At noon, Jiang Cheng and Fatty went to the dining hall for a meal. Everything was just as it had been before: a bowl of watery porridge, so clear you could almost see your reflection in it, sat before them. Fatty frowned at the sight.
Ye Qiutang, Song Tianming, and the others arrived too. They had brought plenty of provisions with them, so they clearly had no interest in the temple's porridge. Jiang Cheng knew why they had come, of course: they were looking for Monk Huicong.
Unfortunately, Monk Huicong didn't show up in the dining hall that day. Not only was he absent, but Monk Huide, Monk Huiming, and the other familiar faces were nowhere to be seen either.
After finishing his porridge, Jiang Cheng went up to the senior monk in charge of discipline in the dining hall and gave him a Buddhist greeting. "Master, may I ask why Monk Huide hasn't come for his meal today?"
The senior monk pressed his palms together. "Benefactor, are you looking for Monk Huide?"
"I had a misunderstanding with him yesterday, and I'd like to explain myself today. I'd be grateful if you could help me."
"Amitabha. I see. Monk Huide went with several of his fellow monks to the Scripture Library behind the temple to debate Buddhist teachings. The monks here don't eat after noon, so if you wait any longer, I doubt he'll come." The senior monk was tall and powerfully built, even more muscular than Fatty. It was hard to imagine someone getting so robust on nothing but watery porridge every day, but his words and manner were full of humility.
Jiang Cheng returned the greeting. "Thank you for your help, Master."
When he saw the two of them leave, Song Tianming pretended to have finished his meal