The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Fangzheng was in a dilemma. He needed incense money to upgrade his divine powers. More people meant more incense offerings, and with more incense offerings, the wishes that came with them would naturally bring benefits. Besides, the more people came, the more he could help, and the more merit he could earn. But here came the question; would it be too chaotic if too many people came to the mountain? Although Fangzheng desired to leave the mountain, he didn’t wish to enter a rowdy market every time he went down! He ultimately preferred peace and tranquility, and having some space for himself.

“Sigh, why think so much? Even if I don’t help with the tourism plan, I’ll still have to think of means to pull crowds here to gain more incense offerings. There will be disputes once there are many people, but if there are few people, won’t that force me to stay a monk for the rest of my life? At the most, I can just do a limited opening up then! The doors will be opened at daybreak and closed at sunset. Entry to the mountain will be barred after daylight! Whatever! My monastery is so efficacious, so do I need to be afraid if they come? Yes, I’ll do that!” With this in mind, Fangzheng said, “This Penniless Monk can cooperate with the government, but This Penniless Monk has a condition.”

“What condition?” County Head Qi asked.

“The rules on the mountain will be decided by This Penniless Monk. Of course, the visitors will not be scammed or anything.”

County Head Qi nodded. “As long as it’s reasonable and legal, I’ll definitely not interfere.”

Fangzheng first raised the time regulations and when County Head Qi heard that, he was stunned. He looked at Fangzheng and smiled. “Abbot Fangzheng, you are afraid that it will be troublesome if there’s too many people, right?”

Fangzheng smiled in embarrassment. He wasn’t afraid of trouble, but his apprehensions were mostly there because he was lazy!

After sending County Head Qi away, the weight on Fangzheng’s chest was finally gone. Before the discussion, he was afraid that the government would raise all sorts of random clauses, putting him in a tough spot. But now, having had this discussion, he felt relieved. County Head Qi was quite an amiable person.

Since he had given him a favor, Fangzheng naturally needed to reciprocate. Therefore, he also planned on taking the opportunity to raise One Finger Monastery’s reputation.

Not long after County Head Qi left, Fangzheng received Wang Yougui’s phone call. Clearly, he had heard the news and was delighted. He kept exclaiming how One Finger Village was about to soar and rise up.

Fangzheng chuckled and listened until Wang Yougui hung up.

Fangzheng dug his ears and mumbled. “Do old people like to talk that much? Patron Tan is still better. At least he doesn’t care about anything and doesn’t come to chat with me.”

The moment he said that, his phone rang again. It was none other than Tan Juguo!

By the time he could put down the phone, an hour had passed.

Fangzheng sat there, tears streaming down his eyes as he looked down at his cell phone. Finally, he slapped his mouth. “Jinx!”

That day, One Finger Village turned really lively. Meanwhile, One Finger Village’s carving school which Jing Yulong had sponsored began construction. It was located east of the village, near a road and far from Mt. One Finger. This also prevented the school’s bustle and the noise during the construction work from disturbing One Finger Monastery’s silence.

At the same time, the materials Li Xueying ordered to build the Guan Yin Hall arrived. However, it was only a single tree. Although Fangzheng didn’t know much about wood, he could tell that it wasn’t cheap! Even a tiny branch felt heavy, and the wood construction was extremely dense and tight. And the thickness of the tree was almost two meters. Its circumference had the arm span of two to three people!

Fangzheng hurriedly checked on the Internet and when he saw the price, he faltered. He sent Li Xueying a message: “Patron, the wood has arrived. Are you sure you didn’t rob a bank?”

In response, Li Xueying said: “I do wish to rob a bank, but my skill is lacking. It was given to me by a friend from Southeast Asia. He’s a Buddhist and a very devout one at that. When he heard about you and saw your acting as an accomplished monk, he was very interested, so he donated such a huge tree. He also said that he would visit you when the opportunity arises.”

Fangzheng grinned. Interested in him? As the wind blew, Fangzheng subconsciously trembled. However, he replied: “My doors are always open to him. Heh heh.”

Li Xueying said: “There are still some more materials that are being shipped over. They are all quite troublesome and since it’s almost winter, the craftsmen likely can’t start work. Sigh. If I had known that it would be so troublesome, I would have started earlier.”

Fangzheng nodded his head rapidly, thinking, “If you had started earlier, the Guan Yin Hall would be built by now.” But despite his thoughts, he still sent the following message: “It’s fine. There’s no rush.”

After a few more exchanges, their conversation came to an end.

The day passed just like that.

The next day, Fangzheng woke up early and when he pushed open the door, he was met with a cold breeze. Fangzheng subconsciously trembled and took a deep breath. Cold air entered his lungs and chilled him from the inside out.

Fangzheng touched his cell phone and took a look. Clicking his tongue, he said, “It’s no wonder it’s so cold. It is already winter.”

“Hiss.” The sound of someone drawing a cold breath was heard. Lone Wolf had crawled out from his kennel and was taking deep gasps before exhaling. Mist spewed out like the exhaust from a motorcycle, just that it was white instead of black.

Lone Wolf trembled and commented. “Why did it suddenly become cold?”

However, he had lots of fur and a thick hide. All he did was tremble a bit before he adapted to it and was fine.

Fangzheng said, “It’s Lidong. From today, it’s officially winter. A cold draft from the north blew over today, so it’s naturally cold.”

“Master, what’s Lidong? Is it some kind of festival again?” Monkey walked out of the kitchen and asked.

Fangzheng smiled. “Yes, it’s indeed a festival.”

“Master, if it’s a festival, does that mean there is good food to eat?” Squirrel climbed up the wall, and his eyes looked wickedly bright.

Fangzheng berated him in good humor. “You little guy, all you know is to eat.”

“Hehe, Master, don’t beat about the bush. Is there?” Squirrel looked at Fangzheng with a look of anticipation.

Fangzheng shot a glance at the equally expectant Lone Wolf and Monkey, as well as at Red Boy, who had furtively peeped his head out. He nodded. “If your luck is good. Lidong is a huge festival, so there is naturally good food to eat.”

“Haha! I knew it. In the past, during this time, all of us had lots of good food to eat. Humans are about the same as us,” Squirrel threw his tail in joy as he jumped onto Fangzheng’s shoulder and said smugly.

“Squirrels are squirrels, and humans are humans. How can they be the same? At the very least, I’ve never heard of squirrels releasing fireworks during New Year’s,” Lone Wolf said with a smirk.

Squirrel glared at him. “We don’t release fireworks, but we eat! Don’t you eat?”

Lone Wolf was taken aback and said in surprise, “Hehe, that’s true. In the past during this period, we would also be voraciously eating…”

Monkey said, “Us too.”

Red Boy was curious. “Master, why is that so? Do all of you share the same mother?”

Fangzheng smacked him. What the hell was this brat saying?

Fangzheng thought for a moment before he asked, “Do you still remember the ancient phrase regarding Cold Dew I told you before?”