He practiced mudra and was completely immersed in it. He didn't realize that time had passed and he had arrived in the capital before he knew it. At this time, he vaguely felt that there was going to be a breakthrough, but he missed a layer of paper and it broke with just one poke.
Unfortunately, when he arrived in the capital, he couldn't do it all at once, so he had to give up and practice again when he had time the next day. He got out of the carriage and started riding a horse.
In the evening, they entered the capital.
Compared with the capital, Shenguang City and Tianlong City are like a small town and Shenguang City, regardless of scale or prosperity.
Taking advantage of the dusk, they entered from the north gate of the capital, walked eastward along the broad street, and came to a grand mansion.
The stones on the street are like white jade, and the pavement is so smooth that you can't bear to step down for fear of getting dirty.
General Hua sat on the horse and pointed at the bright and beautiful door: "Master, this is my home. How about staying here for the night and returning to your general's residence tomorrow?"
Li Muchan nodded and looked at it carefully.
There are squatting stone lions on both sides of the door, which are lifelike and imposing. The red lacquer door is covered with palm-sized copper nails, which are yellow and bright, showing nobility and momentum.
There are two big characters written on the plaque in the middle: Washington.
Two guards in white silk attire were standing in front of the gate, one on the right and one on the left, greeting General Hua with clasped fists and a salute, and shouted happily: "Young master is back!"
The two guards were ordinary-looking, about forty years old, with frost on their temples, but their bodies were like javelins, with a cold air and evil aura all over their bodies. They had obviously been to the killing field and had killed many people.
"Brother Zhang, Brother Song, how are you doing these days?" General Hua clasped his fists and smiled.
The two guards said: "It's the same, you can't die. Young Master, please go in quickly... I've been thinking hard these days because I don't like Young Master's procrastination. Madam just went to Shengyin Temple to offer incense in the morning and pray for Young Master to come back soon!"
As they spoke, the two pushed open the red-lacquered copper-nailed door, and a guard quickly ran in. A bell-like shout came from a distance: "The young master is back! The young master is back!"
General Hua shook his head and said with a smile: "Brother Zhang is very impatient."
He turned around and said: "Master, please——!"
Li Muchan smiled and nodded, and the two stepped into the gate side by side. Ji Wuming, Jiang Yuyan and others followed behind, leaving a few guards to watch the horses.
After entering the gate, the cobblestone path leads deep into the forest, with flower gardens on both sides.
The weather is already early winter, but the surrounding flower beds are full of blooming flowers. The woods far away on the path are lush and green, as if it is still summer.
Li Muchan secretly admired that as soon as he stepped into the mansion, he felt as warm as spring, as if he had entered another world. He turned around and looked around, but he didn't realize the mystery.
General Hua smiled and said, "Master, do you think it's strange?"
Li Muchan nodded, and General Hua said: "The underground here is strange. The water is always warm, and the ground is also warm. You can touch it and see."
Li Muchan bent down and stretched out his hand to touch it. The ground was indeed warm, like a burning kang.
He marveled endlessly, the creation was indeed miraculous.
General Hua smiled and said: "The master's general's residence is also like this. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. It is very suitable for living. There are many places like this in the capital."
"You are indeed worthy of the capital." Li Muchan nodded and praised.
The two of them were talking, with Ji Wuming and Jiang Yuyan following closely behind without saying a word.
Amidst the sound of footsteps, a group of people suddenly came to the front of the path. At the head was an old lady wearing blue and white satin. She was short and thin, with snow-white hair, neatly and neatly combed.
She was full of energy, with a rosy complexion and the appearance of a child with white hair. She was walking forward like the wind at her feet, her blue and white satin clothes fluttering like the wind all over her body. Behind her, a group of maids were chasing after her in a hurry, their steps were hurried and they were panting.
General Hua was overjoyed and knelt down as he stepped forward: "Mother!"
The old lady came closer, helped him up, looked him up and down, and said with a smile: "You brat, you still know how to come back!"
General Hua hurriedly turned around and said: "Mom, this is Master Mingkong, my good friend. Thanks to Master's care, I was able to escape unscathed."
Li Muchan bowed to him, and the old lady looked respectful and returned the courtesy. She asked where Li Muchan became a monk, who his master was, and what Buddhist scriptures he recited.
The old lady worshiped Buddhism and had a deep understanding of Buddhist classics. She and Li Muchan had a good conversation. After only a few words of conversation, she realized that Li Muchan had profound Buddhist qualities.
She often went to Shengyin Temple and was a close friend of several eminent monks. She talked about Buddhist scriptures and discussed Buddhist Dharma. She was deeply influenced by what she heard and saw, and her gaze was naturally high.
She pulled Li Muchan, looking affectionate, and kept talking. General Hua was ignored until an old man with white hair appeared.
The old man was tall and thin, with a gaunt appearance and a serious expression. He walked squarely with his hands behind his hands, slowly came to the front, and stared at General Hua with a frown on his face.
General Hua stepped forward to pay homage to his father, and he was respectful. At this moment, he was not a general, but a child who was afraid of his father. Li Muchan smiled secretly.
Such a situation is the true character. It would be wrong to act like a general when you return home.
