Chapter 00256: I, this humble monk, wish to eat meat
# I, this humble monk, wish to eat meat
Chapter 256
Novel: AFK Game: Portal to Another World
Chapter 256 I, this humble monk, wish to eat meat
Long before the National Day Golden Week, Qian Sen had called to say someone was pulling strings, wanting to buy the Potion of Remove Disease from Li Chengxi.
But a month had passed since that conversation, and there had been no follow-up.
Viola was planning a counterattack, and Li Chengxi felt the two million-plus on his card was not quite enough to buy supplies.
If Qian Sen had called any later, Li Chengxi might have already put the three Potion of Remove Disease he had on hand up for sale.
Locking the door, Li Chengxi went out and hailed a taxi to a local teahouse, which was said to often host business negotiations.
To be honest, if Qian Sen had not given him the address, Li Chengxi, a local himself, would not have even known such a thing as a teahouse existed here.
After all, as someone who ran a convenience store, he really did not have any business that could be called a 'business negotiation'.
The teahouse itself was decorated in a classical, quaint style, truly having a bit of an ancient feel.
Business seemed to be decent, as people in suits and leather shoes were often coming and going.
In contrast, Li Chengxi, dressed in casual wear, seemed completely out of place among them.
Qian Sen had booked a private room on the second floor.
Li Chengxi followed a waiter to the spot, and upon opening the door, he saw Qian Sen sitting at the table, legs crossed, sipping his tea.
Judging from the expression on his face, it seemed like he had not been this relaxed in a long time.
What kind of tea do you want? My treat.
When Li Chengxi drank tea, it was usually jasmine tea that cost a dozen or so yuan for a large bag.
He lowered his head to look at the menu, and leaving aside the dazzling array of tea types, the prices alone were enough to make one's head spin.
Uh...
I will have the same as you.
Then another pot of Lu'an Melon Seed Tea.
The waiter was quick and brought over the tea set in no time.
Li Chengxi thought he would get to see the legendary tea ceremony performance and was watching with anticipation, but who would have thought the person just put it down and left.
Alright then.
Is Section Nine covering today's expenses?
This is not official business, who is going to reimburse you?
Qian Sen pointed at the floor and said:
I know the owner of this teahouse, he is one of us.
I told him I needed a place to talk, and he offered to provide the venue.
Is this not just taking advantage of his position...
I am starting to understand why your Head Office is so strict.
Hey, hey, hey, do not talk nonsense.
I have no intention of letting him waive the bill.
Today's expenses are being paid for by a sponsor.
Li Chengxi leaned closer and asked:
Are you sure this place is safe? I saw a lot of people coming and going outside.
It is fine, I have already scouted it out beforehand.
Anyway, if something went wrong, it would not be Li Chengxi's responsibility.
He was just asking casually.
When is the buyer arriving?
I called just now and they said they were stuck in traffic.
Let's wait a little longer.
Did you bring the goods?
Brought it.
You are the one who said we would do the transaction in person.
This conversation did not sound like any sort of legal business.
As they were drinking tea and chatting, there was a knock on the private room's door.
Li Chengxi thought the buyer had arrived, but instead, an old, white-bearded man in a monk's robe came in.
The moment Li Chengxi saw him, he felt a sense of familiarity.
Excuse me, are you the abbot from Xingguo Temple?
Benefactor, you have a good memory.
It is indeed this humble monk.
Previously, Li Chengxi had taken Audel to Xingguo Temple to buy a bracelet, and they had only met that one time.
However, this master's kind and benevolent appearance had left a very deep impression on Li Chengxi. (See Chapter 87 for details)
It seems you and I are fated to meet, Benefactor.
Is that bracelet working out for you?
It is, it has given me a lot of peace of mind.
I am surprised you still remember me, Master.
The man laughed heartily:
This humble monk only managed to sell one bracelet in three months.
Of course I remember you, Benefactor.
...
Qian Sen then also remembered that he was the one who had recommended Li Chengxi go to the temple for a protective talisman.
