Tongtian Bamboo Repair

Chapter 398 Travel

The bell rang, and the voice of Master Laihong came from the lecture hall of Yechuan Temple.

"The Buddhist exam is over today, all disciples will hand over the exam papers."

Hearing this, the disciples who were taking the exam in the Buddhist hall respectfully handed the exam papers to Master Lai Hong with different expressions. The candidates here are of different ages. The eldest is an old man and the youngest is only eleven or twelve years old. Some people wear crutches, others wear braids, and the age range is very large.

And this is just the first Buddhist exam. The first Buddhist exam only tested the three, six, and nine precepts, and all of them were written silently and filled in the blanks. It can be said that as long as you memorize the Three Six Nine Precepts Sutra by heart, then this kind of exam is safe.

Unfortunately, although the Three Six Nine Precepts Sutra is the lowest Buddhist sutra, it cannot be remembered by memory alone. The Buddhist scriptures and the teachings of spiritual practice are actually similar. They are both clumsy and difficult to understand. It is difficult for people without wisdom to memorize scriptures. And this kind of memory will be forgotten over time, which requires repeating the memory every day. The novice stage is okay, there are not too many Buddhist scriptures to memorize, but the higher up, the more Buddhist scriptures are recorded. People without strong wisdom roots will not be able to memorize these Buddhist scriptures at all. And this is how the gap arises.

Some people have been reading scriptures all their lives, but they still fail to pass the first Buddhist exam. They have learned and passed the exam, and they still have three points that they have not learned...

In fact, after the exam is over, most people know whether they can pass it or not. The gap between the blank test paper and the filled test paper suddenly appeared.

Several octogenarians burst into tears after handing in their papers. They had been taking exams and memorizing them all their lives, but they still had not finished most of the exam papers. Buddha is fair. They use examinations to select monks. This cannot be done falsely. It all depends on the students' own abilities. If you don't have the ability, even if you are an old man, no one will take pity on you and allow you to join the Tao.

Zhang Miao also handed in his exam paper. Master Lai Hong took a look at his full exam paper, nodded happily and said: "Lian Zhen, your exam paper is very well written. You should be a sure success in your first Buddhist exam. But you insist on taking the Buddhist exam at such a young age. Do you know that after the Buddhist exam, you will go to Yehuo Honglian Temple to practice. You are thousands of miles away from home, can you handle it?"

Zhang Miao nodded and said seriously: "Disciple, hold on."

When Master Lai Hong heard what he said, he also sighed and said: "As soon as you enter the practice, the world of mortals will be like the past. Family ties are just clouds and smoke. Generally speaking, I would not agree with my disciples to cut off the world of mortals early, but you are different. You have Su Hui. , I have made my own decision since I was a child. You are a person who is born to practice. But from now on, you should not regret it and practice well."

Zhang Miao nodded and said to Master Lai Hong: "Thank you, Master, for your advice. I know this."

In this world, or rather in the entire Buddhist sect. After the disciples pass the first Buddhist examination, they will actually enter the temple to practice. After entering the temple, you are separated from your past family ties, and from now on you can only focus on practicing Buddhism.

Many people actually take the first Buddhist exam when they are sixteen or seventeen years old, for no other reason than to spend the sixteen or seventeen years with their families. Before the Buddha became enlightened, he had to fulfill his filial piety and fulfill his responsibilities as a prince. Buddha is not the way to sever love and nature, but the way to great perfection. Monks should also fulfill their social responsibilities before entering the Taoist order.

It's just that Zhang Miao is not really a person of this way, he has a purpose.

Lai Hong waved her hand and sent Zhang Miao away. Zhang Miao walked out of Yechuan Temple and saw Yali Gan with a look of reluctance. She was dressed very beautifully today, a pale white dress, a sky blue waistcoat, and her hair was tied up high, dotted with finger-sized turquoise, agate and pearls.

She was dressed up today, and her gorgeous outfit made her so eye-catching that she seemed to stand out among the crowd. But in Zhang Miao's eyes, her expression was full of uneasiness and hesitation. She was very torn. She hoped that her son could pass the exam, but she also hoped that her son could not pass the exam.

If Lian Zhen passes the exam, it will be a reward for his hard work over the years, and the mother will naturally be happy. But after Lian Zhen passes the exam, he will go to the Yehuo Honglian Temple thousands of miles away to practice. From then on, it will be difficult for mother and son to see each other again. Isn't this a pain for her. At this moment, she suddenly understood why some people had been advising her to have another baby all these years.

