My enemies became my companions

Chapter 467: Reunion after a long separation (two in one)

The distant mountains are covered with snow.

The fir trees stood upright, their cold shadows sandwiched a small grave. Yin Tingxue was wrapped in a red cotton jacket. The Bodhisattva stood on the stone tablet. She clasped her hands together and chanted a prayer to go to heaven. After an unknown amount of time, a touch of coldness appeared on her face, like dewdrops falling into water.
It suddenly snowed here too.

After praying, Yin Tingxue wiped away the white hair on the Bodhisattva's head and put it in her arms. This ugly faceless Bodhisattva was a gift from her husband when they got married. She always carried it in her arms and rarely put it aside. Therefore, the ugly Bodhisattva still had some residual warmth and was not cold.

At the edge of the hillside, the yellow dog barked at her anxiously, but was afraid to jump over.

"I'll be right up."

Yin Tingxue responded and walked over holding the Bodhisattva. The small grave gradually became farther away. When she climbed up the hillside and looked back, only a shadow was left among the fir trees. She silently chanted "Namo Amitabha". A puppy was buried in the grave. When Huang Niang'er went up the mountain, she was the mother of several children. Yin Tingxue gave all the puppies away, except for one that was so weak that it couldn't even drink milk. She tried her best to raise it, squeezing its milk to feed it, but it didn't survive and died in the spring.

Even if Yin Tingxue wanted to save her, she couldn't do anything because she didn't know any Taoism at that time. But it's different now. More than half a year has passed and she has already achieved the Golden Elixir stage.

But the past is the past.

That was not the first time Yin Tingxue had seen death. She had long understood that birth, aging, sickness and death were the norm in the world, so she buried the puppy in the ground and built a grave. She would come to worship from time to time. Even the dog had forgotten about giving birth to such a weak child, but she still remembered.

Yinjian Mountain is located to the north, and Cangwu Peak faces the north slope, so light snow falls in late autumn. A man and a dog walked along the mountain path through the shadows of two clusters of fir trees and arrived at the door of their home.

A thin layer of white had fallen from the eaves and window frames, and the sky was a dull grey. Yin Tingxue reached out and touched the snow, which melted at the warmth of her hand. How fragile it was! She murmured in a low voice, "Snow is a girl."

After she finished speaking, she jumped in the snow, her thick cotton jacket bouncing up and down, and added as a matter of course, "So my name is Tingxue."

Huang Nianger wagged her tail happily and jumped a little.

The door opened and the biting cold hit her face. A house where one lives always gets cold very quickly. Without people coming and going and without the smell of smoke, it is colder than outside. However, Yin Tingxue is used to it and doesn't even shrink her neck.

Although she is a golden elixir, she seldom uses Taoist methods often.

Dim light shone through the window lattice, the coffee table was clean, the porcelain bowl seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, blurry, the corner was dark and quiet, only when she was a child would she worry that there was a ghost inside. Yin Tingxue sent Huang Nianger back to her nest, then walked around the front hall and returned to the bedroom. There was a screen with a distant view of mountains and rivers in front of her, she walked around it and sat on the bed. Everything inside was very clean, so clean that she was the only one there.

Wouldn’t a person be lonely?
Yin Tingxue didn't know either, but she suddenly remembered the question she asked when she took Chen Yi to Yintai Temple, so she took out the warm ugly Buddha.

Her fingertips brushed across the edge of the Bodhisattva and she stared at it motionlessly.

When will he come?
Yin Tingxue still didn't know. She felt that she missed him a little, but she didn't dare to think too much, fearing that the more she missed him, the less likely he would come back, because he loved bullying her too much...

The room was very quiet. The chessboard was spread out on the table. The black and white chess pieces were silent in the box. She suddenly thought of the time when she was worshipped as a saint and trapped in the tower. At that time, all the maids were dismissed. She sat on the bed from dawn to dusk. Those days were terribly depressing. She still has lingering fears now.

She didn't know what she was waiting for, she just kept waiting and waiting.

At the moment, she was sitting alone quietly.

It's a bit like the past...

Yin Tingxue took a deep breath and lay on the bed, hugging the ugly Bodhisattva. She remembered that although she didn't know what she was waiting for, she vaguely wanted to wait for her mother to come back. Not the terminally ill mother, but the mother in Yintai Temple many years ago, who still had a gentle bun and a bright and juicy candied haws... But she waited and waited, but she never came.

"Can't he wait?" Yin Tingxue murmured.

