Chapter 29 There is Buddha's Light, but Not Much
This tower is majestic and magnificent, with the three characters "Tiannu Tower" inscribed on a golden plaque in front of it.
There were four monks guarding the pagoda, but they were not ordinary monks, but martial monks - Chang Suining glanced at the four monks unnoticeably.
Not only that, there are also unusual things around this tower.
Chang Suining looked at the bluestone stacks around the tower, the gurgling streams around it, and the bamboo forest that had just sprouted tender leaves.
Right in front of the tower gate, there stands a bronze tripod-shaped incense burner that is as tall as a person, with green smoke rising from it.
Chang Suining narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the golden bell hanging on the eaves of the tower, which shone brightly in the morning light.
Looking further into the distance at the various Buddhist temples, one can see that the location where this tower was built was also very particular - or in other words, the entire Dayun Temple was built in a location that considered exquisite feng shui, but this tower was built within a formation.
She was not proficient in these strange formations, but when Wu Jue was a military strategist, he was very good at arranging military formations. Over time, she learned a lot.
The formation surrounding the "Tower of the Goddess" in front of him was probably set up by Wu Jue.
But after all, it was different from the formations used in the army, and she couldn't figure out what kind of formation it was or what its use was.
"This Heavenly Maiden Tower was built before your Majesty ascended the throne." Chang Kuo took a look and lowered his voice a little, saying, "It is recorded in the Great Cloud Sutra that the Pure Light Heavenly Maiden once heard the Great Nirvana Sutra at the place of the Light Buddha. Due to this cause and condition, when Sakyamuni Buddha was still alive, she was reborn as the Pure Light Heavenly Maiden, gave up her heavenly body, and became a king as a woman, saving the world and protecting the Dharma... The saint of today is grateful for this and has specially built the Heavenly Maiden Tower to enshrine the Pure Light Heavenly Maiden."
Chang Suining lowered his eyes to hide the slightest hint of mockery in them.
It turns out that this is the origin of Dayun Temple.
Is the Queen of Ming using the Buddhist scriptures to imply that she is the reincarnation of Sakyamuni Buddha and needs to be a woman to be the king and save the world? Although there was a precedent of a woman becoming emperor in the Great Sheng Dynasty a hundred years ago, the empress was a princess from the orthodox royal family and was made the crown princess when she was young, which was legitimate.
But the Ming empress was different, she was just a queen from another family. If she wanted to ascend to the supreme throne, in addition to scheming and consolidating power, she also needed a "legitimate" reason to win the hearts of the people - the theory of gods, Buddhas and heaven was a useful means.
To tell the world that she is the monarch appointed by heaven - the Holy Monarch of Heaven, which is the Holy Book.
"But I heard that pilgrims are not allowed to enter here. Only Master Wu Jue or those who have been approved by the saints can enter." Chang Sui'an said, and looked into the tower curiously: "I have never been in to see it."
As they passed by, the four monks, with their hands clasped in front of them, kept their eyes lowered and did not move, completely unperturbed by the outside world, like four mighty Vajra statues.
There was a gust of wind, and the golden bell rang with a Zen-like sound.
Chang Suining suddenly stopped and his expression changed.
…
"...The thunderstorm half a month ago almost destroyed this formation. Look at this formation stone, it was damaged at that time."
At this moment, a monk wearing the abbot's robes walked out from behind the pagoda, saying, "There are lightning protection devices on the pagoda, so the spring thunder did not hit the pagoda. Everything in the pagoda is intact, except for the jade statue, which has cracks for some reason..."
The tall young man beside him was silent for a long time before he asked, "According to the abbot, is this auspicious or ominous?"
"It's hard to say." The monk sighed and said, "Since the formation was activated, there has been no 100% certainty. There is no reference method in the front, and it is difficult to predict the future. It all depends on fate and chance."
