Killing Monks

Run! Run! Run!

Guangyuan ran wildly across the fields behind the mountain, not daring to stop for even a moment. Stopping meant being overtaken.

Fortunately, he knew the back mountain like the back of the mountain. He had planned this escape route before, but he never thought he would be able to use it today.

Today's escape is only for the sake of returning tomorrow.

His original plan was to remain hidden in Jinjia Temple, diligently practice martial arts, and one day be able to replace the abbot.

But Li Kai's appearance shattered his last bit of patience.

If I keep holding back, the anger in my chest will drive me crazy first!

He simply...couldn't take it anymore!

Therefore, he angrily attacked Neng Zhi.

After running for an unknown distance, the fields in front of us were finally replaced by mountains and forests.

His internal energy was almost completely depleted, and he could no longer hold on. He staggered and crashed into a large tree, panting heavily.

It felt as if my meridians were being pierced by thousands of fine needles, and I saw stars dancing before my eyes.

He forced himself to sit cross-legged and began to regulate the remaining internal energy within his body. Every strand of internal energy flowing through his damaged meridians brought a tearing pain, causing his lips to twitch uncontrollably.

But he held back.

This is the path he chose himself.

After an unknown amount of time, the sun rose and set again. Guangyuan finally stood up, swaying slightly.

He looked at the dried bloodstains on the monk's robe, walked to the nearby stream, washed them hastily, and then used his remaining internal energy to dry the clothes.

He gathered some wild fruits to barely fill his stomach, and after determining his direction, he headed north.

This place is the Buddhist kingdom of the Southern Tang Dynasty. I heard that people in the north... don't really believe in Buddhism.

After trekking all night, Guangyuan stopped and begged for food when he finally saw a village in the distance.

An old man at the village entrance was smoking a pipe. When he saw a monk approaching, he was initially wary. But when he saw that the monk was a young man, tall but not fierce, and with a handsome and gentle appearance, his wariness disappeared.

"Old man, I'm just passing by. Could you please do me a favor and give me some... vegetarian food?" Guangyuan had been in the temple for many years. Jinjia Temple had always been wealthy, so why would he need to personally beg for alms?

Asking for food made him quite embarrassed.

The old man sensed the slight unease in his voice and couldn't help but laugh: "You're quite the shy monk. Where are you from, young master?"

"Wandering the world, I came from the east." Guangyuan pointed to the way he came.

"Where are we going?"

"Go west." Guangyuan pointed to the west.

The old man nodded: "The monk is interesting. Our village also worships Buddha and has prepared vegetarian meals. Please come with me."

The Buddhist kingdom of Southern Tang had 480 temples, and few villages did not respect Buddhism.

Guangyuan followed his father-in-law into the village and arrived at a secluded, single-room Buddhist shrine.

Inside were piles of rice, flour, oil, and salt donated by various households, specifically for passing monks to use. However, the doors and windows of the Buddhist hall showed signs of recent repairs, and the wood splinters were still quite new.

The old man took rice and vegetables from the Buddhist hall and cooked a pot of vegetarian rice for Guangyuan. Guangyuan ate quickly but did not forget his manners.

After the meal, he said, "Old man, this meal won't be a waste."

"Oh?" the old man asked. "Does the young monk wish to chant sutras and dedicate the merits?"

After a meal, monks usually recite a passage from the Diamond Sutra or the Amitabha Sutra to pray for the donors' well-being and to help them eliminate negative karma, as a way of giving back.

Guangyuan shook his head: "I don't chant scriptures. Chanting scriptures is of no use to your village."

The old man's expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

"If your village encounters any trouble, you may tell me," Guangyuan said calmly. "This humble monk is willing to help your village resolve it."

"Trouble? What trouble?" the old man asked.

"Wild beasts, bandits, mountain bandits, or local thugs." Guangyuan raised his eyes. "I can handle any matter that troubles your village."

The old man waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no... This is a good place, we don't have those things here."

Guangyuan clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "Then I'm afraid I've received this meal in vain."

"It's not a free gift," the old man hurriedly said. "This was originally intended for a passing high monk."

"Life is tough," Guangyuan suddenly said. "This rice and flour must be quite a burden for your village, right?"

The old man just smiled and said, "I'd rather suffer myself than let the high monks who are cultivating themselves suffer."

Guangyuan said no more, bowed deeply once more, and turned to leave the village.

Upon reaching the village entrance, the old man suddenly asked, "Can monks really solve problems?"

Guangyuan said, "Of course."

"Our village isn't in any trouble, except for one person who's in trouble," the old man said. "Can a monk really meddle in other people's troubles?"

Guangyuan replied as before, "Of course."

The old man looked around; everyone else was in the village. He whispered, "Monk, have you ever heard of a wandering swordsman named Lu Fei?"

"What Luffy?" Guangyuan asked with a puzzled look.

Is there someone here who wants to become the Pirate King?

"It's 'Lu' as in 'land' and 'Fei' as in 'flying'." The old man shook his head. "He was a meddlesome chivalrous man, and a few days ago... he was arrested by the authorities."

Why?

"The eminent monks of Wuxiang Temple went to the government to report him for disturbing the Buddhist hall, and he was arrested."

Guangyuan asked, "How exactly does he like to meddle in other people's business?"

"He went to the temple to catch a monk," the old man said.

"Why bring back a monk?"

"Because that monk didn't want to be a monk anymore; he wanted to go back and take care of his parents."

"Is it not up to him to become a monk?"

"The monks at Wuxiang Temple say he has a connection with Buddha, so naturally he has no choice," the old man said, his voice even lower.

What kind of circumstances would lead someone to neglect their parents?

Guangyuan knew this person was probably special, and he said, "Even his parents couldn't do anything?"

"Of course," the old man sighed and said, "The monks of Wuxiang Temple also said that the monk has a connection with Buddhism and his future achievements are limitless, and they told them not to delay the monk."

Guangyuan began to understand: "So, that's how the busybodies showed up?"

"Although he took the monk away, he was too conspicuous and didn't leave the area, continuing to meddle in other people's business," the old man said. "So, he was arrested by the authorities."

Guangyuan nodded: "It sounds like the government officials and the people from Wuxiang Temple have a very good relationship."

"The current Tang emperor is a devout Buddhist, and very few government officials have a bad relationship with temples," the old man sighed again.

Guangyuan glanced at his father-in-law.

People get wiser with age, that's for sure.

"I understand," Guangyuan said. "I'll go to the government office and see if we can get him out."

"Saving people requires money to pave the way," the old man said, taking out a bag of gold and silver from his pocket and giving it to Guangyuan: "Monk, I am willing but unable, so I am counting on you."

Guangyuan took it and smiled slightly: "Aren't you afraid I'll take the money and run away?"

"I'm not afraid," the old man shook his head.

Why?

"When I was young, I met a few monks who didn't chant scriptures; they were all ruthless characters," the old man added. "But I've never seen one who referred to himself as 'I' instead of 'this humble monk.'"

"I see!" Guangyuan said, "Then I'll go."

The old man didn't say anything, but simply bowed to Guangyuan's retreating figure.