I was a charlatan in India

"Thirty percent!"

Another merchant screamed, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Even the young Black man who was rubbing the doctor's back stopped what he was doing.

The merchant had a long scar on his chest, which looked like a knife wound.

"Tsk tsk, His Majesty Ashoka promoted Bodhidharma, wasn't he supposed to be reducing taxes and levies and carrying out charitable deeds?"

A thinner businessman, stroking his wet beard, also came over.

"His Majesty is His Majesty, and those below are those below."

The round-faced merchant muttered, "Everyone says His Majesty's intentions were good, but they were ruined by execution."

"But without his tacit approval, how could those monk thieves have been so rampant..."

"Shh! Don't say that!"

The thin merchant shrank his neck, quickly looked around, and then cautiously spoke again.

"His Majesty's mind is now focused on those monks. We who worship the old gods are just grateful if we can avoid some trouble."

The round-faced merchant sighed and splashed a handful of water on his face.

"In this world... business is tough, and even worshipping gods and Buddhas is difficult."

"That stupid woman in my family goes to the pagoda to offer flowers every day. I told her that we worship the Great Deity in our family, but she said that I am unenlightened and cannot keep up with the true Dharma."

"Tsk tsk, when did these monks and nuns become the true Dharma!"

Have the opportunity!

The doctor's heart skipped a beat.

This is a good topic; I can obviously get involved.

But he didn't try too hard, continuing to keep his eyes closed, as if talking to himself.

"I think the true Dharma can be the Great Heaven, or it can be the Buddha's teachings, or there may be no difference between them."

These words were certainly not his own understanding; they were entirely taught to him by Shenhe.

Fortunately, the doctor was very quick-witted; he could remember it after hearing it once and understand it after hearing it twice.

Honestly, if it weren't for his caste, he might have actually made a name for himself.

Upon hearing the doctor's words, the three businessmen stopped their conversation and turned their attention to this unfamiliar colleague.

This is somewhat blasphemous, whether directed at Shiva devotees or monks.

Their gaze swept over the doctor's thin, bony body; in just one glance, they could tell that this man wasn't doing so well.

But it doesn't matter. It's just casual conversation, not a business discussion. Listening to a few words of nonsense won't hurt.

Only the scarred merchant frowned slightly.

He was a devout believer in God, and these words sounded extremely harsh.

The doctor seemed to realize he had disturbed the three of them. He opened his eyes, smiled apologetically at them, and made a simple gesture with one hand in front of his chest.

This posture was taught to him by Shenhe, who referenced Agni's movements.

Upon seeing this, the others were filled with awe and respect.

So he was an ascetic!

That explains his emaciated appearance!

Disrespect, disrespect!

The businessman with the scar on his chest even stood up.

In fact, he had tried ascetic practices, but after only one cut, he was in so much pain that he grimaced and never dared to do those fancy tricks again.

As for why ascetics take baths...

In fact, different social classes have different views on asceticism.

It's perfectly normal for low-class lunatics like Agni, and some reclusive fanatics, to do whatever they want.

Prying off fingernails, tearing skin, sticking bamboo sticks into fingernail crevices to kick stones... and even more outrageous things, some people do them too.

For Brahmins like Mina, or some Kshatriyas, asceticism is a completely different story.

In their view, they are already being quite generous by kneeling in devout worship every day, adhering to morality, and not using their wealth and power to bully others.

In short, suffering is not being able to enjoy the life that one's caste is entitled to.

However, judging from the feedback on Shenhe's arduous cultivation, it is actually a completely different matter.

Only by truly and honestly humiliating oneself can one provide the gods with the power of asceticism.

Of course, whether this power will be used on you or not is none of your concern.

The doctor plays the role of a Vaishya.

For the Vaishyas, what is asceticism if not eating properly and making their bodies look like Dalits?

Of course, there are also ruthless types like the scarred merchant, who are so vicious that they'd actually stab themselves in the back.

Even Agni didn't do such a wicked thing.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have lived to see the arrival of Shenhe; he would have died from infection long ago.

Fortunately, the scarred businessman had some money and was able to access certain medical care, which is why he's still alive.

Therefore, he is the most ruthless person in this pool.

