Chapter 98: 065 Descending the Mountain (Second Watch)
Translator: 549690339
Ming Yi’s delicate white face was still covered in tears, holding back her sobs, looking particularly adorable. “Really?”
“Monks don’t lie.”
Ming Yi threw herself at Ming Jing and hugged her neck. “Second Senior, I really missed you a lot.”
Ming Jing gently patted her back, her eyes warm and loving, “Senior missed you too.”
Ming Jing stood up, “Let’s go pay our respects to Master first.”
On the table was the memorial tablet for Abbess Ming Xin, and on the altar were fresh fruits and snacks. The place was spotless, which showed that the juniors cleaned it every day.
Ming Jing pulled them to kneel on the meditation cushions and held incense in her hands.
“Master, we were all orphans you took in. To us, you are our mentor, the one who gave us a new life. You taught us how to read and write, the principles of the world, and gave us a place in the world, a name, and an identity. You didn’t want us to just live a quiet life on this mountain. Although the world is full of suffering, perhaps the only place free from it would be the teachings of Buddhism. But I still hope that my juniors can venture into the worldly life at least once. Only then will they not live in vain as humans. No matter the outcome, it’s their destiny. Master, you think so too, don’t you?”
The gentle, clear voice of the girl echoed in the Buddhist nunnery, and behind her, the three girls kneeling looked at her back in shock.
Did they mishear?
“From now on, disciple Ming Jing will take good care of the three juniors and repay Master’s kindness in raising and teaching us.”
Three bows and nine kowtows, all with solemnity.
Ming Jing inserted the three incense sticks solemnly and reverently into the censer, turned around, and the three pairs of eyes stared intently at her.
Ming Yi couldn’t help but ask, “Second Senior, are you taking us down the mountain?”
Ming Chen looked expectantly at Ming Jing, and Ming Ti lowered her eyelids, her lips pressed tightly together.
“Although Master has raised us and brought us into Buddhism, it is ultimately up to the individual to follow the Buddha’s teachings. Today, you will leave your worldly roots and follow me down the mountain. The vast, rolling world is what you should be pursuing.”
Ming Ti suddenly looked up, unbelievingly staring at Ming Jing, her lips quivering violently.
“What I am about to say next, the three of you must remember well.”
The three of them straightened their backs, earnestly and solemnly gazing at Ming Jing.
“In Buddhism, it is said that there are eight sufferings in life: birth, aging, sickness, death, encountering hatred, being separated from loved ones, unattainable desires, and the impermanence of everything. Only when you experience the world will you truly understand life. You can love, hate, be happy, and be sad. You can eat meat and drink wine. Maybe your life will be ordinary, or maybe it will be extraordinary.
“I have only one request for you, no matter what kind of person you become or what experiences you encounter, you must always remain kind-hearted at your core.”
“If someone bullies you, don’t simply endure it, as it will only embolden the other party. Kindness has its limits, too. Endless tolerance also generates invisible karma.”
The three nodded seriously, “Senior, we will remember it.”
“After we go down the mountain, please don’t call me Senior anymore. Call me second sister.”
Ming Ti asked, “Second sister, when we leave, what will happen to the eldest sister?”
Ming Chen and Ming Yi nodded in unison.
Ming Jing paused, “I have already arranged for her to be sent to a convalescent home where someone will take care of her.”
Ming Jing pushed open the door to the side room, and the young girl was lying on the bed, breathing evenly as if she were asleep.
Ming Jing tucked the girl in and sat beside the bed, silently watching her pale sleeping face.
“Senior, I finally understood what Master meant by your great tribulation.
Maybe this deep sleep is the best arrangement for you.”
“When I find the Vajra Bell and the Soul Recruiter Flag, everything will be settled by the time you wake up.”
Ming Jing stayed in the room for a long time. Outside the door, three little girls huddled together, whispering, “Is second sister really taking us down the mountain? Third sister, fourth sister, I’m scared.’
“What are you afraid of? Second sister wouldn’t sell us out.” Ming Ti rolled her eyes at her.
“After we go down the mountain, will we follow second sister? Won’t we cause trouble for her?” Ming Chen said worriedly.
Ming Ti pressed her lips, “Since she said that to Master, she must have a plan. If she thinks we are a burden, we can always come back. Life in the convent is tough, but at least we won’t starve..”
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