The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Panda Novel

“Amitabha. That’s right. Why are you so impatient? You are so big, and they are so small. How can they hurt you? If you don’t understand the situation, can’t you run? Why must you kill them?” Fangzheng sat cross-legged in front of the elephant as he nagged.

<span> The elephant’s head nodded like a primary school student being reprimanded by their teacher. It seemed sincere to turn over a new leaf.

<span> Elephants were cute to begin with, so when it nodded, it became even more adorable.

<span> Jin Jiatong, who had been scared out of his wits, couldn’t help but burst out laughing when he saw this. He never could imagine the big boss in the mountain forest would be reprimanded by someone like this.

<span> At the same time, Jin Jiatong was even more curious. Was the monk in front of him human?

<span> Jin Jiatong brought Little Sun to Fangzheng and bowed. “Thank you, Master.”

<span> Fangzheng smiled at Jin Jiatong. “Not running anymore?”

<span> Jin Jiatong recalled the scene from before and smiled. “I’m sorry, Master.”

<span> Fangzheng shook his head and said, “Refrain from hurting others, yet guard against those trying to hurt you. You did not do anything wrong. Then, do you trust This Penniless Monk now?”

<span> Jin Jiatong nodded and said, “I believe you. Master, you’re amazing. You managed to subdue an elephant. It would be great if I had a little of your strength.”

<span> Fangzheng laughed out loud. “Eat more and train more. Study well to strengthen your brain, and you can do it too.”

<span> Jin Jiatong replied, “Yes, I’ll definitely work harder when I return.”

<span> “Alright, go on up.” Fangzheng pointed at the elephant’s broad back.

<span> Jin Jiatong was stunned. “Go on up?”

<span> Little Sun couldn’t see where Fangzheng was pointing at. She approached him like a curious cat, narrowed her eyes, and looked at Fangzheng’s hand before walking towards the elephant.

<span> Fangzheng frowned slightly when he saw this. It was so close; yet, she couldn’t see such a huge elephant?

<span> Upon seeing Fangzheng’s puzzlement, Jin Jiatong tugged at Little Sun, stopping her from getting close to the elephant. He said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with my sister’s eyes either. She can only see something very, very close in front of her. Just a little bit further would be a blur. This elephant looks like an elephant to us. But to her, it a blob of blurry blackness…”

<span> At the mention of this, Jin Jiatong rubbed Little Sun’s head with a pained expression.

<span> Little Sun squinted her eyes and looked like she was enjoying herself. Her small lips curled up as she smiled like the sun. Then, she said disapprovingly, “It’s alright. I can still see. It’s much better than those who can’t see anything at all… Those who can’t see can live such a happy life, so I can definitely live a happier and more blissful life! Besides, I have a mother, a father, and a brother who dotes on me. I’m dying of happiness!”

<span> Jin Jiatong laughed happily when he heard this.

<span> Fangzheng found it difficult to imagine that two children—one ten the other eight—expressed things that would shame many adults. The strong kinship made Fangzheng flush.

<span> “I’m so envious. Why don’t I have any siblings? Sigh…” Fangzheng lamented inwardly before saying to the two, “Don’t worry. The elephant has already realized its mistakes. He said that as compensation, he’s willing to send you up the mountain.”

<span> “Ah?” Jin Jiatong stared at Fangzheng in disbelief as though he was saying: “How do you know? Can you understand it?”

<span> Fangzheng didn’t say a word as he gave a mysterious smile before jumping up to ride on the elephant’s back.

<span> Upon seeing Fangzheng go up, the elephant looked very obedient. Jin Jiatong was tempted.

<span> Without a means of transportation, it was too difficult for him to carry Little Sun up the mountain. It would be great if he could ride an elephant. But when he thought about what had just happened, he hesitated.

<span> When Fangzheng saw this, he patted the elephant’s head and said, “Look at how frightened the two children are. Put yourself in their shoes and think about it. What would you do if other animals scare your children like that?”

<span> The elephant’s head nodded, then reached out its nose in front of Jin Jiatong and Little Sun. Then, it let out a strange sound, as if saying something.

<span> Unfortunately, Jin Jiatong and Little Sun could not understand what he was saying. However, Jin Jiatong understood the kind look in its eyes.

<span> Just as the two children were feeling pensive, Fangzheng said, “He said sorry. I taught him how to shake hands with humans. He’s shaking hands with you.”

<span> Little Sun was still a child after all as she curiously asked, “Brother, can I touch him?”

<span> Jin Jiatong pondered for a moment before reaching out to touch the elephant’s nose. After confirming that there was no danger, he nodded and guided Little Sun to touch the elephant’s nose.

<span> This was the first time the two children were touching an elephant. Feeling the gentleness of the elephant, the two of them instantly beamed.

<span> After playing for a while, the two children were completely relieved. Fangzheng helped the two children onto the elephant’s back and patted the elephant’s head. “Let’s go! Up the mountain!”

<span> The elephant lifted its nose and let out a trumpet. Then, it took big steps and walked up the mountain like a noisy tractor. Although it didn’t feel like it was running at lightning speed, all obstacles were separated wherever it passed. It was as if nothing could block their path. It made the three people on the elephant’s back exceptionally happy.

<span> On the way, Fangzheng voiced his puzzlement, “Young Patron, Little Sun’s vision is so poor. Even if she were to go up the mountain, she probably won’t be able to see the fireflies. Those insects are timid. Before you go close, they will have flown away.”

<span> Jin Jiatong bitterly said, “I’ve thought about this too, but I have to give it a try. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll catch them and show them to my sister!”

<span> Fangzheng smiled and shook his head. Before he could posture and say something, Little Sun grabbed Jin Jiatong’s arm and shook her head. “Brother, fireflies are so cute and beautiful. Don’t catch them, alright?”

<span> Jin Jiatong hurriedly said, “It’s alright. I’ll let them go once you see them. I won’t hurt them.”

<span> Little Sun still shook her head and said, “No, we’ll just quietly watch. Don’t catch them, alright?”

<span> Hearing Little Sun’s pleas, Jin Jiatong felt a headache coming on. If he couldn’t catch them, how could he let Little Sun see the fireflies?

<span> Fang Zheng sat by the side with a smile on his face. He did not say anything, but his heart was filled with smiles. Especially when he looked at Little Sun, he was filled with pity.

<span> Fangzheng had seen too many similar cases on the Internet. Many people treated such inborn disabilities as misfortune, and they lived in the shadows of their disabilities forever. They were so quiet that they were like walking corpses that they could not see their direction in life. There were even people who treated their own misfortune as a malicious intent of the world towards him and sought revenge.

<span>

However, the little girl in front of him was able to treat all the misfortunes without any misgivings. Just as Zen Master One Finger had once said, when there’s only sunlight in one’s eyes, all shadows become a fun game of silhouette. Once could watch and laugh, finding enjoyment and entertainment in life.

<span>