This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 21: Righteousness will last forever, and we will never die!
Being in Wuling City together, Zhao Chenyu and Yu Jingxuan obviously knew each other, but they were not very familiar with each other, or the former might even look down on the latter.

However, since he brought Zhuang Lin and others with him to visit today, they are all guests, provided that they really know Tao Yuanming.

Naturally, there was no doubt at this moment. Zhao Chenyu watched from the side and thought for a while.

"How about this, Brother Yuanliang, please tidy up and clean up a bit. I'll have someone prepare some refreshments in the hall. How about we chat together in the hall later?"

Zhao Chenyu was the host and the others were guests. They followed the host's wishes and everyone responded.

Zhuang Lin naturally accompanied Zhao Chenyu and Yu Jingxuan to chat in the hall first, while the less conspicuous Tang Bin used the excuse of going to the toilet, asked for directions and quietly left, and directly found Liu Hongyu and the other person who were tidying their clothes and washing their faces in the front and back of the house.

When they saw Tang Bin come in, Tao Yuanming and Liu Hongyu stopped what they were doing, but neither of them could call out the other's name.

"Uh"

"Mr. Yuanliang, Mr. Liu, Master Zhuang asked me to tell you that he hopes we won't mention Hidden Immortal Valley later. Just say we just met during our travels."

Tao Yuanming and Liu Hongyu nodded, as they didn't want to reveal this.

After saying this, Tang Bin did not forget to go to the toilet, and then returned to the Zhao family's hall.

In the Zhao family hall, several people were able to chat very well at the moment. The main reason was that Zhuang Lin would always bring up topics at the right time to liven up the atmosphere, so there was no awkwardness in the conversation.

Even though it was the first time Zhao Chenyu met Zhuang Lin, he felt like meeting an old friend again and felt very comfortable communicating with him.

The main topic of conversation was travel. Zhuang Lin was good at talking about it, and the local young men also loved to listen.

During this process, several people from Yinxian Valley were attracted by the tea ceremony of the Zhao family servants, including Zhuang Lin, who would take a look from time to time.

Obviously, the so-called ancient way of brewing tea in Yinxian Valley is very different from that here.

The servant of the Zhao family had a separate table in the middle with a stove on it. He used tools to take a cake of tea and then roasted it, which gave off a fragrant tea aroma.

Then he broke the tea cake and placed it in a beautiful porcelain bowl, grinding it with a wooden pestle, very carefully. He also added other seasonings and ground them together. Then he poured it all into the teapot, sprinkled with green onions, ginger, tangerine peel and dried dates.
This operation was indeed a bit abstract in the eyes of Zhuang Lin and others. This was not making tea, it was simply boiling soup. No one knew what the tea would taste like in a while!

After a while, Tao Yuanming and Liu Hongyu arrived.

"Mr. Zi'an, Mr. Tingwen, if I had known you were coming, why didn't you come with me?"

Tao Yuanming said this and walked into the door with Liu Hongyu, and together they saluted the host of the main seat and everyone present.

"Yuan Liang has arrived just in time. Mr. Zi'an is truly a man of great talent. He will become famous sooner or later. Why didn't you introduce him to me earlier?"

"This, this is not a chance!"

Tao Yuanming evaded the question, then moved to sit next to Zhuang Lin at the same table with him. Liu Hongyu scratched his head and went to the empty table next to him.

Zhuang Lin smiled and said to Zhao Chenyu who was sitting at the main seat.

"As the saying goes, meeting by chance is worse than choosing a day, and meeting on the right day is worse than choosing a day. It's not too late to meet you today. It's a pleasant surprise. I've always heard that Wuling is a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. Now that I have just arrived in your precious place, I know that the rumors are true. There are gentlemen like Brother Yu who return lost property, and there are also people like Mr. Zhao who are kind and righteous!"

"Hahahaha, thank you so much!" "Ah, Brother Zhuang, why are you bringing up such a trivial matter again?"

Zhao Chenyu and Yu Jingxuan both spoke with smiles. The former saw that the servant in the middle was almost done with his work, so he hurriedly gave the order with a smile.

"Quick, pour the tea for our distinguished guests first. You have come from afar, why not try some of our Wuling Mountain tea?"

Well, tea was poured from table to table, steaming and emitting a fragrance that was different from what Zhuang Lin and others understood.

No wonder the ancients often talked about tea soup, isn’t it just soup!
While everyone was sipping tea, Tao Yuanming glanced at Zhao Chenyu and Liu Hongyu, then leaned close to Zhuang Lin and whispered.

