Chapter 1019 Old Immortal
Wen Jiucheng returned to the inn smoothly.
Shang Kui could finally relax when he saw that he had returned safely.
Wen Jiucheng did not say what he did this time, and Shang Kui tactfully did not ask any further questions.
After the Yulin Guards led the spies around the city twice, they all returned to the inn. At this point, the spies knew that they had been tricked, but what could they do now? They could only endure it.
Early the next morning, Wen Jiucheng and Shang Kui rode to Zizai Temple.
Since today is the fifteenth day of the lunar month, Zizai Temple not only held a Dharma assembly, but also provided free vegetarian meals. There were a lot of pilgrims visiting Zizai Temple.
Even though Wen Jiucheng and Shang Kui went out early on purpose, they still couldn't avoid the peak period. The Taoist temple was crowded inside and outside. Fortunately, the local government had anticipated this and sent people in advance to maintain order.
There were soldiers watching nearby, so everyone was quite well behaved. The atmosphere was lively but not noisy.
Wen Jiucheng and Shang Kui walked around the Taoist temple and found that there were people everywhere.
The bell rang slowly, reminding everyone that the ceremony was about to begin.
The Dharma Assembly is held in the square in front of the main hall.
Pilgrims flocked to the square and looked for a place to sit. Those who were more particular would bring a futon or a small mat, while those who were not so particular would just sit on the ground. There were men, women, young and old, and everywhere you looked it was filled with people.
There is a wooden platform at the front.
At this time, the old immortal was sitting on the stage.
There was an incense burner in front of him, with smoke rising from the incense sticks in the burner.
Behind him was the main hall gate, with four large characters "Free and Peaceful" hung on it.
The old immortal was wearing a loose Taoist robe with a white base and gray edges, with wide sleeves hanging down at his sides, and holding a white jade whisk in his hand.
His hair had turned gray, and he had a long white beard, even his eyebrows were white, but his face was wrinkle-free, and he looked rosy and energetic.
His eyes were slightly narrowed, with a little smile on the corners of his mouth. He looked very relaxed and at ease, which was quite consistent with the four words on the plaque behind him. He really had a bit of immortal temperament.
Shang Kui saw this scene from afar and couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"This old deity is quite good at pretending."
Wen Jiucheng put his hands in his sleeves, squinted at the old immortal sitting on the high platform, and no one knew what he was thinking.
When the bell rang three times in succession, the ceremony officially began.
The old immortal opened his eyes and slowly began to speak Taoism.
He is different from those ordinary Taoists who like to act mysterious. The Taoism he teaches is easy to understand and it is easy for people to feel involved. As they listen to him, they will involuntarily identify with his words.
This can be seen from the reactions of the pilgrims present.
Except for the children who were too young to understand, almost everyone was attracted by the Taoist teachings of the old immortal.
They all listened quietly with bated breath.
Some people will nod while listening, thinking that what the old immortal said is very right. Some people will even have a look of sudden enlightenment on their faces, as if the problems that have been pent up in their hearts have finally been solved, as if they have suddenly been enlightened. Some particularly emotional people will even shed tears while listening.
Even Shang Kui, who had originally been dismissive, was fascinated by what he heard.
It wasn't until Wen Jiucheng called him that he came to his senses.
He turned his head to look at Wen Jiucheng who was standing next to him, his expression still a little dazed.
"Mr. called me?"
Wen Jiucheng said calmly: "Well, let's go over there."
As he spoke, he pulled his right hand out of his sleeve and pointed at a person sitting in the corridor not far away.
Shang Kui looked over and was stunned when he saw the person sitting there clearly.
"Why is he here?"
The person sitting in the corridor was the local county magistrate Jian Shujie.
He was not wearing official uniform today and was dressed quite low-key. He was listening attentively to the old immortal's explanation of Taoism, and it seemed that he was listening quite seriously.
