Time flows on, and the autumn wind blows gently.
In the outskirts of the capital, a mountain stands quietly. Looking into the distance, the forests are ablaze with color, a vibrant tapestry of hues, like a meticulously painted landscape painting, a breathtaking sight.
High up, shrouded in mist, the outline of a mountain temple can be seen intermittently.
This is a famous scenic spot in the capital city.
The mountain is named "In This Mountain".
The temple is named "Yunshen Temple".
The name is quite interesting.
It is said that the "this" in "this mountain" does not refer to a specific mountain, but rather to a place where the soul can find peace and forget worldly troubles.
When the mind is clear and open, then this mountain and that mountain are both places we come from, places we pass through, and places we return to.
The temple's name seems to have a specific meaning: "Yun" signifies unpredictability, and "Shen" signifies profound and immeasurable depth.
Life is like a cloud, ever-changing and unpredictable, and the path of cultivation is to find the unchanging amidst all changes.
The meaning of "deep clouds" is that no matter how the world changes, one's mind is clear and transparent, just like the clouds in the mountains, which can gather and take shape, or disperse with the wind, transcending the world and going wherever it pleases.
Whether it was the breathtaking mountain scenery or the profound philosophical meaning behind the mountain's name, over time, this place became a popular tourist attraction that drew huge crowds.
The secluded temple nestled in the mountains is shrouded in mystery, attracting countless tourists from afar who come seeking wealth, marriage, or peace.
It's late autumn now, the perfect time for hiking.
At dawn, just as the sky was breaking, a number of tourists had already gathered at the foot of the mountain.
Roadside vendors had already set up their stalls, displaying various prayer plaques with red ribbons fluttering in the wind, creating a magnificent sight.
Several girls carrying backpacks and holding hiking poles gathered around a stall, their faces beaming with excitement as they chattered incessantly.
A cute girl with her hair in a bun asked with bright eyes, "Boss, does the boss have a sign that guarantees I'll wake up tomorrow with a line of handsome men?"
Another girl looked at her with disdain: "Tch, you have no ambition. How can a sacred Buddhist site bless such vulgar and crude wishes as yours? Listen to me."
"Does the boss have a blessing plaque for passing all exams, including civil service exams, postgraduate entrance exams, and government job exams, so that everyone can pass on their first try?"
Another girl with a high ponytail laughed, "It's a good thing you don't have to take the college entrance exam. Why don't you ask Buddha to bless you so that you can get 760 out of 750?"
The girl was taken aback: "The full score is only 750, how did you get 760?"
"I'll add another 10 points for your stupidity."
The girl's eyes widened instantly, then she bared her fangs and pounced on her companion, pinching her sensitive spot.
Amidst their playful banter, several girls created a lively and boisterous atmosphere.
The stall owner was a kind-looking auntie who watched them play around with a smile.
In the midst of their shoving, the girl with the bun hair suddenly bumped into something, and the girl with the high ponytail quickly pulled her up, playfully scolding her:
"Hey, watch your step, you bumped into the lady behind you."
The girl with the bun hurriedly straightened her clothes, turned around quickly, and bowed in apology.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"I didn't mean to, I'm really sorry."
A gentle voice came from above, like a babbling brook, soothing the heart.
"It doesn't matter."
The girl paused for a moment, then looked up, her eyes suddenly lighting up.
The woman before me had eyebrows like a crescent moon and eyes like autumn water. She wore a moon-white cheongsam that perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.
Her long, flowing black hair, reaching her waist, danced in the wind, revealing an ethereal beauty, like a fairy from the moon palace, untouched by worldly dust, making everything around her appear even more serene and beautiful.
The girl's eyes shone as she murmured, "Sister, you're so beautiful..."
Lin Qingyi's delicate eyebrows curved slightly, and she chuckled softly, "Thank you, you're very beautiful too."
The girl blushed slightly at the compliment, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and hurriedly stepped aside.
"Well, sister, you go first."
Lin Qingyi looked up at her companions, and the girls nodded in agreement.
"Sister, you go first, we want to choose a little longer."
Lin Qingyi didn't stand on ceremony any longer. She took a step forward with ease, her every move exuding composure and elegance.
The stall owner's eyes lit up when she looked at Lin Qingyi, who was as beautiful as a poem or painting.
With a smile, he asked, "Miss, what brand would you like to choose?"
Lin Qingyi answered softly, "Peaceful Talisman."
The aunt wiped her slightly rough hands on her apron and handed over a prayer plaque that read "May everything go smoothly, and may you have peace and joy."
The simple yet auspicious words make it the most popular peace charm at the stall.
Lin Qingyi lowered her gaze slightly, scanning the prayer plaques on the stall, and finally her eyes settled on a corner, her slender finger pointing to that prayer plaque.
It reads, "Get well soon and be free from pain."
I'll choose this one.
The aunt paused for a moment, because usually people who choose this brand are those who have close relatives with serious and incurable illnesses.
However, the aunt still smiled and handed over the sign, offering her heartfelt blessings: "May all your wishes come true, and may your loved ones be safe and sound."
Lin Qingyi accepted the prayer plaque with both hands, said thank you, paid the money, and turned to leave.
After she walked away, a few girls who were still gathered around the stall sighed with emotion.
"That lady was so pretty and had such a great presence."
"Yeah, I used to think that the idea of fairies descending to earth was an exaggeration, but now I know it's real."
"But she prayed for a safe recovery from her illness; I don't know for whom she prayed for it."
"Hmm, I guess it's her lover."
...
The mountain path winds its way through the stone steps, flanked by ancient pine trees, some leaning, some standing upright, their branches strong and powerful, their needles a deep green, as if telling a story of a thousand years.
A few rays of sunlight occasionally peek through the branches and leaves, casting golden light onto the ancient stone steps, adding a touch of warmth and brightness.
Lin Qingyi walked at a leisurely pace, attracting the attention of passersby with her beautiful face and unique temperament.
She ignored this, simply holding the prayer plaque in her hand, and climbed the mountain step by step, reaching the summit in about an hour.
The mountaintop was shrouded in mist, as if covered by a light veil, and the distant mountains appeared and disappeared, their outlines soft and mysterious.
Yun Shen Temple is nestled among dense mountain forests, with ancient trees reaching for the sky and vines entwining it, giving people a sense of being far away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
The temple's architecture is simple and elegant, with its red walls and gray tiles appearing particularly harmonious against the backdrop of autumn colors.
The monks, dressed in grey robes, moved nimbly between the halls, carrying out their daily spiritual practices.
Tourists and believers sat or stood, meditating and praying in the tranquil atmosphere.
The entire temple gives people a sense of inner peace, as if they were in a fairyland.
Lin Qingyi took the incense from the monk's hand, held the lit incense in her slender hand, and gently closed her eyes.
Amidst the rising smoke, her delicate face revealed pure devotion.
He then bowed deeply before the main hall and placed the incense sticks in his hands into the censer.
"In blue robes."
Just then, a soft call came from behind her.
As she turned around, a woman in plain clothes stood behind her, her eyes slightly lowered, showing neither joy nor sorrow.
That was... Gu Junci.
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