Chapter 191: Can a Cat That Spits Fire Make Money?
“It’s just a mere little spell. Compared to this benefactor, I’m truly insignificant.” The monk bowed to everyone. “Thank you all for your kindness, and a special thanks to this benefactor for your generosity, which allows this humble monk to present my poor skills. I’m currently staying at Tianhai Temple in the city; if any of you benefactors are interested, you can offer a few sticks of incense before the Buddha.”
After speaking, he put his hands together in prayer and bowed to the crowd, as well as to the middle-aged performer who had presented earlier.
Indeed, he took not a single coin from the money that had fallen to the ground, smiling as he walked back to his friends. He then displayed a look of helplessness, as if he wanted to admonish his friends but couldn’t find the words.
The middle-aged performer, who had previously performed here, must have had some confidence to invite the monk to perform. Seeing everyone’s astonishment at the monk’s spell, he refused to admit defeat. He instructed his disciple to return the money picked up from the ground to the monk, saying it was for the incense offerings.
When the monk flatly refused, he took it back and laughed, saying, “This master’s spell is impressive, undoubtedly a master of the craft. However, there are thousands of spells under heaven. The spells that the master knows, I may not; the spells I know, the master may not.”
He then called for his disciple to bring a knife.
A large cleaver appeared, wide-bladed and thick-edged, with a blackened, pockmarked surface. The blade glinted brightly, reflecting the firelight, looking even more imposing than the one at the market.
Upon seeing it, the onlookers gasped in surprise.
“Come!” The middle-aged man lay down on a wide bench, exposing only his head and neck.