The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Eccentric shook his head and said, “The Golden Triangle is a no man’s land, but it’s also every man’s land. Here, all three countries want it, but they are afraid of each other and are unable to make a move. This is a balanced triangle of strength, and it’s very difficult to break it. No one will watch as another party takes over this place…

“In addition, the armed forces of the Golden Triangle are very strong, even stronger than the military of the three poor countries! Furthermore, the terrain here is narrow and complicated, making it inconvenient for transportation. When the military from another country comes here, they have to do jungle warfare.

“It’s not that I’m looking down on the three countries’ troops. Laos is too poor and their military is very poorly funded. Myanmar isn’t much better. Besides, there’s some chaos in northern Myanmar that the government can’t completely control. Thailand is better, but not much better.

“The main point is that the soldiers of the three countries can’t enter this land fearlessly. Furthermore, they are extremely unfamiliar with this jungle.

“On the contrary, although the generals of the Golden Triangle have endless internal strife, they put on a united front against outsiders. Furthermore, they have been selling drugs for many years. They have a large amount of funds that can be used to purchase many excellent weapons. In addition, their soldiers are all fugitives who are unafraid of death! With their expertise with the jungle, they can fight an army ten times their size.

“They are superior fighting a war here than the government forces!

“Therefore, even if we were to send the information over, the effects would be limited. On the contrary, it would easily expose me.

“Furthermore, from what I know, there are spies planted in the three governments by the drug lords. Some of the officials are drug lords themselves. They won’t watch the Golden Triangle be destroyed.”

When Fangzheng heard that, he gained a deeper understanding of the Golden Triangle. He also understood the complexity of the place. At the same time, he was even more impressed with Shao Gang for his ability to survive in such a place and acquire information to pass it outside.

Fangzheng said, “Patron Shao, how many years have you been here?”

Shao Gang took out a cigarette and lit it up. He sucked it and exhaled a long puff of smoke before saying, “Ten years.”

Fangzheng asked, “Do you have a family?”

Shao Gang said, “When I came out, my parents were still around. I had a wife and a child. It’s been ten years. I wonder how big that brat is.”

Fangzheng said in surprise, “Have you not seen him in ten years?”

Shao Gang shook his head. “This is a bottomless abyss. One can forget about leaving once they come in. Even if I leave occasionally, I don’t dare to meet them. I don’t want to accidentally expose my identity. If that happens… they will be in danger.”

“You are only thinking about the danger they might face. Have you not thought about the danger you face?” asked Fangzheng.

Shao Gang said, “My danger?”

Fangzheng nodded. Shao Gang grinned and said in an extremely carefree manner, “On the day I stepped out of my house, I thought of myself as a dead person. To a dead person, there are only unfulfilled missions. There’s nothing about danger. In fact, the more fear you have here, the easier it is for something to crop up. That’s why it’s better to be a lunatic who’s not afraid of anything. It’s easier to live that way…”

Fangzheng looked at the exhausted Shao Gang. “Have you thought of going home?”

Shao Gang stretched his back and said, “I’ve always dreamed of retiring, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to retire. Even if the organization wants me to retire, I won’t. What can I do after retirement?”

“You can return.”

Shao Gang said, “I can’t return. I can’t return as long as this place exists. If I return, it will only bring disaster to my family. If I die here, it might be the best protection for my family.”

“Our country will help give you a new identity.”

Shao Gang said, “Of course it will. However, there is no concealing the truth. No matter how flawless it is, there will inevitably be some leaks. I don’t dare to take the bet, and I can’t afford to lose. If I stay here, the stakes are myself. Before I die, I can even take a few of them with me. If I return, the stakes are too high, so high that I really can’t afford to lose.”

Fangzheng looked at Shao Gang, who had a look of yearning but was helpless and somewhat bleak. “Don’t worry. This Penniless Monk will bring you home.”

Shao Gang said, “Master, are you comforting me?”

Fangzheng placed his hands behind his back and looked into the distant mountains. “From today forth, there will be no Golden Triangle in this world!”

Shao Gang’s eyes widened as he said, “Master, you want to destroy the Golden Triangle? This… This is a place that is 19.4 million square kilometers. There are at least 3,000 villages!”

Fangzheng blushed when he heard that. Only then did he realize that he had made an outrageous claim.

However, since he had done so, he had to make it happen even with tears in his eyes! Gritting his teeth, he said, “So what? We have plenty of time!”

Shao Gang was excited for a while before he smiled bitterly. “Master, you can’t do this.”

“Why?”

Shao Gang said, “Once the Golden Triangle loses the protection of these generals, it will be completely exposed to the three governments. It will be a piece of fish without the bones. Everyone will want a bite of it. If war breaks out between the three countries, it will bring great affliction to lives.”

Fangzheng felt a headache when he heard that. This was indeed a problem.

The Golden Triangle’s existence brought harm to many people in the world. Yet if it didn’t exist, it would also harm many…

All humans were equal, so there was naturally no reason to make a utilitarian choice.

However, Fangzheng immediately had an idea. He smiled and said, “Patron, what do you think of the Golden Triangle?”

Shao Gang said, “Without the warlords or drugs, this place is a really nice place. I’ve lived here for ten years, so this can be considered a second home.”

“Then there’s no problem. Come over here. This Penniless Monk has something to say.”

Then, Fangzheng whispered something into Shao Gang’s ear. Shao Gang exclaimed, “What?”

“Patron, this is a solution derived from an impasse. The happiness of all living beings in the world depends on you. Of course, if you believe that you don’t have the ability, there’s nothing This Penniless Monk can do.”

After a moment of silence, Shao Gang gritted his teeth and said, “I can try!”

Fangzheng laughed out loud. “That’s right. There’s nothing a man can’t do!”

Shao Gang smiled bitterly. “Then why don’t you try?”

Fangzheng said matter-of-factly, “Because I’m lazy.”

Shao Gang: “…”

After Fangzheng smiled, he asked, “Patron, you said that you found This Penniless Monk because you received an important piece of information and needed reinforcements. What information did you obtain?”

Shao Gang slapped his forehead and said, “I almost forgot. Master, this is what happened. Yesterday, the villagers of Guanyuan Village wanted to escape from the Golden Triangle. They wanted to escape the fate of being enslaved at poppy plantations. However, the General learned of this news and was prepared to send troops to suppress them.”

“Suppress?”

Shao Gang said, “To be precise, it’s a massacre! Only children and women will be left behind, and all men are to be killed! It’s a way to deter the other villages…”

Fangzheng exclaimed, “What? They actually have the guts to do something so heartless?”