I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 239 Are you also here to seek immortality and enlightenment?

In Quyang County of Qianzhou, there is a mountain called Yinghui Mountain, and on the mountain is a quiet place called Cizhao Temple.

This Cizhao Temple was originally named Yinghui Temple, but after hundreds of years of changes, the new abbot made a decision that went against his master's wishes and changed Yinghui Temple to Cizhao Temple.

This abbot was none other than the very famous Abbot Cizhou of Cizhao Temple.

Abbot Cizhou was a highly accomplished Buddhist monk, well-versed in Zen principles, and never lost a debate on Buddhist scriptures. However, this eminent monk in the eyes of the people secretly had an affair and fathered two sons.

These two illegitimate sons are, respectively, the current abbot of Cizhao Temple, Abbot Dingguang, and the other, Baiyun Daoren, who divided the family property, took half of the incense money from Cizhao Temple, and went to Yunmeng Mountain to become the abbot.

Xu Qing had just gotten a huge piece of gossip, but this was only the beginning.

When Baiyun Daoren first arrived at Yunmeng Mountain, the place already had an owner. The one who managed Ruyi Temple was a truly reclusive old Daoist who did not concern himself with worldly affairs.

At that time, Ruyi Temple was far less grand than it is now, and its incense offerings were not as prosperous. However, Ruyi Temple was in an excellent location, not far from Cizhao Temple. The two temples could form a triangular formation, supporting and watching over each other.

The Taoist Baiyun took a liking to this treasure land, and after much pleading and cajoling, he finally became a disciple of the old abbot.

The old abbot thought he was sincere, but he never discovered that beneath that human skin lay a wolf's ambition!
The Taoist priests in the temple also need to eat, which means the cook has to do the cooking. Master Baiyun, who understands human nature, found the senior brothers who were originally supposed to take turns cooking and said, "I'm new here and haven't made any contributions to the temple yet, so I can't rest easy. I think it would be better if I did the cooking work from now on."

The Taoist priests were delighted to hear this! They were all eager for some peace and quiet, and now that an honest man like Daoist Baiyun was stepping forward, how could they possibly disagree?

And so, Daoist Baiyun took on the job of cooking for the Taoist temple.

In the middle of the following month, when the temple held a vegetarian feast, Master Baiyun prepared a lot of vegetarian dishes. On this day, the old abbot and his fellow disciples gathered together, chanted scriptures and prayed for blessings, ate together, and then passed away together.
Baiyun Daoren completed his goal of providing for the old abbot's care until his death in just two months.

Even if you only take care of it for one day, that counts as taking care of it, right?
That night, the dilapidated Ruyi Temple caught fire.

When the next day dawned, the local people and the county officials came to inquire, and the Taoist priest Baiyun said that the temple had caught fire, and he was very saddened by what he said.

The officials then asked, "Since the fire started at night, how come you were unharmed?"

Daoist Baiyun, having anticipated this, said, "Yesterday, I was on my master's orders to deliver a message to Abbot Dingguang at Cizhao Temple, inviting him to come to the temple for a debate on scriptures and doctrines on a chosen day. I am not currently at the temple."

When the government officials went to Cizhao Temple to inquire, Abbot Dingguang replied, "This is indeed true. Fellow Daoist Baiyun was staying in my meditation room that day and did not leave without permission."

Thus, Baiyun Daoren, with his alibi, evaded questioning by the authorities, while the Daoist priests of Ruyi Temple were ruled to have died from fire.

When the old abbot and his fellow disciples were being laid to rest, Daoist Baiyun specially invited the abbot of Cizhao Temple to conduct the funeral rites.

Outsiders, unaware of the situation, thought that Abbot Dingguang of Cizhao Temple was compassionate and willing to lend a helping hand even though Buddhism and Taoism were different sects.

He even donated the temple's timber and stone to Ruyi Temple to help Baiyun Daoren, his only son, rebuild the temple.

What is this? It's definitely a reincarnation of a living Buddha!

But is this really the case?

