Fangzheng's heart palpitated when he heard that. Following that, the shame in his heart vanished as he said calmly, "It was done by This Penniless Monk."
"Ah …" Jiang Zhou opened his mouth, but the thousands of words he wanted to say turned into silence. In the end, he let out a long sigh and said, "I've been learning carving since I was young, and I've been practicing it for fifty years. I've traveled to every corner of the world in search of inspiration and materials to enhance my skills. I've always said that I'm a diligent genius, and I've never doubted it. Now it seems … there's always someone better than you out there. I'm still too shameless. "
With that said, Jiang Zhou helped Fan Qing and Guan Xiangfeng stand up with great effort.
Everyone was baffled. What was he trying to do?
Jiang Zhou bowed at Fangzheng and said, "Venerable One, please teach me the art of carving!"
"What?" Guan Xiangfeng, Qiu Xiaoye, and Fan Qing were dumbfounded. Fangzheng was dumbfounded as well. What was happening?
Before Fangzheng could answer, he heard footsteps coming from outside. When he turned around, he saw Dog Song, Lame Ma, and company enter. They happened to see Jiang Zhou bow and acknowledge him as his master. Dog Song was extremely quick-witted as he immediately kicked Lame Ma. Lame Ma stumbled forward and snapped out of his daze. Following that, he bowed, but as he used too much force, he knelt down and slammed his head into the ground. With a loud thud, Fangzheng felt his head hurt!
However, Lame Ma was strong and did not cry out in pain. He knew very well that Guan Xiangfeng's skills were miles ahead of his! As Guan Xiangfeng's teacher, Jiang Zhou was definitely more powerful! If such an impressive Jiang Zhou wanted to be Fangzheng's disciple, then Fangzheng definitely had even more impressive engraving skills. Dog Song wasn't fooling him! In the time it takes for a spark to fly off a flint, he understood everything!
Therefore, Lame Ma shouted without hesitation, "Abbot, please teach me the art of carving!"
Fangzheng was completely dumbfounded. Where was this? He bowed to the front, turned around, and directly knelt and kowtowed to the ground! What was going on today? Why were they each more ferocious than the last?
Fangzheng looked pleadingly at Fan Qing and company, hoping for them to help Jiang Zhou up. He did not wish to accept such a bow! Teaching disciples is very tiring!
However, what left Fangzheng bitter was that Guan Xiangfeng, Qiu Xiaoye, and Fan Qing exchanged looks before bowing down. They said in unison, "Abbot, please teach us the art of carving!"
Fangzheng rolled his eyes. Why were they joining in the fun? Fangzheng turned his head and looked towards Dog Song and company.
Dog Song, along with five or six villagers, bowed and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Master, please teach us the art of carving!"
Fangzheng was rendered completely speechless.
"Master, are you trying to steal our business? Why don't I stew them all? "Hong Haier brandished his machete and said domineeringly.
Fangzheng rolled his eyes at him and said to everyone, "Amitabha. Everyone, quickly get up. This Penniless Monk would like to ask the few of you why you want to learn This Penniless Monk's skills?"
Lame Ma said, "I've been muddling through my days my entire life. Only when I had Frost Bamboo did I find a direction. I wanted to carve Frost Bamboo to earn money and improve my life. Later, Guan Xiangfeng appeared and opened a door for me. He made me see the sparks of art and Frost Bamboo colliding. Heavens, it was perfect! That was art! " Upon hearing Lame Ma say that, Guan Xiangfeng's face turned as red as a monkey's butt. To talk about art in front of Jiang Zhou and Fangzheng? It was … embarrassing!
Lame Ma continued, "With my half-baked skills, I don't have to worry about food and drink anymore. I don't have to do farming anymore. I don't like to play cards either. I don't like to squat at the village entrance and brag, so what else can I do? Do nothing all day and kill time? How different would that be from a dead person? And Guan Xiangfeng made me completely interested in carving. Although I have no idea how long I have left to live, I'm willing to work hard for this skill until my death! Besides, teaching the villagers how to carve has been my happiest days. I realized that trash like me is still useful. I can use my skills to gain the respect of others. Therefore, I wish to learn. Once I master it, I can teach more people and change their lives. That's all. "
"What about you?" Fangzheng asked Jiang Zhou.
Jiang Zhou said, "I only wish to improve further. I couldn't find a path in the past, but now I do. Venerable One, please teach me."
Fangzheng shook his head with a smile. "Patron Jiang, it's fate that we met. This Penniless Monk is very happy that you are willing to take me in as your disciple. This is a form of recognition of This Penniless Monk's skills."
Upon hearing that, Lame Ma's heart sank. Could it be that Fangzheng was going to take Jiang Zhou in as a disciple? On careful thought, Jiang Zhou was an expert in carving, so he was naturally faster at learning things than someone like him who only learned halfway. He was incomparable to Jiang Zhou in every aspect … With this in mind, he lowered his head dejectedly and gave up.
Jiang Zhou's heart palpitated. Could it be that he had a chance?
Fan Qing, Qiu Xiaoye, and Guan Xiangfeng were excited as well. If Jiang Zhou could master it, he would become even more impressive. As his students, they would naturally benefit greatly! The higher Guan Xiangfeng's status was, the higher their statuses would be! The skills they learned would be even more impressive … With this in mind, they revealed looks of excitement.
Fangzheng continued. "However, you do not meet This Penniless Monk's standards for taking in disciples. Therefore, This Penniless Monk cannot take you in. Of course, as a token of our affinity, This Penniless Monk will give you three Frost Bamboo. "
"Ah?" Everyone was stunned. Fangzheng had actually rejected Jiang Zhou, who had such good conditions? Was … Was there something wrong with the monk's brain?
