Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 537: Three Sentences, and He Asked for 100,000 Mu of Land
Without hesitation, Murong Fu turned and left. Seeing this, Shenshan immediately became anxious: "Sect Leader Murong, please wait! Everything can be discussed. Alas, Sect Leader Murong is too hasty! How can you discuss matters like this!"

Shenshan hurriedly stepped forward, using the Eight Steps to Catch the Cicada's Footwork to block Murong Fu's path. He clasped his hands together and said, "Sect Leader, you are too hasty. I was merely exchanging a few polite words just now. Why did you leave like this?"

Murong Fu sneered, "Isn't the abbot of Shenshan supposed to be humble and indifferent to fame and fortune? In that case, I'll just find a partner who is chasing fame and fortune. Anyway, the world is bustling with people coming and going for fame and fortune. Murong Fu is just an ordinary person, without the profound cultivation of the abbot of Shenshan, so it's better for me to deal with more mundane matters."

Shenshan gave an awkward smile: "Sect Leader Murong is a straightforward person and not used to doing things in a roundabout way. In the end, it was still the old monk who judged a gentleman by his own petty standards."

Murong Fu laughed and said, "Abbot, you're a Buddhist monk, why are you learning those Confucian notions of gentlemen and villains? There are no gentlemen or villains, only two sect leaders with shared interests who can cooperate. Now, can we get straight to the point and have a proper talk without any beating around the bush?"

Shenshan twitched awkwardly, then chuckled sheepishly, "Sect Leader Murong, please stop teasing this old monk. Just say what you have to say, and feel free to ask me anything I need."

Murong Fu and Shenshan sat back down. Murong Fu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, holding a teacup in one hand, leisurely appreciating the color of the tea. He remained silent for a long time, making Shenshan, who was sitting opposite him, anxious like an ant on a hot pan. He dared not speak first, for fear that this gentleman would change his mind and leave again.

After a long silence, Murong Fu spoke up: "This tea is excellent, a top-grade Xiaolongtuan. The Abbot's life is quite enviable."

Shenshan smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Although the Buddhist sect is poor, how can we not extend the hospitality of a host when Sect Leader Murong has come from afar?"

Murong Fu held up one finger, indicating "one": "One hundred thousand mu!"

Shenshan was taken aback: "What?"

Murong Fu said, “I observe that Qingliang Temple owns a vast amount of land, covering an area of ​​dozens of miles. Nowadays, there are many displaced people in the world, and the people are homeless. Why doesn’t the abbot follow the example of Shakyamuni Buddha and donate all the temple’s land to help the displaced people? In this way, Qingliang Temple will surely become famous in the martial arts world, far better than Shaolin’s hypocritical and greedy behavior.”

Upon hearing this, Shenshan nearly fainted. Qingliang Temple had indeed accumulated a considerable amount of land over the years through purchases and donations, thanks to its reputation as the foremost Buddhist temple on Mount Wutai. However, asking Qingliang Temple to give up 100,000 mu of land at once would mean taking away almost 90% of its accumulated land. If such a thing were to be done, the temple's monks would probably rather replace him as abbot than agree to it.

Shenshan took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and forced a smile, saying, "Sect Leader Murong has a kind heart, considers the common people, and is compassionate. He is truly destined to be with Buddhism. I have cultivated for so many years, yet I am not as open-minded as Sect Leader Murong, who is not a Buddhist. I am truly ashamed."

"Since Sect Leader Murong has spoken, Qingliang Temple naturally has to do something in return. In that case, this old monk will take the liberty of waiving the rent for five thousand acres of temple land. What do you say?"

Murong Fu laughed and said, "The old abbot is quite generous to agree to five thousand acres in one go. I really have a lot of face to offer. However, what I am seeking this time is not to seize Qingliang Temple's property, but to bring Qingliang Temple a great opportunity."

Murong Fu asked, "I wonder how the Abbot of Shenshan is progressing with his Formless Tribulation Finger technique?"

Shenshan quickly bowed and said, "Thanks to the generous gift from Sect Leader Murong, I have diligently studied and practiced for the past two years, and now I can be considered to have just begun to understand the basics. I will always remember the great kindness of Sect Leader Murong."

Murong Fu smiled and said, "Oh, I have long heard of the Abbot of Shenshan's reputation as the Tiger-Taming Arhat in the martial arts world. I wonder if I would have the opportunity to see the Abbot demonstrate his martial arts skills today?"

A hint of smugness flashed across Shenshan's face as he said solemnly, "Since Sect Leader Murong has this intention, then this old monk will make a fool of himself." With that, he slowly raised his left sleeve, interlocked his right thumb and middle finger, and with two soft hissing sounds, two pieces of cloth the size of chess pieces slowly fell off Shenshan's left sleeve.

With a smug look on his face, Shenshan slowly sat back down in his original position: "This old monk is a novice and has only just begun to understand the basics. Sect Leader Murong comes from a distinguished family and is a prominent figure in the martial arts world. Please give your evaluation."

Murong Fu laughed and said, "As the saying goes, a great reputation is never undeserved. Abbot Fangda truly lives up to his reputation as the Tiger-Taming Arhat! I admire him!"

Shenshan's smug expression deepened, and he repeatedly said, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."

Murong Fu said, "To witness the Abbot's divine skills today is truly a great joy in my life, and I should raise a toast. Since this is a sacred Buddhist place and we cannot drink alcohol, let us offer this tea to the Abbot instead!"

Shenshan said that Murong Fu was too polite, and raised his teacup to drink with Murong Fu. However, just as Shenshan brought the teacup to his lips, his gaze suddenly sharpened, and his face showed surprise.

Murong Fu smiled as he watched Shenshan gently poke the teacup with his trembling finger. A small, round piece of porcelain fell off, the chipped area as smooth as new. Even a diamond cut could not produce such a clean surface.

As soon as the opening was made, tea flowed out from it, and half a cup of tea was gone in no time.

Murong Fu smiled and said, "Abbot, I wonder how skilled my Formless Finger technique is?"

With trembling lips, Shenshan said, "It's simply unbelievable, a divine skill. This, this, is simply beyond human capability."

With such precise control and the stealth of his attacks, Shenshan had no doubt that if the other party had wanted to attack him, he would probably be on the verge of death by now.

However, just a moment later, the fear in Shenshan's eyes was replaced by fanaticism: "How did you learn it? You, how long did you train?"

Murong Fu said, "I practiced for three days on the way here."

"Three days!"

Shenshan jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on: "Impossible, absolutely impossible! Even if Bodhidharma were to be resurrected, he might not be able to do this!"

Murong Fu said, "I don't know if Bodhidharma can do it. But if I were to say that I can give the Abbot all 72 Shaolin Arts, as well as the method to quickly master them, I wonder if the Abbot would find my offer of 100,000 mu acceptable?"

Shenshan's breathing quickened: "Is this really true?"