The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

“And then you still returned on a wheelchair?” Chen Yingying scoffed. It was clear what she meant— you got scammed!

Chen Danian frowned. “Yingying, don’t say that. He’s truly an erudite person! His medical skills are indescribable.”

“Then are your legs alright?” Chen Yingying asked.

Chen Danian thought before shaking his head. Just as he was about to say something, Lu Yi said, “Uncle, there are many people these days who claim to be experts. They are everywhere. Even those fortune tellers on the streets claim to be descendants of Zhang Sanfeng ¹ to scam others. Didn’t they mention it on television? There’s no such thing as an erudite person these days. They are all conmen.”

Chen Danian frowned. “I know very well whether Master is an erudite person or not. Speak no further. It’s your big day today, so I won’t be reprimanding the two of you.”

Chen Yingying was about to say something when Lu Yi tugged at her, stopping her from pressing on.

After the trio entered the hall, there was a table by the door. Upon seeing Chen Danian, someone immediately shouted. “Hey, Danian, I heard you went to the mountains to find some erudite person? How was it? Have your legs recovered?”

Chen Danian was taken aback as he looked at Chen Yingying and Lu Yi. The two of them blushed immediately for clearly, they had been the ones who’d leaked the news.

Chen Danian smiled at the person awkwardly. “Not yet, but there’s some improvement. He’s really an erudite person with excellent medical skills.”

Everyone laughed when they heard that. However, their laughter was mostly filled with disbelief and pity. Clearly, they believed that Chen Danian had been scammed.

Chen Danian held back his anger when he saw this. He knew very well what Fangzheng’s medical skills implied. All the doctors he visited were helpless with his legs, but with Fangzheng, all it took was two to three days for him to feel the existence of his legs. Just this alone made him deserving of the title of ‘erudite person’.

Chen Danian was indebted to Fangzheng, so he naturally didn’t want to sully his reputation. Hence he said, “Don’t doubt me. My legs can feel now. I’ll probably be able to walk soon.”

“Heh heh. Then, congratulations, Brother Chen.” Some people congratulated him with smiles, but they sounded sarcastic to Chen Danian.

Chen Danian also knew that these people didn’t have any ill intent. They were just joking with him by asking him the question. Everyone simply didn’t believe him.

Chen Danian didn’t speak further when he realized this. He knew that words alone wouldn’t be enough if he didn’t manage to stand up.

Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Chen Yingying hurriedly said, “Uncles and Aunties, the wedding is about to commence. I’ll bring my father over. Have a good meal.”

“Yingying, go ahead. Congratulations on your wedding.” Everyone also diverted the topic.

The awkwardness lessened significantly.

However, news of Chen Danian heading up the mountains to seek treatment began spreading. People began gossiping and discussing the matter, and ultimately, everyone believed that Chen Danian had likely been scammed!

“What day and age is this? There’s no such thing as erudite people on mountains. If they are really capable, they would have long left the mountains.”

“That’s right. Didn’t someone say before that there are no experts among the people anymore; they have all turned into elites.”

“However, it’s understandable. Anyone in Danian’s shoes would try to go for broke and grasp at whatever straw they could. It’s only expected that he got scammed…”

“That’s right. I got scammed before too. Thinking back on it, I was really foolish back then. Why didn’t I manage to see through such a simple scam?”

“That’s what is meant by “blunt are those concerned”. Alright, enough talking about this. The wedding is about to begin.”

…

Everyone looked forward without realizing that behind them were a few special characters. There were a white-robed monk and a few animals that shouldn’t be there. There was also a salted fish who held onto a walking stick…

“Master, it looks like no one believes in you.” Red Boy chuckled.

Fangzheng smiled with an unfazed look.

“Master, everyone is sitting down…” Squirrel mumbled, but Fangzheng didn’t seem to hear him.

Squirrel continued. “Master, there are bananas and apples on the tables…”

Fangzheng remained silent.

Squirrel waited for a moment before seeing Fangzheng’s lack of response again. He rubbed his tummy and continued. “Master, I see a lot of melon seeds and peanuts.”

Fangzheng still didn’t respond.

Squirrel continued. “Master, aren’t you tired standing?”

When Fangzheng didn’t respond again, Salted Fish couldn’t stand it any longer. He raised his walking stick and exclaimed. “You silly child. Why don’t you say directly that you wish to eat? What’s the point of beating about the bush? Master, can we eat or not? If we don’t eat… Hey, hey, hey! What are those people doing? Why are they taking away the fruits? That’s ridiculous!”

Fangzheng knocked his fish head and said, “You still want to eat? Don’t you see that every table is filled? Is there a seat for you? We only came to watch and return the cell phone. If you really wish to eat, you can eat back at the mountain.”

“Master, as long as you give the go ahead, I’ll be able to get some food,” Squirrel said disingenuously.

Fangzheng raised his hand and struck him. “All for one, and one for all. Are you going to eat alone while we watch? Stand here and starve!”

Squirrel was instantly dumbfounded.

As they spoke, the wedding began. The fruits on the tables were taken away as the main dishes were served—meat and fish dishes…

At that moment, Fangzheng suddenly realized that he had made a mistake!

Of all things, they were standing in the middle of the kitchen and the hall. Almost all the dishes had to pass them first, so when they took in the fragrances and beautiful colors, Fangzheng seemed to hear the sound of a waterfall around him! Furthermore, his shoulder felt wet! When he turned his head, he saw Squirrel’s mouth wide open as saliva dripped down.

Fangzheng tapped at his jaw and closed it, saying, “Watch your image.”

Senior Brother said, “Eldest Senior Brother is salivating.”

When Fangzheng looked down, he indeed saw Lone Wolf sitting there. His nose seemed to be a scanner as it traced the movement of each cart. His saliva kept dripping down and just as Fangzheng was about to berate him, he realized that other than Monkey, Salted Fish, and Red Boy were also drooling.

Fangzheng was rendered speechless as he thought, “Indeed, Monkey is more reliable and clever. He’s closer to Buddhahood.”

But before he finished his thoughts, Fangzheng discovered that the darn monkey’s mouth was moving. When he shot a glance at Monkey’s hands, he realized that his hands were retracted into his sleeves. Fangzheng immediately induced a dream and made him unaware that he was looking at him.

As expected, Monkey secretly lifted his hand the next moment. There was an apple in his hand!

When Fangzheng saw this, his face turned livid. He yanked the apple away and switched it for a small aluminum plate.

Then, Fangzheng leisurely looked forward…

The next moment, there was a clanging sound!

When Fangzheng heard the painful cry, he leisurely turned over and asked, “What happened?”