The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Fangzheng did not run far off either. He only ran a short distance before changing directions to head towards the spotted deer. As for Squirrel, he had long been released by Fangzheng. The forest was Squirrel’s home as well. He could travel much faster on trees than staying grounded with Fangzheng. Besides, it gave him a wider view of the area.

Soon Squirrel returned. “Master, that evil man is coming with his two evil hounds.”

“Nicely done. This person has committed heinous sins. If he is allowed to continue, he would only wreak havoc to this forest.” Fangzheng’s expression turned solemn. He stopped running as he stood his ground and waited silently.

It did not take long before the barking was heard. Following that, the two evil hounds ran over.

Fangzheng said indifferently, “Jingxin.”

Red Boy grinned when he heard that, revealing his sparkling white teeth that had a cold glimmer to them.

When the two dogs arrived, they had ferocity in their eyes when they saw Fangzheng. They showed no fear as they pounced straight at him! Fangzheng remained motionless when a figure appeared suddenly. “You two sons of b*tches, drop down to the ground!”

Smack! Smack!

The crisp sounds of two slaps sounded as the two dogs simultaneously cried out tragically before falling to the ground, one over the other. Red Boy then sat on them, preventing the dogs from moving no matter how much they struggled.

Almost at the same time, an angry roar was heard. “Stop!”

Immediately following that, Old Liang ran over. The hunting rifle which was on his shoulders was now in his hands. His eyes were red as he glared angrily at Fangzheng and Red Boy.

Fangzheng pressed his palms together. His eyes no longer had their usual warmth but an additional sharp and dignified look. He shouted in response, “By killing the innocent heedlessly, are you aware of your sins?!”

Old Liang’s ears boomed like he had triggered a landmine. He jumped in fright, but when he turned to look, all he saw was a young monk looking stately. Instead of being afraid, he smiled in anger. “Which bald donkey is this. How dare you reprimand me? Killing the innocent? The forest is all about survival of the fittest. Wolves eat rabbits, rabbits eat grass. What sin is there?”

“But be they wolves or tigers, they would forever only eat the old and sickly. They would absolutely not cause the extinction of an entire family. But for you? You have no conscience. You end an animal’s entire family, making you worse than a tiger or wolf. Yet you have the shame to criticize them?” Fangzheng said righteously.

“Monk, did you turn dumb from chanting scriptures? So what if I killed them? What can you do about it? Son of a b*tch, get off my dogs or I’ll shoot you!” Although Old Liang was angry, he was no fool. He knew very well how powerful his two dogs were in combat. They had been beaten to a pulp upon contact and were unable to move when sat on by a brat. Clearly, this monk was not someone ordinary. At the very least he knew martial arts. He did not close in and instead, he aimed his rifle at Fangzheng. He exuded the feeling that he would fire a round the moment negotiations failed.

Fangzheng shook his head, “You ought to be thrown into hell for being this stubborn.”

“Haha! What a joke! Thrown into hell? Does this world have a hell? Even if it does, who can throw me into hell?” Old Liang was different from other traditional hunters. Those hunters believed in mountain deities and worshipped the land. They believed gods were watching and did not go overboard when doing things. They were reasonable people. But Old Liang was different. He did not believe in anything but the rifle in his hands and the money in his pockets! Everything else was just bullsh*t to him!

Fangzheng shook his head again. “This Penniless Monk is able to do so!”

Fangzheng’s eyes emitted Buddha light the next moment. Following that, a boom was heard. As though the world was spinning, the sky turned dark. The huge sun still hung in the sky, but it seemed to have been extinguished. It felt like it was being enclosed by a black layer of glass, leaving behind only a silhouette. The bit of light it emitted could not illuminate the world.

With a loud rustle from the surrounding trees, they suddenly turned barren… The entire world seemed to become devoid of life.

Following that there was the sound of bones grinding. A bone hand reached out as it dragged a rusty chain. When the hand yanked the chain forcefully, there was a rumbling sound as space trembled. A huge door opened at the other end of the chain! It was a bronze door with rust speckles of rust on it. It appeared as though it had not been opened for eons. There were many devilish-looking sculptures on it, with two massive ghostly wardens standing to its sides. They grabbed at the door’s sides as though they were using all their strength to hold open the door.

Above the door were huge conspicuous words covered in blood: “Door to Hell!”

However, what stood in greater contrast besides the Door to Hell was the white-robed monk standing beneath it!

“What’s this?” Old Liang, who was unafraid of anything, was really struck with fear at that moment! He did not believe in the supernatural because he had never witnessed it before! Having killed so many, he believed that even ghosts would avoid him. He did not believe any human or ghost could subdue him! But now he was seeing the legendary Door to Hell. He was truly afraid.

“Amitabha, as you see it, this is the road towards the Door to Hell. Didn’t you ask who could subdue you? This Penniless Monk shall cross worlds and use authoritative powers to subdue you for the world!” Fangzheng enunciated each and every word.

Old Liang retreated as he clasped his firearm tightly. “Don’t— Don’t you come over or I’ll kill you right away!”

Fangzheng looked calmly at Old Liang before slowly walking towards him. As he closed in, he said, “Amitabha. Patron, the sea of bitterness has no bounds, turn back to the shore before it’s too late.”

“F**k your turning back!” Old Liang was so frightened that he was on the brink of a mental breakdown. When Fangzheng came close, he was horrified as he raised his rifle and shot!

Bam!

Old Liang wished that the shot could kill the strange monk, allowing him to escape the strange world! However…

Clank!

The ball bearing struck the white-robed monk, causing a spark. However, it did not injure him at all! Upon seeing this, Old Liang truly felt despair. He turned to run.

“Since you are so stubborn, there’s no way This Penniless Monk can redeem you. In that case, repent in hell.” The moment Fangzheng said that, the gigantic devil at the Door to Hell reached out its huge hand. It extended and grabbed Old Liang, throwing it into its mouth while Old Liang watched with a horrified look in his eyes.

“Master, you are killing someone!” Red Boy exclaimed with his eyes wide. He yearned for Fangzheng to commit more sin so that he could be kicked out of Buddhism, as he would then regain his freedom.

However…

Fangzheng shot Red Boy a glance. “Good people and evil people walk different paths. Good ghosts go in through the door, while evil ghosts enter through the mouth. However that mouth isn’t a bed of roses. Do you want to give it a try? You are welcome to give it a try.”

“Master, today’s sun is really round.” Red Boy looked into the sky.

Fangzheng was rendered speechless. When had the sun not been round? Even during solar eclipses, the sun was only obscured, but wasn’t it still in essence round?

As for Squirrel, he was so afraid that his hair stood on end the moment the Door to Hell appeared. He crawled deep into Fangzheng’s clothes and trembled. Fangzheng was helpless towards this. Squirrel was ultimately a cowardly fellow. It was difficult for him to accept too many things at a time.