The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

However, what truly surprised Fangzheng was that the two old men refused to give up. They secretly discussed how to move the entire monastery backwards…

Fangzheng smacked his head when he heard that. Why didn’t he think of that?

Therefore, that night, Fangzheng got Red Boy to help. The two worked together to cast a spell, causing the entire monastery to move back a lot…

The next day, Old Ma and Old Sun, who racked their brains to think of a way to protect the monastery’s intactness, were dumbfounded!

“What’s going on? Old Ma, I clearly remember that the monastery was originally in that position. Why did it suddenly retreat so much?” Old Sun exclaimed.

Old Ma sighed. “It’s probably another divine power.”

Old Sun sighed and said, “This divine power is too impressive… Unfortunately, divine powers cannot be spread, otherwise…”

“Otherwise what? No matter how powerful divine powers are, doesn’t he need us to build a house for him? Besides, if it’s really widespread, if we really can build a house by ourselves, we won’t be needed anymore.” When Old Ma said that, he sighed.

“Amitabha. Patrons, This Penniless Monk does not agree with that.” At that moment, Fangzheng’s voice sounded.

The duo hurriedly turned their heads and bowed. “Greetings, Abbot Fangzheng.”

Fangzheng smiled. “Patrons, This Penniless Monk heard what you just said. In fact, divine powers are ever-changing. There are thousands of things that cannot be done as you wish.”

Old Ma said, “Master, can divine powers also build houses and carvings?”

“Of course.”

Old Ma’s expression turned ugly. He looked at Fangzheng as though he was looking at a shameless bandit who was about to snatch his rice bowl away.

Fangzheng chuckled. “Patron, there’s no need to worry. Although divine powers are useful, no matter how good their divine powers are, they can’t compare to the skills of you two.”

Old Ma and Old Sun were in high spirits upon hearing this…

Fangzheng continued, “Now that there’s advanced technology, many things can be produced by various machines, but the truly valuable items are handmade by humans. Masters, do you know why?”

Old Ma said, “The cost is different. The effort put in and the numbers produced are different, resulting in such an outcome.”

Old Sun didn’t agree. He said, “There are many things that humans can do that machines can’t. Therefore, human handcrafts are of course the most expensive.”

Old Ma said, “Master, what are your thoughts?”

Fangzheng smiled. “This Penniless Monk believes that it has nothing to do with any of this.”

Old Sun and Old Ma were stunned…

Fangzheng looked up at the sky and said, “Patrons, human technology is constantly innovating and advancing. Perhaps some things have been lost in the long river of history, but human artistry is still advancing. Do you agree?”

Old Sun nodded subconsciously and said, “Indeed. For example, the ancients can carve out micro-carvings with the naked eye. However, due to the limitation of the naked eye and the tools, they can’t be as precise as modern day. They are unable to carve a boat on a grain of rice. However, modern people can use devices to see even smaller worlds. It’s no surprise that they can carve a boat on a grain of rice.”

Fangzheng said, “What if a machine carved it?”

Old Ma said, “If there’s a need for machines to do the carving, it’s only a matter of time before it happens. One has to understand the precision level of a computer chip. It’s not possible for the ancients to do it. Even most modern people can’t do it.”

Fangzheng nodded and said, “That’s right. The machines are becoming better and better. The advantage humans have is the creative abilities and imagination. Modern humans can rely on their own creativity to make use of machines to do things that they can’t do in the past. They can even mass produce those things… Humans can do the same manually. Yet, when it’s the same object, why is the man-made version more expensive?”

“It’s because the skill is precious. There are too few humans that can do it. This skill is valuable,” said Old Ma.

Fangzheng shook his head. “This Penniless Monk doesn’t think so.”

Old Sun said, “Then what’s your take on it, Master?”

Fangzheng smiled. “This Penniless Monk believes that those masters use their skills to protect the dignity of humans! Therefore, their prices are higher!”

Upon hearing these words, the two old men were taken aback before they fell into deep thought.

Old Ma said, “I’ve never heard of such a theory before.”

Fangzheng smiled. “This is only what This Penniless Monk came up with during his daydreaming. Don’t think too seriously about it. Everything in the world has thousands of faces. Everyone has a different angle when they look at things.”

Old Sun said, “But Master, after listening to your words, I’m even more convinced of your point of view. In the past, the skills and thoughts I mentioned is due to my unwillingness to accept that human skill is incomparable to machines at the end of the day… My final dignity makes me unable to admit that machines are better than humans no matter what. However, I’m willing to pay the price for this dignity! Those people who are comparable to machines or even surpass the machines are worthy of our financial support. Master, what do you think?”

Fangzheng said, “This Penniless Monk is also willing to financially support them. Therefore, your value is more valuable than This Penniless Monk’s divine powers. This Penniless Monk’s divine powers are only convenient, but you are defending your dignity. All the best, Masters. This Penniless Monk can’t wait to see the new monastery.”

Old Sun and Old Ma exchanged looks and saw the joy in each other’s eyes.

What did they train so hard in their craft for? To put it bluntly, wasn’t it all for their dignity?

Fangzheng had given them sufficient respect. The only way they could repay him was to use their best skills!

Therefore, the two old men who were full of energy immediately said, “Let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s start work!”

The two of them gathered the workers and intense expansion work began…

As the workers began working, Fangzheng suddenly realized that he had become the most idle person.

Fetching tea for the workers? They didn’t accept it, saying they didn’t deserve it. Fangzheng’s words were useless. They refused to accept it.

Instead, it was when Fangzheng’s disciples delivered them some water that these workers fought for it. They claimed that it was better than any beverage…

With regards to this, Fangzheng felt helpless.

Red Boy returned after offering them water. He chuckled and said, “Master, you are being despised again. Haha…”

Fangzheng rolled his eyes at him. “Work hard. The monastery will soon be expanded. We should reopen it as soon as possible.”

He could not remember how many times he had said those words, but he was so bored that he had to find something to do, right?

Just as Fangzheng was wondering if he should head down the mountain to help an old hen’s lay eggs, an acquaintance came.

Thud! Thud! Thud! It was the familiar sound of high heels.

Fangzheng did not even raise his head. “Patron Jing Yan, you came up the mountain again.”

Compared to others, Jing Yan had the most free time. Furthermore, One Finger Monastery’s news was indeed the most common news in Black Mountain City.

Therefore, Jing Yan basically lived in One Finger Village permanently. Whenever she had something to do, she would come up the mountain. She would take photos here and there, occasionally chatting with Fangzheng.