The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Everyone chuckled and went back to do whatever that needed their attention.

The monastery was still being expanded. The speed of progress was much slower than Fangzheng had imagined. The reason was that the expert’s requirements were strict. It was difficult for them to do it quickly when perfection was expected.

He took the woman to the side and sat down. Monkey handed Fangzheng the tea and stood behind him. He lowered his head as though he was a listening disciple.

Fangzheng ignored him. Seeing that the woman wasn’t crying, he asked, “Patron, what exactly happened? Why were you crying so loudly and suicidal?”

When the woman heard this question, tears streamed down her face again. However, she still choked and said, “My name is Lu Yun. I’m 27 years old this year. I’m from Songwu County. My job requires me to go on frequent business trips. It’s normal for me to not be home for half a month at a time. I met my husband three years ago. We had a very good relationship and we knew each other until now. We don’t quarrel much, but yesterday…”

With that said, Lu Yun could not help but cry again.

Fangzheng did not say a word as he listened quietly.

After crying for a while, Lu Yun said, “I was on a business trip, but I only remembered that I didn’t bring my identity card along the way. I couldn’t get my tickets without it, so I went back. In the end…”

Upon saying this, Lu Yun cried even more sadly.

Fangzheng remained unmoved as he continued listening.

Lu Yun said, “I heard the panting of a woman at home. You can tell from the sound what they were doing. She even called him ‘dear’! Boohoo…”

Lu Yun could no longer stop crying…

Fangzheng asked, “And then?”

Lu Yun cried, “Then? Then, I ran away. I really don’t have the courage to rush in to take a look… I feel that all my efforts were meaningless. I might as well die.”

Fangzheng nodded. “Patron, please wait a moment. This Penniless Monk will bring you something.”

Upon hearing that, Lu Yun was stunned. Master wants to give me something? What is it?

Fangzheng got up and went to the backyard. He randomly found a box and walked out.

Monkey asked in puzzlement, “Master, why are you holding a crappy box? What’s the use of this? Can it cure the female patron’s problem?”

Fangzheng smiled. “Just watch. Don’t say anything.”

Monkey wore a puzzled look. He had no idea what Fangzheng was doing.

After leaving the backyard, Fangzheng placed the box in front of the woman and said, “Patron, this is what you left here with This Penniless Monk. This Penniless Monk shall return it to you today.”

Lu Yun was completely dumbfounded. She pointed at herself and said, “What did I leave here? How is this possible? I… came here before, but I didn’t lose anything.”

Fangzheng pointed at the box and said, “This is indeed something that you left here. To be precise, it’s a relic left behind by your previous life. However, This Penniless Monk cannot return it to you just like that. If you guess it, This Penniless Monk will give it to you.”

Lu Yun was stunned. After some thought, she said, “A relic left behind in my previous life? This…”

If it were any other monk, Lu Yun would definitely call him a cheat and leave.

However, Fangzheng was different. Everyone knew that Fangzheng was no ordinary monk. He was a person with divine powers. He was a Buddha who walked the mortal world.

Therefore, she believed what Fangzheng had said.

More importantly, Fangzheng had no reason to lie to her!

Hence, Lu Yun began to ponder for a long time before asking, “Could it be money? An antique?”

Fangzheng shook his head. “Those external objects were never yours.”

Lu Yun said, “If external objects aren’t mine, does that mean that it’s something internal? Could it be my previous life’s memories?”

“The memories do not belong to you. They belong to time.”

Lu Yun continued, “Could it be my soul? But I’ve already reincarnated?”

Fangzheng shook his head. “The soul belongs to the world and doesn’t belong to you.”

Lu Yun was stunned. “If that doesn’t belong to me, what else belongs to me? Master, I really can’t figure it out.”

Fangzheng patted the box and said, “Forget it. Take it back.”

Lu Yun was delighted when she heard that. She took the box and mumbled, “What’s the thing that my former incarnation left me?”

Lu Yun opened the box and was instantly stunned. “Master, why is there nothing?”

“That’s right. There’s nothing.”

Lu Yun asked in confusion, “Master, I didn’t leave anything behind in my previous life. Why did you say that my former incarnation left something for me?”

“Are you sure there’s nothing?”

Lu Yun carefully flipped through the box. After confirming that there was nothing, she nodded vigorously.

Fangzheng said, “There was a sentence in there. Didn’t you see it?”

Lu Yun searched carefully but there was nothing. Hence, she could only shake her head and say, “Master, my attainments are too shallow. I really can’t see it.”

Fangzheng smiled. “You didn’t leave anything behind in your previous life. It’s to tell you that nothing belongs to you. It doesn’t belong to you especially after you die. The only thing that belongs to you is the moment when you are still alive!”

Lu Yun was instantly dumbfounded as she frowned slightly. She carefully considered Fangzheng’s words. After thinking for a long time, she sighed and said, “Master, I understand. You want me to cherish the present? No matter the outcome, I only have the present. I should work hard to live a better life instead of crying here or thinking about suicide, right?”

Fangzheng chuckled and nodded. “Patron, there are countless hardships in this world to begin with. Once you enter the mortal world, don’t be afraid. The past doesn’t belong to you, and the future doesn’t belong to you. Living well in the present is what you need to do.”

Lu Yun sighed and said, “Master, how do you know about the suffering and joy of the mortal world when you haven’t entered the mortal world?”

Fangzheng smiled. “This Penniless Monk’s happiest moment is probably when he’s in the arms of another man’s wife…”

Upon hearing that, Lu Yun’s eyes nearly popped out.

Monkey’s chin was about to drop to the ground. He had a feeling that this piece of news was going to blow up the world!

Fangzheng ignored their reactions and continued, “Unfortunately, I haven’t enjoyed it for long.”

Monkey gulped and thought to himself, “How long do you want to enjoy yourself while in someone’s wife’s arms? That’s too much!”

Lu Yun laughed dryly and said, “Master, you… are too shocking.”

Fangzheng said, “Are you surprised? That’s right. People who grew up with their parents can’t understand the days of those who grow up parentless.”

The moment that was said, Monkey and Lu Yun were dumbfounded. Parents? F**k! The man the monk mentioned was his father! The man’s wife was his mother!

What the heck, could this fellow be any more baiting with his words?

Lu Yun said, “Master, the woman you mentioned is your mother?”

Fangzheng nodded matter-of-factly. “That’s right. Otherwise?”

Lu Yun was dumbfounded. “Master, I nearly misunderstood.”

Fangzheng smiled. “Isn’t life like this? It’s filled with misunderstandings. If you listen without taking in the full sentence, you will misunderstand. If you don’t finish what you start, you will misunderstand. If you return home halfway, it might be a misunderstanding.”