Sword from the Immortal Mountain

Chapter 12 12: The mountain god lures the snake out of its cave

The methods of the immortal way include setting up altars, performing fasting and offering sacrifices, and warding off disasters;
He can also grant Taoist ordinances, summon gods and send generals, and confer titles on ghosts and gods.

The magic spell performed by Chen Jin was much simpler. It was just a simple word "委". He allowed the "mountain god" to possess the old wolf's body, which was like taking over another's body.

His name is "Sheshan God".

This action requires the consumption of spiritual consciousness, but it is worth it. Having the old wolf run errands and help with hunting can save a lot of effort.

For example, now he can have some free time, come outside the temple, sit on a piece of bluestone, face the bright moon in the sky, and start to visualize swallowing and exhaling.

There are two fundamental methods of spiritual practice in the world, namely "gathering and refining Qi" and "visualization and induction".

Because of the differences in the ways in which sects pass on their orders, the paths of cultivation are varied and complicated.

As the orthodox Taoist method, the Huangting Benjing emphasizes "purity, orthodoxy and strictness".

Therefore it is said: If one’s thoughts are pure, one can become a Yang Spirit.

To achieve this, one must discard all distracting thoughts and delusions, and refine and purify the thoughts into spiritual consciousness and Dharma thoughts, thereby strengthening oneself.

This is not easy.

This is because human thoughts are like the boundless ocean. Once a new experience or encounter comes, it is like the wind that blows, and in an instant it will stir up huge waves and bring about countless unpredictable changes.

Compared with the Buddhist "wild wild minds", the Taoist sea of consciousness and thoughts are many times more grand and complex.

Therefore, there is the orthodox teaching of "Taishangwangqing" in Taoism. The starting point is to cut off the seven emotions and six desires, purify the mind and reduce desires, so as to narrow the scope of the thoughts in the sea of consciousness and facilitate control.

This operation is similar to the Buddhist practice of shaving one's head and taking vows to become a monk.

However, what Chen Jin learned was different.

When I went to the mountain to learn Taoism, the master's first sentence was: "When the consciousness enters the sea, the body becomes a fish; when the thoughts emerge from the water, the dragon calls for rain."

After understanding it, it is similar to the meaning of "harmony between man and nature, people of the same spirit seek each other".

This is different from the idea of "using one's body as a boat to cross the sea of suffering."

There is no question of who is better or worse. It's just that there are three thousand roads and everyone is competing for the opportunity.

Having said that, Chen Jin's soul is powerful, but his physical strength does not match it, making him "top-heavy". If he lets his soul fly, it will easily lead to all kinds of delusions and even inner demons. Therefore, he has to restrain himself and will not abuse it unless he has to.

When it is late at night and everyone is asleep, visualizing the moonlight can also help to nourish the soul.

This method is not the same as the demons absorbing and exhaling the essence of the sun and the moon.

Speaking of monsters, the old wolf came back with a pheasant in its mouth. When it saw Chen Jin sitting on the bluestone and meditating, it looked envious and awed. It didn't dare to disturb him, let alone peek. It gently put down the prey, turned around and ran back into the forest.

When Chen Jinyun finished his exercise, he stood up and looked around. There were already two pheasants and a fat wild rabbit as prey on the ground.

"Well done."

He opened his mouth and praised it.

The old wolf was overjoyed, sticking out his tongue and wagging his tail. He looked more like a dog than a wolf.

Chen Jin added: "From now on, follow this amount. I will go into the mountains in the evening and get it from the temple."

Old Wolf nodded repeatedly.

Next, it’s time to slaughter the game.

The old wolf was very cautious when hunting and did not dare to bite hard for fear of damaging the prey and making Chen Jin unhappy.

Chen Jin brought a lot of belongings with him for tonight's trip, and was fully prepared. He first used a small pot to get water and boiled it, and then removed the chicken feathers.

