Chapter 38: No Matter How Hilarious
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Fang Zhou and Han Li left the dining hall. On the way back, Fang Zhou walked ahead while Han Li lagged a few steps behind.
She watched Fang Zhou's back, her expression calm but her eyes somewhat complex.
She had thought that since Mr. Fang had not been cultivating for long and Senior Ling was not around, it was her duty to protect him.
Yet, she didn't expect Mr. Fang to be so formidable. Well, with a master like Senior Ling, how weak could her disciple be?
Han Li recalled the prowess Fang Zhou displayed in the dining hall. His strength, speed, and skill had all surpassed hers.
She couldn't help but recall the basic knowledge questions that Fang Zhou had asked her. He was already so formidable, how could he not know such simple things?
Han Li was puzzled as to whether Fang Zhou was pretending or genuinely didn't understand.
Thinking of something, her expression slightly darkened, and she couldn't help but sigh softly.
Immediately realizing it, she quickly glanced at Fang Zhou. Seeing that he didn't seem to notice, she let out a breath of relief, couldn't help but slap her own face lightly.
What are you thinking, Han Li? Stay calm. Be composed like Mr. Fang, unchanging in the face of adversity.
Look at how he was nonchalant from beginning to end, intimidating those arrogant fools with his strength as if it was nothing.
Such magnanimity and composure are worth learning.
Han Li encouraged herself quietly.
Meanwhile, Fang Zhou, walking ahead of her, was doing his best to hold back his laughter.
He mustn't laugh. He needed to keep his cool, no matter how hilarious the situation was.
No, he couldn't hold it back anymore!
Hahahahaha!
He gave himself a perfect score for the performance just now!!
Hahahahahaha!
Despite Fang Zhou's laughter, it wasn't all just for show.
He had intentionally displayed his skills to intimidate others, making them realize that he was not to be messed with. If he didn't do something, those reckless people might secretly plot against him, causing endless trouble.
Of course, it was mainly those four drunk women who were causing a scene. Fang Zhou simply seized the opportunity. Otherwise, he had no interest in drawing attention to himself.
There is a saying, 'the one who jumps the most dies early,' and 'get drunk, get stabbed.' Both are classic maxims that should be kept in mind.
After finally calming his laughter, Fang Zhou turned to Han Li and said, "I'm sorry for ruining your dinner."
Han Li shook her head, "No worries, I have some dry food to fill my stomach."
After a pause, she said, "Mr. Fang, I didn't expect you to be so strong... much stronger than me."
"Haha, don't flatter me, otherwise I might start to think highly of myself,"
Fang Zhou waved his hand somewhat embarrassedly: "Those four were drunk, their reactions were sluggish which gave me an advantage. If we really fought, the outcome would be uncertain."
Han Li didn't agree. Immortal cultivators at the Qi-refining stage, nourished by spiritual energy for years, can't get drunk easily. Those four women, seeming tipsy, could sober up instantly if a fight started.
Han Li thought it wasn't because those four were sluggish, but because Fang Zhou moved too fast. They couldn't react in time, especially to his three rapid stabs. Even Han Li couldn't catch sight of them.
If Fang Zhou had the intent to kill, those four would have probably died before they could react.
As Han Li was reminiscing about the scene, Fang Zhou suddenly sniffed, "Smells good~~this scent is familiar."
Regaining her senses, Han Li also sniffed. Indeed, there was a meaty aroma in the air. She identified it immediately: "This is the smell of roast chicken."
Then, she paused and exchanged a glance with Fang Zhou.
This was a monk's temple. Where did roast chicken come from?
They followed the smell and walked around a corner into an elegant courtyard. The door of a house was closed tightly, and the delicious aroma was coming from it.
Fang Zhou pushed the door open. Inside was a typical monk room. In the middle was a table covered with steaming dishes of chicken, duck, fish, and meat.
The chief monk of Lanruo Temple, Hui Neng, was sitting at the table. She held a chicken leg, munching happily with oil smeared all over her mouth.
