Chapter 206 The storm is coming
Chapter 206 The storm is coming
There is a Yangquan Mountain about sixteen or seventeen miles southwest of the capital.
There is a quiet and secluded Taoist temple on the mountain, which was built by Lan Daoxing's direct disciple and is also called Chaotian Temple.
The spiritual official in the hall has a long red beard, wears a red robe and golden armor, his third eye is wide open, he holds a steel whip in his right hand and a fire wheel in his left hand.
"Isolate yourself from the world of mortals and escape into the mysterious realm."
Liu Zhengfeng clasped his hands in front of his chest, with his left hand covering his right hand, like a pair of yin and yang fish. His body was bent into a crescent shape, and he made a round bow in such a serious manner. His etiquette of worshipping gods was more natural and refined than that of many Taoist children who had just entered the Taoist temple.
"Master, what kind of god is this?"
"Wang E, the Great Spiritual Officer of the Capital Heaven, whose full name is the First General of the Innate Realm... the Three-Five Fire Trains of the Loyal Guardian of Dao... the Heavenly Lord Wang, whose power and spirit are revealed."
Xiang Danian sincerely admired: "Master, you are very knowledgeable and experienced. I cannot even compare to you."
On top of Mount Heng, in addition to the most famous Hengshan School, there are also many pavilions, temples and shrines of the three religions.
Liu Zhengfeng is a wealthy man in Hengshan. He has contacts with friends from all over the world, but he prefers the peaceful and carefree Taoism in his heart. He is a close friend of the abbot of Xiao Temple in Huangxian Temple, whom he has known since childhood. This time he came to visit Chaotian Temple with the abbot's letter of recommendation.
Liu Zhengfeng laughed and said, "Isn't there something written on the tribute tablet of the temple?"
Looking at Da Nian, I couldn't help but laugh.
On the left side of the temple, there is a little Taoist boy holding a copper plate, asking believers to burn incense and wash their hands.
There was also a pockmarked Taoist priest who was burning incense and selling flowers, standing in front of the hall.
There was a wooden table on the right, with a person sitting there collecting money from incense offerings.
The Taoist priest with pockmarked face said softly, "Light three incense sticks. Grandpa Lingguan will bless you."
Xiang Danian saw his expectant look and asked, "How much silver?"
The Taoist priest with the pockmarked face glanced at the master and his disciple, and seeing that they were of southerner build and dressed in gorgeous clothes, he felt ruthless.
"Offer five hundred coins for incense and one ounce for flowers."
Xiang Danian quickly said, "No need for that."
The pockmarked Taoist priest glanced at him and met two poor guys again.
Liu Zhengfeng found it funny. This Chaotian Temple seemed quiet and otherworldly, but its interior was quite worldly.
"I would like to pay a visit to the master of your sect."
The pockmarked Taoist glanced at him again and said casually, "The incense money is set by the temple. It's useless to complain to the temple master."
Liu Zhengfeng smiled and said, "I am not here to complain. Thirteen years ago, I met Taoist Master Huang He on a fishing boat in Dongting Lake. I am disturbing you this time because I was asked to do so. If you don't believe me, please let them know that Liu Zhengfeng from Hengshan is here."
"Liu Zhengfeng from Hengshan?"
The pockmarked Taoist priest was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I've never heard of it."
The little Taoist boy holding the copper plate suddenly said, "Senior Brother Yunsong, why don't you go and pass the message on."
The Taoist priest with the pockmarked face smiled and said, "Yunhua, you are still young and you trust others too easily. Those who come to Chaotian Temple all want to take advantage of the master's relationship to get close to the rich and powerful. Nine out of ten of them say they know the master, but I don't know if the master recognizes them."
Yunhua whispered, "I don't think this layman is telling lies."
Yunsong turned his head away: "You go if you want to go, I don't want to go and get scolded."
Yunhua put down the copper plate and said, "Please wait a moment, sir."
He then said to Yunsong, "Brother, please take care of the copper plate for me."
Yunsong nodded.
"Thank you, young master." Liu Zhengfeng said. He could feel the kindness of this little Taoist boy. He thought to himself that Chaotian Temple had a disciple like this, which left some peace in the world and did not disgrace the reputation of the founder, Immortal Lan.
Yunhua hurried out and said with a smile: "Mr. Liu, Master invites you to Xiaoyao Pavilion for tea." Yunsong looked at Liu Zhengfeng in surprise: "Are you really Master's guest?"
