Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Where is that big monk?

Ren Yuan asked the shopkeeper.

"It's right down in the lobby, guest. If you can help resolve this matter, then you'll be a friend of Huibinlou. As for the ransom for Shi Dabao and Yunniang, Huibinlou never charges its friends."

"Haha, interesting. Shopkeeper, you really are a talented person."

Ren Yuan looked at everyone and said.

"Gentlemen, would anyone be interested in coming with me to see that big monk?"

"If the shopkeeper wants to go, of course we should go with him."

Qiao Daoqing specifically mentioned that since there were people from the restaurant present, it was important to be mindful of how you addressed them in order to avoid revealing your identity.

"Then let's all go."

Ren Yuan was the first to stand up. He wanted to see if the person who came was Deng Yuanjue, the "Precious Light Tathagata" under Fang La in the original story.

"Manager, I just joined today. Let me handle this."

Shi Bao stepped forward and expressed his willingness to volunteer for the mission.

"You've been hungry for so many days, and you're still very weak. Is that alright?"

Ren Yuan was somewhat worried about Shi Bao. If it really was Deng Yuanjue, then he was a tough nut to crack, and Shi Bao, in his current state, wouldn't be able to withstand it.

"Don't worry, shopkeeper, I'm fine."

Shi Bao patted his chest forcefully to indicate that he was fine.

"it is good."

Led by the restaurant manager, Ren Yuan and his entourage left the private room and went up to the corridor, looking down at the main hall.

Indeed, a large, fat monk was sitting at a table in the center of the hall.

This senior monk wore a scarlet robe, a string of seven-jeweled prayer beads around his neck, and black nine-ringed deerskin monk's shoes. A nine-ringed, gleaming iron staff (the kind Tang Sanzang carried) leaned against the table beside him.

At this moment, a dozen or so thugs from the restaurant were lying on the ground around him, but the monk seemed to ignore them, drinking and eating meat as if nothing was wrong. The other guests in the hall kept their distance.

"Master, you do look a bit like me."

Ren Yuan looked at the monk's attire, then at Lu Zhishen, and thought, "Hmm, could these two be half-brothers?"

"Hehe, then I'll have a good talk with him later and see if he's really that good or just a show-off."

Looking at Deng Yuanjue's expression, Lu Zhishen felt a strong urge to join in.

I feel like my reputation has suddenly gotten worse.

"Please wait a moment, Master. Let me go first."

Shi Bao comforted Lu Zhishen, then went downstairs to find trouble for the big monk.

"Sun An, keep an eye on the north side."

"Yes."

“Mi Sheng, you’re in charge of the south side.”

"no problem."

"Master, the west side is entrusted to you."

"Leave it to me."

"Leave the east side to me. If anything seems amiss, everyone keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get away."

Ren Yuan was accompanied by quite a few impressive people on this trip. His arrangement was intended to make it impossible for this great monk to escape.

"Hey, monk, what's your name? Why are you causing trouble at Huibin Restaurant?"

At this moment, Shi Bao had already greeted the big monk.

"Oh? Another thug? What a nuisance. My surname is Deng, and my Dharma name is Yuanjue. I just wanted to eat first and pay later. Why do you all think I'm trying to dine and dash?"

Deng Yuanjue swallowed a large piece of meat, looked at Shi Bao's Huibinlou attire, and said with some dissatisfaction.

“Master Yuanjue, since you are a monk, you should abide by the rules and regulations. Aren’t you afraid of Buddha’s wrath for indulging in wine and meat and harming people?”

"Besides, we pay first and then eat. That's the rule of Huibinlou. When a master comes to eat here, he should follow the rules."

Looking at the big monk, Shi Bao felt that this big monk was not so easy to deal with.

"It's so noisy, it can't even let people have a proper meal. This lousy restaurant of yours has the nerve to call itself the best restaurant in Hangzhou."

Deng Yuanjue spat out the chicken bone in his mouth and then looked at Shi Bao.

"You look like you haven't eaten for days. You're no match for me, and I won't take advantage of you either. Let's find someone else."