She looked up at Fang Zhou and Han Li, who had just burst in, and her mouth opened wide, revealing pieces of meat lodged between her teeth.
Fang Zhou expressed indignantly, "We ate a simple meal devoid of any oil while you're secluding yourself here, indulging in this feast. Are you truly a monk? What happened to your monk discipline?"
Han Li was equally displeased, feeling that she had wasted her money.
Eventually, Hui Neng regained her composure, put down the chicken leg, and clasped her hands together solemnly. "Amitabha, you have misunderstood me. As the chief monk of Lanruo Temple, I abide by the precepts. This chicken, duck, fish, and meat are all vegetarian versions made from tofu by the temple's chef. I eat them to suppress my cravings."
Fang Zhou was nearly impressed enough to give her a thumbs up. What an inventive monk!
"I admire you. I respect monks like you who strictly adhere to the rules."
Fang Zhou stepped forward, picked up the chicken and the duck from the table. "Since these are vegetarian dishes, it's okay if I have some, right?"
Just as Hui Neng was about to stop him, Fang Zhou dashed out of the room with the chicken and the duck, even quicker than when he had dealt with the four women.
Hui Neng and Han Li were left in shock. Could someone really do that?
Han Li quickly followed him. But within seconds, she ran back, picked up the vegetarian fish and vegetarian pork from the table, offered Hui Neng an awkward yet polite smile, and then bolted out like a lightning bolt.
"You two shameless people!"
Hui Neng opened her mouth wide, then added resentfully, "At least leave some for me!"
Outside the room, a young monk peeked in and asked uncertainly, "Chief Monk, have you finished eating?"
Hui Neng glared at him, "Go away, head to the kitchen and bring me more dishes."
The young monk scurried away to fulfill the order. Hui Neng sat alone in the room, thinking it was unsafe here. She resolved to change her location tomorrow to avoid being found again.
Soon, the young monk returned, looking panicked.
"Bad news, Chief Monk, the food you had in the kitchen has all been stolen."
Hui Neng's vision blackened.
...
Fang Zhou and Han Li returned to their rooms, each holding two plates of meat dishes. Once they placed them on the table, it transformed into a lavish feast.
They exchanged glances, and both burst into laughter.
Fang Zhou was laughing heartily, while Han Li's smile was more reserved and laced with a touch of helplessness. She had not expected to follow Fang Zhou and partake in something so mortifying. She had actually stolen the chief monk's dinner.
"Come on, don't be shy, we deserve this," Fang Zhou asserted. "That baldy took our money and then feasted alone. How audacious!"
Without any chopsticks, Fang Zhou simply reached out and tore off a chicken leg, inviting Han Li to join him.
Han Li didn't expect that Fang Zhou, a man, could be so rude.
Just then, a figure landed with a thud outside the door and sauntered in. It turned out to be Ling Xiaoyue, who had been missing for quite some time.
As soon as she saw the food on the table, she glared at Fang Zhou in fury: "You ungrateful apprentice, enjoying a good meal and you didn't even call me, burp~"
After uttering this, she burped contentedly, with a bit of oil still lingering at the corner of her mouth.
Fang Zhou was so furious that he wanted to hurl the chicken leg at her face: "Where did you sneak off to for food?"
Ling Xiaoyue immediately denied: "No, I simply went out for a casual stroll."
She sat down and reached out to grab the pork knuckle.
Fang Zhou quickly snatched the plate back: "Stop, you're already full, why are you still taking food from us?"
Ling Xiaoyue immediately reached for the roast duck: "I'm only 80% full, I can still eat."
"Eat your fill elsewhere. Get lost."
Fang Zhou, seeing that he couldn't sway her, retorted. He hastily stuffed food into his mouth and urged Han Li, "Eat quickly, otherwise there won't even be bones left.
Han Li watched as the master and disciple quarreled over a few plates of food, completely devoid of any high-ranking dignity. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
And then, she promptly joined in the scramble for food.
-- Gift
received