Chapter 1: The Little Monk Falls in Love with the Red Dust

  The morning light is faint, the sun has just risen, and a milky white mist envelops the earth. The ancient temple appears and disappears in the distance.

  A crisp bell rings out, awakening the temple's morning!

  Zhao Zhuang slowly opened his eyes, subconsciously reaching out to the side of the bed with his hand, and after a brief search, he suddenly stopped. His eyes were still closed, but a hint of bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

  Where is the alarm clock here!

  Eyes open, can't see the big house soft bed, can't see the snow-white ceiling, and no wind chimes sent by ex-girlfriend.

  Under the wooden rafters and blue tiles, there is only a hard and stiff kang, sleeping for a long time makes my waist ache. A faint smell of sweat hangs in the air throughout the house, the living environment is really not commendable.

  Forced to adapt for ten days, still can't get used to it!

  Recalling the past ten days' experiences, Zhao Zhuang couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. He didn't understand why after getting drunk, he would end up in this godforsaken place!

  He is a sharp lawyer who has just won a difficult economic dispute lawsuit and is in high spirits.

  That evening, the client hosted a banquet to express gratitude.

  The cups and chopsticks were crossed, and Zhao Zhuang, excited, couldn't help but drink a few more cups. Before long, he became drowsy and fell asleep.

  When I woke up, everything had changed!

  The luxurious hotel had disappeared and in its place were low, tiled cottages. At first he thought it was a prank, or even that he had been kidnapped.

  But soon, Zhao Zhuo discovered that something was amiss. There was no one restricting his freedom, and the surroundings were strangely unfamiliar.

  The sky is exceptionally blue, the air is exceptionally fresh and clean, the buildings are very old-fashioned, on quiet nights you can't see neon lights flashing, and you can't hear car horns honking.

  In short, there is no modern atmosphere at all.

  Standing by the water tank, looking at the reflection in the water, something unbelievable happened.

  The mature and handsome gold medal lawyer disappeared, only a young and unfamiliar little monk was in front of him, suddenly becoming ten or so years younger, although Zhao Zheng did not want to admit it, but this is the current self.

  I've crossed over!

  It wasn't until a long time later that Zhao Zhuang thought of an explanation that seemed reasonable.

  Many fragmented memories emerged in his mind, becoming the best evidence.

  Zhao Zhuang couldn't help but mock himself. At the height of his life, he mysteriously got drunk and died, but his soul didn't die. Instead, he traversed through time and space and was reborn.

  As for rebirth as a human being - just be a monk!

  In the remaining memories, Xiao Shang was 19 years old. The secular family also had the surname Zhao, and it seemed that he didn't have a name, perhaps because he was the fifth in line, so everyone called him Wu Lang. As for the four older brothers before him, they all died young, so his parents loved him dearly and placed high hopes on him.

  Unfortunately, fate played a trick on him. Wu Lang was born dull and stupid, and didn't utter his first words until he was five years old. He was wooden and unsociable, earning himself the nickname "Stupid Wu Lang".

  Although his parents were disappointed, they had no choice but to continue loving their only child as before, worrying about his future. How could an idiot support himself?

  It is often said that foolish people have good fortune, and indeed it's true. One year and one month, a Taoist priest who was traveling around passed by and saw Wu Lang, and he was greatly surprised, claiming that his bones were extraordinary, and that he was a rare talent for learning martial arts.

  The villagers all sneered at him, a fool who couldn't even hold chopsticks properly, how could he learn martial arts? What a rare talent! Nonsense, the foolish man is talking nonsense!

  The Taoist didn't think much of it and after obtaining the consent of Wu Lang's parents, he began to teach him martial arts.

  As it turned out, a miracle really happened!

  Goro surprisingly picked it up in one go and made rapid progress. After a few years, he became a master, especially skilled in swordsmanship.

  His parents were overjoyed and wept with happiness, while the villagers marveled at this extraordinary event.

  Soon after, the Taoist priest took his leave without a word and floated away. Coincidentally, a flood occurred in his hometown, and his parents passed away one after another, leaving Wulang alone and destitute.

  Apart from martial arts, he is still the same old useless and incompetent Wu Lang.

  In order to survive, Gorō had no choice but to follow his neighbors and go out begging for food, arriving in Bianliang.

  One day, he fainted from hunger at the gate of Dingli Temple and was rescued by monks in the temple.

  The Taoist's disciple became a monk in such a muddled way, but he was born dull and didn't understand chanting scriptures or Buddhist studies. Fortunately, he had physical strength, so the abbot, who was kind-hearted, kept him in the temple to do odd jobs.

  I came here at seventeen and now it's already the third year.

  Ten days ago, Wu Lang braved the cold wind to sweep away the snow, unexpectedly fainting in the snowy ground, falling ill with a high fever, bedridden and unable to get up, his life hanging by a thread. If not for Zhao Zheng's timely arrival, he would have been gone by now!

