"This disciple is ordered to return the Twelve Taihuang Bells and ask the conservator to take a look."
Early the next morning, in the Zhonghuang Guan Patriarch Hall, the incense was rising from the altar, and the memorial tablets were arranged in sequence, like the sacred peak of Kongtong.
He handed it to an old Taoist priest.
According to the Taoist laws of this dynasty, this old Taoist priest has fair hair and a childlike face, and a green crown. According to the Taoist laws of this dynasty, he must be in the position of Cave God, and he is qualified to be in charge of palaces and temples.
After receiving the Twelve Yellow Bells, the old Taoist priest first bowed deeply to the ancestor's memorial tablet, and then sighed: "Junior Brother Zhou has the highest cultivation level among our generation, so when Qi Daduhu personally came to invite him, he moved
At the Guangdao Gate of the Western Region, I promoted the idea of Xuanfeng and asked me to take away the Twelve Yellow Bells."
Mr. Changqing remained silent. Magical tools like the Twelve Taihuang Bells, which have been passed down for hundreds of years, are the most suitable for the Zhonghuangguan lineage. Its importance is not only used to defend against enemies, but also
It is the essence of the inheritance of the Dharma.
It can even be said that this small brass bell, which is about the size of a fist, is more valuable than all the palaces and towers in Kongtong Mountain combined.
Generally speaking, a mountain-holding treasure like the Twelve Taihuang Bells will not be taken away easily. It has been six or seven years since Master Zhou left Zhonghuang Guanshao. If something unexpected happens, this magic related to inheritance will not be taken away easily.
The device is likely to be lost outside.
It was also the first time for Mr. Changqing to come back to Huangguan in Kongtong Mountain. He was well received by the Taoist people inside the temple and presided over the funeral precisely because he fulfilled his promise and took the initiative to return the twelve Taihuang Bells instead of keeping it to himself.
Mr. Changqing's master, Daguan Zhenren, practiced Taoism in Zhonghuang Temple in his early years, but he felt that the teachings taught in the temple were flashy and unrealistic and of no use to the world.
Daguan Zhenren, who was upright and refused to give in, publicly contradicted the previous generation of Guanzhen, which made it difficult for him to gain a foothold in Zhonghuang Guan. He simply walked out and traveled alone in the mountains and rivers, searching for profound Taoist teachings, and finally established a foothold in Songyue.
The terma palace opens a new channel.
"We learned that our junior brother established a sect in the Fu Zang Palace of Songyue. At the beginning, we had mixed feelings in our hearts. There were some jealousies, some hatreds, and some people were just waiting to see our junior brother make a joke." The old Taoist priest put away the magic weapon.
Although he is still in good health, when he recalls the past, he still can't hide the feeling of twilight: "But now I am dead and gone. In Zhonghuang Temple, I am the only one left in my generation. The rest are just...
Disciples and grandsons who don’t live up to their expectations.”
"Don't talk dejectedly, Master of the Temple." Mr. Chang Qing said: "Disciples saw that there are many rooms and towers in Zhonghuang Temple. These are all the credit of the Master of the Temple."
"You are making fun of me." The old Taoist priest shook his head and said, "Master asked me to take over Zhonghuang Temple because of my good management skills. Look at me, I am still a cave god, and my cultivation level is
I am so shallow that I can only rely on a group of disciples to encourage me to play and sing, so that others will not look down upon me for being a pornographic person."
Mr. Changqing didn't know how to answer the question. In fact, he himself didn't like this approach. However, there are always very few people who are successful in cultivation and proficient in Taoism. Even those who are considered to have extraordinary talents when they are young may spend their entire lives.
, and his attainments in magic are not too high.
As far as Mr. Changqing is concerned, apart from this old temple master, there is no one else who can cast spells in Zhonghuang Temple now, and it may only take one or two generations for it to decline.
"Does my nephew intend to stay in this temple for a while?" the old Taoist asked.
