The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

“Master, based on what I see, his attire is only slightly shabby, but he lives quite an okay life. We don’t have to help him, right?” Red Boy asked.

Fangzheng shook his head without saying a word. He quietly watched, prompting Red Boy to only watch silently as well.

Yuan Hai took the food and walked to the riverside before silently standing there.

Fangzheng had an idea come to him. Could Yuan Hai be reminiscing? Just as Fangzheng was about to cast A Golden Millet Dream, he saw Yuan Hai move. He scattered the food into the river as he let out a whimpering sound, as though he was saying something.

Red Boy asked perplexed, “Master, could his daughter have drowned to death? But if she had drowned to death, why would he be handing out pamphlets to seek her out? Or could he be paying respects to someone else?”

Fangzheng was also baffled and unsure of what was happening.

After Yuan Hai poured in three big bowls of food, he returned back to his motorcycle and stored away the bowls. He took out two mantous and sat by the riverside to watch the quiet river water flow past him and the white clouds float across. He slowly ate the mantou, occasionally producing some grunting sounds.

Fangzheng felt somewhat helpless when he heard those sounds. He could understand the language of every living being in the world, but he was unable to understand someone who could not speak.

“Can you understand what he’s saying?” Fangzheng asked Red Boy.

Red Boy shook his head. “No. Unless I use the Mind Reading Spell, but I don’t know how. Master, the Buddhists have a divine power called Telepathy. Don’t you know it?”

Fangzheng rolled his eyes. “Would there be a need to ask you if I did?”

…

After Yuan Hai finished his mantou, he stood up and began to take off his clothes.

Red Boy mumbled, “No way! To take off his clothes just like that. Isn’t that… too improper?”

“Don’t speak nonsense,” rebuked Fangzheng. He could tell the look of anticipation in Yuan Hai’s eyes, but they were also suffused with pain. He had definitely not taken off his clothes because he was a pervert.

After Yuan Hai took off his outerwear, he wore a pair of swimming trunks before jumping into the river. Like a fish, he plunged his head down and swam deep into the river.

“Master, do we follow?” asked Red Boy.

Fangzheng nodded. “Yes!”

Red Boy immediately brought Fangzheng with him as they dove into the water. One had the White Lunar Monk Robe protecting him, while the other was a great demon king. There was no need for them to breathe, so there naturally was no pressure while inside the water.

In the river, Yuan Hai went straight to the riverbed as he constantly flipped through rocks as though he was searching for something.

“Master, what is he doing?” asked Red Boy with a voice transmission.

Fangzheng shook his head helplessly. He could not speak underwater.

Just like before, Yuan Hai searched bit by bit. He did not leave even a small stone or sand unturned! Only when he ran out of breath did he surface for air. He would then continue the search.

Fangzheng and Red Boy also understood from watching, but they couldn’t figure it out. What on Earth was he looking for bit by bit in such a huge river? Was he looking for diamonds? Gold? Or something else?

Finally Yuan Hai swam back to shore when he was exhausted. He lay on the ground, his eyes staring at the sky in a daze, as though he was not thinking of anything while also appearing to be thinking of everything.

At that moment…

“Amitabha. Patron, what are you for searching underwater?” A Buddhist proclamation suddenly sounded by Yuan Hai’s ear. He jumped in fright as he sat up immediately. He looked warily at Fangzheng only to be taken aback. He only had two impressions of monks. The first type were the genial-looking ones. They were very affable, and would not make things difficult for him even if he did not say a word. The other kind were young monks. They were rather fierce. Although they did not reach the point of beating or scolding him, they would chase him out of the monastery. However the monk in front of him was somewhat special. He stood there looking like an accomplished monk, but he also lacked the benevolence of an accomplished monk. He appeared more radiant and amiable. He did not have the arrogance of a youth, and his eyes were limpid like a clear pool. Because they were very clean and pure, one could stare deep into them. There was nothing turbid about his eyes. He had seen such eyes before too. Only newborn babies had such eyes, so it was fascinating that an adult could have such eyes.

Perhaps Fangzheng looked just too good, but in any case Yuan Hai only jumped in fright initially. After a moment, he calmed down and scratched his head before pointing to his mouth. He then waved his hand, indicating that he could not speak.

“Amitabha. Patron, are you looking for something?”

Yuan Hai nodded.

Fangzheng asked, “Patron, what are you looking for? Perhaps This Penniless Monk can help you.”

Yuan Hai thought for a moment before returning to his motorcycle. He took out a pamphlet and handed it to Fangzheng.

Fangzheng was somewhat confused. Indeed, Yuan Hai was looking for someone. But was he searching for the person in the water? Furthermore, he was flipping one stone at a time and even going through the gravel. Wasn’t this… a little inexplicable?

“Patron, were you searching for someone in the water?” asked Fangzheng.

Yuan Hai nodded as his expression turned ashen.

“This…” Fangzheng could not understand Yuan Hai’s actions. Based on such a way of searching, could the person only be the size of a palm?

Yuan Hai knew he couldn’t speak and that there was no way for them to communicate. Hence there was no way to explain the matter clearly. He decided to just point at the person on the piece of paper as he gave a puzzled look.

Fangzheng looked at the girl on the piece of paper and asked, “Is she your daughter?”

Yuan Hai nodded.

Fangzheng continued, “This Penniless Monk wishes to help you find her—”

At that moment, a voice sounded from afar. “Yuan Hai, I know you are here. Old Wu’s house needs repairing. Are you coming? A hundred and fifty a day. Lunch is provided.”

Yuan Hai looked over to the source of the sound and saw a motorcycle parked in the distance. A man was sitting on it, shouting. Clearly he had specially come for Yuan Hai.

Yuan Hai gave Fangzheng an embarrassed smile.

Fangzheng smiled. “Patron, go ahead. Don’t keep your friend waiting.”

Yuan Hai nodded and changed into his clothes before driving off on his motorcycle.

“Master, why did you let him leave?” Red Boy was perplexed. It had not been easy for them to find Yuan Hai, but now they had let him go. Weren’t they being too indifferent?

“What else can we do but let him go?”

“Catch him, hang him up, and torture him. I’m not afraid he won’t- Oh, right, I guess that would be useless. He can’t speak or write.” Red Boy turned embarrassed.

Fangzheng couldn’t be bothered with the kid as he patted him on his head. “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“Sunglow Monastery,” said Fangzheng.

“We are going back so early? Aren’t we going to chase Yuan Hai?” Red Boy had not had enough fun. It was not easy for him to regain his Dharmic powers, so he naturally did not want to waste the opportunity.

Fangzheng shook his head. “I need to ask about certain matters to confirm my guesses.”

“What?”

“You won’t know even if I tell you. Drive!”

“Master, I’m not a car.”

“The functionality is about the same. Let’s go.”

“…”

After returning to Sunglow Monastery, Fangzheng went straight to Zen Master Sunglow. Zen Master Baiyun and Zen Master Hongyan were resting, so Zen Master Sunglow was quite astonished to see Fangzheng, who often disappeared, seek him out for a chat.