Chapter 184 Qingyi Temple Along the mountain road, bamboo shades blocked out the sunlight. The second and third senior brothers each held three documents to check, while one used a stick to draw a route map on the ground based purely on the descriptions and imaginations of merchants and travelers on the road. Lin Jue sat cross-legged beside them and watched. The junior sister was standing a little further away, having built a fire, and was roasting the bamboo worms that she and Caili Fuyao had caught from the bamboo forest. It was very hot and I was sweating. I raised my hands to wipe the sweat off my face. There was no sign of the fox, only a hole in the ground. Soil kept oozing out of the hole. "Qinzhou is where the capital is. Among the several Taoist temples left by Master, the farthest one is a hundred miles outside the capital." The third brother pointed to a small dot on the ground. "This Taoist temple must be the last one to go. Before going to it, after entering Qinzhou, you can go to Qingyan County. Junior brother must want to go there to see the 'Empress Yaohua'." "Yes." Lin Jue nodded beside him. "We'll see when the time comes. I can go with you." The third brother said, "Then we can accompany the last brother and go all the way to the capital. It's a good opportunity to see the prosperity of the capital."
"agree." "The nearest one is Mingxia County. We estimate that we can reach there tonight. It is said that Mingxia County is also very prosperous." The third brother looked to the side and asked, "Where is this Taoist temple in Mingxia County?" "Two miles south of the city." replied the second senior brother. "Then see who will stay behind among you three." The third brother said, pointing to the last spot on the ground, which was roughly in the middle. "We'll ask for directions later and head to the Taoist temple in Langfeng County. If we walk fast, we might be able to celebrate the New Year in the capital." The second senior brother and the seventh senior brother looked at each other. The remaining person was concentrating on roasting bamboo worms. In this day and age, wherever there are bamboos in the mountains, there is no shortage of bamboo worms. This kind of thing tastes delicious when roasted over fire. In this day and age, except for a few princes and nobles, it is estimated that everyone has eaten it. My junior sister quickly delivered a few strings to me. The colorful cat walked out of the bamboo forest with its tail raised, holding two bamboo worms in its mouth. It was originally walking towards the junior sister, but when it passed in front of the cave, soil kept flying out of the cave and hit it again and again. It shook instinctively, and couldn't help but sticking its head out to look. Inside was a fox digging madly. "While it's still early today, let's sit for a while and then head to Mingxia in one go." Lin Jue said, "It would be best if we can find the Taoist temple directly. If not, we can stay in Mingxia City for a night to see what the city is like. The two brothers can also make a decision and see who wants to stay." "rational." "I heard there's famine in the land ahead. We've almost used up the rice and flour we brought with us. It would be a good idea to buy some more in Mingxia City." Everyone was eating bamboo worms and discussing something. Lin Jue called the fox out and looked at its hands full of mud, shaking his head helplessly. He then handed the fox a bamboo worm to eat, after all, it had worked hard to catch it. It wasn't long before we continued our journey. In late summer and early autumn, the weather is still hot, but it is still cool when walking in the mountains. When it is really hot and stuffy, you can also ask for some breeze to help. In addition to the absence of three senior brothers and their bags, although the second and seventh senior brothers who carried the most bags were still in the team, a lot of space was vacant. At least Lin Jue had put his books on the horse-drawn cart, making it much easier to walk.
Because it is a big city, it is much easier to find than Shimen Mountain. There are main roads everywhere. After asking a few questions along the way, we approached Mingxia County at dusk. But I also have to ask for directions to the Taoist temple. The crowd was coming from the south and looked around, but did not see any Taoist temple. Coincidentally, there were people walking on the side of the road. He was a middle-aged man with a weathered face, leaning on a bamboo stick. His clothes were very old and his shoes were slightly worn. He had no luggage and looked like a local. "May I ask for directions, dear believer?" "Hmm? Oh? Taoist priests?" The middle-aged man was a little dazed, and took a few seconds to react before he said, "What directions do you want to ask?" "Do you know, believers, that there is a Taoist temple outside Mingxia City called Qingyi Temple?" "The Taoist priests are going to Qingyi Temple?" "Exactly." Lin Jue and the others looked at him. From the tone of his voice, he knew this Taoist temple. "Qingyi Temple is not far ahead, but you need to walk a mile along a small path and climb a few steps up the slope." The middle-aged man said, "I think you Taoists have heard about staying there, and I am also there, so please follow me." "That would be great." They looked at each other again and followed him forward. The middle-aged man did not walk fast, so the Taoists also walked slower. However, since they heard that the road was not far ahead, they did not urge him or ask him to point out the direction and just walked on their own. "Does Qingyi Temple often have people staying overnight?" asked the seventh senior brother. "Of course, it's free, but only the brave ones dare to ask for a place to stay." The middle-aged man walked and talked, sighing at the same time: "The temple used to be very popular, because Mingxia is not a small city. Many people would come during the New Year or temple fairs. When I was younger, I would go there to burn incense. But later, some incidents happened, and no one was there anymore. Now, only people like me who have work to do in the city but can't even afford a thatched cottage or a chicken feather shop would stay in the temple for a night. At least there is a place to shelter from the wind and rain." "So that's how it is." Senior Brother Seven asked with concern, "It is said that an evil spirit once troubled there?" “The Taoist priests have also heard of it?” "heard about it." "It is the Green Seed God." "Green seedling god?" This Taoist temple was also found with the help of an uncle. This kind of thing is not surprising. For example, Brother Five, who was studying medicine, had just come down from the mountain and had not yet moved into the temple in Liuyun County, but Cuiwei County had already built a new Taoist temple for him. How could he live there alone? After a few decades, maybe he would choose one or even several Taoist temples, make an appointment with the county officials in the city, and send a letter back to Fuqiu Peak. After the eldest brother's disciples came down the mountain, they had a place to stay temporarily and could protect the local people. However, the letter from my uncle only said that there was an evil spirit in the Taoist temple, which was driven away by him and left in the Taoist temple, but it did not go into details. It was probably just an ordinary minor god. Then I heard the middle-aged man say: "He was a field god that we used to worship here. He was in charge of the growth of crops in the fields. Later, because he was very popular, we moved him to the Taoist temple and he lived with the land god.
