22 Stupid Monk (You Unsent A Message)

There are many kinds of human cells. 

According to biology, there are four major types of tissue in the human body: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous. Each tissue was formed by different cells, and as there were about 200 types of cells in the human body, it was difficult to list each of them. 

If Baishi Shū's objective was to augment his body, then he would have to enhance all 200 types of cells. Since each type of cell required a different frequency, he couldn't simply apply the "Ākāśagarbha Mantra." It would not bring any positive results. He had to study, look for the corresponding frequency of each cell, and test it out in order to work out a practical plan. 

It was a long process, requiring a lot of time. In Baishi Shū's case, it would take at least a week. 

'This is so hard…' Baishi Shū sighed, closing his eyes as he rubbed his temples. 

He had been using all of his free time after school to study his body cells, yet he had managed to pinpoint the corresponding frequency for only 13 types of cells, enhancing them in different ways through the use of his spiritual power. 

Even though those cells would die soon, the cells that they divided into would inherit the change created.

His research was obviously not completely useless. There were more than 200 types of human cells and he was certain that he would get all the frequencies one day, considering his current pace and drive. By then, he would have the toughest appendix! 

Yes, you heard it right. He was working on his appendix. 

Since using a living human as a test subject was not an option, he could only work on his procedure to enhance his body cells in his appendix. This way, if anything went wrong, he could simply have his appendix removed. It was a considerably safer area, especially compared to the brain. 

This was what he gained throughout the day, the source of his three enlightenments. 

'I guess it's time to rest a bit.'

He always lost track of time when he was learning. After he returned to the temple from his school, he did not waste any time and went straight into studying mode. He became immersed in the book, lost in his own world. By the time he came back to his senses, it was already midnight. 

Baishi Shū stretched his body in front of the candlelit Buddha statue and put down the biology book in his hand, yawning all the while. Glancing over at the clock, he realized that both hands were pointing to twelve. 

Rising to his feet, he exited the main hall and walked into the autumn night. He walked along the winding pathway as he looked at the living quarters, which looked like behemoths in the dark. Behind the living quarters was the newly built room, though it only had a foundation right now. A grin slowly spread across his face. 

'I will have my own room soon. Ah, life is so good.'

He pushed the door open, but the old abbot continued to sleep soundly. He could even hear him snoring. 

Yesterday, after he returned from the exorcism at Kondo Private Junior High School, he allotted an hour of his time to consecrate a pillow. Before the old abbot could process what was going on, Baishi Shū handed him the consecrated pillow.

That night, the old abbot slipped into a deep slumber without any difficulty. He did not wake up midway through the night for any reason and felt ten years younger the next morning. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He felt like he had been reborn in a way, he said, raining praises on Baishi Shū's consecrated pillow. 

For this reason, Baishi Shū decided to fully utilize his time and continue learning halfway through the night, as he did not have to fear that he would disturb the old abbot's sleep.

'Hmm… Perhaps I should spread the news around about how effective the consecrated pillow is for insomniacs and old people… See if anybody is interested in buying one...'

Baishi Shū felt that he had found a way to earn some pocket money on the side. A consecrated pillow was not the same as a Buddha statue, so it could be sold as a commodity. The only problem with his otherwise great business plan was that he needed at least an hour to consecrate a pillow. Since he had allocated most of his time to learning, production would be limited. 

In other words, he could not set the price too low and his targeted audience would have to be insomniac, middle-aged entrepreneurs, or their parents.

Not only would he have the money to build a kyozo, he could also add a pagoda or a few more halls to house more Buddha statues. Reimei Temple would become more prosperous and a greater number of worshippers would know of its existence.

Baishi Shū fell asleep with a smile on his face. 

Time: November 7th, 2016, late autumn. 

Spiritual Power: 18,630 units. 

Savings: 120,000 yen 

Temple: main hall, living quarters, new room (Construction progress: 1/15)

Objective: reform land of grudge (Progress: 0%), create a body cultivation method (Progress: 9%)

...

November 8th, Winter Commences.

Japan followed the solar term, having learned it from the country across the sea. 

The Winter Commences heralded the arrival of winter. Even though the temperature did not drop much when compared to the day before, one could almost feel the tingle of cold in the air.

