As Li Mazi listened, he became stunned. However, he quickly returned to his senses. He smiled and said, "You're too nervous. How can there be a ghost that likes to drink and eat?"

I retorted, "In that case, how can you explain the disappearance of the prayer beads?"

Li Mazi thought for a while but couldn't find any explanation that made sense.

I said, "If that old monk isn't a ghost, he's a Buddha. All his sentences were full of philosophical wisdom, and it seemed like he could see through my heart. Also, I think I know where the prayer beads are..."

"Where?" asked Li Mazi.

"At the place of that bald old man," I replied.

Li Mazi said with a smile, "That's a joke, right? Or do you really think that the beads grew legs and ran away on their own?"

I asked him, "Do you still remember what the old monk told me? He told me he wanted justice. Justice for those that don't have a place to return to and for those that have been exploited. Think carefully about what those words might mean."

Li Mazi looked...