"Amitabha. If you were given another chance to come back to life, what would you do?" asked Fangzheng.
"What would I do? If I were to come back to life, I would not want to be a monk. I want to return home. I want to educate my children and take care of my wife. Even if the sky were to collapse, I would be their pillar of support, shielding them from the storm, "said Wu Ming.
"Amitabha." Fangzheng pressed his palms together and gave a Buddhist proclamation.
The next moment, Wu Ming felt everything in front of him turn illusory. The Buddhistic light grew brighter, so blinding that he could not open his eyes. He subconsciously covered his eyes and when he adapted, he was astonished to discover that he was still at the edge of Village Viewing Cliff!
As for Fangzheng and company, they had only just walked up Village Viewing Cliff. From afar, he realized that Fangzheng was looking at him with his palms pressed together and smiling at him.
Instantly, Wu Ming was dumbfounded. He could not tell if what he had just experienced was real or an illusion. If it was real, what was happening now? Time reversal? If it was an illusion, could it be a dream? But regardless, Wu Ming knew one thing. All of this originated from Fangzheng! This seemingly harmless young monk!
The two experiences of crossing the river on a reed and A Golden Millet Dream made Wu Ming completely understand one thing. The young monk in front of him was definitely not simple. Even if he was not a real Buddha, he was a living Buddha! He was not to be offended!
Since he could not afford to offend Fangzheng, his thoughts returned to the problem of home. Upon thinking of home and everything in his dream, Wu Ming's eyes immediately turned red. Regardless of whether it was real or fake, he knew one thing. Fangzheng had allowed him to see his true self. He no longer lost himself. That was a huge favor! With this in mind, Wu Ming strode towards Fangzheng.
"Wu Ming, what are you doing? Do you still refuse to realize your errors? "Zen Master Hongyan was immediately infuriated when he saw Wu Ming head straight for Fangzheng. He berated him loudly! With things having developed to this point, Zen Master Hongyan already understood everything despite no one saying it. All of this was Wu Ming's doing.
However, Wu Ming had no intention of stopping. His eyes were a little red and his face looked anxious as though he was worried about something.
Wu Ming walked very quickly. When the monks saw this, most of them had an ominous feeling. They thought, "Could it be that Wu Ming is going to beat someone in a fit of anger?"
All of them looked worriedly at Fangzheng. Elder Du and Hong Xiang even took a step forward in preparation to stop Wu Ming.
At that moment, Fangzheng suddenly blocked Hong Xiang. He pressed his palms together and smiled. "Patron, have you thought of where you want to go?"
Wu Ming's body trembled. Following that, under everyone's shocked gazes, he plopped to his knees in front of Fangzheng and kowtowed thrice. The crowd was baffled. They could not figure out what was going on. Why was Wu Ming kowtowing instead of finding trouble with Fangzheng?
As for Fangzheng, Wu Ming was also a monk. Why did he address Wu Ming as patron? This was not right at all!
Wu Ming suddenly said, "Thank you for your guidance, Venerable Fangzheng. Wu Ming has wasted his entire life, moving forward with a mountain on his back and losing himself under the pressure. Today, I finally understand what I want. I've thought it through. I want to renounce asceticism. I want to go home! "
As soon as he said this, everyone present was dumbfounded. What was going on? Wu Ming, who had just been discussing Buddhism and Daoism with them, suddenly wanted to renounce asceticism? Also, what did this have to do with Fangzheng? They did not see him do anything.
Everyone was confused. Zen Master Hongyan and Zen Master Baiyun were also confused. They looked at Fangzheng and then at Wu Ming. For the first time, a master of a generation realized that his brain was lacking!
Wu Ming's decision was within Fangzheng's expectations. Fangzheng was not surprised either. He said calmly, "In that case, go back to where you came from."
Wu Ming nodded and bowed once again! Then, Wu Ming came in front of Zen Master Hongyan and knelt down to kowtow.
Zen Master Hongyan could not help but ask, "Wu Ming, what's going on?"
"Master, I am guilty. Back when I went bankrupt, I went to many monasteries to avoid my debts. But no one was willing to take me in. You were the one who took me to Hongyan Monastery to become a monk. I'm grateful for that! But all these years, all I've done is not to repay your kindness but to fulfill my selfish desires. "Wu Ming recounted his thoughts from the past, the conflict he had with Fangzheng, and how he had conned Fangzheng. He also expressed his stance that he missed his family and had no intention of becoming a monk. All he wanted was to renounce asceticism and return home. He wanted to shoulder the responsibilities and obligations he had to bear.
Towards the end, Wu Ming kowtowed every few sentences. Even when his forehead was bleeding, he refused to stop. Only when he was done did he stop and await Zen Master Hongyan's verdict.
After everyone heard the story, they understood the entire story. The person who had forced Fangzheng to cross the river on a reed was Wu Ming! His goal was only to seek revenge on Fangzheng for snatching his incense offerings.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately glared angrily at him. Someone berated him in a low voice, "How can Buddhism allow such a person to live?"
"Amitabha."
Hong Jin's fat face flushed red. After hearing Wu Ming's words, all his doubts from before were answered. He had made a false conclusion without any investigation and put a label on Fangzheng. It would be fine if no one pursued the matter, but if someone did, it would be embarrassing. Thankfully, everyone's attention was focused on Wu Ming.
