Chapter 18: Good Deeds Yield Good Results, The Black Nest Presents the Scriptures

Cao Kong’s mind stirred, and he set off with Ao You to pursue the monk.

He instinctively sensed that this monk was no ordinary man; a vague intuition told him he must not let the monk go.

Cao Kong moved like the wind, weaving through the crowd, but the monk’s figure seemed both slow and swift. Though he ambled along, no matter how Cao Kong chased, he could not close the distance.

At last, at a street corner, the monk vanished.

Cao Kong and Ao You exchanged glances, but suddenly Cao Kong felt a chill run through him—a hand had landed on his shoulder. He turned to see the monk, smiling calmly at him.

“Why do you two benefactors keep following a poor monk?” the monk asked.

Before Cao Kong could answer, Ao You spoke with indignation: “Old man, you possess great magical powers, yet you go around bullying ordinary people. If you refuse to pay for someone’s fruit, it’s only fair they would not want to offer you a pear. That man is still crying where you left him. Go back and give him some money.”

The monk regarded Ao You, a flash of admiration passing through his eyes, though a hint of regret colored his heart. He replied, “I am a monk and possess not a single coin. How could I give him anything?”

Ao You, growing angrier, retorted, “Heartless old man! Hmph! Let’s go, Cao Kong. If he won’t give compensation, I will.”

The monk’s admiration deepened as he watched Ao You’s response, but so did his regret. He smiled again and said, “It was that man’s stinginess that started all this. When interacting with others, one should have compassion. If he had shown kindness and given me a single pear, not only would he have lost nothing today, but fortune would likely have favored him in the days to come. My intent was to enlighten him—he simply lacked the fate to receive it.”

Ao You’s eyes went wide at this logic. It felt wrong, but she could not form a counterargument. She turned to Cao Kong, inviting him to speak.

Cao Kong finally said, “Perhaps, Master, you were displeased with the pear seller’s stinginess and chose to teach him a lesson through your magic. But I have heard that to save others, one must employ skillful means—first draw them in with their desires, then guide them to wisdom. To truly enlighten a person, you must give them a chance to awaken. You punished his stinginess, but did not grant him realization—surely that is not the right way.”

The monk stroked his beard and smiled. “A fair point. I have learned from your words.” Yet he quickly continued, “Still, this matter did not arise because of you. Why do you interfere?”

Cao Kong answered, “How could it not concern me? My companion bought the pear, and I spilled the water. If not for us, the seller might never have lost his cart of pears.”

With that, he turned to leave, intent on finding the pear seller by following the sound of weeping, so he could offer him some silver and settle the matter once and for all.

“Wait a moment, benefactors,” the monk called after them. “I have my reasons as well. I truly have no money, but I do have half a scroll of scripture. Allow me to give it to you—think of it as payment for helping me resolve this karma.”

“Hmph, who wants your scripture?” Ao You scoffed in reply. “Now that you see you’re in the wrong, you try to make amends. I’m not interested.” She had little patience for the monk’s actions, and what merit could scripture given in exchange for a common pear possibly have?

The monk sighed with regret. “What a pity. In that case, this poor monk, Wu Nest, thanks you both here and now. If you ever have the chance, come visit Futuo Mountain. I will treat you to fine tea and spiritual fruit.”

Ao You showed no reaction, but Cao Kong’s gesture suddenly froze.

Wu Nest? The Venerable Wu Nest? Was he not supposed to be cultivating on Futuo Mountain?

Even as he tried to suppress his astonishment, a subtle change came over him. To encounter this monk here, in Yuhua City, was almost unimaginable.

He could not afford to show disrespect. In the original tale, the Venerable Wu Nest was a reclusive sage on Futuo Mountain, famed for his inscrutable power and mystery. The story once used the Monkey King to highlight his might; when the Monkey King challenged him, it was said, “Though the traveler could stir the seas and overturn rivers, he could not so much as move a single vine of Wu Nest’s.”

Moreover, Wu Nest had recited a verse to the Journey to the West pilgrims, predicting many trials on their journey, prompting Pigsy to remark that he must know both past and future.

Such was the stature of the Venerable Wu Nest.

A surge of awe rose in Cao Kong’s heart—had he just refused this monk’s scripture?

Never mind, he thought. Greed only leads to choking. I have the True Golden Elixir Method; single-minded cultivation is the proper path.

Cao Kong was strong of heart, and soon regained his composure.

“Benefactors, do not forget the pear I gave you,” the monk’s voice echoed, growing fainter as he departed. Cao Kong looked back, but the Venerable Wu Nest had vanished.

Yet on a distant mountaintop, the figure of a monk appeared once more.

“How interesting,” Wu Nest mused, “I meant to bestow a blessing upon that dragon maiden, but unexpectedly encountered this cunning leopard instead. Such intelligence and spirit.”

He sighed softly, reflecting that the leopard already possessed the righteous way—one that even made his own eyelids twitch. Otherwise, he might have taken her as a disciple.

There are many fine talents in this world, but those with truly excellent character are exceedingly rare.

Let it be, he thought. Consider it a bond of goodwill, and perhaps a favor to that one. Maybe this leopard can change the fate of the Black Jiao; if so, it will be a deed of merit.

With that, Wu Nest’s figure faded into the mountain mist.

After hearing the monk’s words, Cao Kong’s thoughts turned. Casually, he reached into his sleeve and drew out an enormous pear.

Ao You had done the same, though she looked at hers with some distaste. “That old man is no good. I don’t want anything of his. You eat it.”

Cao Kong smiled gently; the dragon maiden had a certain fastidiousness.

She tossed the pear, but Cao Kong, quick of hand, caught it.

“No, you should eat it,” Cao Kong insisted. Knowing she responded better to gentle persuasion, he added, “That monk is extraordinary. And besides, since we are paying the pear seller, this pear is rightfully ours. Why shouldn’t we eat it?”

Ao You considered his words and found them reasonable—she had paid good silver for it, after all.

Her expression softened. She took a large bite, sweet juice bursting forth.

As they walked, they quickly devoured the pears, leaving only the pits.

Cao Kong looked at his pear pit, puzzled. There was nothing unusual about it—was it really just a pear? Was the monk’s final remark only meant in jest?

He had not yet reached a conclusion when they arrived before the weeping pear seller. Cao Kong composed himself and tucked the pit away.

He asked how much the cart of pears was worth, saying he would pay on the monk’s behalf.

The pear seller, sobbing, stammered out the price. Cao Kong counted out the silver and handed it over.

Just as the transaction was complete, the pear pit in his sleeve dissolved into imperceptible light, which flowed into his consciousness, imprinting within him half a scroll of scripture.

Cao Kong was stunned. So this is what it means for good causes to yield good fruits.