The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Ma Juan said with a wry smile, “There’s nothing that makes sense when it comes to Master. Have you ever seen a person speak with a wolf before?”

Fang Yunjing was rendered speechless. The two discussed and agreed that as long as they did not tell anyone else, no one would know about it. However, they attempted to investigate the compression methods of the picture. If they could figure out a thing or two, they might be set for life.

Simultaneously, Fang Yunjing had carefully asked Fangzheng, “Master, was this photo taken by your cell phone?”

Fangzheng did not know how amazing his photo was, so he immediately replied, “That’s right. The one that you sent This Penniless Monk. Is something wrong?”

Fang Yunjing said, “Master, the clarity of the picture taken by your cell phone is just too amazing. I think it’s best that you do not send pictures to others and if you need to do so, don’t send the raws.”

Fangzheng was confused. He fumbled around with his phone and indeed, when he zoomed into the picture, it remained extremely clear. It was not something a phone of this era could attain. Then, the only explanation was the Light Opening Talisman!

“Nice, to think that the Light Opening Talisman can even enhance technological products,” Fangzheng muttered to himself.

“Ding! Scientific products and ordinary items are identical in the eyes of Buddha. Why can’t it be augmented?”

Fangzheng was rendered speechless.

Fangzheng and Fang Yunjing exchanged a few words before Fang Yunjing left to busy herself.

Fangzheng put away his cell phone and returned to the temple.

When he reached the temple entrance, he was stunned. There was an additional person at the door!

“Patron Hu Tan, why have you come again?” Fangzheng asked, clearly surprised.

“Master, I came here specially to inform you that there’s a murder suspect in the vicinity. You have to be careful,” said Hu Tan.

Fangzheng looked at Hu Tan’s out-of-breath look and knew that he was a good person that knew how to return favors. If not, he would not have run up here desperately. Hence, he said with a smile, “Amitabha. Patron, you truly have a heart of Bodhisattva. You will definitely be met with good fortune in the future. Patron, sit down and take a rest. This Penniless Monk will get you some water.”

Hu Tan was truly thirsty. He drank two consecutive big bowls of water before taking a deep breath and said, “Nice! Master, why is your water so tasty? I have drunk a few mouthfuls of spring water at the foot of the mountain too. It’s nothing compared to this!”

Hu Tan finally realized the difference in taste. The feeling of all his cells rejoicing made his body feel relaxed and extremely comfortable.

Fangzheng smiled faintly and said, “It’s just an ordinary bowl of water. Patron, you might be mistaken.”

Hu Tan believed so as well. It was likely due to his fatigue and dehydration that made him find the water so tasty. He said, “Master, it’s best you close the door to the temple. We have already reported it to the police. They will probably be coming soon. There’s no harm leaving the door closed until the criminal is caught.”

Fangzheng chuckled and said, “Amitabha. This Penniless Monk’s place is poor and plain. There’s nothing of value here. Even if the criminal were to come, what can he take? As for you, it’s best you descend the mountain quickly.”

“I need to go too. But Master, listen to me. You have to be careful. I’ll give you a call when I get back! Aiyah, why am I so dumb. I have Master’s phone number. Why did I run up here? Sigh…” Hu Tan smacked himself in the head before he went down the mountain.

When Hu Tan was gone, Fangzheng’s expression turned solemn. He turned and said, “Patron, come on out.”

After Fangzheng said that, he heard the shuffling of footsteps in the temple hall behind him.

Fangzheng was perplexed. The criminal appeared rather bulky and domineering under the Heavenly Eye. Why had he become limp now?

When he turned, Fangzheng was surprised. “Uncle Song?”

The person that had come was Dog Song! Dog Song had run out of the village. In his panic, he had no idea where to head to and ran all the way up Mt. One Finger. Finally, he ran into the temple to hide it out. Dog Song looked bitterly at Fangzheng and said, “Fangzheng, it’s me… About… the conversation you had from before, I heard all of it. However, the voice sounds rather unfamiliar. He isn’t from our village, I guess?”

Fangzheng understood Dog Song very well. His true name was Song Benqing, a very cultured name, but his character was like a wretched dog’s. He did all sorts of clandestine acts and spoke badly behind the backs of others. Idling about was his trademark, so everyone gave him a nickname, Dog Song.

Dog Song was not a bad person innately. He just liked coveting small gains and tittle-tattle. Now, for him to run into the temple, Fangzheng connected it with the things he had seen in the Heavenly Eye. He immediately realized that the person that had stopped the van was likely Dog Song! As for why he had come up the mountain, Fangzheng had a few guesses. However, he needed to confirm them.

Fangzheng smartly said, “A friend from the foot of the mountain. It seems like something has happened there. They have called the police. He came specially to warn This Penniless Monk and to ask me to be careful. What about you? Why did you run up here? If This Penniless Monk recalls correctly, you are not a Buddhist.”

Dog Song had a bitter face. He was still panicking and was at a loss for words. After holding it in for some time, he stamped his foot and turned around. He plopped to the ground in front of Guan Yin Bodhisattva and began kowtowing. As he kowtowed, he cried, “I’m a sinner! I have killed someone- But it was truly unintentional! All I wanted to know was what the delivery man had given you. Sob…”

Fangzheng never expected that the usually fearless Dog Song would be reduced to such a state. However, he was in no hurry to assuage Dog Song. He wasn’t a bad person, but he had many ills and had caused a lot of trouble in the village. Fangzheng was pondering if he should take the opportunity to teach him a lesson, changing him for the better.

Hence, Fangzheng went forward and stood quietly behind Dog Song. He remained silent.

Dog Song kept kowtowing until his forehead bled. Only then did he stop. He slumped to the ground and looked wryly at Fangzheng. He said, “Fangzheng, tell me. What should I do? I have taken a person’s life away.”

“Amitabha,” Fangzheng gave a Buddhist proclamation.”Patron Song, since time immemorial, murder is repaid with one’s life.”

“Ah… Sob!” When Dog Song heard that he needed to repay with his life, he immediately wailed until he was breathless. He had truly been given a fright.

Fangzheng did not stop Dog Song and waited for him to tire out from his crying before saying, “However, Buddha is compassionate and will give people a chance to put things right.”

“Oh? A chance to put things right? But- I- I killed someone! It’s not as simple as stealing chickens or dogs. It’s a crime. If I’m caught, I will be executed.” After Dog Song felt despair, he suddenly felt the flames of hope reignite when he heard Fangzheng’s words. However, he continued probing.

Fangzheng said with a smile, “There is no being that is not under the eyes of Buddha. Buddha doesn’t interfere with the lives of all beings, but He can show you justice. Speak, how did you kill someone?”

Dog Song honestly recounted what he had done. After Fangzheng heard it, he thought to himself, “Indeed, this fellow’s curiosity is just too much.”

Therefore, Fangzheng said, “Patron Song, you caused the death of someone because of a mishap. It wasn’t intentional. Since it wasn’t intentional, the sin is a lot lighter.

“Ah!? Yes, Fangzheng. You have gone to school. You are more educated than me. Don’t you have to attend political classes that teach things related to the government? Is there anything relevant to my present situation?” Dog Song seemed like he had seen a life-saving straw. However, he did not believe in Buddha but rather in the law.