Watching the smile on Han Mo’s face, the old monk wore an expression as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
He found it truly difficult to imagine that such words would come from Han Mo’s mouth!
If it were a high-ranking Buddhist monk speaking, it wouldn’t be strange to hear such words. But coming from Han Mo, these profound Buddhist teachings suddenly felt desecrated to him…
“Master, why are you looking at me like that? What? Did I say something wrong?”
“Does the benefactor not feel that these Buddhist teachings coming from your mouth carry a sense of blasphemy towards Buddha?”
Finally returning to the city of Bianliang, only because of this fellow, all their efforts were once again cast aside. If the old monk could say anything good at this moment, it would truly be a ghost sighting!
“Master, you’re mistaken. Buddha himself said that all sentient beings are equal, and all things in the world are equal. Why can’t Buddhist teachings come from my mouth? Besides, Buddha also said, ‘Drop the butcher knife, and you will become a Buddha instantly!’ Perhaps one day, if I’m in a good mood, I might truly join Buddhism!”
Since he was aiming to annoy, Han Mo didn’t care what the old monk thought. He immediately struck another blow to the old monk’s heart.
“I promise this matter. In a month, all Buddhist disciples will withdraw from Bianliang City! You may leave, benefactor!”
After gritting his teeth fiercely, the old monk simply issued a dismissal order.
This fellow’s tongue was too nimble. In such a short time, the old monk felt his own Dao heart starting to crack. If he continued talking with this guy, he suspected he might never have a chance to see Buddha in this lifetime…
“Master, we’ve known each other for a while now. Why are you so stingy? I’ve traveled all this way. At the very least, you should offer me a vegetarian meal, shouldn’t you?” Han Mo spoke unhurriedly, seeing the old monk’s huffing and puffing.
“I am truly sorry, benefactor. Our temple’s food is tainted with human blood. This old monk dares not sully your mouth and tongue!”
“Are you serious? It’s just a meal! If I don’t get this vegetarian meal today, I’m not leaving!”
Even Han Mo hadn’t expected this old man to be so stingy.
However, the more stingy he was, the more interesting Han Mo found it. He stretched leisurely and then, quite casually, lay down on the old monk’s meditation cushion.
“You!”
Seeing his shameless behavior, the old monk was at a loss for what to do with him for a moment.
“Guards, take Master Han to the dining hall!”
After gritting his teeth fiercely, the old monk huffed and left the words, then turned and walked directly out of his meditation room. He didn’t want to spend another second with this fellow. If he stayed any longer, he feared he would be angered to death…
He had once thought he was shameless enough, but after meeting Han Mo, the old monk realized his own skills were but a drop in the bucket compared to this kid.
“Master, since you’re about to leave, shouldn’t you leave me something? I quite like that string of jade prayer beads you have. My grand-uncle is rather bored lately. How about you bestow them upon me, Master?” As the old monk was about to step out the door, Han Mo suddenly said with a smile.
“This item holds special significance for this old monk. Benefactor should not set his sights on it anymore!”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll come up with other tricks?”
Seeing that this old fellow was impervious to both persuasion and threats, Han Mo resorted to his trump card once more.
Oh, for crying out loud!
Even an effigy of clay has three parts fire, let alone a living person like the old monk. After hearing Han Mo’s words, he truly wished he could strangle the kid to death.
“Benefactor speaks the truth. This old monk was too attached. I shall present this item to the benefactor.”
After gritting his teeth fiercely, the old monk reluctantly placed the string of prayer beads in his hand into Han Mo’s.
“Thank you, Master, for your generosity. Oh, and that painting hanging on your wall also looks rather good. It seems to be a genuine work by Mr. Su Dongpo…” Han Mo pointed to the painting on the wall after taking the prayer beads.
“Since Benefactor likes it, I shall grant it to you as well!”
The old monk spoke while gnashing his teeth. At this moment, he truly began to regret his earlier actions.
If he had known this scoundrel was coming, why would he have hung this painting out in the first place?
While you can guard against a thief, can you guard against someone who is constantly thinking of stealing?
Moreover, this fellow Han Mo was far worse than any ordinary petty thief!
“Thank you, Master, for your generosity! Then I shall take my leave!”
As soon as the old monk finished speaking, Han Mo, overjoyed, rolled up the painting and tucked it directly into his sleeve.
“Benefactor isn’t eating?”
Seeing Han Mo leave so gleefully, the old monk looked somewhat heartbrokenly at the painting in his arms and asked subconsciously.
However, as soon as the words left his mouth, the old monk immediately regretted them. If this little thief took a fancy to anything else, wouldn’t he lose both the wife and the soldiers?
“With such good things, who would bother eating!”
Han Mo paid no mind to the old monk’s mood. Holding the jade prayer beads in one hand and the calligraphy and painting by Su Dongpo in the other, he walked towards the door humming a tune cheerfully.
Only after Han Mo had gone far away did the old monk dejectedly return to his meditation room.
Just as the old monk was about to pour himself a cup of tea to calm his nerves, he suddenly discovered that the purple clay teapot he used for brewing tea had inexplicably vanished!
“Han Mo!”
Unable to bear it any longer, the old monk finally shouted out.
Now he finally understood why this fellow had left without even eating!
After all that talking, this rascal had made off with his most beloved teapot!
He usually brewed a pot of fine tea even when he wasn’t drinking it, specifically to nurture the teapot. It had been with him for over 40 years since he acquired it. To think that today it had fallen victim to Han Mo’s malicious hand, the old monk was truly at a loss for tears.
“Master, are you alright?”
Hearing the old monk’s mournful cry, several disciples serving outside rushed in.
“Issue a decree for me. From now on, Han Mo is forbidden from setting foot in the Xiangguo Temple!”
Looking at his disciples’ concerned faces, the old monk said through gritted teeth.
“Ah?”