As he spoke, he looked up at the tower with a sense of something: "But since there is a strange phenomenon, it must point to something... Although I don't know what it is for the time being, but perhaps-"
The monk said, looking at the young man with a slight smile: "General Cui may have a chance to feel it."
The young man was slightly stunned—him?
The monk said, "The jade used to make this statue was found by General Cui in the Western Regions. Maybe there is a chance behind this."
The young man said nothing, but just raised his head slightly to look at the swinging golden bell. The morning light cast a layer of quiet golden light on his dark and clear eyebrows.
"... Ningning, what's wrong with you!" The young man's nervous voice faintly entered the sharp ears of the martial artist.
"Sui Ning, are you feeling unwell? Come on, sit down and take a rest..."
Xier hurriedly helped her daughter sit down on the stone bench under the Bodhi tree not far away.
"The girl's face has turned pale, but she has a severe headache?" Xier squatted down in front of Chang Suining, and tears immediately fell: "It's all my fault, wuwu..."
Chang Suining: "How about you change your name to Wuwu?"
Xier stopped crying suddenly, and she held back her tears and looked at her girl.
Chang Suining then took her hand off her temple and looked towards where she had just stood. She saw Buddhist beast patterns carved with gold lacquer and ink on the stone bricks.
"Ningning, are you feeling better?" The scene of his sister retching continuously after looking at him in the morning was still in his mind. Chang Sui'an didn't dare to get too close to him.
"Much better." While Chang Suining was answering, his eyes were still on the pattern in front of him.
She should have entered the battle formation just now.
But Chang Sui'an and the others also went through the same experience, so why was she the only one who suddenly felt unwell and had a splitting headache?
It's impossible that she is a wandering ghost inside. When she comes to this holy place of Buddhism, will the holy light of Buddhism really drive her away?
Under normal circumstances, she might not have believed in the gods and Buddhas, but after experiencing things that could not be explained by common sense, she had to believe it.
But she didn't steal or rob, and this was not what she wanted. No one asked for her opinion. Could it be that the King of Hell acted on his own without consulting the other gods and Buddhas and had no consensus?
Chang Suining looked towards the tall tower.
However, as the saying goes, it is easier to invite a Buddha than to send him away - now that she is alive and this life has been given to her, the rest is up to her to decide.
She had no intention of returning the advantage she had gained by luck.
"Sui Ning, drink some water quickly." Seeing that she seemed to be in a trance, Chang Kuo urged her in a gentle voice.
Only then did Chang Suining see the kettle that Xier handed to him, so he took it.
"Why is General Cui here too?" Chang Kuo's unexpected voice sounded above his head, and Chang Suining subconsciously raised his eyes.
She had seen Cui Jing many times. At this moment, her eyes passed over Cui Jing and fell on the chubby monk beside her.
Wu Jue had not grown his hair since his early years. When she first saw this man introducing himself, she thought he was a monk who came to beg for alms. Later she found out that the man had not yet become a monk, but only his hair had been left.
The cause and effect are described as follows:
I started to go bald early in life, so I just shaved it all off.
I would rather be bald than be bald.
I vow not to leave any room for the word "bald" to continue to conquer.
A very stubborn person who refuses to compromise.
At this moment, he was wearing the abbot's robes, had a round head, a pair of plump earlobes, and a kind and Zen smile on his face, and he was indeed surrounded by Buddha's light.
At this moment he saw Chang Kuo: "Hey, Old Chang!"
Chang Suining: “…”
Well, the Buddha's light shattered, as if I had instantly returned from the holy place of the Buddhist altar to the mutton soup restaurant.
Wu Jue had already walked over quickly.
Chang Sui'an and Xi'er called him "Master Wu Jue" and then bowed to Cui Jing.
Seeing that he seemed to be looking in his direction, Chang Suining held his forehead with his hand and frowned as if he had a headache - this etiquette could not be rejected.
"...What happened to Xiao Suining?" Wu Jue lifted the hem of his cassock and squatted down in front of Chang Suining: "Come on, let Second Father take a look--"
"..." Chang Suining looked at him with a little confusion.
