According to the middle-aged man, this is indeed a branch of the Qingyun Sect.
Moreover, this Taoist temple was only built and put into use for a little over a month, so not many people know about it. Most of the people who come here are repeat customers, and there are many "repeat customers".
When Jing Zhe inquired about the reason, the middle-aged man looked around cautiously and said, "Most people who come here have something to ask for, so naturally they have to offer incense to the Bodhisattva. If you want it to be effective, the incense money must be substantial, which ordinary people cannot afford. So it's normal that the people who come here are either rich or noble, and there are many repeat customers."
After saying that, he didn't forget to adjust his clothes.
Jing Zhe understood and quickly clapped his hands, saying, "No wonder you have such an extraordinary and refined air about you, Brother!"
The middle-aged man waved his hand and smiled, "It's alright, it's alright..."
"However, I recall that the Qingyun Sect no longer deals with matters concerning Taoist temples? This is..."
"So," the middle-aged man explained, pointing, "this Taoist temple can't be built in Jiangling, much less in Jingzhou. It can only be built in this desolate wilderness. If it weren't for someone's introduction, who would have found this remote place?"
Besides, Qingyun Sect has only become one of the four major sects in the last ten years. They started as a Taoist temple, so isn't it normal for them to open several more temples for people to pray to gods and Buddhas?
After listening to him finish speaking, Jing Zhe nodded.
Looking through the gate, one could see a huge stone statue of a Bodhisattva standing in the center of the large courtyard, dressed in a Taoist robe and holding a whisk, looking majestic.
It was just different from the bodhisattvas he had seen in TV dramas. The bodhisattvas in his mind were ethereal and otherworldly, while this bodhisattva had a chivalrous air about him.
People coming out of the main hall of the Taoist temple will kneel down and kowtow devoutly when they pass by the Bodhisattva, and then leave happily.
Seeing this, Jing Zhe asked curiously, "Which Bodhisattva are they worshipping?"
"Within the Qingyun Sect, it is naturally the Qingyun Bodhisattva!"
"..."
I thought it was some proper Bodhisattva, but it turns out it's a Bodhisattva created by a sect itself. No wonder it looks so awkward.
"Is this Qingyun Bodhisattva... efficacious?"
"have no idea."
"..."
The middle-aged man's answer was straightforward, leaving Jing Zhe completely dumbfounded.
You don't even know if it's effective or not, yet you dare to come all this way to send incense money?
Are they stupid and rich?
Seeing his puzzled expression, the middle-aged man said smugly, "The master said that you must offer incense to the Bodhisattva every day for forty-nine days for it to be effective!"
"Excuse me for asking..."
Jing Zhe whispered, "Brother, you don't even know if this Bodhisattva is efficacious or not, so how dare you offer incense to him?"
The middle-aged man patted Jing Zhe on the shoulder and laughed loudly: "Young brother, you'll know everything once you enter the Taoist temple!"
After saying that, he strode outside.
...
Logically speaking, we should be busy traveling now, not wasting a single moment, so that we can arrive in Jingzhou as early as possible tonight.
But the middle-aged man's words successfully piqued his curiosity, and he said to Hanhan, "Let's go in and take a look. If the Bodhisattva is efficacious, let's also pray for my sister and the brothers on the mountain to be safe and sound!"
Upon hearing Jing Zhe say that he was praying for the brothers on the mountain, Hanhan agreed without hesitation, tied the carriage to a tree, and went inside together.
In the courtyard, the Bodhisattva of Azure Clouds stands tall.
Besides its chivalrous style, another distinctive feature of this statue is that a small portion of the lotus flower beneath it is buried in the soil, with a hole about the size of a child's fist in the center. People entering the Taoist temple would throw silver into the hole, kneel and worship, and then be led into a side hall by a young Taoist priest.
People coming out of the main hall would pause outside, looking at the statues and sighing softly.
"The Bodhisattva Qingyun has indeed grown!"
"That's right! When we came a few days ago, only half of the lotus was showing, but now most of it is out!"
"It seems the master was right. When the forty-nine days are completed and all the lotus flowers have bloomed, that will be the day the Bodhisattva manifests his power!"
"The master also said that sincerity is key, and the incense offered to the Bodhisattva must not be cut off!"
As they spoke, the group once again took out silver coins and threw them into the lotus cave, looking very devout. While they were doing all this, a young Taoist priest was with them, his eyes showing joy.
Jing Zhe stared thoughtfully at the lotus flower beneath the seat of the Azure Cloud Bodhisattva.
Then, pulling Hanhan along, he said, "Come on, let's go inside and take a look!"
Perhaps because it was already afternoon, there were very few new people coming to pray; most of them were people who had finished praying and were preparing to leave.
Jing Zhe had only taken a couple of steps when he was stopped. Staring at the young Taoist priest blocking their way, he asked suspiciously, "Why has this fellow Taoist stopped us?"
The young Taoist priest smiled and asked, "What is your purpose, benefactor?"
"We come here to pray for blessings."
"To pray for blessings, there's no need to enter the temple; just pray to the Bodhisattva Qingyun!"
"Then... I would like to seek guidance from a master!"
As he spoke, Jing Zhe pointed towards the main hall.
"My master only guides those who are sincere; as for you, benefactor, hehe..."
The young Taoist priest chuckled and said nothing more.
"Sincere..."
Jing Zhe pondered for a moment and immediately understood.
What sincerity? It's clearly just asking him to spend money to offer incense to the Qingyun Bodhisattva!
The simpleton next to him nudged him and said, "Young chieftain, now that we've entered the Taoist temple, it's only right that we offer incense to the Bodhisattva."
But Jing Zhe made no move to take out any money.
Based on what he heard and saw, he judged that this was not a proper Taoist temple, but rather a place to swindle money.
Do we have to wait for forty-nine days to pray for blessings?
It seems that by the forty-eighth day, these Taoist priests will have knocked down the so-called Qingyun Bodhisattva and run away with the money!
Trying to scam his money?
dream!
He then said solemnly, "Go and tell your master that Master Han, a former disciple of the Qingyun Sect, requests an audience!"
"..."
...
After the Qingyun Sect's name was announced, the young Taoist priests' expressions changed drastically.
Someone led him into the side hall, while someone else went into the main hall to announce his arrival.
Before long, a portly Taoist priest, dressed in a sky-blue robe and holding a whisk, ran out, guided by the young Taoist priest.
When he saw the young, handsome Jing Zhe, he was momentarily stunned.
This is... Master Han?
She's younger than me!
Could he be a fraudster?
"How come I've never seen you before?"
Before he could speak, Jing Zhe preemptively struck.
"..."
The fat Taoist priest was dumbfounded again, like a fake meeting the real deal, clearly intimidated by Jing Zhe's genuine aura.
The young Taoist priest next to him quickly reminded him, "This Master Han introduced himself as a former disciple of the Qingyun Sect!"
The word "abandoned disciple" was emphasized.
The fat Taoist priest's eyes lit up, and he asked cautiously, "May I ask in what year Master Han left the sect?"
"Let me think...it was probably two or three years ago!"
Jing Zhe pinched his chin, looking enigmatic.
"I see!"
The fat Taoist clapped his hands: "I only started as a disciple two years ago. Master Han had already left the sect two years ago, so it's normal that he hasn't seen me!"
Then he smiled and said, "However, I have heard of Master Han's name, but I never expected to meet him here today. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"..."
————
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
