Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 194 - 193: Equivalent Exchange

Chapter 194: Chapter 193: Equivalent Exchange

The woman forcefully suppressed her anger and said, "Your words are ambiguous, does he want to see me or not? I would like to see the master and seek his guidance."

"Amitabha, everything is fated. If the master does not see female benefactors, it means he can’t clarify your doubts. The master also said, you should consult a doctor for your problem.", the young monk added.

"Master Wu Zhi can also cure illnesses." The woman insisted.

The young monk countered," But the master said, he cannot cure your disease."

The woman clenched her teeth in anger, but then noticed a young, beautiful woman and a child being led closer by a small monk. Despite the woman’s lowered head, her captivating beauty was evident.

She saw the young monk open the door slightly to let them in and challenged him discontentedly, "Didn’t you just say that the master is not seeing anyone? How come they can go in?"

The young monk explained, "These two benefactors are the master’s distinguished guests."

This made the woman even angrier, and she said coldly, "So, even a princess does not have their stature?"

So, it turned out to be a Princess. Master Wu Zhi really had some nerve to keep even a princess at the door.

With his head bowed and half of Dabao’s face covered with his hand, Chen Afu followed the young monk through the side door into the Zen room. He heard the door close shut, followed by the voice of the young monk, "Amitabha, in Buddha’s presence, all creatures are equal. By distinguished guests, this poor monk does not mean to discriminate between nobility and commonness..."

Chen Afu and Dabao were led into the side room. Directly above them was a golden Buddha statue, and further in there was a bed, where an elderly monk was sitting cross-legged, playing with a Go board.

Seeing them arriving, he raised his head and laughed, "Amitabha, you two benefactors are here. I have been waiting."

The young monk directly placed the food box on his bed while both Chen Afu and Dabao bowed and said, "Master Wu Zhi."

Wu Zhi pointed to the chair by the bed and smiled, "Female benefactor, please sit." He beckoned to Dabao and said, "Little benefactor, come over here. Let the old monk take a good look."

Upon hearing him, Dabao quickly walked to Master Wu Zhi and said, "Master, are you going to read my fortune? My grandma said that the fortune you read for my mother was very accurate. You said my mother’s illness would be cured, and so it was. Master, can I give this chance to my uncle? I request the master to predict my uncle’s whereabouts so that we can find him." After finishing, he bowed again.

Wu Zhi patted his head and carefully studied his face, then laughed, "The young benefactor is indeed a wonderful child, not just blessed with intelligence but also with a kind heart. However, some things cannot be exchanged. Moreover, the fate of the little benefactor is unusual, and the old monk didn’t intend to read his fate."

Upon finishing, he pulled out a red-threaded jade pendant from his sleeve and placed it over his neck, tucking it inside his collar. He said, "The little benefactor has some karmic connection with the old monk, so the old monk will gift you something."

Then he told the young monk standing on the side, "Take the little benefactor to the west meditation room to eat vegetarian food, the old monk and the female benefactor have important matters to discuss."

Dabao looked at Chen Afu with a hint of unwillingness.

Chen Afu chuckled and said, "Obey the master."

With only Wu Zhi and Chen Afu left in the room, Wu Zhi didn’t speak first. He opened the food box and served himself some pastries the taste of which brought a sense of contentment to his expression.

He clapped his hands and said, "Amitabha, this taste is truly marvelous." With a hint of regret, he added, "If only the flavor was a bit stronger, it would be even better."

Chen Afu thought to herself, this is truly a reincarnated Budda, he must have tasted the flavor of Yan Chenxiang Wood. However, when he doesn’t talk about food, he really does have the aura of a hermit, with his white hair and youthful looks, and a rosy complexion. Yet as soon as he speaks, he reveals his gluttonous nature.

The old monk then carefully looked at Chen Afu and weighed his words, "Before, the old monk had predicted that you would change the fate of the former benefactor, but it was unexpected that you would also unlock and open that cave. You were not destined for it, and it should not have been brought here, but for some reason it happened. Thus, not only will you have undisrupted blessings in this life, but it will also beneficially affect those related to you, even..."

He paused and didn’t continue, only chanting Buddha’s name.

Looking at his wise eyes and hearing him divulge her secret, a chill went down Chen Afu’s spine. It seems that there really are celestial beings in this world!

Chen Afu calmed her mind and felt a sense of stealthy joy. According to his words, her life should be smooth sailing, and she could even lead her family to wealth and prosperity —— becoming a landowner.

Remembering why she had come, she said, "Master’s understanding of Buddha’s teachings is profound, I admire it. This time, I want to request the Master to predict the whereabouts of an uncle I have never met before. I don’t know if he is still alive." She then recited Wang Cheng’s birthdate.

Upon hearing this, a glint of cunning crossed Wu Zhi’s eyes. He said, "Amitabha, I don’t read the fortune of just anyone who asks. As the female benefactor has already seen, even a princess’ request can be declined. Unless..." He gave her an knowing look and chuckled.

Thinking of Jin Yanzi’s reminder, Chen Afu felt uncertain about the old monk’s demand. She asked, "Unless what?"

Wu Zhi extended three fingers and said, "If the female benefactor can give the old monk three fingers’ width of Yan nest, the old monk will help the female benefactor with the divination."

If he wanted a bit of Yan Chenxiang Wood or one or two of its leaves, Chen Afu believed she would manage it. But such a large green Yan nest, Jin Yanzi certainly wouldn’t allow it. Just as she was thinking this, Jin Yanzi’s voice appeared in her mind. "Don’t give it to him. That bald monk is asking for too much. He wants half of my bed, and that would be too much."

She had no choice but to say uncomfortably, "I can’t do that. That thing is so huge, I am really incapable."

Wu Zhi then said, "The old monk wants this item not for himself but to treat others."

Chen Afu replied, "If it were up to me, I would be more than happy to donate it for the treatment of others. However, I am not the owner of those things. Can it be replaced with something else?"

After pondering for a moment, Wu Zhi reluctantly said, "Give me a Yan nest as big as half a finger, and two leaves."

Before Chen Afu could reply, Jin Yanzi’s voice appeared in her mind again. "Only give him a Yan nest as big as a fingernail and one leaf. That’s only because I value my mommy’s face and want to foster a good relationship with that old monk. It would be very beneficial."

Chen Afu had no choice but to say, "I can only give a Yan nest as big as a fingernail and one leaf."

Wu Zhi could only say helplessly, "Amitabha, if it is the will of heaven, so be it." He put his palms together and said, "The old monk thanks you."

After that, he got off the bed and left the room.

Was he letting her access the spatial realm? Chen Afu didn’t move. If somebody was secretly watching and saw her access the spatial realm, they would most certainly think she was a demonic creature. It’s better to be cautious with everyone.

She pulled the sleeve of her left arm over her left hand and felt something appear in her palm. She took it out to find that it was a bit of a green Yan nest and a single leaf. As soon as she took them out, a unique fragrance immediately permeated the room.

A moment later, the old monk entered the room. Inhaling the scent that was even more fragrant than flowers, he looked delighted. He stretched out his hand to take the items, but Chen Afu quickly pulled back, saying, "What about my uncle’s business?"

Wu Zhi replied, "The old monk had said earlier that he would read the fortune only for three fingers’ width of Yan nest." Seeing that Chen Afu was becoming anxious, he pinched his fingers and said, "The female benefactor’s uncle should still be alive. As for where he is and whether you will meet him, the old monk did not predict. With this little bit of product, only this much clue can be obtained. It’s a fair exchange, right?"