Chen Long said with a bitter smile, “Actually, I’m working undercover. My friend, Cheng Hao, who is also the one leading Master… Uh, Master, where’s my friend? There’s no way he will let you leave, right?”

“Don’t worry. I knocked him out when I came out.”

Chen Long knew that the two new apprentices had learned of the rules from Li Qing. “But it’s been so long…”

Fangzheng said, “Don’t worry. This Penniless Monk went back for another trip and he fell asleep again.”

Chen Long was instantly dumbfounded… From Fangzheng’s expression, was that sleep? He was likely knocked out again.

Chen Long began to pity Cheng Hao, but he wasn’t angry. Instead, he was very grateful to Fangzheng.

After all, Fangzheng was here to save him.

Chen Long said, “I said I’m here undercover. Cheng Hao is a partner at my company. He’s a very good person. He’s usually honest and willing to take hardship. Later, I found out that he had gone missing for a while. He worried me greatly and his wife was awash with tears every day. It was only half a month later that Cheng Hao returned.

“We thought everything was fine after he returned.

“But when he returned, he told me that he planned on withdrawing his stake and planning on selling all his shares. He needed money urgently.

“I didn’t know why he was in such a hurry, so I asked him, but he refused to say anything.

“Since Cheng Hao insisted on selling it, I had no choice but to buy back his shares.

“You might not know, but my company has been on the rise for the past year and is improving every day. Many people are optimistic about its future.

“I had no idea why he would do this.

“Later on, his wife found me and said that Cheng Hao wanted to sell the house. He even wanted to sell the house he saved so hard to buy for his children’s education and matrimonial home!

“More importantly, his wife did not know what he wanted to do selling those houses!

“No one in the family was sick, and no one was in trouble. Everything was fine, there was no need to go through so much trouble.

“At the same time, she realized that all the money at home had been taken by Cheng Hao.

“Once, she had gone grocery shopping without any money. She asked Cheng Hao for money, but he didn’t have a single cent!

“When I heard about it, I instantly felt that something was off.

“I immediately asked Cheng Hao about the situation. Unfortunately, Cheng Hao didn’t say anything and directly asked, ‘Do you believe that there is a god in the world?’”

With that said, Chen Long said helplessly, “If it were anyone else they might say no. But since I’ve seen your means, I naturally believe in one. Therefore, I nodded…”

Fangzheng said, “He treated you as one of his own and led you here?”

Chen Long nodded and said, “Yes, he said that everything he does is inexplicable. If I wanted to figure it out why, I needed to come with him, so I came. I never expected that the moment I came, I would be detained. Then, I was brainwashed by these people daily. However, I’m quite puzzled. Just as I’m about to break down from their brainwashing every time, I would always hear the gongs of One Finger Monastery. Their brainwashing seemed like nothing before the drumming!

“When the bell rang, all my frustrations were gone.

“Besides, once my brain became clear, I could subconsciously look deep within myself. Then I understood my intention for coming here. All my confusion disappeared. However, to trick them, I pretended to be like them, waiting for graduation before I report them.

“Speaking of which, I have to thank you, Master, for this matter. If it wasn’t for the bell and drum, I would have become just like them, completely lost.

“I might even become like Cheng Hao. A perfectly nice family completely ruined.”

Fangzheng said, “What did Patron Cheng Hao do with the money? Was he really that short of money?”

When Chen Long heard this, he let out a long sigh and said, “How is he lacking in money? The one that’s truly lacking money is this cult. Although this cult says that it doesn’t accept a single cent, it actually wants to swallow people whole!”

Red Boy asked, “Why do you say that?”

Chen Long said, “They didn’t charge you for anything and tricked you into coming in. Then they brainwash you every day to pray. Over time, you end up really believing their nonsense—that the world would be destroyed and there would really be a giant Pleiadian spaceship that would take you away. Then, they would mention that certain activities require funds, and they wouldn’t ask you directly for it either. But since people have been brainwashed into devout believers, they will naturally offer everything they have. They even offer it out happily, afraid that the sect wouldn’t want it!

“In their words, the world is about to be destroyed. What’s the use of keeping money? Of course, it’s best used to save humanity and create the future.”

Red Boy covered his face and said, “These fools…”

Fangzheng stroked Red Boy’s head and said, “They aren’t fools. It’s just like This Penniless Monk said a long ago that there are many people in the world, but there aren’t many people with their own thoughts and ability to think.

“Everyone thinks that they are unique individuals. In reality, they had been pinched like plasticine since they were young. However, there are some who are modeled in the right direction, while others are in the wrong.

“When you were just born, your parents molded you and severed your imagination. They make you carry a schoolbag.

“When you’re older, the teacher molds you, teaching you wisdom and benevolence.

“Upon entering society, society doesn’t mold, but directly squeezes you. Everyone, with distinct edges and characteristics, would be squeezed into a lump, a ball.”

With that said, Fangzheng continued, “When you were born, you were like colorful plasticine. You can make up any kind of combination and be extremely beautiful. But when you mix all the colors together and squeeze them into a lump… Do you know what color it is?”

Red Boy said matter-of-factly, “Wouldn’t it have all the colors?”

Chen Long shook his head and said, “You must have never played with plasticine before. When real plasticine is mixed together, the final color will definitely be black! It’s a black ball. All colors are gone. All of them will be one and the same—a black plasticine ball!”

Fangzheng nodded and said, “That’s right. If you can’t withstand the temptation of society and become a non-unique black ball of plasticine, you will lose your unique characteristics. To be precise, you are just a human robot that was duplicated by society because of certain needs through various means. All your actions and actions have been restrained by the world. What you imagine as independence is actually a fixed path. Furthermore, you will continue walking until the day of death.

“In fact, even death is designated ahead of time…”

Red Boy said with a look of horror, “Oh my god, Master, the society you mentioned is like a great demon! It’s even more powerful than us!”

Fangzheng shook his head. “Human society is not a demon. It is only a manifestation of the law of survival. In order to survive or for certain goals, people put down their true intentions and abide by society. While gaining something, they also gradually lose their true intentions.”