I am a ghost messenger, why do I need a long life?

Master Liaoduan was obviously a great monk.

He remained calm at Jiang Hanye's words.

But the person next to him who almost spit out his food could no longer sit still and could not help but say to Jiang Hanye:

"That's too unreasonable! The Zen master is a monk. How can you say that?"

"That's right, you are also a cultivator, how can you be so outspoken?"

"Hurry up and apologize to the Zen Master."

Seeing that he seemed to have aroused the crowd's anger, Jiang Hanye, although straightforward, had a good attitude in admitting his mistakes and said immediately:

"I'm sorry, Master. I spoke out of turn."

Seeing him apologize, the people eating nearby finally calmed down.

But the old monk remained calm and unmoved as he said:

"I don't care what you say. I'm just curious about why you two came to see me."

He was very powerful and one could tell at a glance that Jiang Hanye was from the Shangqing Sect.

It is curious that a disciple of a major sect in the human world is walking together with a ghost messenger who carries the aura of incense.

"Two young friends?"

The crowd eating noodles nearby looked at each other in bewilderment. They were all mortals and could not see Xu An at the moment, so of course they could not understand what Lajuan was saying.

Seeing that they didn't understand, Master Le Duan said calmly:

"This young friend looks a lot like me back then, when I first left the mountain gate and stumbled headfirst into the human world."

"As for the person next to him, his body is solid, his expression is unclear, and he carries the aura of incense. He must be a priest of the Yin Court."

Being pointed out in public like this, Xu An did not hide it.

He thought lightly, and after revealing his true form, he said to Leduan:

"Xu An of Yinting, greetings to the Master."

Everything was fine around him, but suddenly a person appeared out of nowhere. The group of people eating noodles and passers-by who were just watching all widened their eyes and marveled at it.

"So, what's going on?"

Master Leduan was calm and expressionless.

Jiang Hanye was standing next to him, taking a step forward and speaking with a firm look in his eyes:

"Master, I am a disciple of Shangqing. I am traveling with him to find the murderer of the Yangzhou murder case!"

Leduan nodded and said thoughtfully:

"I guess this murderer is bald like me?"

Xu An and Jiang Hanye looked at each other and shook their heads.

"no no."

After the break, he asked again:

"Then the murderer must have the same beard as me, right?"

Jiang Hanye and Xu An glanced at each other and continued to shake their heads.

"No, no."

A trace of hesitation appeared on Master Le Duan's calm face. After thinking it over carefully again, he concluded:

"Could it be that the murderer is also wearing tattered clothes like me?"

Jiang Hanye and Xu An looked at each other again and shook their heads like rattles.

"no no."

The old monk's calm face finally lost its composure. He said in confusion:

"Then, you two, how did you conclude that I was the person you were looking for?"

Upon hearing this, Xu An quickly pointed at Jiang Hanye and said:

"It has nothing to do with me, Master, please ask him!"

"Press?"

Master Leduan looked over.

Jiang Hanye explained seriously:

"Master, it's like this. We have deduced that the murderer is a monk!"

Leduan's expression eased slightly after hearing this. After seeing his explanation, he continued:

"and then?"

"Nothing happened then."

Jiang Hanye blinked:

"After we deduced that he was a cultivator, we began searching for him in the main city of Yangzhou. Master, you are the first cultivator we found..."

After a brief moment of dead silence, even the calm face of Zen Master Leduan collapsed.

He picked up the broken wooden staff and said angrily:

"I have been cultivating in the secular world for thirty years, living on wind and dew, and not caring about worldly affairs. Even if I were treated as a beggar, I would still suffer such humiliation!"

"Just because I'm a monk, should I be suspected of being a murderer?"

"How could there be such a way to handle a case in this world?"

"Absurd, ridiculous!"

"I'm so angry!"

Nearby, the crowd eating noodles hurried forward, and a large group of hands pulled the old Zen master and said:

"Master, don't be angry!"

"Master, monks must abstain from anger and control their emotions. They cannot break the precepts!"

"Master, he's still a child. Don't argue with him..."

Jiang Hanye couldn't help but turn his head away, feeling that things were developing in a direction beyond his control...

He looked at Xu An as if for help, and found that this living ghost was tilting his head, whistling at an angle, and looking up at the sky. He was immediately furious.

You don't care, right? You just want to watch the fun, right?

Then I'll do it myself.

Look at me making an extreme counterattack and winning back a game!

Thinking of this, Jiang Hanye took a step forward and started talking nonsense:

"Master, you misunderstood!"

"What's the misunderstanding? Tell me!"

The broken wooden Zen stick knocked on the ground, and this highly respected master who had practiced for many years was very angry.

