Records of Mysterious Things in the Southern Dynasties

Chapter 104 Qian Tang Seeking a Doctor
Back to the topic, Ren Yuan and his two companions sailed on the Qin River dug by Qin Shihuang for several days and finally arrived at Qiantang County.

Even Ren Yuan, who was almost illiterate about history, knew that Qiantang was later Hangzhou, so he still had some expectations before coming here.

But when you actually arrive in Qiantang, you can hardly see any trace of Hangzhou.

"Father, where is the West Lake?" he asked the boatman desperately.

The boatman was surprised and said, "You are joking, sir. I was born and raised here, and I have never heard of the West Lake. There is a Qiantang Lake that was built by a seawall."

"I see." Ren Yuan couldn't help but feel that the world had changed a lot.

"A Yuan, have you been to Qiantang?" A Yao asked curiously.

"It seems like I have been here in my previous life." Ren Yuan nodded and said vaguely.

"Could it be that you were kidnapped from Qiantang?" A Yao suggested, "Should we look for your family members?"

"No." Ren Yuan shook his head and said with a lonely look: "The previous life I'm talking about was a thousand years later."

"Good fellow." Chen Baxian sighed, "Your dream of foresight is really far-reaching."

Ren Yuan smiled and didn't explain. In this world where dreams and reality intertwine, and the future and the past coexist, there are so many strange things. It's nothing to be surprised about coming from the future.

~~
Qiantang County was built at the foot of Lingyin Mountain in those days. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal had not yet been built, so the geographical location was a bit remote, and it was surrounded by mountains on three sides and faced the raging Qiantang River on one side. In terms of prosperity, it was actually not as prosperous as Changxing.

Of course, the natural scenery is first-rate, but if it is only beautiful but not rich, it cannot be called a "paradise on earth".

After getting off the boat, Chen Baxian asked, "Should we find a place to stay first, or should we go directly to my friend who has no age difference?"

"Let's go find him directly." Ren Yuan said, "We just committed a crime, so we should stay in as few hotels as possible."

"You are quite cautious. The government is so cruel that they don't even know where we are going." Chen Baxian smiled nonchalantly.

"It's better to be safe than sorry." Ren Yuan shook his head and said, "It's better to be cautious."

"Okay, then let's not go into the city first and go find people directly." Chen Baxian had to change his plan and led the two of them eastward along the lakeshore.

Qiantang Lake has beautiful scenery, not much artificial decoration, and is full of natural wildness. Although the road is circuitous and it is hard to walk, it is not a problem for Ren Yuan and the other two.

Chen Baxian led the way in front, while Ren Yuan and his senior sister followed behind, enjoying the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains while chatting in low voices.

As they walked, Ren Yuan suddenly remembered that he had promised Chen Baxian a favor, so he whispered to his senior sister that he wanted to learn skills. A Yao then looked up at Chen Baxian and said:
"You can't learn our skills anymore."

"Why?" Chen Baxian asked hurriedly, "What do you mean I can't learn it anymore?"

"When learning the Three Lights Technique, you must keep your primordial Yang intact." Senior Sister explained: "You should understand what I mean, right?"

"I see." Chen Baxian said disappointedly, "Then I wouldn't have been able to learn it ten years ago."

Ren Yuan nodded and said, "I can see that."

"Well, it seems that this magic is not for me..." Chen Baxian smiled bitterly, quickly adjusted his mood, and asked jokingly: "Then Yuan has to remain a virgin?"

"That's not necessary." Senior Sister said, "Once he has laid a solid foundation, he can get married and have children."

"That's good, otherwise life would be too hard for us brothers." Chen Baxian said with a smile.

"I don't think so." Ren Yuan said calmly, "This is not a good age to get married and have children. I think it's fine like this right now."

"That's right. Yuan is not like you, with a head full of dirty thoughts." A Yao rolled his eyes at Chen Baxian.

Chen Baxian knew that if it was night, he would have two more holes in his body. He laughed and said, "We are almost there. Do you see the Xiling Bridge in front? Just go up." "You are familiar with this?" Ren Yuan asked Chen Baxian.

"Haha, I told you I've traveled a lot and know a lot. Do you think I'm just bragging?" Chen Baxian smiled complacently and continued to show off, "Did you see the tomb at the bridgehead? That's the one my father gave to Su Xiaoxiao to repair."

Ren Yuan looked in the direction he pointed and saw a small and exquisite bluestone tomb by the Xiling Bridge. It was covered with a hexagonal pavilion with a pointed roof. A plaque hung on the pavilion, which read "Mucai Pavilion".

There is also a couplet engraved on the pavilion: 'The peach blossoms and flowing water fade away, and the oil-painted fragrant carriage will never be seen again'.

"Brother, give me a stick of incense." Chen Baxian stretched out his hand towards him.

"What for?" Ren Yuan rubbed his fingers together and handed him three incense sticks.

"Since I'm here, I should pay my respects." Chen Baxian said with a smile, "I have heard the story of Su Fangqing since I was a child, but it's a pity that I was born too late and never met her. It's really a regret in my life."

As he spoke, he lit the incense, placed it respectfully in front of the tombstone, and muttered something.

Ren Yuan had opened his three orifices and had superhuman hearing, so he could clearly hear him say, "Little girl, take a good look at me. If you are satisfied, come to me early in the evening. I'll be waiting for you..."

Ren Yuan was actually convinced after hearing this. He even wanted to flirt with the ghosts in the grave.

~~
After offering incense, Chen Baxian led the two men across the Xiling Bridge and up a hill surrounded by green waves and lush trees.

Then I saw a courtyard on the mountain, shaded by a bamboo forest and surrounded by white walls and black tiles.

"This place is called Gushan, and on top is Gushan Temple." Chen Baxian led the two people up the stairs and said excitedly: "My friend of no age difference is practicing in there. When I sent him back last time, he let me stay there for half a month..."

As he spoke, he saw the plaque hanging on the gate of the courtyard and was stunned.

"Baiyun Treasure Temple?" Chen Baxian looked around and scratched his head, "Yes, it's here."

At this time, several young monks carrying buckets of water came out from the open gate of the temple.

"Are you here to burn incense?" The leading novice monk looked at them and said, "You've come to the wrong place. We don't burn incense here. Let's go to Lingyin Temple."

"Oh, you are polite, young master." Chen Baxian quickly imitated the other party and put his hands together and said, "My brothers and sisters are here to look for someone. May I ask if this place was originally the Gushan Temple?"

"It hasn't been here for a long time. It is now a branch courtyard of our Lingyin Temple." The novice monk's smile gradually disappeared.

"Then may I ask, where has the Taoist priest in the temple gone?" Chen Baxian pretended not to notice the other party's expression and asked to himself.

"I don't know." The monk frowned and said to the group of junior brothers who were watching the fun, "What are you standing there for? Go get some water."

"Excuse me." He walked away.

"Don't be anxious, don't be anxious. Where is Taoist Bao Ren who is practicing here..." Chen Baxian asked loudly, looking at the other party's back.

But got no response.

"What's this attitude? No, I'll go in and take a look." Chen Baxian was about to enter the temple angrily, but the door was slammed shut from the inside.

"Forget it, let's think of another way." Ren Yuan pulled him down from the lonely mountain.

Although he had just arrived, Ren Yuan had already discovered that there were surprisingly many monks in the temples in Qiantang County. It was obvious that this was an important stronghold of Buddhism.

I came here with my senior sister to seek medical advice, so it’s better for me to be careful and keep a low profile. I can’t cause trouble like Changxing did.

Well, definitely not.

(End of this chapter)