Wife is hell

Chapter 74 A Bizarre Discussion of Taoism

The old woman stood outside the door, looking somewhat disheveled.

I haven't even started anything yet, why are you closing the door already?

She touched her old face.

Does it say "I'm going to hurt you" written all over its face?

Why is this girl so wary?

She was about to knock again when she suddenly saw the apple in her hand rotting at a visible speed. She gritted her teeth, made a mark next to the door, and quickly left.

-

Jiang Mu had no idea that a "Snow White" story almost unfolded next door.

After delivering the talisman to the eight-foot-tall succubus lady at Furongzhai, he went to Chongtian Temple.

Chongtian Temple is located on Huarong Mountain in the northern suburbs of Yancheng.

The mountain is not particularly steep, but it possesses a serene and otherworldly atmosphere.

Jiang Mu walked along the winding mountain road for about half an hour before arriving at the magnificent mountain gate.

Ancient trees reach for the sky on both sides of the mountain gate.

Beside the door stood a strangely shaped stone, about the height of two people.

The stone is covered with densely packed seal script characters, which record the history of the founding patriarch of Chongtian Temple who traveled here, comprehended the Way of Heaven, and thus established the sect here.

Pilgrims flocked to the mountain gate, creating a lively atmosphere.

After all, sects also need to make expenses. Without incense offerings, how can they talk about cultivating in seclusion?

What's the point of practicing Buddhism if you have no money?

Jiang Mu followed the crowd into the temple, first respectfully offering three incense sticks in the main hall, and then turning to the inner courtyard area where worshippers were not allowed to enter.

In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside, the inner courtyard was heavily guarded and exceptionally quiet.

It was clearly a place for the disciples of the temple to cultivate in seclusion, and ordinary people were not allowed to enter without permission.

"Sir, please stay."

A young Taoist priest in charge of guarding the area stepped forward to stop him, speaking in a fairly polite tone, "This is a sacred place for our temple's quiet cultivation, and it is not open to the public. Please forgive us, young master."

Jiang Mu took out the token that Master Wenhe had given him last time and handed it over:
"I am a friend of Daoist Wenhe. I have come to pay him a visit today. I wonder if he is at the temple?"

Upon seeing the token, the young Taoist priest's expression immediately became respectful: "So you are Uncle Wenhe's distinguished guest. My apologies for my rudeness. May I ask how you are addressed, sir?"

"The surname is Mu."

“Young Master Mu, my Uncle Wenhe usually resides on Hongyuan Peak in the back mountain. If you do not mind, I can show you the way.”

"Thank you for your help, Taoist priest."

The young Taoist priest exchanged a few words with his companion who was guarding the mountain, and then led Jiang Mu through the moon gate and along a quieter mountain path toward the back of the mountain.

On the way, Jiang Mu took the opportunity to chat with the young Taoist priest, gaining a deeper understanding of Chongtian Temple.

It turns out that in addition to the headmaster, Chongtian Temple also has nine elders and two protectors who jointly manage its affairs.

Among them are four highly respected elders who each have their own mountain temple.

He named himself after his own Taoist name.

Master Wenhe's master is the Grand Elder Hongyuan Zhenren.

The place where he lived was Hongyuan Peak.

As they spoke, the two arrived at a precipice.

A long iron suspension bridge spans a deep ravine, connecting a solitary mountain peak that rises into the clouds on the opposite side.

The mountain peaks were shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland.

The suspension bridge swayed slightly in the wind, making a soft creaking sound.

"The place where the big shot lives is truly unique."

Jiang Mu sighed inwardly.

The two crossed the iron chain bridge and arrived at the outside of a quiet and elegant courtyard.

Disciples were also on duty at the entrance of the courtyard.

The young Taoist priest who was leading the way stepped forward and bowed, saying:

“Senior Brother Zhang, this Young Master Mu is a friend of Uncle Wenhe. He came with a token, saying he has important business to discuss with Uncle Wenhe.”

He then handed over the token.

