Unexpected Encounter

The slanting sun painted the white walls crimson, and the fragrance of dinner drifted from every household.

After washing her clothes, Bai Yujun washed the curtains too. She sat on the threshold, spacing out and dozing off. The sun was warm, and the white dress hanging from the bamboo pole dried quickly, swaying gently in the breeze with a fresh, comforting scent~

The alley was narrow and the neighbors close by. The smell of stewed fish wafted over the courtyard wall, making Little Stone drool.

The sunset's afterglow dyed the white walls and gray tiles gold and red. Birds chirped as they returned to their nests. Not a single umbrella or painting had sold today, though Hui Xian had sold several little bamboo carvings. After living so many years, he was bound to be skilled at some craft. Bamboo Spring Temple had nothing but a clear spring and bamboo everywhere one looked.

Old Hui Xian packed up his wares and shut the door, leading the two children past the entrance.

"Where's that virtuous old man off to?"

Bai Yujun, dozing on the threshold, asked curiously. She could not understand why they were heading out at dinnertime.

"Hehe, unspeakable, unmentionable~"

Hui Xian smiled and shook his head, looking all mysterious and profound.

Little Stone hung his head listlessly, while he and the Snake Demon Boy each held a wooden alms bowl and followed behind their master. Without hesitation, he exposed what was supposedly unspeakable and unmentionable.

"We're begging for alms..."

"Begging for alms is the beginning of becoming an eminent monk. One flower, one world; one leaf, one bodhi. Such is knowledge, such is sight, such is faith and understanding. All things are but illusions..."

Little Stone felt dizzy and rolled his eyes, while the Snake Demon Boy deliberately slowed his