Chapter 5 Chapter Four About the Monk

On the hillside to the west of Prison Gate Island, there is Qianguang Temple, the abbot of the monk and abbot.The mountain behind the temple is steep, and from there to the east, Mount Suribachi is the highest peak on the island. Standing on the stone steps in front of Senko Temple, you can overlook the villages gathered on the west side of Prison Gate Island. On a small island like Prison Gate Island, anti-piracy has been a tradition since ancient times.Residents in some parts of the island are even connected back to back, in case something happens, they can jointly resist foreign invasion.

Standing on the stone steps in front of Qianguang Temple and looking down, you can see the house of the ghost head on the right.Looking from top to bottom, the row upon row of roof tiles is like a maze, reminiscent of double eaves and flying tiles, winding paths and corridors, giving people a feeling of deep courtyard and rich people. "Kaemon, who died, liked building houses the most. He built them one after another. That's why he formed such a complex mansion with so many rooms that he couldn't even count it." Monk Liao Ran stood in front of the mountain gate, pointing to Kosuke Kanedaichi's house, the home of Kitomoto.

"That's the main house, that's the side courtyard next to the upper house, that's the side room, that's the warehouse, that's the fish storehouse, that's the warehouse for the fishing nets..." These houses are built on top of each other against the slope behind the house, dense and crowded, giving people a feeling of being breathless. "Master, what is the room on the left that is slightly higher and covered with moss?" "Oh that's a prayer house." The monk said with a little disdain. "A prayer house? What is a prayer house for?"

Kosuke Kindaichi asked curiously and surprised. "The prayer hall is the prayer hall... In short, I will tell you about this later!" The monk was slightly displeased and said perfunctorily. Although Kosuke Kindaichi was full of curiosity, seeing the monk's expression, he had no choice but to suppress his doubts. The location of the prayer house is higher than other buildings, and it is far away from other buildings. If you don't look carefully, you can't see a house there!Judging by the blackened moss on the roof.The age of this house should have been quite old. Kindaichi Kosuke thought to himself: This must be a place where fox spirits are enshrined!

The ghost family's house is separated from the main family by a valley, and it is also built along the valley.The two families live behind the mountain, and from some aspects, it always feels full of open and secret struggles. At this time, the monk suddenly said: "It's like being back to back with His Highness Kiso, it makes people feel chilly!" As I said before, the two roads extending from the front of the two ghosts’ houses meet at the bottom of the valley and twist and turn into a mountain climbing road.Turn over the hill and go to the bottom of another valley. After turning a few turns, you can see a small temple.

Although the island does not produce rice, there are still farmers who grow crops such as taro or vegetables.Fishermen on the island will never go to the fields with hoes. These jobs are all done by women, so this small temple was built to worship the God of the land. Looking in from the wooden lattice window of the small temple, there is a white wood altar in the center of the temple, enshrining a statue that seems to be invited from China.On the plaque of the lattice window, there are three words "Land God". Soon after passing the Temple of Earth, the road straightened, and you could see the stone steps of Qianguang Temple with about 50 steps in front of you.At the foot of the stone steps is a stone tablet that reads "Do not allow meat and wine to enter the mountain gate". Qianguang Temple was built according to the situation of this mountain.

On the gate of the mountain, there is a plaque with the words "Yiwang Mountain" of Dou Da.After entering the mountain gate, the kitchen is on the right. There is a cloud-shaped bell hanging at the door of the kitchen. The believers who come to Qianguang Temple almost want to hit this bell.On the left side of the kitchen is the main hall, and on the left side of the main hall there is a row of meditation rooms. In the past, monks often came here to hang meditation. Recently, perhaps due to the impact of the war, few monks come here. In front of the corridor from the meditation room to the main hall, there is an old plum tree.The canopy of this old plum tree has exceeded the roof of the corridor, and the branches extending southward are more than ten meters long. The trunk is so thick that no one can hold it.In order to protect the old plum tree, the temple specially installed a fence around the trunk, and a sign stood next to it. After years of wind and rain, the writing on the sign has become blurred and almost invisible.

Three people lived in Qianguang Temple.In addition to Kosuke Kindaichi, the other two are Monk Liaoran and Norza Ryozawa.The so-called Dianzuo are monks who are in charge of kitchen affairs. Some monasteries call them "zhike" or "zhiyu". In addition to being in charge of meals, Norza is also responsible for receiving guests and taking care of the bathroom and other miscellaneous things. Since the people on the island call Sawa Noza, Kosuke Kindaichi thought his name was "Norza" at first. Liao Ze was about twenty-four or five years old. He was a thin, dark-skinned young man. Although he didn't talk much, his two shining eyes kept rolling.

Kindaichi Kosuke remembered that when he first arrived here, he always thought that Koizawa had some kind of hostility to outsiders, so he felt uncomfortable.But after getting along for a long time, he gradually discovered that Ze is a warm-hearted, thoughtful and thoughtful person.Liao Ze is not hostile to people in the slightest, but he is not good at self-promotion and sociable. Recently, Monk Liaoran has applied to the head temple in Tsurumi to let Rizawa inherit Senko Temple. As long as the patriarch sends a document of approval, the Dharma transmission ceremony can be held. "My practice is shallow, how can I be qualified to inherit the monastery? Besides, Master is still in such good health, how could he think of such a thing?"

