Chapter 521: Temple Fair Gathering

*Namo Amitabha*, the Lord of the Western Pure Land.

According to Buddhist doctrine, people suffer the pain of the six paths of reincarnation, but if they are reborn in the Pure Land, they can escape the cycle of suffering.

His status is naturally high, needless to say.

The seventeenth day of the eleventh lunar month is his birthday.

Regarding the origin of this day, there is also a story.

Legend has it that Amitabha Buddha has two incarnations in the human world.

One is Great Master Shandao.

The second is Great Master Yongming Yanshou.

This Great Master Yongming Yanshou was not only the sixth patriarch of the Pure Land Sect but also the third patriarch of the Fayan Sect of Zen Fomen.

He was born in the chaotic times of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms; at that time, the Buddha Dharma was in decline, and he was respected as a National Master by King Qian Chu of Wuyue.

One day, King Wuyue wanted to open a grand assembly; when setting the seats, everyone was humble about the chief seat, and Great Master Yongming also refused to sit. However, a ragged monk with long ears sat down in the chief seat without any ceremony.

After the assembly, King Wuyue asked Great Master Yongming if a saint had come to accept offerings. Great Master Yongming replied that the Ancient Buddha Dingguang had come to accept offerings today, hinting that the long-eared monk was him.

King Wuyue was overjoyed upon hearing this and sent people to chase after him, only to learn that the long-eared monk was practicing in a mountain cave; when they found him, he had already passed away.

Before passing away, the long-eared monk said "Amitabha is long-winded," hinting at Great Master Yongming's identity.

The messenger informed King Wuyue that the Ancient Buddha Dingguang had passed away, but that Great Master Yongming was Amitabha Buddha come again.

King Wuyue was overjoyed to hear this and hurried to see Great Master Yongming, only to learn at the door that Great Master Yongming had also passed away.

What was even more coincidental was that Amitabha Buddha represents infinite light and infinite life.

And "Yongming" is infinite light, "Yanshou" is infinite life; the Great Master's name is exactly the meaning of "Amitabha Buddha".

Subsequently, the birthday of Great Master Yongming Yanshou, the seventeenth day of the eleventh lunar month, was set as the birthday of Amitabha Buddha.

Regardless of whether this matter is true or false, the date was set.

If it were the Pure Land Sect, which mainly believes in Amitabha Buddha, they would conduct the "Three-Time Recitation Dharma Assembly" and the "Diligent Buddha Seven Dharma Assembly".

Guangde Temple is not of the Pure Land lineage, but Zen Fomen, so they only hold a "Celebration Dharma Assembly" to celebrate Amitabha Buddha, wishing him to protect all living beings. There is also the "Universal Buddha Dharma Assembly" to pray for blessings and eliminate disasters for believers, increasing blessings and wisdom.

These are all matters for Buddhist disciples to worry about.

For the common believers, it is another matter entirely.

The merchants of Suining County were very happy.

After all, in this day and age, although the Great Xuan Dynasty's luck is flourishing, ordinary commoners still cannot avoid running around, worrying about firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea.

None of those who run from far away to burn incense are poor people.

This eating, drinking, defecating, and sleeping is all a sum of income before the New Year.

The wandering artists were also very happy.

With several days of Dharma assemblies, the temple fair is indispensable; they earn a sum here, and after it ends, they run to Chengdu to continue earning.

Whether they eat meat or drink the northwest wind next year depends on these days.

The ordinary commoners of Suining were also very happy.

After all, life is too bitter and too dull; besides weddings and funerals, life only has these temple fairs and festivals to be able to have some fun.

Therefore, early in the morning, the city became busy.

Commoners brought the old and supported the young, carrying small bamboo baskets, filled with straw paper, incense, candles, yellow paper, and offerings, going up the mountain to burn incense, and then rushing to the temple fair.

Seeking blessings from the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, and then watching plays and eating snacks at the temple fair to satisfy their cravings, it was comparable to the New Year...

