420: Chapter 420 Han Jingyang, Unparalleled in Benevolence and Righteousness

Han Jingyang brought Liu Jing and Shi Xiaoya to the front.

Old Monk Delin, Monk Kongyun, and a crowd of monks, both young and old, pressed their palms together and bowed simultaneously: "We respectfully welcome Mr. Han, Benefactor Liu Jing, and Benefactor Yang Jinyuan to our temple!"

The monks chanted scriptures every day, so even though this line was simple, reciting it in unison gave it a unique feeling.

Liu Jing and Yang Jinyuan could not hold back and broke into wide grins. Although they did not laugh out loud, the expressions on their faces were enough to show their mood and feelings at this moment—yes, they were enjoying it.

How would an ordinary person have the chance to experience such treatment?

I am afraid that even if the top leaders from the Quancheng municipal government came, it is unlikely they could make Old Monk Delin come down to the mountainside, lay out a red carpet, and perform a grand kowtow to welcome them.

Monk Delin was no ordinary monk; he was a figure with considerable fame among the common people, in Buddhist circles, and in the cultivation world, and he also held a high rank and seniority.

Yet now, he had brought all the monks of Xingguo Zen Temple to the mountain gate halfway up the mountain to welcome them in person, complete with a red carpet and a grand ceremony; no one would believe it if they were told.

Of course, this courtesy was by no means excessive, as they were, after all, welcoming their savior.

Han Jingyang reckoned that if it were not for the fear of being too shocking, the old monk would have gone to the foot of the mountain to welcome them in person.

Thinking of this, Han Jingyang could not help but reveal a hint of a smile.

"Politeness costs nothing."

That is the principle.

If it were not for his good composure, he would definitely have grinned just like Liu Jing and Yang Jinyuan.

The old monk was really giving him too much face.

Hmm, he should interact more with the old monk in the future.

Face, after all, is mutual.

Walking up to them, he cupped his hands to return the salute and then smiled, saying: "Monk Delin, you have worked hard. There was no need to make such a grand display; I am not someone who likes big scenes."

Old Monk Delin also smiled: "This is what we should do. You are the benefactor of myself and Xingguo Zen Temple, having saved Xingguo Zen Temple from the brink of destruction twice in a row. No matter how grand a ceremony we return, it would not be excessive. Mr. Han, please this way."

"After you, Monk Delin!"

"Please—"

"Please!"

After repeated polite refusals, Han Jingyang and Monk Delin walked side by side at the very front.

They chatted as they walked.

Liu Jing and Yang Jinyuan followed in the second row, accompanied by Monk Kongyun, while the other monks followed behind like stars surrounding the moon.

The group walked on the bright and pristine red carpet; it was incredibly grand.

After walking for a dozen minutes, they entered Xingguo Zen Temple.

They took their seats.

A young monk brewed tea and brought it over.

Monk Delin gestured with a welcoming hand: "Taste this. It is spring Longjing, premium grade. It was sent over by the municipal government. There is only two taels, so it will not last long, but the flavor is extremely authentic."

Han Jingyang tasted it and smacked his lips; it was indeed very fragrant.

The taste was more authentic and mellow than ordinary Longjing tea.

It was only because his physical condition was better now and his five senses were keener that he could tell; if it had been a few months ago, he would not have been able to taste anything.

After offering a couple of compliments, he got straight to the point: "Monk Delin, you should know the purpose of my visit. When can you arrange it?"

Monk Delin stood up: "There is no need to arrange anything. Xingguo Zen Temple is only this big. Mr. Han, feel free to look around. Except for the registered natural landscapes, historical sites, and cultural relics, you may take anything else you like, including what is in the warehouse."

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure?"

"A monk does not tell lies."

"Then I will begin."

"Please!"

Monk Delin stood up and gestured with a welcoming hand: "Mr. Han, feel free to pick whatever you like. Please do not doubt the sincerity of Xingguo Zen Temple."

