The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Chapter 1354: Large Scale Construction

Furthermore, Fangzheng wasn’t running a tourist attraction. There was no need for him to make an elevator charge to earn money.

Therefore, Fangzheng decisively shook his head and said, “Forget about that. Mt. One Finger isn’t that high. If they really wish to come, it only takes an hour. Compared to the famous mountain that requires an entire day’s climb, it’s already very easy. As for the elevator, it really destroys the scenery. Furthermore, there’s no need to.”

Wang Yougui nodded when he heard that. “I share the same thoughts. Since you have said so, it’s decided. By the way, when do you plan on expanding the monastery? If you expand it, the monastery will probably be locked up for a while. There’s so much timber and labor workers that will be up the mountain. If there are visitors, there will be danger.”

Fangzheng said, “Then do it quick. To be honest, This Penniless Monk has been looking forward to this day.”

Wang Yougui said with a smile, “Alright, let’s do it the day after tomorrow. I’ll release an announcement in the next two days to have the mountain sealed temporarily so that everyone won’t know about it and not make a wasted trip.”

Fangzheng nodded. The two of them agreed happily.

Indeed, once Wang Yougui left, the notification was made.

The next day, the mountain exploded with people…

There was a sea of people…

Fangzheng, who had planned on going out to take a breather, immediately gave up. He quietly hid in the backyard.

Squirrel went out to ask around and bitterly ran back. “Master, everyone knows that we’re going to seal the mountain for a while, so those who were free came here. Those who weren’t free squeezed time to come over. It’s as though we won’t open again once we seal the mountain…”

Fangzheng was rendered speechless. He never expected this to be the reason for the packed crowd.

Knowing the reason, Fangzheng felt relieved.

On the third day—the day the mountain would be sealed—the mountain suddenly became quiet. Fangzheng was used to seeing crowds watching him strike the morning bell and evening drum. Now that it was empty, Fangzheng and Monkey felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Thankfully, they were all monks. They could adjust their mindsets the fastest and quickly adapt to the peace and quiet…

On the fourth day, the construction team began moving the materials up the mountain.

Everyone knew that Fangzheng had divine powers. Therefore, Fangzheng did not need any mortal divine powers. He directly came to the mountaintop and looked down…

At the same time, there were many villagers gathered at the foot of the mountain. They were all willing to help with the materials.

The construction team also arrived. Some of the old experts looked at the materials in front of them with a look of cherish. Some even secretly wiped their tears as they mumbled, “What a waste! Such good material is used to build a monastery? Who has this merit to live in such a building? Aren’t they afraid of suffering heaven’s punishment?”

“Old Sun, that’s enough. Let’s not talk about this. Since they have money, we should just do the work.” An old man patted Old Sun on the shoulder.

Old Sun sighed and said, “Sigh, I’ve been dealing with all sorts of precious materials in my life. In the past, I used to look at the finished product and help repair it. But now, I suddenly have to do it myself and make this top-grade material into something… Sigh, my heart aches. Tell me, it would be fine if it was used to build something meaningful, but to build a monastery? Sigh…”

The elder whispered, “Old Sun, don’t say that. This monastery is different from the others. It’s said that the monk in this monastery has Dharmic powers and divine powers. Furthermore, he has done lots of good deeds. The locals really respect him. It’s fine if you tell me this, but don’t tell others to avoid trouble.”

Old Sun said disapprovingly, “Old Ma, I’m already so old. Is there a need to mince my words? My heart really aches for these materials… As for the divine powers you mentioned, you believe that? Perhaps this monk is really well-respected and really has boundless merit, but what does the materials have to do with his merit? The world is only this big. To use wood of such quality in other places will make them the best of the best, things that will last for ages. But now, it’s used to build a house. Tell me, isn’t this a waste…”

Old Ma nodded. “There are also thousand-year-old ancient monasteries…”

“Those may be good, but the times are different. Who would look at a pillar now? It’s better to make it into an exquisite object that can be transported for people to see,” Old Sun said.

“Alright, that’s enough. Stop thinking about it. The employer is rich and willing to donate. What else can we say?” Old Ma said.

Old Sun nodded and said, “I know. I’m just complaining. I’ll visit Abbot Fangzheng later. He’s so young, so I want to see what capabilities he has that makes so many people respect him.”

Old Ma said, “Yes, he’s so young. He’s also considered a legendary figure.”

Old Sun nodded and said, “Legendary… I hope he lives up to his name. I’ve seen many people like him before.”

Just as the two of them were talking, someone suddenly shouted, “Everyone, stop. There’s no need to move anymore. Put down all the materials and don’t move them anymore.”

Upon hearing that, Old Ma, Old Sun, and the workers who were preparing to move the material were all stunned.

Someone asked, “Are we not moving anymore? Or are we not building it?”

“Brother, don’t joke around. If we don’t move this up the mountain, we’ll have to use a helicopter,” someone said with a laugh.

As the head of the construction team, Old Ma immediately went forward and asked, “Village Chief Wang, what’s going on? We have limited construction time. I think it’s best we move the materials up the mountain as soon as possible. With so many workers here, we can’t just wait here, right?”

Wang Yougui said with a smile, “Captain Ma, don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. You may be anxious, but I’m even more anxious. Every day One Finger Monastery is sealed, the less we earn.”

Old Ma nodded. He understood what Wang Yougui meant and asked, “Then, what’s going on?”

Wang Yougui pointed at the mountaintop and said, “It’s nothing. The abbot of One Finger Monastery, Master Fangzheng, thinks that it’s too slow and tiring for everyone to move the materials. Therefore, he plans to personally move them up. Therefore, there’s no need to move the materials. Just move aside.”

“Master Fangzheng is moving it by himself? We aren’t needed in the moving?” Old Ma felt that his brain couldn’t keep up. He subconsciously asked, “Abbot Fangzheng got a helicopter?”

Wang Yougui shook his head and said, “I don’t think so. There are no helicopters nearby.”

Old Ma asked, “If he’s not using a helicopter, is he going to use a pulley to hoist the materials up? But the mountain doesn’t have such equipment, right?”

With that said, Old Ma looked up at the mountaintop. Indeed, there wasn’t a place on the mountain that was used to hang a pulley. Instead, he saw a white-robed monk standing on the mountaintop.

Old Ma looked up and the others looked up as well. Someone recognized Fangzheng and shouted loudly, “Look, it’s Abbot Fangzheng!”

“It’s really him. The white robe is too obvious.”

“Isn’t Abbot Fangzheng moving himself? Why isn’t he down here?”

“Don’t tell me they’re joking? I’ve been to so many construction sites, but I haven’t seen any employer move things themselves.”

“Could it be a divine power?”