The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

“I know Dongliang Village. The few healthy men you see are the ones left. Most of them have left the village for work. Look, there are more children than adults. This is a village that only the old and very young live in. The children have it tough. It’s not easy for the parents either. Sigh…”

“The able ones in the village leave for work. It’s tough on them too. Being uneducated, they have to do laborious jobs that pay little. They have to scrimp and won’t have much money left.”

“Sigh, I’ll do my part by donating. Here’s a tip!”

…

Fangzheng saw the chat messages too since Jing Yan immediately took out her cell phone and searched for the streaming chat room. Indeed, these people were very famous. Their stream was plastered across the streaming site’s main page! They saw it at a glance.

Fangzheng sighed when he saw the comments. He originally thought that his situation was abject enough but compared to the children, he was considered to be leading quite a blissful life. Although he did not have parents, he had Zen Master One Finger and the villagers of One Finger Village. They had always treated him as one of their own. Despite being a naughty child growing up that was often punished, he did not lack love. Although life on the mountain was bad, it did not reach the point of starvation…

“Patron, what they are doing is quite good, isn’t it?” asked Fangzheng.

Jing Yan said, “Keep watching.”

Fangzheng nodded and did not say a word.

At that moment, the camera quickly swept over. The person stopped immediately and knitted his brows. He signaled to another man with his eyes.

The other man walked over and handed a cigarette to Fangzheng and Jing Yan.

Fangzheng pressed his palms together and gave a Buddhist proclamation, “Amitabha. Patron, This Penniless Monk does not smoke. Thank you.”

Jing Yan shook her head as well.

The man took back the cigarette, “Brother, we need to use this area. Can you help us by making way?”

Jing Yan frowned, “You guys work on your charity. Why do you care about us?”

“Hey! Woman, you are quite an interesting one. I came here to negotiate with you politely, so why can’t you make way? We are here to do charity and so are you. Aren’t you done giving out your stuff? If you are done leave quickly. What are you staying here for? Lunch?” said the man as he puffed up his chest and stepped closer to her.

Jing Yan was not intimidated. Her temper flared up, “I am eating my lunch here. What do you plan on doing?”

The man was about to say something when Fangzheng tugged at Jing Yan and smiled, “Amitabha. Patron, in that case, we won’t be disturbing you any further. We will leave immediately…”

“Venerable One, what are you doing? Why are you afraid of them? They infuriate me, I’ll let them know what they are up against!” Jing Yan was incensed when she saw how much of a coward Fangzheng was being. Where was the bravery he exuded when he grabbed the wolf with his bare hands? Why did he shrink back against the evil man?

Fangzheng chuckled, “Female Patron, what’s the rush? Look…”

Jing Yan looked up and saw that the fierce-looking man was standing there with a smile on his face. He said, “The woman is quite pretty but her temper sucks. At least that lascivious monk knew better and left without me needing to do anything. He’s such a wuss but he was able to hit on that babe… Being a monk is indeed a lucrative career.”

With that said, the man turned and walked away as though he could not see Fangzheng and Jing Yan.

The other blondies were the same.

Jing Yan looked at Fangzheng as though she had seen a ghost. “Venerable One, what’s… going on?”

Fangzheng smiled, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Amitabha. It’s just a little trick. Alright. We shall just watch here quietly. This Penniless Monk is curious as well. These people are filled with such bloodlust. They do not look like people who have repented. Why would they be doing charity? Furthermore, they are doing charity with great fanfare… From what they say, this is not the first time either. Why do I not sense any kindness from them?”

Although Fangzheng said that he had used a little trick, Jing Yan still looked like she had seen a ghost. Thinking back to the video from yesterday, she understood. She sighed inwardly and thought to herself, “From the looks of it, the crossing the river on a reed was real.”

“This is the reason I came. This is not the first time these people have come to Dongliang Village. They have done outrageous things but as there’s a lack of evidence, no one knows if the rumors are true or false.”

“Patron, you came to investigate this matter?”

Jing Yan nodded and took out her cell phone to record the situation. She answered, “I wish the rumors are false. If not… these people deserve death!”

Fangzheng asked out of curiosity, “What rumors?”

Jing Yan shook her head, “Venerable Fangzheng, do you remember what I said to you when we were coming? Now that we are in the village, take a look yourself. I believe the answer will soon be revealed.”

Fangzheng looked baffled. What was it that she had to be so mysterious about?

When the blondies saw that the hindrances were gone, they continued their live streaming.

Especially the short man. He spoke eloquently and convincingly. Most importantly, whenever anyone gave a tip, he would take out money to give to the villagers. He would give them regardless if they wanted it! There were two men following him with money in their hands. They continuously handed the short man cash.

This scene was not about helping the poor. It looked more like the rich throwing their wealth away.

The live stream chat room became lively as well.

“They are really handing out money?”

“Actual cash?”

“Charity should be done like this. Direct and right to the point! By giving money from person to person, it’s simple and crude but there won’t be any problems!”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! That’s how it should be done!”

“I don’t care anymore. Sending tips first!”

“Let’s keep tipping!”

“For charity, for the children, I’m tipping a Rocket!”

…

Fangzheng and Jing Yan watched what was happening in the chat room and felt a sense of warmth. The world was still filled with many good people. Jing Yan’s expression turned increasingly somber. Fangzheng also began to feel perplexed. He thought to himself, “What’s she worried about? There are so many people watching and they are handing out real cash. What could be fake about it? Could it be menopause… What a pity. She’s still so young. She is aging prematurely.”

“Everyone look! How much you tip will be given out! Of course, we have to leave some for us. It’s not a lot. Just two hundred yuan, enough for our meals and gasoline. I believe everyone wouldn’t mind, right?” said the short man.

“Two hundred? That’s not a lot.”

“That’s generous. It works!”

“Two hundred really isn’t a lot. Five people for just that bit of money? That’s generous!”

“I really thought the wrong things of them. I thought these blondies were up to no good. From the looks of it, one really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”

…

While people heaped praises on them, the tips continued. The men also gave out the money quickly. None of the villagers who received the money smiled. Instead, their brows were tightly furrowed. It was unknown what they were thinking.

The men gave money to anyone regardless of their age. Many children were given money. There was also a person behind taking photos…

The entire process lasted for an hour before the tall man holding the camera switched off his phone. Clearly, the live stream had come to an end.

Jing Yan’s breathing began to race as well. She was apparently nervous.

Fangzheng could clearly sense the sudden change in atmosphere. What looked joyous suddenly froze when the tall man switched off the live stream. The mood turned repressed that it left one having trouble breathing! Fangzheng mumbled to himself, “What’s happening? This feeling is just too obvious… It has not happened before.”