"Ah!"
The change made the Novice Monk cry out involuntarily, and his outburst clearly disrupted the chanting inside the Buddha hall. The elderly monk within was most displeased. "Why are you making such a racket?!"
The Novice Monk's face was pale, and he trembled as he pointed at the statues on either side. The elderly monk looked over in puzzlement, but saw nothing unusual. The statues remained kindly and benevolent, their sacred forms solemn and majestic as they gazed compassionately at the Novice Monks in the hall, embodying boundless mercy.
This greatly displeased the elderly monk presiding over the morning service. He was a veteran of the Great Lingyin Temple and had spent his entire life there. Though his comprehension was lacking and he had only reached the Golden Core Realm, his devotion and profound understanding of Buddhist teachings had earned a Bodhisattva's favor, and he had been entrusted with conducting the morning service.
In the more than two hundred years he had presided over these services, he had seen his share of mischievous, restless young Novice Monks, but never one who had cried out like this. Moreover, the boy's expression clearly suggested irreverent thoughts toward the Bodhisattvas—or a guilty conscience. Otherwise, why would such compassionate Dharma images frighten him so?
"You, come outside with me. Do not disturb the others' morning service!"
The elderly monk pointed at the young Novice Monk, then turned and walked out of the hall. His displeasure was genuine, but he had cultivated Buddhism for centuries, after all. He merely intended to administer a small punishment as a stern lesson, while giving the other young monks a warning.
The young Novice Monk followed him outside, trembling. Terrified as he faced the elderly monk, he spoke before the monk could begin. "Something is wrong with the