"This humble monk is Jie Kong. Thank you, senior brothers and Senior Sisters, for coming to my aid."
The monk named Jie Kong looked composed. He pressed his palms together and spoke slowly.
Ming Hao gazed at the battered monk before him, his heart brimming with curiosity.
"Senior Brother Jie Kong, please take a seat."
"Thank you for offering me a seat, junior brother."
Jie Kong sat down, and Lin Zihan promptly poured him a cup of tea.
"Junior Brother Jie Kong, why do they ostracize you? Could you tell us what happened?"
Lin Yong asked, his face full of puzzlement.
Jie Kong fell silent for a moment, then said solemnly:
"It is a long story. If you do not mind the trouble, senior brothers and Senior Sisters, this humble monk will tell you everything."
"Go on, go on!"
Zhang Ze urged him impatiently.
Jie Kong took a small sip of tea and sighed softly.
"This humble monk was born into a wealthy family. When I was five, I happened to meet an eminent monk who said I had an affinity with the Buddha. My parents agreed to let him take me as his disciple, and he brought me up the mountain to cultivate.
"But I was already accustomed to fine clothes, lavish meals, and a carefree life. Life on Buddha Mountain was terribly austere. We ate vegetarian food and cultivated in solitude, never touching a morsel of meat, and had to spend all day chanting scriptures and worshipping the Buddha.
"I was young then, and as time passed, I naturally found it unbearable. Behind my master's and senior brothers' backs, I secretly broke the precepts by eating meat and often shirked my duties.
"Eventually, I could no longer hide it. My master flew into a rage and ordered