Translator:CKtalonEditor:CKtalon

The other girl in the group was relatively quiet. She wore glasses and had the aura of a scholar. She shook her head. Dont say that. Some of them might be genuine believers and good people.

Hold that thought. Temples these days have monks that are ridiculously rich. I dont believe in Buddhism. My faith is in God Almighty. Im one of Gods children and God will watch over me wherever I go. The man with the long face gestured for the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Enough, its bad manners to speak ill of a person in their own temple. Im dead tired, so Im going in to rest and look around. You coming? the boy with the pimples asked.

Hu Han is right, lets go. Since were already here, we might as well enter and take a look, said the slightly plump girl.

The boy with the long face flapped his hand around. Alright then, lets enter and take a look. We can take a break and drink some water before we begin our picnic and after we finish our meal, we can pitch the tents.

Upon thinking of the picnic, the youths started donning eager smiles.

As they approached the temple, they felt their minds grow calm. Their not-so-devout thoughts gradually disappeared. Once they stood before the entrance of the One Finger Temple, all of them had fallen silent. When they did speak, their tone had grown gentle and their words soft. The boy with the long face glanced at the plaque and said, One Finger Temple? It truly is a land of a single finger. It really is tiny much smaller than any churches Ive been to.

Enough. I know you believe in God, but you should refrain from proclaiming it when youre in a Buddhist temple, its disrespectful. The quiet girl glanced at him with her eyebrows drawn together.

The boy with the long face grunted before catching up.

Yunjing, its so odd. Why has all my earlier frustration disappeared upon entering the temple? It feels, unnatural yet natural at the same time, how is that possible? Its so calm and peaceful. Its as though all worries are of no importance once you have entered, the slightly plump girl whispered to the quiet girl.

Juan, I also think its odd. I feel completely relaxed. Its as though all the distracting outside noise has vanished. This is something thats never happened to me before, its even more calming than home, Yunjing whispered, almost unwilling to break the temples gentle silence.

Its probably the legendary Zen-like state. There might even be a master that has made this temple his home, the pimple boy replied.

Hu Han, can you stop being so offhand with Ma Juan and Fang Yunjing? If theres a master here, Ill treat you to meals for a month. Its because you guys have been thinking mischievously. When people enter temples or churches, they naturally feel a sense of reverence and perhaps even a slight touch of fear. Conversely, you might innately believe that celestial beings will protect you. With such beliefs strengthening your inner spirit, your frustration lessens. The long faced boy smirked as he stared at the rest.

Eh? Zhao Datong, listen to you trying to make sense. Who knew that a single hike up a mountain would make you a philosopher. Ma Juan scoffed with a giggle.

Zhao Datong threw his head up and stared down at them with fake disdain. I have always been a philosopher!

Amitabha, good day Patrons. This Penniless Monk is One Finger Temples abbot, Fangzheng. Is there anything I can help you with? Fangzheng never received any orthodox Buddhist training, so he could only speak in the manner he learned from television dramas or emulate gestures that Zen Master One Finger used to do.

Zhao Datong stared down his nose at Fangzheng. Eh? Are you the Zen Master here? Why do I think you arent much older than us? Yet you claim to be an abbot? Is this an attempted scam?

Zhao Datong! Dont be so impolite! Fang Yunjing tugged at Zhao Datongs sleeve.

Zhao Datong smirked. Im not being impolite, am I not just stating facts?

Fangzheng was just about to frown at Zhao Datongs words but heard the Systems voice echo in his mind: As an abbot and a future Zen master, you should not get upset over such trivial matters. You have to be benevolent, such is the way of the monk.

Someone is insulting both me and my temple yet I am not allowed to frown? Fangzheng directed his thoughts to the system, keeping his frown inward.

No, such is the basic temperament that any true master must have. If you should decide to do so, points will be deducted from the completion of the current mission.

F**k, are you blackmailing me!? Fangzheng directed a string of other curses in the systems direction.

