Chapter 269: Two Hundred and Sixty-Seventh Chapter: Revisiting Xinzheng Temple on the Double Ninth Festival

That splash of red in the mist was the most conspicuous.

The great monk just stood there quietly; it was unknown how long he had been standing, nor what he was thinking about. People came and went all around, yet these middle-aged uncles and aunties—who would even tease a monkey—seemed not to see him at all as they climbed to the top to catch their breath, called out to old companions, and walked into the temple gate with a smile.

Chen Shu pretended to be very tired, grabbing Ning Qing's arm and shifting a few pounds of his weight onto her.

After stepping onto the final stair, he continued to pretend to be very tired, inhaling and exhaling, only then letting go of Ning Qing and performing a palms-together salute to the great monk.

The great monk returned the salute at almost the same moment.

"Venerable."

"Amitabha."

The two voices sounded simultaneously.

Chen Shu straightened his back.

The great monk also straightened up at the same time, neither sad nor happy, and asked calmly, "Patron, having traveled west, did you obtain what you sought?"

"The harvest of this trip exceeded my imagination." Chen Shu thought of Dharma Master Tongzhi, so he put away his playfulness, his words turning into white mist in the early autumn morning, "I must thank the Venerable for the guidance, though it is a pity I failed the Venerable's commission and could not bring the Venerable's disciple back."

"He has already found what he wanted to find, and has also obtained what he wanted; he has already attained Buddhahood." The great monk revealed a smile, "Thank you, Patron."

"I dare not accept the praise."

"You have come specifically to offer thanks this time; if you wish to tour the temple, you may have Tongdeng show the two of you around."

"Tongdeng..."

Only then did Chen Shu see another monk not far away. He was young in appearance, with skin white as jade, tall and sturdy, wearing a moon-white monk's robe, and was currently being pestered for photos by several aunties with permed hair; the monk responded with patience.

When Chen Shu withdrew his gaze, the space in front of him was already empty.

"?"

What a fine method of diverting attention.

Chen Shu blinked his eyes and looked at Ning Qing beside him; he knew Ning Qing certainly hadn't been distracted by the great monk: "When did he leave?"

"Just now."

"How did he leave?"

"He suddenly dissipated." Ning Qing paused and pursed her lips, "That was just an illusion."

"Oh..."

Chen Shu dragged out the long tail of the sound.

He had thought he had run away extremely fast...

Because he was absolutely certain that, apart from his own Crystal, there was no method of teleportation in this world, and space remained unbreakable, so any sudden disappearance must necessarily be the realization of other means.

Chen Shu felt some regret.

He had originally wanted to ask him when the Calamity-Responding Bodhisattva would attain Buddhahood, how Cao Ci would be dealt with, and the like; there was no other reason, it was just gossip.

The Calamity-Responding Bodhisattva attaining Buddhahood was undoubtedly one of the greatest events in this world, likely even greater than the Emperor of Yiguo being replaced. And if the Calamity-Responding Bodhisattva attained Buddhahood in this generation, combined with the mark on Dharma Master Tongdeng, it might mean that for a period of time afterward, the Buddhist Sect would possess two Buddhas simultaneously.

"My dear beautiful patrons, my dear great beautiful patrons, I am truly sorry, but I have guests arriving over there. If I fail to host them properly, I will be scolded by my master, so please allow me to take my leave first."

"Fine, fine, fine..."

The group of aunties beamed with joy, instantly becoming reasonable.

Qingdeng Gufu then managed to pull himself away, came before them, and performed a palms-together salute: "Amitabha, Patron Qingcai, Lady Patron, we meet again."

"Let me introduce you, this is Zhaoye Qing."

"Cough!"

The young monk who practiced Zen-Martial Dual Cultivation almost lost his composure.

Qingdeng Gufu recovered his senses, looked at Chen Shu, then looked at Ning Qing, his expression gradually becoming strange: "If this humble monk remembers correctly, this lady... Patron Zhaoye Qing is also the roommate of Patron Grandma..."

"Master Qingdeng, mind your facial expression management."

"Amitabha, thank you for the reminder." Qingdeng Gufu relaxed for a moment, "Does Patron Grandma not know about this yet?"

"She found out last month."

"May I ask... what was her reaction at the time?"

"Master Qingdeng, you are quite the gossip."

"A heart of curiosity, everyone possesses it."

"I don't know how to describe it, but she wasn't quite herself that day; though, her appetite was quite large."

"Amitabha..."