"Mr. Zi'an, this Mr. Liu, his condition is more than just amnesia, right?"

As soon as Zhuang Lin heard this, he knew that Tao Yuanming had already seen Liu Hongyu's sick condition. While sipping the tea with a unique flavor, he nodded slightly and whispered.

"And hysteria. Actually, he was originally from the valley. His amnesia and hysteria were real. He always thought he was from outside, and he was thinking about finding his relatives and becoming an immortal. The people in the valley were afraid that he would have an attack, so they all agreed with him. Who would have thought that he would run away with you?"

Tao Yuanming almost spit out the tea in his mouth, choked a few times, and then stared at Zhuang Lin with wide eyes.

"Ah? So you're here to take him back this time?"

Zhuang Lin put down his teacup and nodded slightly, praising loudly at the same time.

"The tea art is excellent, and the tea aroma is rich. The common people in the mountains don't know what is good or bad. They only know that this is the first time in my life that I have tasted such a flavor. It is truly amazing!"

"It's really good tea!" "Yes, it's good tea!" "This is the first time we've tasted it!"

"Wonderful!"

The guests all praised him, and Zhao Chenyu couldn't stop smiling. Even the servant who was making tea looked much more pleasing to him. He was really proud today!

"Hahahahaha, thank you for your kind words, thank you for your kind words. I'm hosting a banquet at my home this afternoon, and you must do me the honor of staying!"

"Then obey your orders!" "Well, everything is up to the host."

"That's good, that's good! Everyone, enjoy your tea, enjoy your tea!"

As Zhao Chenyu spoke, he looked towards Zhuang Lin and Tao Yuanming. It was obvious that even though they were all guests, some were important and some were not.

Seeing this, Mr. Mu on the side knew that it would be difficult for Master Zhuang and Tao Yuanming to talk under such circumstances, so he also spoke while tasting tea.

"Well, it's really good tea. Not only is the tea soup rich, it can also be used as medicine. It can clear the heart and relieve internal heat, clear the lungs and nourish the mind!"

"Oh? This old man also understands medicine?"

Old Master Mu stroked his beard, smiled and nodded.

"My Mu family has been practicing medicine for generations, so we naturally know a little about medical principles. The wonders of this tea are rare!"

"In that case, why don't you elaborate on it, old man?"

"Right on my mind!"

Old Master Mu attracted almost everyone's attention, including Liu Hongyu. He talked eloquently and explained in detail the medical value of tea, which amazed others.

It was not until this moment that Yu Jingxuan discovered with a little surprise that this Brother Zhuang, whom he had just met, actually had a medical expert among his entourage. No wonder he felt that this old man was quite dignified yesterday!
The current situation makes it convenient for Zhuang Lin and Tao Yuanming to talk without Liu Hongyu overhearing them. It is a good opportunity.

At this time, Fu Zeyang on the other side leaned over and asked Zhuang Lin in a low voice.

"Mr. Zi'an, we've found the person. We should go back as soon as possible, in case we're too late!"

"Don't be impatient!"

Zhuang Lin winked at Fu Zeyang, then looked at Liu Hongyu who was also listening attentively. Unless he was really tied up, would Liu Hongyu be willing to go back if asked?
Once this is done, Liu Hongyu probably won't want to stay in the valley anymore.

Tao Yuanming also heard Fu Zeyang's words, and couldn't help but feel confused. What do you mean by too late?

But at this time Zhuang Lin looked at Tao Yuanming again.

"We still need Mr. Yuan Liang's cooperation, otherwise Mr. Liu may not be willing to go back."

"Of course. I can't handle him like this. Last night I gave him an ancient book that could calm his mind, but who would have thought he would be so obsessed with it that he couldn't sleep all night. What should I do?"

Zhuang Lin had been mulling over a countermeasure when his eyes lit up, grasping the key point in Tao Yuanming's words. "Ancient books? What ancient books?"

"It's a bamboo slip called 'Wen Dao Jue'. Reading it can calm one's mind."

“That’ll be easy”

Zhuang Lin's eyes flickered slightly, and with his quick thinking, he had already come up with a countermeasure.

After just a short while of sipping tea in the hall, Zhuang Lin supplemented the countermeasures in his mind and also had some exchanges with Tao Yuanming.
-
At noon, Zhao Chenyu was preparing a lunch banquet at home, while Tao Yuanming took everyone out on the pretext of taking Zhuang Lin and others for a stroll in the city.

When they got outside, Mr. Mu sent Yu Jingxuan away and asked him to take him to several pharmacies in the city to buy some medicinal herbs. Tang Bin went with him to help.