The System fell silent, ignoring him.

Fangzheng angrily thought,Dont think you can threaten me!After that, he began intoning to himself, With a heart as still as ice, unperturbed even when the sky collapses Then he said, with an amiable expression, The difference in age between us is small indeed, yet I am nonetheless the abbot here. Patrons, this is but a small temple. Only the hall and courtyard are open to the public. Please feel free to look around.

Fangzheng wanted to add, shout if theres anything you need but the System interrupted him before he could utter the words. As a master, you should be respected by others and not be a minion at their beck and call. You are not to lower your status at any time.

Fangzheng kept the words to himself. He turned and left. However, the instant he turned, his facial expression was one of utter unpleasantness. It was not because of the visitors but because of the System! You cant voice your displeasure when disrespected but you should make sure you are respected, bloody hypocrite system! He directed his angry thoughts towards the system and was once again ignored.

Abbot, if you could wait a moment, I have a question. May I ask which kind of Buddha is consecrated here? A girls voice interrupted his silent raging towards the system.

Fangzheng wiped the nefarious look from his face and turned around, face flowing with monk-like calmness. He looked at Ma Juan, who had asked the question and responded with a soft smile, This temple consecrates Guan Yin. Anything else you would like to ask?

No, thats all. Well just be looking around. Little monk, you can go fool around by yourself, The cocky Zhao Datong waved his hand in dismissal.

Fangzheng immediately felt a blast of fury rise up his heart but calmed himself after a few unnoticed breaths. The reason was none other than the System declaring to him that anger is banned!

F**k you! Fangzheng cursed inwardly as he repressed his pangs of fury. Taking it out on the system that tied him down with its infinite restrains. Just as he was about to say something, he was left astounded.

The scene before his eyes flashed, transforming to a scene of Ma Juan walking out of the temples hall. Her leg got stuck behind the sill of the door and she fell head first onto a ledge of the door, her head started bleeding profusely. Although it wasnt fatal, it was a painful event for the girl. When he looked closer at Ma Juan, he noticed that her glabella showed a soft tint of red.

Fangzheng was about to warn her when the System yet again interrupted, The secrets of Heaven can be seen but must remain unspoken. Violation will result in the reduction of your lifespan!

What the f**k!? System, you seriously suck, what use are these powers if I cannot use them! Fangzhengs anger started overflowing despite the calming aura of the temple. The System was truly torturing him. Yet its words did cause him to swallow his own. He looked silently at Ma Juan before saying, Patron, be careful in everything you do. There might be bloody misfortune in your imminent future.

Darn monk! What did you just say? You think I wont show you your own bloody misfortune!? Zhao Datong growled as he rolled up his sleeves to reveal his muscles. He looked unappeasable and, with that face of his even somewhat intimidating.

Fangzheng had to refrain himself from rolling his eyes. According to the Systems annoying rules, he was probably prohibited from making any expressions that disgraced the title of master. Therefore, he held back and calmly shook his head. What should have been said has been said. The choices you make are your own.

Then, he turned around and left.

Behind him, Fangzheng heard Ma Juans exclaim in anger: What an evil monk! Why would he randomly curse me!? I wanted to comment that he was somewhat handsome and his presence felt like early morning sunshine. I nearly lowered my guard! Seems he really is a fraud after all!

I already told you that all the monks these days are frauds! How could he have any true ability? Now you guys know why I was asking him to scram! Its because I was afraid he would do something like this. You guys might not know, but back when I was going to temples, all the monks were like this! They would say scary things like bloody catastrophe and clouds of adversity to scare you before convincing you to donate incense money and pray for safety. In the end, isnt it just a scam? Dont be deceived by this assholes appearance, hes just a fraud like the others. Lets take a look before we get out of here. I dont think highly of this place. For such a temple to be in the rural mountains, its either a haunted place or a gathering place for murdering cultists Zhao Datong raised his voice to make sure he was heard.

It was clearly a deliberate attempt to provoke Fangzheng