The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Chen Fan said, “Master, with your abilities, it wouldn’t be a big deal even if you used your real identity to do it, right? Furthermore, it would also increase your popularity. By doing what you did, it seems to have been a sheer waste of effort without getting the desired effect. The truth ended up being buried, and the credit went to someone else. Now on the Internet, everyone believes that it was Chang Feng’s soul insisting on completing his final wish.”

Fangzheng smiled. “Isn’t that good? There’s only one Fangzheng in the world, but what can one Fangzheng do? The number of people one person can help in a year can be counted on one hand. Compared to the huge number of people in this world, it’s a negligible number. It’s always good to have more heroes.”

Chen Fan was stunned. He never expected Fangzheng to have such thoughts.

Fangzheng continued. “Besides, it wasn’t buried. Aren’t you aware of what happened?”

Chen Fan immediately laughed when he heard that. He bowed at Fangzheng and said, “Thank you, I learned something.”

Fangzheng hurriedly dodged and said, “Not really. It’s just that everyone’s habits are different. Hmm, I’m actually quite afraid of being famous.”

Chen Fan rolled his eyes at Fangzheng. Who would believe him!

Chen Fan’s expression turned serious. “Master, please don’t tell anyone what I’m about to say next. Can you promise me that?”

Fangzheng nodded and said, “Patron, if it’s not convenient for you to say it, there’s no need to tell This Penniless Monk. Of course, if you need someone to listen, This Penniless Monk is completely prepared to listen.”

Chen Fan was instantly rendered speechless. This monk was truly… an oddity!

However, Chen Fan still said, “It’s like this. As you know, human progress ultimately depends on science.” When Chen Fan said that, he kept staring at Fangzheng. This was because it might be a known truth to others, but to this monk with divine powers, it was equivalent to warped logic. Who knew if he would agree?

In the end, Fangzheng nodded repeatedly. Chen Fan was relieved as he continued. “But what you did made many people begin to suspect science and study metaphysics. Of course, I’m not saying that studying metaphysics is bad…”

At the mention of this, Chen Fan felt awkward. He had been bragging about science his entire life, but today, he was discussing science with the only person in the world who overturned it. He felt as if he was discussing the nonexistence of ghosts with a ghost. It was quite a headache.

However, Chen Fan still said, “In short, we hope that you will lessen the miracles you create in the future. After all, there is no one else in the world like you. Of course, if you can create countless people like you and overturn science, we don’t mind bringing China into the world of metaphysics. After all, in a sense, metaphysics is closer to eternal life.”

With that said, Chen Fan looked at Fangzheng with some anticipation. After all, this concerned divine powers! With a divine power, there was a chance of eternal life. Who wouldn’t want eternal life in this world?

Fangzheng glanced at him and knew what he was planning. Hence, he sighed. “Sigh, even This Penniless Monk’s powerful master couldn’t defy his mortality, much less others. Patron, This Penniless Monk understands what you’re getting at. This Penniless Monk will heed your request in the future. After all, technology is the foundation of humans. Perhaps technology can go one step ahead of This Penniless Monk and find a way to gain eternal life.”

Fangzheng made no mistake about the fact that he was the only one in the world who had divine powers. Therefore, something like a divine power with a low probability didn’t represent the progress of humanity. To advance, humans still needed to rely on science. Therefore, he was more than willing to put in a good word for science.

As for competing with science for believers? He had never thought of that before. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken in a bunch of animals as disciples in One Finger Monastery. If he had opened his gates to take in disciples, wouldn’t his divine powers be enough to sprout many subsidiaries?

Although he didn’t manage to gain any information regarding eternal life from Fangzheng, Chen Fan still smiled. “Master, I never expected you to place so much emphasis on science. I thought you would have a good debate with me. I ended up doing a lot of study regarding science and metaphysics before coming.”

Fangzheng said with a smile, “Only science can be brought to the masses and benefit all life. What This Penniless Monk does is precisely redeeming others, so how can he be against science?”

“Well said! Since you have said so, I can be at ease. By the way, Master, since you admire science so much, can you help us?” Chen Fan clapped and praised Fangzheng. Then, he chuckled and sought Fangzheng’s help.

When Fangzheng heard this, he immediately smelled trouble. This fellow was not here to talk about metaphysics and science. What he said in the beginning was nothing but a pile of nonsense. Only one line mattered—Fangzheng was not to use divine powers to attract attention outside in the future. Otherwise, it would easily cause the situation to turn unstable. He would even lead children astray, believing that they could learn mystic techniques instead of studying hard to improve themselves.

As for the pile of nonsense, it wasn’t complete nonsense. It was a trap that had been dug, just waiting for Fangzheng to jump in!

Without noticing it, he had directly jumped into the trap.

Don’t you admire science? Didn’t you admit that science was beneficial to all living things? Aren’t you trying to redeem people? Why don’t you do something for science then?

This was Chen Fan’s intention for beating around the bush!

Unfortunately, Chen Fan may have planned everything except the miscalculation of how thick Fangzheng’s skin was.

If it were the usual person, they would have fallen into this trap and be morally trapped. They would definitely be embarrassed to refuse.

But was Fangzheng the usual person?

Fangzheng grinned and said, “No!”

Chen Fan had guessed countless reactions of Fangzheng’s, but he never expected Fangzheng to reject him so decisively! He had jumped out of the trap just like that.

Then, he heard Fangzheng order his disciple with a smile. “Jingxin, send the guest off!”

With that said, Fangzheng left without looking back.

Chen Fan was taken aback. Why was the smiling Fangzheng, who had been chatting happily with him moments ago, suddenly chasing him out? After all, he was a special agent sent by the higher-ups. In terms of status, he was even more impressive than the county head! Couldn’t this fellow give him some face?

Chen Fan wanted to call out to Fangzheng, but he was stopped by Red Boy. “Your luck isn’t bad. If it were us trying to trap Master, it’s possible that our asses would be red and sore by now. You’re an outsider, so my master gave you face and didn’t take action. However, do you want him to talk to you again? Dream on! Patron, leave before it gets dark.”

Only then did Chen Fan realize that he had made a mistake in his speech. He had imagined Fangzheng to be a complicated person, making things complicated! He had used tactics from the political and the business world to deal with Fangzheng, but Fangzheng did not have the restrictions of those people. Face? Sorry, Fangzheng thought nothing of face as someone outside of society.

This might be a trap for others, but for Fangzheng, it didn’t matter. He could jump out of the trap as he wished!

With this in mind, Chen Fan regretted it. However, this wasn’t the time for regrets. He bent down and said to Red Boy, “Venerable Jingxin, I know I was wrong. Can you help me put in a good word? If it succeeds, I’ll remember it. I’ll bring you out to play in the future…”

“Ah!” Before Chen Fan could finish his sentence, Red Boy grinned and raised his hand.

Swoosh! Chen Fan flipped over the high wall and flew across the Heavenly Dragon Pond!