After Baishi Shū finished his morning class session, he received several messages, such as "Winter is coming, remember to put on more layers of clothing" and "It is getting cold, don't forget to keep warm," from various people. There was one message, however, that stood out among the others, it's tone playful. 

"Winter is coming, Baishi-san, do you need a hat? Won't you baldies feel chilly in the cold?" 

"?"

Baishi Shū replied with a question mark. 

He received a response within seconds. It seemed as if the person on the other end was always looking at her phone. 

"Oopsie, I almost forgot! You have hair!" 

"I just shaved my head bald, I haven't taken the tonsure yet," Baishi Shū replied. 

Even though he was a monk, Baishi Shū did not intend to take the tonsure for the time being. After all, he still had school to attend and a bald head would attract unwanted attention. It would be too troublesome to introduce himself every time he met someone and he did not want to wear his frock to school every day. 

The one who was chatting with him was none other than the cub miko from the Yotsuya Suga Shrine, Asada Senna. She seemed pretty free, seeing as she was hooking on the net all the time. 

'Hah! This explains why she has such low spiritual power. This is what you get for not putting effort into your training!'

Asada Senna was not coming to tease his hair, swiftly sending him another message. 

"You are the one who settled the paranormal activity at Kondo Private Junior High School, right Baishi-san? I watched Headmaster Takai's live broadcast last night and he kept talking about you!" 

"What did he say?"

Even though Baishi Shū could practically guess what Headmaster Takai would say, he still asked the question. He did not watch the live broadcast, but he was pretty certain that a lot of people must be watching it. After all, it was a pretty interesting gimmick, and he felt that it was a great opportunity to draw some publicity for himself.

'This is great!' 

Baishi Shū felt elated. 

Then, his phone vibrated, and he looked at the message Asada Senna sent him. 

"Hehehe, Headmaster Takai sees you as a living Buddha. He said you have a pure, compassionate heart, and possess great spiritual power and great qualities of a bona fide holy monk!" 

"Headmaster Takai flatters me too much…"

Baishi Shū's cheeks reddened as if he was embarrassed. He had expected Headmaster Takai to say some good things about him in his live broadcast, but not to this extent. Although he understood that Headmaster Takai was trying to repay him for everything he had done, he was not the only monk Headmaster Takai had hired to investigate the demonic occurrence in the girls' dormitory. There was also the monk from Honmon-ji.

If Headmaster Takai said he was the only true and holy monk with great spiritual power, would the monk from Honmon-ji feel insulted?

It would do him no good to get caught in a disturbance. Not only would he not gain anything from it, but it would also cost him time as well. 

Asada Senna sent another message.

"Nope. You're underestimating yourself, Baishi-san. You are a monk who has activated the Divine Eye. The Divine Eye is an indicator of a monk with great spiritual power, so you are totally worthy of the title. Besides, Headmaster Takai explained on your behalf after he felt he'd gone a bit over the top. So don't worry Baishi-san. Nobody will find fault with you." 

'The Divine Eye is an indicator of a holy monk?'

Baishi Shū shook his head. As a monk, he knew that it wasn't. 

His Divine Eye was different from the other. It was activated, along with his spiritual power, after he came to this world. During that time, he only had 40 points of spiritual power. He was considered a novice, so how was there any possibility that he was a holy monk? 

'Don't make me laugh.'

He suspected that the Divine Eye was likely something brought over by travelers like him, who had experienced life and death. It had nothing to do with the spiritual power, as he was nowhere near the realm of a holy monk. Compared to those holy monks in great temples who had cultivated for their entire lives, he was nothing. 

"I see. Is there anything else? If not, I am going to school now. Bye." 

After he sent the message, he put his phone on silent mode and stashed deep in his pocket. 

'Whatever, going to school is more important.'

He had been playing with his phone for far too long. He would be late to school if he did not leave now. He had not been late to school once so far. 

He hopped onto Hakuryuu, his trusted steed, and made a beeline for his school. Hence, he missed the messages Asada Senna sent him.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Somebody tasked me with a paranormal investigation assignment, do you want to tag along? The remuneration will be the same as last time!"

"Baishi-san?"

"Hello, are you still there?"

"Stupid monk! (You unsent a message)"