A kind and approachable old monk pushed open the door of the Polar Bear Café.
"Master Tongshou Temple, good evening."
Hui Lijing greeted politely.
"The true master should be Jason, I am rely an old monk now."
"Master left a note at the entrance, saying he was in the café downstairs."
"Could you lead the way for ?"
The old monk corrected Hui Lijing’s words, then, with hands clasped together, showed great politeness.
"Of course."
"Follow ."
Hui Lijing turned around respectfully to lead the way.
After all, the old monk from Tongshou Temple had truly saved them.
If it weren’t for the old monk from Tongshou Temple, she might have been dragged under the water by those spirits of ’Ghost River’ long ago.
Thus, Hui Lijing maintained her humility.
Of course, the presence of the old monk behind her also unconsciously made her feel good.
Though dressed simply, every gesture and action of his had an extraordinary deanor, making one feel respect, much like seeing a statue in a temple.
What is the highest form of disguise?
Not only deceiving others but even oneself.
Since becoming the Master of Tongshou Temple, the old monk from Tongshou Temple might have been initially unaccustod, but his past life of street scamming enabled him to quickly adapt to and embody this role.
He did not want to let down his friend’s great trust.
Right, his friend’s trust.
The old monk who kept ’mooching als and drinks’ at his place had long been considered a friend.
Though he wouldn’t admit it aloud, what about in his heart?
He had already acknowledged it.
So, he persisted.
Persisted in demanding of himself the standard of a monk.
Since he began as the old monk from Tongshou Temple, that’s what he did.
Perhaps the world did not know what a monk should be like, but upon seeing the old monk from Tongshou Temple, one would think that this is what a monk should be.
"Master!"
Opening the door of the private room, Ryosuke imdiately stood up.
"Officer Ryosuke, please just call a monk."
The old monk from Tongshou Temple greeted him with clasped hands.
Then, he looked towards Jason.
The old monk’s gaze still carried an apology.
He had dragged Jason into this mire.
A slight misstep could cost a life.
Truly a sin, a grave sin.
Thinking this, the old monk from Tongshou Temple bowed slightly to Jason.
"Master."
The old monk from Tongshou Temple greeted Jason sincerely.
"Uh."
Jason nodded slightly, indicating for him to sit down.
The old monk from Tongshou Temple clasped his hands together again before sitting down this ti.
"Master, what would you like to drink?"
Hui Lijing asked.
"Plain water will do."
The old monk from Tongshou Temple answered.
Though Tongshou Temple didn’t have many rules or restrictions, did not prohibit eating or drinking, nor marrying, the old monk from Tongshou Temple believed he should restrain himself.
So, even if tempted, he wouldn’t sneak off to gamble.
He would just throw a dice or two in his mind to satisfy the craving.
Afterward?
He would silently chant the Heart Sutra ten tis, confessing his sins.
"Alright, please wait a mont."
Hui Lijing turned around and walked out.
Ryosuke also tactfully stood and went outside.
Suddenly, only Jason and the old monk from Tongshou Temple remained in the private room.
"Master, I’ve already booked a table at the cuisine pavilion."
"Are you ready?"
The old monk asked.
"Hui Lijing, can Ryosuke co along?"
Jason asked.
"Of course, there’s no problem."
"Miss Hui Lijing has a kind heart, a rare partner."
"Officer Ryosuke is full of justice, and will also be a great aid to you in the future, Master."
The old monk replied with a smile.
Since Jason was going to take over the position of ’Master of Tongshou Temple’, he would naturally face nurous difficulties.
Compared to Jason, the difficulties he faced in the past seed insignificant.
Indeed, back then he didn’t have to deal with the issue of the ’Banner of Fear.’
Thinking of the ’Banner of Fear,’ the old monk felt increasingly guilty.
He wished Jason could eat more.
The more he ate, the lighter his guilt felt.
However, even if Jason could eat a lot, it would probably only amount to the als of three to five people.
Sigh!
Truly, my sins are deep.
The old monk felt compelled to recite the Heart Sutra again in his heart.
Jason, observing the old monk’s deanor, roughly guessed what he was thinking.
"I will eat as much as possible."
"But, I have a big appetite..."
Jason said so.
"That’s really great then."
"Please eat to your heart’s content."
Before Jason could finish, the old monk said joyfully.
He hoped Jason would eat more.
The more he ate, the less his sins weighed.
Saying this, the old monk eagerly stood up, ready to redeem himself.
However, Jason shook his head and did not imdiately move.
Instead, he asked.
"Do you know Hui Lixiang?"
"Hui Lixiang, the lay buddhist?"
"Yes!"
"She can definitely be counted as the old monk’s friend. She visits Tongshou Temple to offer incense every month and sotis chats with the old monk. She is a lay buddhist who appears tough on the outside but is gentle on the inside."
The old monk from Tongshou Temple described what he knew about Hui Lixiang.
Though what Jason knew was slightly different, it didn’t stop him from taking out a business card he had learned about earlier.
"Is this yours?"
Jason asked.
"Yes."
"It was after Miss Hui Lixiang donated 100,000 to Tongshou Temple’s rit box that I gave it to her—if she encountered troubles that ordinary people couldn’t resolve, she could call ."
"About two weeks ago when Miss Hui Lixiang was offering incense at Tongshou Temple, she ntioned in passing that she was planning a long trip... Why, did sothing happen to her?"
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