That night, the wails of ghosts and wolves from the back mountain were unceasing.
Inside the Great Compassion Temple, a small monk knelt fearfully in front of the Buddha, trembling as he chanted scripture.
A sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy with shaggy hair sat cross-legged in a corner, a strand of rosary beads hanging from his hand.
The howling from the back mountain did not affect his mood, and his calmness sharply contrasted with the other monks around him.
The elderly abbot, his life nearing its end, entered the hall with a sigh:
"Everyone leave."
Upon hearing this, the monks got up from their meditation mats, preparing to return to their quarters.
The old abbot said:
"Do not come back."
The monks trembled all over, understanding something.
One by one, they approached the old abbot, bowing respectfully, then left hurriedly.
In the vast hall, only the incense, the old abbot, and the boy remained.
