Looking at Han Mo's nonchalant demeanor, the old monk was at his wit's end.
"Master, I don't understand what you're saying. I merely wrote a story, and it was leaked by those unscrupulous merchants. Why does it sound like I've committed grave sins?"
Han Mo paid no mind to the old man's accusations, speaking with righteous indignation.
"As expected, you're eloquent. With just a few words, you've absolved yourself of all sin. I wonder how this karmic debt will be repaid by young master in the future?"
Seeing the old monk's exasperation, Han Mo became even more relaxed.
"Master, are you threatening me? Don't forget, I'm an official of the court, no matter how you look at it. Are you planning to subject me to private torture?"
Han Mo wasn't afraid of Wang Fu or Cai Jing, let alone an unarmed old monk.
"If the laws of the court cannot punish young master's crimes, then what about the clear ways of heaven? Are you not afraid of what happens after your death?"
"We'll talk about what happens after death when we get there. Have you died before, Master?"
Such words might frighten fanatical believers, but for Han Mo, they were hardly convincing.
"You!"
"What about me? Master, are you perhaps going to tell me I'm burdened with sin and will go to the eighteen layers of hell after I die?"
Before the old monk could finish, Han Mo retorted.
"You have disrupted the eternal affairs of Buddhism. Should you not descend into the eighteen layers of hell!"
As Monk Daojian spoke, he fixed his gaze on Han Mo, his eyes conveying a desire to devour him.
"If I deserve to go to the eighteen layers of hell for writing a story, then what about you monks? You take the oil money donated by pious men and women to the Buddha, and what do you do with it? You hoard goods during times of disaster, stoop to any level for profit. The incense money in the Xiangji Kitchen is now used to run pawn shops!"
"Master, do you know who has been the biggest moneylender in Bianliang City since the founding of our Great Song Dynasty?"
"Never mind those far away. Go back and look at the account books of the Grand Xiangguo Temple. See how much land you've bought over the years, how many fields, how much ill-gotten money you've made, and how many devout believers you've driven to their deaths!"
"When you've understood all this, then come and talk to me about going to hell after death!"
Seeing the coldness in Han Mo's eyes, even the old monk Daojian was thoroughly intimidated.
Having been a leader in Buddhism for so many years, he was well aware of what his disciples were doing. However, such practices had been around for a long time, and it was simply impossible for him to stop them all.
"But Buddhism is vast. Even if there are some unworthy disciples, are you going to generalize and draw conclusions from a small sample?"
Although the old monk was still outwardly defiant, his tone had clearly softened.
"If you are here tonight to discuss this matter, then you can get out of the carriage now. Furthermore, I am not interested in such things. Those Taoists are not good people, but you monks are hardly any better!"
Seeing that the old man still intended to gain the upper hand, Han Mo unleashed his trump card.
In truth, he had understood from the beginning that the old man's anger was three parts real and seven parts feigned.
He merely wanted to find an excuse to intimidate Han Mo first, and then gain the upper hand in the subsequent negotiations.
"Hearing young master say this, it seems you do not have a good impression of those Taoists..."
Indeed, as soon as Han Mo played his trump card, the old monk's expression immediately relaxed considerably. He even managed to force a somewhat stiff smile onto his face.
"Whether I have a good impression of them or not is irrelevant to this matter. Master, since you are here to do business, you should act like someone doing business!"
Hearing the old monk's words, Han Mo immediately understood that he held the initiative in this negotiation. Whether to advance or retreat was entirely up to him.
"As expected of a young hero. I had heard that the Han family produced an extraordinary young talent. Seeing you today, it is indeed extraordinary!"
Since the outcome of the confrontation was clear, the old monk's smile quickly turned into a pleasant one.
"Master flatters me!"
"Since the previous matter was not your intention, might we cooperate on the next step?"
Listening to the voices from inside the carriage, even Xu Fengnian, who was driving in front, couldn't help but spit.
This old monk was too shameless!
He had just been accusing Han Mo of going to hell after death, but now he wanted to cooperate with Han Mo. Wasn't that slapping himself in the face?
"No, no, no, Master, you misunderstand. Han has never intended to cooperate with anyone. It's just that I happen to have half a storybook left, and I'm currently in need of a buyer!"
"A buyer?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Daojian couldn't help but tremble.
Judging by Han Mo's demeanor, this fellow was clearly premeditating.
He didn't even need to ask for the price. Just based on the setup here, it would be a miracle if this boy didn't demand an exorbitant sum.
"What? Master, are you not interested? The one in the Shenxiao Palace is practically begging for this thing right now!"
Han Mo said with a chuckle.
After hearing Han Mo's words, the old monk's face turned dark. This boy was clearly doing this on purpose.
However, he had to admit that what Han Mo said was the truth.
Although Lin Ling Su was not yet aware of their conspiracy, Lin Ling Su would undoubtedly be eager to do anything that was detrimental to them.
Furthermore, for something that could disgust them by spending a little money, that fellow would probably not even hesitate.
"No, no, no. This old monk just feels that it's a bit too hot tonight, too hot..."
"In that case, may I ask how much Master is willing to pay?"
Looking at the old monk's embarrassed expression, Han Mo said with a chuckle.
"How can Buddhism have wealth? All this money is donated by the pious men and women of the world. How about this: just name your price, and this old monk will give a counter-offer?"