Passing by Guining Temple

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in a small town in the south of the Yangtze River are like a warm dream wrapped in wind and snow.

The snow stopped, and the sun pierced through the clouds with difficulty, melting the thick snow on the eaves and bluestone roads, forming a trickle that flowed along the ancient ditches.

After staying in the small town for three days, the group set off again when the snow on the official road melted enough for driving.

The carriage rolled over the wet road, splashing tiny dots of mud.

The hustle and bustle of the small town and the festive atmosphere of the New Year were left far behind as we set out again on the road to the Valley of Divine Medicine. The atmosphere in the carriage seemed to become more subtle as the snow melted.

Still, Shen Qianyue and Xie Shangjia were in one carriage, while Pei Miaoyin and Xie Shangyu were in another.

Xie Shangjia leaned against the wall of the car, playing with a rough but interesting bamboo gadget he bought at the town market. From time to time, he turned his head to glance at Shen Qianyue who was resting with her eyes closed beside him.

Inside the other carriage, the atmosphere was much more depressing.

Pei Miaoyin seemed to have lost interest in the conversation and dozed off against the car wall, while Xie Shangyu just stared silently at the scenery passing by outside the car window.

After two days of traveling day and night, they could reach the Valley of Miraculous Doctors in half a day.

The official road turns into a relatively flat foothill area. There are sparse trees on both sides of the road and undulating mountains in the distance, looming in the thin mist.

Next to the official road ahead, there is a temple that is not grand but ancient and vicissitudes of life.

The temple has blue-gray brick walls and dark tiles. Above the temple gate hangs a mottled wooden plaque with the three large characters "Guining Temple" written on it.

The temple gate was half open, and one could vaguely see the cleanly swept bluestone floor in the courtyard and the rising smoke from incense.

Xie Shangyu leaned out of the car window and shouted to the driver in front.

"parking."

The driver subconsciously pulled the reins.

Pei Miaoyin opened her eyes and looked at Xie Shangyu in surprise.

A corner of the curtain of the carriage in front was also lifted, revealing Xie Shangjia's puzzled face: "What's wrong, second brother?"

Xie Shangyu pushed open the door, got off the carriage, walked to the side of Shen Qianyue and Xie Shangjia's carriage, raised his head, and a gentle smile appeared on his face again.

"This temple ahead was built by a friend of mine. Since we're passing by, why not take a break here and pray for peace?"

It was common to stop at a temple to pray while traveling. Xie Shangjia subconsciously looked at Shen Qianyue, seeking her advice.

Shen Qianyue cast her eyes towards the half-open temple door, where faint curling incense could be seen.

She has always disliked dealing with people in the underworld. Not only are they too chaotic, but their behavior is also difficult to control. Xie Shangyu has been in the underworld for many years, so it is normal for him to have several close friends in the underworld.

Pei Miaoyin also got off the carriage and stood aside, her eyes moving between Shen Qianyue and Xie Shangyu.

Shen Qianyue opened her red lips slightly, her voice still clear and cold, without any emotion in her voice.

"My second brother wants to meet a friend. How about we wait here?"

Xie Shangyu's eyes flickered slightly. He had greeted this friend when he was in the small town. Now the temple door was slightly open to wait for him. This friend had great magical powers and had solved many strange cases. He was also proficient in strange and unusual skills.

Privately, he wanted his friend to see if there was anything strange about his brother, or if he had been poisoned after losing his memory. In the past, Xie Shangjia didn't seem to be so obedient to Shen Qianyue.

"Shang Jia can just accompany me in. After all, one cannot enter the temple alone."

Chen Qianyue looked at him for a long time, each holding his own opinion. Pei Miaoyin ate fruits and watched the show.

Xie Shangjia scratched his head and tried to extricate himself: "How about I go in with my second brother? I guess we'll be out soon."

Shen Qianyue no longer looked at anyone, but just tilted her head slightly: "Together."

Xie Shangjia jumped out of the carriage first, then turned around and stretched out his hand. Shen Qianyue held his hand and got out of the carriage.