The wandering artists and peddlers got up early before dawn to go to the temple fair at the foot of the mountain, mainly fearing their stalls would be taken...

As for those high officials and noble lords, they got up even earlier.

No one was willing to miss the first stick of incense in the temple...

…………

"Temple fair, no interest, not going!"

Sha Lifei shoveled a few mouthfuls of rice and returned to his room without looking back, took out a picture, brought his prayer beads, and sat cross-legged in meditation.

What was drawn on the picture was a lotus flower.

His learning of spirit storage now started from the basics.

First, visualize the lotus flower in his mind, then try his best to maintain it, and only after he stops practicing and it can exist for a long time can it be considered an entry.

Otherwise, it is impossible to visualize the gods.

Let alone building a tower in the future.

This step is easy for some people.

But for him, being able to enter meditation normally is a big problem.

Fortunately, Li Yan obtained a treasure from the mountain; after putting on the White-Clad Great Being prayer beads, Sha Lifei immediately realized the difference.

At the very least, entering meditation and visualizing the lotus flower could already be done easily.

Regarding his method, Li Yan also had a plan.

The Meishan Dharma Sect is skilled in hunter methods, and now they have also been the first to come up with a method that can be used in conjunction with firearms.

For Sha Lifei, it couldn't be more suitable.

Joining the Meishan Sect is not a difficult thing.

This sect has many branches, has various organizations, and also has master-disciple relationships, spreading widely, and Shu also has them.

Even if the Meishan Sect in Shu is unwilling to accept him, Li Yan also knows several friends in the Meishan Sect; at worst, he will make a trip to Western Hunan.

"I'm not going."

Lu San directly refused and also returned to his room.

That kind of occasion with many people is a nightmare for him, and besides, bringing a bunch of small animals is not suitable.

"How come everyone is like this..."

Li Yan was a bit helpless and turned to look at Wang Daoxuan, "Daoist, is it possible you also have no interest?"

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and shook his head, "I've seen enough temple fairs; the weather is good today, and I want to take out my books to sun them."

"Alright then."

Li Yan sighed, squeezed out a smile, turned to look at Wu Ba who was sitting uneasily beside him, "Let's go, I'll accompany you today. Let's eat to our heart's content and play to our heart's content!"

"Good! Good!"

Wu Ba hurriedly stood up, the excitement on his face impossible to hide.

To tell the truth, Li Yan was also too lazy to go, but helplessly, there was Wu Ba in the team; don't look at him as big and rough, not inferior to the fierce generals of ancient times, but his temperament was sometimes like a child's.

On the road, he had also taken him to the temple fair once or twice.

As a result, this kid had been thinking about it ever since.

Knowing there was a temple fair, he had started waiting two days ago, and early this morning, he was looking at everyone pitifully.

In the past, it was always Sha Lifei who took him to play.

Now, only Li Yan could take the field himself.

After leaving the Ruifu residence, the flow of people on the street was obviously much thinner.

Li Yan had originally left the city and arrived at the pier, but his heart moved, and he turned to Wu Ba and said, "Outside Lingquan Temple, there is also a temple fair; although it is a bit smaller, it cannot be missed."

"How about we visit this side in the morning and go to the foot of Wolong Mountain in the afternoon?"

"Good! Good!"

Hearing this, Wu Ba's face became even happier.

Li Yan laughed dumbly, took Wu Ba, and turned to walk east.

…………

Compared to Guangde Temple, Lingquan Temple is closer.

The two passed Wangjiang Tower, walked southeast along the official road, and in less than half an hour, arrived at the foot of Lingquan Mountain.

This place was originally a large stretch of wasteland.

First, pilgrims from all over Shu who came to burn incense couldn't find a place to stay in Suining County, so they simply camped here.

Subsequently, the Changchun Society also ran over to mark their territory.

By the time Li Yan and his group arrived, it was already a surging crowd.

There were stages built with earth platforms and wooden frames, and mat sheds set up by troupes performing clapper talks, juggling, and magic tricks; *yi-ya-yi-ya*, *ding-ding-dang-dang*, all kinds of sounds were mixed together.