Even though he has become a monk, he still wants to join in the fun of being a father?
Is it appropriate for him to listen to it himself?
Little did they know that something even more inappropriate was coming: "Hey, I haven't seen you for a long time. How come Xiao Suining looks...more beautiful?"
Wu Jue stared at her, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Chang Kuo said angrily: "What are you talking about again? Sui Ning has a headache, so stop talking." - Others don't know what happened to the child, so doesn't this bald man know either? He actually still has the mind to talk nonsense.
"I have a headache... Come on, come on, follow me to the Zen temple, warm yourself by the fire and take a rest."
Seeing Chang Suining nodded, Xier helped him up.
Cui Jing spoke a few words to Chang Kuo, but did not stay any longer: "I will take my leave first."
Master Wu Jue smiled and said, "Master Cui, take care."
Cui Jing nodded and walked away.
Chang Suining, who was supported by Xier, passed by the place with carved patterns. He was still frightened and stepped to the side.
At this moment, Cui Jing just walked to her side.
The girl's spring shirt and skirt are fresh and pretty.
The young man was wearing armor and a black robe, looking cool and solemn.
Sometimes the wind blows, the golden bells ring, and the soft, white orchid embroidered shawl brushes against the armor, and leaves in an instant.
Both of them noticed something. Cui Jing lowered his eyes and met the clear eyes of the man who was looking up at him, and he also withdrew his gaze in an instant.
There was the scent of growing green bamboo in the wind, and as the morning light flickered among the bodhi trees, the two passed each other silently.
"...Commander-in-chief, is that the girl from General Chang's mansion? I think she looks vaguely familiar." After Chang Kuo and the others walked away, Yuan Xiang, who was standing not far away, said with a slightly confused expression, "But I can't remember when I saw her..."
Cui Jing: “…”
His subordinates don't seem to be very smart.
"Oh! I remember now!" Yuan Xiang suddenly realized, "Two years ago, when General Chang and the Governor led their troops to war, the young man from the Chang family came to see General Chang off. It seems that the young lady from the Chang family also came at that time! I saw her that time!"
Cui Jing: "...It's a good recollection. You don't have to recall it next time."
Yuanxiang scratched his head.
"Commander-in-Chief... The Holy Lord has specially granted you and General Chang three days of rest. You can go to the palace to receive your reward on the first and fifteenth day of the third month when all officials will come to pay their respects to you." Yuan Xiang asked, "Commander-in-Chief, you didn't sleep all night and you were busy all day yesterday. Do you want to go home and rest?"
Just thinking of those people from the Cui family, the voices behind him became lower.
Cui Jing: "Let's go back to Xuan Ce Mansion first."
The Xuan Ce Army set up a government office in the capital, named Xuan Ce Mansion, which was responsible for managing all matters of the Xuan Ce Army.
Yuanxiang responded “yes”.
…
Chang Suining never stayed in Dayun Temple for long.
Firstly, she felt that the formation was a little weird, and instinctively wanted to stay away from it, fearing that her life would be taken away before it even got warm.
Secondly, the time for the meeting with Zhou Ding is approaching.
The third time, Wu Jue yawned one after another. As soon as Cui Jing left, he complained: "This young man is really patient... I was forced to talk about Buddhism with him all night, and I was so sleepy that I wished I could die right here!"
Chang Suining listened to it and couldn't help but feel again that there was Buddha's light, but not much.
…
The place mentioned in the letter for the meeting with Zhou Ding was at the Hancheng Lake not far from Dayun Temple.
The lake is nestled against green hills and beside the Wei River, and has beautiful scenery. It is a great place for spring outings and boating in the spring.
When Chang Suining arrived, a figure was already waiting in the pavilion by the lake.
"Look, girl. The guy in the green shirt who looks like a human is Zhou Ding." Xier reminded Chang Suining in a low voice.
Good afternoon, this is a big chapter~ (End of this chapter)
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