"You bastard, you still have the nerve to come back!" The old man sneered with his hands behind his back.
General Hua smiled coquettishly.
The old man nodded to Li Muchan, turned around and walked forward. General Hua and the others hurriedly followed. The old lady smiled at Li Muchan and said, "Master, the old man wants to teach his son, you should ignore him."
Li Muchan smiled and nodded.
"You two chat first, I will prepare the meal." The old lady, surrounded by several maids, left from a path to the east, and Li Muchan followed General Hua behind the old man to a hall.
The hall is very spacious and can accommodate hundreds of people sitting without feeling crowded. The floor is covered with purple carpets, and a weapons rack is placed on the west side, displaying knives, guns, clubs, and eighteen kinds of weapons.
There are wall-high bookshelves on the east side, filled with books.
Next to the bookshelf is a hollow shelf, which displays some porcelain and antiques. They are antique and should be genuine and of great value.
The old man sat on the Grand Master's chair. When the maid brought the tea, he took a sip slowly, closed the lid of the cup gently, and glanced sideways at General Hua: "I heard that we won the battle?"
General Hua smiled and said: "It's a lucky chance that I won once."
The old man put the tea cup heavily on the table and sneered: "The blind cat finally encountered a dead mouse and won once. Don't be fooled. I don't know who I am!"
General Hua hurriedly said: "Dad, the victory of the child this time is all due to the master's credit. If there is no child, nothing will happen!"
"Humph, it's good to be humble!" The old man's face softened slightly.
He turned to Li Muchan and said, "Master, the dog is useless. Thank you for taking care of it, Master."
Li Muchan Heshi smiled and shook his head, and said a few words of humility, saying that he would be more responsible for taking care of him. The general is a commander, and even without him, he would have won this great victory.
The old man shook his head and said: "He is not that capable. He didn't practice martial arts well when he was a child. However, a great leader of the army was assassinated and injured. It's really embarrassing. I don't have the shame to talk in front of those old guys!"
General Hua was sarcastic, bowing his head and not refuting.
Li Muchan took a look at the old man. His energy was restrained. He was indeed a top-notch master. Compared to General Hua, there was a world of difference.
No wonder General Hua acted like a mouse meeting a cat in front of the old man. He was extremely honest. It turned out that his martial arts skills were not as good as those of the old man.
The old man saw that General Hua had drooped head and didn't speak. He just lowered his head and felt bored. He waved his hand angrily: "Okay, get out of here and go down and wash yourself!"
General Hua became too busy and left the hall together with Li Muchan, as if they had fled.
When the two came to General Hua's yard, he took a deep breath and smiled bitterly: "Let the master laugh."
Li Muchan shook his head and felt warm. Seeing General Hua like this was like seeing himself in Jinyang City. He was majestic outside, but at home he was like a son.
General Hua smiled bitterly and said: "I have been trained by my father since I was a child, and now I feel trembling when I see him."
Li Muchan said: "The old man has profound martial arts skills."
General Hua nodded: "The martial arts passed down in my family are indeed good. Unfortunately, I liked reading and didn't like practicing martial arts since I was a child. I was taught by my father countless times and did not change my mind... Later, when I grew up and became sensible, I realized my responsibility and started practicing again.
It’s too late.”
"General, your current martial arts skills are enough." Li Muchan said.
General Hua shook his head and sighed: "My martial arts skills are really not that good. They are far behind compared with my friends. No wonder dad feels embarrassed."
Li Muchan stayed all night, and early the next morning, General Hua took him west, visiting two houses and stopping at the third house.
"Master, this is your general's mansion." General Hua pointed to the house in front of him.
Li Muchan was quite surprised. There were four big characters written on the plaque above: Ming General's Mansion.
Two small words in the lower right corner: Amnesty.
The red lacquered gate is a bit brighter than the one in Washington. It can be seen that it is newly built. The copper nails are shining with yellow light, shiny and new, and the four corners are covered with iron sheets. It is no less impressive than that in Washington.
However, there are no guards here, only two stone lions lying on both sides, looking at them eagerly.
Li Muchan pointed to the east and then here. General Hua chuckled and said, "We are only separated by two houses, not far."
Li Muchan shook his head and smiled: "In that case, I just came over last night."
General Hua smiled and said: "This place was not ready last night, but it will be packed today. Besides, staying in my house for one night can be regarded as fulfilling the friendship of a landlord."
Li Muchan smiled and shook his head. At this time, a small hole was revealed in the red lacquer door. Behind the hole was a pair of eyes, shining brightly.
He glanced around and saw General Hua, and immediately raised his voice: "Young Master?"
"Uncle Gu, the real master is here, please open the door quickly." General Hua said with a smile.
The red-lacquered door opened quickly, and a middle-aged, burly man with piercing eyes stepped out. He came to General Hua alone.
"Uncle Gu, this is Master Mingkong, the master of this mansion." General Hua stretched out his hand and said with a smile.
It is very polite for a middle-aged man to say: "I have seen the master."
Li Muchan returned the gift, and General Hua smiled and said: "There are no people in the general's house, so I took it upon myself to get some people from my house to help, and use them as your own servants."
Li Muchan didn't refuse. He was unfamiliar with this place and it was best to be quiet rather than move.