We are all in the same circle, so it is good to get acquainted.
Let me introduce you.
This is Zen Master Miaoben.
He is very skilled at exorcising malevolent spirits, curses, and filth.
He has helped the Head Office crack many major cases in the past.
In recent years, due to his advanced age, he has taken up the position of abbot at Xingguo Temple.
I invited the Master here today to act as a witness.
This was considered a private transaction.
Without Section Nine endorsing it, it was natural to invite someone of high prestige and respect to be a witness, just in case any trouble arose in the future and there was no one to turn to for reason.
The main job was really just to sit on the side, watch the transaction proceed, and drink tea.
That's it.
Amitabha.
Benefactor Qian, please do not mention such empty fame.
This humble monk's level of cultivation is not worth mentioning.
Not long ago, I almost capsized.
Li Chengxi was about to ask what caused him to mess up, but asking something like that felt a bit like exposing someone's shortcomings, so it was not easy for him to open his mouth and ask.
This is Li Chengxi, who recently joined our circle.
He runs a convenience store nearby.
You have probably heard about the bank robbery, right? He was right there on the scene, bravely fighting with the robbers.
Oh? Benefactor Li is quite righteous.
Truly a heroic young man.
You praise me too much, Master.
I just could not hold back.
The memory of the incident at the bank still gave Li Chengxi a lingering fear, so he quickly changed the subject:
What would you like to drink, Master? I see they also serve food here.
Shall I get you some vegetarian dishes?
To tell you the truth, this humble monk is fond of meat and fish.
So, no thanks on the vegetarian food.
...
This master... is he really reliable?
Benefactor, do you think this humble monk is one of those monks who indulges in wine and meat?
Uh...
It was hard to say.
Li Chengxi did indeed think so.
A monk does not tell lies.
If I like it, I like it.
This humble monk has recently taken a liking to Original Recipe chicken, and I secretly buy it to eat every day.
But recently, the doctor told me my blood lipids are high and told me to eat less greasy food, which has made me very unhappy.
Master, you... live so authentically.
I always thought all monks were vegetarian.
Benefactor, you are attached to appearances.
Observing a vegetarian diet is for purifying the mind and reducing desires, not for displaying a compassionate heart.
You see, eating an animal is killing, but when you drink water and swallow bacteria, is that not killing? When the immune system in your body devours bacteria, is that not killing? There is no need to be fixated on whether a meal is meat or vegetarian.
The compassion of my Buddha is to guide people toward goodness.
Since I am not corrupt nor do I break the law, and I live as an upright person, eating meat does not conflict with cultivating Buddhism.
It sounded quite reasonable, but on second thought, Li Chengxi realized the central idea of this whole speech could be summed up in one sentence.
I want to eat meat.
Alright then.
In any case, there are quite a few monks nowadays who eat KFC and have families, so it was not exactly big news.
As they were chatting, the door to the private room was knocked on once again.
This time, it was the main party.
Li Chengxi had thought a large family would arrive, perhaps even pushing over the old man who urgently needed the Potion of Remove Disease, ready to buy it and have him drink it on the spot.
But when the people came in, he discovered it was two young girls.
One was wearing an outfit with complex lace decorations, even down to her hair clip.
She looked to be around twenty years old, with long, straight black hair and a pair of round, black sunglasses, giving her an indescribably odd look.
He had seen this style of clothing online before; it seemed to be called Gothic Lolita.
It might be common in big cities, but in the small place where Li Chengxi lived, this was the first time he had seen it in person.
The other one was even stranger.
At first glance, she looked like a blonde, blue-eyed foreign girl, probably only about fifteen or sixteen years old.
She wore a black tailcoat and a tall top hat, looking just like a magician performing in a circus.
If these two walked down the street, their head-turning rate would be absolutely off the charts.
Li Chengxi's first reaction upon seeing them was to think that some business was holding a promotion and had sent people out in strange clothes to hand out flyers...
(End of this chapter)