"What are you doing?"
Lin Ke hurriedly helped the monk up.
Once on his feet, the monk bowed again. "Amitabha, Young Master Chen. This bow is on behalf of the disaster victims and refugees I have seen."
As he spoke, he also bowed to the others. "And all of you, please accept this humble monk's bow."
He swiftly bent at the waist, then said, "My heart holds compassion, but I lack the might of a wrathful vajra guardian. I could only assist from the sidelines. Fortunately, the Fierce Demon has been executed, and this humble monk must return to his temple."
Gao Yan asked curiously, "Hasn't the Prefect invited us to a banquet later? Why not come admire Jiangnan's splendor?"
"No." The monk shook his head. "I came to slay a demon. Now that the task is done, I ought to return and report to the Abbot."
"Then I'll take you!" Wen Meng offered. "Your Buddhist temple must be a long way from here, right?"
"As I travel the world, I should use my own feet, listening to the voices of the world while spreading kindness far and wide. Slaying the demon took priority earlier, so I rode in the carriage. Now I must resume my journey on foot."
The monk declined again. "This humble monk will take his leave first. Should you visit my temple someday, I will certainly welcome you. Let us part here; there is no need to see me off."
With that, the monk sped down the mountain under everyone's gaze.
"A true monk!" Watching his retreating back, Gao Yan could not help praising him.
Lin Ke and the others felt the same and nodded in wholehearted agreement.
"In that case, we should leave as well."
A smile appeared on the middle-aged Daoist's face. "My disciple