The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Only then did Red Boy heave a sigh of relief and stand obediently by the side.

“Jingfa, Jingkuan, Jingzhen, all three of you have rendered great service. Today, you will each be rewarded with a Myriad Language Pill! After consuming it, you will be able to communicate with anyone. In the future it will not be difficult for the three of you to communicate with each other.”

The eyes of the three animals lit up the instant they heard Fangzheng say that! Although they were fellow disciples, they were of different species. None of them knew what the other was saying. There were all sorts of barriers between them. It would have been fine if their relationship was that of strangers occasionally bumping to each other, but they saw each other daily. Furthermore none of their own kind that they could communicate with was present, making communication between them all the more important. Not being able to understand each other felt odd.

Now there was finally a solution. All of them wore looks of happiness.

When Red Boy saw this, he curled his lips and thought to himself, “A bunch of bumpkins. What’s there to be happy about for a mere Myriad Language Pill?”

Red Boy had seen all sorts of natural treasures after all. He really thought nothing of the pill. However Lone Wolf, Squirrel, and Monkey were native animals of Earth. They were a little intelligent in the past, but they had not turned sentient. After entering One Finger Monastery, they became sentient, but they could not speak. They could only swallow their own miseries, but now with a pill that allowed them speech, they naturally cherished it greatly.

Fangzheng handed out one pill to each of the three animals. They eagerly threw the pill into their mouths.

“Can you understand what I’m saying?” Squirrel shouted, being the most anxious one.

But beside him, Lone Wolf, Monkey, and Red Boy were calm like elderly meditating monks. None of them said a word or even looked at him.

Squirrel scratched his head and mumbled, “Have the pill’s effects not taken effect? Let me wait a little longer…”

Lone Wolf, Monkey, Red Boy, and Fangzheng exchanged looks as they held back their laughter, feigning ignorance.

After a while, Squirrel asked again, “Can you guys understand me?”

All he received in return was baffled looks and shaking heads.

Squirrel’s tiny face scrunched up, and he looked wryly at Fangzheng. “Master, they don’t understand what I’m saying. Has this pill expired?”

Fangzheng held back his laughter as he patted Squirrel on the head in all seriousness with a smile. “I can understand.”

Squirrel pointed at Lone Wolf and Monkey. “But they can’t. Boohoo! My pill has expired. Wahhh! Master, I want another one.”

The tiny ball of fur began pulling a tantrum as he rolled around on the floor begging.

Fangzheng failed to hold back his laughter as he patted Squirrel on the head. “One should not be greedy. Perhaps the pills medicinal effects haven’t dissolved. Wait a little while… Oh, the rice is almost done. I’ll get some.”

With that said, Fangzheng got up and walked to the backyard. Simultaneously he said, “Jingxin, you have protected the mountain and did a great job by summoning rain. However you are a demon king, and you probably have no lack of treasures. I won’t be rewarding you with something physical. How about bringing you with me next time?”

Red Boy did not think too much about the rewards to begin with. He was happy as long as there was a reward so that he wouldn’t lose to others! Therefore he was happy to accept. “Alright, Master!” As he replied, Red Boy followed behind Fangzheng.

Squirrel lay on the floor after Red Boy left. He continued asking, “Senior Brother, Junior Brother, do you really not understand me?”

Lone Wolf and Monkey exchanged looks and continued feigning ignorance.

Squirrel rolled his eyes and mumbled, “Silly monkey, stupid dog, none of you can understand a thing… Uh? Senior Brother, Junior Brother, why are you looking at me like that?” Squirrel noticed something amiss. Why were the two looking at him so fiercely?

The next moment, Fangzheng heard Squirrel’s tragic cries outside. As he screamed, he yelled, “Master, save me! A squirrel is being kill—! Aiyah, Senior Brother, you are taking things too far!”

“You dare scold us? I’m only punishing you,” said Lone Wolf with a malicious smile.

“Uh? You can understand?” Squirrel was taken aback.

“Of course.” Monkey smiled.

“Both of you tricked me! Boohoo! Junior Brother, don’t you go too far!” Squirrel screamed.

…

Fangzheng knew that among the animals, Squirrel was treated the best. Everyone spoiled him, so they naturally wouldn’t give him a real beating. However, from his tragic cries, the little guy was probably in quite a wretched state.

Fangzheng ignored the commotion. He was craving for a meal. After he opened the lid and scooped the rice and got some bamboo shoots, he dipped it in some sauce and ate by the door.

Moments later, Lone Wolf and Monkey came in.

“Eh? Where’s Senior Brother Jingkuan?” Red Boy looked at the two and asked out of curiosity.

Monkey said, “He’s not coming in.”

“Why?” Fangzheng was perplexed as well.

Lone Wolf said, “It’s not like we can do anything if he refuses to enter.”

“Jingkuan, what are you doing outside? Quickly come in!” Fangzheng shouted when he saw Squirrel’s tiny tail fleet across the door.

“I’m not entering! Not over my dead body!” Squirrel protested.

Fangzheng was puzzled. He got up and walked out with Red Boy. When he came out, he saw a black guy squatting by the door. Upon taking a careful look, wasn’t this Squirrel!?

Squirrel was slouching his pitiful head, his body entirely covered in what seemed like black ink. His tail had a few leaves and grass hanging off it. By his chest, there was a wolf imprint… This look was truly…

Fangzheng could not help but sigh. “This mouse sure looks unique.”

“Not a mouse, squirrel! Squirrel! Squirrel! Wah… Everyone is bullying me.” Squirrel could not bear it any further as he bawled.

Instantly everyone present laughed. This little guy was just too amusing.

After the meal, Fangzheng gave Squirrel a bath. The Unrooted Clean Aqua was very good for this. By pouring a pail of water over Squirrel, all the ink was gone. After the sun dried his fur, a furry and adorable squirrel appeared once more.

After having his fill, Fangzheng was in no hurry to leave. Instead, he peacefully stayed on the mountain to eat vegetarian and chant.

That night, Red Boy was browsing the Internet on the cell phone. As he was having the time of his life, he received a message.

“Master, our Spring Holidays plan has been called off. The school doesn’t allow so many people to go on a trip. They say it’s to ensure the safety of the students. Boohoo…” It was Zhao Datong.

Red Boy immediately screamed, “Master, someone named Zhao Datong says that the school doesn’t allow him to organize a trip. He can’t come. What do you want to say?”

Fangzheng thought about it and said, “Leave it up to fate. We will meet if we are fated. There’s no need to force it, so tell him not to take it to heart.”

Red Boy sent the message in its entirety.

Fangzheng was indeed not fazed if Zhao Datong was unable to bring people to the monastery. At present, the monastery’s incense offerings were increasing by the day. He did not particularly yearn for more people to come. It would only spell more trouble. It was quite nice keeping to the status quo. He could relax and live his days happily…

When Zhao Datong saw that Fangzheng had no intention to blame him, he heaved a sigh of relief. He looked around and when he saw that no one was looking at him, he sent Fangzheng a question. “Master, I like a girl. I wish to court her. Do you have any advice?”

Red Boy immediately shouted the message out to Fangzheng.