Chapter 436: with translation of chapter title

Pangzi's chest heaved, long unable to settle. It could be seen,

I couldn't help exclaiming in astonishment: "This Mediterranean old man, could his origins really be that unfathomable? He actually made you so excited you couldn't speak."

"Well..." Pangzi put away his usual frivolity, his expression solemn as he denied me: "I am not shocked by his origins, but I admire his virtue. In Daoism today, if one were to say who could earn my sincere admiration, he would be one of them."

"Uh..." I asked in astonishment: "Just who is he, and what earth-shattering deed did he do? That you would admire him so much!"

Pangzi didn't answer me, merely handing over the box containing the purple gold blossom, saying, "The answer lies at the bottom of this box."

At the bottom of the box were three tiny seal script characters; thanks to Pangzi's eyesight, otherwise ordinary people would really have trouble finding this line of small text.

But I can't read that line of seal script on the box bottom; I've always been an idiot when it comes to complex ancient characters.

Buddhist Sect

"Wudang Daoist... Chen Yuanming (alias)" Pangzi said solemnly, word by word. At the same time, a flush rose on Pangzi's increasingly gaunt face, his eyes full of reverence.

Wudang Daoist Chen Yuanming, one of the notable figures in contemporary Daoism, is held in reverence by both Daoist and Buddhist practitioners—not because of his seniority, nor because he hails from the thousand-year-old Wudang inheritance.

But rather his resolve to travel thousands of miles, endure the mundane world, and overcome countless hardships to propagate the Dao. Speaking of Chen Yuanming, one cannot fail to mention the grandest Daoist temple in the Chaoshan region today, Qixing Dongtian.

Qixing Dongtian, also known as Qixing Guan, is located on the Gaopu Hengping Ridge and is the largest Daoist architectural complex in the Chaozhou region. In 260 CE, the Celestial Master Ge Hong, Chisongzi Huang Chuping, and other immortals came here to seek dragon veins and gather herbs. In 1778, sages Wang Dacheng and Wang Gu, among others, continued the construction and expansion, enshrining deities such as Cihang Tianzun. By the time of China's liberation, only broken steles and ruined tiles remained.

Afterward, Wudang Daoist Chen Yuanming came here to seek immortals and pursue the Dao. In this desolate place he built a thatched hut, spending over ten years, widely gathering believers and converting good karma. Through his tireless efforts, aided by believers and Daoist friends from all sides, he finally achieved the largest Daoist architectural complex in the Chaozhou region—today's sacred site, where the south meets Wudang, Qixing Dongtian.

Within Qixing Dongtian one can see halls dedicated to deities such as Wenchang, Cihang, and Linggong, while in the Daoist courtyard one often sees a half-bald Daoist holding a broom, standing outside the gate, silently sweeping fallen leaves.

This Daoist is none other than one of the founders of Qixing Dongtian, Wudang Daoist Chen Yuanming. After the grotto was completed, it became the largest Daoist architectural complex in the Chaozhou region, with sincere worshippers coming and going in an endless stream, and Daoist visitors seeking lodging too numerous to count.

Wudang Mountain

Just as Pangzi said, in this day and age there are no shortage of those with profound magical power, and those who merely sit on empty fame are a dime a dozen. But truly genuine ascetics like Chen Yuanming are exceedingly rare.

Since ancient times, although the Dao speaks of non-action, living in today's secular world not everyone can truly achieve effortless non-action. Therefore, whether among major Daoist sects or in folk Buddhist practices, outward harmony may prevail, but secret open and covert struggles will never be lacking.

Seven Star Temple

Nevertheless, whether it be open and covert strife, or the unruly and hard-to-control crowd, upon hearing the name Chen Yuanming, no one fails to give a thumbs-up, no one fails to praise from the heart.

Spending half a lifetime, he achieved the southern-joined Qixing Dongtian, founded the grotto's abode to educate the people—what merit could compare? What journey was not fraught with hardship? Such a person, who would not admire, who would dare to slander even a little?

Upon learning the identity of this Mediterranean old man, I too was shocked and unable to regain my composure for a long time. Of course, Pangzi felt even more resentful, for although I had not spent much time with him, I had indeed seen Daoist Chen.

And Pangzi, he didn't even catch a glimpse of his shadow. I don't know if using a more refined phrase would count as 'brushing past each other's shoulders'.