The eldest son is a talented person. He will definitely be like an eagle in the sky. When he grows up, he will stay away from his nest and pursue his own sky. And all that is left are empty nesters like her. The next child may not be as good as the eldest son, but he will stay in his hometown and become his comfort.

When Zhang Miao saw his mother, he walked up with a smile, saluted her, and said, "I have passed the exam. This is what the master said personally. Mother, please bless me."

Yali Gan looked at him with a complicated expression. Finally, under the envious eyes of many people, she gently stroked Zhang Miao's head and said, "As a mother, I wish you my best wishes. My outstanding son..."

Zhang Miao looked at her, knowing that she was very reluctant to let go, but that was fate. Destiny is like a mountain, a mountain will never bow to anyone. Even the mother earth who raises the mountains is the same.
-

A month later, Zhang Miao was holding a green horse and saying his final farewell to Yali Gan. Yaligan tied up Zhang Miao's baggage and said with red eyes: "Good boy, it's thousands of miles away. You have to be careful on the long journey. If you find it hard, just ride back. No matter what, Mother is waiting for you at home."

Zhang Miao sighed in his heart, and said to Yali Gan: "Don't worry, mother, I will take good care of myself. The mountains are high and the rivers are long, and there will be a way back. I will always remember that you exist in Baishui River."

After listening to Zhang Miao's words, Yaliqian couldn't bear it anymore. She hugged her son and cried loudly. After crying for a long time, Zhang Miao broke away from her arms, then got on his horse and headed towards Honglian Temple.

Honglian Temple is in the center of the Red Lotus Realm and is the core area of ​​this world. All novice monks who pass the first Buddhist examination must go to Honglian Temple independently. Along the way, they may encounter wild animals, floods, or gangsters. But these are all tests for these new novice monks. Only those who pass these tests are the true disciples of Honglian Temple.

Zhang Miao was carrying a luggage, which contained his identification certificate and two pieces of unlined clothing. The horse under his crotch was also one of the items allowed to be carried. In addition, Zhang Miao is not allowed to carry other items. Along the way, he had to figure out his own food and daily life.

Fortunately, the status of monks in the Honglian world is very high, so Zhang Miao can beg alms along the way to solve the problem of food and accommodation.

The Red Lotus Realm is a small world, no more than ten thousand miles across. This world is densely populated and people live by the water. Walking along the Honglian River, there is almost no wilderness. But more than a hundred miles away from both sides of the Honglian River, the population will be sparse.

Zhang Miao walked along the river and walked on the spacious dirt road. He was dressed as a novice monk. When passers-by saw him, they would stop and salute him with folded hands. They would often give him food and water, and there were even people willing to lead his horse and lead the way.

Zhang Miao, the person leading the horse, declined, and only took what he needed for food and water. Zhang Miao is restrained and will not be arrogant or rude because of his high status.

After walking like this for about two days, he finally walked out of the Baishui River. Even though the short boundary monument was beaten by wind and rain, the words engraved on it were still clearly visible. Behind Zhang Miao is Baishuichuan, and in front of Zhang Miao is the boundary of Tuliang.

After walking for a long time, Zhang Miao felt his mouth was dry. The green horse under his crotch was also a little tired. Even though he passed the Buddhist exam, he is still an eleven-year-old child, and he is still an ordinary person.

Fortunately, not long after leaving, Zhang Miao saw a small village ahead. He cheered up and drove his horse into the village. As soon as he entered the village, he immediately attracted everyone's attention. Everyone looked at his dress and became less wary of him. Not long after, an old man came to Zhang Miao. He saluted Zhang Miao and asked respectfully: "Excuse me, young master, what do you want to do when you come to my village?"

Zhang Miao turned over and dismounted. He also returned the salute to the old man, and then said: "I am a young monk who is going east to Honglian Temple to study. I happened to pass by here, but now the man is tired and the horse is tired, so I want to find a place to rest. .”

As soon as Zhang Miao's words came out, the old man immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and said: "You are so polite, young master. Please come here. I will prepare meals and beds for you immediately."

As he spoke, he waved to a woman next to him, then said a few words to the woman, and the woman left immediately. Zhang Miao followed his father-in-law and slowly came to a house.

"This is the village warehouse. Although it is not very gorgeous, it is spacious and clean. Please rest here, young master."

My father-in-law spoke very politely. In fact, this kind of warehouse in the village is already a pretty good house. The food supplies that need to be paid in the village will be stored here. For the safety of these goods, a high-walled compound is built here, which is clean, hygienic, ventilated and dry to prevent the goods stored here from deterioration and damage.

