The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

The tourists who had been brought along by Dog Song were curious as well. Dog Song had bragged greatly about the congee, but after seeing it for themselves, they didn’t find it that amazing. There were nine huge black pots, and steam was billowing out of them. Yet, there wasn’t any smell…

Were the condiments not added or was it just not delicious and not as magical as Dog Song said?

Everyone was puzzled, but they thought it would be rude to voice their doubts in front of Dog Song. After all, the Laba Congee was free, and it’s not like Dog Song was trying to scam them. They had only come out of curiosity, so they decided to watch by the side. If it was nice, they could have more. Otherwise, they could have less. They could just choose not to come again.

Seeing how puzzled everyone looked, Dog Song scratched his head. “I guess there’s only water inside for now. The ingredients haven’t been thrown in.”

Everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

However, Dog Song secretly pulled Red Boy aside and whispered. “Jingxin, have the ingredients been thrown into the pot?”

Red Boy looked at the curious Dog Song and smiled. Then he pressed his palms together in a bow before leaving.

Upon seeing this scene, Dog Song wore a look of bafflement. He couldn’t understand what was happening at all… Was this a nod or a shake of the head? Dog Song wanted to chase after Red Boy to ask, but a tourist called out to him. All he could do was return to help setting up the tent.

After Red Boy entered the monastery, he looked at Fangzheng with a bitter look. “Master, when will this end? When can we speak to outsiders?”

Fangzheng looked up at the bodhi tree and said indifferently, “You can speak to everyone after the Laba Festival is over.”

Red Boy asked with a bitter look, “Why is that so?”

Fangzheng sighed. “The Buddha Says: Not to be said.”

Red Boy rolled his eyes. “Master, that sucks. You have no idea how I feel when looking at their curious looks. I really wanted to explain to them, especially those who doubt the taste of our Laba Congee. I really wanted to press their heads into the pot to take a good whiff of the fragrance before kicking them down the mountain. I want to just let them smell it and then not give them a chance to eat it! Jingfa, Jingkuan, Jingzhen, and Salted Fish, don’t you find it awful not being able to speak to outsiders?”

Red Boy wanted to get some allies to resist the tyrannical monk, but clearly, he had found the wrong allies.

He saw the four of them widen their eyes at him. Then, Squirrel said with an adorable look, “Fourth Junior Brother, isn’t it just not being able to speak with outsiders? What’s wrong? We can just speak among ourselves…”

Lone Wolf rolled his eyes and said indifferently, “You make it sound as if we usually speak to outsiders…”

Salted Fish stretched his back and said, “Child, just be content. At the very least, you can appear lively in front of outsiders. I always have to act dead on the ground. Can I ever say a thing? Sigh… Just think of your senior’s pain, and you won’t feel the pain.”

Red Boy was rendered speechless as he wanted to slap himself. He had actually forgotten about the situation. They were not allies at all!

As Fangzheng listened to Red Boy rambling on and on, all he did was smile. However, he was feeling bitter inwardly. He asked the System silently, “System, this sucks. It’s fine if you control me as you always do, but you are controlling the entire monastery this time!”

The System said languidly, “Do you think I wish to? I’m only warning you out of good will! Do you think you are still the you from one year ago? Do you think One Finger Monastery is still the same One Finger Monastery? Do you think the Laba Congee this year is the same as last year?”

This Penniless Monk is still This Penniless Monk, and although One Finger Monastery might no longer be the same as one year ago, what has that got to do with the Laba Congee? Isn’t it the same cooking method? Heat up a pot, pour water in, boil it over high heat, and throw in the ingredients to stew them at low heat. Isn’t that all? Fangzheng still clearly remembered that the recipe for Laba Congee a year ago had been nothing but a piece of paper. What had been written on it was exactly what he just said. It couldn’t be any more simple!

The System said, “You are no longer yourself. Were you that handsome last year?”

Fangzheng was taken aback as he subconsciously rubbed his bald head and grinned.

This Penniless Monk was born hー

“Think your words through before formulating them completely. Don’t blame me if you get struck by lightning,” the System suddenly interjected.

Fangzheng rolled his eyes. Fine, fine, fine. It’s different. But what has that got to do with the Laba Congee? Can we just be straightforward?

The System said, “I’m not speaking nonsense here. I’m just telling you that everything about you is different now. Reality changes from the heart. You are constantly making new breakthroughs. A year ago, your mouth was spouting expletives all the time as you cursed, but what about now? You were penniless last year, but what about now? You have massive amounts of merit this year, and the things you draw from the lottery are no longer comparable to what you drew last year. Thus, your Laba Congee is naturally different now as well.

“The Laba Congee you’re making this time is called—the Wordless Eight Treasures.

“The effects of the Wordless Eight Treasures will be double those your ordinary Laba Congee had last year! Be content. Your black pots are too garbage and can’t seal off the the Wordless Eight Treasures’ Spirit Qi; therefore, it’s already not bad that some effects can be produced from cooking it. Otherwise, the Wordless Eight Treasures would even have ten times the effects instead.

“Unfortunately, you can’t use ordinary congee cooking methods because of your inferior pots. All you can do is use alternative methods!

“Instead of calling it congee cooking, it should be said that you are the one being cooked! By not speaking, you can seal off the final bits of Spirit Qi of the Wordless Eight Treasures, making its effects better.”

Fangzheng was flabbergasted. System Bro, it’s cooking This Penniless Monk? Is the Laba Congee using This Penniless Monk’s bath water?

The System expected better from him as it said, “Aren’t you aware of the pittance of Spirit Qi in this crappy world of yours? Do you think the Wordless Eight Treasures can be cooked anywhere? If your monastery didn’t have enough incense, wish forces, and merit, do you think I would have given you the Wordless Eight Treasures? The reason why the Wordless Eight Treasures congee is able to seal in the final 10% of Spirit Qi is because it’s using your monastery and your wish forces!

“To put it simply, the water is cooking the wish forces in your bodies. By imbuing the wish forces into the Laba Congee, it raises the Laba Congee’s effects, allowing you to treat the masses of any hidden ailments and raise their vital forces! However, opening your mouth is equivalent to opening the lid. When that happens, everything will be gone. Do you now understand?”

Only then was Fangzheng enlightened. Wouldn’t I understand if you had said so earlier? Why beat around the bush?

The System was immediately infuriated. I thought you graduated from primary school, but who knew that you would use an excuse employed in kindergarten… Don’t ask me about things in the future!

Then, the System fell silent no matter how Fangzheng cried out.

Fangzheng threw up his hands and looked innocently towards the sky, thinking, “Was that my fault?”

Then Fangzheng chuckled. This was the first time he had infuriated the System. This feeling was really good!