An unfamiliar voice caused a pause in the hall.
But the knocking grew louder and more urgent...
The sounds overhead gradually subsided. The abbot prepared to go out himself, but was reassured by his disciple. The disciple looked up and carefully went to open the door.
The wind outside had calmed down; the previous powerful suction, as if trying to pull a person out, was gone...
The monk inquired about the other party's purpose...
Unexpectedly, the other party directly asked the abbot a question, and before the monk could answer, the other party barged in...
Upon hearing the sound, the abbot emerged from the crowd of disciples and from under the table...
"Amitabha......"
As soon as the abbot finished speaking, the person knelt down in front of him.
The abbot was still somewhat weak, and the monks behind the door and those standing behind him helped him up.
The abbot leaned down and personally helped the person up.
"Stand up and speak..."
The Song brothers saw that the person who came in was no more than twenty years old, dressed as a servant, with tears streaming down his face, begging the abbot to save his young master.
Young master?
The Song brothers had some doubts, but seeing the abbot and monks' expressions, it seemed that through conversation they recognized the person seeking help and that he had a deep connection with the temple.
"Tell me slowly, how is your young master doing?"
The abbot had his disciple bring a bowl of water and half a steamed bun, which he handed to the servant so he could have a good rest.
The servant was indeed starving. He wolfed down the steamed bun, drank a couple of sips of water, and only then did his emotions calm down a little.
"I am the young master's servant. In the past, when we came to Hainan Island, the steward always escorted the ship with guards..."
The typhoon had just passed, and the young master insisted on coming; he had never been to Hainan Island before...
Who would have thought we'd encounter such a massive typhoon...
It was bigger than any typhoon before; the cargo ship capsized, and everyone fell into the water...
The guards swam and rescued me and the steward, but the young master and two other guards have disappeared without a trace...
The typhoon was too strong to reach the shore. Now that the eye of the storm has shifted, we've barely managed to climb ashore, and that's why I'm here to ask you for help...
The rest of the people were either in the water or on the shore searching...
The Song brothers understood the gist of what the servant had said.
As expected, the cargo ship the servant was on was the one that landed on the island twice a month, transporting goods from Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian.
The abbot mentioned that the temple's initial construction was funded by a donation from this merchant...
With money and boats, the stones and tiles needed for the temple's construction could be transported from the surrounding land...
It is precisely because of ensuring quality that it has been able to withstand typhoons for so many years.
The abbot also mentioned that the merchants donate a sum of money every year as a way of praying for blessings during their sea voyages...
Even bystanders, given the Song family's understanding of the abbot, wouldn't stand idly by...
Moreover, they are a family that has always supported the temple.
"Does the benefactor want our help in finding your young master?"
The abbot spoke slowly.
The servant's eyes were red and swollen. "Master, we really have no other choice. We've searched for so long, but we still can't find it..."
Worried that if this delay continued, and given that the young master couldn't swim, things might become even more dangerous...
I have no choice but to seek help from the abbot. I hope the abbot will not be offended...
The abbot raised his hand, looked up at the sky to sense the change in wind force, and said to the disciple beside him, "You stay in the temple and keep watch over our junior brother. I'll go out with this benefactor to take a look..."
"Master..."
"Master, I'll go!"
......
The monks spoke one after another, and were gently comforted by the abbot.
Before leaving with the servant, the abbot bid farewell to the Song brothers, saying, "I'll go out with this young benefactor to take a look first..."
Many thanks to the benefactors who helped protect the temple. Without them, the Buddha's golden statue might not have been preserved intact...
You may rest here for now. If anything happens, feel free to consult with my disciples; they will do their best to help..."
Upon hearing this, the Song family had a vague sense of foreboding.
So, Song Chenghou and Song Chengjian exchanged a glance and nodded. Song Chenghou then spoke:
"Abbot, the situation outside is unclear. If you go out rashly, you may get hurt..."
Song Chengjian looked up at the wall beneath the giant tree and added, "Abbot, although there are walls inside the hall that seem to block the wind..."
However, there are many risks on the mountain. This tree is extremely heavy, and the wall is at risk of collapsing at any moment...
Now that the eye of the storm has shifted, why don't we go out together...?
If there is danger, then find another place to take temporary shelter. This place may not be safer than outside...
Hearing what the Song brothers said, the abbot looked around, did not immediately reject the proposal, and accepted Song Chengjian's suggestion.
The servant overheard that so many people, mostly young and strong, wanted to leave...
A fleeting look of joy crossed his eyes, but also a hint of guilt.
The road that Lao Ba opened up was led by him.
The third brother carried his eldest brother on his back, the tenth brother carried his second brother on his back, and they followed closely behind.
The sixth brother stayed with the group in case anyone got hurt.
The seventh monk held Wen Shishi in his arms, while the other monks each held a young novice monk, protecting them tightly in their embrace...
To prevent residual wind from carrying debris and injuring the children.
The monk helped the abbot, made sure no one was left behind, and then left the main hall with the servant.
Looking back at the reclining Buddha statue, the abbot uttered "Amitabha" and instructed his disciples to close the temple door.
After struggling to exit the temple gate, everyone stood on the beach and saw that the once turquoise seawater had turned grayish-brown...
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