You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

Chapter 42 Paying Homage at the Mountain (Second Update)

Dongyue Mountain is a famous religious and cultural mountain in Xixia Prefecture. It is located east of Gucheng City, about a ten-minute drive away.

The architecture here blends Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian cultures. Construction began in the Tang Dynasty and was extensively rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, forming a layout of "nine platforms, eighteen courtyards, and seventy-two main halls" from the bottom to the top of the mountain.

The mountain is shaded by trees and has a pleasant landscape. From here, you can overlook most of Gucheng. Many parents choose to bring their children to Dongyue Mountain for a weekend trip.

Today is May 25th, which happens to be a weekend, and there are quite a few people on the mountain.

"The weather here in Gucheng is so cool, only 26℃... The highest temperature in Wucheng today must be 32℃, right?"

Parking lot at the foot of the mountain.

Gu Jinghui got out of the car and couldn't help but sigh, "Moreover, the housing prices and commodity prices are lower than in Wucheng, making it a good place to escape the summer heat."

The two climbed the mountain.

The first thing that comes into view is the mountain gate of the first of the "Nine Platforms and Eighteen Courtyards" of Dongyue Mountain.

The mountain gate is magnificent, a four-pillar, three-hall, seven-story archway, 9.8 meters high, with lifelike stone lions on both sides. The lintel is carved with "two dragons playing with a pearl" and "dragon and phoenix bringing auspiciousness". The front of the plaque reads "Dongyue Mountain", while the back is inscribed with the four large characters "Awakening the Path Opens Wide".

"Old Chen, come here, help me take a picture!"

"Let me take a picture of you too..."

The two walked and stopped frequently, taking photos and checking in at various spots, and Gu Jinghui even posted them on his WeChat Moments.

Upon entering the mountain gate and ascending the steps, various buildings come into view. From the "Second Platform" to the "Fifth Platform," there are Buddhist and Taoist buildings such as the Lu Ban Memorial Hall, Confucius Temple, Mahavira Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and Guanyin Hall, as well as folk religious sites such as the City God Temple and Guandi Temple.

Because it was the weekend, there were quite a few people visiting.

The mountain path is bustling with people. Tourists and locals burn incense and pray to Buddha in front of temples and altars, draw lots and have their fortunes told, and some even pray for children.

Gu Jinghui had a great time shopping.

He really came here to have fun.

Chen Yang secretly surveyed the entire Dongyue Mountain.

He sensed a strange power permeating and brewing within those temples.

This is the "power of incense and faith" formed by the long-term offerings of the people. Under the blessing of this power, people feel a sense of peace and solemnity as soon as they enter those temples and halls.

At the same time, the spiritual energy generated by this power also protects the entire Dongyue Mountain.

Chen Yang headed towards "Seventh Station".

The seventh platform on Mount Dongyue is the Dongyue Temple.

At the top of the mountain steps, Taoist priests dressed in robes greeted us. Behind them were many sticks of incense, which were sold for 5 yuan each. Many people bought them, and many bought three sticks or more at a time.

"This Taoist temple is quite popular!"

Gu Jinghui said, "Old Chen, let's buy a few sticks too."

Chen Yang shook his head. He looked at the Taoist temple in front of him and found that there was a faint trace of Yin energy remaining inside the temple!
That yin energy was extremely weak.

Let alone ordinary Taoist cultivators, even a Taoist master would probably have difficulty detecting it, yet it couldn't escape the perception of Chen Yang, this "underworld messenger"!

This made Chen Yang frown!

With so many Taoist temples, Buddhist monasteries, and ancestral halls on Mount Dongyue, especially the Dongyue Temple which is particularly popular, how could there be any yin energy?

At this moment, an older woman behind Chen Yang spoke up: "Young man, are you from out of town? You've come all this way without even offering incense? You out-of-towners probably don't know... this Taoist temple is very efficacious!"

Someone chimed in, "Yes, yes, and Abbot Qi Zhenren is a true master!"

"Real person?"

Chen Yang chuckled and said, "Qi Ruifeng dares to call himself a 'real man'?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding worshippers objected.

"How can you talk like that, young man?"

"Master Qi is a highly accomplished Taoist master. How dare you, a mere child, judge him?"

"If you're not going to offer incense, then get out of here!"

It's clear that these worshippers and believers are very fervent.

Even the Taoist priests at the temple were alarmed. A young Taoist priest, who had heard the argument, stepped forward to make a request, but after hearing the whole story, his face darkened and he said, "Benefactor... please go down the mountain."

"Oh?"

Chen Yang looked at the young Taoist priest and asked, "Who is Qi Ruifeng to you?"

"How dare you address the abbot by his esteemed name?"