Han Jingyang looked around casually and asked: "Are you not afraid that I might actually take away your temple's greatest treasure?"

"That would simply be the fate between Mr. Han and the treasure."

"You certainly know how to talk, haha. You did not hide the good stuff beforehand, did you?"

"A monk would not do such a thing," Delin smiled: "Besides, Xingguo Zen Temple has only survived this one tribulation, not all of them. There will definitely be times in the future when we will need to trouble Mr. Han. How could a monk do something that cuts off his own retreat?"

"Haha, that is true. Crossing the river and tearing down the bridge is normal, but tearing down the bridge before even crossing the river is rare."

Han Jingyang chatted with Monk Delin while looking around, occasionally reaching out to touch things.

Must say, this Xingguo Zen Temple really had some things. Small and large dharma instruments could be seen everywhere. Although most were very ordinary, their strength lay in their sheer quantity.

However, thinking about it, it was normal. Xingguo Zen Temple was, after all, a thousand-year-old famous temple. Its deep foundation was not something an ordinary temple could compare to. Although it had suffered from wars many times and was nearly destroyed, its heritage had never been broken.

Under such circumstances, having a few things was perfectly normal.

Moreover, this was a thousand-year-old temple with extremely prosperous incense. Anything placed in the temple for a period of time could become a dharma instrument.

Of course, there were differences between dharma instruments.

Ordinary consecrated dharma instruments, even if effective, were quite weak and could hardly change much.

But some dharma instruments, such as the monk's staff in Old Monk Delin's hand, were quite extraordinary; it was a rather good dharma instrument.

It was just that no matter how thick-skinned he was, he was too embarrassed to ask for someone's personal dharma instrument.

They would still have dealings in the future. If he took their personal dharma instrument this time, how could they interact in the future?

This kind of thing is mutual.

If you are polite, I am polite.

If you are generous, I am generous.

If you are righteous, I am even more righteous.

Only such friendship can last longer.

Otherwise, if you only think about taking advantage when doing things, that is truly cutting yourself off from others, and your reputation will be completely ruined.

A generous bad person, or a good person who only thinks about taking advantage?

Which one would you choose as a friend?

The correct answer is the latter.

But in reality, 99% of people would choose the former.

This is human nature.

Han Jingyang naturally understood this principle.

Accompanied by Monk Delin, after turning around inside and out, he selected three dharma instruments that were enshrined in the Buddha hall.

The dharma instruments enshrined daily in the Buddha hall were actually the ones sold to the public, except some had been enshrined for a week or two, some for three to five months, some for three to five years, and others for ten or eight years.

The longer they were enshrined, the deeper the blessed dharma power, the better the effect of the dharma instrument, and naturally, the higher the value.

But no matter how long they were enshrined, these dharma instruments were for sale to the public and could not compare to those items that were not for sale.

The dharma instruments sold to the public displayed current strength.

The non-sale items, however, displayed true foundation.

Missing a few items that were meant to be sold was harmless; it just meant earning a little less money.

If a few non-sale items were missing, it would damage their foundation, and this loss could not be measured by money.

Therefore, Monk Delin, who had been prepared to suffer a huge loss, saw Han Jingyang's choice and hurriedly pressed his palms together to salute: "Mr. Han is benevolent and righteous; I am ashamed to compare."

Han Jingyang chuckled: "I am just like this. Whoever treats me well, I will treat them twice as well. Whoever glares at me, I dare to break their legs. Besides, the ones I picked are not necessarily bad; do not forget my profession."

Monk Delin shook his head slightly: "To you, it might not make a difference, but to Xingguo Zen Temple, it is completely different."

After saying this, he waved his hand.

Monk Kongyun and a young monk each carried a tray covered with a red cloth and walked out, presenting them before Liu Jing and Yang Jinyuan: "Two female benefactors, please be sure to accept these!"