The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

The county head and secretary didn’t leave. Instead, they got someone to buy a tent for them, and they stayed on the mountaintop.

They didn’t put on airs by setting up a perimeter to ward off people either. They sat among the crowd, basking in the bonfire’s warmth while asking about the developments of the night. They weren’t fully trusting of Fang Kui’s words, but when everyone said the same thing, their brows knitted together even more tightly.

Almost at the same time, someone saw Red Boy open the nine pots. He then took out a bag, pouring the contents in it. Someone wanted to take a closer look, but the moment he thought of the stateliness of One Finger Monastery, he didn’t dare proceed.

The food ingredients that were poured out could still be seen from afar, however, and they were all in the shapes of Buddhas and Bodhisattva!

Manager Gu couldn’t help but look at the Laba Congee in his flask. It was all a mush, and he couldn’t say anything. Could it be that they really messed up the first congee? But this taste…

By the side, Dog Song and company suddenly laughed. Dog Song chuckled. “I forgot to mention. Although the Laba Congee from last year didn’t smell as good as this year’s first batch, its appearance was definitely better. Every walnut, every bean, every single ingredient was either in the shape of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. It was like art! It was nothing like the first batch this time, a pot full of mush, with nothing discernible inside.”

“Right, right, right… From the looks of it, Venerable Jingxin didn’t lie to us. Haha! I can’t wait for the congee to be ready!” Chen Jin laughed as well.

Chen Qiang, Manager Gu, and those who had gotten the first congee immediately wore bitter looks. However, Manager Gu remained unconvinced. “Congee is meant to be eaten, not looked at. As long as the taste is better, it’s a success! As for looks… Humph, haven’t you heard that simplicity equals profundity?”

The ones who had received the congee immediately raised their heads again.

The two factions glared at each other as though sparks were about to ignite at any moment…

The county head and secretary saw this scene and couldn’t help but feel amused, but they didn’t intervene. Instead, they continued ruminating over Fangzheng’s matter.

After an uneventful night, at daybreak the next day.

“One Finger Monastery’s door has opened!” someone yelled.

Having engaged in boasting the entire night, the people in the crowd were already somewhat sleepy. They immediately rubbed their eyes and looked over. They saw the red door slowly open as a white-robed monk walked out. Behind him was Monkey as they walked across the stone platforms that appeared above the water surface. Step by step, they walked towards the bell and drum tower.

“I know! It’s time for the bell and drum to sound. It’s almost daybreak!” a tourist shouted.

Dog Song and company immediately rolled their eyes at him. Was there a need for him to state the obvious?

In any case, both the bell and drum did sound the next moment.

Be it the villagers of One Finger Monastery or the tourists from Songwu County, this was the first time they were hearing One Finger Monastery’s bell and drum from up close.

The drumming sounded first. Immediately, all of them felt as though their hearts were being pounded upon. The deep sound exerted a pressure on them as though their hearts would burst at any time. They had the urge to spit blood! At the same time, all their displeasure, unhappiness, and anger spewed out. It was irrepressible! The mood instantly turned oppressive.

Just as everyone was about to flare up…

Dong!

The placid sound of the bell rang. It was loud and mighty as it reverberated through heaven and earth!

At the same time, everyone saw golden light shoot out from the Yongle Bell. The scriptures on it were shining brightly as though they were emitting a golden glow. Yet, just like the rising sun, the light wasn’t blinding. It was warm like a mother’s embrace as it gently caressed the hearts of everyone present.

Everyone’s hearts which were on the brink of an explosion instantly calmed down. The original frustration, vexation, and things they couldn’t let go of immediately eased. Everyone felt as though they were reborn. When they opened their eyes again and looked into the distance, they felt refreshed. Their minds were at peace!

“Phew…” The crowd couldn’t help but exhale.

Everyone exchanged looks and saw the shock in each other’s eyes. Although they had heard the drum and bell in the past and had similar feelings, it hadn’t been as obvious then. They only felt comfortable after hearing the bell and drum sound in unison. But with them hearing it from a close distance this time, all they felt was shock. The shedding-the-old, cathartic experience they had made them feel reborn!

The county head and secretary exchanged looks and saw the shock in each other’s eyes. They couldn’t help but say, “A miracle!”

As the bell and drum gongs continued, the sun rose higher. Finally, it fully escaped the horizon and allowed all its majestic light to illuminate the land. When the golden light struck the Yongle Bell, it made it appear even brighter. However, it remained unblinding, as though the blinding light was scattered by those words. Everyone marveled upon seeing this.

At this moment, Fangzheng and Monkey walked down the bell and drum tower and to the stone platforms on the Bridge of Helplessness. Following that, a squirrel jumped onto Fangzheng’s shoulder as a huge white wolf followed behind Fangzheng in an impressive manner.

Monkey’s hands hung low like a monk’s as he silently followed Fangzheng.

Just as everyone felt that the scene was complete, there was a splash!

A ripple in the water appeared beside Fangzheng as a fish jumped up. It twirled its whiskers and took out a walking stick from some unknown spot. The fish then scanned the crowd like a senior before slowly following Fangzheng.

Upon seeing this fish twisting its tail back and forth as it walked while looking like an elder, everyone felt like their world view had been blasted apart. Many people couldn’t help but pinch their thighs as they grimaced in pain. After confirming that they weren’t dreaming, all of them looked at the county head and secretary.

By this point, everyone understood that One Finger Monastery was truly coming out! This would be causing upheavals all around the world! And the first important reaction wouldn’t be coming from them, but from the government!

The county head and secretary exchanged looks and saw the misery in each other’s eyes. However, the two of them couldn’t make decisions for everyone in the world. They nodded at each other in tacit understanding.

“Abbot Fangzheng, good morning.” The county head and secretary came in front of Fangzheng and greeted him with a smile. As for the creatures behind Fangzheng, they pretended as though they had never seen them.

When everyone saw this, they couldn’t help but shake their heads. Impressive! As expected of the county head and secretary. They can still remain unperturbed despite facing such a situation. They are treating it as though it’s nothing.

Fangzheng pressed his palms together and glanced at Red Boy. Red Boy shook his head as Fangzheng smiled at the county head and secretary. As for words? He said nothing!

Everyone couldn’t help but wag their tongues. “Abbot Fangzheng is amazing! Two big shots are greeting him, but he didn’t even reply to them! Impressive!”

“Venerable Ones, good morning,” the county head and secretary greeted the other creatures.

All of them, except for Lone Wolf, pressed their palms together and bowed in return. None of them spoke!

Everyone mumbled. “Holy sh*t! This One Finger Monastery is going to overturn the world! This is too freaking crazy!”