In a secluded place, Abbot Dingguang, who usually had a compassionate face, said with a gloomy expression, "Look at the big things you've done! If you want this temple, you should have planned it out carefully. How could you act so recklessly and arbitrarily?"

Baiyun Daoist said dismissively, “My good brother, you are high above, having become the abbot of the temple. But I have to start from scratch.”

"Life is short, how can I afford to wait?"

"Besides, nothing went wrong, so why did you come all the way here to scold me, brother?"

Abbot Dingguang's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sternly, "Who is your elder brother!"

As if afraid that others would hear, Abbot Dingguang forcibly lowered his voice and said, "If it weren't for my past relationship with Inspector Wang, who obstructed the examination of the coroner's remains, do you think you could have done it flawlessly?"

Before leaving, Abbot Dingguang warned Daoist Baiyun once again that he must never mention that the two were brothers again.

Later, when the newly built Ruyi Temple was completed, Cizhao Temple spared no effort in promoting Baiyun Daoren.

Those who went to Cizhao Temple to offer incense all heard a message—that anyone who went to the temple to witness the ceremony on the day of Ruyi Temple's completion would receive rice, flour, and cooking oil.

A month later, Ruyi Temple held a grand ceremony to erect a statue of Yuan Gong. On the day of the consecration of the statue, devout men and women from all over the country came to offer incense and worship.

Baiyun Daoren knew that this was the result of Cizhao Temple building up its reputation for him. After the consecration ceremony, it would be harder than climbing to heaven to get these people to come and burn incense again!

This problem might stump others, but it couldn't stump him.
On that day, during the consecration of the statue, some hooligans stood in front of the statue in the main hall and pointed at the statue of Yuan Gong, cursing loudly.

"What Lord Yuan? He's just a white-haired monkey, a thief who stole the Heavenly Book! You dare to claim to be a god and ancestor? Bah!"

The story of Yuan Gong stealing the secret techniques of the Nine Heavens and being punished by being sent down to the mortal world to guard the Heavenly Book in Baiyun Cave of Yunmeng Mountain is widely circulated among the common people, but no one has ever dared to insult and expose Yuan Gong's shortcomings in front of his statue.

Just as everyone was craning their necks to watch the spectacle, the abbot of Baiyun Temple stepped forward and said loudly, "Ignore him. Know that the gods cannot be insulted lightly. Let him do as he pleases, and he will surely be punished!"

Not long after the abbot finished speaking, the rogue, who was still cursing, suddenly collapsed to the ground in pain.

In a short while, the ruffian who had been crying out for help because of stomach pain stopped moving. Everyone stared at him and saw that he had died with blood flowing from all seven orifices!

The pilgrims who came to witness the ceremony were all horrified, thinking that it was Yuan Gong manifesting his divine power to punish those who were disrespectful.

After this incident, the incense at Ruyi Temple flourished, and everyone spoke of the divine power of Master Yuan. As a result, Daoist Baiyun amassed a vast fortune!

However, the rogue's death was not due to Yuan Gong's wrath, but rather because Baiyun Daoren bribed the rogue to put on a show. As for why he died, it was because Baiyun Daoren had poisoned the rogue's food and drink beforehand. The rogue was unaware of the poison before eating, and thus died suddenly when he cursed the gods.

Seeing this, Xu Qing realized that some people are born bad!

He continued to look down.

On this day, the magistrate of Ning County came to the temple to pay homage to Lord Yuan. During the visit, the Taoist Master Baiyun personally accompanied him. The two discussed scriptures and doctrines and found themselves to be very compatible.

Before leaving, the county magistrate left behind an old map, saying, "This map was given to my ancestor by Elder Ciyun of Yinghui Temple. My ancestor longed for Baiyun Cave, which contained the Heavenly Book, but unfortunately, Yunmeng Mountain was treacherous and full of poisonous miasma and snakes. My ancestor spent his whole life trying to fulfill his wish but was unable to do so. Now that this place is the Taoist temple of Master Yuan, it is only right that this item be returned to its rightful owner and entrusted to your temple for safekeeping."

