The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

It was so fast that it was like Red Boy was a grinding machine.

The chefs in the kitchen were so busy that they were going crazy.

Before he could speak, the manager ran in and said bitterly, “Mr. Phelps, the price of plates has increased as well.”

Phelps said angrily, “Let them raise the price then, they can do it as much as they want. All of them are a group of bloodsuckers! Don’t use the plates! Get me basins! Buy basins—big ones!”

The manager left dejectedly.

Not too long later, all the dishes were served in huge basins. From the looks of it, they were huge basins used to wash clothes. Phelps had the urge to faint. In his eyes, this was no longer losing money. This was filing for bankruptcy!

Another day passed. As he looked at the terrifying prices, he could no longer hold it in. He bitterly said to Fangzheng, “Master, I’m willing to compensate you. I’ll compensate you no matter how much is needed. As long as you give a number, I’ll transfer it to you immediately! Also, this is a public apology letter I just wrote. I admit that I coerced the Chinese doctors to obtain the formula.”

Fangzheng looked at the notes Phelps had placed in front of him and shook his head. “No business talk during meal times. We can only talk about the weather.”

Thump!

Phelps immediately knelt down, shouting. “Master, I beg you. Let’s negotiate.”

Red Boy looked at Phelps and smacked his lips. “Not sincere enough.”

Hearing this, Phelps began to bawl loudly. “Am I not sincere enough? I’m already in this state… How am I supposed to be more sincere?”

Fangzheng said, “Jingxin, eat.”

Red Boy grunted and continued eating.

Seeing this, Phelps knew that he most likely hadn’t said what truly mattered.

After pondering for a moment, he called his cousin, “Cousin, are you going to pull out?”

Erte said, “What are you talking about? Pull out? I never participated in anything. I’m a profligate. I’m enjoying the sea breeze in Hawaii. Do you want to come over?”

Hearing this, Phelps’s eyes turned red, and he immediately roared. “Sea breeze? F**k your sea breeze! Erte, I’m telling you if you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll tell the Master everything between us. When the time comes, we’ll both be in sh*t!”

When Erte heard that, he hurriedly said, “Dear cousin, if that’s the case, I’ll be frank with you. This monk can’t be offended, so it’s best you distance yourself from him. Whatever he wants, just give it to him. If you can’t give it to him, then throw the people above us under the bus. Weren’t there some illegal merchants in America and other countries who wanted the formula all this time? Didn’t they pull some tricks as well? Won’t it be over if you just sell them out?”

Phelps said, “That will work?”

Erte said, “I’ve investigated Abbot Fangzheng before. How should I put it… He’s a good person. A good person wouldn’t really force you to your death, but he’s stubborn. It’s still possible that he will put you in a situation worse than death. Therefore, what I’m saying is: Be honest.”

After Erte said that, he hung up. At this point in time, he no longer had any hopes of becoming the Rosius family head. All he wanted was to stay away from that monk. He knew everything that happened to the family, but he didn’t plan on returning despite learning of it. Instead, he chose to hide. At the very least, he would live a peaceful life for a few days.

After Phelps heard Erte’s words, he came in front of Fangzheng again and said sincerely, “Master, I know I was wrong. What I said previously still counts. Furthermore, I will present all of our plans on a tray. In all of this, I’ll provide evidence pointing out those who secretly supported us. Master, please spare me.”

Fangzheng patted Red Boy on the head when he heard that. “Alright, stop eating. It’s not easy to digest if you eat too much.”

Phelps directly rolled his eyes. It wasn’t easy to digest? This fellow had been eating for more than half a month without going to the loo! If there really was a digestion problem, he would have died long ago! However, Phelps knew that the opportunity for negotiation had finally come. He definitely couldn’t miss this opportunity.

Therefore, Phelps looked at Fangzheng in anticipation, waiting for Fangzheng to speak.

Fangzheng slowly got up and said, “This Penniless Monk is done eating and shall take his leave. If there’s anything you wish to discuss, talk to the Chinese government. This Penniless Monk is a person outside of society, so it’s best not to interfere in such matters. Thank you for your hospitality, Patron. This Penniless Monk shall bid you farewell.”

With that said, Fangzheng beckoned with his hand as Red Boy immediately jumped off the chair and waved his hand at Phelps before following Fangzheng.

Phelps was stunned. This was the end? He left without any request? A hint of struggle flashed through his eyes. Should he go back on his word? Or?

Looking at the basin of vegetables in front of him, he decisively shook his head. He gave up on the idea of going back on his word and thought of his finances. Then, he bitterly went out and headed for the Chinese embassy.

At the door, Red Boy asked Fangzheng in puzzlement, “Master, are we going to let him off just like that? Why don’t we make some conditions? If he doesn’t agree, I can eat until he goes bankrupt!”

Fangzheng shook his head. “This Penniless Monk only wanted to make him realize his mistakes. Leave the rest to the experts. I don’t have the time to bother with this.”

Red Boy was left speechless. However, thinking back to how lazy Fangzheng was, to get him to negotiate with businessmen? He reckoned that Fangzheng was definitely unwilling to do so.

In fact, there was something else that Fangzheng didn’t say. Fangzheng’s horizons were still lacking, so if he were to do the negotiations, he might imagine that he’s asking for an exorbitant price without realizing that it was nothing to Phelps. This was like a beggar seeing the emperor. To a beggar, eating meat buns was the happiest thing in life. His biggest dream in life was to have meat buns to eat, so he believed that the emperor would definitely eat meat buns every meal.

If a beggar were to set the conditions, he might ask for a truck of meat buns, not things of real worth.

Therefore, Fangzheng decided to let China do the negotiations on his behalf. With the horizons of a king, Fangzheng believed that it would be enough for them to make the other party cough out plenty of things.

At the same time, Walt walked bitterly towards the Chinese embassy. He had no choice since the senators ultimately decided to send him to communicate with the Chinese ambassador to see if they could take Fangzheng away.

When Walt came and sat on the sofa drinking tea, he looked at Ambassador Wang in anticipation.

Ambassador Wang smiled and said, “Hey, Walt, you came at the right time. I just came back and here you are.”

Walt laughed and thought to himself, “Bullshit!” But he said, “Mr. Wang, I’m really sorry about what happened before. I hope I can do something to ease our friendship.”

Ambassador Wang shook his head and said, “Mr. Walt, I already know the purpose of your visit. However, forgive me for not helping you in this matter. This is an internal affair of yours.”

Walt nearly spat out a mouthful of blood when he heard that. However, he suppressed it and said, “Ambassador Wang, this isn’t a matter of internal affairs. Abbot Fangzheng is a citizen of your country. You are obligated and capable of taking him back to your country and protecting him.”