"Disciple has to go to Chang'an." Mr. Chang Qing declined politely: "To be honest with the temple owner, I still haven't obtained the Taoist scriptures. I am going to Chang'an because I plan to participate in the Taoist ceremony at Xuandu Temple."
"Oh?" The old Taoist priest rolled his eyes and led Mr. Changqing to the side hall. As he walked, he said: "My nephew may not know something. This Taoist examination is also like the imperial examination. Only twenty or thirty people are recruited every year. It can be said that
Thousands of troops and horses cross the single-plank bridge. And you can't go straight to the exam when you arrive at Xuandu Temple. You also need a letter of recommendation from the local state or county."
"Disciple has also heard about it." Mr. Chang Qing said: "It's just that the disciple has made some small achievements in practicing Taoism. This is just a simple Taoist test, just to find out his origin."
Mr. Changqing still remembers that Afu once said that he was a village man with no official status and a fake Taoist priest. Although these words are unpleasant, they are not wrong upon closer inspection. Even though Mr. Changqing has great magical power, he is still just a white man.
The old Taoist priest waved his hands repeatedly: "Master nephew, you don't know that every year there are people who go to Chang'an Xuandu Temple to participate in the Taoist exams, there are also people with magic skills, but they just can't pass the exam!"
"Why?"
"The Taoist scriptures are only a few pieces of paper, are they really that valuable?" The old Taoist priest smiled with a somewhat mysterious meaning: "After passing the Taoist examination, the initial Taoist position will be directly given to 80 acres of land, and the first step will be given 40 acres.
Mu. As for the first two Dharma positions, there is no need to test magic, only the knowledge of Taoism and scriptures."
Mr. Changqing's face darkened after hearing this. With his intelligence, he could immediately discern the key: "Have all the Taoist books and manuscripts been distributed to dignitaries?"
"What else?" The old Taoist priest sighed with emotion: "Nowadays in Chang'an, there are so many dignitaries who have entered Taoism. It is the fashion for scholars to talk about mysteries and Taoism, and they also write poems about immortals. Guess how many of them are sincere practitioners?
A person who upholds Taoism and Dharma?"
Mr. Changqing tried not to break out. Under the seemingly prosperous appearance of the Taoist sect, most of them are just trying to make up for it and following the trend. These people do not realize the true meaning of peace and are just coming with a curiosity.
And the more such people there are, the more it will encourage heretics to cling to the authentic sect, pretending to be false and pretending to be true, and the scum will rise, creating a demonic atmosphere within the Taoist sect.
"As for recommendations from prefectures and counties, there are very few places." The old Taoist priest continued: "The most are Xijing and Dongdu, with a hundred each, but they were all allocated long ago. Fortunately, because Junior Brother Zhou went to the Duhu Mansion
As a result, Zhonghuang Guan received a rural tribute quota and could send one person to Chang'an for Taoist examinations every year."
The old Taoist priest immediately took out his pen and ink, wrote a few strokes, raised his head and said with a smile: "I haven't asked my nephew about his place of origin and his family name. This must be clearly stated in the recommendation letter sent to Xuanduguan."
"Nanyang, Tang Zijin... Qingqing Zijin's Zijin." Mr. Changqing has not announced his original name to others for a long time. Ever since he received the title given by his master, he has tried to forget this real name.
"Qing Qing Zijin?" The old Taoist master moved his pen as fast as he could and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I believe the couple must have a deep love for each other."
Mr. Changqing's chin trembled, and he almost cursed. What he saw when he was a child involuntarily appeared in front of his eyes - his sick mother often sat by the window, lost in thought, silent for a long time, looking out the window dreamily, unable to
The desolate atmosphere of the words filled the dark room, forming a frozen picture that was imprinted in the depths of Mr. Changqing's mind.
"That man has abandoned us a long time ago, why are you still looking forward to him? Why do you still give me this name?" Tang Zijin, who was kneeling in front of his mother's grave, burst into tears with grief and hatred mixed with his precocious mind.
