Chapter 420: Chapter 414: Entangled by Sinful Consequences
Mrs. Ma was so frightened that she screamed and scrambled away, not daring to stay any longer, loudly calling her servants to lift her and leave.
"Turning a blind eye to someone’s death, showing no mercy as a monk, pah!"
Before she left, Mrs. Ma did not forget to loudly denounce and spat, drawing glances from passersby and nearby shops.
The Dongyang Marquis’ guard’s face darkened upon hearing this. Who decreed that monks had to be compassionate and save everyone?
Qin Liuxi stated that her son was guilty of murders, taking three lives of pregnant women—that’s six lives in total. What did it imply? That he had harmed expectant mothers.
What’s the use of saving such a vile person?
Besides, that man was clearly a broken, hollowed shell from indulging in wine and women. Saving him would be just a waste of food.
However, Qin Liuxi remained unmoved, whereas the Dongyang Marquis had already left the elegant room and, hearing the commotion outside, raised his eyebrows upon seeing her unperturbed expression.
"Junior Temple Master, what crime did that man commit that has angered you so?" Dongyang Marquis was very curious.
Qin Liuxi raised her eyebrows: "I’m angry?"
"Your fist seems tight enough to leave marks on your palm," Dongyang Marquis chuckled.
Qin Liuxi opened her fist, revealing several red marks on her palm, and said, "The only son of the County Magistrate of Ling County, debauched by nature, took a liking to pregnant women, and harmed three, causing each to be a case of one corpse, two lives."
The Dongyang Marquis’ face turned grim, his whole body emanating authority. How could such scum still be alive?
He himself might have a heavy toll of killing, which resulted in few descendants. Precisely because of this, he valued offspring more. He valued life, be it his own or others, believing that people are the foundation.
Even among his own troops, if a soldier’s family had a pregnancy or childbirth, as long as it was reported, they would receive a red envelope as recognition and celebration. His own family need not even be mentioned.
Regrettably, he had few children himself, only two sons and one daughter. His sons died in battle, the eldest did not even leave any children, the second had only one descendent, and he also had a concubine’s daughter. His only grandchild is now disabled.
County Magistrate Ma’s only son committing such atrocities against pregnant women struck at his very core and his pain.
"No, how did you come to know all this?" Dongyang Marquis belatedly asked, "Is it also discerned through Face Reading?"
Is Face Reading so powerful?
"One can see a person’s fortune through face reading, and certainly the aura of killing. For him, there is no need for reading the face, as the people he has killed are following him. His body is shrouded with resentful energy as dark as ink; he is entangled with evil karma, followed by vindictive souls demanding retribution," Qin Liuxi said calmly.
"Vindictive souls demanding retribution," Dongyang Marquis chewed on these words and then asked, "You mean the people he killed are following him?"
"To be precise, they are clinging to his body. There’s an infant ghost directly sucking away his yang energy; this is all karma," Qin Liuxi stated indifferently.
Dongyang Marquis’ pupils narrowed: "You can see them? Do you have Yin Yang Eyes?"
"I have the Heavenly Eye."
Dongyang Marquis’ eyes flickered slightly, then he asked, "What about me? I have also heavily sinned with killing."
Qin Liuxi smiled: "A general like you, who hasn’t the slightest aura of slaughter and is completely clean, it would be best to disarm early to avoid bringing disaster upon the country, the troops, and the citizens."
Dongyang Marquis was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "The Junior Temple Master really has a way with words."
"I’m also speaking the truth. It is normal for a General to have committed killings, but killing one to save thousands, such acts are judged differently. However, killing is killing in the end, and a lack of children is the punishment the Heavenly Dao imposes for the killings you’ve committed. But as a commander, General, you carry righteousness with you, killing only those who should be killed, so you won’t be haunted by vindictive souls, rest assured. Instead, it is those little ghosts that need to steer clear of a General like you, who embodies such a strong sense of justice."
Dongyang Marquis didn’t care about that, but he was particularly concerned about his offspring, and said: "Then, as for not having many children, is there a solution?"
"Children are also a matter of destiny; how many kids one has, all depends on fate. We often say that doing good deeds accumulates merit, which is to build up virtue, so doing good is always right." Qin Liuxi said with a light smile: "Of course, the ancestral tomb should also be chosen well."
Dongyang Marquis nodded in agreement.
"How do you feel after coming out of the Spirit Room, General?" Qin Liuxi changed the subject.
Dongyang Marquis hurriedly replied: "Extremely comfortable, much of the exhaustion from my body has been alleviated. Your Spirit Room is very intricate and quite remarkable."
Qin Liuxi spoke with a hint of pride: "It can be considered a Fengshui Array. The materials used for the Array Formation are not cheap, and the runes are all carved by my own hand, imbued with Daoist intentions. If the General could meditate and cultivate Inner Strength within, you would find the experience even more profound. Of course, it’s extremely beneficial for your health as well."
"Then I must visit daily."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Luo from the Blacksmith Shop sent his boy over to notify Qin Liuxi that the prosthetic limb she ordered was ready and asked her to come over to see if any adjustments were needed.
"Tell your father, I’ll be there shortly." Qin Liuxi instructed Chen Pi to grab a handful of sweets for Xiao Luo as she responded with a smile.
Dongyang Marquis, who intended to leave, couldn’t help but inquire about the prosthetic limb upon hearing the term.
Qin Liuxi didn’t conceal the truth and shared the details about the prosthetic hand she made for Old Chou.
Dongyang Marquis’s eyes lit up and he said: "How about I escort you there? I’d like to see it too."
Qin Liuxi looked at him with an ambiguous smile.
But Dongyang Marquis, undeterred, sighed: "As you know, on the battlefield, swords and blades are blind, and there are many who become disabled or mutilated. If they could be fitted with a prosthetic hand or foot, could they not continue to serve as soldiers or Generals, instead of retiring in sorrow?"
Qin Liuxi was silent for a while, then said: "General, making those requires exquisite craftsmanship and light materials, which costs a great deal of Silver. It’s not something everyone can afford."
"I understand, it’s just that some talents worth retaining," Dongyang Marquis said, "let’s go have a look first."
Qin Liuxi was indifferent and after instructing Chen Pi and the others to watch the shop, and telling two disciples to stay and learn cultivation in the Spirit Room, she accompanied Dongyang Marquis to Luo’s Blacksmith Shop.
Old Luo was currently talking with an old friend, and said: "I’ve already sent my Erdan to call someone. When she arrives, let her have a look at your daughter."
"Is this even possible?" The old friend said despondently: "We’ve also sought help from witches, and drank talisman water, but to no avail. Old Luo, you know my wife and I have no shortage of sons, and we dreamt of having a daughter, and finally blessed with one, she’s our late-age girl. If something really happened to her, not to mention me, even my wife would lose half her life."
Old Luo, hearing this, felt both sour and envious. This friend was also a rural landowner, and his capable wife bore him four strong sons, the envy of many. But they had only one daughter, and since her birth, he had become utterly doting.
Now that his daughter was ill, it was no wonder he was anxious.
"You should have taken your child to either Wuxiang Temple or Qingping Temple to ask for help from a Master, instead of trusting some witch – how can that be reliable?"
"It was because we were desperate."
"Ah, what am I to say about you... Oh, here comes the little Taoist." Old Luo saw Qin Liuxi at the door and quickly brushed aside his old friend to greet her first.