As soon as Jing Jiu returned to the Fruit Formation Temple, he saw a familiar young monk in front of him. However, this monk's face was darker than before, and he looked more weathered than before.
Seeing Jing Jiu, the young monk was pleasantly surprised. He uttered an "ah" and then covered his mouth with his hands, not daring to speak.
Jing Jiu had always been indifferent to others, but somehow he felt happy to see this young monk. Perhaps it was fate. "We meet again," he said with a smile.
Seeing Jing Jiu greet him, the young monk was even more excited. He nodded his head vigorously, and didn't forget to put his palms together in front of his chest.
Seeing him behaving like this, Jing Jiu felt surprised and asked, "Are you still practicing the Vow of Silence?"
The young monk came back to his senses after a moment of bewilderment. He put down his hands and said shamefully, "I'm used to it."
"Where is your Master?" asked Jing Jiu.
The young monk said, "My Master went to the snowland with Senior Master Duhai."
Jing Jiu thought that Zen Master had gone there, and now even the Principal Justice had gone to help. It was likely that something had happened in the Snowy Kingdom, and it must have been a big one.
But he didn't ask anything, because he wouldn't go to the north anyway.
The young monk wanted to say something to Jing Jiu, but hearing the ringing of the bell outside the temple, he said hastily, "There is an epidemic in Yu County. I have to go now."
He stopped after a few steps and turned his head to ask, "How long will you stay in the temple?"
Jing Jiu said, "A long time."
The young monk was delighted. He bowed to Zhao Layue with a silly smile and ran out of the temple gate.
"Young Master, do you know him?"
Liu Shisui was curious why Jing Jiu knew a common monk doctor in the temple.
Zhao Layue said, "When we left Aoyama for the first time to travel, we met this monk and his Master in Chaonan City. They are not bad people."
Liu Shisui recalled that he was about to betray the mountain gate and pretend to be a fool in the stone room on Tianguang Peak. He couldn't help but smile.
It was all in the past. He had read the scripts in the Guocheng Temple for seven years, so he didn't care about it anymore, including his former Master Bai Rujing.
After passing through many halls, they returned to the courtyard in the deepest part of the Guocheng Temple.
Feeling surprised, Liu Shisui asked, "Do you live in the Tranquil Garden?"
"Is it called the Tranquil Garden?" asked Zhao. "Do you know this place?"
"A few years ago, State Duke He came down to fulfill a vow on behalf of His Majesty. Those officials lived outside the Tranquil Garden.
Liu Shisui pointed to a place outside the Tranquil Garden, where a dozen buildings could be vaguely seen in the forest.
Entering the Tranquil Garden, Monk Dachang was sweeping the fallen leaves again. It seemed that he did not intend to keep the small stone pagoda absolutely clean.
Liu Shisui greeted Monk Dachang and looked around curiously. Finally, he fixed his eyes on the small stone pagoda and asked, "Young Master, what's this?"
Zhao Layue answered, "This is the pagoda of the former Emperor."
Liu Shisui was shocked speechless. After a while, he said, "So the legend is true. His Majesty faked his death to cultivate Buddhism here …"
Zhao Layue ignored him and looked at the three roofed corridors in the courtyard. She was trying to figure out which one had better light so that she could leave it for Jing Jiu.
"I don't know what the Emperor's Buddhist name is here. Even he has a pagoda to live in. It's really …"
Liu Shisui walked to the front of the stone pagoda and sighed with emotion. Then, he saw the white cat sleeping in front of the pagoda. He was slightly startled.
"What is this cat …? Guarding? Lord White Ghost? "
He bowed quickly and solemnly, not daring to be careless.
Since Liu Shisui walked into the Tranquil Garden, the sound had never stopped, like countless leaves falling from the branches and floating in the air.
Monk Dachang felt the disciples of Aoyama were interesting but also troublesome, so he couldn't help but sigh.
When Liu Shisui talked, it was Zhao Layue who took the initiative to answer. Even so, Jing Jiu still couldn't stand it.
"I forgot to ask. I asked Zen Master to teach you the Vow of Silence. Why are you still so talkative?"
Liu Shisui said blankly, "I don't know. Zen Master didn't tell me."
Jing Jiu thought the little monk was really not reliable.
Zhao Layue was a little worried. Zen Master had left the Guocheng Temple for the north, which meant something must have happened in the Snowy Country, and he couldn't help them.
Jing Jiu didn't care. The little monk had a profound understanding of the Buddhist Dharma, which would be helpful for him to refine the Fairy Book. But he was too smart. If they met too many times, he would definitely be recognized. Of course, it was not a big deal to be recognized, but it was a little embarrassing. Back then, outside Jingyang's fake immortal's cave, he had to rely on Zen Master's Lotus Cloud to avoid Fang Jingtian's killing intent …
He still couldn't forget the way he called him "little friend".
Life in the Guocheng Temple began in this way.
The courtyard of the Tranquil Garden was really quiet. Birds chirped in the distance, and no cicadas chirped in the deep winter. Monk Dachang, Zhao Layue, and Jing Jiu each occupied one of the three roofed corridors.
