On the train, He Jun and Liu Changqing chatted about all sorts of things. Most of the time, He Jun was recounting his experiences, while Liu Changqing listened attentively.
The next day, the train passed through tunnels and bridges and finally arrived in Wudang County, Hubei Province. The two of them, along with Liu Feng, couldn't wait to get off the train and traveled all the way to Wudang Mountain.
Wudang Mountain, a sacred place full of legends, is famous for its reputation as "the four famous mountains all bow in reverence, and the five sacred peaks pay homage to it".
People even hailed it as "an unparalleled scenic spot since ancient times, the number one immortal mountain under heaven!"
This mountain range spans eight hundred li in circumference, with seventy-two majestic peaks, thirty-six sheer cliffs, and twenty-four babbling brooks...
Every scenic spot was captivating, making them linger and reluctant to leave. They finally arrived at the foot of one of the mountains.
A flat basin is surrounded by mountains, with a Taoist temple standing in the middle. Surrounded by green mountains and winding streams, it blends into the surrounding natural scenery, like a bright pearl in a place where nature bestows its finest beauty.
They arrived at the temple gate, where the ancient gate stood open, as if waiting for their arrival.
Looking up, you can see the three large characters "Qingfeng Temple" on the plaque above the gate, shining brightly in the sunlight. The calligraphy is elegant and graceful, like the traces of a gentle breeze in the mountains.
The couplets on both sides read, “A wisp of spiritual energy lingers on the carefree path; a gentle breeze brings a tranquil state of mind for cultivating one’s true self.” The words convey the Taoist sense of detachment and serenity, as if guiding people toward a path leading to inner peace.
Thirteen years ago, someone funded the construction of Qingfeng Temple.
In that turbulent era, the old Taoist priest not only descended the mountain to save countless lives, but also taught martial arts such as Tai Chi to the soldiers fighting against the Japanese, enabling them to shine on the battlefield and achieve numerous feats.
After they became successful, they were deeply grateful for the old Taoist priest's kindness and wanted to repay him in various ways.
However, the old Taoist priest was a man who was indifferent to fame and fortune, regarding money and fame as fleeting clouds.
He originally practiced asceticism at Zixiao Palace on Wudang Mountain, but in order to seek inner peace and avoid worldly disturbances, he chose to live in seclusion here.
This place is known only to the Wudang sect and a very small number of people, and He Jun is one of them.
In his early years, when He Jun was recuperating, he followed the old Taoist priest to this place and personally dug up many rare medicinal herbs.
At that time, Qingfeng Temple was in ruins, having endured countless years. Only two or three stone houses remained, requiring some repairs before they could be inhabited.
The old Taoist priest was well-versed in feng shui. He saw that this place was sheltered from the wind and gathered the spiritual energy of the mountains, making it an excellent sacred place for cultivation and enlightenment.
That's why he decided to move here and live a secluded life.
When He Jun returned to this land, the Qingfeng Temple before him had been completely transformed, unlike its former dilapidated and desolate state.
Clearly, someone has poured a lot of effort and energy into the design and renovation.
The Taoist temple's main color scheme is brown walls and black tiles. It has no excessive decorations or intricate carvings and paintings, yet it exudes a simple and elegant atmosphere.
The green mountains remain verdant, and the clear waters still flow gently. The Taoist temple blends harmoniously with the natural environment, as if one were in a landscape painting, allowing one to feel a transcendent tranquility and freshness.
Witnessing the dramatic changes at the Taoist temple, He Jun felt a surge of indescribable emotion.
Just as they were about to knock on the door, a handsome young Taoist priest of about fourteen or fifteen years old came out and said with a smile, "My ancestor has been waiting for a long time. Please come in, honored guest!"
He Jun asked in confusion, "Young Taoist priest, how did your ancestor know we were coming?"
The young Taoist priest shook his head and replied, "I don't know either. You can ask my ancestor later."
This young Taoist priest is named Tongmiao, and he is the most outstanding disciple of the Wudang Taoist Master. He is intelligent from a young age and was arranged to come here to cultivate under the patriarch, hoping that he could inherit the Wudang Taoist lineage in the future.
Led by the young Taoist priest, Liu Changqing carried his son on his back and followed closely behind He Jun, step by step climbing the stone steps and passing through the gate of the Taoist temple.
Inside the gate, ancient trees reach for the sky, lush and green, and a faint fragrance permeates the air, refreshing and soothing, as if it can purify the dust from one's soul.
The three of them entered the living room and saw an old Taoist priest with white hair and beard sitting in meditation with his eyes closed, as if he were one with heaven and earth.
He Jun stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the old Taoist priest, and said, "How is Master Zhang? He Jun has come to pay his respects!"
The old Taoist priest slowly opened his eyes, his gaze subdued. He carefully observed He Jun before recognizing his old friend whom he hadn't seen for many years.
He hurriedly stood up, his voice revealing surprise: "Brother He, it really is you! I had a feeling today that someone destined to be with me was about to arrive, but I never expected it to be you."
“It’s me, Master Zhang! You still have white hair and a youthful face, while I’ve grown old.” He Jun replied, both surprised and delighted.
The two looked at each other, their eyes reflecting the vicissitudes of time and emotions. Now that they had reunited, it felt as if they had returned to those years.
The three people took their seats in the living room, which was decorated in a simple and elegant style, with some Taoist ritual implements and books on display.
Liu Changqing gently placed two carefully packaged tea bags on the table.
Hearing that He Jun mentioned the old Taoist priest's fondness for tea, he specially brought a pound of Yiyang Maojian tea from his hometown as a gift.
Seeing this, the old Taoist priest pointed to the tea leaves on the table, frowned slightly, and said, "Brother He, what is the meaning of this?"
He Jun smiled slightly and explained, "Please don't be offended, Daoist. This is a local specialty tea from my hometown. It's nothing special, just a token of my respect."
"I have come to visit you today because I have an important matter to ask of you, Master," He Jun said frankly, and then gave a detailed account of Liu Feng's situation.
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