After obtaining the map of Baiyun Cave, Daoist Baiyun was very tempted. He was a restless person who could not meditate and could not cultivate the techniques of Cizhao Temple, but if he could obtain the Heavenly Book in Baiyun Cave...
Having amassed enough worldly wealth, the Taoist Baiyun suddenly had the urge to seek immortality again.

Gold and silver are things you can't take with you when you're born, and you can't take them with you when you die. Only by living forever can you hold onto these things and enjoy them forever.

Baiyun Daoren made up his mind and went to Cizhao Temple to find Abbot Dingguang again, asking him for protective Buddhist scrolls and ritual implements.

Abbot Dingguang asked him, "What do you need these things for?"

"Never mind that. If you don't lend it to me, I'll have to call you 'brother'!"

"."

Abbot Dingguang had no choice but to agree.

Having obtained protective magical artifacts and Buddhist scriptures, Daoist Baiyun, along with his eldest disciple, followed the markings on the map and ventured deeper into Yunmeng Mountain.

After navigating through chaotic mountains and deep marshes, and passing through ancient vegetation, the two wandered around for most of the day before finally finding the stone bridge on the map that was closest to Baiyun Cave.

The stone bridge was over three zhang long and about one chi wide. Below it flowed turbulent waves and jagged rocks as sharp as blades and axe tips. The White Cloud Daoist felt fear just by looking at it, but with his destiny to become an immortal right before him, how could he easily give up?

“Yuan Kong, you go first, I will protect you.”

"."

While Yuan Kong, the eldest disciple, was still hesitating, he heard Daoist Baiyun continue, "Once we cross the stone bridge and obtain the opportunity to become immortals, you and I, master and disciple, can become immortals together. Don't you want to live forever?"

Wealth and profit embolden people, let alone the allure of immortality.

Yuan Kong steeled his heart, took two steps at a time, and in two breaths, he ran to the other side of the stone bridge.

Seeing that the stone bridge was indeed sturdy, the Taoist Baiyun finally agreed to step onto the bridge.

He's a man who values ​​his life.

After crossing the stone bridge, a mountain wall comes into view, and the three large characters "Baiyun Cave" are still clearly visible on the mountain wall, covered with moss.

However, the entrance to the White Cloud Cave, which the two had painstakingly found, was now blocked by a boulder the size of a mountain peak.

Daoist Baiyun was unwilling to give up, so he separated from his eldest disciple and each searched around the left and right mountain walls to see if there were any other entrances.

About half an hour later, Daoist Baiyun returned to the cave entrance, only to find his eldest disciple lying there, fast asleep.

The Taoist Baiyun was furious and immediately woke the other party up.

When the eldest disciple, Yuan Kong, opened his eyes and saw his master's angry face, he was not afraid at all. Instead, he exclaimed with joy, "I dreamed of the immortals in the White Cloud Cave!"

"The immortal accepted me as his disciple, and now I am a disciple of the Holy Maiden!"

At this point, Yuan Kong suddenly paused, then looked at Baiyun Daoist with an inscrutable expression.

"Master, have you ever dreamed of the Holy Maiden?"

"."

Daoist Baiyun was silent for a moment, then suddenly grinned and said, "Of course! The Holy Maiden knows that you and I, master and disciple, are sincere in our pursuit of the Dao, so she made an exception and accepted us as disciples. Now we are brothers, so please don't call me 'Master' anymore; it's too much of a burden for me."

"What about Senior Brother?"

"Junior brother!"

Master Baiyun grasped Yuan Kong's arm and asked kindly, "What are your plans next, Junior Brother?"

Yuan Kong laughed and said, "Why ask such a question when you already know the answer? The Holy Maiden Immortal Master told me to come back tomorrow at midnight. At that time, the Holy Maiden will teach me the Immortal Method of Longevity. I will naturally go back the way I came, bring enough dry food, and wait to come back tomorrow to learn the Immortal Method of Longevity."

"Absolutely! Look at my brain, I'm completely blinded by this joyous occasion. Let's go back now and meet with the Holy Maiden Immortal Master tomorrow at midnight."

The two of them happily turned back the way they came.