One had to get close to hear clearly.

As for those selling thread ends, baskets, New Year pictures, and firecrackers, they were too numerous to count.

In the cold weather, everyone was shouting at the top of their lungs.

"Sugar paintings, sweet and good-looking sugar paintings! Sweet rice wine, hot oil tea!"

"Newly arrived hoes and sickles, sturdy and cheap!"

"Old books and New Year pictures, cheap sale!"

The flow of people was like weaving; although it was already winter, it was still hot and bustling.

Li Yan had seen too much excitement in his previous life and naturally didn't care about these things, but Wu Ba was dazzled.

This kid was about the same as a child during a festival.

One moment he ran to the roasted sweet potato stall, eating and taking, swallowing four or five in a few bites, spraying hot air from his mouth without caring about the heat...

One moment he ran to the braised meat stall, and with a sesame seed cake, gnawed away a bright red braised pig's trotter...

Not only was his mouth not stopping, but his eyes were also turning everywhere.

Just after crunching and crunching two sugar figures, he ran with a bunch of children to the puppet show stage, grinning with his big mouth.

【In one look...】

Li Yan finally knew why Sha Lifei complained every time.

Bringing this kid was about the same as being a nanny.

The good thing was that he only needed to pinch the Yang formula, and Wu Ba would know clearly wherever he ran, plus that conspicuous height, he couldn't be lost at all.

Since he was already here, he simply walked with his hands behind his back, occasionally strolling to those stalls with old objects to see if he could find anything good.

Gradually, letting go of all worries, it was actually quite fun.

"Greetings, Li Li Shaoxia Yan!"

A voice suddenly sounded beside him; it was an old man in black with a white head wrap, who was respectfully bowing to him.

Without waiting for Li Yan to ask, the old man introduced himself, "Li Li Shaoxia Yan, my surname is Wu, given name Kang, and I am the head of the Changchun Society here; if you have anything, just give your orders."

Li Yan was a figure of the martial world in Shu, a person of the moment in recent times, and after Wangjiang Tower, his reputation was even more resounding.

For a small local organization like the Changchun Society, he was naturally a big shot who couldn't be offended; if the president were here, he would have to come to greet him.

"You are too polite..."

Li Yan had just wanted to be polite, but suddenly his heart moved, and he asked, "Is there anything delicious or fun at the gathering today?"

"Yes, yes!"

The old man Wu Kang suppressed the excitement in his heart and hurriedly nodded, "Although our place is small, it is a Guanyin ashram, so some fellow Daoists with real skills have also come."

"There is a puppet show from Northern Shu, called the Big Staff Puppet, which is different from the usual; the puppets are as tall as people, which is truly rare..."

"If you want to talk about food, I also know a place. That person is called Wang Mazi, and his craftsmanship is comparable to General Cai..."

"Senior is joking."

Li Yan laughed dumbly, "How could General Cai come to this place?"

There are also grades in the kitchen sect; the so-called "General Cai" is a great chef whose reputation has spread far and wide in a certain cuisine.

Usually, they have awakened their supernatural ability, and the color, fragrance, and taste have reached their peak.

Li Yan had been lucky enough to eat it twice, and the aftertaste was endless.

But if it were "General Cai", even if he went to Chengdu and Chongqing Prefecture, he would be a guest of honor for high officials and noble lords; he only needed to shout, and wealthy people would scramble to help him open a restaurant.

How could he run to this gathering to show his face.

"This is what you don't know."

Wu Kang hurriedly explained, "That person has a face full of pockmarks, a very bad temper, and I heard he also offended powerful people and peers; he doesn't like to serve the rich, and just loves to stir-fry dishes at this gathering."

"His dishes are expensive, and he often quarrels with guests, so the business is just average."

Li Yan became interested, "There is such a person, where is he?"

"Please follow me."

Wu Kang immediately led the way in front.

