Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 673 - 336 A Good Show

Sinking into sudden remembrance, he had heard a pig's agonized squeal echo through the mountains and forests while chopping wood earlier that day. Probably that was when the pig was killed, the food cooked was extremely delicious, with an enticing fragrance lingering in the room.

Everyone seated, including the Taoist, was salivating, eager to rush up and feast heartily; only Chenxiang felt a sudden wave of nausea. The dishes that looked so delicious made him unbearably queasy, and his nostrils were filled with a stench that could induce vomiting.

"What's wrong with you?" the Taoist asked in surprise, not understanding why Chenxiang looked this way.

"Somehow my stomach feels uncomfortable, I suspect it's because I ate a wild fruit in the mountains yesterday that upset my stomach," Chenxiang said, feigning a stomach ache.

"Since your stomach is uncomfortable, go outside then. You are not fortunate enough to enjoy this fine meal."

At these words, Chenxiang left the room. Before stepping out the door, he glanced back at everyone inside and felt they all seemed fierce and ferocious, like wild beasts.

He walked slowly toward the courtyard gate on his own, with the nameless technique racing through his body. Ever since he had taken the medicated meal, this technique had been accelerating. Chenxiang's body, unbeknownst to him, now had a faint glow, but it was very weak, and he concealed it as soon as he discovered it.

Stepping through the gate, a breeze wafted toward him, bringing fresh air from a distant place, dispelling the foul stench that had been lingering at his nostrils, making him feel refreshed and invigorated.

He couldn't help stretching his back, and his whole body crackled with snaps and pops. A surge of powerful energy flashed by, and Chenxiang felt his entire body relax.

Rapid voices reached his ears, and turning his head, he saw a lone pig lying in the pen, with tears continuously streaming from its eyes. Chenxiang slowly approached and examined it carefully.

The sorrowful pig, feeling the scrutiny of Chenxiang's gaze, suddenly stood up, shook its head at Chenxiang while tears kept flowing from its eyes. At that moment, Chenxiang seemed to realize that the pig was pleading for its life and conveying a message of danger to him.

Gently patting the top of the pig's head, he said with a smile, "Just be patient, there will be an opportunity."

He spoke those words confidently because he knew the Taoist had to take a trip. From yesterday, Chenxiang had noticed there were not many herbs left in the kitchen. Though many could be found in these mountains and forests, there were several precious ones not produced here. So, every time, the Taoist had to go elsewhere to buy them.

As he expected, after everyone finished their meal, the Taoist called Chenxiang and the others to him. At some point, a wooden basin had appeared on the ground with a tiny paper boat on it.

"I have to leave for several days. You must take care of the water in this basin and not let the paper boat capsize," the Taoist said earnestly.

Having made arrangements, the Taoist walked out the door with ease. Brother Cheng suddenly nudged Chenxiang's arm and said, "Why don't you try and see what happens if you flip the paper boat over?"

Chenxiang shook his head, silently thinking this guy really treated him as a fool. The Taoist had repeatedly instructed them before leaving, so flipping the boat now would be like courting disaster.

Seeing that Chenxiang was unmoved, Brother Cheng pursed his lips and said nothing more. After a long while, he said to Chenxiang, "It's no use for us two fools to sit here waiting. We might as well divide the work. You keep watch first, and I'll take over in the night."

Chenxiang gave Brother Cheng a deep look, silently wondering what mischief he was up to, but he was also happy to see what would happen, so he nodded in agreement.

Brother Cheng left with a look of joy and rushed out, leaving Chenxiang behind, bored and alone to guard the wooden basin. After a while, voices reached his ears – it was Brother Cheng talking with the matron.

"You dead ghost, why did you only just get here?" the woman complained somewhat.

"How could I dare to come over without fooling that blockhead first? If I let him complain about me to master, I wouldn't be able to get away with it. Hurry up, baby, I've missed you to death!"

After those words were spoken, there came the sizzling sound as the two indulged in their passionate encounter outside, completely unaware that Chen Xiang, who had been cultivating the nameless technique, was growing increasingly powerful, his body slowly surpassing the realm of ordinary humans. With excellent hearing, if he focused all his attention, he could hear every single movement within a ten-mile radius clearly.

The intense sounds slowly subsided, and the woman's voice returned to his ears, "That old immortal, always wearing a mournful face. Think of a way to get rid of him, and then the two of us can enjoy our merry frolics."

"It's tough to make a move on him, you know his personality. He's very cautious on a normal day, and his methods are vicious. One slip-up, and we could end up like those two before us."

"Hehe, you have the nerve to say that. If it weren't for your jealous scheming and setting a trap, I would be enjoying myself right now," the woman retorted, followed by a soft moan.

"Keep that up and I'll go find Chen Xiang!" the woman said, laughing.

"He's just a blockhead. I don't believe you haven't tried to tempt him," Brother Cheng teased.

"Alas, I don't even know if that boy is impervious to the Human Path. Here I am, a beauty as lovely as flowers and as refined as jade, and he simply ignores me. It's infuriating," she lamented.

"Don't be angry, my sweet. You still have me," he consoled.

Listening to their conversation, Chen Xiang couldn't help but be astonished. Who would have thought that such storms could brew within a small Taoist Temple? This was genuinely interesting.

Before long, Brother Cheng entered with a spring in his step, looking at Chen Xiang, he said, "Little junior brother, why don't you go outside and rest? Oh, and we're running low on pig feed. Go to the mountain and gather some tender grass."

Chen Xiang smiled and nodded his head, went out to feed the pig, and with a carrying basket on his back, he headed up the mountain. It wasn't long before the woman ran into the room to tell Brother Cheng that Chen Xiang had left. Then, Brother Cheng took out a prepared rock-candy gourd and lured a little girl inside with it, pointing at the basin and whispering something. A trace of a smile barely perceptible flitted across the girl's face, and she rushed forward, overturning the basin. Water splashed everywhere, and the paper boat capsized as well.

A sudden peal of thunder came from the sky, startling both of them, and after a while, Brother Cheng asked, somewhat uncertainly, "Did it work?"

The woman replied with a calm demeanor, "Who knows? That old geezer has many tricks, it's hard to say."

A sly smile appeared on Brother Cheng's face as he added, "If he comes back, don't forget to testify for me that it was Chen Xiang keeping watch here."

"Don't worry, you dead ghost. As long as you keep me satisfied, I'll definitely do it," the woman said, her smile carrying a seductive promise.

However, to their surprise, Chen Xiang, who had gone out to cut grass, didn't return for a long time. As they grew impatient waiting for him, two figures walked in from outside – it was the Taoist who had gone out and Chen Xiang who had been sent to cut grass to feed the pigs.

"Master, why have you returned?" Brother Cheng asked with feigned surprise.