White frost formed on the paper windows of the bedroom, which reminded her of how she used her hands to write to pass the time when she was trapped in the tower. The life of the "Pure Saint" was still alive, and now she had come back to life from loneliness, because now Yin Tingxue was also writing on the frost.

Everything is just like in the past.

This made Yin Tingxue shudder.

The girl stopped her fingertips, as if intentionally distinguishing herself from the past, and returned to the bed. Without taking off her cotton-padded jacket, she rolled the quilt over herself. Her body finally felt exceptionally warm, but it seemed unreal.

Yin Tingxue felt around the pillow and pulled out the small paper flower. She curled up in her quilt and stared at it.
After a long time, she murmured:
"Aren't you coming back?"

.........

After a few days, a Taoist friend from afar came to visit Yinjian Mountain.

The current head of Yinjian Mountain is Baiyu Zhenren, who is clearly in his eighties, but has a youthful face with not a single wrinkle on his face. His name listed in the sect's genealogy is An Zhen, and although his surname is An, he is only a distant relative of the An family of Danyang. Moreover, those who practice Taoism have long cut off worldly ties, so they cannot be any more distant from the world, and only an empty name remains.

No matter what family or surname a person comes from, when a fellow Taoist visits, one must treat the visitor with courtesy. Moreover, Taoism has always been indifferent to fame and fortune and valued fate. No matter how noble or humble, it is best for the host and the guest to have a good time. When the head of the Taoist sect, An Zhenren Baiyu, received the invitation and learned that the visitor was from Wanshou Palace, she became even more cautious.

The reason is simple. Shenxiao Sect originated in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is well-known for its talismans to control ghosts and exorcise demons. Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty believed in Shenxiao Sect. Guo Jing, who raised the Six-army Divine Army when the Jin army broke into the city, was an expelled disciple of Shenxiao Sect, becoming a big stain on the sect. Since the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, Shenxiao Sect has gradually declined and lost its former glory. Wanshou Palace is the only remaining branch. Even though it is deserted, it is respected in a mountain with a very important origin.

Wanshou Palace hopes that the righteous people will ask to see Jianjia in the letter.

The leader of the sword art of the thirty-six peaks of Yinjian Mountain in every sixty years is Jianjia. Jianjia does not have an actual position, nor does he need to take care of the affairs of the mountain. His responsibility is to bear the sword art fortune of Yinjian Mountain, or to clear the way for the descendants of Yinjian Mountain and even the sword art, or to guard the sword art achievements of their predecessors. Therefore, Jianjias in history mostly practiced seclusion and seldom showed up, and the head of the sect could not force him to show up, but just sent someone to convey the invitation. Surprisingly, Jianjia did show up, although he left in a hurry, the appearance of such a legendary figure was enough to flatter the Taoists of Wanshou Palace.

Although Jianjia bowed and left, Yin Tingxue stayed.

Seeing that he was the same age as her and was also Jianjia's disciple, Li Huiyue couldn't help but feel very curious. She wanted to see what this disciple was capable of. She mustered up the courage to communicate with him, but was greatly disappointed and her courage was in vain.

Yin Tingxue knew almost nothing about spiritual practice, and he only talked about Taoism in general terms. His understanding was vague and he had no deep understanding. He could talk a little about Buddhism, but for a Taoist to learn Buddhism was like a dog trying to catch a rat.

Yin Tingxue could hear the disappointment in Li Huiyue's heart and felt a little embarrassed. However, even though she didn't know how to do it, she could still learn, so she might as well ask for advice.

"Senior Sister Li, can we talk in detail about how to practice?"

Li Huiyue did not refuse and said, "Think about it. It is God's will that people are born, grow old, get sick and die. But it is reasonable for cultivators like me to achieve immortality. Of course not. Water flows to the lowest places. Human cultivation is like sailing against the current, going against God's will. The higher you go, the steeper the path becomes. There are thousands of difficulties and dangers. Those who can achieve immortality are all people with strong wills. If they go one step further and become one with the Great Dao, their every move will be a sign of heaven and earth. Monks do not lie. I tell you sincerely that Heaven is ruthless. Although you are a disciple of Jianjia, if you are complacent and do not make progress, I am afraid that you will be mediocre all your life... and you may not even be able to reach my realm."

Yin Tingxue listened in a daze, it turned out that there were so many tricks in it.

She couldn't help but ask: "What realm is Senior Sister in now?"

