The Abbot did not show any dissatisfaction with the crowd's reaction, as if his previous words were merely a kindly reminder, and he didn't care if anyone listened.

Xiao Feng didn't hesitate much, picked up his teacup with a smile, took a sip, and politely said, "Good tea!"

The others, seeing Xiao Feng's action, also followed suit, picked up their teacups, and took a sip. However, it was evident that no one was truly focused on savoring the flavor of the tea.

The Abbot put down his teacup and looked at Lord Jiu, saying, "Now you may speak."

Lord Jiu nodded and said, "To be honest, this time I came to your monastery not because I wish to resume the selfish act of digging graves, but because a friend entrusted me to help excavate the treasure left by his ancestors."

"I see," the Abbot calmly said, "If this is your intention, you are not violating the agreement. You need not worry."

Lord Jiu breathed a sigh of relief, then clasped his hands and said, "I have one more thing to ask the Master Abbot: Can our endeavor be successful? Or rather, can we return safely?"

In truth, Lord Jiu was also afraid of dying, but due to face's sake, he could only ask indirectly.

"You wish to find peace of mind?" The Abbot smiled. "Bodhisattvas fear karma; mortal men fear consequences. But one must know that the cycle of karma is never within human prediction, nor is it under human control."

These seemingly cryptic words actually translate quite simply: go with the flow; if it's luck, it won't be misfortune; if it's misfortune, it cannot be avoided.

To put it more bluntly, Lord Jiu is left to his own fate; the Abbot can offer no aid.

For a moment, Lord Jiu couldn't help but let his mind wander.

Just as he was about to continue with his inquiry, the Abbot got up first and said, "All of you, please continue here with the tea..."

At this point, the Abbot paused and turned his gaze to Xiao Feng, "This benefactor, would you like to accompany me outside?"

"Sure," Xiao Feng agreed readily and followed the Abbot out of the meditation room.

About dozens of meters opposite the meditation room stood a large tree requiring three men to wrap their arms around it. Beneath the tree were a stone table and two stone stools. The Abbot took a seat and gestured for Xiao Feng to sit opposite.

Those inside the room, upon seeing this scene, couldn't help but feel curious about what the old Abbot wished to discuss with Xiao Feng.

But from the Abbot's instruction before leaving, it was clear he didn't want others to overhear, and naturally, they did not want to invite embarrassment.

"You seem troubled?" The Abbot gave a kind and benevolent smile, his demeanor akin to looking at a junior.

Xiao Feng also smiled and asked back, "How can you tell?"

"Usually, most people would voluntarily reveal their perplexities when facing me, but you did not. It seems you haven't decided what to ask yet?" The Abbot spoke slowly, his tone more like stating than questioning.

Xiao Feng didn't deny it, nodded decisively, "You're guessing correctly, but upon hearing this, I suddenly don't want to ask anything."

"Oh? Can I know why?"

"The master's previous discussion on karma essentially can be summed up with eight words: Life and death are ordained; wealth and status are destined.

One cannot predict, nor can one interfere with outcomes. That being the case, then naturally, there isn't much to ask. Moreover, most of the time, everyone understands the principles, but truly acting according to them is rare."

"Indeed!"

The Abbot agreed, "Actually, many people come to me for enlightenment, and their thoughts are similar to those of benefactor Miao. They seek not outcomes but peace with themselves. However, monks speak no falsehoods, so I can only offer vague answers, hoping to satisfy the other party as much as possible.

The result of doing so is that more and more people believe the old monk is unfathomable, yet they don't understand that an omniscient and all-powerful person simply cannot exist.

We often say that all living beings are equal, and there's no reason a monk should understand more than a layperson. Oftentimes, monks simply view many things more lightly than laypeople."

Xiao Feng smiled and said, "The layperson and the monk are intrinsically different communities. What the layperson values most in gold and silver, the monk disdains. Conversely, laypersons can't comprehend the monk's tranquil mindset."

"Haha, you are indeed different from ordinary people," the Abbot laughed heartily. "It's been a long time since I've met someone so thoughtful as you."

Xiao Feng remained calm, showing no sign of being flattered, and after thinking for a moment, he asked, "The Human Skin Drum, Master, you must have known about its existence for quite some time, right?"

The Abbot bent down to pick up a piece of dead leaf, and replied unhurriedly, "The drum has been here since the monastery was built, and its origins are untraceable. It is only today, after decades, that it was brought out.

This is why I say you are destined with the drum. Everything has a fixed course, and it's meant to be yours."

Xiao Feng furrowed his brows, pondering for a moment before asking again, "Did the master call me out just to chat idly?"

He realized that expecting the other party to initiate a serious conversation might take a long time, so he persisted in asking.

Though Xiao Feng never believed anyone could outperform him in eloquence, when it comes to competing with a monk about who can speak in circles, he had to concede.

Moreover, continuous empty talk would render him purposeless.

After a moment's pause, the Abbot suddenly said, "You must have killed quite a few people..."

Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes and flashed a hint of alertness.

In fact, Xiao Feng didn't find it strange that the other could deduce he had killed.

Because he himself was able to do so, discerning whether someone had killed by observing their instinctual reactions and gauging their approximate level of strength.

What really made him wary was why the seemingly kind Abbot suddenly said such a statement?

"Master, is this a question or a statement?" Xiao Feng asked.

"Don't misunderstand, although our conversation has not been long, it can be concluded that even if you've killed many, you've saved even more."

After a moment's contemplation, the Abbot added, "Even if you haven't saved many now, you will in the future, provided you hold onto your original intent."

"..." Xiao Feng was somewhat at a loss on how to respond.

Was this a survival-seeking tendency in the other's remarks, or did he truly see something?

Reviewing their previous dialogue, it seemed the first possibility prevailed.

After a long silence, the Abbot broke it first, saying, "Actually, I called you out alone because I have a gift for you."

Xiao Feng's eyes brightened, cheerfully saying, "The Master should have said earlier, but what kind of gift does the Master plan to give me?"

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