After verifying the token, Senior Brother Zhang carefully examined Jiang Mu. Seeing that although he was young, he was handsome and composed, so he dared not be negligent and politely bowed, saying:

"Young Master Mu, it's really unfortunate. Uncle Wenhe is currently listening to the Grand Elder's lecture. If you're not in a hurry, you can go to the living room for some tea and wait. I'll go and inform him as soon as the lecture is over."

"Attend a lecture?"

Jiang Mu asked, "When will it end?" "Not long, it will be over in about two incense sticks' time."

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, Daoist Master."

"Young Master Mu, you're too kind."

Senior Brother Zhang led Jiang Mu to an elegant hall, served him tea, and brought out several dishes of snacks such as melon seeds and dried fruit before leaving.

Jiang Mu waited patiently.

The woman in green emerged from the bell and looked around.

The woman had her hands behind her back, and although she wasn't wearing shoes or socks, her feet didn't get dirty at all when she stepped on the ground.

"This place is really uncomfortable."

The woman in green frowned as she walked toward a stone statue of a deity in the hall.

"uncomfortable?"

Jiang Mu laughed and said, "It's right that you're not feeling well. This is a proper Taoist retreat. If it weren't for this bell protecting you, ordinary wandering ghosts would probably have been scattered long ago."

"Young master~"

The woman in green turned her head, her eyes sparkling, and asked with a smile,
"If one day my sister is subdued by some powerful Taoist priest, will you save her?"

Jiang Mu took a sip of tea and said calmly:

"We'll see. Anyway, you're not my wife, so I don't need to offend those big shots for your sake."

"Although my sister is not your wife, she is better than your wife."

A deep sorrow settled between the woman's brows. "These past few nights, haven't we been sleeping together?"

Jiang Mu ignored the female ghost's daily teasing and drank his tea, pondering how to appropriately display his skills later in order to exchange for some useful cultivation resources from Chongtian Temple.

A moment later, the sound of footsteps could be heard.

Jiang Mu thought it was Daoist Wenhe who had arrived, but when he turned around, a handsome man dressed in a blue robe and holding a folding fan walked in.

The scholar in the blue robe was also taken aback when he saw Jiang Mu in the hall. He then looked him up and down a few times and asked with some uncertainty:
"Sir, your surname is Mu?"

Jiang Mu nodded.

The man's expression immediately turned strange, then he sneered, his words laced with sarcasm:

"How ridiculous! I thought that old man Hongyuan had invited some important figure, but it turns out he's just a greenhorn."

I was even worried about my senior brother and came ahead of time to test his abilities. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have come at all; it would have been a disgrace to my status!

Jiang Mu was completely bewildered by this barrage of sarcasm.

No way, is this guy crazy?

Do I know you?

The man snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and turned to leave.

But after taking only two steps, he stopped, turned half his face to the side, and coldly said to Jiang Mu:

"Alright, since Master Hongyuan highly praises you, saying that you have a special talent for the Daoist scriptures and extraordinary insights, since you're already here, I'll test you a bit and see what you're really capable of."

"Um, I—"

"Let me ask you, what is the meaning of the phrase 'Attain utmost emptiness, maintain steadfast stillness'?"

"No, I don't believe it..."

"answer me!"

The scholar-man glared at him with eyes as sharp as lightning.

Why are you yelling so loudly?

Jiang Mu was completely baffled; where did this lunatic come from?

However, isn't the question they asked from the Tao Te Ching?

Does this kind of thing exist in this world?

Or is it, like some spiritual cultivation techniques, something that originated from the Xuanming World?
After all, many of the classic texts in the Xuanming World are exactly the same as those on Earth before Jiang Mu's transmigration.

Seeing that the other party remained silent, the scholar-official sneered:
"Hmph! He does have a handsome face, but it's all show and no substance, like a withered tree adorned with gold and jade!"

Jiang Mu was completely numb.

This bastard even resorted to personal attacks.

Alright, you want to discuss philosophy with me? Then I'll discuss it with you until we understand!

Don't blame me if your Dao heart is shattered.

You brought this on yourself.

(End of this chapter)