Li Huiyue said arrogantly: "I have already completed the foundation last month."

"..." Yin Tingxue paused for a moment and said softly: "...so amazing."

“It’s just so-so. Overrated.”

Li Huiyue bowed repeatedly, feeling indescribably comfortable in his heart, especially when he thought that Yin Tingxue was a disciple of Jianjia, he felt even happier.

People always show weakness in front of higher-level figures, and because of this, they will want to show off even more.

While they were exchanging thoughts here, Zhao Deshan and the head of the sect exchanged pleasantries and finally got to the serious matter mentioned in the invitation.

"No more pleasantries. Today we come to pay our respects to the mountain gate because we have killed a notorious bandit, but have no way to present him to the capital."

Zhao Deshan said so.

Immediately, Master Baiyu said solemnly, "Please take a look."

The Shenxiao Sect had long been in decline, and they had no connections in the capital. After killing a bandit leader, they were afraid that the credit would be seized by government officials, so they went to Yinjian Mountain, hoping to use Yinjian Mountain's connections to send him to the capital.

Zhao Deshan just waved his hand, and two disciples stepped over the threshold holding a wooden box, very solemnly. Yin Tingxue looked over curiously.

The wooden box slowly opened.

The girl suddenly stiffened.

They brought out Chen Yi's head...

…………

"So he wanted to kill someone to silence him, but because he fought with the bull, both of them were injured, and you took advantage of him?"

The head of the sect was quite surprised. He looked at the head in the wooden box again and counted with his fingers. It was Chen Yi's head.

The powerful Captain Chen who was so influential half a year ago just died like this?

The head of the sect, Master Bai Yu, lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. He felt that it was strange. Monks do not lie, and Zhao Deshan is unlikely to be aimless. Even if he is really deceiving, it is not good to expose him in public and make people lose face. What's more, it is really Chen Yi's head. Master Bai Yu saw that the head was calm, and he used his fingers to feel the consciousness, and then asked: "Where is the soul?"

"Soul?" Zhao Deshan's face was full of confusion, he had no idea what was going on.

"This person has practiced Taoism, and I'm afraid he has the secret technique of escaping from his shell. If the soul is not exterminated, the body is useless." Bai Yu Zhenren shook his head, then narrowed his eyes and said, "However, since the body is still there, we can also use it to summon the soul and capture the spirit."

Whenever it was the day to eliminate bandits and demons, Yinjian Mountain would always go to the capital together with Shangqing Dao to set up a Taoist temple. Although they did not interfere in worldly affairs, they always had to give face to the royal family. Therefore, even if there was no corpse here, Yinjian Mountain was distinguished from these bandits in terms of good and evil.

What's more, the body is here today, so it would be easy to summon the soul and capture it, right?

…………

The sky was dark and there was no time to lose. Taoist Master Baiyu set up the altar in the square in front of the lobby. He was in the lead formation in a bright yellow sacrificial robe, with Taoists holding swords to protect him at his sides.

"Soul, come back! Why do you go to all directions when you leave your constant place? You leave your happy place and go away to that ominous place..."

The altar for summoning souls waved its green banner, and pieces of paper money scattered into the fire. The girl seemed to hear nothing, and walked away in a daze, carrying the altar on her back.

Yin Tingxue's mind went blank, she didn't know what to do, and she couldn't hear any sounds around her. Strangely enough, she didn't feel any sadness in her heart at that moment, as if the whole world had died.

She was not in a panic. On the contrary, she was extremely energetic, as if she was having a last breath of life. She left the reception hall and returned to her small building. Huang Niang'er called to her and wagged her tail rapidly. Yin Tingxue gave her a lot more food, which was leftover from the night before and was delivered today. It contained stalks of rice, fried eggs, lean meat, and water spinach.

That's how he died.

Yin Tingxue felt that it was a true story. How many people in the world died unclearly, especially those in novels. Death was just a matter of turning a page. It was nothing strange. She stroked the Bodhisattva and didn't even notice Huang Nianger pulling at her trouser legs.

The yellow dog saw the girl in a daze, and his heart seemed to lock up.

Having experienced this before, Yin Tingxue was fine. There was a knock on the door, so she turned on the light, pushed the door open, and saw Zhou Yitang standing there.

"He's dead." The one-armed woman said this and fell silent.

Yin Tingxue nodded and said, "I know."

There was no more conversation between the two of them, and they fell silent at the same time.

Finally, the one-armed woman asked again: "How do you want to live?"

