"Mm. I had killed many people."
Su Nan had long since lost count of how many had died by her hand.
Some had needed to die; some had stood on different sides... But in the end, all of them had died by her hand, including intelligent races other than humans.
"I see." The monk merely nodded lightly.
Su Nan glanced at him and continued eating.
What a strange monk.
As dusk deepened, unknown insects began chirping in the silent mountain forest. A bright white moon hung in the night sky, while stars glittered and the Milky Way blazed in splendor.
Su Nan lay on the grass, quietly staring at the night sky in a daze.
"Benefactor."
The monk's voice suddenly came from beside her. Su Nan did not turn her head. "What is it?"
"Have you ever considered laying down the butcher's blade in your hand?"
"Do all monks think that if one lays down the butcher's blade, one can become a Buddha on the spot? But monk, have you ever considered this? If I put it down, then what about those people who died by my hand? Who should bear this karmic sin?"
Su Nan gave a soft laugh. She seemed to be mocking someone, though it was impossible to tell whether she was mocking the monk or herself.
Perhaps it was as the monk had said: letting go brought transcendence. Yet some people still clung to it, unable to let go of those past events that had long since passed away.
The monk froze, unsure how to respond for a moment.
"Amitabha. This humble monk does not yet know. Allow me to think it over carefully."
After standing stunned for a long while, the monk recited a Buddhist invocation, then found a place to sit quietly and closed