He had thought Xiangshan Zen Monastery was a place of true Buddhist teachings, and that its compassionate abbot would give him shelter. He had never expected that even here, there would be no place for him!
Yet although the monk felt somewhat bitter, it was not something he could not let go of.
After all, he had just killed so many people, and he did not know whether that group had been all of them or merely a portion.
Others might come looking for him later. Staying at Xiangshan Zen Monastery could instead bring trouble upon its monks.
So even if the abbot had not sent someone to turn him out, the monk would not have stayed much longer himself. He simply had not expected to be told to leave the very next day.
The monk stopped dwelling on it and threaded all the iron prayer beads together. After looking them over, he put them around his neck.
"Dong, dong... dong."
The bells of Xiangshan Zen Monastery rang out, signaling that the monks should retire for the night, as should the worshippers staying there.
The monk rose and looked toward the doorway, then stepped outside. All the monks in Xiangshan Zen Monastery had returned to their quarters. Apart from this false monk, none of them dared wander out again at will.
Although night had fallen, the moon shone brightly enough to illuminate everything on the ground.
"So be it, so be it. I shall seek refuge elsewhere!"
Being a monk did indeed spare him many troubles. A single declaration that his worldly ties were severed could shut out most grief and suffering, as though a heavy burden had suddenly slipped from his shoulders. But it could not shut out everything.
After returning to his room, the monk sat cross-legged on