Fangzheng ignored their thoughts as he turned to Lame Ma. "Patron Ma, This Penniless Monk cannot take you in as a disciple either."
"Oh …" Lame Ma was already mentally prepared, so the difference was not that great.
However, Fangzheng continued. "However, This Penniless Monk can teach you how to carve."
"Ah?" Everyone widened their eyes as they looked resentfully at the bastard monk who was speaking while panting and twisting his words.
Fangzheng smiled. "This Penniless Monk is a monk. If you were to become my disciple, you would only be a Buddhist. Unfortunately, This Penniless Monk's monastery is too small. There aren't that many meditation rooms, so This Penniless Monk will not take you in. As for carving, this is a skill of the people of the world. This Penniless Monk does not plan on hiding it, so This Penniless Monk will teach you. "
"Venerable One, that's not fair! Since it's a skill of the people of the world, why can't you teach it to me? "Guan Xiangfeng cried out indignantly.
Fangzheng did not say a word, but Jiang Zhou felt like he had been struck by lightning. He snapped to his senses and berated, "Xiangfeng, shut up! Apologize to the Venerable One! "
Guan Xiangfeng said with an aggrieved look, "Master, this monk is clearly biased …"
"Shut up! Apologize! "Jiang Zhou said sternly.
Helpless, Guan Xiangfeng could only say to Fangzheng, "Sorry, Venerable One."
Fangzheng smiled and shook his head, indicating that he did not mind. Then, he looked at Jiang Zhou with a gratified look. "Do you understand?"
Jiang Zhou sighed. "Yes … I was foolish. Master, thank you for enlightening me. I've learned a lot. "With that said, Jiang Zhou bowed at Fangzheng.
This bow left Guan Xiangfeng, Fan Qing, Qiu Xiaoye, and even Lame Ma and company puzzled. They did not know what the two were up to.
Jiang Zhou sighed when he noticed that Fangzheng had no intention of explaining. "Back when I went to seek knowledge, I began learning carving from my master at the age of eight. I continued all the way until I was thirty. In the beginning, he only taught me the basics. At the age of twenty, he taught me some special techniques. But even until his death, he did not teach me some of his best techniques. By the time he thought things through and wanted to teach me, he could no longer speak. Those techniques had followed him into his coffin. My master's wife told me that the person my master was most worried about his entire life was not his opponent but me! He was wary of me his entire life! Of course, he treated me really well. Back then, my family was poor, and he took care of my food and lodging. Even my wedding money was given by Master. Master treated me like his own son, but he was still wary of me his entire life. My master's wife even said that whenever he talked about me, the phrase he often said was: 'Teaching a disciple will starve the master!' "
Upon saying that, Jiang Zhou's face was filled with the vicissitudes of life. There was pain, bitterness, as well as helplessness and regret.
Jiang Zhou continued. "Perhaps it's because of Master's influence, but I have always placed great importance on techniques. Even after becoming a teacher, I still insist on keeping the core knowledge to myself. I have students and disciples. The students learn the basics, while the disciples learn the basics. Speaking of which, it can be considered retribution. Perhaps it's because of our narrow-mindedness that the heavens have given us the harshest punishment. We have no descendants! I have thought of writing a book when I'm old and can't do it anymore. I'll write down the core knowledge and spread it. But I can't bring myself to write it … "
Dog Song could not help but interject. "Do you want to learn from your master? You want to carry the techniques into the coffin even after you die? Do you want this industry to lose some of its good stuff? I finally understand why we have thousands of years of history. Despite being in the lead in many things, we end up declining. We can't even compare to some thieves. It's true that one can't learn anything without stealing! "
Jiang Zhou blushed when he heard that. He said in shame, "You are right. If I were to do the same, I would be a sinner!"
"Amitabha. The sea of bitterness knows no bounds. Turn back to the shore before it's too late. Patron, congratulations." Fangzheng pressed his palms together.
Jiang Zhou returned the bow. "Venerable One, thank you for enlightening me. I've decided that when I return, I will write down everything I know. I'll write a book and spread it." With that said, Jiang Zhou said to Guan Xiangfeng, Fan Qing, and Qiu Xiaoye, "All of you don't need to vie for the position of personal disciple. As long as you are my students, as long as you wish to learn, as long as you have righteous intentions, I'll teach you! I'll treat everyone equally! "
The moment that was said, Guan Xiangfeng, Fan Qing, and Qiu Xiaoye were overjoyed as they cried out in surprise. Then, they suddenly realized that they were in a monastery. They could not scream, so they covered their mouths and stood there laughing foolishly.
"Master, are you really not teaching them?" Red Boy, Monkey, Squirrel, and Lone Wolf stood beside Fangzheng as they watched Jiang Zhou and company leave.
Fangzheng shook his head. "If they really wish to learn, how can there be any reason not to?"
After Fangzheng said that, he stretched his back. "Let's go. It's time to prepare dinner. Starting tomorrow, I'll be teaching disciples. Do you want to learn? "
"Yes!" Squirrel exclaimed in excitement.
Apart from him, the rest did not have much interest. Red Boy raised his eyelids. "What can you carve with that little bit of work?"
PS: Huang Liang has worked hard. He has already carved three thousand long chapters. Today, he accompanied his wife for a prenatal checkup. Tomorrow, he will be taking a bus to Shanghai … How tiring.
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