When Shang Kui and Wen Jiucheng came over, the servant behind them bent down and whispered a reminder to Jian Shujie.
When Jian Shujie saw Shang Kui and Wen Jiucheng, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
He stood up and asked: "Why are General Shang and Mr. Wen here too?"
Shang Kui first clasped his fists and bowed, then spoke.
"We heard that there was a Dharma Assembly being held at Zizai Temple today, so we came here to join in the fun. We didn't expect to run into Magistrate Jian here. What a coincidence!"
As he was afraid of disturbing others who were listening to the old immortal's explanation of Taoism, Jian Shujie suggested taking them to the side room to sit for a while.
The group went to the private rooms in the backyard specially prepared for distinguished guests.
This room was decorated very elegantly, and there was a special Taoist boy who brought them tea and snacks.
Wen Jiucheng silently observed everything here. The fact that he could own such a good room here showed that the people in the Taoist temple knew his identity. In addition, he seemed very familiar with this place, and the little Taoist boy was also quite familiar with some of his habits. He must be a frequent visitor here.
Jian Shujie pushed two cups of hot tea over.
Wen Jiucheng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and praised the tea for being good.
Jian Shujie smiled and said, "This tea is a treasure of an old immortal. You can't drink it in ordinary places. Only in Zizai Temple can you drink it."
Shang Kui didn't know much about tea, so he sighed when he heard the words.
"So you came all the way to Zizaiguan just to drink tea!"
Unexpectedly, Jian Shujie smiled bitterly and said, "I came here to drink tea just for fun. I mainly want to pray to the gods to bless my wife and hope that she will get better soon."
Shang Kui was stunned: "Is your wife sick?"
Jian Shujie sighed, his tone melancholy and depressed.
"Yes, my wife suddenly fell ill not long ago. We consulted many famous doctors but to no avail. I really have no other options but to pray to the gods and Buddhas. I hope that God will see my sincerity and give my wife a glimmer of hope."
Shang Kui suddenly realized: "So that's how it is!"
Wen Jiucheng: "Why don't you ask the imperial physician to take a look at your wife, sir?"
Jian Shujie: "The imperial physician is a doctor for the royal family, how can he be easily invited? Moreover, my wife is now too ill to get out of bed, and the doctor said she must rest and recuperate. She cannot travel far, so even if I want to take her to Shengjing to ask the imperial physician for treatment, I can't do that."
The more he spoke, the more depressed he became, with a sad face.
Shang Kui didn't know what to do and could only say something to comfort him symbolically.
"Don't worry too much. Good luck will come to you. I'm sure your wife will get better."
Jian Shujie forced a smile and said, "Then I'll take your kind words."
The three chatted about something else.
The little Taoist boy came over to remind them that the ceremony was over and the old immortal would be here soon.
Jian Shujie thanked him with a smile, and his attitude was very kind, without any airs of a third-rank official.
After the little Taoist boy left, Jian Shujie explained to Shang Kui and Wen Jiucheng.
"In order to pray for my wife, I come here on the first and fifteenth day of every month to burn incense and listen to the old immortal explain Taoism.
The more often I came here, the more I became familiar with the old immortal.
After each Dharma Assembly, I would chat with the old immortal alone and listen to him talk about Taoism.
It's just a coincidence that I met you here today, why don't you stay and chat with the old immortal?"
Shang Kui and Wen Jiucheng originally came for the old immortal, so they naturally agreed when they heard this.
…
My computer broke down today and I can't type. I spent a long time fixing it myself. I accidentally acquired a skill in computer repair hhh.
I don't want to stay up late, so I'll update this chapter tonight and the remaining two chapters will be updated tomorrow, muah~
Although I only updated one chapter tonight, because it is the last day of this month, I still want to shamelessly ask for monthly votes.
It’s the last day. If you don’t use the monthly ticket, it will expire!
Xianyu needs your monthly ticket support!
(End of this chapter)
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