Chapter 59: I Can Control the Force

This benefactor, Daoji is eating, he says please wait, please wait.

You see?

The monk approached the Scholar sitting on the stone bench and gave him an apologetic smile.

The Scholar hurriedly stood, clasped his hands and bowed: "No problem, no problem."

Thank you, Dharma Master, for delivering the message for me; I am deeply grateful.

Ah, it's a casual act; since that's the case, this humble monk will go recite sutras now. The monk gave a slight smile, then turned and left.

Big Tiger, waiting beside him, stepped forward only after he left:

Young master, the Dharma Master is eating; I thought he was in the dining hall, so can't we just go straight to find him?

When we see him, the little one will kneel and kowtow to admit fault!

"Sigh, can you think about it seriously?" The Scholar sat down, looked at him, feeling very helpless:

"The Dharma Master asked us to wait, which means he doesn't want to see us right now."

"The Buddha bears no resentment, but his thunderous methods are of a Bodhisattva's heart; outward like fire searing oil, inward cool and free."

"If we go looking for him, we will most likely not find him; perhaps this is testing whether we truly have sincere remorse!"

"Just wait."

Having said that, he picked up a book and began to read.

Only Big Tiger remained on the spot, pursing his lips, his thoughts unknown,

He paced back and forth, looking annoyed, occasionally glancing upward, then downward, even ran to the Buddha and kowtowed a few times.

The weather was said to be hot but not quite hot; according to his actions, he was sweating a lot and felt a bit thirsty.

Returning to the Scholar, he took his water pouch, gulped a few swigs, and finally quenched his thirst.

Just as he was about to seal the water pouch,

A sudden sharp pain shot from his abdomen, followed by an overwhelming urge to defecate; even though he strained with all his might, it was of no use, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Ouch!"

"Sir, young master, my stomach hurts a lot… I need to, need to relieve myself, relieve myself."

"If the Dharma Master comes later, please ask the young master to speak on my behalf."

"Truly sorry…"

The Scholar gave a slight nod: "Then go."

"People have three urgencies; surely the Dharma Master won't blame you for this."

"Thank you, young master!" After receiving his assent, Big Tiger hurried toward Lingyin Temple's Toilet House.

The morning dew had not yet dissipated; the blue stone slab road was slick, making his steps unsteady.

From afar, a long line had already formed in front of a row of simple Toilet Houses; pilgrims waited, but their expressions showed no urgency.

They were unhurried, but Big Tiger was desperate!

"What… what should I do… " Cold sweat beaded on Big Tiger's forehead, and a cramping pain in his abdomen was unbearable.

He hurried forward to inspect, finding every stall occupied except the one in the far corner, which was empty—though a craftsman inside was clanging away at something.

"Big, big brother!" Big Tiger clutched his legs, his face flushed:

"You, hurry! I… I can't hold it much longer!"

The craftsman poked his head out of the stall, wiping sweat with an apologetic face: "Brother, I'm truly sorry. The wooden board of this Toilet House is rotten; I was only halfway through repairs. Those of smaller build can barely manage, but with your stature…"

He surveyed Big Tiger's towering frame: "I'm afraid you'll step on it and break the board; falling would be terrible!"

"Wait a little longer; it still needs a quarter of an hour!"

A quarter of an hour?

Big Tiger felt that with just a few more breaths, he'd have to soil his pants!

He stamped his foot anxiously, large beads of sweat rolling down his cheeks, clutching his belly tightly, his voice frantic: "No, no need to worry!"

"I am a martial practitioner, I can control the force! Get out quickly; even if I fall, I won't blame you!"

Seeing his genuine urgency, the craftsman nodded: "Alright, you wait a moment."

He swiftly packed up his hammer, nails, and other tools; just as he stepped over the threshold, Big Tiger lunged forward in a single stride.

Bang.

The Toilet House door slammed shut.

Whoa—

"Refreshing!"

A torrent of relief let Big Tiger exhale fully, his whole body relaxed.

He contentedly closed his eyes, savoring this moment of peace.

But in this relaxation, he completely forgot to control the force—

Crack!

A faint cracking sound came from beneath his feet.

Before Big Tiger could react, a Boom— rang, the wooden floor beneath the Toilet House gave way! He fell with a thud into the cesspit!

"Ouch, hey!!"

A foul stench hit his face instantly, the viscous waste rose past his chest.

Big Tiger struggled desperately at the pit's bottom, sinking deeper.

The craftsman waiting outside heard the commotion, rushed over, and was instantly shocked:

"Help! Someone fell into the latrine!"

The crowd grew larger, but they only stood at the pit's edge, staring at each other, covering their noses, at a loss.

Someone handed a bamboo pole, but Big Tiger, drenched in waste, couldn't grasp it; someone fetched a rope, yet it was too short.

The situation momentarily fell into a stalemate.

"Move aside! Everyone move aside!"

Guang Liang frowned, striding forward, his Monk Robe fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

He forced himself to endure the foul smell and ordered the monk beside him, "Go fetch two long sticks!"

The monk hurriedly turned, and a short while later returned carrying two thick wooden poles.

Guang Liang took the sticks, inhaled deeply, and thrust one toward the bottom of the pit, "Hold on!"

Big Tiger, as if seeing a lifeline, seized the stick with one hand.

But his palm was slick with dung water, and his great weight not only prevented him from climbing up, it almost dragged Guang Liang down as well!

"Ouch!" Guang Liang staggered, his toe stepping onto the pit's edge, the splashed dung water staining the lower hem of his Monk Robe with several dirty marks.

He quickly stepped back a few paces, his face turning extremely grim:

"This..."

He turned his head and shouted to the surrounding monks:

"Go call more people! Find a few stronger ones!"