Deceiving the Old Monk into Visiting a Brothel

"Amitabha, dear benefactor, allow this humble monk to advise you: form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Do not covet beauty."

"If benefactors like yourself did not visit pleasure houses, such establishments would not exist."

"Your actions only embolden these vile dens of sin."

"I implore you to—"

"Hey, have you finished preaching yet?"

"I’ll go wherever the hell I want. Why won’t you shut up?"

Da Huang’s face was twisted in anger. Was this old monk just meddling for no reason?

He had finally spotted a brothel, but before he could even step inside, this monk had blocked his way.

The old man had been droning on for nearly an hour—didn’t he ever get tired?

Chen Chang'an had long since pulled a chair from his spatial ring and was now lounging comfortably, watching the exchange between the man and the dog.

"Benefactor, how can you be so stubborn?"

"Sinful, sinful!"

"This humble monk only wishes to—"

"Shut up!"

"You keep yammering about sin. Then tell me—do you even know why I’m going to the brothel?" Da Huang snapped, cutting off the monk.

"Why else, but for—"

"For what? Can’t say it, can you? I’m a damn dog—what do you think I can do?"

"Let me tell you, I’m going to save those unfortunate women."

"I’m doing a good deed, got it?"

"You keep chanting ‘Amitabha’ and spouting nonsense about ‘all beings are equal’ and ‘the Buddha’s compassion.’"

"Why don’t you go enlighten those suffering souls yourself?"

"All you do is talk. I bet you’re no saint either."

"Maybe I should spread the word—you monks are nothing but smooth-talking frauds."

"You don’t give a damn about people’s suffering. You just want to drag others into your cult."

"All you do… is trick people into becoming monks."

Da Huang’s words made the old monk pale. "Amitabha! Benefactor, you misunderstand! This humble monk could never be such a person!"

"The Buddha’s compassion is no fraud—absolutely not!"

"Sinful, sinful, this is—"

Hearing the monk’s endless "sinful" muttering made Da Huang’s head throb.

Sinful your ass!

Can’t you speak like a normal person?

Chen Chang'an knew Da Huang was just spouting nonsense, but he couldn’t help but sneer at the monk’s flustered expression.

"If your Buddha is so compassionate, then go ahead and save the masses."

"Let everyone see for themselves."

"The brothel’s right there—dare to step inside?"

"As they say, ‘If you don’t enter hell, who will?’ To relieve the suffering of all beings, would you sacrifice yourself to enlighten them?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smirk.

The monk’s face turned even paler.

Enter a brothel?

How could that be allowed?

Absolutely not! Never!

"Hahaha! See? This old monk’s all talk!"

"No kidding. He’s been preaching here for days, going on about how great it is to be a monk. What’s so great about it? No booze, no meat, and no women—what kind of life is that?"

"He’s a fraud, a damn fraud! Trying to make us all die out—what a vicious scheme!"

"Hmph, that mutt Da Huang’s got it right. This old bastard just wants to trick people into joining his cult."

"I don’t get it—if he wants to be a monk, fine, but why drag others down with him? What a sick mind!"

"Such ‘Buddhist compassion’ and ‘salvation for all’—turns out it’s just empty words. Bet those who were swayed the other day are regretting it now."

The crowd’s jeers shattered the monk’s last shred of composure.

"I’m not lying!"

"This humble monk has never deceived anyone!"

"I truly came here to save all beings!"

"How could you all misunderstand me like this?"

The monk desperately defended himself, but the skepticism in the crowd’s eyes was unmistakable.

This place was a remote western borderland, untouched by Buddhist influence. The monk’s mission was to spread the teachings here, ideally even establishing a temple.

But after days of effort, just as he was making progress, he had to go and provoke a dog—and now everything was falling apart?

Regret gnawed at him. Why had he picked a fight with a mutt?

He had wanted to demonstrate "all beings are equal"—that even a dog deserved salvation.

Instead, he’d ended up digging his own grave.

"Listen, old monk, enough talk."

"Dare to come with me to the brothel?"

"Save those unfortunate women?"

"If you’re really about ‘salvation for all,’ why not start with them?"

"Let everyone witness the true might of Buddhism."

At Da Huang’s words, the monk glanced at the brothel in the distance.

"Amitabha… this humble monk is a man of the cloth. How… how could I enter such a place?"

"Sinful, sinful!"

"Exactly—you’re a monk. Going to a brothel is a sin."

"But knowingly committing a sin to save others? That’s what earns respect. Don’t you agree?" Chen Chang'an asked with a grin.

Hmm?

The monk’s eyes flickered. This man’s insight was remarkable.

"Benefactor… have you ever considered embracing the Buddha’s path?"

"Your wisdom is profound. Perhaps in time, you could—"

Chen Chang'an hadn’t expected the monk to try recruiting him. Were all Buddhists this obsessive?

Was there something wrong with their heads?

If they wanted to be monks, fine—but why drag others into it?

Fine.

You want to pull me in? Let’s see how you like being dragged down instead.

"Old monk, enough chatter."

"Come with me to the brothel. Let’s see how ‘compassionate’ your Buddhism really is."

"If you truly care about all beings and wish to save the world…"

"I might just join your little cult."

"After all, I’ve got no other virtues—just kindness. I can’t stand to see suffering."

Hearing this, Da Huang stifled a snicker. Those who knew Chen Chang'an understood—he was about to stir up some serious trouble.

"Amitabha… your compassion is rare indeed."

"But as a monk, this humble one cannot—"

"Old monk, you lack vision."

"Buddhism is sacred. If you truly believe in salvation for all, then sacrificing yourself for the greater good…"

"That’s how you truly spread the teachings. Let the people witness Buddhism’s boundless mercy."

"Unless… you’re unwilling?"