When they returned to the stone bridge, Daoist Baiyun smiled and said, "This time, my junior brother and I will protect you again. Please proceed with peace of mind."

Yuan Kong had no suspicions and took a step away.

However, when Yuan Kong walked onto the stone bridge, he was suddenly struck by a tremendous force from behind. He lost his footing and fell off the stone bridge in an instant.

On the rocky beach, which resembled a battlefield of swords and spears, a splash of bright red suddenly appeared.

Baiyun Daoist stood on the stone bridge, looking down with a sneer: "A mere fool dares to think he can be on equal footing with me? What a pipe dream!"

After killing his eldest disciple, Daoist Baiyun returned to Baiyun Cave, hoping that the Holy Maiden would also appear to him in a dream.

Unfortunately, it had no effect.

Daoist Baiyun didn't believe in superstitions, so he came to the outside of Baiyun Cave again at midnight on the second day.

This time, the Taoist Baiyun brought incense, candles, and offerings. He knelt before Baiyun Cave, bowing and kowtowing three times and kowtowing nine times, speaking extremely kind words as if he regarded the Holy Maiden as his own mother.

After the incense and candles burned out, the White Cloud Taoist suddenly felt drowsy. In a half-dreaming, half-awake state, the old Taoist finally saw the Holy Maiden that Yuan Kong had mentioned.

That holy maiden was actually a white-haired, wrinkled old woman!
However, although this Holy Maiden looked old, her eyes shone like stars, and her spirit was far more vigorous than that of ordinary people.

In the dream, the Holy Maiden spoke frankly, immediately pointing out that the White Cloud Taoist had murdered his disciple in an attempt to monopolize the immortal destiny.

Baiyun Daoist was not surprised but delighted. This Holy Maiden was inside the cave, yet she knew what was happening outside, which showed that she had real skills.

The Taoist priest's mind raced. He thought that his disciple was an immoral person who did not know etiquette and hierarchy. Otherwise, why would he not recognize his master after obtaining the opportunity to become an immortal?
Such a person, if he were to become a disciple of the Holy Maiden, would only bring shame upon the family.

But he was different; he was a man who valued etiquette and hierarchy above all else, and was also the most respectful to his teachers and elders.
The Holy Maiden paused for a moment, then spoke:

"The key to immortality lies in competition, and I owe my own attainment of the Dao to this very word. It seems that you are more suitable to be my disciple than your own."

After paying homage to the Holy Maiden of Baiyun Cave, Daoist Baiyun learned the method of prolonging life by harnessing the life force of living beings, and also learned the method of refining the Ghost Head Blood Blade.

Xu Qing saw the Holy Maiden take out a page of heavenly book printed on paper and show it to the White Cloud Taoist. It recorded the secret technique of the Ghost Head Saber.

"The Heavenly Book can only reveal its characters when the moon is full at midnight. That's why I asked you to come at midnight."

Perhaps because Xu Qing performed the ritual to guide the White Cloud Taoist during the day, he did not see the celestial script characters printed on the paper.

From his perspective, the Heavenly Book was nothing more than an ordinary piece of white paper.

Wait, is this some kind of cryptic script?

Just as Xu Qing was about to give up, he suddenly noticed a corner of the Heavenly Book runes engraved on the stone wall behind the Holy Maiden. However, the runes were only revealed for a moment before being covered up by the Holy Maiden.

Xu Qing's mind stirred, and he began to rewind.

As Xu Qing turned the page of the Sutra of Salvation, when he returned to the point where the Holy Maiden revealed a corner of the Heavenly Book, he decisively paused the revolving lantern.

The image in that frame immediately appeared before Xu Qing with perfect clarity.

As the tadpole runes entered his mind, Xu Qing felt dizzy and lightheaded, as if he were falling headfirst from the clouds, or as if he were a person who had sunk into the water and was floating upwards.

When he broke through the clouds and emerged from the water, Xu Qing found an old woman with white hair and a wrinkled face standing in front of him.

The old woman was clearly taken aback when she saw Xu Qing suddenly appear.

The next moment, the old woman spoke:

"Young man, are you also here seeking immortality and enlightenment?"

(End of this chapter)