Secular Immortal of the Nine Realms - Chapter 52
Chapter 52: Compassion Hall
In the southern suburbs of Great Xia’s capital was a Compassion Hall that took in orphans and helpless elders. There were several such Compassion Halls in the capital, which was why there were no beggars to be seen on the streets.
These Compassion Halls were sustained by donations coming from wealthy families in the capital. For instance, the Fang Manor would donate a hundred taels to the Compassion Halls every year.
A carriage slowed to a halt before the Compassion Hall.
Qin Dong, who had changed into another set of robes, anxiously got off the carriage and entered the Compasion Hall.
“Master Qin, you’re here. This way, please,” the Compassion Hall’s manager warmly welcomed Qin Dong.
Qin Dong’s face darkened. “I want to meet Master Xu.”
“Master Xu is in the midst of his training. I’m afraid…” The Compassion Hall’s manager was put in a difficult spot.
“Training?” Qin Dong was taken aback. A hint of delight slipped onto his face. “Master Xu hasn’t left yet?”
“Indeed, Master Xu hasn’t left yet.” The Compassion Hall’s manager was perplexed.
“That’s wonderful. I’ll wait for Master Xu to be done with his training then,” Qin Dong replied.
Just then, a black figure slowly wriggled its way over. It was a five-year-old child who had lost both his legs and only had a single arm left.
Qin Dong squatted in front of the child and asked with a smile. “Lil’ Five, have you eaten today?”
“Uncle Qin, I have eaten!”
The child raised his head and looked at Qin Dong with eyes that seemed to glow. Despite having lost three limbs, he still radiated a satisfied smile. He didn’t have to starve or suffer the cold ever since arriving at the Compassion Hall. This place was like a paradise to him.
“That’s good to hear.” Qin Dong smiled with a nod. He turned to the manager and asked, “Has anyone donated any money today?”
“The manager of the Verdant Apothecary Hall is coming, so I had Lil’ Five wait here,” the Compassion Hall’s manager replied with a nod.
Verdant Apothecary Hall? Qin Dong had never heard of this organization before. Just as he was about to ask about it, he suddenly heard an exclamation.
“Young miss, this child only has a single arm left!”
It was Verdant Apothecary Hall’s Fang Qingyao and her maid. The person who exclaimed earlier was the maid. Fang Qingyao looked at Lil’ Five with sympathetic eyes.
The Compassion Hall’s manager walked over to welcome them. “Miss Fang, please come in. Allow me to introduce you to Master Qin. He’s here to visit the orphans and offer donations too.”
She’s not bad. Qin Dong’s eyes lit up with lust when he saw Fang Qingyao’s beautiful face.
Fang Qingyao politely directed a nod at Qin Dong before squatting before Lil’ Five to ask how he had lost his limbs.
Lil’ Five innocently replied, “An uncle told me that my siblings and I won’t have to starve anymore if they cut my limbs off.”
“How can there be such a brute?!” Fang Qingyao’s maid cried out.
Fang Qingyao fell silent. She rubbed Lil’ Five’s head before she turned to the Compassion Hall’s manager and said, “Manager He, our Verdant Apothecary Hall will donate five hundred taels.”
“Young miss, weren’t you planning on donating two hundred taels?” Fang Qingyao’s maid was startled.
Fang Qingyao glanced at her maid. “Our Verdant Apothecary Hall doesn’t make a lot of money, but we can afford five hundred taels. Compassion Hall takes in orphans and provides them with food, clothes, and a shelter. We can’t do that, so the least we can do is to help in whatever way we can.”
“Allow me to thank you on behalf of our Compassion Hall’s orphans, Miss Fang!” Manager He’s eyes lit up.
Qin Dong stroked his beard and said, “Miss Fang is truly kind. There’d be a place for all orphans if all of Great Xia’s merchants were as kind as you.”
“You’re too kind, Master Qin. I am only doing my part,” Fang Qingyao replied. She turned to Manager He and asked, “Manager He, would it be possible for my maid and I to look around the place?”
“Please feel free, but I’d have to ask you to steer clear of the inner residence. That’s where Master Xu is currently meditating. It wouldn’t be good to disturb him.” Manager He nodded with a smile.
“Are you talking about the high monk who came to Great Xia a few years back, Master Xu Hui? My father has admired Master Xu for a long time now. I’m surprised to hear that he has taken up residence here!” Fang Qingyao was astonished.
A few years back, a high monk appeared in Great Xia and traveled its every nook and cranny within a short period of time. Wherever he went, people sang praises of him. He eventually went to the capital and settled in the famous monastery, Temple of Enlightenment.
Many came to the capital in hopes of meeting Master Xu, but very few were lucky enough to be granted an audience with him.
“Indeed. Master Xu said that he can feel mortal suffering here, and it helps him better understand dharmic texts,” Manager He replied with a smile.
“As expected of a high monk,” Fang Qingyao replied admiringly.
After a short chat, she took her maid and Lil’ Five with her to look around the Compassion Hall.
“That lady is rather interesting.” Qin Dong looked at Fang Qingyao’s silhouette contemplatively.
Around fifteen minutes later, Manager He brought Qin Dong to the inner residence, where an aged monk slowly walked out and looked at him.
“Master Xu.” Qin Dong quickly clasped his fist, knowing that this monk had quite a background. Even the old woman who previously lived at his residence showed this monk utmost respect.
“Vice Minister Qin, what brings you here today?” Master Xu Hui asked.
“Master Xu, Goldflower Granny said the Blood Spirit Cult is retreating from Great Xia,” Qin Dong said.
Master Xu Hui was startled. He asked with a frown, “Did she tell you in person?”
“That’s right… No, wait, she didn’t. It’s that subordinate of hers…” Qin Dong initially nodded, only to change his word shortly after.
“Subordinate?” Master Xu Hui quickly understood who Qin Dong was referring to. She sent the Greenwood Puppet instead of relaying it in person?
He keenly sensed that something was amiss. He thought about how Daoist Xue had gone missing for some time now, and his face suddenly stiffened up. Could it be that a cultivator has uncovered our trail?
“Master Xu, is this matter true? But who will clean up this mess if you suddenly leave? There are still quite a few people imprisoned there. We need to dispose of their bodies without anyone noticing. Otherwise, my clan and I will be executed…” Qin Dong anxiously spoke up.
“Since the Blood Spirit Cult has sent us to Great Xia, we won’t leave until we gather ten Blood Spirit Divine Pills. Something might have happened to Goldflower Granny,” Master Xu Hui said. “Senior Bei has something up and brought the other members with him. It’s unlikely they’ll return anytime soon. To be safe, you should stay here for the time being.”
Fang Chen watched this exchange from the sky. So that scarecrow is called Greenwood Puppet.
