The Monk that wanted to renounce asceticism

Chapter 149

"Amitabha. If I were to give you a chance to live, what would you do?"

"Do what? If I were to revive, I don't want to be a monk anymore. I want to return home. I want to educate my children and take care of my wife. Even if the sky fell, I would be their pillar of support and shelter them from the squall," Wu Ming muttered as he stared at his wife, his face tight with emotion.

"Amitabha." Fangzheng held his palms together and made a Buddhist proclamation.

The next moment Wu Ming felt that everything in front of him became an illusion. Buddhist flares burst out in a manner so dazzling that he could not open his eyes. He subconsciously covered his eyes. By the time his eyes acclimatized to the brightness, he was shocked to discover that he was still standing on the edge of Village Viewing Cliff!

As for Fangzheng and company, they had only just reached the top of Village Viewing Cliff. From afar, he saw Fangzheng looking at him with his palms held together. Fangzheng was smiling at him.

Wu Ming was taken aback momentarily. He could not tell if what he had experienced was real or just an illusion. If it was real, what was going on? Time reversal? If it was an illusion, was he in a dream? Regardless, Wu Ming understood that everything was because of Fangzheng! It was the young monk who appeared to be harmless!

The two experiences of Fangzhen's crossing a river on a reed and A Golden Millet Dream completely convinced Wu Ming of one thing. The young monk in front of him not a simple individual. Even if he wasn't a real Buddha, he was close to one! He was not to be offended!

Since he could not offend Fangzheng, his mind returned to the problem of returning home. When thinking of home and everything that had happened in the dream, Wu Ming's eyes turned red. Regardless of the authenticity of his experience, he knew that Fangzheng had shown him his true thoughts. He was no longer lost. It left him greatly indebted! Upon coming to this realization, Wu Ming widened his stride and walked towards Fangzheng.

"Wu Ming, what are you doing? Have you not realized your folly?" Zen Master Hongyan was incensed when he saw Wu Ming rush up to Fangzheng. He berated him loudly. At that moment, although no one had said anything about Wu Ming's involvement, Zen Master Hongyan already knew all that had happened. Wu Ming was the one behind everything.

However, Wu Ming had no intention to stop. His eyes were a little red and his face looked anxious as though he was worried about something.

The crowd of monks saw Wu Ming walking over. Many of them had a sense of foreboding and thought, "Could this Wu Ming be beating someone in his rage?"

Everyone looked worriedly at Fangzheng. Elder Du and Hong Xiang took a step forward, prepared to stop Wu Ming.

Fangzheng blocked Hong Xiang and held his palms together. He said with a smile, "Patron, have you thought of where you would like to go?"

Wu Ming's body jolted. Following that, he plopped to the ground in front of Fangzheng under everyone's shocked eyes. He kowtowed thrice, leaving the crowd baffled. They had no idea what was happening. Instead of causing trouble for Fangzheng, Wu Ming even knelt down and kowtowed?

Besides, Wu Ming was also a monk so why did Fangzheng address Wu Ming as patron? Everything seemed wrong!

"Thank you, Venerable Fangzheng for pointing a way out for me. I finally realize what I want. I've thought it through. I want to renounce asceticism. I wish to return home!"

When this was said, everyone present was dumbfounded. What was going on? Why did Wu Ming, who had been discussing Buddhist philosophy with them just moments ago, suddenly want to renounce asceticism? What did this have to do with Fangzheng? It was not as if Fangzheng had done anything.