentions.
We’ve only heard that the holy monk is a high monk, a good man of ten lifetis..."
Tang Sanzang chuckled and interrupted, "Offer a piece of at, and grant immortality, right?"
Jing Jie was taken aback, then shook his head, "Holy monk, you really misunderstand us. Even though we are demons, we have a unique love for the scholarly talent in this human world.
Having heard of the holy monk’s virtue and high talent, we were waiting here, just hoping to et you."
Tang Sanzang said, "Well, we’ve t, now goodbye!"
After saying that, Tang Sanzang didn’t turn around and just like that, covered his behind and retreated step by step.
Clearly this fellow didn’t believe Jing Jie’s words, seeing these few seemingly ill-intentioned sleazy old n in his eyes, they were just a bunch of old rogues, old perverts, just waiting for him to bend over to pick up soap.
Jing Jie was speechless, yet he continued, "Holy monk, we only wanted to discuss poetry and Zen mysteries with you, honestly, nothing else."
The other three old n also spoke repeatedly, "Holy monk, we really have no ill intentions."
Looking at the four old n with sincere expressions, Tang Sanzang tentatively asked, "You... really are not into the liking of n?"
The four old n were speechless again.
Jing Jie replied with a bitter smile, "Holy monk, we don’t like n either."
Tang Sanzang then felt relieved and coughed, "That’s good if you don’t like n; what should I call you?"
Jing Jie hurriedly introduced, "The one with white hair is called Gu Zhi Gong, the one with green hair is Ling Kongzi, and the one with sparse hair is called Fu Yun Sou. My na is Jing Jie, people call Eighteen Jing Jie."
Tang Sanzang looked at the old n and said, "Uh... just by looking at your hair, I can tell, you are not so young, are you?"
Gu Zhi Gong smiled and said:
"I am aged a thousand years today, the evergreen leaves uphold the sky with eternal spring.
Branches lush like dragons and snakes, layered shadows thick like frost and snow on my body.
I have been sturdy and enduring since youth, and now I joyfully devote myself to seeking the truth.
"Black perches the phoenix, superior not of the common breed, standing alone, serene, far from the mundane dust."
Ling Kongzi upon seeing Gu Zhi Gong open his mouth to recite a poem, imdiately echoed:
"I, a thousand years proud amidst frost and snow, tall and spirited branches, strength naturally robust.
In the still of the night sounds like raindrops fall, autumn’s light casting shadows like spreading clouds.
Roots entwined with the secrets of longevity, aptly suited for the elixir that defies aging.
Crane staying, dragon transforming, not of the common sort, vast, refreshing, near the land of immortals."
Fu Yun Sou, not to be outdone, imdiately recited a poem:
"Years of cold idly pass, a thousand autumns, the old scene washes serene and becos even more secluded.
Untouched by vulgar dust, coldly detached, weathered by frost and snow, naturally elegant.
Seven sages for companions, talking of the Tao, six recluses as friends, reciprocating in song.
Striking jade and tapping gold - not trivial, natural disposition accompanies the immortals."
Jing Jie laughed and said:
"I too have lingered over a thousand years’ pact, naturally lofty and pure, just as such.
Pity the rain and dew that spawns life, borrowing the heavens and earth’s creative force.
My domain alone brims with the mist of countless ravines, through all seasons I let loose, letting myself go.
The canopy spreads its jade shadows to host immortal guests, engaging in gas and tuning zithers, discussing the Tao."
As the four n shook their heads and gesticulated vividly, each in turn recited a poem, then looked expectantly at Tang Sanzang.
From their expressions, it seed they were awaiting the holy monk’s praise from Great Tang…
However, after a long wait, all they saw was a smooth, bald head beneath which gazed a pair of dumbfounded wide eyes.
Impatient, Jing Jie asked, "Holy monk, what do you think of our poems?"
Tang Sanzang, with eyes wide open, baffled and looking at them as if they were fools, said, "I just asked about your ages, and you prattled on about sothing. Can we speak plain language, please?"
The four old n stood dumbstruck on the spot, exchanging looks, each glimpsing the anger in each other’s eyes, thinking, How arrogant can this bald monk be?
To think he trampled our poetry like it was nothing!
Jing Jie tried to salvage so dignity, thus said self-mockingly, "The holy monk doesn’t appreciate our poetry...it figures, how could our rustic verses catch the eye of Great Tang’s holy monk. Foolishly, we even dared to compare ourselves to the Four Elderly Gentlen of the Han dynasty and boasted of being ’The Four Abilities’ ourselves."
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang instinctively stepped back three paces, clutched his rear, and exclaid in alarm, "And you say you’re not old perverts? ’Four Abilities,’ you’re looking for a group thing, aren’t you!"
Everyone was left speechless. What on earth was this all about?
Fu Yun Sou, angrily slapping his thigh, shouted, "Holy monk, you misunderstood. When we ntioned ’Four Abilities,’ we were referring to our integrity and honorable virtues, not... not that kind of physical activity you’re thinking of!"
Tang Sanzang, with a suspicious look at the four old n, and seeing their faces almost ready to explode, then covered his rear and said, "All right, I’ll believe you for now, but don’t co near !"
The four old n snorted with indignation, feeling a strong urge to slap this annoying figure!
Ling Kongzi, with a forced smile, asked, "May I know how old you are this year?"
Fu Yun Sou quickly interjected, "Since the holy monk looks down on our poetry, perhaps the high monk could craft a poem for us to broaden our horizons? While you’re at it, maybe introduce yourself?"
Everyone cheered in agreent.
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Tang Sanzang was imdiately dumbfounded.
Fighting and driving he was good at, but composing poetry... he truly had no clue!
Yet this fellow was also a genius. Carefully pondering over the poems the old n had recited, it seed like just a play on words... He didn’t understand the details, but it seed rhyming was enough.
This he could certainly try!
Thinking this, Tang Sanzang cleared his throat, "Since that’s the case, then this poor monk shall give it a try?"
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