Juezheng strode over and stood in front of Hu Xiaotian and his two companions. A jackal's savage gleam shot from the blue-robed elder's eyes, murderous intent blazing in his heart. Just then, the donkey tethered to the pine tree began braying.
Everyone looked over and saw that an old monk in gray robes had appeared beside the donkey unnoticed. He gently stroked the mane on its neck and murmured, "The Buddha said that all living beings are equal. Why, then, have you tethered it here, venerable patron?"
The blue-robed elder's gaze sharpened, but his murderous aura vanished in an instant. He smiled. "If you've taken a liking to my donkey, Master, I would be happy to give it to you."
The old monk smiled. "Wealth is merely an external possession. What would a monk want with such things? Giving me a donkey seems kindly on the surface, but in truth, our Spirit Sound Temple can barely fill our monks' bellies. Where would we find spare grain to feed a donkey? Do you want us to skimp on food and clothing and save our own rations for it? You look kindly enough, venerable patron, but your heart is not quite so generous."
The blue-robed elder chuckled. "You are a monk, Master, yet I have never met a monk with so many twists in his thinking. You've taken my goodwill for malice. Very well, very well. Since you think I'm plotting against you, I shall keep the donkey myself."
The old monk smiled warmly. "Leaving already, venerable patron? May the wind favor your journey!"
The blue-robed elder said, "I always heard that the Spirit Sound Temple delighted in charity and offered salvation to all living beings. Now that I've seen it, it amounts to little enough. You're sending an old man on