Qingdeng Gufu sighed internally about the bad karma, yet kept his face calm and smiling, turning to point toward the temple gate: "Please, two patrons, this way. Today, the entire Xinzheng Temple, except for the White Tower at the top, is open to you two patrons."

"Can the five yuan for lunch be reimbursed then?" Chen Shu followed him with Ning Qing.

"It will naturally be covered by our temple." The young monk didn't even turn his head, "However, the last time you two patrons came to Xinzheng Temple, you didn't spend money on your meal either, did you?"

"I forgot my credentials this time."

"No matter..."

The young monk's footsteps suddenly paused: "However, a while ago, several seniors from the Spirit Sect came to our Buddhist Sect to apply for conversion certificates one after another..."

"Emmm..."

Chen Shu pondered for a few seconds, ignored the gaze cast by Ning Qing beside him, and pretended not to know:

"There is such a thing?"

"This humble monk also finds it strange. What is even stranger is that a few days ago, a senior brother in the temple, in his joy, mentioned this during a casual chat with a senior brother from Yuan'an Temple, and actually learned that several Spirit Sect seniors had also applied for conversion certificates at the Daoist sect."

"That is a good thing, a major breakthrough in diplomacy."

Chen Shu opened his eyes wide, his face neither red nor his heart racing; even Ning Qing, who practiced Jingxin Dao, found it hard to see any flaws, and he naturally changed the subject:

"Did you become a monk at Xinzheng Temple?"

"Yes."

"In this generation, do you count as senior or junior?"

"By age, this little monk counts as junior, but since my master's seniority is high and I was initiated under my master, my seniority is several generations higher."

"Was that Venerable just now your master?"

"Yes."

"I have had the fortune of seeing the Venerable twice, but I still do not know the Venerable's name."

"Perhaps my master anticipated the conversation between you and me today, and perhaps you feel that you and I have long known each other and should have known my master's Dharma name long ago." Qingdeng Gufu led them slowly into the temple, "My master is Zhiming."

"Zhiming..."

"On the Double Ninth Festival, one should climb high. I shall take you two group friends to the highest point of this temple, excluding the White Tower, to climb high and look into the distance, and enjoy the autumn of Yujing."

"There is fog."

"The fog will disperse very soon."

The two followed his figure, passing through areas dense with tourists, then through layers of temple courtyards, walking all the way up, unimpeded the entire time.

The morning mist was gradually dispersed by the light, and the world became clear.

The White Tower was much larger than it looked from the temple entrance or the foot of the mountain; the base of the tower was about half the size of a basketball court, circular, cast entirely of snow-white stone, faintly emitting a clear and pleasant fragrance, with a circle of chrysanthemums growing around the base—hmm, Wood Daisy, a foreign variety.

The yellow-centered, white-petaled chrysanthemums looked fresh and elegant, each plant clean and tidy, with a large volume of flowers, making this White Tower appear even more holy.

When the few of them reached the side of the White Tower, the last trace of morning mist happened to disperse.

It was as if a mask had been lifted; in just a few seconds, the scene before their eyes changed from blurry to clear.

Starting from the mountainside, the entire mountain was covered in overlapping palaces and courtyards, with incense smoke curling upwards; below the mountain was a straight flight of stairs, the climbing pedestrians pious and tiny, while the distant Yujing Plain was shrouded in heavy autumn colors, mottled and variegated.

The golden top of the White Tower reflected the sunlight.

The air was clear; Chen Shu saw from afar the blue smoke of Yuan'an Temple, saw the autumn forests of Hongshanling, and saw the entire Yujing Cheng.

"These chrysanthemums grow quite well."

"The Bodhisattva of Tribulation planted them by hand last year."

"Bodhisattva of Tribulation? Last year?"

"Yes." The young monk smiled slightly, "When the Former Emperor abdicated, the Bodhisattva of Tribulation came down from the White Tower and scattered the seeds. Blessed by the Buddha Light, the next day this circle of flowers bloomed all around the White Tower, and they have never withered since."

"Can they be picked?"

"This... this poor monk has never picked one."

"What a pity."

That was a flower planted by the future Buddha himself, and it even had such an anecdote related to the Former Emperor; if one were to pick one and make it into a dried flower, how valuable would it be in the future...

Chen Shu turned his head and said to Qingqing again: "Look, the flowers others plant grow in a day, yours take a year."

Ning Qing remained expressionless, acting as if she had not heard.

"Master Qingdeng, take a photo."

"I cannot be called a master, I cannot be called a monk, and I cannot be called a teacher; just call me Tongdeng."

"Alright."