Recently, because of this matter, Liao Ze became somewhat dissatisfied with Monk Liao Ran. "Mr. Kindaichi! Mr. Kindaichi!" Liao Ze shouted in the abbot's room. "Come on, come on, are you ready?" Kosuke Kindaichi walked out of the academy and came to the abbot's room. He saw that Ze had already put on a red cassock and a cassock of yellow on the outside and black on the inside; while Monk Liaoran was still wearing white walking clothes and was putting on socks and shoes. "Mr. Kindaichi, can I trouble you to run for me?" Although Monk Liao made a request in his language, he couldn't allow anyone to refuse to say it.

"Okay! Where are you going?" "Please tell the ghosts to separate the family, and invite them to attend tonight's wake. As long as you notify them politely, there will be less trouble in the future... By the way, I heard that Yibingwei has gout and can't get up in bed. Come on, so you can tell Shiho." "no problem." "Then you go to Ben's house and say that I will go with Ze immediately. Ze, bring the lantern." The monk ordered carefully, and at the same time commanded Ze majestically. "Master, it's not yet half past six, so there's no need to light up the lanterns." Kindaichi Kosuke felt that the monk's move was a bit redundant. "No! When you came back from the branch, it was already dark. How dangerous it is to walk on the mountain road at night!" The monk could not help but hand the lantern into the hands of Kosuke Kindaichi. "Then I would be more respectful than obedient." Kosuke Kindaichi hadn't carried a lantern to walk at night for several years. Although he felt a little uncomfortable, but the kindness of the monk was not easy to go against, so he had no choice but to walk out of Senko Temple with a lantern.At this time, the sky did gradually darken. Today is October 5th, and it is also the third day since the Guitou family received the official notice of Wantai's death. Monk Liao Ran from Senko Temple, Village Chief Araki, and Dr. Murase Koan decided on the date of the funeral and the ceremony of the wake after discussion. The three of them can be said to be the "Three" on Prison Gate Island, and to the Guitou Benjia, it is even more equivalent to the Three Obediences.After Kaemon's death, the major affairs of the family were all discussed and decided by these three people. Therefore, Kosuke Kindaichi did not understand until now why the names of these three people were written on Manta's envelope. Kindaichi Kosuke went out of the mountain gate, went down the stone steps, and suddenly met a man coming up from the bottom of the mountain. "Ah! Guest in the temple, hello, where is the monk?" This was a man of forty-five or sixteen years old, with a thin body but strong muscles. Kosuke Kindaichi felt as if he had seen him somewhere before, but he couldn't remember it for a while.But it seems that the other party should be someone sent by the Guitou family to welcome the monk, so he tried to ask: "Are you here to pick up Master? Master should be here soon!" "And you?" "I'm going to the ghost's house over there." "Going to split up?" The man asked with his eyes widened in surprise. "Yes! Master wants me to inform them about the vigil tonight." "Oh, is the monk asking you to go?" The man frowned, but immediately put on a smile like "I understand" and said: "Thank you for your hard work, see you later." Kindaichi Kosuke watched his back, and then remembered that he was Takezo. "Ah! If I knew it was him, I should have talked with him for a while. His appearance changed so quickly that I couldn't even recognize him. It's really..." Kindaichi Kosuke muttered to himself while walking. He had been on the island for two weeks. Although he often went to the ghost head's house, it was the first time he went to the branch house.Kosuke Kindaichi remembered what Shimizu, the patrolman at the police station, said yesterday, and couldn't help feeling uneasy. Shimizu once said to him: "On this kind of island, you have to be very careful when talking to fishermen. Of course, the same is true in other fishing villages. If there are two boat owners, the fishermen will be divided into two factions, and if there are three, the fishermen will be divided into three factions. On the island, as the two shipowners are hostile to each other, so are the fishermen hostile to each other; unless neutrality is maintained, it does no good to take either side." Shimizu also said: "The village chief and the doctor rely too much on Kaemon, but now the family members are too dead, so they are moaning all day long. If something happens to Hajime again, this place will become a separate family. It is said that, Yibingwei is working behind the scenes to drive out the village chief, and he also plans to invite a doctor who graduated from medical school from the county." Kosuke Kindaichi asked puzzledly: "What about the monk?" Qing Shui said in a firm tone: "The status of the monk is higher than that of the shipowner. No matter how many shipowners there are or any disputes arise, the monk's status cannot be shaken. Today, the head of the village head and the doctor is still on the neck because the monk still trusts them. So The monk can be said to be the emperor of this island, and I am afraid that other people will have to live in the palm of Yibei and Shiho in the future." Kosuke Kindaichi felt that visiting the branch family was as scary as breaking into the enemy's