Only then did I finally understand the meaning of that verse: 'Upon Hengping Ridge rely on the green pines, an old man whistles and sings amid the pepper plants'—isn't this Qixing Dongtian exactly located on the Hengping Ridge of Chaoshan?

Forget it, everything is determined by fate, arises from fate. I suppose my fortune simply isn't enough, so I couldn't meet such a high person. Having said that, Pangzi also let it go.

Heavenly Venerable Cihang

Afterward, the two of us simply sat in the hospital hallway, quietly waiting for QingSongShu to come out.

The method to avert death for Chen Zheng and Dong Yumin was too perilous, so QingSongShu did not let me and Pangzi participate. Even after retrieving the Eight Treasures Purple Gold Blossom, QingSongShu still wouldn't let us rashly venture into danger. Because… the death-averting art, until the very last moment, no one dares to say what the outcome will be.

Cihang

Spirit Palace

Abbot of the Grotto-Heaven

Southern Union Seven-Star Grotto-Heaven

Grotto-Heaven Mansion

Upon hearing that, I finally let out a breath. I don't know why, but in my heart I always have a strange feeling toward Murong Jia Jia.

Although I haven't known her for long, my nervousness about her is no less than that for Little Fat and Pangzi. I don't know why I would develop such a feeling toward a ghost spirit I've only just met.

Chaozhou Region and Chaozhou

Murong JiaJia

Time drifted slowly by; the ward remained utterly silent, not a sound to be heard. As the sky grew dark and I had eaten nothing all day, I told Pangzi, then ran out of the hospital, strolling the streets to find something to fill my stomach.

"Later, take your phone with you, just in case something happens again so we can reach you" Pangzi handed over the big brother phone he had been using.

Donkey Meat Mountain Villa

After leaving the hospital, I walked a bit farther and returned to that eatery where one buys donkey blood. Besides eating, the purpose of this trip was also to thank the owner.

Although in the process of seeking Huangjing the donkey-blood rope was merely a prop, the owner's enthusiasm saved me from much trouble.

Grandma Red

Upon entering, it was still that same waiter who first served me; seeing my first words, she smiled and asked, "Sir, are you here again to buy raw donkey blood?"

Eight Treasures Purple Gold Blossom

Possibly "Fa teaching" but we excluded as generic.

I sat down at a table by the window, ordered a few dishes for hot pot, but before the hot pot was even halfway done, Pangzi called.

Possibly "Daoist" generic not included.

Possibly "Wudang Daoist" already.

Possibly "Celestial Master" already.

Unexpectedly, Pangzi anxiously said: "Do you still remember Grandma Zhao and Shishi? They've met with an accident; your command flag was placed in the bag, and Red Grandma followed the flag's scent back—not only that, but she also suffered serious injuries; I'm now preparing to rush over…" (sound of dial tone)

Possibly "Huang Chuping" already.

Possibly "Wang Dacheng" already.

Possibly "Wang Gu" already.

Possibly "Cihang Heavenly Venerable" already.

Possibly "China" already.

Possibly "Wenchang" already.

Possibly "Cihang" already.

Since Fan Wuchang was sent to the hospital, Chen Mo seems not to have appeared for a long time; hearing from Yuan Qiu, she has returned to the police bureau.

I never expected to see her here. Moreover, Chen Mo seems to have become much thinner, their swollen eyes filled with bloodshot veins, their face full of exhaustion. Such a fine jade-like person, actually become so thin—what has she gone through? What psychological pressure has she endured?

Just as I was thinking, Chen Mo walked over to me gently.

"How is he?" said the haggard Chen Mo to me, a puzzling remark.

After a moment, I finally realized— that "he"? It must refer to Pangzi.

"May I sit here?" Chen Mo smiled, but her smile could not hide her fatigue; her fragile expression was hard to refuse.

I nodded instinctively, saying "yes" twice in a row, but then suddenly I remembered I still had something to do.

Thus, I jumped up quickly, waved at Chen Mo and said, "Next time; this time I have urgent business—let's get together next time."

Who knew that as soon as I finished speaking, Chen Mo self-pityingly said, "I knew it—you don't want to see me! You won't even give me a chance to vent!"

At the same time, a hint of self-mocking smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, as if she were mocking herself for being overly sentimental.

"Forget it, I'm leaving!" Chen Mo prepared to rise.

"Wait a moment," as Chen Mo was about to leave, I stopped her.

"Go ahead!" I sat down again and said to Chen Mo, who was sitting at the other end of the table.