Ning'an Temple.
When the first ray of sunlight in the morning fell on the eaves of Ning'an Temple, the bell in the main hall rang.
This is the bell for morning service.
Dozens of monks in gray robes came out of the side rooms of the rear hall and hurried to the main hall.
When the bells stop ringing, the monks will begin their morning prayers in the main hall.
Huikong's sharp eyes spotted the figure of the monk Huiwu, the receptionist, in the crowd. His eyes lit up, and he quickly trotted over to Huiwu's side. No matter what, he wanted Huiwu to agree to a job that paid more and was easier for him. Perhaps he could trade with Huixin, the monk who managed the merit box.
Huikong, 25, is the sweeping monk at Ning'an Temple. Formerly a construction worker, he followed a fellow villager to Ning'an Temple to become a monk. The fellow villager told Huikong that being a monk is just a profession these days, with high wages and good benefits—much better than the grueling construction job Huikong had toiled on for only fifty yuan a month.
Huikong had been at Ning'an Temple for over three months, but he felt somewhat disappointed. He now swept the floor at Ning'an Temple, earning only fifty yuan a month. While the work wasn't as tiring as before, he had to be there 24 hours a day, which was a bit of a loss.
Huikong thought he could curry favor with Huiwu and improve his status in the temple. He heard that Huiwu earned 200 yuan a month, and even Huixin earned 80 yuan a month. He didn't dare to compare himself with Huiwu, but how could Huixin, a dumb old man over 50 years old, compare with him?
"Brother Huiwu, are you feeling better?" Huikong asked in a flattering manner.
Huiwu didn't attend the morning class a few days ago. The presiding master, Master Hongxin, said that Huiwu was sick. He had a high fever, was talking nonsense, and couldn't get out of bed. In order to avoid being infected, everyone was asked not to visit Huiwu.
Huikong believed Hongxin’s nonsense.
Last night, Huikong got up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom and saw Huiwu and Abbot Hongxin hurriedly carrying a black cloth bag into the side hall. Huiwu's steps were firm and powerful, not like a patient who had been ill for several days.
"Yeah." Huiwu agreed nonchalantly. When Huikong mentioned his health, Huiwu felt unhappy. Hadn't he just found an excuse to leave the temple for a few days? Did these two really think he was sick?
"That's good, that's good. Only when Brother Huiwu is in good health can he make better contributions to our temple!" Although Huikong felt Huiwu's impatience, he did not walk away. Instead, he followed Huiwu's words and flattered him a few times.
Huiwu didn't even bother to say "hmm" this time. Ever since Huiwu became the most important disciple of Abbot Hongxin, there were at least eight monks like Huikong vying to please Huiwu every day in Ning'an Temple.
Huiwu knew that even if Huikong didn't say anything now, after a few more words, she would definitely ask him to help change her job.
Sure enough, Huikong came over again and said in a low voice: "Brother Huiwu, you are a disciple that the abbot values very much. Could you do me a favor and change..."
"Impossible." Before Huikong could finish his words, Huiwu flatly rejected the idea. He, the receptionist monk, was not as powerful as Huikong had imagined.
Huiwu didn't earn this kind of honor in front of the abbot on his own. Curiosity killed the cat, and it almost killed Huiwu, too.
Isn't he helpless? Huikong thought he was happy to follow the abbot? If it weren't for the fact that he could only survive by following Hongxin, Huiwu would have run away long ago.
Seeing Huikong's astonished expression, Huiwu suddenly felt so bored. Huiwu envied his glory, but he envied Huiwu's "ignorance." If he could turn back time, Huiwu would rather have never visited Ning'an Temple or set foot in that mysterious side hall. But now, it was too late.
After being rejected by Huiwu, Huikong's face turned ugly. As he was talking, a group of monks had already walked to the door of the hall.
If he didn't speak up today, he might never have the chance again. Huikong gritted his teeth and leaned close to Huiwu's ear and said, "Brother Huiwu, I saw you and the abbot last night. I also saw you and the abbot carrying a large black cloth bag into the side hall. If the brothers knew about this, do you think they would suspect you and the abbot of hiding the temple's property?"
"That's not true." Huiwu frowned and scolded, but the panic in his expression could not be hidden from Huikong's eyes.
"Hehe, as long as senior brother can help me fulfill my wish, I will definitely not say anything nonsense. However, what if senior brother..." Huikong threatened without knowing the consequences.
Idiot! There is a road to heaven but you don’t take it, there is no door to hell but you insist on breaking in!
Hui Wu's expression turned ugly, but he didn't dare to say anything else. He knew that the Palace Master was not an ordinary person. Even if they spoke in a low voice at this moment, the Palace Master would be able to hear clearly if he wanted to know.
What happened last night was the Palace Master's secret, a matter crucial to a major undertaking. Unexpectedly, Huikong had witnessed it. This time, would the Palace Master make Huikong disappear? Or would he become an accomplice like herself?
Before ascending the last step to the main hall, Huiwu felt a surge of annoyance. Sure enough, the next second, the Palace Master's voice echoed through Huiwu's mind: "Huiwu, bring the fat monk you were talking to over to the side hall."
"Yes." Huiwu responded respectfully, pulled Huikong's arm, and motioned him to follow him.
The side hall that Huikong mentioned was Huiwu's nightmare. Unless it was necessary, Huiwu didn't want to step in.
"Brother Huiwu?" Huikong saw that Huiwu didn't even do the morning prayers and gestured for him to follow him. His voice trembled with excitement.
"Come with me, someone wants to see you." Huiwu felt pity for Huikong's ignorance, but did not dare to say anything to Huikong.
A few minutes later, Huiwu brought Huikong to the side hall.
"Brother Huiwu, isn't it forbidden to enter this side hall? The abbot said that the beams inside pose a safety hazard!" Huikong couldn't help but ask when he saw Huiwu reaching out to push the door of the side hall.
From the time Huikong entered the temple until now, this side hall has never been opened.
According to the monks in the temple, Abbot Hongxin has said several times that the beams of the side hall have been eaten by insects and are in danger of collapsing at any time. No one can get close to it until new beams are replaced.
Huiwu ignored Huikong's question. His hand had just been on the door, and before he could exert any force, the door of the side hall opened by itself.
"Palace Master, the person has been brought here." Huiwu bowed respectfully towards the inside of the door.
"Well~! The fat monk stays, you go!" A majestic voice came from the hall.
"Yes." Huiwu bowed respectfully towards the door again, then walked back down the stairs.
Is there someone living in the side hall? Who is it? Huikong's curiosity piqued again.
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