temple

When Lin Yun returned, it was already dawn.

The dark circles under her eyes were very pronounced. She searched the entire library that night but couldn't find a single person.

He still carried the mysterious letter left to him by the museum owner, the handwriting so crooked and illegible that it was impossible to decipher what the words were.

Just as she was about to push open the courtyard gate, she found Sang Zhao leaning against the wall taking a nap, his hair and clothes damp with dew, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

"Senior brother?" Lin Yun called softly as he moved closer to him.

Hearing someone call him, Sang Zhao seemed to wake from a dream, a trace of confusion still in his eyes. He cleared his throat and said, "Junior Sister Yunwang."

Lin Yun pushed him through the door, determined to make him ginger tea no matter what.

“It is mentioned in the first book of Revelation,” she said, slicing ginger. The medicinal and spicy aromas mixed in the morning mist were quite invigorating. “Although cultivators can use their spiritual power to ward off the cold, they are not indestructible.”

Although she's been busy these past few days, she's still managed to squeeze in time to finish reading all the books Sang Zhao gave her. She's only skimmed through the other books, but she's read the Book of Revelation the most thoroughly, and now she can even use a few passages from it to put her senior brother in his place.

Sang Zhao sat at the table, holding a steaming porcelain bowl in his hands. His body, which had been frozen, gradually warmed up under the warmth of the ginger tea.

He didn't ask where Lin Yun had gone. Although they were fellow disciples, they had only known each other for a little over a month, so it was impossible for them to open up to each other completely.

The young cultivator ran his index finger along the rim of the bowl. Besides, he also had his own secrets and wasn't entirely honest with Lin Yunwang. But for now, he still hoped that Lin Yunwang could trust him a little more.

He stroked the bowl, feeling the lingering warmth on its surface.

Last night, I went to the library.

Lin Yunwang's voice broke the silence, and her figure leaning against the door frame was outlined in pale gold by the morning light.

She briefly recounted her conversation with Jiang Yanchi the previous day. When she mentioned the speculation about the seal on the Demon Realm, the porcelain bowl in Sang Zhao's hand slammed against the wooden table with a "crack".

Sang Zhao's expression changed, and his voice suddenly rose, a rare display of his composure, "Is your mind still stinging? Is your consciousness sluggish?"

The fingertips pressed against Yunwang's forehead trembled, revealing his unease.

Since examining her sea of ​​consciousness and discovering the damage to her spiritual platform, Senior Brother Sang has devoted his entire heart to this problem. He even overturned and redid his previous cultivation plan, fearing that the damage to her spiritual platform would become more serious.

This was also one of the reasons why their master urged them to return as soon as possible.

Lin Yun gently pushed his hand away and shook her head, saying that she was fine.

Seeing that she was unharmed, Sang Zhao was slightly relieved and began to think about what she had just said. "She really is a strange person."

"But the seal personally verified by the Immortal Venerable Qiming is absolutely flawless."

He spoke as he bent over to tidy two porcelain bowls, strands of hair obscuring his eyes. The name seemed to possess a certain magic, unconsciously imbuing his voice with a believer's conviction, "Because he is of lofty character, possesses noble virtues, has the world in his heart, and is pure and unpolished..."

Lin Yun listened patiently to the long string of praises, his brows furrowing slightly. Sang Zhao seemed to trust this immortal leader very much, and said, "I will read the immortal's biography tomorrow."

Sang Zhao paused in his bath, "I don't actually object to you investigating this matter based on your own speculation."

"However... this matter requires you to have completed your studies."

Although the cultivation world is still in its early stages, it is full of twists and turns.

During the investigation, she will encounter other people or events, and she needs to have the ability to protect herself.

He took out a handkerchief to dry his hands, the bamboo pattern flashing across his fingertips. His face regained its usual warm smile, but his tone held a hint of reproach, "Always relying on the art of resonance like this, what if you encounter an evil being that doesn't understand good and evil, only knowing how to slaughter..."

“I understand,” Lin Yun replied. “I really understand, senior brother.”

She relies on her resonance ability for two reasons: first, she is weak in this matter, and second, her resonance ability has never failed her so far.

The second point is the most important reason.

Goodwill and malice are not superficial, but deeply ingrained. In her more than ten years of life, she has encountered many kind people who have tried their best to help, care for, and love her, just like Sang Zhao in front of her.

"Please believe me."

After a short rest, the two set off for the Fanyin Temple.

They changed out of their coarse clothes, rented a horse-drawn carriage, and looked like siblings from an ordinary wealthy family.

The two planned to visit the Fanyin Temple as ordinary people.

The carriage wasn't very stable, and Lin Yun's pearl-adorned hair ornament trembled with the clear sound of its bells.

She lifted a corner of the side window curtain, and the scent of sandalwood mixed with pine and cypress wafted into the carriage.

Not far away, within the vermilion walls, the Bell and Drum Towers stand facing each other, their eaves soaring like wings.

"This is one of the four royal temples of Yunlan Kingdom."

Such a magnificent temple can be located in Shuofeng City, thanks entirely to its special geographical location.

Lin Yun gazed at the approaching temple. "I've heard this place is very popular, but I've never been here before and don't know what the inside is like." She lowered the carriage curtain. "It must be ornately decorated."

Sang Zhaozheng was resting with his eyes closed. After listening to her, he nodded slightly.

She wanted to say something more.

The old driver let out a "whoosh," pulled on the reins, and interrupted her, "Ladies, the temple is just ahead."

Lin Yun shook off Sang Zhao's hand that was trying to help him up, and jumped off the carriage with a sullen face.

