Hsu Fengnian and the others arrived at the foot of the mountain. There were a total of 108 steps. After Zhang Longjing dismounted, he explained that this incense burning path was also known as the Worry-Free Path. No matter how many pilgrims there were, they would not be troubled after they finished this path. However, Zhang Longjing added with a smile, "In my opinion, they were just tired. Even if they were troubled, they would not be able to care about it." Xu Fengnian smiled after hearing this. Zhang Longjing sighed and said, "Li Yang destroyed the Buddha. A thousand-year-old temple with a long history is now occupied by a Daoist priest who is close to the government. All the monks in the temple have run away. Back then, the Daoist priest led the soldiers to seal the temple, but the monks in the temple couldn't even take away a single ancient book. Our county's Prefectural Governor originally didn't worship Elder Huang. In his early years, even his nickname was related to Buddhism. His name was always' Fugitive Zen Old Man '. This time, with the imperial court's decree, he immediately became a devout believer, and his nickname was also changed to' Tranquil Old Man '. It's said that not long ago, he successfully established a relationship with the capital's Great Spiritual Master, Wu Lingsu. Last year, in the Provincial Governor's political evaluation, he outshone all the monks in the temple. Soon, there were rumors that he was going to be a high-ranking official in the capital."
Leading the horse, Hsu Fengnian frowned and said, "Is there a stone workshop in front of the mountain gate with the inscription 'Buddha in the Present'?"
Zhang Longjing nodded and smiled, "Your Highness is indeed knowledgeable. There used to be a stone workshop in front of us. The inscription and couplets were made by the previous dynasty's Great Calligraphy Master. They are first-class items. Unfortunately, this time, the Daoist priest has occupied the site. For some reason, someone pushed the stone workshop to it. Your Highness will not be able to see it this time."
Hsu Fengnian sighed and said helplessly, "Xu Xiao had some stories here in the past. This time, we are passing through the Five-colored County. Since it is on the way, we want to try our luck and see the old monk who once asked Xu Xiao to 'lay down the butcher's knife'. Forget it, let's go back. "
Zhang Longjing lamented, "There is such a thing? What a pity! If I had known earlier, I would have added tens of thousands of taels of incense money to the Cold Mountain Temple. "
Hsu Fengnian dismissed it with a smile. He mounted his horse and went back the way he had come. However, he could vaguely see lights flickering on the side of the road in the distance. This was not a sight he had seen when he had passed by earlier. The old spy, Song Shanshui, instinctively became vigilant. However, he soon felt relieved. Putting aside the fact that the Prince was one of the Four Great Grandmasters of Wushu, who would dare to provoke Commander Yuan and his personal retainer, Xu Yanbing? Even if these two experts were to be singled out, your imperial court would probably not have the face to come and greet them without mobilizing seven to eight hundred troops, right? Hsu Fengnian had always been gifted with a photographic memory. He had glanced at the place where the lights flickered. It was a dilapidated local temple at the junction of the road. As he slowed down his horse, he saw an old man in shabby clothes and a hat standing on the side of the road with an oil lamp in his hand. Beside him was a sleepy child who was also wearing a cheap leather hat. Yuan Zuozong was relieved. Originally, he thought that the old man was a hidden master. Now, he looked at the old man carefully and found that the old man was just an ordinary old man. However, the old man's physique was slightly stronger than his peers.
Hsu Fengnian did not get off the horse. He leaned forward and asked in a gentle tone, "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"
After all, the old man was old and his eyesight was not very good. In addition, it was night. So, he raised the oil lamp and smiled, "Is your surname Xu?"
Hsu Fengnian was stunned and asked back, "Are you an old member of the Cold Mountain Temple?"
The old man nodded with a smile.
Hsu Fengnian quickly got off the horse in the surprise of Zhang Longjing and Song Shanshui. He came to the old man and the child and took out a carefully wrapped Buddhist scripture from his arms. He said, "Master lent this Buddhist scripture to my father. Now he has been borrowing it for nearly 20 years. It's time to return it to its owner."
The old man did not refuse. He took the Buddhist scripture and said a common saying that disappointed Zhang Longjing. The old man held the lamp in one hand and touched the child's hat with the other. He asked with a smile, "Donor Xu, can you give me a few taels of silver? There is no rice left in the rice jar today. "
Hsu Fengnian suddenly felt a little embarrassed. The Beiliang cavalry did not lack anything on their way to the south except for these insignificant things. Zhang Longjing, the God of Wealth in the Five-colored County, was even more stunned. He was not the kind of nouveau riche who wanted to wear gold and silver when he went out. Even if he played with jade, it would not be worth at least a thousand taels of silver. Of course, he would not bring gold and silver with him on this trip. Fortunately, the old spy found a few taels of silver. Hsu Fengnian took it and gave it to the old monk of the Cold Mountain Temple who wore a leather hat for warmth. To be precise, it was the monk Fa Xian, the old abbot of the famous temple in Jiangnan. The old monk did not have the misgivings of ordinary monks who did not touch money. He openly put it in his sleeve and did not hide his smile. The little monk beside the old man was beaming with joy. With silver, there would be firewood, rice, oil, and salt. He would not have to starve. How could he not be happy?
After the old monk put away the silver, he said with emotion, "The imperial court has decreed that temples and monks are not allowed in the Central Plains, and the Cold Mountain Temple is no exception. Some people return to the secular world, while others travel. I once thought of going to the northwest to beg for alms, but I was too old and my new disciple was too young. His legs were as weak as mine, so it was delayed. After thinking about it, it did not matter whether I went to Beiliang or not. If I went to Beiliang, it would just be an old monk finding a place to settle down. If I did not go to Beiliang, I might be able to give a few more fated people a place to settle down."
Hsu Fengnian said sincerely, "Master, I can send someone to send you and your disciple to Beiliang. When the world is peaceful, as long as you still want to return to the Central Plains, Beiliang will definitely escort you."
The old monk smiled and shook his head. "Donor Xu, you don't have to go through so much trouble. Where is the fate of Buddhism? Don't force it."
Hsu Fengnian did not force it. He also knew that he could not force it. He could only smile and say, "My father often talks about you, Master. He says that you are an eminent monk who really has great Buddhist teachings. He admires you very much."
The old monk laughed. "Young Donor Xu, you are lying. Although we have only met once, how can I not know Old Donor Xu's temper? It's good enough that you don't scold me as an untactful old monk. "
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