Chen Jin blushed and fell silent.
Wu Ming said with a smile, "What Chen Jin said makes sense. However, it would be a waste to descend the mountain now. I also think that since everyone is here, why don't we go to One Finger Temple? "
The moment that was said, Wang Yougui, Yang Ping, and Chen Jin were stunned. The three of them could not understand what Wu Ming was up to.
Wu Ming said, "Patron Wang, Patron Yang, don't misunderstand. This Penniless Monk rushed over because he felt that there were too many elderly and children. This Penniless Monk specially came to help. As for where everyone offered their first incense, it was all the same. What we worship is Buddha, not some temple or some person. No matter where we are, as long as we are sincere, it will work. "
These words made Wang Yougui and Yang Ping feel very comfortable. The atmosphere was no longer awkward. The few of them walked up the mountain and became much more enthusiastic.
At the same time, Wu Ming's words spread. The villagers had a good impression of Wu Ming to begin with. After all, he was the monk they interacted with the most. Now that he heard Wu Ming say that, he felt that Wu Ming was impressive. He was perceptive and had a Buddhist nature.
As the group walked up the mountain, Wu Ming walked back and forth. He really helped take care of the elderly and children. Wang Yougui nodded to himself when he saw this. "This Wu Ming is not bad …"
Unbeknownst to them, Wu Ming would whisper to the villagers as he walked through the crowd.
"Benefactor, are you also here to fight for the first incense stick?"
"What's there to fight for with my body? I'll just join in the fun."
"That won't do. The first incense stick is especially important. If you can snatch it, you'll be able to change your luck. You will have a smooth journey next year, and your descendants will be rich and safe. "
"Really?"
"Of course! I am a monk from Hongyan Temple. Monks do not lie, so why would I lie to you? "
"Then I really have to try and snatch it … What if I succeed?"
"Lady Almsgiver, are you also here to fight for the first incense?"
"Ah? Yes! But it's a little difficult. "
"Let the child snatch it. Carry the child higher. When you snatch it, send it forward, and it'll be there. Shh, this is our Hongyan Temple's experience in burning the first incense after so many years. You must not tell anyone, don't say that I told you. "
…
Wang Yougui was chatting with Tan Juguo. He did not know that Wu Ming was spreading the word about the importance of snatching the first incense offering. He was encouraging everyone to snatch it later.
Just then …
"Be careful! Where did this dog come from?! "
"Howl!"
Suddenly, Wu Ming's angry voice was heard from ahead along with the wolf's whine.
Wang Yougui and company rushed over to check on the situation. They saw Wu Ming carrying a child. Not far away, Lone Wolf looked down at Wu Ming. There was an earth mark on his body. Clearly, Wu Ming had hit him with a piece of earth.
After Lone Wolf was certain that he did not know Wu Ming, he immediately shouted.
Fangzheng happened to hear it, but he ignored it.
Wang Yougui frowned and pulled Wu Ming back. "This is a wolf from the mountains. It is not ferocious and is very friendly."
Wu Ming looked enlightened and said, "I see. This Penniless Monk was rude. Please don't blame me."
As the saying went, the ignorant were not to blame. With Wu Ming saying that, what else could Wang Yougui say? After all, Wu Ming was protecting the child.
On the other hand, Tan Juguo, who was following behind, had a deep look in his eyes when he saw this. No one knew what he was thinking.
With this delay, Fangzheng finished reciting the scriptures and came out to check on the situation.
There was a large group of people outside the monastery! Fangzheng was somewhat taken aback as well. What was happening? Buddha Gautama had manifested himself and gathered so many people to scare him in the middle of the night?
Fangzheng took a careful look and realized that they were all villagers from the foot of the mountain! Wang Yougui's family, Tan Juguo's family, Yang Ping's family, Yang Hua's family, Tan Yong, Tan Ming, Dog Song, and company were all here! There were even children running around. It was a bustling scene. However, who was the bald donkey beside Wang Yougui who looked friendly but did not have a friendly look in his eyes?
"Pui! Pui! Pui! We are all baldies. Why are you in such a rush? A child's words carry no harm. The wind blows it away." Fangzheng hurriedly added in his heart.
However, before Fangzheng could say anything to clarify the situation, someone shouted, "Charge! Snatch the first incense stick! "
Fangzheng saw hundreds of people rush over. If not for all of them beaming with joy, Fangzheng would have believed that he had encountered a robbery! Fangzheng did not dare say a word. He turned his body to dodge to prevent himself from being trampled to death.
The group of people surged into the monastery before squeezing into the temple hall.
When Wang Yougui saw this, he cursed inwardly. One Finger Temple was not big. It was easy for something to happen if everyone squeezed in! Wang Yougui shouted, "All of you stop! Stop! It's not midnight yet. What's the rush? "
With the village chief stepping forward, everyone calmed down. However, the scene was still a little rowdy. Everyone was talking at once and it was a mess. However, there were still people shouting to snatch the incense stick.
The villagers were still stirring. Wang Yougui could not hold them back any longer.
"Amitabha!" At this moment, a confident Buddhist chant rang out. The voice was incomparably loud, instantly suppressing all the other voices in the venue!
Following that, Fangzheng waved his hand and released his strength. He pushed through the crowd and came to the temple hall's entrance! He finally understood that regardless of what these people were here for, if this continued, something bad would happen! Therefore, with a shout, he charged over!
Fangzheng stood at the temple hall's entrance. His White Lunar Monk Robe appeared especially eye-catching under the moonlight! His bald head was even more radiant! His Dharma Aspect was solemn and he exuded might without being angry!
Fangzheng's previous actions had already made the villagers acknowledge him as abbot. Now that Fangzheng had come out, everyone felt a lot more at ease.
Following that, Tan Juguo came out as well. Standing there, he emanated the might of an old village secretary. The scene turned completely silent.
Fangzheng heaved a sigh of relief when he saw this. He asked Wang Yougui, "Patron, what's going on?" Fangzheng was truly a little dumbfounded. This was the first time he was seeing the villagers run up the mountain during the new year! In previous years, the mountain was only Fangzheng and Zen Master One Finger. It was as quiet as it could be.
"Venerable Fangzheng, here's the thing. Isn't it almost the new year? Everyone wishes to offer the first incense stick to pray for their blessings. It was agreed upon in the village to line up after coming up the mountain. No one is to act recklessly. In the end … Sigh, these disappointing people, "Wang Yougui cursed jokingly.
Fangzheng was taken aback. The first incense stick? If not for Wang Yougui's reminder, Fangzheng would have nearly forgotten about it! It was not only One Finger Temple. Many temples had the practice of offering the first incense stick, especially the large ones. During the new year, people would go to great lengths just to offer the first incense stick. There were even people who specially reserved spots and sold them to earn money.
However, Fangzheng never expected that One Finger Temple would have people snatching the first incense stick. It was fresh! At the same time, he felt a little excited and satisfied! One Finger Temple finally looked like a temple!
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