The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Fangzheng subconsciously led Lone Wolf over. They looked around as they walked. At that moment two boys walked past them, and Fangzheng heard one of them say, “The car accident that happened days ago sure was frightening. I heard a student from our school was made a cripple from the collision.”

“That’s right. If not for a few drivers who happened to pass by sending him to the hospital, the outcome could have been worse…”

…

Fangzheng pressed his palms together and gave a Buddhist proclamation when he heard that. “Amitabha. Let’s hope such things will not happen again.”

While Fangzheng’s mind wandered, he suddenly realized that there was something missing beside him. He turned his head to realize that Lone Wolf was gone!

“Where did that stupid dog go?” Fangzheng turned anxious. Lone Wolf had never left the mountain and was a genuine bumpkin and idiot. Worst of all, the fellow was extremely strong, and he was very fast when he ran. If he really caused trouble, the mayhem he could create would only be slightly lesser than Red Boy. Fangzheng felt a little anxious as he searched his surroundings, only to see…

An ice cream machine outside a small shop. An elder was sitting there, with three students lining up. They looked like they were in the line for the ice cream. Strangely, the elder’s ice cream shop was the only one with an orderly line despite there being so many finger food stalls. The rest had students chaotically swarming around them.

As for Lone Wolf, he was standing behind the three students, shaking his tail while his mouth was open, drooling in the process. Clearly this fellow was craving for ice cream!

The students in front of him left after paying for their ice cream. Soon it was Lone Wolf’s turn. He hang out his tongue and licked his lips while looking with teary eyes at the old granny.

Fangzheng covered his face when he saw this. He came to understand that the fool believed that he could claim an ice cream simply by lining up! He was trying to get some free food! Fangzheng quickly walked over and was prepared to pull Lone Wolf away. What a joke! If the elder were to really give Lone Wolf something, Fangzheng did not have the money to pay for it! That would be embarrassing!

However before Fangzheng arrived, the old granny extended her hand and patted Lone Wolf. Then, she handed him some ice cream.

Lone Wolf did not stand on ceremony and immediately wolfed it down. He shook his tail in delight, having the time of his life eating it!

Fangzheng was rendered speechless as he ran over and rapped Lone Wolf on the head. “You fool. This needs money, yet you ask for it. Do you have money?”

Lone Wolf naturally knew of the existence of money, but he did not know what it was for. After all, he had never seen it being used apart from Fangzheng throwing the money on the bed to admire… He was always baffled at what use those crappy pieces of paper that were a little dirty could have. Now that he heard Fangzheng say that, he finally had an inkling of understanding.

However Lone Wolf was quite a smart one. He knew that he was in trouble and that it was unlikely he could secure the remaining ice cream. Therefore he widened his mouth and finished all the ice cream in one mouthful! Then Lone Wolf discovered that although the ice cream was truly delicious, it was really cold! Having swallowed such a huge lump of ice cream made him feel terrible! He felt his stomach turn ice-cold as the coldness seeped upwards, giving him brain freeze! Even his tongue felt a little numb from the cold… He rolled his eyes as he squirmed on the ground.

Fangzheng lamented at how he had failed teaching his disciple, wishing he could slap the good-for-nothing.

Since the ice cream had been eaten, Fangzheng had no way of digging it out. He could only come in front of the old granny and press his palms together. “Amitabha. Patron, how much is the ice cream?”

The granny chuckled. “He lined up using his own capabilities, so how can I have the shame to request for money?”

Fangzheng was stunned before he laughed and pressed his palms together. “Amitabha. Thank you, Patron.” However he was thinking to himself, “As expected of the elderly in the city. Look at how skilled she is at speaking in riddles… Impressive!”

At that moment Fangzheng saw a tiny board by the side of the granny. On it was written: “Line up to purchase, otherwise no sale!”

Fangzheng was stunned. He realized she was an old person with an attitude.

The granny asked with a smile, “Venerable One, are you really a monk?”

“Yes.”

“You look quite different from those brats. Come, have an ice cream. It’s on the house.” After she said that, she handed some ice cream to Fangzheng.

Fangzheng did not stand on ceremony and accepted it. “Thank you, Patron.”

“You’re welcome. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a young monk.”

Just as Fangzheng was about to say something, he saw Lone Wolf run off again. The fellow had turned for the worse this time. He had run to line up in front of a store that sold bento meals.

Fangzheng looked at Lone Wolf before turning back to look at the granny. She laughed. “Go on, that dog of yours is quite interesting.”

Fangzheng laughed helplessly and bade her farewell. He rushed over and grabbed Lone Wolf by the tail and pulled him away.

Lone Wolf was indignant about it as he yelled, “Master, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing? What are you doing?” Fangzheng was a little peeved. Could this fellow stop giving him anguish already?

“It’s almost noon, so I lined up to get some food for us. Do you want to starve?” said Lone Wolf in a bold and assured manner.

Fangzheng rolled his eyes speechlessly. “Silly, weren’t you told? All of this needs money!”

“I lined up through my own abilities. Why should I pay?” retorted Lone Wolf.

Fangzheng: “…”

After half an hour of teaching, Lone Wolf finally understood the usage and importance of money. Then he looked up at Fangzheng and asked, “Master, after saying so much, do we have money?”

Fangzheng looked speechlessly into the sky and patted Lone Wolf on the head. “If you don’t mention the issue about money, you will still be my disciple.”

“What if I mention it?” pressed Lone Wolf.

“You will be in charge of sweeping the yard,” said Fangzheng in all seriousness.

“Master, I won’t mention it again. But… What are we eating for lunch?”

“Groan!”

Fangzheng’s stomach growled as well as he continued, “If you do not mention food, you will still be my disciple.”

“If- Forget it, there’s no ifs. But Master, are we just going to stand here doing nothing?” Lone Wolf looked at the eateries along the two sides of the street. He saw the people inside eating delightfully and could not help but swallow a few mouthfuls of saliva.

Fangzheng did not know how to answer either. Back when he left the mountain, he could quickly resolve the mission. Even at Daili Village, there was the warm village chief who hosted him. He never had problems with food, but now…

The man and wolf stood by the side of the road in a daze.

After some time, Lone Wolf sprawled on the ground. “Master, I’m hungry.”

“It’s fine. You are a wolf.”

“But wolves get hungry too!”

Fangzheng said in all seriousness, “The books mention that wolves will be fine even if they don’t eat for a week. Since you are so fat, take it as an opportunity to lose some weight.”

Lone Wolf: “…”

Fangzheng looked at the surrounding restaurants and thought of trying to solicit donations, but he had never really left the confines of his mountain. Although he had solicited donations in One Finger Village, the village was really no different from his own home. Therefore, he could thicken his face to solicit donations there. But as a complete stranger in this city, Fangzheng was too embarrassed to solicit donations from strangers.