Besides sweeping the fallen leaves, Monk Dachang sat on the futon and meditated. But he was too old, so he spent most of his time basking in the sun and taking a nap.
Zhao Layue sat on the futon, with dozens of Buddhist scriptures piled up beside her. She read them carefully, and occasionally closed her eyes to meditate.
Sometimes the white cat lay in front of the pagoda, but most of the time, it lay on her knees. Occasionally, it would crawl into the pile of fallen leaves swept by Monk Dachang and sleep.
Jing Jiu didn't read the Buddhist scriptures, nor did he meditate. He took out the bamboo chair and lay on it.
It suddenly rained. The white cat crawled out from the pile of fallen leaves and returned to Zhao Layue's side, lying there quietly.
It was deep winter, but the Guocheng Temple was close to the East Sea. The weather was warm, and the Zen was hidden in the mountains. It wouldn't snow unless the cold wave came from the north.
Liu Shisui finished his inspection and preliminary cleaning of the Tranquil Garden. He found a teapot, a small stove, and other related things, and began to boil tea in the corridor.
The water in the teapot would make a purring sound before and after it boiled.
Whether it was in the pile of fallen leaves or on Zhao Layue's knees, the white cat would often purr.
"Lord White Ghost is so cute."
Liu Shisui thought about this, and stole a glance at the cat from time to time.
When the tea was ready, it was divided into four bowls and placed in front of each of them.
The rain was pitter-patter.
The fragrance of the tea was diluted by the rain, but it was even more fragrant.
Liu Shisui sat cross-legged in a corner of the roofed corridor, and began to meditate and cultivate.
After a while, the rain stopped, and the ancient temple was shrouded in the twilight. He opened his eyes and woke up. He cleaned up the tea stove and the bowls, and went to the room to tidy up.
Just like in the South Pine Pavilion, the so-called service was just these small things.
"Young Master, I'm leaving."
"Okay."
In the twilight, Liu Shisui walked out of the Guocheng Temple and returned to the vegetable garden.
With a squeak, the door was pushed open cheerfully. Xiao He said happily, "I thought you weren't coming back."
Liu Shisui smiled and said, "There's only one bed in the guest room in the Tranquil Garden. I can't sleep in it."
The look in Xiao He's eyes changed slightly, and she said in surprise, "Immortal Masters … Isn't it said that Immortal Master Jing Jiu and Fairy Bai Zao are a couple?"
"What are you thinking? Young Master likes to sleep in the bamboo chair. "
Liu Shisui said with a smile. Then he remembered that the bamboo chair was indeed a little old, and his sight fell on a corner of the vegetable garden. There were a few bamboos growing there, which he asked Gu Qing to find a way to move from Tianguang Peak. He didn't know whether it was because of the soil and water or some other reasons, but they didn't grow as well as they did in Aoyama, and he didn't know if they were suitable to repair the bamboo chair.
…
…
Five days later, in the early morning, the faint sound of a bell was heard. Jing Jiu stood up from the bamboo chair and left the Tranquil Garden with Zhao Layue, walking toward the temple.
Today was the day of the lecture hall, and Master Chengjia would give a lecture in person.
The Guocheng Temple was very large, and there were halls, meditation rooms, and stone pagodas everywhere. Jing Jiu walked freely among them, looking very familiar with the place.
The lecture hall was a large hall. At this time, dozens of monks had already gathered, wearing robes that represented different generations. They sat on cattail hassocks, making no sound. Seeing Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue walk into the hall, the monks were a little surprised. After all, this was the inner temple. Why were these two benefactors here?
A monk knew the identities of Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue, so he said something to them in a low voice. Then his gaze fell on Master Chengjia, waiting for his decision.
Master Chengjia was also a little surprised, wondering if these two really came to the temple to listen to the sutras.
Both the Aoyama Sect and Zhongzhou School were the leaders of the orthodox sects, so the Guocheng Temple would give them enough respect. However, the lecture hall had never allowed outsiders to stay here …
Thinking of the relationship between Zen Master and Shenmo Peak, Master Chengjia smiled and shook his head, indicating that it was fine.
Zhenren Jingyang was half a teacher to Zen Master. Today, it could be considered a little repayment.
Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue walked to an inconspicuous corner.
Back on the Chess Board Mountain, Zhao Layue had reminded him that he had to pay attention to such occasions, so he didn't bring a bamboo chair and sat on a cattail hassock like the other monks.
The sutras in the Guocheng Temple did not have any opening remarks, and began with three clear chimes of the stone bell.
Master Chengjia's voice was a little low, like the ringing of a bell, extremely mellow.
Today, he was lecturing on the Seven Ginseng Scriptures of the Celestial Tree, which was quite obscure. His monotonous voice echoed in the lecture hall, which had the effect of helping people sleep.
The dozens of monks sitting on the cattail hassock listened quietly, looking very serious on the surface.
Some of the young monks with insufficient realms couldn't help but secretly pinch their thighs a few times to dispel their sleepiness.
