But before the two could compose themselves to speak, a clamor echoed from a distance again, and Zhou Huan instantly recognized it as Wang Qiang returning with his entourage. He was just about to lead Dongzi back into the crevice when it was too late; Wang Qiang’s men had already reached the stone Buddha statue.

“Oh, look at these two beggars. Hurry up, grab them!” Though Wang Qiang’s subordinates were mostly useless drunkards, their speed when running was first-rate; in a few strides, they were upon the pair, seizing Zhou Huan and Dongzi tightly.

Wang Qiang, limping and shaking his head, staggered over to Zhou Huan. “You beggars, where do you think you can run now? Well, look who we caught.” As he spoke, Wang Qiang lifted the crutch in his hand and brought it down upon Zhou Huan’s body—once, twice, three times… Zhou Huan didn't utter a single cry.

“Brother, you’re a real man!” Dongzi, pinned down, still spoke with his usual quick wit. He struggled several times, but to no avail.

This remark instantly infuriated Wang Qiang. He raised his club and struck Dongzi several more times. “A real man, are you? I’ll show you a real man. Men, drag him somewhere else to beat; I’ll deal with this one myself.”

In the span of a breath, Wang Qiang’s men had dragged Dongzi into the woods. All that could be heard were sharp cries of pain, but the bodies were nowhere in sight.

Wang Qiang dropped his crutch, clenched his fists, and drove them into Zhou Huan’s face. Immediately, blood streamed from Zhou Huan’s mouth, followed by a relentless barrage of punches and kicks.

With his hands braced on the ground, pinned by two burly men, Zhou Huan was forced to his knees. His head hung low, and blood dripped steadily from his mouth.

Wang Qiang stepped forward, grabbed a lock of Zhou Huan’s hair, and mocked him, “You beggar, do you still dare use stones against your Lord Qiang?”

Zhou Huan’s heart boiled with rage. Was this what it meant to be rich? Must we beggars, the poor, endure such abuse? He gritted his teeth and spat out fiercely, “Scum like you deserves to be beaten by anyone!”

Wang Qiang, by now truly tired and drenched in foul sweat, slowly backed away. He beckoned two subordinates over. “This kid won’t yield. Come on, let’s use our finishing move and see if he yields then?”

The two subordinates hoisted Wang Qiang onto their shoulders, charged forward, and then threw Wang Qiang high into the air. Wang Qiang used all the strength in his posterior to crash down with a heavy thud directly onto Zhou Huan’s body, pinning him so severely that Zhou Huan couldn't rise.

“Brother Qiang, stop hitting him! He looks finished!”

“It’s fine. Give him some money and tell him to treat his own wounds, hmph!” Then, Wang Qiang leaned close to Zhou Huan’s ear and whispered, “Given how badly you’re hurt today, I’ll spare you. This money is for your medicinal soup. If you die, use it to buy a coffin!” Wang Qiang then let out a burst of maniacal laughter before lazily shouting, “Brothers in the woods, knock off time!” With that, Wang Qiang led his men away from the back mountain and drove off.

Dongzi, emerging from the woods, leaned against a small tree and walked out step by agonizing step. Seeing Zhou Huan collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily, he fought through his own pain and hurried over to Zhou Huan, reaching out to help him up while calling out, “Brother, are you okay?”

“It’s nothing. Help me up!” With Dongzi’s support, Zhou Huan slowly managed to stand. He suppressed the pain as he wiped the bloodstains from his body, then asked Dongzi, “They dragged you into the woods to beat you; are you alright?”

Dongzi stood up straight at this moment and declared clearly, “Brother, we are men. I’m fine. I was standing the whole time they beat me! I didn’t fall down.”

“Is that so? Then you truly are a man!” Zhou Huan felt a wave of contentment for having such a brother.

“However, they did tie me to a tree while beating me,” Dongzi added. Zhou Huan sighed inwardly, looking helplessly at the stack of red bills Wang Qiang had tossed onto the ground. Something seemed to spark in his mind. He picked up the money, folded it neatly, and placed it on the offering table, weighing it down with two apples.

Dongzi was thoroughly confused. “Brother, why don't we take this money? Besides, look at the injuries all over us; shouldn't we use it for treatment?”

“We don’t need money like this. Let’s go down and beg for food. The day after tomorrow, we’ll go to the place the old beggar mentioned and wait for my benefactor.” Zhou Huan, dragging his aching legs and holding back the fury of the beating, walked slowly with Dongzi back toward the temple fair. It was precisely noon, and the temple had opened for the midday meal. Many people were dropping money into the donation box before proceeding to the monks’ refectory for vegetarian fare.

Zhou Huan and Dongzi were penniless but tormented by hunger. They squeezed into the refectory along with the flow of people. Fortunately, even though they hadn't contributed to the offering box, the pious patrons of the temple did not shun them, and the temple cook even prepared two hearty meals for them.

After eating, the two felt a surge of relief throughout their bodies, yet the injuries still subtly grated at their nerves.

“Young men, please come with me to the back courtyard. I have some medicine there; I believe it can help soothe your pain,” an old monk with kind features noticed their wounds and proactively offered treatment.

Dongzi, accustomed to being straightforward, immediately blurted out, “Master, does this cost money? We don’t have any.”

“Haha, you don’t exactly look like you have money. Follow me!”

And so, the two followed the old monk to the back courtyard. The old monk dressed their wounds and gave them oral medicine, allowing them to stay overnight in the temple.

The next day, the monks were up very early. Two young novices in their early teens, sweeping the grounds, saw Zhou Huan and Dongzi and approached them. “Who are you two? Outsiders are not allowed inside today because the temple is holding a scripture lecture.”

“Yesterday, an elder master allowed us to stay here,” Zhou Huan replied politely.

The young monks sized up the pair, then whispered a few words to each other. One then said, “You don’t look like lay residents staying here; you’re dressed too shabbily, looking more like beggars.”

“To be honest, we are indeed beggars,” Dongzi stated bluntly.

The young monk nodded seriously and then continued, “Ah, then that’s right. My master is offering you a clear path now, one that guarantees you food and drink.”

“That sounds wonderful. Tell us, what path is it?” Dongzi was naturally eager to know, but Zhou Huan had already guessed the young monks’ intentions and chuckled quietly to himself from the side.

“Well, if you are willing to shave your heads, we are willing to become your masters.” The young monk then puffed out his chest and said with a swagger, “Taking monastic vows is a very glorious thing…”

“Slap!” A heavy palm struck the top of the young monk’s head. A senior monk appeared behind him, having delivered the blow, and scolded, “You two slackers, not sweeping but gossiping here? Get back to work!”

Outside the temple, the roar of car engines filled the air. A group of people entered the temple gate, carrying a large quantity of offerings.

“Brother, no! We have to go quickly! It’s that bastard Wang Qiang!” Dongzi’s eyesight was sharp; he grabbed Zhou Huan and bolted toward the back courtyard. The monk who had just reprimanded the novices pointed toward the rear: “There is a side gate in the back courtyard that leads down the mountain!” The two fled down the mountain without hesitation.

Once down the mountain, Zhou Huan remained deeply unsettled. Not only had he been beaten by a foolish rich second-generation brat, but now he had to flee from him like a mouse seeing a cat. He felt a profound sense of discomfort.

Zhou Huan spoke to himself in his heart: I don’t seek immense wealth or towering power, but I must make the rich bow down. I must become a true Master of Longevity and reclaim the splendor of my past life!