After a while of hard work, everything was done and then it was time to stir-fry and cook.

The pot is not big and can only stew one pheasant at a time.

Another fire was lit and another chicken was grilled.

Apart from a little salt, there are no other seasonings. The emphasis is on the original flavor.

When the meat is cooked, start eating it immediately. The delicious taste stimulates your taste buds and almost makes you swallow your tongue.

This was the most satisfying meal Chen Jin had ever had. As a true hunter, the old wolf was also given a few meaty bones, which he gnawed with great pleasure.

After solving the food problem, Chen Jin packed up contentedly and prepared to go down the mountain to go home. Before leaving, he said to the old wolf: "You must be careful when you are in the mountain. You are not allowed to run around, and you are not allowed to hurt anyone."

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

The old wolf nodded quickly. It didn't dare to disobey any orders from Chen Jin.

Chen Jin went down the mountain under the moonlight, returned to the house, put away his things, and then hung up the remaining big rabbit.

Fortunately, it is almost winter and the temperature is cold at night, so raw meat can be stored for a certain period of time without having to worry about it going bad.

Then he took a short nap, and in the early morning, he got up early and carried the rabbit into the village.

Although it was still early and the morning light was dim, the hardworking farmers in the village had already gotten up, without even eating breakfast, and started working in the fields, carrying their farm tools.

When they saw Chen Jin, they were surprised and couldn't help talking about it.

Someone couldn't help but ask: "Chen Shuchi, what are you holding in your hand?"

Chen Jin replied: "A hare."

"Where did such a big rabbit come from?"

"Found it."

"Ah, how did you pick it up?"

Chen Jin laughed and said, "The rabbit ran down the mountain and bumped into a tree stump on the hillside. It fainted and I happened to pick it up."

The farmer gulped and grumbled, "He must have been frightened by a wolf chasing him. I heard that an old wolf appeared on the mountain... Chen Shuchi, you are so lucky."

After a while, Chen Jin came to his uncle Chen Abu's house.

Chen Abu was carrying a hoe and preparing to go to the fields. When he saw Chen Jin, he was surprised: "Ah Jin, it's so early in the morning, what's wrong with you?"

I thought something had happened.

Chen Jin immediately told the joke of "sitting by the tree and waiting for the rabbit" again.

Chen Abu: “…”

My nephew is really lucky.

As the saying goes, "live by the mountain, eat by the mountain; live by the water, eat by the water." If you live near the mountains, it is not uncommon for game to be delivered to your door occasionally.

Aunt Chen Li came over and took the rabbit, which was heavy in her hand. She asked in surprise, "Ah Jin, did you kill this rabbit yourself?"

Chen Jin nodded: "Not bad."

Chen Abu and his wife looked at each other and felt even more surprised. You know, in the past, Chen Jin always said, "A gentleman stays away from the kitchen", which means he doesn't cook.

I didn't expect that I would actually kill a rabbit today, and do it quite neatly.

Chen Jin explained: "Things are different now. I have to learn to do many things. But when I actually did them, I found that they were not that difficult."

"Okay, that's good."

Chen Abu said hurriedly.

At this time, his daughter Chen Min heard the noise and came out. Because of malnutrition, she looked thin, but her features were delicate. When she heard the origin of the wild rabbit, she blinked her big eyes and asked, "Why is this rabbit so stupid?"

Chen Li smiled and said, "If it wasn't stupid, we wouldn't be able to eat meat... Ah Jin, how do you want to cook this rabbit? Braise it or stew it in soup?"

Chen Jin said, "Auntie, you can do whatever you want. I'll go back to study first."

"Okay, when it's ready at noon, I'll ask my uncle to send you a can."

"Ah."

Chen Jin said goodbye and left, walking on the road. Just after walking a distance, he suddenly realized something.

Behind him, a "tail" suddenly appeared.

I finally can't hold it back anymore. Is this snake going to come out of its hole?
(End of this chapter)