She cast her eyes towards the half-open temple door. The scent of sandalwood from the temple, mixed with the cool air unique to the mountains and forests, lingered at her nose.

Xie Shangyu took a deep breath, a gentle smile reappeared on his face, and he bowed slightly to Shen Qianyue: "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I have been friends with this person for many years."

Chen Qianyue nodded and walked towards the half-open temple gate. Xie Shangjia immediately followed, like the most loyal shadow.

Pei Miaoyin took the food and got on the carriage: "I won't go in. I'm a bit superstitious about temples."

Xie Shangyu fell last and looked up at the mottled plaque.

The temple gate slowly closed behind him, blocking out the occasional sound of carriages and horses on the official road. A warm scent mixed with rich sandalwood and aged wood hit him in the face.

The courtyard of Guining Temple is not big. Several ancient cypresses with twisted branches are intertwined, casting sparse and cold shadows under the weak winter sun. The main hall is not magnificent. The door is open, and you can see the stone Buddha statue enshrined inside. A few incense sticks in the incense burner are emitting green smoke.

A burly figure in a gray monk's robe walked out of the main hall. He was about forty years old, with two hideous scars on his bald head and left cheek. He crawled like a centipede, his eyes swept over the people in the courtyard, and finally fell on Xie Shangyu.

"Master Lai Jin." Xie Shangyu walked forward with a chivalrous smile on his face, and opened his arms.

The scarred monk called Lai Jin grinned, and the scar on his face twisted. His big hands like a palm-leaf fan slapped Xie Shangyu's back hard, making a dull sound.

"Brother Jiang, long time no see."

"Only three months!" Xie Shangyu smiled and returned a punch, hitting the other's solid chest with a "bang" sound.

Lakin laughed so heartily that the sparrows in the courtyard fluttered into flight.

Shen Qianyue glanced around calmly, her eyes briefly lingering on the shadow of the Buddha statue in the hall and the deep corner of the side corridor, then quickly retracted.

The courtyard has an excellent ventilation design, with gusts of wind blowing through the hall.

Xie Shangjia helped Shen Qianyue gather her brocade fur coat: "Are you cold? Or I can go back and get a hand warmer."

Shen Qianyue held him and shook her head: "It's not cold."

Xie Shangyu lowered his voice and asked Lai Jin, "Did you see anything?"

The playful smile on Lai Jin's face instantly faded. He narrowed his sharp eagle eyes and swept his gaze over the crowd like lightning: "You two can go to the hall and wait for a while. I want to catch up with Brother Jiang."

After he finished speaking, he pulled Xie Shangyu into a closed Zen room next door. The door closed with a creaky sound, isolating the inside and the outside.

Only Shen Qianyue and Xie Shangjia were left in the courtyard, along with a few young monks who were peeking out from the corridor in the distance.

Chen Qianyue's gaze swept across the curling incense smoke and finally fell on the compassionate face of the Buddha statue in the hall. She took Xie Shangjia's arm and walked towards the main hall.

"Now that you're here, I'll pray that you can recover your memory soon."

Xie Shangjia squeezed her hand tightly: "Okay."

As you step into the main hall, the light is a little dim, with only the halo of the eternal lamp and the incense burner dancing on the golden body of the Buddha statue. The scent of sandalwood is even stronger, almost drowning you.

Chen Qianyue stopped in front of the cushion in the center of the hall, knelt down gracefully, put her palms together, closed her eyes and prayed.

Xie Shangjia also knelt down on the mat beside her and took a deep breath. The rich sandalwood scent almost suffocated him. He did not pray to restore his memory, but prayed to Buddha to allow him and Shen Qianyue to stay together forever.

Time seemed stretched out, with only the subtle crackling of burning incense.

Shen Qianyue opened her eyes and slowly stood up, her gaze still fixed on the Buddha statue.

Xie Shangjia put a few banknotes into the donation box and looked at Shen Qianyue like a puppy begging for praise from its owner.

Shen Qianyue raised her hand and touched his head: "Well done."

Xie Shangjia was very happy and diligently wiped a chair with his sleeve.

"Come sit down and rest for a while."

