Therefore, the punishment was necessary!
As for Hong Xiang, Elder Du ultimately had his own selfish motives and did not push him forward.
Elder Du knew very well that if Hong Xiang was pushed forward, his life would be over. Being chased out of the monastery would be considered a light punishment.
Seeing how Fangzheng did not pursue Hong Xiang's matter and did not even ask about the details, Elder Du could not help but sigh inwardly, "Is such a magnanimity something a young monk at his age can possess? The gap between people is really not just a little big. "
With this in mind, Elder Du only felt grateful. How could he have any displeasure?
Outsiders did not know Fangzheng's intentions, but seeing Elder Du following behind him respectfully without any complaints, they naturally did not say a word. Most of them were discussing the crossing of the river on a reed. After all, it was just too shocking!
The group of people followed Fangzheng in a grandiose fashion. There were people watching the buzz, taking pictures, chatting, bragging, and even yawning. Instantly, it was bustling.
As for Hong Xiang, he was already prepared to be dragged out to be criticized before his reputation would be tarnished and he would be kicked out of the monastery. But after waiting all day and seeing everyone leave, he realized that he had nothing to do with it!
Hong Xiang was taken aback. He looked at the departing crowd in a daze. After a long while, he scratched his head and followed. However, he felt a stir in his heart. At that moment, he saw many things that he could not figure out in the past.
At that moment, a group of people came down the mountain. They were none other than Zen Master Baiyun! Behind them were monks from various monasteries. There were more than a hundred people!
The two teams bumped into each other midway, and then they were both stunned.
At that moment, Brother Hei suddenly rushed forward and shouted, "Master Baiyun, please be the judge. We are all navigators, so it's up to us to decide who gets on board or not. Yet, this monk is punishing Elder Du. Elder Du is already so old … "
"Liu Heizi, shut up!" Elder Du rushed forward and covered Liu Heizi's mouth.
Zen Master Baiyun looked at the indignant Liu Heizi before looking at Fangzheng and Elder Du. Elder Du had a look of anger and shame while Fangzheng looked calm. His smile was warm and filled with radiance. His warm bearing made it difficult for people to associate him with a monk. Most of the time, people would ignore his attire and identity. Instead, they would treat him as a radiant young man.
Zen Master Baiyun nodded slightly at Fangzheng and pressed his palms together. "Amitabha. This Penniless Monk is Baiyun Monastery's abbot. Master, you look unfamiliar. May I know which monastery you cultivate in and how you should be addressed?"
Fangzheng looked at the amiable master in front of him and vaguely felt like he was seeing Zen Master One Finger. They both looked amiable, and their eyes were forever clear like a pool of spring water. Zen Master One Finger had once said that the eyes were the window to a person's soul. A person with clear eyes would definitely have a beautiful soul. Buddhists cleanse their souls on that day and night.
Zen Master Baiyun was clearly an accomplished monk. Fangzheng became even more respectful as he pressed his palms together, "Amitabha. This Penniless Monk is One Finger Monastery's abbot, Fangzheng. Greetings Zen Master Baiyun."
"Oh? You are Fangzheng?! " There was a sudden exclamation from the crowd. Zen Master Baiyun had asked Fangzheng a moment ago but no one recognized him. No one expected that the young monk who had crossed the river on a reed was Fangzheng!
Everyone had their own thoughts when they saw Fangzheng's young appearance and made the connection to crossing the river on a reed.
At that moment, a slightly plump monk came forward and said, "Venerable Fangzheng, why didn't you take a boat? Why did you cross the river on a reed? Isn't that a little too much of a sensationalist act? If you really want to become famous, you shouldn't have done it at the foot of Baiyun Monastery and used the popularity of the Spring Welcoming Dharma Assembly to create hype, right? "
The moment that was said, the crowd burst into an uproar once again. They were just marveling at Fangzheng's divine powers of crossing the river on a reed. Now, on careful thought, why did he cross the river on a reed instead of taking a boat? To cross the river on a reed in front of so many people, if that wasn't sensationalism, what was it? It was not a good attitude to covet fame and fortune. Such a person was not fit to be an abbot.
Immediately, the crowd's eyes turned odd. They had looks of curiosity and even respect a moment ago, but now they had looks of contempt.
Upon hearing that, Fangzheng frowned slightly. He too wished to take a boat, but he needed a boat for that! Just as Fangzheng was about to speak, Elder Du beat him to it. He went forward and bowed at the monks. "Venerable Fangzheng is not to be blamed for this matter. It's all my fault. I'm old and muddle-headed. I listened to slander and thought that Venerable Fangzheng was an ignorant cheat who went around scamming people. I was afraid that he would come to Baiyun Monastery and humiliate the sacred land. Therefore, I got the boatmen not to ferry him on the boat. He had no choice but to cross the river on a reed. "
The moment that was said, everyone was enlightened. However, the slightly plump monk was indignant. Wasn't that a smack in the face? His face blushed slightly as he refused to let go. He pressed, "If you don't want to ferry him across the river, you can give us a call. We can mediate. There's no need to do that, right? Isn't the hype too obvious? "
Fangzheng pricked up his brows when he heard that. He thought, "Is this fatty sick? I was perfectly fine. I didn't do anything to him. Why does he keep biting me? Besides, who knows what Baiyun Monastery's phone number is? "
Just as Fangzheng was about to speak, Zen Master Hongyan suddenly said, "Amitabha. Venerable Hong Jin, what you said is wrong. Not everyone knows Baiyun Monastery's phone number. Besides, although we are people outside of the secular world, it is inevitable for us to be bound by the secular world. Baiyun Monastery is holding a Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly. If one does not arrive on time, even if Zen Master Baiyun doesn't mind, it does not mean that the matter does not exist. Everyone knows the repercussions. Anyone would be anxious if they were in his shoes. "
"Zen Master Hongyan is right. However, There's something This Penniless Monk can't figure out. Venerable Fangzheng, there are countless monks who come to Baiyun Monastery. Why does someone have to target you? As the saying goes, a housefly never bites a seamless egg. There must be a reason behind it, right? "Venerable Hong Jin did not dare to argue with the esteemed Zen Master Hongyan. He turned his attention back to Fangzheng.
Fangzheng said, "In fact, This Penniless Monk can't figure it out either. Ever since This Penniless Monk took over One Finger Monastery, this is the first time This Penniless Monk has left the mountain. Logically speaking, This Penniless Monk should not have any conflict with anyone."
"That's odd. Since Venerable One has no conflict with anyone, the question arises. Why is he targeting you? Why isn't he targeting This Penniless Monk? This Penniless Monk believes that it's time for you to reflect on what you did wrong. " When Venerable Hong Jin said that, he revealed a victorious smile. This was because he realized that Fangzheng was somewhat at a loss for words.
Fangzheng also felt bitter. He had been posturing and had not asked for the reason. Now, how was he to explain himself?
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