He has been practicing till now, and although he looks to be over seventy years old, he is still in very strong body. Under his tattered clothes, his flesh and blood are winding like a dragon.

Even though they didn't know how to use magic, this group of onlookers still had to use a lot of strength to pull him back, otherwise Jiang Hanye would have been hit all over the head by the stick.

"We found the master, not because we suspect him to be the murderer, but because the murderer we are looking for is extremely cruel, so we are looking for helpers in Yangzhou City!"

"Master, you are very powerful, your realm is powerful, and you are highly respected. If you were here, wouldn't it be easier to catch the murderer?"

"If, during the arrest process, you had appealed to their emotions, reasoned with them, and used the profound Buddhist teachings to influence them, wouldn't that have been a victory without a fight?"

His expression is solemn and his eyes are sincere.

After Jiang Hanye finished speaking, he couldn't help but feel a little proud in his heart.

Humph, he was able to come up with such a perfect excuse in such a short time, properly resolve the matter, and provide important assistance to the investigation team.

Killing two birds with one stone, worthy of me!

Next to him, after hearing his explanation, Master Le Duan's eyes darkened slightly and said:

"Although I live in the mortal world, I do not care about worldly affairs. If I encounter difficulties on the road and can help them, I will naturally do my best. However, the investigation of this case should be handled by the government, and has nothing to do with me."

Hearing that the monk didn't want to care, Jiang Hanye suddenly became anxious.

"Of course he's related. The murderer killed a family of four last night and transformed his essence into blood to devour. If he's not caught quickly, he might continue to kill!"

Master Le Duan said:

"The murderer's methods are indeed cruel, but he didn't intend to kill me because of me, nor did he commit the sin of killing because of me. If we meet him face to face, I can subdue him."

"But at this moment, you two belong to two different factions. I am cultivating hard on my own, so I shouldn't get involved in this situation."

As soon as these words were spoken, the people who were eating melons and noodles nearby all looked at each other in surprise.

Obviously, they didn't expect that this would be the attitude towards the end.

However, if someone doesn't want to do something like this, it's naturally not easy to force them. No matter how compassionate a monk is, he won't grant every request.

Jiang Hanye's idea was even simpler. He wanted to ask for help from Leduan, but he refused to help. How could that be acceptable?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask directly:

"Master, you're saying this and that, but you just don't want to help us? Solving this case is beneficial to the people of Yangzhou. If you let him continue to commit murders, don't you think it's your responsibility?"

Le Duan narrowed his eyes slightly, and after a brief silence, he said:

"If I didn't kill him, you can rescue him, but you can't force it."

Jiang Hanye still didn't give up and continued:

"Then Master, what do you want me to do?"

Leduan looked at him seriously and said:

"I make my own decisions based on what I think and what I believe. If you can debate with me and refute my arguments, I will join you in finding the murderer. How about that?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the people who were eating melons and noodles nearby all looked like they were waiting to watch the fun.

They were very familiar with Zen Master Liaoduan. When they traveled here for many years, they often heard him preach and talk about the great principles of life.

This is a monk with great ideas and aspirations.

"Uh, Master, do you want to debate with me?"

Jiang Hanye suddenly had a bad feeling. He thought that he really might not be able to argue with this old monk.

"Young friend, are you unwilling?"

Zen Master Leduan narrowed his eyes slightly.

In an instant, Jiang Hanye seemed to sense the provocation.

His mind moved slightly, and he quickly said:

"Not only am I unwilling, but in terms of eloquence, I am not as good as Mr. Xu. Master, with such a profound level, I believe only Mr. Xu can compete with him!"

As he spoke, Jiang Hanye pushed Xu An to the front and whispered in his ear:

"Come on, tell some lies and trick this old monk into agreeing."

Xu An stared at him and watched him talk nonsense.

What do you mean by letting him tell some nonsense to fool the old monk?

Listen to yourself, are you speaking human language?

He wanted to refuse, but just as Xu An was about to speak, a light flashed before his eyes, and a message appeared:

[Challenge: Debate with the renowned Zen Master Liaoduan of Yangzhou, defeat him with eloquence, and invite him to join you in the murder investigation.]

[Completion Reward: Available Lifespan +8000 days.]

Just by moving your mouth, you can gain twenty-one years of life?

Xu An's eyes widened. This was the first task that seemed extremely easy but had a very generous reward since he obtained the system.

Could it be that once this old monk takes off his clothes, his whole body is covered with mouths, and the system is sure that it can't win an argument with him?

Thinking of this, it has nothing to do with the system reward, it is entirely for the purpose of investigating the case. Xu An said seriously:

"Master, I will debate with you. If I win, please help us investigate this case!"