However, he clearly lacked this awareness and was currently looking at the doctor with great admiration.

That senior practitioner who has practiced asceticism is truly ruthless!

The doctor turned his head and struck up a conversation.

"Excuse me, everyone, I was just moved by your casual conversation, which is why I spoke up."

"I came from the Kingdom of Chola a few days ago. I heard some rumors on the way and have been pondering them. I just found the answer."

All three pricked up their ears, eager to hear what insightful opinions this ascetic had to offer.

"Rumors? Tell me quickly, what rumors?"

The lean businessman was even more impatient and urged them on.

Traveling merchants love all kinds of news, whether it's about business or strange tales.

You never know, a casual remark could bring you a windfall.

The doctor looked around, shifted his body slightly, and lowered his voice, clearly sharing a secret.

"You might have heard the news too. Recently, there's been a lot of talk in the western caravans about something concerning the Great Heaven."

The scarred businessman's expression instantly turned serious.

Although he did not persist in asceticism, it did not prevent him from being a believer of the Great Heaven, and he naturally valued the information from the Great Heaven.

Moreover, this news came from a devout ascetic!

The skinny merchant rolled his sly eyes: "Great Heavens? They spread this even in those Buddha's territories?"

He doesn't believe in the heavens, much less in Buddha.

However, as businessmen, they still maintain basic respect for local beliefs in order to make a fortune from believers.

"That's why it's strange."

The doctor's eyes revealed a mixture of awe and confusion.

"It is said that a wise elder interpreted the prophecy and discovered that this era of Bodhidharma's rise was also within the arrangement of our great Heaven!"

Upon hearing this, the scarred merchant's eyes lit up.

He had long wondered why the omnipotent Great Heaven was gradually declining, and instead a group of monks and thieves became the state religion!

So he focused even more intently, waiting for the doctor to continue speaking.

The doctor spoke calmly and deliberately.

"It is said that the Great Heaven had foreseen this long ago and had already made arrangements."

"Now, he has sent his close associates to be reincarnated and brought to Varanasi to experience the Dharma, with the aim of connecting the current state religion with the true Dharma."

"Therefore, the current flourishing of Buddhism is not necessarily a bad thing."

"Heaven has already arranged everything, but we believers are not enlightened enough to see through it."

As he spoke, he sighed softly, as if he were very annoyed by his own dullness.

The scarred merchant nodded slightly.

The doctor paused, then lowered his voice even further.

"I came all this way after hearing these reports, hoping to have a chance to make a pilgrimage."

"This great opportunity, like gold in the Ganges, is reserved only for those who are destined to receive it."

"But if we don't make an effort to pursue it, we might not be able to grasp it even if it's right in front of us."

"Of course, this effort must also be a trial arranged by the heavens. All I have to do is to carry out his will, nothing more."

The thin businessman's eyes lit up.

He's already seen the business opportunity!

If this rumor is true... no, it doesn't matter if it's true or not!

It's accepted by so many people, and as long as you prepare in advance, you can definitely make a fortune!

Believe it or not, this was truly a stroke of luck bestowed by heaven, and I just happened to overhear it!

The scarred merchant and the round-faced merchant exchanged a glance.

Both were believers in the Great Heaven and had known each other for a long time, but they only believed the doctor's words to a certain extent.

But similarly, they can all see the business opportunities within it.

After all, this nonsense came from a marketing manager, so it naturally fits the logic of a businessman the most.

After a moment's hesitation, the round-faced merchant tentatively asked.

"That sounds far-fetched. It's probably just some temple that's short on cash and made this up to scam people, isn't it?"

This is not disrespectful.

Since I have this question, it must be the arrangement of Heaven.

The doctor remained calm and did not deny it, but simply shook his head and incited the crowd.

"At first, I thought so too. Heaven controls the true Dharma, so why would it look down on Buddhism?"

"But think about it carefully, without the will of the Great Heaven, how could these monks and nuns have reached their current status?"

"Moreover, the stories told by caravans from different places along the way are all similar."

"and……"

The doctor paused abruptly, then lowered his voice again, almost to the point of breath.

All three held their breath, waiting for him to continue.