Chapter 198 – The Flower Named Phantom Orchid

Monk: “Why so silent? Let’s calculate how much you owe for kicking my black dog.”

As he spoke, the monk was clearly growing impatient.

“…” Ye Kuang had initially been rendered speechless, but upon hearing the other party actually intended to demand compensation, he couldn’t help but retort: “Letting your dog attack people – is this your so-called reason for compensation? Forgive my bluntness, but if I hadn’t possessed some skills earlier, I would have been bitten by that dog. I didn’t even claim compensation for emotional distress from you, yet you have the audacity to demand compensation from me instead. What kind of logic is this?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ye Kuang continued: “As the saying goes, one shouldn’t pursue what they know is wrong. Why then make false accusations? One must act with conscience.”

Monk: “…”

Ye Kuang: “Moreover, I already held back seventy percent of my strength earlier. If not for that, your black dog would have been killed by my single kick.”

Hearing this, the monk couldn’t help but rebut: “But your initial action was to try and steal this Phantom Orchid Incense. Even if my black dog had bitten you, you’d have deserved it. I could even charge you with home invasion and robbery.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Kuang’s expression shifted slightly before he calmly stated: “This flower did indeed stir greed in me, and I truly entertained thoughts of taking it. But the fact is, I didn’t. I don’t need you to believe me, but what I want to say is…”

“If a flower’s existence is reduced to merely being taken or not taken, then it loses its original value and meaning.”

“Hahaha…” The monk suddenly burst into laughter upon hearing these words: “Well said, young man! I like that statement.”

After speaking, the monk’s attitude inexplicably did a complete one-eighty.

Even someone as quick-witted as Ye Kuang couldn’t help but be utterly confused by this sudden change.

Noticing this, a gleam sparkled in the monk’s large eyes as he teased: “People with such awareness as yours are rare in this world…”

Before finishing his sentence, the monk then asked: “Do you know what this flower is called?”

During his momentary daze, Ye Kuang thought for a bit before casually answering: “From what I heard the Grand Master say earlier, it seems to be called Phantom Orchid Incense or something.”

“Mm, you’re quite sharp.” The monk responded: “This orchid incense is a great treasure I obtained through countless hardships. To cultivate this flower, I’ve already exhausted everything I have. Never thought it would end up benefiting you instead.”

Ye Kuang: “What do you mean?”

Hearing this, the monk appeared somewhat melancholy before unexpectedly answering irrelevantly: “Did you smell a peculiar fragrance earlier that led you here?”

As he spoke, the monk’s eyes remained fixed intently on the young man before him.

Ye Kuang: “Yes.”

Upon hearing this, the monk first showed an incredulous look, then shook his head and couldn’t help but laugh wryly: “If only I could smell it too, how wonderful that would be… What a pity, what a pity. My Buddha teaches that treasures belong to those destined for them. Enough, enough. If you want it, take it.”

Hearing this, countless question marks flooded Ye Kuang’s mind.

He didn’t believe the monk before him was a simple character, nor would he believe there could be such a free lunch in this world, much less that this monk didn’t understand the flower’s value.

“Grand Master, as the saying goes, a gentleman loves wealth but obtains it through proper means. Rather than this orchid incense, what I want to say is that one shouldn’t accept unearned rewards.” After speaking, Ye Kuang turned and walked away.”Hey, wait a moment.” The monk suddenly called out.

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but stop in his tracks. Without turning his head, he said, “Grand Master, do you have further instructions?”

The monk pondered for a while, clearly growing somewhat impatient. He then rubbed his bald head, unsure how to explain.

Speaking of the Phantom Orchid Incense, this was a spiritual herb of heaven and earth. For decades, the monk had been patiently waiting for its blooming season, but unexpectedly, the orchid flower had never bloomed according to his wishes.

Moreover, this flower possessed consciousness and would automatically choose its master.

From the moment one could smell its fragrance, they had already been recognized as the master by the Phantom Orchid Incense.

The monk said, “Young man, I must say you have a connection with Buddhism. You just need to understand that all things possess spirit, and this Phantom Orchid Incense has chosen you as its master. Even if I obtained this flower, its efficacy would be greatly diminished. Why not form a positive connection with you?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly extended an invitation: “Would you care to come inside for a talk? Regarding the whole story, I will hold nothing back and tell you everything I know.”

Ye Kuang: “…”

Though he felt somewhat speechless, his feet were quite honest.

Inside the dwelling, it appeared extremely simple without any trace of household appliances. There were only a few rooms, their empty appearance suggesting they had been abandoned for many years.

“Have a seat,” the monk said casually.

Hearing this, Ye Kuang inevitably looked around, unsure where to sit.

The reason being, not only were there no appliances in the dwelling, there wasn’t even a single piece of furniture.

The monk said, “Just sit anywhere.”

As he spoke, the monk then sat directly on the floor.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but chuckle wryly, clearly not expecting this monk before him to be so free-spirited.

The two then sat facing each other and inevitably exchanged smiles.

“Before explaining about this Phantom Orchid Incense, let me introduce myself. I am your fellow townsman, a Shaolin lay disciple. Everyone calls me Drunken Meat Monk.”

“I am Ye Kuang.”

Drunken Meat Monk said, “Benefactor Ye… Never mind, I’ll just call you Little Ye.”

“Feel free to do so,” Ye Kuang laughed.

Only after half an hour did he finally understand the origins of the Phantom Orchid Incense. The whole story sounded rather mysterious.

However, when he thought about the Jade Void Creation Art, everything seemed to make perfect sense.

Drunken Meat Monk said, “Little Ye, why do I get the feeling you’re not surprised at all?”

Speaking of this, the monk clearly found it somewhat unbelievable.

After hearing this, Ye Kuang didn’t respond. In his mind: There are many unexpected things in this world. If he had to be surprised by everything, his entire life would be wrapped in surprises – what joy would there be in that?

Seeing Ye Kuang remain silent, Drunken Meat Monk could only sigh and say, “The value of this flower was originally immeasurable, but now that it has chosen you, this is heaven’s will.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but express his feelings: “If everything is heaven’s will, then how can there be loss?”

“Hahaha… Well said.” After hearing this, Drunken Meat Monk suddenly burst into loud laughter, laughing as if he had met a kindred spirit and felt extremely fortunate.

“I never thought that despite my seemingly carefree appearance, I actually still have delusions. Little Ye, you’ve hit the mark with one phrase – this undoubtedly shows your profound Buddhist affinity.”

But as his words fell, Drunken Meat Monk said solemnly: “Since this flower has chosen you, I hope to witness the effects of this orchid incense with my own eyes. Would that be possible?”

Ye Kuang said, “Grand Master, are you certain the effects of this orchid will be so miraculous?”

Speaking of this, he still maintained a trace of doubt.Not to mention the efficacy of Illusory Orchid, even just the ability to enter dreams and vanquish nightmares was something he found hard to believe, let alone its other miraculous properties.

Moreover, the dangers involved remained unknown.