I have ten trillion licking dog gold

The heart of Jinling West Road, the most prosperous area in Donghai.

Between high-rise buildings encased in cold, hard glass curtain walls.

A golden palace roof comes into view, with yellow walls and red eaves, forming a Buddhist paradise in the modern city.

"Wow, good heavens."

Looking at the majestic Ashoka Pillar standing in front of the gate, the Martial Saint clicked his tongue and then whispered to Yu Yao, "Yao Yao, is your Taoist temple this amazing too?"

In his imagination, the place that could nurture his older sister and Liuli, who were so extraordinary, must be a ethereal and dreamlike divine cave or immortal abode. But the little girl shook her head without hesitation and answered simply and decisively, "No."

Since the Martial Saint never went there, it's perfectly understandable that his imagination was influenced by it.

In fact, let alone comparing it to this quiet temple, the entire building materials used in that dilapidated temple probably don't even add up to the weight of the Peace Bell not far away.

The Peace Bell weighs seven tons!

Not to mention the hundred-ton granite stone engraved with Su Shi's handwritten Diamond Sutra, and the gilded lion guarding the mountain gate at the top, stepping on the world.

The signboards were faded, crooked, and rickety, a dilapidated sight, no comparison to a head.

However, just because the hardware is inferior does not mean that the software is inferior.

A mountain is not sacred because of its height, but because of the immortals dwelling there; water is not sacred because of its depth, but because of the dragons residing within.

Yu Yao wasn't ashamed at all, and even extended an invitation, "Brother Martial Saint, you can come and visit."

"Okay!"

The Martial Saint nodded immediately, without even bothering with formalities.

Jiang Chen knew exactly what the boy was thinking. Yu Yao was alright, since the little girl herself said she wasn't a Taoist priest, but with Duanmu Liuli, the proper successor, right beside them, he couldn't be too direct.

Sometimes, it's better to cherish the memory than to meet again.

He said it tactfully.

"What?"

The Martial Saint could hardly comprehend it.

"For example, online dating is only suitable for chatting online, understand?"

The Martial Saint quickly understood and nodded in comprehension.

What kind of place is Donghai? It's the national financial center, ranking among the top in the world. You can imagine the scale and luxury of Anjing Temple, located in the center of Donghai. He was just joking.

"Brother, I understand. What's the use of being pretty? What matters is inner qualities."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen knew that he still didn't quite understand.

Also.

If he hadn't been there, he certainly wouldn't have imagined that a place where every disciple was a god-like figure could have fallen into such a state of destitution.

Without saying anything more, Jiang Chen simply patted the kid on the shoulder.

Let him have more beautiful imagination.

As soon as you step across the threshold, the noise of the outside world suddenly fades away.

In the center of the courtyard, the giant Fu Hui Bao Ding (Blessing and Wisdom Cauldron) swirls with blue smoke, and fine incense ash slowly drifts down, the gentle sandalwood fragrance enveloping every worshipper.

Along the central axis, the Mahavira Hall stands majestically. The entire hall is constructed without a single nail, relying entirely on teak mortise and tenon joints. The copper-tiled roof gleams warmly in the sunlight.

Once you come here, you can truly understand why every inch of land in the East China Sea is so valuable.

"Ouch—"

Standing outside the hall, the Martial Saint examined the towering Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside. "Could this be made of silver?"

"It should be."

Upon hearing Jiang Chen's answer, Wu Sheng's face twisted slightly. "That must be over ten tons? That's fucking rich."

I haven't seen enough of the world.

A few days ago when we went to Macau, Jiang Chen should have taken him to see the golden tree at Wanxi Palace. That way, the kid wouldn't have made such a fuss.

"Slow down!" Yu Hui couldn't hold the little girl's hand anymore.