At that moment, Zen Master Hongyan sighed and said, "How can This Penniless Monk not know about your situation? That's why I made you study the Buddhist Dharma day and night, hoping that you would one day be enlightened and find your true self. Unfortunately … Sigh! Forget it. You have finally found your true self today. In that case, go down the mountain! "
"Thank you!" Wu Ming bowed again before getting up. He took off his monk robes and descended the mountain in the cold of winter with his upper body naked. His footsteps were light and his eyes no longer had the sinister and scheming look of the past. There was only freedom and relaxation!
When Fangzheng saw this, he pressed his palms together and said to Wu Ming's back, "Amitabha!"
Only Fangzheng knew what was on Wu Ming's mind. The courage Wu Ming needed was not something an ordinary person could achieve.
Only Fangzheng was truly envious of him.
Wu Ming left but questions remained. How did Fangzheng allow him to be enlightened? The two did not communicate. Could it be that everything was a farce that was arranged? However, Zen Master Hongyan was in the movie. With his character, he would definitely not do such a thing.
Everyone was puzzled but it was not their place to ask. All of them scratched their heads and glanced at the calm Fangzheng from time to time.
They naturally did not know that Fangzheng was also feeling depressed!
Back when he ascended the mountain and saw Wu Ming in a daze, Fangzheng was afraid that he would do something foolish. He took the initiative and used A Golden Millet Dream to guide him into a dream. He wanted to know what he was planning to do so that he could be prepared. However, the plot could not be controlled. He saw Wu Ming's yearning and worry deep in his heart. Fangzheng did not think too much about it and just guided him. Now, it was troublesome. How was he to explain it?
Thankfully, the meeting began and no one had a chance to ask. The meeting was very simple. It was to assign missions, the matters that each monastery was responsible for during the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly, the positions of everyone when Fangzheng was reciting the scriptures, etc. The entire process was boring. Fangzheng sat there with his eyes wide open. His mind had long flown off to some unknown place.
He was the only one in One Finger Monastery and he knew nothing about such matters. Zen Master Baiyun took special care of him. There was no need for him to do anything other than recite the scriptures.
An afternoon passed just like that.
In the evening, Baiyun Monastery held a banquet. All the monks were invited but Fangzheng was alone. He was still worried about where to sit but when he came over …
"Venerable Fangzheng, why don't you sit here?"
"Venerable Fangzheng, there are too many people in Tongzhen Monastery. Why don't you sit with us! There aren't many of us. "
"Amitabha. Venerable Fangzheng, This Penniless Monk has been studying the scriptures for more than ten years. This Penniless Monk has some doubts. Why don't you discuss them with us?" asked a white-bearded old monk.
Fangzheng was fine listening to them in the beginning as he thanked them one by one. But from the moment it started with the old monk, they guessed that Fangzheng was an accomplished monk or that they were trying to showcase their Buddhist Dharma to improve themselves. All of them wanted to discuss the Buddhist scriptures with Fangzheng. Some wanted to discuss the Diamond Sutra while others wanted to discuss the Apothecary Sutra. There were even many scriptures that Fangzheng had never heard of.
Fangzheng was not well-versed in the Buddhist Dharma to begin with. The number of Buddhist scriptures he had read could be counted with one hand! How could he dare sit down with these monks who had truly studied the scriptures and discuss the scriptures? He could not wait to avoid them.
On the surface, Fangzheng looked relaxed and nonchalant. Although he kept laughing and returning the greetings, he did not leave everyone out. In fact, his back was covered in sweat. He was wondering if he should find an excuse to escape.
Just as Fangzheng was pondering over the matter, Zen Master Hongyan spoke, "Venerable Fangzheng, why don't you sit with This Penniless Monk? This Penniless Monk is rather curious about One Finger Monastery's recent situation."
When Fangzheng heard that, he was not discussing the Buddhist scriptures but the trivial matters of the family! That was possible. He believed that he had the ability to engage in idle chatter.
Seeing Fangzheng sit at Hongyan Monastery's table, the monks immediately lamented inwardly. In their eyes, Fangzheng was no longer the young monk from before. He had crossed the river on a reed. He was a god-like existence. Wu Ming, whom Zen Master Hongyan had failed to enlighten all these years, had been enlightened the moment they met. Such a person was definitely very capable! Now, Fangzheng was still young. Given time, he would definitely become a master of his generation!
Everyone wanted to worm their way into Fangzheng's good graces. Regardless of what they talked about, if Fangzheng were to become famous in the future and become a true master, it would be a form of friendship and also something to brag about.
Although it was said that monks did not care about such things, it was inevitable for humans to socialize. Even if they did not covet anything, there were times in society when it was necessary to help each other. It was impossible for humans to live in a castle in the air.
Fangzheng heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the monks of all sizes turn away like hungry wolves.
Indeed, Zen Master Hongyan only chatted casually with him. Hong Chan was reverent towards Fangzheng and never interjected. Wu Xin was also an honest and dutiful person. He spoke very little and because of Wu Ming's departure, Wu Xin was not in a good mood, so he spoke even less.
However, this satisfied Fangzheng. The more he spoke, the better it was.
However, there were people who were not happy.
"Master, why do you have to do this? That Fangzheng crossed the river on a reed, bringing with him the legacy of Patriarch Bodhidharma. With the light from providence shining down on him, who can stop him?" A young monk about Fangzheng's age sat beside Hong Jin as he said with a bitter smile.
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