  In just ten days, Zhao Zhuo had already confirmed that he had crossed over into ancient Huaxia.

  As for the specific dynasty, unfortunately, stupid Gorō is not clear about it.

  Zhao Cong inferred that it was probably from the Song Dynasty.

  Most of the incense guests who came to worship Buddha wore hemp clothes. After Yuan and Ming dynasties, cotton was widely planted, so cotton cloth became mainstream, so it must be before the Yuan dynasty. Plus, the temple is located in Bianjing, which is not the capital of Northern Song Dynasty!

  Reborn in Northern Song Dynasty, it should be around 80-90% similar!

  It's okay, the Northern Song Dynasty is known for its prosperity and wealth, which is fortunate. After all, it's better than those chaotic times with war fires raging and people suffering.

  Since you are already here, then make yourself at home!

  After being certain that he couldn't go back, Zhao Zhuo also accepted reality. Moreover, in his past life, he was also alone and had no attachments.

  As for past achievements, wealth and fame are lost, although it's a pity, they can also be regained. Zhao Zhuang firmly believes that scattering thousands of gold and coming back is not a difficult thing!

  Zhao Cong's mind had already begun to calculate how to live a comfortable life in the Song Dynasty.

  It's just that nowadays, as a monk, I'm just a miscellaneous monk, and this identity is too embarrassing!

  It's too hard to get ahead!

  Just then, someone outside the door shouted: "Disciple of Jingse, hurry up and sweep the temple grounds, in the afternoon the family of Taishi will come to pay homage to Buddha!"

  Abstain from lust!

  Unexpectedly got such a special Dharma name.

  Alas! As soon as he thought of this, Zhao Zhuang got a headache and was often ridiculed by the monks.

  Zhao Cong also asked the abbot if he could change his Dharma name. Unexpectedly, the abbot said: "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form, there is no difference to speak of. What's the need for attachment to a mere name?"

  Zhao Zhuang was speechless, what kind of joke is this?

  A strong and vigorous young man, a dragon and tiger-like fellow, can this stuff be quit?

  Return to secular life, must return to secular life!

  But can't be impatient, many things are not clear before, still have to take a long-term view. Today, can only hold the broom and continue to do hard labor.

  ……

  Dingli Temple is a well-known temple in Bianjing. The area is not small, and it's winter now, with fallen leaves scattered all over the ground. The cleaning work is quite a big project.

  After a busy morning, it was basically completed, with only one attic left, full of dust and fallen leaves. When Zhao Zhuang brought the broom forward, he was stopped by someone.

  "Abstinent junior brother, Qingxin Pavilion does not allow you to set foot in it even for a single step, have you forgotten?"

  The speaker was a fat and powerful monk named Jie Chen, who had some authority in the temple. He liked to wield his power by waving a feather duster as if it were an imperial edict, bossing around the other monks. It was he who had ordered Jie Se to sweep the snow in the freezing wind last time, which led to him falling ill with a fever and nearly losing his life.

  "Why?" Zhao Zhuang asked subconsciously.

  "Really, you're so stupid! I've told you countless times that the Qingxin Pavilion was where Empress Dowager Cixi used to offer sacrifices to Buddha when she was alive. The imperial family...the late emperor had an edict, sealing it off on the spot, not allowing anyone to set foot in it!"

  So it is! Who is Empress Xianyi? I don't know!

  Since it's the emperor's decree, then so be it, saves me from hard work!

  "Thanks for reminding me, Brother Shuai. I'm done now, so I'll take my leave!" It was already lunchtime, and Zhao Zhuang's stomach had been growling with hunger.

  "Wait!"

  Jie Cen saw his junior brother not being very respectful, and his self-esteem was offended. He was extremely dissatisfied and shouted: "Wait a while before eating, the family members of the Taifu Mansion are coming to burn incense in the afternoon, you go and wipe the Buddha statues in the main hall clean, they must be spotless!"

  "You..."

  Zhao Zhuang suddenly felt a surge of anger, this guy is intentionally making things difficult!

  "What's going on? If it's Madame Taowei blaming you, you can't afford to take the blame!" Jie Chen's voice was very loud, with a hint of bullying.

  Just then, two horse-drawn carriages stopped in front of the temple gate. Jian Chao saw them and, after a fierce glance, shouted an order and ran over.

  It goes without saying that it must be the family members of the Taifu government who have arrived, otherwise, with Xie Chen's character of being strict and stern to those below him, how could he be so enthusiastic!

  Zhao Zhuang reluctantly said, "I'm currently under someone's roof, I have no choice but to temporarily put up with it. What's the big deal about wiping a Buddha statue? Just go do it!"

  As they hurried past, three young women got down from the carriage, with elegant appearance and refined temperament, standing shoulder to shoulder, forming a beautiful scenery.

  Zhao Zhuang slightly stopped in his tracks and sighed: "It's really hard to abstain from lust, it's so worldly, I must return to secular life as soon as possible!"

  **

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