The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

“That is indeed a bit bad, but this kasaya is really the best reward for you. That’s because its special powers are very good,” the System remained unperturbed as it said slowly.

Fangzheng sneered. “Its power is indeed very special. It comes with a cuckold buff…”

“Do you want to know what they are or not?” The System appeared rather speechless. Couldn’t Fangzheng just let it say its piece?

Fangzheng thought about it. Since he had already received the goods, he might as well listen to the entire description; otherwise, he would have made a terrible loss. With this in mind, Fangzheng said, “Yes, go ahead.”

“Apart from the benefits previously mentioned, this kasaya’s most important point is that any rewards received will be increased several times over thanks to it!” the System said slowly.

Fangzheng originally imagined that the System was pulling a prank on him, but after hearing about this benefit, his eyes lit up. He felt as though his bald head had brightened up like a bulb. He asked with excitement, “For real!?”

“Of course! So how’s the reward now?” the System asked with a chuckle.

Fangzheng immediately gave a thumbs up. “This reward is awesome! Indeed, the System’s products are definitely excellent items!”

The System scoffed. “Who was the one asking for a refund just now?”

“No idea. I don’t know him. I’ve no idea which handsome monk was so insensible.” Fangzheng shook his head like a rattle as he heard thunder boom above him. He was already used to it. Saying a lie in exchange for something good was worth it.

Indeed, the System was still rather happy with his sucking up. After Fangzheng took receipt of the kasaya, it disappeared.

Fangzheng sat on his stove bed and looked at the kasaya in his hand as he smacked his lips. “Although it’s a little ugly and classless, making me look green while wearing it, This Penniless Monk doesn’t have a wife anyway, so who can make me a cuckold? Besides, I can choose not to wear it most of the time. I can wear it only when I’m accepting my rewards when there’s no one around. It doesn’t seem too bad.”

With this in mind, Fangzheng happily put away the kasaya.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Fangzheng asked.

“Master, we heard you talking about a kasaya. Do you have one now?” Red Boy asked.

Fangzheng hurriedly said, “Why are you such a busybody? Go to bed! We have to wake up early tomorrow! Go, now!”

“Master, it’s the Laba Festival in a few days. Are we making Laba Congee again?” Red Boy asked.

Only then did Fangzheng recall that the Laba Festival came a few days after the Great Cold. The coldest days in winter were that day and the day before it. The cold you felt then was something indescribable and could only be understood if personally experienced. In fact, Fangzheng didn’t wish to hold any events on such a cold day. However, on careful thought, he had cooked Laba Congee last year, so it wouldn’t be very nice if he didn’t do it this year. After all, the effects of Laba Congee were famous. All the villagers were looking forward to it.

With this in mind, Fangzheng said, “Yes! But it’s bedtime now. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

Once his disciples heard that, all of them left in joy.

The days passed and soon, it was the day before the Laba Festival. The weather had turned even colder. Even the sparrows who would tweet on the trees were so cold that they hid inside their nests.

Early in the morning, Monkey ran into the kitchen to start a fire to gain some warmth after sweeping the yard. After all, he wasn’t like the demons who could be unafraid of the cold.

Fangzheng looked at the empty yard and mumbled. “Just bear with it. It will get warmer in two days. There will likely be visitors then…”

Just as he said that, he heard an inquiring voice from outside. “Abbot Fangzheng, are you there?”

Fangzheng found the voice familiar. He immediately got up and walked out of the backyard and saw an honest-looking man standing under the bodhi tree. Fangzheng immediately recognized him to be Teacher Liu from the opposite village. He wasn’t really a teacher, though—that was his name. Rumor had it that none of his ancestors had been teachers; therefore, they had been poor all this while. His parents had pinned their hopes on Teacher Liu, hence giving him such a name.

Unexpectedly, Teacher Liu still didn’t become a teacher in the end. However, he was a very honest and sincere man; thus, people preferred to call him Honest Liu!

Honest Liu was wearing an old military coat. His hands were tucked inside his sleeves, and his neck was huddled into his coat. Clearly, even this native northeasterner was unable to bear the cold winds.

Fangzheng hurriedly said, “Amitabha. Patron, what’s the matter?”

Honest Liu immediately walked over and looked at him in a hesitant manner. He hesitated just as he wished to speak.

Fangzheng wasn’t in a rush as he turned his body to the side. “Patron Liu, it’s cold outside. Let’s talk inside.”

Honest Liu looked inside and knew that that was where the monk’s residence was. A part of the monastery where visitors were prohibited from entering. Although everyone was familiar with Fangzheng, he didn’t walk in. He shook his head and said, “I’m not cold. But, I do have something to tell you, Abbot Fangzheng.”

Since Honest Liu wasn’t willing to enter, Fangzheng had no choice but to stay with him outside. As the wind blew, he subconsciously thought of huddling his neck, thinking, “What’s the point of standing outside? Why must you make This Penniless Monk suffer the cold with you? Wouldn’t it be nice to go in together?”

However, Fangzheng also knew Honest Liu’s character. Therefore, he didn’t urge him and stood there silently. “Patron, go ahead.”

“Abbot Fangzheng, I’m here because of some matters regarding my father-in-law.”

Fangzheng was taken aback. Father-in-law? Why would he be coming to him for matters regarding his father-in-law? He wasn’t Honest Liu’s mother-in-law either. It wasn’t right for outsiders to interfere in family matters.

Honest Liu continued. “As you know, my wife was adopted by relatives, and she never lived with my father-in-law since a young age. My father-in-law has a total of two children, and my wife is the youngest one. Back then, the family was poor, and my father-in-law wasn’t able to bring up both of them. Hence, he let some relatives in the same village adopt her, who then became my wife’s parents. However, they have already passed away.

“My father-in-law now lives with his eldest daughter. My family occasionally spends time with them. After all, he’s my wife’s birth father, and blood is thicker than water.

“But just yesterday, someone told me that my father-in-law was chased out by his eldest daughter. He stayed outside the entire night and almost froze to death!”

Fangzheng was nearly dozing off from the story at first since he knew the backstory already. With the weather so cold, he only wished to return to the warmth of the flames. However, he pricked up his brows towards the end. To chase out one’s father on the coldest day in winter? To let him freeze an entire night? To show no care and concern? This… was far too inhumane!

Fangzheng said, “Oh? Why did she do that? He’s her birth father, right?”

Honest Liu said with a rueful smile. “Well… I won’t be providing an explanation. It’s not nice speaking behind other people’s backs. I just came here this time hoping that you could persuade her to let my father-in-law move back in instead of making him stay outside. People can really die if they stay outside in such cold weather! Sigh, if someone hadn’t discovered my father-in-law huddled in a stack of hay in this cold weather and brought him home to warm him up, he would have already been dead.”