Dharma Master Tongdeng took the Mobile Phone from their hands and gave them detailed instructions on their posture and expression, which made Chen Shu feel tired for a moment; meanwhile, Qingqing kept that same expressionless face the whole time, and it was impossible to tell if she was impatient.

Dharma Master Tongdeng finally achieved a satisfactory result, then handed the Mobile Phone back to them, stood to the side with his hands pressed together, and waited quietly for their evaluation.

"Master Tongdeng."

"Please praise."

"?"

"Amitabha, please speak."

"Do the monastics of your Xinzheng Temple practice photography in addition to Zen-Martial Dual Cultivation?"

"We also do photo editing."

"Tsk tsk..."

Chen Shu put away the Mobile Phone with satisfaction, glanced back at the White Tower, and turned to walk down: "Master Tongdeng, it's time to eat..."

Dharma Master Tongdeng followed with a smile.

This time, the vegetarian meal was eaten in another dining hall.

This dining hall was located on the back mountain, and those dining were mainly Inner Sect Disciples and honored guests, but the taste was the same as the dining hall outside that was open to tourists, still the same taste that hundreds of thousands of people had rated 4.9 on National Review.

After the meal, they offered a stick of incense and paid respects to the Buddha.

This time Chen Shu did not ask any more random questions; it was not that he had learned his lesson, but mainly because he knew these monks were even better at rambling than his sister-in-law—a bunch of nonsense-talkers and riddle-makers—so even if he asked, he would not get an answer, and naturally, he did not attract the gaze of the Buddha of Proper Light again.

"We're leaving, thank you for the hospitality."

"It is not worth thanks; you have an affinity with our Buddha and are an honored guest, so it should be this way. Besides, this little monk still remembers the taste of your zongzi and Mooncake." Dharma Master Tongdeng said, and performed a salute with his hands pressed together, "When the peach blossoms bloom early next spring, you may come to Xinzheng Temple again; just say the word in the group. Ordinary tourists and photography enthusiasts cannot go to the best shooting spots."

"Alright."

Chen Shu waved to him and turned to head down the mountain.

The path down the mountain was slippery, and for Fear of falling, he had no choice but to rest one hand on Qingqing's shoulder to maintain his balance.

"..."

Qingqing expressionlessly pushed his hand away.

To think she would disregard his safety like this?

This heartless woman!

Faintly, a wind rose in the mountains; the autumn wind was cool, blowing up the withered yellow peach leaves on the ground, which landed on the stone steps, making the little novice monk who had just finished sweeping have to sweep all over again.

This wind also blew over a chrysanthemum.

Yellow center and white petals, it looked so pure and clean.

Chen Shu reached out to catch it.

Turning back to look, the mountain temple remained the same, the White Tower remained the same, and the tourists remained the same; the little novice monk holding a broom looked up at the yellow leaves on the stone steps, neither annoyed nor walking up to sweep them again, but instead lowered his head and swept downward, one tier at a time.

Every day is the same.

……

The little girl sat upright on the sofa, a white cat's tail resting horizontally across her thighs, the fur fluffy and snow-white, the tip of the tail lazily fanning the air.

The TV was playing "History of the Sword Sect Split".

In the living room, a girl with a hot figure and braided hair was slowly dancing with a Sword, not knowing what she was dancing, nor why she had to dance in the living room.

The little girl ignored her, staring fixedly at the TV.

"The Sword Sect system is indeed powerful, but it has too high a requirement for talent; innate conditions have a far greater influence on achievement than acquired effort, and the inability to recruit enough disciples who meet the requirements is also one of the reasons why the Sword Sect fell from the position of the number one sect thousands of years ago..."

"Coupled with the fact that most Sword Cultivators within the Sword Sect have eccentric personalities, preferring to act on impulse and provoke fellow disciples and others, some disciples could not bear to get along with them, and under the constraints of talent, they had to seek other methods to improve themselves, thus giving rise to a new Sword Cultivator system that is vastly different from the Traditional Sword Cultivator system..."

The person in the living room was still dancing and dancing.

Xiaoxiao could not see her.

She also could not hear the sound of the TV.

Suddenly, a vibration.

"Buzz, buzz."

Both of them turned their heads to look at the Mobile Phone.

Zhang Suannai was disappointed.

The little girl, however, picked up her own Mobile Phone.

It was a photo sent by her brother-in-law.

The little girl finished looking at it seriously and frowned.

Suddenly, she felt a bit of regret for having grown up.

Because today, her brother-in-law had taken her sister out to play alone on the grounds that "you are already an adult and need a bit more of your own living space," not bringing her or Taozi along, and even claimed it was for her own good.