The young Taoist priest, his face contorted with anger, said, "I cultivate Taoism under the second disciple of the abbot. Although I haven't formally become his disciple, I can still be considered the abbot's grand-disciple."

"Since you are practicing Taoism, you should know the rules of the Taoist sect."

Chen Yang said calmly, "The title 'Taoist Master' is not something you can just casually use. Has your Abbot Qi ever entered the Tao?" Upon hearing this, the young Taoist's expression changed.

Only those who have "entered the Tao" can be called "True Persons".

In his early years, Qi Ruifeng was just a minor Taoist priest at Dongyue Temple, cleaning and wiping Taoist scriptures every day... until one day, he discovered a cultivation method in a Taoist scripture.

This cultivation...

He actually mastered the skills!

To say that he "followed the teachings of Quanzhen" is actually just self-aggrandizement.

Ordinary people might just call him "True Person" without a second thought, but if this young Taoist dared to nod, he would be breaking the rules. If word got out, he would not only be laughed at by his fellow martial artists, but the Quanzhen Sect might also hold him accountable!

"Are you also a fellow martial artist?"

The young Taoist priest's expression changed, and he clasped his hands in a salute, saying, "These are just names given casually by worshippers and believers; the abbot is unaware of them... May I ask how you should be addressed, and which school of Taoism you belong to?"

"My surname is Chen, and I practice my family's martial arts."

Chen Yang said, "I was passing through Gucheng today and heard of Master Qi's name, so I came to climb the mountain to pay him a visit."

"The abbot is in seclusion and practicing meditation; I don't know if he receives visitors."

"Then I'll trouble you to inform them."

Although she was somewhat displeased with Chen Yang's rudeness earlier, he was, after all, a member of the martial arts world who had come to pay his respects, and proper etiquette could not be neglected.

The young Taoist priest invited Chen Yang to the incense room, poured him tea, and then took out his phone to make a call.

A short while later, a middle-aged Taoist priest arrived.

"master."

The young Taoist priest bowed, but the middle-aged Taoist priest waved his hand, signaling the young priest to step back, and then looked at Chen Yang.

Is this Zhang Qinian, Qi Ruifeng's second disciple?

The information Wang Lin provided also introduced Qi Ruifeng's five disciples, all of whom had photos, so Chen Yang recognized the middle-aged Taoist priest at a glance.

It doesn't look good either... His cultivation level is only about the same as Lao He's!
Chen Yang secretly thought to himself that this was his first time dealing with "people of the martial arts world" and he did not know the etiquette of the martial arts world. Out of politeness, he stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute, and imitated the words of flattery that martial arts people in TV dramas use when they meet, saying: "I have long heard of Master Zhang's name. Today I meet you and you are indeed dignified and composed. Your reputation is well-deserved."

The middle-aged Taoist priest frowned!

This young man...

How rude!

So young and you don't even show the respect due to a junior when you meet this master?
He said indifferently, "You look unfamiliar...you're not from Gucheng, are you?"

Chen Yang said, "I am from Wucheng. I came to Gucheng today specifically to visit Abbot Qi."

"From Wucheng, surnamed Chen?"

Zhang Qinian's eyes flickered slightly as he asked, "Who is Chen Huaiyi to you?"

Chen Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he asked in return, "Master Zhang, do you know my father?"

He looked at Zhang Qinian.

A distinct look of astonishment flashed across Zhang Qinian's eyes... and there was also an almost imperceptible aura of yin energy emanating from him!

However, Zhang Qinian managed his expression well; after a fleeting moment of surprise, he quickly regained his composure and said, "I met your father once before. I didn't expect his son to be so grown up..."

"Logically, since you are the son of an old friend, I should introduce you... but my master is currently in seclusion and does not receive guests."

Zhang Qinian said, "Please leave, benefactor... Xiao Chen, see the guest out!"

This is practically kicking people out!
The young Taoist cultivator stepped forward: "Benefactor...please!"

Chen Yang glanced at Zhang Qinian and smiled, "Since Master Qi is in seclusion, I'll come back another time... Old Gu, let's go."

They left the Taoist temple.

Gu Jinghui complained, "What kind of bullshit Abbot Qi is this, putting on such an air?"

Chen Yang sneered and said, "It's normal for the number one Daoist cultivator in Gucheng to have a bit of airs."

He glanced back at Dongyue Temple and saw a faint yin energy floating above the entire temple, with an imperceptible resentment within it.

Descend the mountain steps.

The two quickly arrived at the parking lot at the foot of the mountain. Chen Yang climbed into the back seat of the car, sat down cross-legged, and said, "Old Gu, don't drive yet. I need to have my spirit leave my body and go to Dongyue Temple again!"

…………

PS: Second update is here. I'm going out for a meal with my wife and kids. I'll continue writing the third update when I get back!

(End of this chapter)