"From today on, I will eat well, dress well, and sleep well..." Yin Tingxue said seriously, her face turning a little red. She leaned her red face towards the light.

"That's great." After saying these two words, Zhou Yitang turned and left.

The cold wind blew, carrying the flying snow onto her face. Yin Tingxue took the veil hanging on the wall, and her long veil fell down. She gathered her clothes together and felt much warmer.

She really didn't seem sad at all.

Yin Tingxue had experienced so many things like this that she couldn't even shed tears.

She wanted to cry for a while, but she couldn't force herself to be sad. She just felt that he had gone to a very far place.

It was getting dark. She didn't know how long she had been standing there. Fine snow accumulated on the brim of the girl's hat.

At this time, there came a hurried call from the other side of the mountain.
"There, there, catch him!"

"Don't let this soul run away, don't let it run away."

"I blocked his way, he can't get away!"

He... could it be him?
I don't know who those people are chasing...

The noise of chasing came from far away, extending from the wind, and the shadows of people in the distance were startled. Yin Tingxue didn't know what happened, she was still quiet, the fine snow drifted past the firelight and scattered around the mountain gate, reminding her of the girl in "Longing for the Mortal World". The little nun ran down the mountain because she couldn't stand the boredom on the mountain and fell into the mortal world she had been thinking about. Was she the girl in that play?
Yin Tingxue, wearing a veiled hat, suddenly stepped over the threshold and rushed into the wind and snow.

Then the light flickered on her face.

The girl suddenly rushed into the mountains and forests, and ran for an unknown distance. When she was out of Cangwu Peak, she saw someone ordering them to chase in a certain direction. She heard it and hurried over.

The moonlight is bleak, shaded by trees and grass.

Yin Tingxue walked through the deep forest, faster and faster, looking around, trying to see, but could not. Suddenly, a black shadow flashed away from the distance.

Someone was passing by in the bushes. In the corner of his eye, Yin Tingxue stopped and wanted to shout from afar, but the bushes were so dense that they would get caught on his clothes. He walked farther and farther away in a hurry. Perhaps that person might not be him. So forget it. Yin Tingxue didn't have the courage after all.

The snow falls quietly.

The figure had disappeared, and even the people chasing him went in an unknown direction. Yin Tingxue couldn't find him either. She turned back and hit her foot against a rock, causing her to fall. The pain in her knees pierced her heart from the bottom up.

She suddenly felt a lot of pain.
I wondered for no reason, would that be the last time we saw each other?

Yin Tingxue hurriedly took out the ugly Bodhisattva from her arms, raised her head and looked up. The sky was empty and full of instant flowers. She couldn't even find a trace of them in the empty space.

"Where are you?" she shouted, "Come out!"

But no one responded, and there was still vast, blank silence, as if the whole world was silent.

As far as the eye could see, the shadows of the pines, the mountains, the distance... everything was gone, leaving only a vast expanse of white and chaotic snowflakes. Slowly, even the snowflakes disappeared. At this moment, Yin Tingxue vaguely remembered the Yintai Temple at that time.

Everything was gone too.

"Did you disappear too?" the girl's voice was hoarse.

Her face suddenly felt a little hot, and tears rolled down, falling like a bead curtain. She didn't feel sad at all, really not at all. For some reason she felt that this was actually very good, really very good.

The snow is vast.

"I am alone again, free, how wonderful..."

She cried in the snow.
"That's great, that's great, that's great..."

It was so empty and cold that it felt like ice in one's heart, yet one's tears were boiling.

.........

The sky was dim and had lost all color. Yin Tingxue's vision was blurred and her mind was muddled.

Her eyes were a little swollen, and she seemed to be unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.
"Are you going to die just like this after doing such evil and unforgivable things?" she murmured in a trance.

"Yes, yes, I have committed all kinds of evil and have done unforgivable crimes. I died miserably."

Yin Tingxue was stunned for a moment, and turned her head blankly, only to see a face that was so familiar that it couldn't be more familiar, and a huge smile.

My mind went blank for a long time.

After a long while, Yin Tingxue uttered, "Are you not dead? Or am I hallucinating?"

"Dead, died well,"

A blue figure appeared in front of him. He reached out and touched her head, then pointed at himself and uttered some strange words that were hard to understand...

"It's like meow, it's like meow."

Yin Tingxue froze, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.
All of a sudden, it was like fire burning in the water, and all the flowers bloomed.

(End of this chapter)