Liu Zhengfeng left Xiang Danian in the hall. Before he entered the hall, he smiled and said to Yunsong, "Master, don't worry. I won't tell Abbot Huang about this."
Yunsong smiled embarrassedly, thinking that although these two people were poor, they were still sensible.
There were only about ten people in Chaotian Temple, including the temple master, Taoist priests, odd jobs, sweepers, and cooks. In its heyday, there were fifty or sixty Taoist priests practicing in the temple. At this time, many rooms were still empty, looking deserted.
The first courtyard is the main hall of the Lingguan outside and the side halls on both sides.
The second courtyard is planted with pine and cypress trees. On the left is the dining hall, and on the right is the living room.
The third courtyard is surrounded by green bamboos. This is where the abbot Huang He practices meditation. There is also a monastery where he teaches scriptures to his disciples. However, no one usually comes here unless the temple is summoned.
Under the leadership of Yunhua, Liu Zhengfeng met many Taoists along the way.
Some were exercising, and their boxing and kicking skills looked quite good.
Some of them meditate on the roof, seemingly unfathomable.
Some were reciting scriptures, shaking their heads.
Others sat in the corridor playing the piano and singing, quite in the style of Zengzi.
It’s not that they are pretending to practice, it’s just that these people are indeed impetuous and their martial arts level is mediocre.
Xiaoyao Pavilion is surrounded by green bamboos. There is a square stone table in the pavilion with tea sets on it.
Huang He was wearing a black Taoist robe, a feather crown on his head, a Langhuan hanging around his waist, and holding a whisk in his hand.
"After many years of absence, Mr. Liu's visit to Biguan is truly a great honor to our humble home."
Liu Zhengfeng was surprised that this Taoist Huang He was dressed so formally. The standard of his reception was too high. It would take a lot of effort just to put on this outfit.
Liu Zhengfeng walked quickly to the pavilion and said with a smile: "I have heard of the great reputation of Chaotian Temple for a long time, and I also learned from Taoist Xiao that Taoist Huang is the head of this fairy temple. This time I went to Beijing, I came to ask for a cup of tea. I am sorry to bother the temple master."
"No, I am very happy that Mr. Liu can come."
Huang He looked at Liu Zhengfeng and saw that he was breathing deeply and walking with vigorous steps. He was worthy of being the leader of a great sect. The aura around him gave people a sense of perfection.
"Brother Liu, your inner strength is quite advanced."
Liu Zhengfeng smiled and said, "It was just luck. I was busy with the affairs of the sect and made no progress for four or five years. In the past year, my mind has gradually become peaceful, and I have stopped fighting for fame and fortune. Instead, I have gained some insights and my ways have loosened up. However, I am still only half a step away from making progress."
Taoist Huang He showed a bitter smile on his face and waved his hand, saying, "I reached the perfection of the acquired nature six years ago, and I am already fifty years old. In recent years, my progress has been slow and stagnant for a long time. If this continues, I am afraid that I will never reach the innate realm in this lifetime. Mr. Liu is rising like the sun, which really makes me...envious!"
Liu Zhengfeng said quickly: "Master Huang is highly respected and famous in the court and the country. He is really too modest."
Taoist Huang He glanced at Yun Hua and sighed, "You have also seen that my disciples are good at playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but they lack the talent for martial arts. It would have been fine ten years ago, but now, whether it is the martial arts world or the court, chaos is gradually arising, and a storm is about to come. I really don't know if Chaotian Temple can still exist in the world after my death."
Liu Zhengfeng smiled and consoled him: "Master, why don't you find someone with martial arts talent to be your disciple?"
Taoist Huang He shook his head and said, "I have thought about it, but I just don't have the opportunity. I don't have the good luck of Taoist Chongxu of Wudang."
The two talked for a long time in the pavilion, and the little Taoist boy Yunhua served tea beside them.
Liu Zhengfeng and Huang He were both masters of internal martial arts who had reached perfection in the acquired realm. They only exchanged some martial arts experiences with each other.
The assassination of Prince Ning seemed to be involved in the struggle for the throne.
Liu Zhengfeng has already developed the intention to retire from society, and will not jump into the quagmire himself, so he deliberately distances himself from the people in Ning Wang Mansion. However, in order to gain connections in the court, in addition to spending more money, he also needs someone with a say to smooth the relationship.
This Chaotian Temple is the place where elixirs are refined for the emperor.
Dark clouds rolled in the sky, a cool breeze gradually rose, and it seemed that a rainstorm was about to pour down from the clouds.
(End of this chapter)