The sudden appearance of a monk, uttering incomprehensible words, caused Long Yuehong to tense up mentally while also feeling a sense of confusion and bewilderment.
What exactly was going on?
Why was there another monk who believed in Bodhi?
Was he crazy, mentally unstable?
Long Yuehong subconsciously glanced forward, noticing the grave expression on Jiang Baimian's face in the passenger seat.
Just then, Shang Jianyao lowered the car window, stuck his head out, and shouted:
"Why not use Ashlands language?
"Red River language can't express that kind of charm!"
This guy was being particular in a strange place again… Long Yuehong once more didn't know whether to admire Shang Jianyao's thick skin or his inability to see the situation clearly.
To Long Yuehong's surprise, the gaunt, gray-robed monk actually responded.
He still spoke in Red River language:
"I am not proficient in Ashlands language.
"But venerating the Buddha is venerating one's own consciousness, and explaining Buddhist principles is elaborating on one's inherent nature. The language used does not affect its essence."
"Why are you stopping us, and what's with the 'the sea of suffering has no bounds, turn back to the shore'?" Shang Jianyao abruptly switched topics.
Jiang Baimian didn't stop him, trying to use his unconventional approach to disrupt the gray-robed monk's thinking, creating an opportunity to glimpse the truth or escape the current situation.
The gray-robed monk chanted another low Buddhist invocation:
"This humble monk foresaw that the four-person team passing through this street at this time today would affect the stability of First City and bring about turmoil.
"My Buddha is merciful and cannot bear to see all living beings suffer. This humble monk has no choice but to stop you and keep you under observation for a period of time."
This answer left Jiang Baimian and the others looking at each other in astonishment, feeling like the monk was simply insane.
This was completely a case of unprovoked disaster!
The "Old Task Force" hadn't done anything yet!
Shang Jianyao's expression turned serious as he replied loudly:
"What brings turmoil and affects stability isn't some four-person team; it's the nobles, the councilors, and the ambitious individuals who control the military.
"Zen Master, why don't you keep Beurys, Alexander, and Gaius under observation?
"Believe me, that's the most effective way to eliminate hidden dangers."
Wow, his debating skills are improving by leaps and bounds… Jiang Baimian praised inwardly.
The gray-robed monk was silent for a few seconds before saying:
"This humble monk will also try to do things in that regard, but for now, I need to keep you under observation."
His tone was quite calm, which only highlighted the steadfastness of his will.
At this moment, Bai Chen, who was driving, also stuck her head out:
"Great Monk, what makes you so sure it's us?"
Although there was no one else on this street right now, it was possible to misjudge not only the target, but also the time and location.
"That's right." Shang Jianyao chimed in, "Think about it: Misinterpreting prophecies happens all the time; you must also…"
Before he could finish, the gray-robed monk chanted another Buddhist invocation:
"Namo Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi…"
His voice, like a great bell, echoed in Jiang Baimian and the others' ears, successfully suppressing Shang Jianyao's following words.
Immediately afterward, he didn't give Shang Jianyao a chance to continue speaking, calmly saying:
"Benefactor, do not try to use your abilities to influence this humble monk's logic and judgment. This humble monk possesses 'Telepathy' and knows what you are trying to do."
Fuck… Long Yuehong couldn't help but curse inwardly.
The ability of "Telepathy" was truly disgusting!
Before they could even begin to do anything, they were already being stopped. How could they fight like this?
Moreover, this monk was more than ten meters away, yet he could hear so clearly with "Telepathy." This showed that his level far surpassed the robotic monk, Jingfa…
As Long Yuehong's thoughts raced, the gray-robed monk spoke again:
"Benefactor, do not take out your speaker and portable recorder either. You have already 'told' this humble monk that some of the sounds stored within will bring negative influences."
Shang Jianyao listened to his advice, but not entirely.
Although he didn't take the portable recorder and small speaker out of his tactical backpack, he tried to directly press the switch and turn up the volume.
At the same time, Jiang Baimian, who had been silent all along, suddenly drew her gun, pushed the door open with her left hand, and swung her right hand outside, preparing to shoot the gray-robed monk.
She didn't expect this to succeed, but simply wanted to use it to disrupt the monk and influence his use of abilities, creating an opportunity for Shang Jianyao to play the recordings of Xiao Chong and Wu Meng.
Bai Chen also reacted instantly, flooring the accelerator, causing the rented heavy off-road vehicle to roar as it prepared to charge forward.
At that instant, the gray-robed monk rotated the prayer beads in his left hand.
Silently, Jiang Baimian felt an unbearable, extreme stinging pain, as if she had fallen into a trap made of steel needles.
Bang, bang, bang!
