"Don't be rude to our benefactors!" Monk Huide rebuked them. Then, his expression darkening, he said to Jiang Cheng, "Benefactor, are you sure you saw correctly? The monk who was drinking escaped into this courtyard?"
"I'm sure." Jiang Cheng nodded.
Monk Huide's expression turned grim. "The rules at Chijie Temple have always been strict. If, as you say, some of the monks were drinking in secret, they will be severely punished without exception."
Now Jiang Cheng seemed almost flustered. He hurriedly waved his hands. "Master Huide, that's too serious. It's nothing like that. He was just craving a drink and snuck a few sips. What's that saying? 'Wine and meat pass through the gut, but the Buddha remains in the heart.'"
"Benefactor, this concerns the reputation of our temple. We cannot take it lightly." Monk Huide turned and headed toward the courtyard gate. "Please follow me, both of you. You can bear witness."
That was exactly what the two of them had hoped for. Still, seeing Master Huide's solemn manner, the Fatty couldn't help feeling a little doubtful. And among the monks he'd seen last night, he hadn't seen Huide at all.
At the courtyard gate, the two Martial Monks bowed to Monk Huide. But when they saw Jiang Cheng and the Fatty following behind him, confusion crossed their faces. "Senior Brother Huide, you're..."
"I'm taking these two benefactors inside to have a look." Huide's expression was grave, and he looked to be in poor spirits.
"But..."
"It's fine. I'll explain it to the monk in charge." Huide didn't give the two Martial Monks a chance to object. He walked straight inside.
Jiang Cheng and the Fatty followed Huide into the courtyard. They hadn't gone far before they reached the building from the night before. The instant the Fatty saw