Carrying a cinerary urn in his arms, Monk Lianye went unaccompanied into Rouge Forest. The crowd automatically parted a narrow walkway and bowed their heads in respect as he passed. Many machetemen held up their weapons, hoping that the holy monk could bless it.
The anger in Lianye did not diminish, but reproached himself for enjoying the this feeling of being held in high regard, even indulging in the fond memory of leaving home to become a monk.
He ha once been an infamous bandit in the Western Region. Lianye had killed, robbed and stopped at nothing until he was cornered by his enemies. He had sought refuge in Four Truths Temple and had converted to Buddhism under his senior, Lianhua's, influence.
He was a tiger beside Master Lianhua. Although he possessed a heart of Buddhism, his claws still remained.
With Lianhua gone, the claws of the rash monk gradually lost their steel.