Alternate Dimension Game: Happiness is all that matters!
Chapter 411 - 294: The Monk from Jiuhua Mountain

Chapter 411: Chapter 294: The Monk from Jiuhua Mountain

"What is your name?" Wang Hao asked.

A vast Domain, filled with boundless space and time and permeated by Black Fog, appeared before the monk’s eyes.

"Your disciple comes from the Golden Ksitigarbha Tower on Jiuhua Mountain. My dharma name is Qiu Yuan. Greetings to... the Buddha."

In that infinite space and time, the monk felt delirious, his consciousness blurred as he brought his hands together in prayer and bowed toward the direction of the sun.

Being oddly called "Buddha," Wang Hao was indifferent. It was just a title after all.

In a Dream, encountering Buddhas, Great Emperors, or other peculiar and bizarre titles was nothing out of the ordinary.

He cut to the chase, "Monk, why are you so destitute? Your limbs have been amputated, your features stripped away. Did you commit some unforgivable atrocities?"

"By no means, there is a cause for this matter. It was... of my own volition."

"Of your own volition? If you sought death with all your heart, why endure such suffering?"

"Buddha, allow me to explain slowly." Qiu Yuan Monk said with a downcast expression and a bitter tone, "I am the heir of the Golden Ksitigarbha Tower, raised on Jiuhua Mountain. I observed vegetarianism, recited Buddha’s name, concerned myself not with worldly affairs, and strived for goodness."

"It’s been heard that the Mountain and Sea Realm has been plagued by war for years. The stables were filled with fat horses, and the kitchens with rich meat, yet the common people bore the countenance of hunger, and starving corpses littered the wilds — This was no better than beasts preying upon men. Several hundred years have passed since the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva pledged the grand vow ’If I do not enter Hell, who will?’ Yet, the Mountain and Sea Realm has grown increasingly desolate and decayed."

"Fifty years ago, Ksitigarbha himself began to suffer from a backlash caused by his grand vow, developing a craving to consume humans, struggling desperately to suppress it, but struggling to endure for long. The only way to save him was to return the world to a state of clear skies, fulfilling the Bodhisattva’s grand vow."

"Hearing of this calamity, I descended from Jiuhua Mountain to the mortal world."

Wang Hao was slightly shocked. The world was indeed becoming madder, harboring such bizarre secrets.

Even the once mightiest "God" wanted to consume humans?!

This information was too crucial. If it hadn’t been given to him directly in a dream—an answer to the riddle—it might have taken several long years to uncover, following the natural progression of the plot.

Wang Hao asked, "When the waters of Canglang are clear, they can cleanse my tassel; when they are murky, they can wash my feet."

"You, a mere humble monk, how will you achieve the grand accomplishments even deities have yet to fulfill? What virtue or ability do you have to restore clarity and peace to the world?"

The monk brought his hands together again and said, "A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step. Without the accumulation of small streams, there can be no seas and rivers. A swift horse leaps but cannot cover ten steps; a slow horse draws steadily without cease."

"The Mountain and Sea Realm is overrun by Evil Gods, its karma deep and heavy, and its people suffer intensely. Even if only a few Evil Gods are slain and a few wicked people persuaded, it is still beneficial. Should the converted sinners go on to enlighten others, inspiring good in everyone, then the world will naturally become clear and bright, free of conflicts and strife."

Wang Hao internally chuckled; if only it were that simple.

What a notion to think "if everyone strived to be better"!

But these two words, "if only," were as heavy as a thousand catties—far too difficult, indeed.

As expected, Qiu Yuan Monk leaned forward slightly, speaking in a tone filled with nostalgia and sorrow, "Initially, I truly believed that if we started with small deeds, with every little drop, the Mountain and Sea Realm would eventually become better..."

"When I first descended from the mountain, I was full of ambition, having mastered a Taoist Skill called the ’Undying Golden Body Technique.’ I was confident that even if I encountered powerful Evil Gods, I could hold my own. It always seemed to me that the root of all disasters stemmed from the Evil Gods."

"But shortly after my descent, I endured a harsh lesson. The place was called Huangmu Town; passing by a civilian workshop at night, I sought shelter for the evening. By chance, I overheard a conversation between the carpenter and his apprentice in the workshop—a dialogue so unforgettable, it was unspeakable."

"Take your time to tell it," Wang Hao said.

"The carpenter said to the young apprentice, ’Ergouzi, you’ve suffered for so long, and only one last thing remains. If you do as I say obediently, I’ll teach you the skills of carpentry.’"

"I thought, the status of a carpenter’s apprentice has always been lowly. If by enduring hardship they could learn the trade, then there’s no need to meddle. As long as this ’last thing’ isn’t a heinous act like murder or arson, it’s unnecessary to interfere."

"The apprentice named Ergouzi nodded eagerly yet restrained himself, asking in a low voice, ’What is this last thing you speak of?’"

"The carpenter chuckled, ’I find your face quite pretty. Let me take you from behind, and I’ll teach you carpentry. Otherwise, there are countless apprentices out there longing to learn the trade—you, Ergouzi, might never get the chance in your lifetime.’"

"Ergouzi was both shocked and angry, holding back his apprehensions as he said, ’You’ve insulted and beaten me, and I’ve tolerated it all. I’ve saved some wages; just take it and enjoy yourself with some brothel women. What’s so good about doing it from behind? That’s for defecating.’"

"The carpenter sneered, ’What’s the use of going to a brothel? What’s the fun in being with a woman? If you’re unwilling to let me, then forget about it. Wait your whole life, and perhaps someday when I’m in a good mood, I’ll teach you then!’"

"But then I heard ’Ergouzi’ plead repeatedly. If he could learn the trade, he wouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of his life. Without the skills, he would be destitute, with nowhere to turn, and the family that was teetering on the edge would crumble completely. Lastly, Ergouzi’s voice lowered, ’Just once and I can learn? You’ll really teach me? You keep your word? If it’s only once, then I’ll endure.’"

"The carpenter scoffed, ’Where in the world can you learn a lifetime’s craft in one go? One time lets you learn for one day! If you don’t do it today, you can’t learn today.’"

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