NOVPUBSeeing Wu Bin shine a flashlight on the Maitreya Buddha, the netizens in the live stream were all puzzled.
"What’s he doing with the flashlight? Can you really see anything with it?"
"Even though I’ve always been a supporter of Brother Wu, this time I think he’s made a mistake. I don’t see anything wrong with this Maitreya Buddha; it looks rather kind and friendly. Where’s this so-called murderous aura coming from?"
"I also think Brother Wu might have made a mistake, look, the Maitreya Buddha is even smiling. Can anyone manage to give off a murderous vibe while wearing a full-face smile? Clearly, that’s impossible."
Although they didn’t know what Wu Bin was looking for, the netizens all felt that he must have made a mistake and were convinced that he was about to lose the twenty thousand yuan.
But Wu Bin didn’t offer any explanation, only continuing to shine the flashlight on the Maitreya Buddha.
Soon, the shadow of the Maitreya Buddha was cast on the white wall behind it.
At first, nobody thought there was anything wrong with the shadow, as it was just the normal shadow one would expect from an illuminated object.
However, as Wu Bin slightly adjusted the angle and direction of the flashlight’s beam, everyone was immediately drenched in a cold sweat!
When Wu Bin shone the flashlight from the side, the shadow of the Maitreya Buddha became eerily distorted!
The hand of the Maitreya Buddha that held the lotus was transformed into the shadow of a raised spear!
And the honest and simple image of the Maitreya Buddha, under the shadow, turned into the visage of a ferocious evil spirit!
The netizens in the live stream were scared stiff upon seeing this scene.
"You’ve got to be joking, right? Is this what Brother Wu meant by ’full of murderous intent’?"
"Awesome, that’s really incredible. This makes me wonder how Brother Wu figured it out in the first place. Did he perhaps open his ’Heavenly Eye’?"
"Don’t worry about whether Brother Wu has ’opened his Heavenly Eye’ or not. Just talk about whether this Maitreya Buddha seems excessively murderous. Where are those who earlier questioned Brother Wu? Come out and apologise!"
Not only the netizens in the live stream, but even Song Bing could not help throwing up a thumbs-up to Wu Bin, his eyes filled with disbelief and admiration.
"Old Wu, you’re really something else. Do you have the eyes of a clairvoyant?"
Wu Bin did not respond to Song Bing’s words, but turned to Wan Xiu and said, "Now that I’ve proven that your Maitreya Buddha indeed exudes an excessive murderous intent, is our bet still on?"
Upon hearing Wu Bin’s question, Wan Xiu went silent and did not immediately reply.
The netizens in the live stream immediately became disgruntled.
"What’s the meaning of this? Does he not want to accept the bet after losing?"
"You’re thinking too much, brother. Didn’t I tell you before? For artisans, each of their creations is like their own child; how could they possibly bring themselves to personally ’kill’ their own child?"
"Then your words are problematic from the start. If he values this wood carving so much, he should not have bet with Brother Wu in the first place. Now that he’s lost and won’t accept the defeat, isn’t this simply being a sore loser?"
"Exactly, I used to think he was a craftsman and held some respect for him. But now I realize I was blind to admire him. Artisans have their principles and character; someone like him doesn’t deserve to be called an artisan!"
Seeing the awkward atmosphere at the scene, Yao Lin quickly intervened to smooth things over, saying, "Young brother, look at you, Master Wan was just joking with you a moment ago. Why did you take it so seriously?"
"Everyone in our factory knows that no matter what kind of wood it is, as long as it passed through Master Wan’s hands, it will eventually be carved into a masterpiece."
"Besides, this thing about murderous aura or not is too metaphysical. Where does murderous aura come from in this world? Your shadow projects different shapes on the wall at different angles. You can’t really say that the Maitreya Buddha has a murderous aura, right? That’s too childish."
"If you ask me, today we’re all meeting for the first time. Let’s consider it an introduction, and from now on we are friends. Since we’re friends, let’s treat that little incident as a joke, and not overthink it. Why don’t both parties take a step back, how about that?"
Though Yao Lin seemed to be just a security guard at the factory, it had to be said that his way of handling the situation was quite impressive.
He managed not to offend either side and gave both parties a way to step down gracefully.
It was at that moment that Wan Xiu suddenly laughed, a laugh filled with significant meaning.
Wan Xiu said to Wu Bin, "To be able to view the Maitreya Buddha I carved from such an angle, you really are a connoisseur."
"But since you’re an expert, you should understand the rules of our trade. I can destroy this Maitreya Buddha, but if I do so, can you bear the consequences?"
Wu Bin always felt that Wan Xiu’s words had an underlying message.
However, before Wu Bin could inquire about the nature of the consequences, Tang Hao, who had been standing to the side, couldn’t stand it any longer and interjected, "Alright, the bet made just now was all in good fun and doesn’t count for anything serious. Let’s stop this matter here. It’s getting late, so let’s head back and not disturb Master Wan from continuing his work."
As Wan Xiu was a top craftsman in their own factory, Tang Hao didn’t need to think to know which side he would stand on.
Under the leadership of Tang Hao, Wu Bin and the others left the factory.
Tang Hao and Yao Lin walked at the front, apparently talking about something.
Song Bing deliberately slowed down to walk beside Wu Bin.
"Old Wu, I’m sorry. This factory isn’t under my control yet, so I couldn’t weigh in on the situation just now. But rest assured, I decided during your bet with Master Wan that even if you lost, I would stand by you. You’re my best brother, after all," Song Bing said.
Having spent some time together, Wu Bin had a preliminary understanding of Song Bing and knew he was loyal.
Wu Bin patted Song Bing on the shoulder and said, "I know what you mean, but you have to have confidence in me too. Look, I didn’t lose, did I?"
Song Bing chuckled, indicating that he always had confidence in Wu Bin.
After all, if Wu Bin wasn’t sure about something, he definitely wouldn’t bet on it.
Song Bing then asked with curiosity, "But Old Wu, tell it to me straight, why did you have to make that bet with Master Wan? It doesn’t seem like it benefits you at all."
"Could it be that there’s something wrong with that Buddha statue?"
Song Bing also knew Wu Bin’s character well. He was aware that if it weren’t for some special reason, Wu Bin wouldn’t have asked Wan Xiu to destroy the Maitreya Buddha even if he didn’t like it.
Before Wu Bin could respond, Zhu Ling, who was standing by, spoke up.
"That Maitreya Buddha may very well be a ’Blood Maitreya.’"
