Yijuan cloud

Chapter 97 Staying in a Temple
This place is the boundary of Lingshan Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, a clear river snake entwines the mountain stream.

The town was built near the river, so it was named Qinghe Town.

The Qinghe Temple that the innkeeper mentioned was located on a hill more than a hundred feet high.

Because they were robbed in the mountains, most of their horses and supplies were lost. It was already dark, and there was a long mountain road ahead, so they had to rest here before setting off.

In desperation, we had to rush to Qinghe Temple.

The carriage and horses stopped at the foot of the mountain, leaving only two guards to guard them while the rest climbed up the hill on foot.

It was just the beginning of twilight, and the mountain road was lonely and empty, with no one around.

There are lush trees on both sides, blocking out the sky and making it even darker.

Fortunately, we were a group of people, so we didn’t feel scared going on the mountain road in the dark.

Mrs. Cheng walked with me and Linghua. She walked briskly and said, "One house is full, how can every house be like this? I think those inns just don't want us to stay. Why? There must be something weird."

I took a rest, panted slightly, and said: "On our way here, apart from refugees, there are almost no people running business or going out on errands on the official road, and there are very few carriages and horses in the stables of each inn. It can be seen that It was the shopkeeper who told lies. Ignore them, luckily there is still a temple where I can stay."

At this time, the person walking in front suddenly stopped.

I saw Xing'er bending down and holding a white thing in his arms, and threw it down the hillside with all his strength.

I hurried over in one breath and saw them looking around warily and no longer stepping forward.

I thought someone was ambushing me again, so I lowered my voice and asked Xing'er, "What did you throw just now?"

"A sheep," he whispered, then added, "The neck was wiped."

I became nervous for a moment, and when I lowered my head, I saw a black mass on the stone steps. I guess it was the blood of the sheep.

The mountain road that I thought was quiet and quiet just now suddenly felt a little scary.

Guard Zhan said: "Goats are precious things, and they shouldn't be left here casually. Besides, how can there be goats halfway up the mountain? This matter is not trivial. I wish we didn't go up the mountain again."

"If we don't go up the mountain, how can we sleep in the open air? We can live with it, but Miss Lin can't bear it." Mrs. Cheng said.

Xing'er thought: "I felt something was wrong ever since those inns refused to let us stay. That sheep had its throat cut and was thrown here. Is it to scare us that even the temple won't let us stay?"

That Tutu said coldly: "It's just a mystery."

"Sheep to be slaughtered." I whispered, "What did the person who threw the dead sheep mean?"

I glanced around the dark mountain forest and said, "Is it possible that someone is really targeting us? That's the case. It's not safe whether we go up or down the mountain at this time."

Guard Zhan said: "In the open land at the foot of the mountain, we can advance and retreat. What do you think, Mr. Xing'er?"

Xing'er pondered and said: "Miss, what you said makes sense. There are dangers going up and down the mountain. It just depends on what everyone wants. Miss, what do you think?"

Mrs. Cheng said: "Let's go up the mountain. At least we can have a full meal and rest."

Several other Jianghu people also said: "What kind of monsters can be hidden in a small and broken town? Let alone a temple, even a dragon's pond and a tiger's den, just a few of them can break into it."

Guard Zhan said respectfully to me: "Miss——"

I looked up and looked ahead. The moon had risen. The clear moonlight shone in the mountains and forests, and there were dots of bright stars. However, the mountain road was still dark and dark. I didn't know what the scene was in front of me.

"Let's go to the temple. We have been tired for a long day and we have to find a place to stay." I said loudly.

Because they were wary, when a young novice came to open the door sleepily, Toutagasyapa and Hongwan still put their hands on their weapons, guarding the young novice on their left and right.

The little novice monk was startled and stammered: "Why do all the donors come to this temple late at night?"

I took a step forward, put my hands together and saluted, and said, "I am passing through a treasured land while traveling north and south. I would like to stay overnight. I hope it will be convenient for me, my little master."

"You... why don't you stay at the inn at the foot of the mountain? You..." The little novice monk still looked fearful.