After that day, Tang Zijin... No, Mr. Changqing had vowed not to shed another tear, but Master Daguan touched his little head with his rough hands:
"Changqing, you are crying today because you are witnessing life and death. People who practice Taoism must understand the key of life and death, but if you see life and death in the world and still don't realize it, then I am afraid it is not the right way. If you see life and death and shed tears in the future, you will definitely
I will see my original mind again and gain enlightenment."
Master's words echoed in his ears, and Mr. Changqing realized that he had shed tears several times before due to the death of Master Zhou Lian.
At first, Mr. Changqing thought it was a cultivator who hurt others, but now he realizes that he had a defective character in the past and laughed at others for pretending too much. But why wasn't he the same?
"Okay!" The old Taoist priest wrote a letter of recommendation and stamped it with his seal: "My nephew will arrive at Xuandu Temple in Chang'an the next day. If you submit this letter of recommendation, you can successfully participate in the Taoist exam."
Mr. Changqing took the letter and immediately bowed and thanked him. The old Taoist priest was afraid of making a mistake, so he added another reminder: "Xuandu Temple is no better than other places. Rich families and nobles come and go, and ordinary money and bribes are self-defeating. My nephew is superb in Taoism, and he only needs to show it."
One or two is enough. A spell that is too sophisticated may attract unnecessary prying eyes. With the help of noble people, it will not be a problem for my nephew to gain a Taoist name."
"Thank you for your guidance." Even though he knew that the other party was repaying him for returning the Twelve Yellow Bells, Mr. Changqing was still grateful from the bottom of his heart.
After putting away the recommendation letter, Mr. Changqing and the temple owner went to the guest house next to the Taoist temple, where Cheng Sanwu and his party were having a meal.
As soon as they entered the door, they saw Cheng Sanwu holding a pottery basin that was bigger than his face and putting the blue-black green rice into his mouth. His neck, which was already thicker than ordinary people, shrank, making people suspect that he had not chewed it at all.
, which is to pour the rice into an abyss.
This green rice was created by the Taoist sages. First, the Nanzhu leaves are crushed to extract the juice, which is used to soak the rice and steam it. Then it is steamed and sun-dried for nine times to prepare dry food. It is easy to store for a long time and is suitable for carrying on long journeys. It is the ideal way for Taoist priests to go into the mountains.
Essential items for boarding.
Some Taoist sects who specialize in gold and stone elixirs even add bluestone fat to green rice, soak it for many days, steam and mash it, then add honey and knead it into pill pills, three pills a day, and use it with big grains to refine qi.
Of course, the green rice that Zhonghuangguan uses to entertain guests will also be mixed with mushrooms, dried bamboo shoots, and wild vegetables and stewed together. Finally, a spoonful of sesame oil is poured on it to add flavor, making the rice grains crystal clear and shiny, and full of color, flavor, and flavor.
In addition to Qingjing Rice, there are also several kinds of vegetarian rice on the table - such as taro simmered with distiller's grains called "Tuzhidan", and "Shenxian Cake" made of mashed Atractylodes yam and boiled with honey, called "Zhenjun Soup"
Dried apricots are cooked into porridge. There is also the "Shanjia Three Crisps", which is made by blanching young bamboo shoots, mushrooms and wolfberry heads in salt water, then adding sesame oil and soy sauce vinegar and mixing them into a dish. It is the most delicate and delicious, which attracts Afu frequently
Put down chopsticks.
It has to be said that Zhonghuangguan’s vegetarian meal is excellent. Except for the undiscriminating Cheng Sanwu, Su Wangting and Afu all admired it. Even Qin Wangshu, who was standing behind Afu, also took a few bites of the fairy cakes.
, and also quietly asked the Taoist priests in the temple about how to make these fasting meals.
"I despise the poverty. It is not as prosperous as Chang'an. I only have these fruits and vegetables from the mountains. Please forgive me." The old Taoist bowed his hands and bowed. He had just learned from Mr. Changqing last night that Afu was a nobleman from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but he did not dare to
The announcement was just to order the Taoists in the temple to prepare a good meal to entertain the guests.