The corridor is an exquisitely designed gallerie, with white marble railings carved with lotus patterns. Monks in gray robes walk slowly by, their cloth shoes rustling on the stone slabs. To the west, a seven-story square pagoda rises from the ground, its finial gilded, and its niches contain solemn statues. On one side, a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree takes root in the courtyard. Yu Yao ran to sit on a stone bench under the tree for a while, then ran away again.

The bells rang intermittently, and the chanting of Buddhist hymns lingered softly.

It must be admitted that most famous temples and ancient monasteries seek tranquility deep in the mountains, and those that break with convention and place themselves in the heart of the bustling world are few and far between.

"Keep an eye on it."

Jiang Chen gave instructions to the Martial Saint.

Martial Saint was truly dedicated; after all, he hadn't been shortchanged during the shopping trip. Any pair of limited-edition sneakers would have made him the coolest kid in the whole school back in Boss Jiang's era.

The Martial Saint replaced Yu Hui, closely following the little maid who wandered around the various halls.

The little girl is quite amusing. No matter what kind of Buddha she sees, she will go and bow to it, putting her hands together and kneeling on the prayer mat, looking very proper, while ignoring the conspicuous donation box next to her.

no way.

She has no money.

"...Mr. Jiang, won't you pay your respects?"

Just as Jiang Chen was silently marveling at the fact that he was practicing both Buddhism and Taoism, Yu Hui couldn't help but speak up.

At this moment, the group arrived at the Temple of the God of War and Wealth.

It's understandable that Duanmu Liuli doesn't worship the God of Wealth; he's a pure Taoist with his own beliefs, but how can someone who's in business not worship the God of Wealth?
Even a heinous criminal like Luo Han would have a shrine.

"Isn't it a bit inappropriate to have so many people?"

"what?"

Yu Hui was bewildered.

In the bustling God of Wealth Hall, Jiang Chen said softly, "Most people who come to temples to burn incense come prepared, either hoping to make a fortune and have good luck, or praying for academic success and a happy marriage. But does that mean they think fate owes them something?"

Caught off guard, Yu Hui was stunned and lost in thought, hearing this interpretation for the first time.

"When you come to worship Buddha and make all sorts of requests, are you perhaps implying that Buddha made a mistake in his arrangements and needs you, a mere mortal, to enlighten him? Does that mean the incense you burn and the money you give as donations are bribes?"

Jiang Chen said, "Moreover, even when asking someone for a favor, one shouldn't make a big fuss. If you really encounter a corrupt official and have to give gifts, you should do it discreetly. Is it scientific to ask someone to do favors and use back channels in full view of everyone?"

Yu Hui was speechless, her mind blank.

Duanmu Liuli, who had also heard someone's remarks, glanced at him sideways with a slight ripple in her eyes.

Before Yu Hui could fully appreciate the profound meaning of those words, the little girl ran out again.

The group could only keep up.

This time, the little girl ran into the Guanyin Hall.

The roof is covered with yellow glazed tiles, and a whole thousand-year-old camphor tree has been carved into a Guanyin statue that is more than six meters tall.

"...I never expected Mr. Jiang to have such a profound understanding of Buddhism."

Yu Hui spoke slowly, not as a formality, but from the depth of her feelings. The look in her eyes as she gazed at someone was no longer simply one of awe, but had transformed into admiration.

The more carefully you savor it, the more you realize that the casual remark the other person just made was incredibly meaningful.

Jiang Chen coughed lightly, not forgetting that the Daoist nun was beside him just because she wasn't speaking.
"Actually, I believe more in Taoism."

Yu Hui was speechless for a moment, then smiled knowingly.

Like the other halls, the Guanyin Hall was still crowded with people, and you had to queue up to worship.

When you need someone to help you, queuing is perfectly normal.

Smoke swirled around.

One wish after another was sent down upon Guanyin.

Finally, Yu Yao got her place. With the help of the Martial Saint, she skillfully knelt on the prayer mat amidst the crowded adults, bowed her head, and clasped her hands together in front of her chest.

"May you enjoy good health, Bodhisattva." (End of Chapter)