TODC Chapter 6

Baoyu’s train ticket was for a first-class seat on a high-speed train.
From the moment he entered the station, he had managed to avoid several young girls chasing him for photos, finally making it to his car.
He even used his sleeves to cover his face to avoid drawing more attention due to his striking looks.
The 100% turn-around rate as he walked made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Although back at the temple, tourists would often stop and ask him for pictures, the feeling here was completely different—he felt like a rare animal in a zoo.
Adjusting his monk robes, Baoyu sat in his seat, pulled down the small table in front of him, and placed his backpack on it.
The earlier commotion and crowd had disturbed his calm mindset.
Sitting quietly, he took his prayer beads in hand, closed his eyes slightly, and silently recited the four meditative principles of the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism to regain his composure.
Not far from him, a few passengers were secretly glancing at him. One pretty young girl whispered to her companion while discreetly sliding her phone from under her seat, aiming the camera at him.
Baoyu didn’t need to guess what she was doing.
However, he didn’t stop her. After all, Hangzhou to Yingtan was only a little over a two-hour journey, and once he arrived at Mount Longhu, he hoped he would no longer draw so much attention.
He thought to himself as he sat.
The nearby passengers were respectful enough, only curious about this young and incredibly handsome monk. Maybe they’d sneak a photo for social media, but that was the extent of it.
Before long, the train arrived at Baoyu’s destination.
Covering his face as he hurried along, Baoyu successfully exited the station.
Without hesitation, he flagged down a taxi and hopped in. Despite the station being over 20 kilometers from Mount Longhu, even if it were double that, he wouldn’t hesitate to take a cab.
“Driver, I’m headed to Mount Longhu,” Baoyu said from the back seat.
“Ah, little monk, you’re going to Mount Longhu too? It’s been quite lively there recently.”
“Huh, have there been a lot of people going to Mount Longhu lately?” Baoyu scratched his head.
“Absolutely! Tourists from all over—Beijing, Shaanxi, Guangzhou, Tianjin, the Northeast… I’ve heard accents from all across the country!” The driver’s voice carried a hint of pride.
“Is that so? How interesting…” Baoyu smiled, his teeth flashing white and bright.
…
Nearly an hour later, Baoyu arrived at his destination.
He took a 100-yuan note from his bag to pay the driver, waited for his change, and then stepped out of the taxi. He looked up and saw the majestic peak not far away.
Mount Longhu!!
It was almost noon, and Baoyu’s stomach growled, reminding him he hadn’t had his morning vegetarian meal.
Walking along the bustling street at the foot of the mountain, he noticed how lively it was, with people everywhere.
Surveying the surroundings, most of the buildings were wooden, painted in red and brown, though in many places the paint had peeled off, revealing their age.
The shops on both sides mostly sold Mount Longhu souvenirs and local specialty foods, a common sight in any tourist area.
Even the Lingyin Temple where Baoyu was from wasn’t exempt from such commercialization, though the atmosphere there was a bit more serene due to its Buddhist nature.
Mount Longhu, on the other hand, had a more vibrant and bustling energy.
After strolling down the stone-paved path for a while, Baoyu realized the driver was right. Eavesdropping on the chatter of passersby, he could hear accents from all over the country.
There were also quite a few people dressed eccentrically. Some were in full Taoist robes, with their hair tied in buns, flicking whisk brooms in hand.
Others wore ripped leather vests, with brightly colored, punk-styled hair and face adorned with metal rings that glittered in the sunlight.
There was a tall man and a short woman, likely siblings, both with blue hair, strolling casually in overalls with their hands in their pockets.
There was even a man who appeared to be over two meters tall, with wild hair and a hulking frame, resembling a beast that had wandered into human civilization. His entire presence exuded a dangerous “do not approach” vibe.
…
Baoyu chose a modest bun shop and walked in.
Business inside seemed slow.
Casually placing his bag on a table in the corner, Baoyu approached the counter and glanced at the displayed food. He ordered a basket of vegetable buns and a bowl of millet porridge.
The chubby shopkeeper behind the counter smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits. “Hello, Master. That will be 74 yuan. We require payment before service.”
“How… much?”
“You owe 74 yuan!” The attendant repeated.
“Ha!”
Baoyu knew he had been scammed. Though he hadn’t come down from the mountain often, he was still aware of standard prices.
Even without thinking, he could tell this was just the usual overpriced tourist trap.
Still, he didn’t argue with the owner. Quietly, he handed over a 100-yuan note. After getting his change, he carried his tray to a corner and began eating in silence.
…
A short while later, the door creaked open as three men strolled in.
The one leading the group was a short, stubbly, middle-aged man wearing a striped shirt.
To Baoyu’s surprise, this man walked with the seductive grace of a woman, his movements strangely sensual and alluring.
Baoyu felt an uncomfortable energy coming from him, an aura of bewitching charm.
…
Following behind the middle-aged man was a tall, thin elder with glasses and another figure wrapped tightly in a gray hoodie. The hood was pulled low, hiding most of his face, save for his dark skin and a pair of moustache-like whiskers near his mouth.
The group’s leader sat down, casually crossing his legs and reclining in the chair. His posture, although feminine, exuded confidence. His eyes locked onto Baoyu—the only other customer in the shop—showing keen interest.
Meanwhile, the other two walked to the counter to place their order.
Before long, a commotion broke out at the counter.
“…What? I just ordered some staple food and a couple of cold dishes, and you’re telling me it’s 340 yuan?”
“That’s right! Vegetables are scarce on the mountain; this is the price. If you don’t believe me, I can calculate it again…”
“Don’t give me that nonsense! Are you trying to scam us?” The tall man slammed his hand on the counter, producing a loud bang, cutting off the shopkeeper mid-sentence.
“Hey! Do you think you can cause trouble here at Mount Longhu? I’ll call security!”
The shopkeeper, clearly startled, blustered nervously.
…
Just then, the middle-aged man sitting near Baoyu let out a soft hum.
“Hmph~”
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the shop grew thick with an odd tension. Baoyu noticed what seemed like tiny, imperceptible pink particles floating toward the shopkeeper.
The next second, the man froze. His face flushed unnaturally, his beady eyes widened with lust, and his mouth hung open as drool dripped down his chubby cheeks.
His bloated body swayed unsteadily as if he could collapse at any moment. The two men at the counter crossed their arms, showing no surprise at the scene.
…
Baoyu, sitting in the corner, finished the last sip of his soup.
He reached for a tissue from the box on the table, tore open the package, and wiped his mouth.
Standing up, the prayer beads on his right wrist slid into his palm, and he softly muttered.
“Amitabha!”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a golden light that seemed to burst from his body, filling the entire room.
The pink particles floating in the air vanished in the blink of an eye, like snow melting under the warm spring sun.
The dazed shopkeeper, too, seemed to regain his senses under the glow of the golden light, his eyes slowly clearing.
Baoyu didn’t stay to watch the aftermath.
With a brief pause, he turned and calmly walked out of the restaurant.