camp. "Enemy camp?" Thinking of this, he couldn't help shaking his head, as if he wanted to get rid of this ridiculous idea.After all, Kosuke Kindaichi has nothing to do with the Kitou family on either side.However, Wantai's words at the end of his life often resounded in his mind, disturbing him like waves, thunder, and pines. "Our master has rested, who are you?" "I am Kosuke Kanedaichi who lives in Senko Temple, and the monk sent me here..." "Please wait a moment, I will go in and inform my wife." On the day Kosuke Kindaichi first arrived at Prison Gate Island, he was a little surprised when he saw Sanae greet him respectfully in front of the entrance at the main house, but he didn't feel unnatural at all.But even if the girl in front of her was kneeling to greet her, it made people feel fake, and her funny and neglectful tone sounded quite harsh. "welcome." A crisp greeting startled Kindaichi Kosuke. A graceful woman stood beside the screen. Not only did she have a beautiful face and a light body, but her posture was also very dignified. Kosuke Kindaichi guessed that this woman was by no means from the south, she should be a person who could only be cultivated in a place like Akita or Echigo with beautiful mountains and rivers, and a beautiful place. In fact, Kosuke Kindaichi was overwhelmed by her beauty when he met her for the first time in Senko-ji Temple. Seeing her standing beside the classical screen now, that alluring aura is even stronger. The kimono Shiho wears, the obi around his waist, the hairstyle on his head, hair pins, etc., are all particular. This outfit is just like the cover photo of "Fashion" magazine. The beauty came out from behind the screen, said "Welcome" again, bowed her forehead and handed her hands in salute, and then said "Welcome" politely again. "I heard that the monk sent you here?" Zhibao tilted his head coquettishly, a narrow smile flashed in his eyes. Kindaichi Kosuke swallowed his saliva, nervously and stammeringly relayed what the monk said.But the more nervous he was, the more he stuttered, and the more he stuttered, the more he scratched his head in a panic, looking really helpless and ashamed. "Oh!" Shiho stared at Kindaichi Kosuke with a relaxed expression, then said with a sweet smile: "Yesterday, my family sent someone to notify me. Unfortunately, my master is sick in bed. I really can't leave. I'm really sorry..." Shiho paused, then continued: "However, yesterday I told my family that if the master can get out of bed, he will definitely go. Huh? Didn't they tell the monk about this?" "Is that so? Maybe... the monk forgot. Excuse... Excuse me." Kindaichi Kosuke stuttered again. "Where is it! I am being rude! But this monk is really too much." Shiho said provocatively. "what?" Kindaichi Kosuke stared at Shiho in puzzlement and asked. "He actually asked you to run errands." Shiho smiled slyly. "What does it matter... I am idle anyway." Kindaichi Kosuke was still stuttering. "Mr. Kindaichi..." Zhibao looked hesitant to speak. "Ok?" Kindaichi Kosuke looked at this beautiful woman, hoping that she would continue to speak. "Wait a minute, do you want to go to my house?" Zhibao had nothing to say. "Yes. Is there anything wrong?" "It's okay, then I won't keep you. Come play again when you have time! By the way, I heard that you often go to my house?" "I often borrow Wanwantai's books to read." "Except that I don't have any books, I don't lose to my family. If you have time, come and have a sit! There are no ghosts eating people in the branch!" Shiho's words not only satirized the head family bitterly, but also mocked Kindaichi Kosuke.After she finished saying this, she glanced at Kosuke Kindaichi triumphantly, which made him extremely embarrassed. "You are too polite, then... I will take my leave." Kindaichi Kosuke seemed to be burned to the bottom, he just wanted to get out of here quickly. "Ah, then I should see you off, please send my regards to the monk." Shiho responded gracefully. As soon as Kosuke Kindaichi walked through the door of the branch house, he suddenly realized that his armpits were wet. When he was about to walk out of the porch, he heard a man's drunken laughter coming from the room.Regardless of whether the laughter was intentional or not, it hurt his self-esteem more or less. On the way back to Senko-ji Temple, Kosuke Kindaichi suddenly met Ryozawa who was carrying a lantern, while Monk Kyoran and Takekura were walking and talking behind him. "Ah! Mr. Kindaichi! I'm sorry, I heard that the main family has already notified the branch family." The monk said apologetically. "Yes! It's a pity that the master over there is sick and can't go." "That's fine, let's leave it at that." The monk nodded and said nothing more. Before arriving at their home, they saw Ah Sheng standing in front of the door looking around from a long distance away. "Asheng! Who are you waiting for?". "Takekura! Have you seen Hanako?" "Wasn't Hanako still around here just now?" "Yes! But it disappeared in a blink of an eye. Master! Welcome! Welcome! Please come in." "Asheng! Is Hanako gone?" "Yeah! Oh! Those who were around here just now... please come up." Asheng let the person come, and then stayed at the door with Takekura to wait for Hanako, while the other three entered the entrance, only to hear the sound of the radio coming from inside the room, that was Sanae listening to the news of the demobilization ship flight.