Chapter 322 Master Abbot
The three of them followed the young monk and slowly walked into the thousand-year-old temple shrouded in moonlight.
The temple was completely silent, with only the faint sound of chanting and the lingering aroma of incense coming from deep within the main hall.
The rich and quiet sandalwood, lingering and refreshing, seems to have a strange power that can soothe all restlessness and anxiety.
The cold moonlight shines in the courtyard, illuminating the rows of majestic palaces with flying eaves and brackets.
Like a sleeping ancient beast, it exudes an awe-inspiring solemnity.
The young monk walked briskly, leading them through several quiet halls and corridors, and finally came to an even more quiet courtyard at the back of the temple.
Outside a simple Zen room, the young monk stopped and gently knocked on the door.
"Master, the distinguished guest has arrived." The young monk reported respectfully.
An old but unusually calm and soothing voice came from inside the door: "Please come in."
The young monk gently pushed open the door of the meditation room, stepped aside to invite Wen Li'er and the other two in, then he saluted eleven times again and quietly left.
The furnishings in the Zen room are extremely simple, with just a couch, a table, and a few cushions.
An old monk with white beard and gaunt face was sitting cross-legged on a cushion in the main seat, wearing a cassock that had been washed so much that it looked white.
He placed his hands on his knees with a seal, his eyes slightly closed, and his breath was long, as if he had merged into this quiet Zen room.
Wen Li'er clasped her hands together, bowed deeply to the old monk, and spoke apologetically.
"Master Abbot, I am sorry to disturb you at this hour, disturbing your quiet meditation. I am truly rude and sinful. But... but my husband is about to go on a long journey, heading into a dangerous situation. My brother and sister-in-law are also in danger, their lives uncertain. I am filled with worry and anxiety, tossing and turning. I only hope that before my husband leaves, I can obtain a talisman for him and his brother and sister-in-law to comfort my heart... That is why I have the courage to come here so late at night. I sincerely hope that Master will be merciful and grant this."
The old abbot slowly opened his eyes.
Although he was already in his old age, with deep wrinkles on his face that recorded the long years, his eyes were unusually clear and bright, like the still water in a deep pool, containing the wisdom and compassion that saw through the world.
His gaze fell gently on Wen Li'er. He didn't ask any questions, but nodded slightly. He took out a brocade bag made of bright yellow satin that he had prepared long ago from his wide sleeves and handed it to Wen Li'er.
"Your sincerity is truly moving. I have prepared this talisman for you."
His voice was like the morning bell in an ancient temple, deep and distant, with the power to calm people's hearts.
Wen Li'er was surprised and delighted. She hurriedly took a few steps forward and took the brocade bag, which still had a hint of warmth, with both hands very respectfully.
"Thank you, Master Abbot." She held the brocade bag tightly in her palm and pressed it against her chest, as if the small object could give her great courage.
The old abbot looked at her pious appearance, with a faint smile showing his insight into the world on his face.
"Your heart is pure and kind, your heart is full of love, and you were born into a family that has accumulated virtue for generations, so you are blessed with great fortune. With your sincere prayers and the protection of the Dharma, your loved ones will surely be able to turn misfortune into good fortune, and have a safe journey home."
When Wen Li'er heard this, the heavy worry that was pressing on her heart like a huge rock seemed to be gently brushed away by an invisible hand.
She heaved a long sigh of relief: "Thanks to the abbot's good wishes, when my husband and brother and sister-in-law return safely, I will definitely come to the temple again and worship the Buddha with sincerity to thank the Buddha and the master for their protection." She bowed deeply in gratitude again.
The old abbot still had a smile on his face. He clasped his hands together and chanted softly, "Amitabha, well done, well done."
Just as Wen Li'er was about to say goodbye, the old abbot spoke again.
"Female donor,"
His eyes were deep, as if he could see through the time and space before him, and he slowly chanted a verse:
"The body is like a bodhi tree, the mind is like a bright mirror."
"The smoke of war illuminates the heart and the lotus blossoms through the barriers."
"When compassion arises, all karma disappears."
"The returning sail saves the bitter sea, and the bright moon will shine upon you as you return."
Wen Li'er held her breath and listened attentively.
After the abbot finished reciting, he looked at her calmly.
"Please, female donor, tell this verse to your husband."
Wen Li'er was shocked.
Abbot...does he really know who her husband is?
She felt more and more that this master had eyes that could see through everything.
But when I think about the fact that the other party is the abbot of Huguo Temple, I feel that it is just as it should be.
The words he specifically conveyed to the emperor were by no means ordinary.
This may be a proverb with deep meaning and concerning safety.
Wen Li'er recited it silently in her mind several times, making sure that she remembered every word without any mistakes, and then she bowed deeply to the abbot again solemnly.
"I will remember the Master's instructions and will convey them to my husband word for word. Thank you for the Master's instructions. I will take my leave."
The old abbot nodded with a smile and clasped his hands together again.
"Everything has its own destiny. Donors, please take your time."
Wen Li'er, Qiu Ying and Hua Zhan, left the Zen room with awe and gratitude.
On the way down the mountain, Wen Li'er's tense mind relaxed a little, but a vague thought came to her mind.
She suddenly stopped and looked at the two people beside her with some confusion.
"Hua Zhan, Qiu Ying, do you feel...that the abbot just now...especially those eyes, look familiar? Like I've seen them somewhere before?"
Upon hearing this, Hua Zhan carefully recalled the abbot's appearance and shook his head hesitantly.
"My Lord, this servant...doesn't look familiar to me."
Qiuying frowned slightly, as if thinking about something.
"Looking at those eyes, I do feel a sense of déjà vu."
After hearing what Qiuying said, Hua Zhan couldn't help but try hard to search his memory.
"Now that you mention it... I think about it again, it seems... somewhat familiar..."
But the three of them racked their brains and could not remember where they had seen this enlightened monk who looked to be at least ninety years old.
Before Wen Li'er entered the palace, she often accompanied her mother to the Huguo Temple to burn incense, but she clearly remembered that she had never had the honor of meeting the abbot.
How could ordinary pilgrims easily see the abbot of Huguo Temple?
"Where...have I seen him before?" she muttered to herself, frowning.
However, time was running out and she had no time to think about it.
"Forget it, the most important thing is to go back to the palace first!" She suppressed the doubts in her heart and walked quickly to where the horses were tied.
Get on the horse again.
Wen Li'er endured the pain all over her body. Under the protection of Hua Zhan and Qiu Ying, the three of them spurred their horses again and set off on the road back to the palace.
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(Wow… I really wanted to curse today. I was about to post something, but after posting a chapter, my computer screen went black. I fiddled with it for over ten minutes with no luck, then I figured I could post on my phone. I’ll go get my computer fixed tomorrow (｀⌒′メ)(╬◣д◢)(▼皿▼#) )
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