This is a dense forest, which is quite old. The thickest trees are so big that it takes several people to hug them. The lush foliage breaks the sunlight into dappled spots that fall on the thick layer of fallen leaves, casting mottled shadows.

In the height of summer, the chirping of cicadas and birds is exceptionally clear and melodious, bringing a touch of life to the tranquil forest.

In the stillness, a soft rustling sound suddenly came from among the fallen leaves, and a beautiful white fox was seen hopping and leaping through the woods. The fox was about a foot long, with long, soft fur that emitted a faint sheen, and a pair of bright black eyes that were clear and lively.

It hopped and skipped through the thick layer of fallen leaves, weaving among the trees, occasionally turning its head to look around, or looking up at the lush foliage and sunlight overhead, with a look of wonder.

Suddenly, with a loud "whoosh," perhaps the white fox had triggered some mechanism, a large net hidden under the fallen leaves appeared and quickly wrapped around the white fox, lifting it into the air.

The white fox was terrified and struggled violently in the net, screaming in terror.

Just then, two men emerged from behind the surrounding trees. The younger man looked up at the net and said with a smile, "Brother, it's a white fox. Look at how good its fur is, it must be worth a lot of money!"

The older man had a more composed expression, but a smile could be seen in his eyes. He nodded, walked to the side, untied a rope connecting the net, and placed the net on the ground. He went over and picked up the net, only to see the white fox inside struggling desperately, its clear black eyes filled with deep fear.

The man picked up the net, turned around, and said, "Let's go."

The younger man quickly ran over, bending down to look at the white fox in the net as he walked, a deep smile on his face.

The two soon emerged from the forest, beyond which lay thriving farmland, and beyond that, a very peaceful village.

The two walked along the path through the fields toward the village, occasionally encountering people carrying farm tools. Most of them would come over, bend down to look at the white fox in the net, and then show expressions of envy.

Just then, a middle-aged monk walked towards us with a smile. He held a staff in his left hand and a begging bowl in his right. He wore a gray monk's robe that looked somewhat worn, but it was very clean and faintly white.

The monk saw the white fox the two men were carrying from afar, and his eyes immediately showed pity.

Soon, the monk came face to face with the two men. He stopped and called out with a smile, "Please wait a moment, benefactors."

The two men exchanged a glance, and the older man asked with a hint of doubt, "May I ask what brings this master here?"

The monk glanced at the white fox in the man's hand and said with a smile, "Amitabha. Heaven cherishes life. This white fox in your hand is also a life. I humbly request that you release it."

The man's face darkened, and he shook his head, saying, "Master, please have pity on this fox's life, but do you know that I also have an elderly mother and children at home who are waiting for money to survive?"

The monk was taken aback, then smiled gently and said, "It turns out that this humble monk did not think things through. Now, benefactor, do you think this humble monk has anything of value to exchange for this white fox?"

At this moment, the white fox in the net had stopped struggling, its bright black eyes fixed on the monks, as if it possessed some intelligence and could understand what they were saying.

The man sized the monk up and down, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He said impatiently, "If Master has nothing else to say, please don't waste my time. Farewell!"

"Wait a moment, benefactor!" The monk looked down and realized he was indeed penniless, but his eyes lit up when he saw the alms bowl in his hand. He smiled and offered the bowl, saying gently, "Benefactor, do you think this alms bowl is valuable? It was a gift from the Emperor when I was traveling and rescued a princess during my travels in the palace. It is made of pure silver, and I couldn't refuse such kindness. Do you think this alms bowl could be exchanged for the white fox you possess?"

The man stared intently at the alms bowl in the monk's hand. He could clearly see that the bowl was made of silver, but many areas were faintly blackened. The man had excellent eyesight and knew that the bowl was probably over a hundred years old. He pondered the monk's words and, considering the monk's age, couldn't help but feel a little doubtful.

After a moment of silence, he looked up at the monk and asked, "Are you really going to trade this with me?"

The monk nodded with a smile and said gently, "Yes."

The man took the alms bowl and confirmed that it was made of pure silver. He smiled with satisfaction, handed the white fox to the monk, and said, "Alright, I'll change it!"

The monk accepted the white fox, clasped his hands in prayer, and said, "Amitabha, thank you for your help."

The man nodded, exchanged a glance with the younger man, and the two hurriedly walked past the monk.

The monk stood to one side, and after the two had walked away, he squatted down, untied the net, and released the white fox, saying with a smile, "Go on, hurry home."

The white fox, instead of leaving, tilted its head back and stared intently at the monk.

Looking into the white fox's bright eyes, the monk smiled gently and said, "I see that you have some intelligence. You may one day cultivate into a demon. If you remember how I saved you when that time comes, remember never to harm living beings and to have a kind heart. Is that alright?"

The white fox's eyes darted around a few times, then it nodded as if it understood.

The monk smiled gently, stood up, put his hands together in prayer, and bowed, saying, "Let us part ways here. If fate allows, we shall meet again someday. Amitabha, well done, well done."

The white fox glanced at the monk one last time, nodded, and then turned and nimbly ran away. It ran a long way, then turned back and saw the monk still waiting there, watching it. The gentle sunlight shone down, casting a long shadow of him on the roadside farmland, and illuminating his gentle eyes, which were as warm and smooth as jade.

That one glance is deeply etched in my heart, and I will never forget it.