Cheng Sanwu put down the pottery basin, turned his head and took a look, raised his hand and shouted: "Ah! Are you the old bastard who chased me yesterday?!"
"The poor Taoist has great virtue, and Tian is the master of Zhonghuang Temple." The old Taoist bowed slightly.
"Come on, come on, tell me clearly what the hard labor was all about yesterday?" Cheng Sanwu stood up, pointed at Mr. Chang Qing and said, "I heard what he said, you guys in Zhonghuang Guan have no relationship at all.
Pear tree, that’s an ordinary pear tree!”
Fang De didn't have any fear on his face. He stroked his beard lightly, showing the appearance of a worldly expert, and pretended to be pretentious: "No, no, I saw a strong man yesterday with a frown on your eyebrow. If you don't deal with it as soon as possible, there may be a bloody disaster.
Therefore, a plan was devised to allow strong men to carry water back and forth into the mountains, so as to use the righteous energy of the vegetation of Kongtong Mountain to eliminate evil spirits."
"Ah this..." Cheng Sanwu was so frightened that he was speechless and looked at Mr. Changqing blankly.
"Guanzhu Fang's words are true." When Mr. Changqing thought of Cheng Sanwu carrying a bucket and carrying water yesterday, a smile almost came to his face. He also saw that behind Cheng Sanwu, Su Wangting and Afu were supporting each other.
He covered his face with his forehead and struggled to hold back his laughter, but he still gritted his teeth and cooperated and said:
"And no matter what, you were the one who stole first. It's not too much to make up for it by helping Zhonghuang Guan carry water all night. The whole pot of green rice you just ate is more expensive than ten big pears."
The master of the temple treats you very kindly, so please don’t blame a good person by mistake.”
Cheng Sanwu looked ashamed. He looked back. Su Wangting and Afu instantly returned to their nonchalant expressions. Only Qin Wangshu's cold and sharp eyes were filled with sarcasm.
"Okay..." Cheng Sanwu scratched his head, cupped his hands towards Fang De, and said reluctantly: "I did something wrong, please forgive me."
"If you know your mistakes and can correct them, there is no greater good." Fang De said with a twist: "A strong man will achieve a lot in the future, and he will cherish his good deeds."
After saying this, Fang De turned around and left in a hurry, his popularity clearly revealed.
Cheng Sanwu's shoulders relaxed and before he could speak, a burst of laughter burst out from behind. Su Wangting and Afu couldn't bear it any longer, leaving Cheng Sanwu with a confused look on his face.
"Why are you laughing?" Cheng Sanwu turned around and saw Mr. Changqing smiling again, revealing his youthful temperament. The past temperament of high self-esteem and disdain for analogies disappeared without a trace.
"What are you looking at?" Mr. Changqing noticed that Cheng Sanwu was staring closely at him.
Cheng Sanwu muttered: "You seem to have changed, but I can't tell where."
Mr. Changqing frowned. He had just broken through a barrier in his mind, and Cheng Sanwu immediately noticed that he was as sharp as a beast with such incredible sensitivity.
"Thank you." Mr. Changqing said suddenly.
"Thank you for what?" Cheng Sanwu was confused.
"It was you who saved me back in the Western Regions." Mr. Changqing faced the past calmly: "At that time, you could have killed me outside the Huluo Inn, but you didn't."
"If you want to thank them, just thank them both." Cheng Sanwu pointed to the two people behind him: "One found out that you are still alive, and the other advised me not to do anything."
Mr. Changqing was deeply impressed by Cheng Sanwu's frankness. Compared with himself, this man could face his own heart more directly. He could be said to have an unabashed true nature.
"I've finished my work, and I'll go to Chang'an with you." Mr. Changqing smiled faintly, sat down at the table and had breakfast: "Also, just call me Changqing from now on."