Chapter 116: 116, Seventy-two transformations (Tenth update, requesting monthly votes!)

Just moments ago, Ren Xiaosu had vehemently denied being the master that Chen Wudi claimed him to be, and yet, in the blink of an eye, the two had begun enacting a scene of profound master-disciple affection.

Yan Liyuan and Wang Fugui stood frozen, watching Ren Xiaosu produce a small porcelain vial. Wang Fugui inhaled sharply—Ren Xiaosu had once refused to part with this medicinal treasure even for a favor, insisting on no discounts whatsoever.

And now, Ren Xiaosu was willing to offer it freely to Chen Wudi!

Was this still the same Ren Xiaosu?

Yet only Ren Xiaosu knew that this delusional disorder patient, Chen Wudi, who harbored fantasies of vanquishing demons and upholding justice, might one day become his ultimate tool for accumulating gratitude coins.

In truth, Ren Xiaosu had ulterior motives in exploiting Chen Wudi, but as he gazed into the latter’s earnest eyes, he felt an unexpected pang of emotion. He sighed and turned to Wang Fugui.

Before Wang Fugui could recover from his shock, Ren Xiaosu spoke: “Bajie, fetch some food for your elder brother…”

Wang Fugui: “?!?!”

Had the world gone mad? Wang Fugui felt the very fabric of reality had unraveled!

Yet despite his thoughts, Wang Fugui obediently produced a steamed bun and handed it to Chen Wudi.

“Thank you, Master!” Chen Wudi snatched the bun and shoved it into his mouth—he was truly starving!

“A gratitude from Chen Wudi, +1!”

The palace would not err; this was a sincere offering.

Watching Chen Wudi devour the food ravenously, Ren Xiaosu suddenly sensed, in a fleeting instant, that this master-disciple bond was not entirely unpleasant…

At that moment, Chen Wudi looked up: “Master, I’m still hungry.”

Ren Xiaosu mused that this disciple was quite capable, though a bit gluttonous…

He paused, then said, “Disciple, do you know what alms collection means?”

“I do!” Chen Wudi nodded.

“I’ll point you to a few people—go gather some vegetarian meals for us…” With that, Ren Xiaosu indicated several refugees, all of whom had been close allies of Wang Yiheng at the quarry. He knew these men had hoarded food during their raids.

“Yes, Master!” Chen Wudi hoisted his golden cudgel and set off. The refugees nearly wet themselves on the spot—Wang Yiheng still lay wailing on the ground!

Was this alms collection? Everyone’s methods were the same—why was theirs robbery, while yours was alms?

They exchanged glances with Wang Yiheng and promptly surrendered all their provisions. When Chen Wudi returned, he bore a heaping pile—chocolates, crackers—his face beaming with pride as he presented them to Ren Xiaosu: “Master, for you.”

Ren Xiaosu shook his head: “These are yours. Keep them for yourself.”

Honestly, Ren Xiaosu felt too guilty to take Chen Wudi’s things by force. Bullying others posed no moral qualms, but somehow, when it came to the burly Chen Wudi, a sense of culpability lingered…

Perhaps this was Chen Wudi’s peculiar gift…

Several adolescent girls from the second line of the ramparts gazed at Chen Wudi with admiration. To be fair, Chen Wudi was quite handsome, and having just struck down a villain, he seemed every inch the hero—save for the unsightly patient gown he wore.

The girls stole glances at him, their hearts stirred by the stirrings of youth. In this chaotic world, anyone who could offer them a semblance of safety would win their instant favor.

Only Jiang Wu’s gaze remained fixed on Ren Xiaosu. She suddenly realized he might not be a good man, but neither was he a wicked one.

After the brief upheaval, all returned to calm. They desperately needed rest, for tomorrow they would journey again.

Ren Xiaosu found it peculiar—the refugees had plundered much from the rampart people. Previously, one could argue that all feared Wang Yiheng’s gun, hence their silence.

But now, Wang Yiheng was dead, and the weapon lay in Wang Fugui’s hands. Logically, the rampart people should have retaliated, reclaiming their stolen goods. Yet Ren Xiaosu observed that these refugees still dared not provoke conflict.

Originally, their group had five around the bonfire, but now it had inexplicably grown to six.

Chen Wudi continued to gnaw noisily, clearly having starved for days.

Ren Xiaosu suddenly asked, “I’ve heard the Great Sage Equalling Heaven can transform in seventy-two ways, even pluck a hair from his head to summon a monkey clan. Since you’re the Great Sage, can you do such things?”

“I cannot,” Chen Wudi candidly admitted his shortcomings. “Perhaps my reincarnation was too recent; I’ve yet to awaken other abilities.”

“Have you tried?” Ren Xiaosu inquired curiously.

“I have. It didn’t work,” Chen Wudi replied earnestly.

At that moment, Ren Xiaosu glanced over and noticed a small bald patch behind Chen Wudi’s right ear…

So he had indeed attempted it.

For reasons unknown, Ren Xiaosu lately felt that every supernatural ability bore some connection to mental willpower.

Take his own mysterious “mental power” stat—still shrouded in ambiguity.

Or how Xu Xuanchu’s shadow combat prowess directly correlated with mental strength.

Chen Wudi was even more evident: deluding himself as the Great Sage, he had manifested the Ruyi Jingu Bang, and his physical prowess steadily approached the inhuman.

Now Ren Xiaosu wondered—might many delusional patients, like Chen Wudi, have become supernatural beings?

What of those with persecutory delusions? How tragic—newly transformed, only to imagine enemies who would slay them!

Of course, Ren Xiaosu deemed this implausible. Not every madman possessed formidable mental power.

As he pondered, several female refugees approached Jiang Wu, asking, “May we borrow fire?”

Ren Xiaosu turned to see women of varying ages seeking flames from the approachable teacher Jiang Wu rather than himself. Likely, they feared he might demand something improper?

Ren Xiaosu bristled—Who did they take him for? A starving brute? And you, Madam, in your fifties—why that wary glance?

Yet Jiang Wu did not answer directly but looked toward Ren Xiaosu’s group and asked, “Is this fire borrowed from your side? Do you consent to lend it to them?”

“Lend it,” Ren Xiaosu said, glancing at the women. He wasn’t petty enough to quarrel with them over such matters. Jiang Wu’s response surprised him.

The women thanked Ren Xiaosu profusely, quickly kindling their firewood before departing. Once more, he earned three gratitude coins.