He was eager to curry favor and didn't think much; after all, the two sides were too different, and there would basically be no intersection.

But there was one good thing: if he served well today, when he bragged to others in the future, he could say that he had a friendship with so-and-so.

"Wu Ba, let's go, take you to eat something good!"

Li Yan also gave a greeting and took Wu Ba to follow behind.

The one who appears in Shu must be a General Cai of Sichuan cuisine.

Sure enough, when the three arrived at the very edge of the market, before they even got close, Li Yan sniffed, and his saliva instantly flowed out.

"Senior's words are not false!"

Li Yan didn't say a second word and took Wu Ba toward a shed.

This shed looked simple, just ordinary straw mats for blocking, a few round logs supporting the straw mat roof, but it was very clean.

On one side was an earthen stove, and a person was standing beside it, a large iron wok flying up and down in his hand, the sound of stir-frying sizzling.

Just as the head of the Changchun Society said, this cook's appearance was truly ugly, with a short stature, a big head and thick neck, and a face full of pockmarks, looking like sesame seeds mixed with insects running around, which was uncomfortable to look at.

But Li Yan's attention was entirely on his hands.

This person was stir-frying a classic Sichuan dish, Twice-Cooked Pork.

The pork chosen was top-grade pork belly, flying up and down in the iron wok, the surface covered with a layer of scorched yellow, slightly curved, forming a bowl shape.

Mixed with wood ear mushrooms and bell peppers, the fragrance could make a person stumble.

"Good craftsmanship!"

Li Yan couldn't help but praise.

Wu Ba beside him was even more drooling, his hands full of sweat, pulling Li Yan's arm, his eyes wide as copper bells.

"What are you shouting for!"

This General Cai glared fiercely.

The assistant beside him hurriedly walked to the side with a plate.

Inside this mat shed, one side was an earthen stove, and the other side had two tables; at this moment, there was only one table of guests.

A blind old Daoist leaning on a crutch.

A youth carrying a sword, with disheveled clothes and a dusty face.

These two were also full of anticipation; after the Twice-Cooked Pork was served, they hurriedly picked up their chopsticks, first nodding and smiling at Wang Mazi, and then they scrambled to eat.

Seeing this, Li Yan frowned.

He could vaguely feel that there was something wrong with these two; they should be sorcerers, but it seemed they were covered by some kind of power.

Not only that, when they scrambled with chopsticks, they clearly used high-level sword techniques, coming and going, the chopsticks didn't intersect, but the sword momentum kept changing.

Li Yan just took a look and didn't intend to meddle in other people's business, smiled slightly, and prepared to sit at another table with Wu Ba.

"Wait a moment!"

Wang Mazi glared, "Who let you sit?"

Li Yan was a bit surprised, "You don't do business?"

Wang Mazi snorted, "I don't do your business!"

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, "Why?"

Wang Mazi stared at him fiercely and said coldly, "Pretty boys, none of them are good things; looking at you makes me uncomfortable, and the dishes made are naturally not delicious."

Li Yan: "..."

Wu Kang beside him saw this, and his forehead broke out in sweat; he hurriedly stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Wang Mazi, what nonsense are you talking about? This is Li Li Shaoxia Yan, who has recently become famous; he appreciates you, put away your stinking temper."

"Get lost, get lost, get lost!"

Wang Mazi was unceremonious, glaring at Wu Kang, "Who do you think you are? Saying this to me."

Li Yan saw that this person was so strange, and felt somewhat unhappy in his heart.

He was just about to speak, but a voice suddenly sounded from the side, "Uncle Wang, this is a true hero, give me some face."

It was that sword-carrying youth who suddenly spoke.

"Hmm, okay."

To Li Yan's surprise, this Wang Mazi agreed directly, letting the assistant beside him wipe the table and pour tea.

Seeing this, Li Yan also suppressed his anger, smiled and bowed to the youth, "Thank you."

"No need to thank."

The youth laughed, revealing a big white tooth:

"Just have a fight with me later!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 522 =====