"Does Master Jiangliu have something to do?" Lu Huaming asked immediately.
"Not really. It's just that Master Jiangliu doesn't like to leave the temple. Moreover, he has a high status in the Jinshan Temple. Even the abbot can't order him around. I can't agree on his behalf. How about this, I'll take you two to see Master Jiangliu and see what he has to say. "Elder Zheshi said after a moment of silence.
Lu Huaming and Shen Luo looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
Because they had important things to do, the three of them were not in the mood to drink tea. They immediately got up and walked outside. Soon, they came to a luxurious temple.
This temple was more luxurious than other places. The eaves were gilded tiles, the walls were made of white jade, and even the doors and windows were made of superior sandalwood.
"This is Master Jiangliu's residence. Master Jiangliu's temperament is a little … special. You two must be polite in front of him." Elder Zheshi warned the two of them.
Shen Luo and Lu Huaming nodded to show that they understood.
Elder Zheshi saw this and then led the two of them into the temple.
As soon as they entered, a black object was thrown out of the room. It was a teapot. It smashed on the ground and broke into pieces.
"It's too bland. There's no taste at all. How many times have I told you to add more honey!" A clear but vicious voice came from inside.
"Yes, yes … I'll make you a new pot of honey tea." A white-robed novice monk ran out of the meditation room in a panic.
The novice monk seemed to be so flustered that he did not notice Elder Zheshi and the two of them. He quickly ran away.
Shen Luo and Lu Huaming saw this scene and their eyes showed a trace of surprise. They looked into the room.
There was a hall inside, but there was no one. However, there was a room beside the hall with a half-closed door. The person seemed to be inside.
Elder Zheshi sighed and walked to the door of the meditation room. However, he did not rush in. He put his palms together and said, "Jiangliu, there are two distinguished guests from Chang 'an City. They are here to visit you on the orders of Duke Cheng."
"What Duke Cheng, Duke Wang, I have to prepare for the Dharma Conference, I have no time." The clear voice from before snorted, lazily coming from the inner room.
Lu Huaming was very respectful to Cheng Yaojin. When he heard such rude words, his face immediately showed anger.
Shen Luo saw Lu Huaming's expression and hurriedly pulled him back, hinting for him to calm down.
"Jiangliu, Duke Cheng is a pillar of our Great Tang. Don't talk nonsense." Elder Zheshi also noticed Lu Huaming's expression and hurriedly reprimanded him.
Qingqing chuckled in the room, but didn't say anything else.
Elder Zheshi paused for a moment and continued, "These two distinguished guests have come to you for an important matter. Due to the previous ghost invasion in Chang 'an, many citizens of Chang' an died tragically. The current Emperor has decided to hold a Water and Land Conference and invites you to preside over it and release the souls of the dead."
"Water and Land Assembly? I'm in charge of Jinshan Temple and have no time to spare. The two of you outside, please find someone else. "The clear voice flatly refused.
"Great Master Jiangliu, this matter concerns the safety of our Great Tang's Capital. Please come out of the mountain once. If you need any reward, please feel free to speak frankly." Shen Luo's heart sank. He stepped forward and cupped his hands.
The clear voice snorted, its tone full of displeasure.
"Senior Brother Jiangliu, the souls of the dead in Chang 'an are too pitiful. Let's go release their souls." At this moment, another voice came from the room.
Compared to Great Master Jiangliu, this voice was much gentler, and there was a sense of compassion in the voice.
Shen Luo and Lu Huaming were both stunned. Obviously, they didn't expect there to be someone else in the room.
"Shut up, continue copying your … Buddhist scriptures!" Great Master Jiangliu angrily shouted.
"But …" The gentle voice seemed to want to say something.
"Shut up. If you make me angry, you don't have to go to Chang 'an. Just release the souls of your brothers in Jinshan Temple!" Great Master Jiangliu gloomily threatened.
"Okay …" The gentle voice reluctantly agreed.
"I'm going to prepare for the Dharma Conference. You guys outside, please help yourselves." Great Master Jiangliu's voice sounded again. The half-closed door of the inner room closed with a "bang".
Lu Huaming's face was ugly. He had previously vowed to Shen Luo that Great Master Jiangliu would be willing to go to Chang 'an. Now, the other party had mercilessly refused.
Losing face was a small matter. If he delayed the Water Land Conference and failed to live up to the trust of Duke Cheng and the others, it would be terrible.
Shen Luo's expression was also very ugly. There was some suspicion in his eyes as he looked into the room.
"You two, Jiangliu has something to do. We'd better leave first." Elder Zheshi helplessly turned around, bowed to the two, and said.
Since the master had ordered them to leave, Shen Luo and Lu Huaming couldn't stay here any longer. They left with Elder Zheshi and soon returned to the small courtyard where Elder Zheshi lived.
"You two, you also heard that Jiangliu has always been like this. Since he has made this decision, I'm afraid he can't go to Chang 'an." Elder Zheshi sighed regretfully.
"Rumor has it that Great Master Jiangliu is highly respected and has profound Buddhist knowledge. He is totally different from the person in the room just now. Is the person in the room really Great Master Jiangliu?" Lu Huaming couldn't help but ask.
"Monks don't lie. The person in the room is naturally Great Master Jiangliu. Benefactor, don't you believe me? As for the rumors, most of them are erroneous and can't be trusted. "Elder Zheshi lowered his eyes.
"We naturally believe you, Elder Zheshi. Elder Zheshi doesn't have to take Brother Lu's words to heart. Just now, there seemed to be someone else in Great Master Jiangliu's room. Who is that person? "Shen Luo hurriedly came out to smooth things over and then asked.
"That person is called Chan 'er. He and Jiangliu are fellow disciples of the same sect. They grew up together. Chan' er is Jiangliu's personal attendant." Elder Zheshi said.
"Chan 'er …" Shen Luo raised his eyebrows.
"Amitabha. That's how it is. Benefactors, Jiangliu's character is domineering. Once he has decided on something, no one can persuade him. Please find another senior monk as soon as possible." Elder Zheshi put his palms together and said after reciting the name of Buddha.
"This matter is not urgent. Since your honorable temple is about to hold a Dharma Assembly, the two of us are very interested in Buddhist knowledge. I wonder if we can stay and watch?" Shen Luo's eyes turned and said.
"Of course. Although Jiangliu's temperament is not good, his speech is extremely exquisite. It is also of great benefit to us cultivators." Elder Zheshi said with a smile.
"Is that so? Then we will listen to Great Master Jiangliu's speech in a while. "Shen Luo said with a smile.
Next, Elder Zheshi accompanied the two of them for a while and then got up to leave. He was busy with the Dharma Assembly.
Before he left, he warned the two of them to stay in the meditation room and not to wander around. When the Dharma Assembly was held, they could go outside. There were many forbidden areas in the Jinshan Temple that were strictly forbidden to outsiders.
Shen Luo and Lu Huaming naturally agreed.
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