Her right hand reflexively retracted, and the bullets went astray, hitting the stone slabs beside the road.
Shang Jianyao seemed to have fallen into an endless sea of fire, his skin burning with pain.
His body curled up, and he had no strength to press the switch.
Bai Chen felt as if she had been thrown into boiling water, the intense pain almost causing her to pass out.
Her right foot involuntarily released the accelerator, and the vehicle only managed to lurch forward a few meters before slowing down and moving forward slowly.
Long Yuehong felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, shivering uncontrollably.
His body became stiff, and even his thoughts seemed to be frozen.
The "Hell Realm" of the Six Paths of Reincarnation!
Amid indescribable, intangible torment, the "Old Task Force" lost all ability to resist.
No, Jiang Baimian's left hand was still moving.
It "automatically" reached out of the car and threw out a metal coin held in her palm.
With a buzzing sound, silver-white electric arcs erupted, entangling the coin and dragging out a clear "fiery tail."
It was like a wild cannonball, blasting towards the gray-robed monk!
While Shang Jianyao was talking to him, Jiang Baimian had already been preparing for the potential conflict ahead.
Having dealt with several Awakened, she knew very well that as long as she didn't encounter those specific types of enemies, relying on the pre-set behaviors of the auxiliary chip could circumvent most influences.
Unfortunately, the chip inside her bio-prosthetic arm was quite simple, and could only preset a few actions. If Genava were here, she could preset a whole set of callisthenics. Therefore, this was only a desperate counterattack when there was no other way.
However, the gray-robed monk seemed to have anticipated this.
A stone slab beside the road had flown over at some point, blocking the metal coin.
Clang!
The stone slab was charred, and electric currents surged wildly, failing to go any further.
After all, Jiang Baimian had thrown the coin by hand, relying on high-voltage electricity to win. It was impossible to achieve the effect of an electromagnetic railgun.
"Hell Realm" was still being maintained, and the pain was causing the members of the "Old Task Force" to approach unconsciousness.
"Namo Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi…" The gray-robed monk chanted another Buddhist invocation, and everything returned to normal.
Long Yuehong subconsciously looked at his body, finding no trace of damage. However, the freezing and torment he had just experienced were so clear and so real in his memory.
The cold sweat on his forehead and back was also proof that something had indeed happened.
"Benefactors, futile resistance will only cause you pain," the gray-robed monk said calmly. "It is better to accept this humble monk's observation."
While Jiang Baimian was resetting the actions for the auxiliary chip, she asked in a deep voice:
"Zen Master, how long will you be keeping us under observation?"
"Ten days. I will let you leave after ten days," the gray-robed monk replied simply.
He glanced at Jiang Baimian without stopping her, and only said to Shang Jianyao:
"Want to make me affected by your words?"
Shang Jianyao smiled, spread his hands, and indicated that he was just thinking about it and didn't intend to put it into practice.
"What is Zen Master's name?" he asked casually.
The gray-robed monk nodded slightly:
"This humble monk's Dharma name is Zenana-ga."
The stone slab in front of him slowly flew back to the side of the road, landing in its original position, as if an invisible hand were controlling it.
This made Jiang Baimian and the others even more certain that this monk was an Awakened at the "Mind Corridor" level.
"Which sect does Zen Master belong to?" Shang Jianyao further inquired.
Zenana-ga's emerald green eyes swept over them:
"This is not a place for idle talk.
"Benefactors, follow this humble monk."
"Please lead the way, Zen Master." Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, Jiang Baimian began to look for other ways.
For example, to specify the place of residence while being observed. For example, to tell Zenana-ga that a lonely child would not have enough food or clothing if the "Old Task Force" was not taking care of him, and it would be better to bring him along.
Jiang Baimian even considered whether to invite Zenana-ga to get in the car to point the way. Otherwise, it would be too conspicuous for this monk to walk slowly in front, easily attracting additional attention.
Zenana-ga didn't want their lives, but the "Order Hand" couldn't wait for them to die.
"Benefactors are merciful," Zenana-ga nodded with satisfaction.
The next moment, the hand that wasn't holding the prayer beads gently beckoned, and a deep-black motorcycle flew over from the side of the road.
"Ah…" While Long Yuehong was stunned, the gray-robed monk flipped over and straddled the motorcycle, twisting the throttle.
With a booming sound, Zenana-ga lowered his body and said calmly:
"Benefactors, just follow behind this humble monk."
At that moment, the monk, gray robe, bald head, motorcycle, and exhaust fumes formed a visually impactful scene, leaving Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen with slightly dazed expressions.
Shang Jianyao asked curiously:
"Zen Master, why not drive a car?"
While keeping the motorcycle steady, Zenana-ga answered candidly:
"Cars are too heavy."