Leduan nodded. If she wanted him to help her, she had to give him and herself a reason.

If he loses, he will naturally not regret it.

"If you lose, just pay for this bowl of noodles for me."

"Okay, it's a deal!"

The onlookers looked at the two people and immediately stepped back slightly to make room for them.

Jiang Hanye was very puzzled and asked:

"Why are you retreating?"

Someone who is obsessed with listening to books explained:

"When masters fight, it's all about their cultivation levels. Although neither of them made a move, if they're not careful, they'll be caught at a flaw and the outcome will be decided. We dare not step forward to disturb them!"

Jiang Hanye was numb and nodded with twitching lips. What else could he say?

Zen Master Le Duan was neither sad nor happy, and he controlled his emotions. He was the first to speak:

"Excuse me, young friend, why are you investigating a case and saving people?"

Xu An narrowed his eyes slightly, and the aura of incense rose and rolled from his body, almost turning into a wisp of smoke. He said:

"It's my position and my duty, so I should be worshipped and worshipped."

Master Liaoduan nodded. This answer was very pertinent and formal.

Xu An asked back:

"Master, may I ask, what does it mean to set foot in the mortal world?"

Leduan thought for a moment and said:

"Watch the world, listen to what people say, taste the flavors of grains, drink the sweet dew, eat the aroma of fireworks, stop under the eaves, sit in front of an old tree..."

Leduan gave seven examples in a row, which were basically what ordinary people would experience when starting a fire.

Even just by listening, you can feel from these words how people in the world live.

Xu An nodded without rushing to refute.

Zen Master Liaoduan asked two questions:

"You are a ghost, so naturally your desires are not human. Taoism emphasizes tranquility and inaction, yet you have taken the initiative to enter this chaotic maze. Have you lost your heart for Taoism?"

Xu An narrowed his eyes slightly. This old monk was so aggressive that he was beginning to shake his cognition from the root, rejecting his starting point and his path of cultivation.

If he was a ghost cultivator with a fragile mind, he would be confused by his questions after just a few words and would not know how to respond.

But Xu An was not like that. He looked at Leduan calmly and said:

"Being quiet and inaction is not the same as not doing anything. Nothing can be forced. Do your best and then leave the rest to fate. Entering this chaotic maze is to do your best. Whatever the outcome, it is fate!"

Master Leduan looked at Xu An and was instantly certain that the young Yinting priest in front of him was no ordinary person. He had a firm mind and quick reactions and was not moved by his words at all.

What he didn't know was that the reason why Xu An was so confident now was largely due to the owner of the underground palace's teachings on the need to establish firm beliefs in himself.

Seeing that he was silent, Xu An asked again:

"Master, may I ask, what is Buddha?"

Zen Master Liaoduan said:

"To be compassionate and to save people from suffering is the Buddha."

Xu An shook his head:

"No!"

I was puzzled and asked:

"What do you think, young friend?"

Xu An narrowed his eyes slightly, leaned forward, pressed forward and said:

"If all living beings are awakened, they can all become Buddhas. Buddha is the enlightened one!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd around were all stunned and looked at each other.

No matter how they look at it, they cannot see that they and the people around them have the potential to become Buddhas.

But the problem is that Master Liaoduan actually opened his mouth, not knowing how to refute.

He hesitated, his heart wavering, and he couldn't help but ask:

"My dear friend, you said you would do your best and leave the rest to fate. Are you a human being?"

The crowd turned their eyes to Xu An again.

Yes, this priest doesn’t even have a shadow, so he is obviously not a human.

If you are not a human being, why are you doing your best and why are you following the will of heaven?

Xu An was not afraid at all and said:

"Those who act like humans, even if they are demons, have human nature. Those who do evil things, even if they are humans, are worse than pigs and dogs. This shows us what it means to be a human. Only those who act like humans and understand human intentions can be considered human. If I am not considered a human, then how can the master be considered a human?"

Le Duan was silent.

Beside him, Jiang Hanye was completely stunned.

He has lived in the mountains all his life, how could he have ever seen such a fighting style?

Xu An ignored him. He had wanted to end the fight and fight back and forth for a few rounds, but he didn't expect that after just a few words, he would break the opponent's defense.

However, this is not important. What is more important now is to seize the opportunity!

With this in mind, he continued to ask:

"The awakened one is the Buddha. Everyone in the world can be an awakened one. When I walk in the world and want to save people, I am actually saving the Buddha."

"Master, you have been cultivating the Buddha in secret. Now that you see the True Buddha is ignorant and in distress, why are you unwilling to help him?"