Ordinary people in the Red Lotus Realm must pay tribute to the temples under their jurisdiction. This can be regarded as a kind of tax.

Zhang Miao stayed in the warehouse, and someone immediately gave him a bed. There was no bed here, but when Zhang Miao came, there was one. The green horse was also taken aside and began to be fed with water and fodder.

After waiting for a while, a table of sumptuous meals was also brought over. Although the ingredients are just common chicken, duck and fish, there is nothing special and delicious. But the chickens and ducks are plump and the fish is fresh, so it’s pretty good.

The monks in the Red Lotus Realm are not forbidden to eat meat and fish. They can eat chicken, duck, and fine wine. As a tantric monk, as long as you abide by the precepts, there are no taboos in what you do.

After we had had enough wine and food, several young girls came to clear the table. They have beautiful faces, hot figures, and beautifully dressed. But when they saw Zhang Miao's age and figure like a bean sprout, they all sighed helplessly and left with regret.

The monks in the Red Lotus Realm are not abstinent. If Zhang Miao were older, he would have some capital. He will probably be kept overnight.

After eating and drinking, Zhang Miao lay on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. Once he fell asleep, he slept until the rest of the night.

While he was sleeping peacefully, suddenly there was a heavy knock on his door. He was immediately awakened and asked quickly: "Who is it?"

"It's me, the village chief. Something's wrong with the little master. A thief has entered the village. Little master, please hide!" The village chief, the old man, shouted in fear.

Zhang Miao was startled. He stood up and opened the door wide, and saw the village chief saying in fear: "Little master, gangsters have entered the village. You are in danger here, so you should leave quickly and hide in other villagers' homes!"

Zhang Miao lives in a warehouse. The first target of thieves entering the village must be the warehouse. It would be dangerous if the thieves discovered that he lived here.

Zhang Miao is an old monster who has lived for nearly a thousand years. He looks young on the surface, but he is not really young. After a brief surprise, he immediately calmed down and asked, "How many thieves are there? Do you know their details? How long will it take for them to get here?"

The old man was stunned. Seeing how calm Zhang Miao was, he answered truthfully: "This group of thieves are yellow-haired thieves nearby. They are so named because the hair and beards on their heads are dyed yellow. The leader of the bandit is called Ah Huang. Mao, his hair and beard are not dyed, but are naturally yellow. There are about fifty people in this group of thieves, operating near Tuliang, not only robbing, but also killing."

"Our night watchmen found traces of the yellow-haired thief. They should be their spies. If the estimate is correct, they should arrive in the village in more than a quarter of an hour."

Although the father-in-law was a bit verbose, he still explained the matter clearly. When Zhang Miao heard this, his expression became solemn.

"They still kill people?" Zhang Miao asked?

"Who says otherwise? Ah Huang Mao is very bloodthirsty. If the robbery goes well, he will kill a few people to celebrate. If the robbery does not go well, he will kill a few people to vent his anger. Such evil thieves are like the evil ghosts in Ah Bi Hell. "When the old man said this, his body couldn't help but tremble.

Zhang Miao thought for a moment, and immediately said to his father-in-law: "My father-in-law, I can't escape if I run away. The thieves sent spies, which means they may have surrounded the village. With the current plan, we can only save ourselves."

"If you listen to me in this high-walled warehouse, you will lead the people in the village to hide in the warehouse and organize young people to defend it. Then set off fireworks and ask the temple for help. This is the right thing to do."

When Zhang Miao said this, the old man was stunned. He said 'ah', but he didn't expect that the young master in front of him still had such courage.

Zhang Miao looked at the hesitant father-in-law and said calmly: "I can escape today, but your village will also be robbed, people will die, and your village will suffer heavy losses."

"But on the other hand, if we stay here and wait for reinforcements, we may be safe and sound, and we may even be able to exterminate this group of evil thieves. You have to understand that there must be a master with profound Buddhist teachings stationed in the temple. As long as the master comes, these villains will eventually be destroyed. Chicken and country dog.”

Zhang Miao's words were very soft, but they seemed to have some kind of power. The village chief gradually calmed down after hearing this. He thought for a moment, gritted his teeth and said to Zhang Miao: "As the young master said, I will organize the manpower right away!"

After saying that, he bowed to Zhang Miao and left in a hurry.

And Zhang Miao was sitting cross-legged on the bed. His face was gloomy and he didn't know what he was thinking...

(End of this chapter)