Although it was to get rid of inappropriate people, it was indeed Mr. Mu's original purpose, because some medicinal herbs might have existed in ancient times, but in the modern times where Yinxian Valley is located, many of them have become contraband.

So at this moment, besides Liu Hongyu, the only people around Tao Yuanming and Zhuang Lin were Fu Zeyang and the Li brothers.

Tao Yuanming specifically asked Liu Hongyu to bring the bamboo slips with him. Young Master Liu, who had always wished to have this thing with him, naturally obeyed the order and carried the bamboo slips in a cloth bag with him.

The few of them walked around the city together as if they were having a normal trip, and then went out of the city and strolled along the Wuling River, chatting and laughing.

It was mainly Tao Yuanming who introduced the scenery of this place to everyone, and the others said a few words from time to time. In any case, no one mentioned Liu Hongyu.

Tired of walking, everyone sat down by the river to rest.

When Tao Yuanming saw Liu Hongyu still holding the cloth bag when he sat down, he smiled and said something.

"Mr. Liu, have you gained anything from your reading all night?"

Liu Hongyu's heart moved and he quickly answered.

"I'm a dull person. I read it all night but didn't understand it."

When saying this, Liu Hongyu subconsciously glanced at Zhuang Lin with a guilty look. The teacher in the valley had promised to teach him how to read and write, but he didn't learn well enough so he couldn't understand.

"Hahahahaha, no wonder you, Young Master Liu, let alone you, even I, Tao, only have a superficial understanding of this book. I only know that reading it can calm me down when I feel upset!"

What Tao Yuanming said is true.

On the other hand, Zhuang Lin seemed to feel that Liu Hongyu was looking at him, and was also interested in Tao Yuanming's words, so he smiled and said.

"Oh? What kind of book is it? Could you please let me take a look?"

"Yes, Mr. Zi'an is well versed in many schools of thought, so he might have another solution!"

Tao Yuanming also said this, and Liu Hongyu's face became happy, and the embarrassment of not being able to understand the words was also eased. Isn't this the opportunity to ask for advice!
Thinking of this, Liu Hongyu hurriedly untied the cloth bag, took out the bamboo slips, stood up and handed them to Zhuang Lin with both hands.

"Master, please take a look!"

Zhuang Lin nodded and took the bamboo slips. He found that they were of very fine texture and had a sense of age. He glanced at the words engraved on the outermost edge.

"Asking for the Way"

After reciting this, Zhuang Lin unfolded the bamboo slips, and Liu Hongyu on the side silently recited it, thinking that it was called "Asking for the Way".

Unfolding the bamboo slips, Zhuang Lin saw the first sentence, which seemed to be related to the Tao Te Ching.

Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, three gives birth to all things. All things carry the yin and embrace the yang, and the rushing qi makes them harmonious. My Tao observes the changes of heaven and earth and all things, and understands the changes of the heart. Understanding the changes of the heart is to understand the changes of Tao. The heart moves and the spirit shakes, the heart dies and the spirit lives, and then Tao is born.
Zhuang Lin couldn't help but sink into the book after reading it. He closed his eyes unconsciously, but the contents of the book seemed to be still unfolding before his eyes.
Zhuang Lin's eyelids trembled slightly, and a similar feeling emerged as he had in the Hidden Immortal Valley before, but this time there was no echo from the valley, no earth-shaking, and no colorful clouds. It was as if everything existed only in his consciousness.

Suddenly, this feeling ended.

Zhuang Lin opened his eyes suddenly and his gaze fell on the end of the bamboo slip. The text had ended there, and he couldn't help feeling a sense of loss.

Zhuang Lin had already understood in his heart that the ancient book in his hand was not just a book that could calm people down, but a fragment of a real immortal treasure!
Everyone watched Zhuang Lin unfold the bamboo slips, and he seemed to have finished reading them quickly. Then he closed his eyes slightly and sighed softly, as if he was regretting something.

The others were confused, Liu Hongyu's eyes were full of anticipation, and only Tao Yuanming believed that he could understand Zhuang Lin.

Mr. Zi'an must be regretting that the article on this scroll of bamboo slips is only a part of the whole article. Anyone with sufficient knowledge can see this.

Tao Yuanming was about to say something when he suddenly noticed that Zhuang Lin's brows were furrowed, as if he had noticed something. He looked around, then at the river and the mountains on the opposite bank, and finally looked up at the sky.

So Tao Yuanming also subconsciously looked up at the sky, and the Li brothers, Fu Zeyang and Liu Hongyu also looked up. Is there anything in the sky?

The sky is blue with a few white clouds, very pure, that's all.