"If the master doesn't give an explanation, I'm afraid things won't end well today."

Shi Bao picked up a water-and-fire stick from the ground and looked at Deng Yuanjue.

"Sigh, it's true that good advice is useless against this damned devil. Kid, come on, let's finish this quickly, I still need to eat!"

Seeing Shi Bao's stance, Deng Yuanjue decided to follow suit, picked up his staff, and charged at Shi Bao.

The two engaged in a fierce battle. It must be said that Deng Yuanjue's nine-ringed staff was indeed a formidable weapon. When it was swung, the nine iron rings clanged loudly, creating a great impact.

Only after exchanging blows did Shi Bao realize how extraordinary this monk was.

His moves are powerful and heavy, but within that power lies flexibility and versatility. In addition, the sound of the iron rings can be used to confuse the enemy, making it difficult for ordinary people to defend against.

Firstly, Shi Bao's body had not yet recovered, and secondly, he was not wielding a weapon that he was good at. After thirty rounds, he was starting to feel the strain and could only parry and block.

"clang!"

Just as Shi Bao was at a disadvantage, suddenly, a broadsword appeared from the side and blocked Deng Yuanjue's staff.

“Master, my brother hasn’t eaten for days and is very weak. It wouldn’t be honorable for you to win. How about we have a match?”

It was Ren Yuan who stepped in to help. He noticed that Shi Bao had a physical problem and quickly went to his aid.

"Brother, Shi Bao is incompetent."

Shi Bao felt somewhat ashamed. He had confidently assured everyone that there would be no problem, but he had already fallen into a disadvantageous position so quickly.

"You're not at your peak, and this master is no mediocre either, so it's okay to be at a disadvantage."

Ren Yuan comforted Shi Bao and then looked at Deng Yuanjue.

"Master's staff technique is both domineering and agile. Could it be the Shakyamuni Subduing Demon Staff of the Southern Shaolin Temple in Putian?"

"Hmm? Who are you?"

Deng Yuanjue was startled. Few people in the martial arts world knew that he had become a monk at the Southern Shaolin Temple in Puzhou. This person was able to directly identify his origins through the moves he used.

Ren Yuan certainly wouldn't tell him that I actually couldn't recognize him; I was just cheating.

"I am merely a wandering swordsman who happens to know about the Southern Shaolin Kung Fu. My brother is no match for you today, but I have another brother, also a monk, who is eager to spar with you."

Ren Yuan led Shi Bao out of the circle, then raised his chin. Deng Yuanjue turned around and saw a monk dressed similarly to himself, quietly watching him not far behind.

"As a monk, how can you drink alcohol, eat meat, and wantonly harm people? Which temple do you practice in?"

Lu Zhishen asked Deng Yuanjue.

"Greetings, Senior Brother. I am Yuanjue, a monk at the Southern Shaolin Temple in Putian. As for drinking and eating meat, Senior Brother, wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart. Senior Brother, do you not know this? Oh, I don't even know your Dharma name, or where you practice meditation?"

"My Buddhist name is Zhishen, and I dwelt at the Wenshu Monastery on Mount Wutai. Seeing your skills today, I'm itching to try them out myself. Would you be interested in sparring with me?"

Lu Zhishen had just witnessed Deng Yuanjue's martial arts skills and felt that the guy was indeed quite skilled. He suddenly felt an inexplicable urge to fight this monk!

"It turns out that it was Senior Brother Zhishen who killed Zhen Guanxi with three punches. I had heard of Senior Brother's name many times in the martial arts world, but I didn't know where he went afterward."

Upon hearing this, Deng Yuanjue felt a greater sense of respect. The legendary reputation of Lu Zhishen, the Flower Monk, was already widely known in the martial arts world.

"If you can beat me with these fists, I'll tell you!"

"Very well, then this humble monk will humbly accept your invitation and request your guidance, senior brother!"

Deng Yuanjue put down his monk's staff. Since Lu Zhishen wanted to test his skills, he was naturally willing to oblige.

Hmm, one monk dines for free, two monks... should they fight?