Killing Monks

"Staying at a temple?" Lu Fei was taken aback again. "Didn't you say you were planning to leave the monastic life and not be a monk anymore? Why are you still staying at a temple?"

Guangyuan said matter-of-factly, "Buddhist temples are usually quiet, provide food and lodging, and are safe."

"I haven't officially returned to secular life yet, so why shouldn't I stay? It's a waste not to stay."

Lu Fei: "..."

He couldn't refute it!

This bald monk even makes talking about freeloading at temples sound so refined and elegant!

"Alright, alright," Lu Fei waved his hand, conceding defeat. "Then find a good place to settle down, and remember to leave me a message."

"I'll come find you after I leave the Tang family."

The two parted ways at the entrance of Qujiang County, one going left and the other right.

Guangyuan walked along the path outside the city for a while, asking around, and learned that there was a temple called "Little Buddhist Temple" not far outside the city, which was quite popular. So he strolled over there.

As he traveled, Guangyuan truly realized how many temples there are in the world, almost everywhere.

Even in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, a country that was not as devout in Buddhism as the Southern Tang Dynasty, temples of all sizes were scattered like stars in the sky.

The small Buddhist temple is located at the foot of a lush mountain. Although it is not grand in scale, it still covers more than ten acres.

With its red walls and gray tiles, complete with a bell tower and drum tower, it exudes a rather solemn atmosphere.

As Guangyuan stepped into the temple gate, the first thing that caught his eye was the Hall of Heavenly Kings.

The hall enshrines Maitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings.

Behind Maitreya Buddha is a statue of Weituo Bodhisattva facing the main hall.

The Bodhisattva Weituo is clad in armor and holds a vajra pestle, exuding majesty and power.

Guangyuan's gaze fell on the way the Vajra Pestle was placed.

This is an unwritten rule among wandering monks, and also a "coded message" for the temple's attitude towards the outside world.

If the statue of Weituo carries the Vajra pestle on its shoulder, it indicates that this is a large "ten-direction forest" temple with strong reception capacity, an open attitude, and is willing to provide free accommodation and meals for wandering monks from all directions, who can usually stay for up to three days.

If the statue of Weituo holds the Vajra pestle horizontally in its hand, it indicates that this is a medium-sized temple that can accommodate guests for short stays, usually only one day, and the conditions may be limited.

The statue of Weituo in the small Buddhist temple in front of us has its vajra (a type of pestle) pointing downwards with the handle touching the ground!

This means that the small Buddhist temple is a "temple for descendants".

The so-called "descendant temple" is a privately owned temple that is passed down from master to disciple, just like a secular family business. It usually does not accept wandering monks for lodging.

The monks in the temple are mostly from the same lineage of master and disciple, and the temple is relatively secluded.

Unless you have special connections or a special opportunity, it's basically impossible to stay at such a temple.

Of course, even in temples that accept guests for lodging, it's not as simple as any monk coming along and saying, "This humble monk has wandered here and can stay here."

You also need to bring your robes and bowl, and your ordination certificate to prove your identity. Then, you need to go to the guest hall according to the rules and go through a specific question and answer process with the guest monk to verify your identity, purpose of visit, lineage, etc. Only after you are allowed to check in can you stay.

No matter where you are, it's not easy to get free food and drinks.

When Guangyuan saw the Vajra pestle planted on the ground, he knew that this road was blocked.

He was quite decisive and didn't hesitate at all; he turned around and left the small Buddhist temple.

He asked passersby and learned that there was a Prajna Temple nearby.

He followed the direction and walked for about two or three miles, passing through a sparse bamboo forest, when suddenly a more secluded, even somewhat desolate place appeared before him.

There is only a small courtyard here, with three low and simple tiled houses, surrounded by a mud wall about half a person's height.

There is an old well in one corner of the courtyard, and several vegetable patches are planted next to it.

The place was so quiet that the only sounds were the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind and the occasional birdsong.

Above the main gate of the courtyard hangs a small, somewhat weathered wooden plaque with the three characters "般若寺" (Prajna Temple) written in simple, unadorned calligraphy.

"Prajna" is a transliteration of a Sanskrit word meaning "wisdom," referring to the highest wisdom that understands the truth.

Buddhist scriptures say, "Prajnaparamita" means "wisdom reaching the other shore".

"Is any senior brother here?"

Guangyuan stood in front of the simple wooden door of the Prajna Temple and asked in a loud voice.

Before long, with a creak, the door of the central tile-roofed house was pushed open, and an old monk with a hunched back and white hair, wearing a white robe, walked out shakily.

He looked very old, with deep wrinkles on his face and his eyebrows and beard were all white.

His eyes were cloudy and lifeless, as if he had difficulty seeing things.

He squinted, looked Guangyuan up and down, and slowly asked in a dry voice, "What is it?"

Guangyuan bowed with one hand and said, "I have come here by chance and wish to borrow your esteemed temple to stay for a few days. I wonder if you would be so kind as to grant me this request?"

Upon hearing this, the old monk shook his head almost without thinking: "It's inconvenient."

Guangyuan then said, "Master, I won't stay for free. How about I pay for the room and meals at market price?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the old monk immediately interjected:

"That's very convenient."

And just like that, the matter was settled.

The old monk led Guangyuan shakily to the most dilapidated-looking room on the west side of the courtyard, a room that was probably used to store miscellaneous items. He simply cleaned away the dust and made room for Guangyuan to sleep.

The room was small and simply furnished, containing only a hard bed, a table with a missing leg, and a tattered futon.

But Guangyuan didn't complain at all; compared to living a life of hardship, this was already quite good.

He gave the old monk some loose change, asked about the mealtime, and then closed the creaking, broken wooden door.

As soon as the door closed, the room became dark, with only a few rays of light filtering in through the holes in the window paper and the cracks in the door.

Guangyuan sat cross-legged on the tattered futon and took out the "Mirror of Observation" wrapped in cloth from his bosom.

As the cloth was lifted, the ancient octagonal bronze mirror reflected a faint luster in the dim light.

Guangyuan could clearly feel a faint, continuous "calling" sensation coming from his palm.

As time goes by, this feeling is becoming clearer and clearer.

This mirror seems to have really "clung" to him.

The mirror rippled like water, then reflected Guangyuan's own face.

The "him" in the mirror slowly curled up at the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that was completely different from Guangyuan's calm expression at this moment.

He spoke: "How about it? Have you witnessed my power?"

"As long as you are willing to 'use' me, those opponents you dislike but can't do anything about for the time being, those seemingly solid fortresses... I can help you find their weaknesses and dismantle them from within."

"Power is readily available."

He is showing off, demonstrating his own value.

Guangyuan simply asked, "Why are you bothering me? And why... have you 'acknowledged me as your master'?"

The smile in the mirror became even more enigmatic: "Why am I bothering you? Because... deep within your heart lurks 'ambition'."