In Zhuang Lin's feeling, the words on the book had clearly come to an end, but the feeling, though faint, had not completely ceased, as if it should still be there.
But where?
It is definitely not on the bamboo slips, but if it is not on the bamboo slips, where else could it be? It seems to be far away, yet it seems to be very close!
Zhuang Lin subconsciously wanted to look for it, but it seemed to be in vain. However, he really wanted to know what happened next, and even forgot about the things around him and the purpose he should have focused on for a short time.

Finally, Zhuang Lin frowned and looked at the bamboo slips again, his eyes accidentally falling on one of the sentences.

Seek the way and see the world!
Seeking the way to see the world?
At this moment, Zhuang Lin's heart suddenly shook, and he recalled the time when he felt the spiritual energy of heaven and earth at the Yinxian Valley Academy.

So Zhuang Lin closed his eyes slightly and followed the same feeling as when he was observing the world in the valley before. However, this time, he was no longer thinking about the so-called spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The strongest thought in his mind was the follow-up of this scroll of bamboo slips.

Clearly, the sense of existence had intensified, and it was growing stronger. Zhuang Lin even felt the bamboo slips in his hands begin to burn hot.
"Om~~~"

A strong lingering sound, like the sound of a huge bell, rang in Zhuang Lin's ears.

The vibration was neither inside the ear nor far away, but it felt like it was right next to the ear, making the body and mind numb, and even making the vision dim, as if the sky had darkened.

A noisy sound appeared intermittently in Yu Zhuanglin's ears. When he tried his best to hear it clearly, his temples began to swell and ache.

But Zhuang Lin still heard it. It was a lot of voices, or perhaps the voices of many individuals.
These voices included both male and female voices, whispers and shouts, rising and falling like waves, and seemed to converge into a simple question.

"What is the immortal way?"

What is the way to immortality?

Zhuang Lin opened his eyes suddenly, as if trying to search for the source of the sound.

But it seemed as if there was no one else around, even the original scenery was gone, it was just dark!
"What is the immortal path?" "What is an immortal?" "What is the immortal path?"
Countless voices, countless tones, countless different yet similar questions seemed to form a huge wave, impacting Zhuang Lin so much that he almost lost himself.

But at this moment, Zhuang Lin seemed to be unable to perceive his body. Apart from feeling pain, he was unable to move.

The whole consciousness is like a leaf in the waves, rising and falling, even twisting with the waves.
Zhuang Lin's "water" constantly glimpses various scenes, including memories of his life, his gradually changing concepts from childhood to adulthood, and countless more scenes, what he sees, hears, and even imagines.
During this process, that question kept lingering in his ears, prompting Zhuang Lin's thoughts to move closer to this point.

Countless chaotic images in my mind kept changing, cutting out pictures that I had been exposed to since childhood, or heard from legends, or originated from my own phenomena.

Books, myths, movies, novels, short videos, emotions.
Zhuang Lin seemed to appear in the depths of his heart from another perspective, and he could never imagine that his sea of consciousness was so vast and complex.

He is like a mayfly in the universe, a drop in the ocean!
"What is the immortal way?"

The sound still existed at this moment, and Zhuang Lin finally calmed down from the chaos!

Immortals are cultivated by mortals. Whether it is a legend or a myth, it is the embodiment of the simple emotions of thousands of people throughout history.
Good, evil, beauty, ugliness, greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, doubt
All kinds of thoughts were intertwined in his mind, and among the interweaving pictures, a part of them became clear. It was the purest imagination of the immortals in Zhuang Lin's heart!
Free and unrestrained, able to see the world and gain enlightenment, and also able to connect with all things and all living beings, with an immortal heart but without losing the human heart, with thunderous methods but also gentle and gentle.
Reaching the top of the immortal path is determined by destiny, and all things in the world are in your heart!
This is the way to immortality!

As Zhuang Lin's imagination became focused, the pain in his head disappeared unconsciously, and his awareness of his body gradually returned.

And everything that just happened, in terms of external manifestation, was just a moment!
A faint voice sounded in his ears. At first he couldn't tell whether it was a man or a woman, old or young, but when he listened carefully, it sounded a bit like Zhuang Lin's own voice.

"Heaven and earth have their own principles, and all things have spirits. Life repeats itself in an endless cycle. The path to immortality is long, and righteousness is our companion. As long as righteousness endures, our generation will not be cut off."

Zhuang Lin looked blankly at a certain spot in the sky. This time it was not just the blue sky, but it seemed as if he saw stars blooming in the sky again at noon!
(End of this chapter)