It was another bright and sunny morning, with the blue waves rippling gently.
After the studio was set up, Chu Fang finally had some free time and could take care of his own affairs.
After Zhong Rou went to school, Chu drove off towards the outskirts of Shanghai.
After driving for more than two hours, he arrived at the foot of a high mountain. Looking up at the mountain, he could clearly see an ancient Taoist temple halfway up the mountain in the sunlight.
Chu Fang was stunned.
Four years ago, Chu Fang made a wish at that Taoist temple, hoping to find his true love.
At that time, he was at a point where he had been diagnosed with a mental illness and had given up high-consumption activities. That period was quite difficult, and he felt that everything in the world was boring. Therefore, he made a wish at that Taoist temple.
In fact, he didn't have any expectations of finding a partner and was already mentally prepared to be single for the rest of his life.
He made a vow that if he ever found his true love, he would definitely come back to fulfill his promise.
More than half a year has passed, and Chu Fang's heart disease has gradually healed. His relationship with Zhong Tingyue is better than he had imagined, and he feels it is time to fulfill his vow.
Chu Fang exhaled, then stepped on the gas and drove up the road, which was lined with layers of flowers, grass and trees.
Before long, they arrived at the gate of the Taoist temple.
He got out of the car, raised an eyebrow, and looked at the scene in front of him with some surprise.
A large crowd had gathered in front of the Taoist temple. Judging from their clothing, they were likely villagers from the surrounding area. A table was set up in front of the courtyard with several vegetarian dishes on it, suggesting that a large banquet was being held.
When I last came here, this Taoist temple was quite quiet and there were very few people. How come there are so many people now? And they're even having a banquet?
Has this Taoist temple become popular? Are people coming to offer incense?
His arrival attracted everyone's attention. An old Taoist priest walked out of the Taoist temple, wearing a wide Taoist robe in a light color, embroidered with some ancient talismans and patterns, which made him look ancient and mysterious.
The old Taoist priest had a head of silver hair, with strands of silver hair fluttering gently in the wind. His hair was loosely tied on top of his head, with a few strands of hair playfully hanging down on his broad forehead. His beard stood vertically on his chest, giving him a solemn and dignified appearance.
The old Taoist priest flicked his whisk and said softly, "Young Master Chu."
"Master Qingfeng still remembers me." Chu Fang was somewhat surprised.
It's been four years since we last met.
Qingfeng Daoren said slowly, "You left a deep impression on me that day."
“... ..."
Last time he came, Chu Fang had just gotten out of the car when he missed a step and fell into a pit. The pit was very big and deep, with straight sides, and he couldn't get out. It was the old Taoist priest who pulled him out.
They explained to him that the large pit was intended for wild boars, but instead of catching any, he fell in.
Fortunately, there were no traps inside, otherwise Chu Fang's fate would have been uncertain.
At that time, Chu Fang extorted a meal from the old Taoist priest and paid respects to the Three Pure Ones without spending a penny, which made the old Taoist priest so angry that he blew his beard and glared.
You don't need to say it out loud, it's so awkward... Chu Fang thought to himself, then said, "How old are you?"
"Ninety-two."
"Your health seems to be getting better and better. May the Three Pure Ones bless you," Chu Fang said.
"Nonsense!" The old Taoist priest flicked his whisk, somewhat exasperated. "My longevity is entirely due to my own cultivation. What does it have to do with those three? Attributing all the credit to them, while I'm just someone else's blessing? This is modern society; don't be so superstitious..."
Oh, Chu Fang forgot.
Although this old Taoist priest had been practicing Taoism for decades and was a senior Taoist, he did not believe in the teachings of the Three Pure Ones.
According to him, he went up the mountain to become a Taoist priest back then simply because of social unrest and political instability, just to make a living. He managed to survive from the War of Resistance against Japan to the new era.
He kept saying that if the Three Pure Ones really existed, then they wouldn't have been invaded back then, so he didn't believe in the Three Pure Ones.
On the contrary, this old Taoist priest preferred to read books written by the founding fathers of the nation. The Taoist temple's collection consisted mostly of books on modernization rather than Taoist scriptures.
The old Taoist priest chattered on and on, then seemed to realize he had said too much. He stopped babbling, his face becoming slightly more serious, and he softly murmured, "May the Heavenly Venerable grant me boundless blessings."
“... ..."
The old Taoist priest showed no embarrassment at the difference in his behavior before and after, and asked softly, "Young Master Chu, what brings you here today?"
To be fair, if this old Taoist priest didn't have so many modern ideas and his various ways of criticizing the Three Pure Ones, he would still have a very ethereal and otherworldly air about him. With his elegant Taoist robe, jade whisk, and flowing beard, everyone who saw him would say, "Old Immortal."
Unfortunately, it only has a mouth.
"I've come today to fulfill a vow," Chu Fang said.
"Fulfilling a vow?" Upon hearing this, the old Taoist priest's forehead wrinkled deeply, his face full of surprise. He turned around and looked at the Taoist temple. "Those three brothers can really fulfill other people's wishes? How come I didn't know that?"
He paused, then said earnestly to Chu Fang, "In modern society, we should abandon feudal superstition and believe in science. Feudal superstition is often a form of blind obedience and blind faith; it lacks scientific basis and empirical support, threatens social stability and security, and affects people's physical and mental health and quality of life..."
I didn't study Taoism much, but I did study a lot of philosophy.
Your knowledge is quite extensive.
The old Taoist waved his hand and said, "Never mind, since we're already here, let's have a simple meal together."
Chu Fang nodded.
There was a large platform in front of the Taoist temple, with incense and candles burning in front of it. White smoke drifted into the air and was dispersed by a gust of wind.
At that moment, more than a dozen tables were set up in front, and many villagers were busy preparing the vegetarian meal.
All the dishes were vegetarian: stir-fried bitter melon, cold eggplant salad, and loofah soup. They were all seasonal vegetables with a fresh and fragrant taste. I heard they were grown by the villagers and brought up from the foot of the mountain.
Chu Fang's favorite bowl of cold noodles.
Liangfen, or cold rice noodles, is a snack made primarily from peas. It is served with soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil, and is refreshing and smooth. Paired with a bowl of porridge, it is one of the most delicious foods available today.
Sitting next to Chu Fang was a young Taoist priest, about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with delicate features, a light and graceful figure, and bright and spirited eyes, like two clear mountain springs.
The young Taoist priest's name was Jing Si. He was an orphan who had been with the old Taoist priest since childhood. Chu Fang didn't see him the last time he came; he had gone to university elsewhere.
"Master Jingsi," Chu Fang said, looking around.
"Please speak, layman." Compared to the old Taoist's unruliness, Jing Si appeared gentle and quiet.
He voiced his doubts: "Is business good at the Taoist temple now? Why are there so many people?"
“You’ve come at just the right time, layman. The temple will be moving away after today,” Jing Si replied softly.
Chu Fang raised an eyebrow.
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