"However, as time went on, the Green Seedling God became abnormal. Not only did he demand more incense and sacrifices, but he also caused the green seedlings that many people had worked so hard to plant to wither before they could grow big. At that time, there was also a famine here. "I heard that a deity passed by and I don't know whether it was driven away or killed, but it left behind this Taoist temple. The original Taoist priests inside also starved to death during the famine, and no one dared to come here anymore. Only some brave and fearless people would stay in the temple when they passed by." As they were talking, they happened to come to a fork in the road. There is a small path next to it, not very long, leading to a hill covered with bamboo forests and big trees. A Taoist temple can be vaguely seen at the foot of the hill. "Are you Taoist priests not afraid?" "Of course I'm not afraid." Several people parked the cart here. Although the middle-aged man was weak, he was enthusiastic. He even helped them unload the things on the cart and stood by waiting for them. After they loaded all their luggage, he led them forward. It was indeed a small path, and after climbing a few steps up a small slope, it was a little distance from the official road and the city, but not far away. When the sun set and the sky was full of red clouds, everyone had already climbed the small slope and arrived in front of the Taoist temple at the foot of the mountain with their luggage. The middle-aged man was panting, but he couldn't help turning his head. He was surprised to see that the Taoists were not blushing or panting. Seeing the white fox again, I had some guesses in my mind. This group of Taoists must be practicing. But this had nothing to do with him. He just stepped on the pile of stones next to the courtyard wall, climbed over the wall, and looked back at them: "Although this Taoist temple is empty, the door is locked. The Taoist priests have to climb over the wall to enter. However, the previous people who came and went have piled up stones to make it easier to climb." Several Taoists looked around. This Taoist temple is a bit old, but it does not look dilapidated from the outside. It is located in a bamboo forest, and with the faint sound of gurgling springs, it is quite quiet. They wanted to go in through the main door, but they saw two weathered seals on the door. Although the seal was worn out, it was not completely damaged. Everyone looked at each other and felt that it would be best to take the deed documents to the city tomorrow to ask the government to open it, which would also be a good opportunity to report it. So several Taoists either carried books or bags on their shoulders, some held puppets, and some held heavy alchemy furnaces, but they all just stepped on the pile of stones and easily climbed over the courtyard wall. This made the middle-aged man stunned. Before he had time to marvel at the group of Taoists, he looked down and was even more surprised to see the fox, which was actually walking up the wall like a monster, which scared him. There were several soft sounds, and several people fell to the ground one after another. Lin Jue looked around and thought carefully. After all, it is located outside the city, and this Taoist temple is slightly larger than the Yangxin Temple of the Sixth Senior Brother. It is also a three-courtyard style courtyard, with a ceremonial gate at the entrance, a main hall courtyard inside, side halls on the left and right, and two or three chapel rooms at the back. There are also two or three living rooms. It was a bit messy inside, filled with dead branches and leaves. This place is quiet and not far from the city, but it is more suitable for Seventh Brother than Second Brother. Second Senior Brother likes quietness, and refining pills requires quietness. This place is too close to the official road. If the door is open, there will be many pilgrims and business travelers seeking accommodation. It will take him several days to refine a furnace of pills, and up to ten days to half a month. Although he does not necessarily have to keep an eye on the furnace all the time, he will not go out. This place is not quiet enough.
As for the Seventh Senior Brother, he had no choice. There were two Taoist temples in the back, but they were more remote and quiet, and even less suitable for him. At the same time, they have already started discussing it. "What do you think, Second Brother?" "I don't care. Junior brother, please ask Junior Sister." "Where's Junior Sister? Do you want to stay here?" "I do not want!" "Then I have no choice but to stay. It happens that this place is only two miles away from the city, a short walk." The seventh senior brother said, "It is convenient to go into the city and have fun. I can drink and get drunk at night, and walk back to sleep in the morning." The middle-aged man behind him listened dumbfoundedly: "Master, this is... this is... Could it be that the Taoist priests are the descendants of the original Qingyi Temple?" "No, no, we are from Fuqiu Temple in Yishan. It was my uncle who drove away the evil spirit here. Since this Taoist temple is empty, he let us live and practice here." "So that's how it is. From now on..." the middle-aged man glanced at him quietly, "I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for me to stay here again." "How is it inconvenient? I just like the hustle and bustle!" said the Seventh Senior Brother. "From now on, if you pass by here again, you can come and stay overnight. I won't charge you a penny. If you can chat with me, I will not only not charge you any money, but also prepare a meal for you when I have enough money." "How dare you disturb me!" "I'm not disturbing you! Anyway, I'm alone and bored here. I can choose a guest room, build a bunk bed, and provide accommodation for business travelers. It's not impossible to accommodate five people a day." Seventh Senior Brother said casually. Several fellow disciples have started to pack up. …… Last day, please give me double monthly tickets! (End of this chapter)