The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

“Master, why didn’t you run when there was such a good opportunity with all the smoke and dust? Don’t you dislike trouble? Those people beside us look like trouble! Especially that long-faced guy. He must be huge trouble!” Salted Fish sent a voice transmission to Fangzheng.

Fangzheng was cursing inwardly. “I told you to fly, but you didn’t. Now look at what you’ve gotten us into.”

“I would if I could, but I’ve never learned to fly!” Salted Fish mumbled.

Fangzheng thought about it and realized it was the truth. If Salted Fish could fly, he wouldn’t have to ride on Salted Fish like a motorbike. In any case, he explained himself. “Do you think This Penniless Monk didn’t want to run? The fall was from too high a height, leaving This Penniless Monk’s legs numb and immobile. They haven’t even recovered their sense of feeling…”

“Uh…” Salted Fish was rendered speechless.

“A monk? And a salted fish? Fell from the sky? Holy hell, could it be?” A monk guessed.

At this moment, a group of people yelled, “Master! Master! We have turned over a new leaf and wish to follow you! Please save us!”

Following that, the men were held down by the police. They weren’t cuffed because there was no fear of them escaping. These men ran in front of Fangzheng and asked pitifully, “Master, we have turned back from the sea of bitterness. Please give us a shore.”

“Lord Salted Fish, you mustn’t abandon us.”

…

The reporters weren’t fools, so upon hearing these words and seeing these people, they immediately knew that something was fishy. After glancing at the blushing Commander Nguyen, they finally rushed in front of Fangzheng and began snapping photos and raising questions.

Salted Fish sent a voice transmission. “Reverend, what do we do?”

“What can we do? Stop acting and settle down your henchmen. This Penniless Monk should also say something to the person-in-charge.” After Fangzheng said that, he threw Salted Fish on the ground.

Salted Fish immediately jumped up and yelled, “What’s all the shouting for? Is your skin itching for more lashings? Listen to what the Reverend has to say!”

The bunch of terrorists immediately became obedient as the reporters were dumbfounded. They muttered to themselves. “A salted fish can speak?”

Commander Nguyen was flabbergasted. At the same time, he regretted doubting Trác. He had embarrassed himself terribly!

Seeing everyone calm down, Fangzheng said, “Patrons, it’s truly precious that you can repent. This Penniless Monk believes that Vietnam’s laws will be justly abided. You will have to make up for your mistakes, but you will receive fair treatment.”

“Heh, it sounds as if you have any say in this matter,” Commander Nguyen said bitterly. All the credit he had claimed was gone. It pissed him off.

“Master might not have any say, but does that give you any?” At this moment, another voice sounded. There was a tinge of anger in the domineering voice.

Commander Nguyen turned his head when he heard that, only to immediately bow his head and greet, “Family Head.”

“Shut up. You were no longer a member of my Nguyen family the moment you showed Master Fangzheng any disrespect.” After Nguyen Vo Hong said that, he didn’t even look at the ghastly-pale Commander Nguyen. Instead, he came in front of Fangzheng and bore the excruciating pain of his legs. He broke free from the people supporting him and gave Fangzheng a bow. “The greatest decision I’ve made all my life was to send an invitation letter to you, Master. Thank you for saving me. Words can’t express my gratitude. I’ll definitely visit one day to thank you again.”

Fangzheng shook his head and said, “Patron, it’s all a result of Dharma.”

By now, Fangzheng’s legs had mostly recovered. He saw a familiar face in the crowd before smiling at the person and turning around to leave.

Just as Fangzheng turned around, the reporters surrounded him. However, with a grunt from Nguyen Vo Hong, all the reporters stood in their spots. None of them dared chase after Fangzheng. Instead, they made way for Fangzheng, watching him leave with complicated, curious, and respectful gazes.

“Don’t harass Master or there will be consequences,” Nguyen Vo Hong said to the crowd. Then, ignoring them, he left the area with someone helping him. Although Fangzheng’s medical skills were impressive, his wounds couldn’t be instantly healed. He still needed time to recuperate.

Likewise, the other religious figures needed time to recuperate. The Nguyen family provided them with the best recuperative environment. After all, they had been injured because they had stood up for them.

However, what surprised the police the most was that the one hanging in midair wasn’t the real Red Shirt. Instead, it was the one that had been beaten up so badly that his head was swollen like a pig’s head.

There was another accident. Someone had fallen out of a window, and his corpse was completely mangled. He died terribly, but people recognized him. He was Nguyen Thiên Tinh.

The police had planned on pursuing the matter, but Nguyen Thiên Tinh’s family decided not to do so. They also indicated that Nguyen Thiên Tinh had been in cahoots with Red Shirt, thus deserving death.

Hence, the police didn’t pursue the matter.

Upstairs, a man was kneeling beneath all the divine statues in the Dharma Characteristics Monastery. He was slowly kowtowing as he said, “Father, Brothers, you can rest in peace. Everything has ended.”

With that said, Ong slowly got up and turned to leave. He looked at Fangzheng’s departing figure, but he ultimately lacked the courage to chase up to him. Instead, he muttered. “Master gave me a choice, but I chose to kill for revenge, letting him down. In the future, I’ll just focus on being a good man.”

With that said, Ong left.

“Master, Ong killed that fellow. What’s your view on this?” Salted Fish asked Fangzheng.

Fangzheng looked back and said, “There’s too many people around. We need to tiptoe to have a better view…”

Salted Fish: “…”

“Reverend, can you give me a proper answer? If you were in Ong’s shoes, what would you have done?” Salted Fish refused to give up.

Fangzheng chuckled. “I’d probably have smacked him to death on the spot. Ong is a lot more perceptive than This Penniless Monk and is also better when it comes to tolerance.”

Salted Fish: “…”

“You are nothing like a master,” Salted Fish said.

Fangzheng said indifferently, “This Penniless Monk has never been a master. Those people who stood forward despite knowing that death was certain are the masters. This Penniless Monk is just… Uh, a lucky person with divine powers.”

“At least you have the wisdom to know yourself,” Salted Fish said.

Fangzheng touched Salted Fish’s head and said, “Hm, how about some Hunan cuisine now? Chili Fish Head?”

“Reverend, I was wrong.”

“Oh, then it’s fine. This Penniless Monk is a vegetarian after all.” Fangzheng nodded with satisfaction and left with Salted Fish.

It had to be said that the Nguyen family was extremely powerful in Vietnam. Just as Fangzheng took a step into his accommodations and asked about tomorrow’s flight back, a person immediately delivered a plane ticket to him.

“First class…” Fangzheng was surprised to see the words on it as he marveled.

Fangzheng had never been in first class. He was inevitably a little excited for his first time. As for rejecting it? Obviously not!

Fangzheng had saved their lives and receiving a first-class ticket from them was nothing in comparison.

“Master, what’s first class?” Salted Fish leaned over curiously.

“This Penniless Monk isn’t sure either. In short, it should be… very comfortable. Uh, let’s find out on the Internet!”