The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

“Master, if we don’t head over, the competition will be over,” Salted Fish grumbled.

Red Boy said, “Master, it’s not right for you to do that. It’s very draining on Dharmic powers to invisibly stroll the streets. Where are we going? Why does it feel like we are distancing ourselves from the competition venue as we walk?”

Fangzheng did not say a word. Instead, he quickened his pace and walked forward. After passing a street, he saw a small park by a river.

There was a small shed in the park. The sound of gongs and drums sounded from inside, as if there was a performance.

However, there was no one outside the shed.

“Heh, Master, there seems to be someone singing opera over there.” Squirrel pointed at the shed curiously.

Red Boy said, “What’s so good about opera? Look, there’s no one at the entrance. I believe everyone has gone to watch the competition. That’s probably what you call interesting.”

Salted Fish nodded. “Yes, yes… That’s right. What’s there to see?”

However, Fangzheng remained silent as he led them to the stage.

“No way? Master, we are here to watch the competition, not to watch a show.” Red Boy turned anxious.

Fangzheng waved his hand and said, “If you want to watch the competition, go ahead. I’ll watch the show.”

“Uh… Master, shall we leave by ourselves?” Red Boy was stunned. This had never happened before.

Fangzheng nodded. “Yes, go ahead.”

Red Boy looked at the other little ones and asked, “Are you going to watch the competition or watch the show?”

Salted Fish and Squirrel decisively raised their fins and paws. “Competition!”

“Master, we’re leaving then?” When Red Boy asked, he realized that Fangzheng had already arrived in front of the stage and was sitting cross-legged in the snow! He looked up slightly and smiled at the stage. But due to the angle, Red Boy could not see what was on the stage.

“Let’s go. Time to watch the competition.” Salted Fish was truly feeling a little anxious. He knew very well that today was the day the Japanese was going to be face-slapped. The tool to smack their faces was Mt. One Finger’s Frost Bamboo tea. This piqued his interest…

Red Boy scratched his head. “Oh, then… Alright, we’ll be making a move first. We’ll come back later.”

Squirrel grabbed his belly and said, “Junior Brother, I think you should go off without me. I want to accompany Master.”

“Are you not watching the competition?” Red Boy asked in surprise.

Salted Fish also asked in surprise, “You have been nagging about how you want to watch the face-slapping on the way here. Why aren’t you going?”

Squirrel looked at Fangzheng and said, “I don’t know either… Anyway… Eh… Look at Master, look at his expression. Don’t you think that smile is very warm? I find this scene very beautiful and very warm… I also wish to see what he’s looking at.”

With that said, Squirrel ran over and mimicked Fangzheng. He sat by Fangzheng’s side and looked up at the program on-stage. His pair of big and adorable eyes clearly lit up as though the things on the stage were very enjoyable.

“Why don’t we take a look too?” Red Boy asked Salted Fish.

Salted Fish said, “Let’s go take a look. If it’s nice, we’ll stay; otherwise, we’ll go watch the competition.”

Red Boy nodded as the boy and fish immediately went over.

The two of them were instantly uninterested…

Beijing opera was being performed on stage. The actors were dressed very professionally, but their equipment was very shabby. There weren’t many actors and musicians. There weren’t any pretty lighting effects. The two fellows yawned after watching it for a while.

Finally, Salted Fish left with Red Boy to watch the competition.

Squirrel watched and, after the novelty wore out, he also began yawning. He completely couldn’t understand what the Beijing opera was trying to get at. He could hear some of the lines clearly, but not others. One of them dragged out their singing for so long that Squirrel’s eyelids almost couldn’t open.

Squirrel leaned into Fangzheng’s embrace and asked, “Master, is this nice?”

Fangzheng shook his head and said, “I don’t understand Beijing opera. Perhaps it’s a generation gap. Apart from some familiar plot, I don’t really understand the rest. I’m not used to it.”

Squirrel was surprised as he said, “Master, you look like you’re enchanted by it. I thought you really like Beijing opera. Since you don’t like it, why do you want to watch it? Isn’t watching the competition better?”

Fangzheng shook his head slightly. “There’s a buzz to watch every day, one you can watch anytime you want. However, there are some things that won’t exist if you don’t support them while you still can. Although I don’t understand the opera, I can understand human nature and culture. Look at the surroundings. It’s a snow-covered, windy land. People aren’t even willing to go out onto the streets. But what about them? They are wearing thin costumes, singing and dancing with all their might… Look at their eyes; they are focused and serious. Their performance might not be the type we like, but they represent the heritage of Chinese culture. Some things have to be passed down and cherished. We can’t be inheritors or or someone who understands them, but we can be supporters.

“We don’t suffer any losses by giving these inheritors support, but to them… that’s the motivation to continue.”

Squirrel said, “Is that so… Sigh, Master, their eyes are filled with strength. They are different from normal people. That black-faced man is holding a spear and glaring at me. I’m afraid…”

Fangzheng smiled. “That’s Zhang Fei—Zhang Yide, a famous military general in history. Of course, he’s frightening. I’ve heard that people who sing in Beijing opera usually practice the look in their eyes. Every expression and gaze needs years of training. The saying—ten years of practice for one minute on the stage—isn’t for nothing.”

“It’s no wonder it’s filled with force… Master, how long are we going to watch? Aren’t we going to watch the buzz over there?” Squirrel continued asking.

Fangzheng said, “With us here, they will have an audience. If we leave, they will lose their only audience. There’s no lack of audience there, so it doesn’t matter whether we go or not. But here, we are all their everything. They put in so much effort just to perform so that we can watch. If we leave now, won’t your conscience be pricked?”

Squirrel fell silent. After a moment, he mumbled. “Master, I will feel bad, but I really don’t understand what’s happening.”

Fangzheng said, “Then learn from me. Sit here quietly and smile. Just watch. Yes… If you are sleepy, you can do this.”

With that said, Fangzheng clapped and shouted, “Nice!”

This shout was extremely loud, so loud that it caused the snow on the surrounding trees to fall.

The actors who were performing on stage were clearly stunned. Clearly, they did not expect that there despite there being only one audience, his voice was even louder than the trumpet!

However, what really left them dumbfounded was that they had only taken two steps in their performance. They hadn’t reached the exciting part.

The cheer left them baffled… It wasn’t on point, so it left them shuddering.