Chapter 17: The Monk Who Planted Pears

Now that he possessed the authentic Golden Core method and his swordsmanship had made notable progress, Cao Kong could not help but long for a weapon of his own.

Of course, as for swords of the magical treasure class, Cao Kong knew such things were but a flight of fancy. He spent his days cloistered indoors, with neither the opportunity nor the connections to obtain a true magical weapon.

Rob his master, the Supreme Lord Taiyi Saver of Suffering, of his gold coins?

The thought inexplicably surfaced in Cao Kong’s mind, but he instantly felt guilty. No, that would not do. He had already received the miraculous Gold Light Incantation and had been taught the path to the Golden Core. To even think of robbing his venerable master was, indeed, the height of unfilial conduct.

Yet soon after, he recalled the Siming Spade of the Yellow Lion Demon. That spade was unusually sturdy, eventually even able to contend with Sun Wukong’s Golden-Hooped Staff—a testament to its extraordinary material. Moreover, the Yellow Lion Demon had recognized the extraordinary nature of Sun Wukong and his companions’ weapons, so the demon must have some knowledge regarding magical treasures. Perhaps, in the days to come, Cao Kong could seek his counsel.

Maybe, one day, he would search for rare divine metals and find a way to forge a sword for himself.

“What are you thinking about?”

Unnoticed, Cao Kong and Ao You had once again strolled to the gates of Yuhua City. Seeing Cao Kong lost in thought, Ao You waved her hand in front of his eyes.

Without thinking, Cao Kong replied, “I was pondering how I might one day acquire a fine sword.”

“Oh,” Ao You answered, her gaze contemplative.

They entered Yuhua City. Before long, Ao You, delighted by the city’s bustling splendor, asked Cao Kong for some silver and gold and went off to amuse herself.

Cao Kong had no objection; such worldly trinkets meant little to him, for what he had gained from Ao You far surpassed mere wealth.

He wandered the city at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights and sounds of mortal life. Unconsciously, he found himself before a blacksmith’s shop. The smith was a burly man, even intimidating in appearance, yet his craftsmanship was solid—at least by mortal standards.

After paying the remaining silver, Cao Kong received his iron sword, which gleamed cold and sharp.

Though it was a common blade, Cao Kong felt an odd sensation as he gripped it. It was as if the sword imbued him with strength, awakening the urge within to practice his swordsmanship.

Truly, a wooden sword and an iron one are worlds apart. Swords, aligned with the metal element, are born for battle.

Suppressing the impulse to wield it on the spot, Cao Kong sheathed the sword, holding it close as he continued his stroll through Yuhua City.

Humans are ever insatiable; when he had no sword, he yearned for one. Now that he had one, he desired a better one. Thus, Cao Kong wondered if he might stumble upon some rare metal.

Alas, this was but a mortal city. Rare metals were nowhere to be found; even objects touched by spiritual energy were few and far between.

He decided to seek out Ao You, intending to return with her to Leopard Head Mountain.

But just then, he noticed a crowd up ahead, voices raised in argument.

It turned out to be a monk, his robes plain and somewhat tattered, his face kindly, who was asking a pear vendor for a single pear to eat.

The monk appeared quite destitute, but the vendor was also a man of humble means—else he would not be selling from a cart, nor wear such thin clothing in late autumn.

“Go, go, go! I’m hardly well-off myself. How can I afford to give alms? If you want to buy, then buy. If not, move on and don’t interrupt my business.”

The monk replied sternly, “Good sir, you have a cartful of pears. What harm in giving one to a poor monk? Good deeds bring good fortune.”

Those gathered around began to urge the vendor to give the monk a pear, but the man stubbornly refused. The more the crowd clamored, the more adamant he became, his face flushing with anger as he berated the monk.

Some suggested he at least give a spoiled fruit, but the vendor would not relent.

Voices in the crowd grew louder. Some called the monk shameless, but more accused the vendor of stinginess. Yet not a single person stepped forward to offer the monk a pear at their own expense.

At that moment, a few copper coins flew through the air.

“Here, I’ll buy you a pear, old fellow. Please, eat.”

The speaker was none other than Ao You. She, drawn by the commotion, had come to watch as well.

The monk looked calmly at Ao You. “Compassion, compassion. Benefactress, with such virtue, if you hold to it, one day you shall receive great blessings in return.”

With that, he took a pear. The vendor, seeing payment had been made, offered no further objection.

The monk took the pear in hand. “As a monk, I am not attached to wealth. As it happens, I too have pears. Let me share one with you all.”

A bystander called out, “If you have pears yourself, why were you asking for one?”

The monk smiled. “I needed this pear as a seed.”

With that, he bit heartily into the fruit, juice streaming as he ate, utterly unconcerned with the gazes of those around him.

Cao Kong watched quietly from the side, thinking to himself that this was, after all, Xiniu Hezhou. When encountering monks, it was best to observe first.

Seeing the crowd’s reaction, he was reminded of the Buddha’s words: “In Xiniu Hezhou, men are neither greedy nor violent; their spirits are nurtured, and though lacking in supreme truth, all live long lives.”

He could not help but think, “Even monks sometimes lie.”

When the monk had finished, he took the pear’s core in hand and, fixing his gaze on Cao Kong, asked him for water.

Cao Kong had no water, but since the monk had sought him out, he stepped forward with composure and said with a smile:

“As it happens, I have clear water, though my water skin is unsightly. Allow me to pour it out, concealed by my sleeve.”

With that, he draped a wide sleeve to hide his movements, channeled his magic, and summoned the art of calling wind and rain. At once, a gentle stream of water poured forth. The crowd, unaware, simply assumed he was pouring from a water skin hidden in his sleeve.

Once the core was watered, the monk cupped it in his hands, covered it with earth, and—before the astonished eyes of all—tender green shoots broke through the soil.

Soon, a tree grew and blossomed, yielding a bounty of pears whose fragrance filled the air.

The onlookers cried out in amazement, marveling at such immortal arts. The monk then distributed the pears to the crowd, leaving the two largest for Ao You and Cao Kong.

Afterward, he calmly felled the tree and departed.

The vendor, awed by the monk’s powers, felt a pang of regret. Had he only given a pear, perhaps such a divine being might have rewarded him with fortune.

After a moment, he glanced at his cart and was dumbfounded—every pear had vanished, and even the cart itself was missing a handle, as if it had been chopped away.

Realizing it must have been the monk’s doing, anger flared in him and he began cursing, but soon his curses turned to wailing.

Ao You, seeing his misery, immediately wished to offer him some silver, but Cao Kong held her back.

Perplexed, Ao You looked at him. “That poor man must have worked so hard to grow those pears, only to be tricked by that old monk. I just want to give him a little silver—it’s only money.”

Cao Kong shook his head. “Wait. That monk hasn’t gone far. Let’s go and ask him to explain.”

Ao You looked in the direction the monk had left, but saw no sign of him.

Instead, she noticed Cao Kong staring fixedly the other way. Following his gaze, she saw the monk standing there, smiling.