"The treasure hides itself, and after the King Yama struck down the Human Scroll, the gods were unable to ascertain its whereabouts, only knowing that the hope of halting calamity was wholly pinned on the mortal world."
"But in this bustling dust, with countless mortals, who can possibly safeguard a single volume of the Human Scroll?"
As Daoist Lianpeng spoke to this point, he and Daoist Stone Grandson both fixed their gazes on Xu Qing.
"Why are you all looking at me?"
Daoist Stone Grandson probed, "You should count as humanity's kin."
Xu Qing shook his head, "I am but a walking dead, how can I claim to belong to humanity?"
"Nonsense, the dead are humans too, otherwise why is it not called the Living Scroll but rather the Human Scroll? Speaking of which, life and death are but one entity."
"Life and death as one entity..." Xu Qing frowned, muttering to himself.
Daoist Stone Grandson patted his shoulder and casually remarked, "Life is the follower of death, and death the beginning of life; one is alive and also dying, one is dying and yet coming alive. Among us three, only you hail from humanity and have experienced life and death, thus if anyone is likely to discover the treasure, it is probably you, dear brother."
Xu Qing pursed his lips and said, "The treasure is split into two places, even finding just one is difficult, from where would I gain the fortune to find both? Brothers, please don't place too much hope on me."
Since his direct interaction with the Upper Realm, and forming connections with eminent Immortals like the Great Sage who can sway the fate across the three realms, Xu Qing realized he had been swept into deep-sea turbulent currents perched on death's threshold.
When the levels you touch are not high, it represents relative safety, but once climbed to utmost heights, it equals standing on the precipice, even if you know influential Immortals who can plot great deeds with the Sea Meeting Immortals, it does not guarantee your own safety.
Xu Qing even felt that under the great calamity, these two holy beings before him might not guarantee their own well-being.
In such circumstances, the only thing he can do is tightly guard his trump card, prevent all possible exposure, which might then enable him to turn the tide against the calamitous flow.
Aside from keeping his mentor's secrets, Daoist Stone Grandson is not good at holding things within his heart, and seldom imagines what more secrets Xu Qing might have hidden inside.
The three walked along the street when Stone Grandson suddenly spoke, "I, old Sun, now lack an assistant for my errands, I heard from brother Lianpeng that dear brother has a clever godson..."
Xu Qing paused in his steps, his face turning peculiar, "Brother, are you perhaps thinking of taking my godson as a disciple?"
"Your godson is my godson; though not father and son, he can be considered your semi-apprentice, and I as the senior can impart True Skills and teach him principles."
"What, brother, don't you feel unwilling?"
Xu Qing replied meaningfully, "Brother taking a disciple, of course, I feel at ease, I only fear that once you meet my godson, you might regret and not wish to take him."
"These words; even if he is ordinary, he's a fine nephew of mine, how could I despise him!"
"Alright, then I accept you as my godson's master on his behalf."
Xu Qing's smile grew increasingly peculiar, while next to him, the Sea Meeting Immortal kept a tight face, pretending as if nothing was happening.
As they spoke, they arrived at the bustling market street.
Looking at Flower and Bird Street, crowded with foreign goods, Xu Qing suddenly found it somewhat unfamiliar.
"Transparent long stockings of glass silk, European socks, want to buy them, Sir? Hey, why so anxious, I'm suggesting you buy some for your home's aunties..."
"Gentlemen, take a look, glass-bottled rouge liquid, a spray and a rub, and the whole town is fragrant! Buy it for your sweetheart, assure you it's worth it!"
The perfume merchant's eyes brightened upon seeing Xu Qing and his companions; except for that Skinny Daoist, the other two had outstanding demeanor, perhaps they were young masters from wealth.
He shouted while his hands didn't stop, spraying foreign perfume towards them noisily.
Xu Qing lightly smelled, surprisingly finding the perfume of today not unpleasant at all, contrary to his expectations of harsh modern technology.
"Shoo, shoo!"
The Great Sage couldn't withstand the perfume smell, swatted his sleeves repeatedly, trying to dispel the odor.
Xu Qing slightly smiled, proceeding to pick a few bottles of perfume cheerfully, asking the attendant to wrap them in gift boxes.
"Sir, you have great taste, this is French golden jasmine water, if the mistresses at home use it, the whole residence will have jasmine fragrance."
Xu Qing nodded, then picked a few bars of English soap blocks.
This is good, perfect for bathing the cats at home.
"Dear brother, you as a man, why fancy these women's items?"
Xu Qing laughed, "These things are not for my use, just a habit I have; no matter how long I roam or meditate, whenever I return home, I bring gifts."
Though the Great Sage disliked rouge and perfumes, thinking them for women, buying them might invite ridicule.
Yet his mentor developed an interest in toiletries.
Perhaps accustomed to monsters serving him with bathing and grooming, even after fulfilling his merits and becoming a True Buddha, he retained his fondness for bathing.
Once the Great Sage picked a few soap bars for bathing, Xu Qing waved lavishly, tossing out a silver note of ten taels.
Seeing the gesture, one might mistakenly think him a young master from a warlord's house.
The attendant glanced at the silver note, hurriedly stepping forward to block Xu Qing and his group's path.
"Gentlemen, we're a small business, can't afford jokes, please, do not try to hoodwink with this scrap paper!"
Scrap paper?
Xu Qing was momentarily startled, but thankfully he'd encountered similar experiences, quickly regaining composure.
"In the city ignorant of present affairs, selling elixirs finding ancient coins..." Xu Qing turned back to Daoist Stone Grandson and Lianpeng, jesting, "Staying long in the mountains has this downside, can't keep up with trends."