The footsteps were hurried on the bluestone path, and the nimble girl disappeared after crossing the ebony threshold.

Sang Zhao rubbed his hand, which was hanging in mid-air, and gave the monk at the door an embarrassed smile. "My younger sister is naughty. I brought her to the temple today to pray for our parents, but we ended up arguing on the way."

He took out a heavy money bag, "I wonder where the place to donate incense is?"

"South side of the main hall." The monk lowered his head and clasped his hands, the sandalwood scent of years emanating from his robes.

Just as Sang Zhao was about to express his gratitude, the old monk summoned a young novice from somewhere. The older monk instructed, "Catch up with the female benefactor ahead who is wearing a lotus-pink dress and lead the way for her."

The child was only six or seven years old, his monk's robe was faded from washing, and he obediently replied, "Yes, Master."

He narrowed his eyes, watching the direction the young novice monk had chased after.

This was similar to the strategy the two had discussed – he used the donation of incense to sound out the guest monk, while Lin Yun was taking the opportunity to investigate the strange things happening in the temple.

"Where are you taking me?" Lin Yun suddenly stopped. "I don't have any money on me, so I can't donate any money for incense."

She was very troubled by having to act out this spoiled and willful role.

"I will take you to the main hall. Recently, bandits have been roaming the mountains, and last month a pilgrim was attacked behind the scripture pavilion. You may be in danger traveling alone."

Yun looked around, puzzled. The place was so deserted, unlike the rumored bustling scene.

"Hey, little novice, the temple is so deserted. Does that mean wishes made here don't come true?"

The young monk, unperturbed by her offense, replied, "Sincerity is key."

She couldn't bring herself to say anything more offensive that would anger him and cause him to leave, so she had to temporarily put aside her plan to act alone.

Sang Zhao's figure disappeared around the corner of the Sutra Pavilion in the distance. Lin Yun suddenly covered his face, sobs seeping through his fingers, "My parents are unconscious, but when I ask my brother, he won't say anything. I can only come to Buddha to seek peace of mind."

"Amitabha."

Even at a young age, there was already a look of compassion in his eyes.

“A friend of mine found out that the elderly mother of the wealthy Chen family in the west of the city had been unconscious for three days, but she woke up after we offered an ever-burning lamp here.” Her fingertips trembled. “Little monk, you really haven’t heard of this?”

Unexpectedly, the monk in front of him simply shook his head, saying, "Buddhism does not concern itself with worldly ties."

The young novice's words were like a gentle touch that deflected a great weight. He went along with Lin Yunwang's words, but did not give Lin Yunwang the answer he truly wanted.

"Alright, alright." She waved her hand. "Never mind if you can't say. Take me to buy incense."

Yun took out her purse. "I don't need my brother's money. I want to use my own."

"The incense in the temple is free of charge."

"Alright, it's time to donate incense money." Her previous vulnerability seemed like a fleeting dream, and she reverted to her imperious demeanor.

"This way, please, benefactor."

The young novice monk handed her three sticks of incense, the ash falling into her palm.

The Buddha statue in the main hall lowered its eyes and smiled. Lin Yun held the incense sticks above her head, her face serious, no longer showing the coquettishness she had been acting.

She prayed sincerely for her parents who were buried in the ground, for her grandfather who was in his twilight years, for Ah Sheng who had disappeared without a trace, and for everyone around her.

Lin Yun couldn't help but chuckle to himself, realizing how greedy he was, wanting everyone to be well.

“This devout woman is greedy and deluded…May the Buddha have mercy…” She touched her forehead to the ground.

The young novice monk was standing not far from her, silently adding a memorial tablet for warding off disasters and prolonging life amidst the sound of the bronze chime.

The ancient ginkgo tree outside the main hall stands proudly, and it's not hard to imagine what a magnificent scene it must be in autumn.

Lin Yun leaned against the vermilion pillars, the lingering sound of the temple bells in his ears gradually fading away.

The temple was a heavily guarded place, with layers of arrays suppressing the light. The communication talisman hidden in her sleeve remained unresponsive. The golden sunlight fell on her tightly clenched knuckles, causing a thin layer of sweat to appear.

"Little Master, what place is that over there?" The young novice monk stayed with her, refusing to leave no matter how much nonsense she uttered.

"That's a meditation room."

"I haven't asked your Dharma name yet." Lin Yunwang was also tired of pretending and spoke to him in a kind and gentle tone.

“My name is Guan Nan, and I have not yet received a Dharma name.” Guan Nan clasped his hands together, and the Buddhist beads on his wrist jingled softly with the movement. “Next year, after I receive full ordination, I will have a Dharma name.”

The two chatted idly outside the hall, gaining much more information than when they had deliberately tried to probe.

You may plant a tree with good intentions but it may not grow; you may plant a willow without intention and it may grow into a shady tree.

"Your temple is quite quiet." In the past half hour, only ten people have passed by.

"It was because..." The boy suddenly fell silent. He didn't know whether to continue, but thinking about the way that person acted this morning, it didn't seem like he wanted to keep a low profile. "This morning, a distinguished guest arrived, and my master went to the mountain gate to welcome him. Only those with deep Buddhist affinity are allowed to enter the temple."

"Is his affinity with Buddhism the same as his affinity with Buddha?" Lin Yun asked, not intending to offend, but simply puzzled.

Guan Nan raised his voice slightly, "That is Master Juehui."

Looking at the boy's suddenly bright eyes and brows, and listening to him talk endlessly about the story of Master Juehui, Yunwang asked, "And you, do you want to become the second Master Juehui?"

"Without recognizing one's own true nature, studying the law is of no use."

“I just need to be myself,” Guan Nan replied.