Chapter 88: Chapter 81 Viscera Refinement Perfection, The So-Called Buddhist Sect?_2
Shall I take a stroll then?
Day after day, staying in the confines of my own courtyard, immersed in cultivation.
At first, it was fine.
But as time went on, Luo Changfeng had begun to feel a tad too suffocated.
It might be good to walk outside, to clear my mind a bit.
…
With that thought in mind.
Luo Changfeng silently stood up.
With hands clasped behind his back, he walked towards the exit of the courtyard at an unhurried pace.
Having left the yard, he didn’t head straight for the borders of the ancestral lands.
Instead, he first stopped by the room of the little girl Luo Youwei to take a look.
It was apparent that the girl was indeed more cheerful than before.
Her complexion, however, remained somewhat pale.
Her frame was still rather fragile.
But at least, under normal circumstances, she could now sit on the bed and chat and laugh with the servants.
“Not bad, not bad…”
After observing from a distance outside the room for a moment.
Luo Changfeng turned around and silently headed towards the exterior of the Luo Family Ancestral Land.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Luo Youwei, who was chatting and laughing with the servants,
at that moment, suddenly sensed something.
She quickly looked out the window, in a certain direction.
Indeed, in the next moment,
she saw her family’s Elder Changfeng, a man not given to smiles yet extremely warm and kind.
However, before long, Patriarch Changfeng disappeared from her view.
As if he had never been there at all.
…
Walking out of the Luo Family Clan grounds,
onto a nearby street,
a burst of noise suddenly assailed Luo Changfeng’s ears.
There were the calls of street vendors,
and the shouts of shop assistants.
Of course, not far out,
Luo Changfeng could also see street performers and entertainers; the scene was exceedingly lively.
Even in the expressions of the passing pedestrians,
he could gradually discern their aspirations for the future,
as well as, smiles that radiated from the heart.
“Quite good, indeed quite good…”
“It seems Luo Ping, that lad, is handling domestic affairs rather well.”
After nodding again,
he clasped his hands behind his back and silently walked towards the distance.
Given that the Luo Family was the real ruler of Qingshi Town,
it was needless to say that the streets nearby were bustling.
Many civilians with a bit of capital would prefer to buy houses on the streets near the Luo Family.
Even though the prices were much higher than elsewhere,
security after all was guaranteed.
The further out you went, the less prosperous it became.
Nevertheless, it was still quite safe, and the civilians lived contented lives.
…
Stepping out of the inner city of Qingshi Town into the newly expanded outer city,
the situation changed quite abruptly.
The shift in atmosphere was stark.
The inner city of Qingshi Town, and the outer city seemed as two different worlds.
One world, in ecstasy.
The other world, a representation of reality.
There were plenty of houses in the outskirts,
but most of the civilians, oh no, they should be called refugees.
The vast majority of these refugees were crowding into small tents.
The tents were distributed by the Luo Family.
Every refugee entering Qingshi Town could get a tent by completing various jobs.
Food wasn’t scarce,
it just wasn’t enough to fill the refugees’ stomachs completely.
In such extraordinary times, being alive, having a place to stay, having food to eat,
for the refugees, that was already a luxury.
They could not, and dared not ask for more.
Of course, if that were all,
Luo Changfeng wouldn’t have been much surprised.
But what he found hardest to believe,
on the outskirts of the outer city, there were quite a few with gleaming bald heads, monks’ hats atop their heads, wearing monks’ robes,
hands joined in prayer, holding a string of Buddha Beads, looking rather benevolent,
emanating an aura of peace.
They were moving about among the many refugees,
and at times, these monks would stop outside the tents, speaking in low voices with the refugees inside.
Out of curiosity, Luo Changfeng moved closer.
He could hear phrases like these:
“My Buddha is merciful!”
“Amitabha, excellent, excellent!”
“Buddha cherishes all beings, for all beings suffer…”
“With Buddha’s guidance, one can enter the world of bliss…”
“Benefactor, would you like to join the Brotherhood of Buddha?”
Of course, there were those who were successfully persuaded, and there were those who showed wary expressions, vehemently objecting.
“It is the Luo Family of Qingshi Town we have to thank for our survival to this day.”
“What does that have to do with the Buddha you speak of?”
And at those moments, those monks with bald heads and beads in their hands would reveal a kindly smile and explain, “Why, amidst countless refugees, do only you refugees enter Qingshi Town?”
“Among countless families, why is it that only the Luo Family is willing to take in outsiders like you refugees?”
“Why???” the refugees asked.
At that, the monks would smile mysteriously and softly say, “This is the guidance of Buddha, the mercy of Buddha…”
“Your arrival in Qingshi Town is Buddha’s guidance.”
“The Luo Family of Qingshi Town willing to take you refugees in is Buddha’s mercy.”
“Buddha cherishes all beings, for all beings suffer.”
“Do you understand now?”
…
Following such utterances by the monks,
some nodded silently.