The young monk brought the tea to the guest table.

"Pilgrims, please have some tea."

This tea was the worst I had ever seen. The bottom of the cup was full of debris, and there was not a single intact leaf.

Time passed by little by little, and only the green smoke from the incense burner continued to rise.

After about a cup of tea, the door of the Zen room was opened again with a creaky sound.

Lakin came over first, holding a copper basin with a few branches soaking in water and a mirror hanging around his neck.

"Dear guest, you have been waiting for a long time. It just so happens that there is a ritual going on in the temple today. I have prepared some clean water and willow branches to dispel the bad luck for Brother Jiang."

Xie Shangyu followed closely behind, still with a gentle smile on his face. He raised his hand and touched the head of the little monk who was guarding outside the door with his head lowered.

"Yuantong, I miss you."

Yuantong slapped his hand away, pursed his lips and said nothing.

Lakin poured water into the doorway.

Xie Shangjia frowned. What did this monk mean by pouring water on the road they had to take to return?

Lai Jin waved his hand and said, "Shentong, go and get the amulets that I blessed a few days ago and give them to these noble people to keep them safe."

The young monk Shen Tong trotted to the side hall and soon came back with a tray. On it were three amulets made of bright yellow talisman paper, neatly placed, and strung together with thin red strings.

Lai Jin picked up a peace amulet and handed it to Shen Qianyue first.

"Ma'am, please keep it."

Shen Qianyue's fingertips gently twisted the talisman paper, her eyes vaguely scanning the folds and cinnabar lines on the paper, and then she put it into her sleeve: "Thank you, Master."

Next was Xie Shangyu. When Lai Jin handed over the amulet, their eyes met again for a very brief moment, and Xie Shangyu whispered.

"Thank you."

It was Xie Shangjia's turn. Lai Jin picked up the amulet and walked in front of Xie Shangjia. His hawk-like eyes looked at the reflection of Xie Shangjia's feet in the water.

"Sir, remember to wear it with you at all times. Never take it off."

Xie Shangjia felt uncomfortable being stared at by him, and his heart felt inexplicably uneasy. As soon as his fingertips touched the talisman paper, he wanted to pull them back.

However, a white hand reached out before him.

Shen Qianyue took the amulet from Scar Monk naturally and calmly, without even touching the monk's hand with her fingertips.

Lakin clasped his hands together, his tone revealing his undisguised desire to drive him away.

"Amitabha, please take care, my lord. I'm sorry I can't see you off."

Chen Qianyue said no more, turned around and walked towards the temple gate, lifting up the hem of her plain skirt, and the water stains under the doorway were clearly reflected.

Xie Shangjia immediately followed, like the most loyal shadow.

Xie Shangyu glanced at Lai Jin, his eyes full of silent questions.

Lakin clasped his hands together and said, "Everything is fate. You don't have to worry."

Xie Shangyu nodded without stopping, turned around, and quickly caught up with the two people in front.

He walked out of the half-open gate of Guining Temple and got back on the carriage.

Xie Shangyu looked back at the temple gate, but there was no one there.

Pei Miaoyin's eyes fell on the amulet on Xie Shangyu's waist. She faintly caught a hint of medicinal smell from Xie Shangyu. If it weren't for her extraordinary sense of smell, it would be almost impossible to detect.

"Thank you, Second Young Master. I didn't expect that a hero like you would also believe in amulets. Did you ask for them in that temple just now?"

Xie Shangyu raised his eyes to look at Pei Miaoyin and smiled gently: "Yes, I'd rather believe it, just to ask for a good start."

Pei Miaoyin's smile deepened: "Can you lend me this Ping An Fu? The pattern is really beautiful."

Xie Shangyu took off the Ping An Fu and handed it over: "Of course."

Pei Miaoyin's hand holding Ping Anfu trembled, and even cold sweat seeped out of her back.

Peace and blessings also fell on the ground.

Pei Miaoyin suppressed the pain and gave Xie Shangyu an extremely forced smile.

"Sorry, I have a migraine. Maybe it's because I've been exposed to the wind for too long. It just came back. Please pick it up yourself."

…