“The inn at the foot of the mountain is full! There’s no room left!”

Several people from the traveling world said one after another: "Young monk is so annoying. It's so late and we've already arrived. Are you going to drive us away?"

"Why—what's the fuss about?"

A great monk came over, asked us, and found out that we were a passing caravan staying there, so he led us into the monastery.There are faintly lush pines and cypresses in the yard, and the smell of incense permeates the surroundings. It is an excellent place for meditation.

After entering the backyard room, the young monk brought some vegetarian meals and a teapot, and my hanging heart dropped.

All night.

In the early morning, I was woken up by a low and distant bell, the sunlight filtered in sparsely through the window, and the crisp and gentle chirping of birds was heard.

At this moment, my heart is rarely at peace.

Ever since I found out that my mother was gone, I have been in a daze. I want to go to Fujian as soon as possible, to see the Lin family's new house and the place where my mother lived...

It’s been a long time since I paid attention to the things around me.

Being in such a good time at this time, I can't help but think about the prince. I wonder what he is doing at this time.
If he came to this mountain temple together, he would also like the ringing of bells in the empty mountain and the silence here.

Linghua waited on me and changed into a green dress embroidered with bamboos and cranes and went out. Guard Zhan who was guarding the door hurriedly asked me respectfully where I was having my meal.

"No need to prepare yet, just go to the main hall and have a look."

There are about ten monks in the temple.

At this time, we were doing morning prayers in the Main Hall, chanting the Great Compassion Mantra together.

In the main hall, oil lamps, treasure covers, oil lamps, banners and flags are solemnly arranged. There are three golden seated Buddha statues enshrined inside, with sixteen statues on both sides.

In front of the Tathagata Bodhisattva, no one is disrespectful and willing to bow down and worship. How can there be any doubts about this sacred place?
All of us were attracted by the morning bell and bowed with our hands together.

The abbot of Qinghe Temple came out, frowned and said: "The murderous aura in all the donors is so strong, please come with me."

Could it be that he saw that we went through a bloody disaster in Lingshan?
Even Tutu Kasyapa was stern, and Mrs. Cheng, who had always been showing off her charm intentionally or unintentionally, also had a solemn look on her face.

Xing'er turned his head and winked at me.

In the past, I went to the temple with my mother to offer incense. Xing'er and I never believed in this, and we winked at each other to amuse ourselves. At this time, he must have scoffed at it, but I already thought it was true.

I glared back at him and followed the abbot into the main hall.

The abbot held a purification bottle, dipped his fingers into the fragrant soup, and sprinkled it in front of each of us to help us get rid of evil spirits.

Then, the monks recited a verse in their mouths: With no self, no one, no living beings, and no lifespan, if you practice all good Dharma, you will achieve Anuttarasamyaksambodhi...

Incense is burning.

The white smoke makes people feel like they are in the sky, as if they have ascended to become a fairy, and their whole body is light and airy...

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw the dim candlelight flickering.

I was confused for a moment, then woke up and sat up.

My head still hurt, I looked around and saw that I was in a stone room with no doors or windows.

There was a small bed under her body, and Linghua was still asleep.

After shaking Linghua awake, she saw the situation clearly and said in a voiceless voice: "Where is this? Aren't we in the main hall?"

At this time, the stone wall creaked, revealing a small door.

A slender figure walked in. She walked quickly to me with light steps.

She is actually a young woman.

She was wearing red brocade makeup and her eyebrows were facing each other. She was petite and sweet, and her eyes were like dots of paint, looking straight at me.

I suddenly felt that she looked very familiar, as if I had seen her somewhere before, but she was obviously a stranger.

Linghua rushed in front of me and said nervously: "Who are you?"

I pulled Linghua to my side and waited quietly for the other party to speak.

She pursed her lips and smiled, her dimples twitching, looking very delicate, and said:
"Lin Juanyun, I didn't expect you to fall into my hands one day. Hahahaha, it's so happy. I caught you all so easily."

(End of this chapter)