However, Zhao Layue listened very attentively without a moment of distraction. Her eyes became brighter and brighter, and the black and white became more distinct. She was very spirited.
An hour later, there were three clear chimes of the stone bell again, and the sutras came to an end for the time being.
Most of the monks were still sitting on the cattail hassock, continuing to comprehend the master's explanation.
Some of the monks stood up and went to the locust tree outside the lecture hall, either to practice boxing or to look into the distance to recover some energy.
Zhao Layue looked at these scenes and smiled slightly. Thinking of the scene of the Dao Competition in Zhongzhou School described by Gu Qing, she thought that if Zhuo Rusui were here, he would probably fall asleep in no time. Then she looked at Jing Jiu beside her, wanting to ask him something, but found that his eyes were closed, and his breathing was long and steady. He had actually fallen asleep.
"What sutras are they listening to?"
…
…
Liu Shisui went to the Tranquil Garden and found that neither Jing Jiu nor Zhao Layue were there. He went to ask Lord White Ghost, but it ignored him. So he went to disturb Monk Dachang and found out that they had gone to listen to sutras.
He had already read and interpreted those sutras, so there was no need for him to listen to them again. So what was he going to do today?
He went back to the vegetable garden and chopped a few bamboos. Then he returned to the Tranquil Garden and started to repair the bamboo chair.
Monk Dachang walked to the courtyard and started to sweep the fallen leaves. Seeing Jing Jiu's increasingly proficient movements, Monk Dachang mused with a smile, thinking that these disciples of Aoyama were really interesting.
"Where do you carry the fallen leaves to after you sweep them every day? Master, please do these things for me in the future. "
Sensing the gaze of Monk Dachang, Liu Shisui said while repairing the bamboo chair, "I heard from my Young Master that you used to be the Chief of Taichang Temple in Zhaoge City, but your family name is Dachang, except that it's a little less. It's really interesting."
The expression on Monk Dachang's face changed slightly, thinking that it was not interesting at all. He didn't want to pay any more attention to Jing Jiu, and continued to sweep the fallen leaves with the bamboo broom.
Liu Shisui turned his head around and said concernedly, "Your broom looks a bit old. I happened to bring some bamboos with me today. Do you want me to make a new one for you?"
Monk Dachang felt helpless, thinking that it was no wonder that Jing Jiu asked Jing Jiu to learn the Vow of Silence.
Liu Shisui didn't need an opponent to talk. He continued repairing the bamboo chair with his head lowered as he murmured incessantly.
Monk Dachang sighed, and the wrinkles on his face grew deeper. Looking at the small stone pagoda, he wondered if the Emperor should move to another house since it was so noisy here.
…
…
The peaceful and happy life was always the same. Every day was the same as the day before, except that it rained sometimes and the wind sometimes.
There were futons and bamboo chairs under the roofed corridor in the Tranquil Garden. Three people and a cat were sitting, lying, or crouching on the ground.
Sometimes, the white cat would go out for a stroll when he was tired of crouching on the ground. This was the Guocheng Temple after all, and there were many taboos here, so he wouldn't go too far.
Every five or ten days, there would be a master giving a lecture in the Scripture Lecture Hall. Jing Jiu would take Zhao Layue there to listen. Once, the white cat was so bored that he went with them. He found the lecture very interesting and listened to it carefully.
The bamboo chair had been repaired. On the days when Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue were listening to the Scripture Lecture, Liu Shisui would stay in the vegetable garden and finish all the farm work that he had accumulated over the past few days. He could also exercise his muscles and bones. However, the winter was getting colder, and the internal Qi in his body showed signs of relapse. He coughed more often, which worried Xiao He.
Yin San was also reading the Scripture in the meditation hall beside the pagoda forest in the Guocheng Temple.
This place was quite far from the Tranquil Garden and the Scripture Lecture Hall. Moreover, he had always been proud of his profound knowledge of Buddhism and disdained to listen to the teachings of those juniors. So he had never been there.
Apart from reading the Scripture, what Yin San did the most was to sit on the stone steps of the meditation hall and bask in the winter sun.
What the Great Grandmaster of the Mysterious Sect did the most was to steal meat from outside the temple. He often ate until his mouth was covered in grease.
Occasionally, Yin San would take out the bone flute and play a soundless tune.
The Great Grandmaster of the Mysterious Sect stood behind him, rubbing his reddened nose and looking into the distance, lost in his silent thoughts.
Yin San didn't know that Jing Jiu was here.
Jing Jiu didn't know that Yin San was here either.
In the history of the Aoyama Sect, this pair could be considered the most legendary Senior and Junior Brother in the history of the Cultivation world. They spent their time together in the Guocheng Temple, unaware of each other's presence.
One day, Yin San raised his head and looked out of the pagoda forest. Suddenly, his eyes were filled with green, and he realized that spring had arrived.
He smiled, and his Dao Heart was slightly moved. He knew that he would definitely be able to solve the problem of his body.
Then, he thought of Liu Shisui.
One winter had passed, and he wondered if that little fellow's cough had gotten better.
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