It all started with one person becoming a shaman, but the Stand user...

Inviting guests, beheading, and taking in servants—the same old three things.

He hesitated for a moment, then decided to dine and dash first to see what the other party was up to:

"All I ask for is a quiet and simple place, where I can shelter from the wind and rain and make offerings to the Three Pure Ones. As for the staffing of the temple, we can follow the usual practice."

Upon hearing this, Huang Liu's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his smile instantly became even more amiable. He quickly cupped his hands in greeting again.

"I truly admire your detachment from worldly affairs and your indifference to worldly pleasures! However, if you are truly looking for a quiet place to cultivate in seclusion, I happen to recall a location not far from here. It might save you a lot of trouble in choosing a site. Why don't you go and take a look yourself?"

After he finished speaking, he paused briefly, subtly observing Qing Hemiao's reaction.

Qinghe Miao equipped the [Sub-Void Miasma] into his substitute slot, and after preparing to exit the dungeon at any time, he calmly nodded slightly:

"I would like to hear more details."

Of course we should go.

Whether the visitor is benevolent or malevolent, it is a good thing for him.

Pshaw!

My greatsword has been thirsting for blood for a long time.

Seeing that Qinghe Miao did not refuse, Huang Liu's smile widened, and he turned around and waved to the side.

Immediately, someone led two donkeys out from behind the shed.

The donkey is strong and healthy, and looks quite docile.

"Master Daoist."

Huang Liu politely invited:

"The mountain road is difficult to travel, please take a ride."

Qinghe Miao glanced at the donkey and shook his head:

"No need. I'm used to traveling all over the country, and my legs are still strong enough. This thing is just too slow."

As a modern person who has lived two lifetimes, how could he possibly ride this?

Moreover, even without equipping [Spicy Red Pepper].

Based on his current level of Qi cultivation alone, his leg strength is indeed far superior to that of ordinary people, making walking on mountain roads a piece of cake.

Chapter 33 The Crooked Melon Taoist

Seeing this, Huang Liu did not insist, but a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He then ordered his men to lead the donkeys back, leaving only one.

Led by Huang Liu and Qing Hemiao, and followed by two strong men, the group left the filthy place and headed towards the western mountains.

The mountain path is rugged, with withered branches and fallen leaves covering the ground, and fallen trees or exposed rocks blocking the way from time to time.

But for the strong men brought by Qinghe Miao and Huang Liu, they were not much of an obstacle.

Qinghe Miao walked with light steps and long breaths, appearing quite composed.

"Master, if you go west from here for less than ten miles, on the sunny slope of the southern foot of this mountain, there is the site of a Buddhist temple left over from a previous dynasty. The locals call it 'Old Monk Rock'."

While Huang Liu was being jostled around on the donkey, making him breathless, he continued to look for opportunities to strike up a conversation and explain, trying to close the distance between them:

"It is said that the temple was built during the Northern Dynasties and flourished again during our dynasty for a period of time, but it was abandoned again when war broke out. Although the temple is somewhat dilapidated and has been neglected for many years."

However, the main foundation and stone platform are still sturdy, and the location is excellent, nestled against the mountain and facing the water, with superb feng shui. A clear spring flows nearby. With just a little repair and tidying, it would be an excellent serene place for spiritual practice.

The group climbed along the mountain path, and before they had gone too far, just past the first hill, the view suddenly opened up before them.

Looking from the side, the southern slope is relatively flat, and amidst the withered and desolate landscape, one can indeed see the outline of a broken wall.

It did indeed resemble a former temple.

Several uneven sections of vines and moss, covered with withered vines and moss, stand firmly, outlining the approximate boundaries of the courtyard.

In the center, you can see a stone platform that is clearly the base of a palace, with huge pillar bases scattered on it, carved with indistinct lotus patterns.

In the corner, a half-collapsed stone tablet lies half-buried in the soil.

Withered grass grew all around, almost completely submerging the ruins.

It was the small stream that Huang Liu mentioned; if you weren't looking for it intentionally, you could hardly tell it from being there.

Qinghe Miao only felt that looking around...

The ground was covered with withered grass and broken stones, and it was hard to find even a flat and clean place to stand.

This scene is less a "temple that can be used with a little repair" and more a wasteland that needs extensive clearing and reconstruction.

It might be more cost-effective to find a new place and build a new one.

However, it suited his taste perfectly.

It's impossible for me to give alms now; I can't give alms until I become an immortal or a god in this lifetime.

Don't be fooled by how pitiful the group of people you met before.

But the more this happens, the more their humanity is worn down by the environment, leaving only their animalistic instincts.

If there is even a sliver of chance to survive, they will become docile sheep.

Similarly, if they lack strength and discover even the slightest weakness, then they become the most ferocious jackals and tigers.

This chaotic world has nothing to do with them, so we can't blame them.

But he didn't just squander the world!

More than a thousand years ago, during the reign of the Tang Dynasty, it was absolutely impossible to expect Qinghe Miao to become such a traitor.

At this moment, Li Xingyun, the real protagonist, might be leisurely practicing his romantic swordplay with his beautiful junior sister in the scenic Qingcheng Mountain!

He's even from the same hometown as Bai Suzhen (the White Snake Lady). It's infuriating!

"Hmm, although this place is rather desolate, it is quiet and acceptable. Let's settle on this spot then."

Now that things have come to this, Qinghe Miao nodded and said, following the lead of the conversation.

He then turned to Huang Liu and asked about the actual matters:

"I intend to establish this place as a Buddhist temple, but I do not know from whom I should purchase the land deed, nor do I need to report it to which government office?"

"Master, you are overthinking it! This place is an abandoned and unclaimed land, abandoned for who knows how many years, and no one has ever cared about it. There is no need to buy it, and no one has it to sell."

Huang Liu was referring to this sentence, and his attitude was somewhat obsequious:

"As for the government... in this remote and impoverished place, as long as it doesn't cause too much of a commotion, who cares whether there's an extra Taoist temple or a missing tile in this remote mountain village?"

"If the Taoist priest truly takes a liking to this place, my Huang family is willing to do our humble best to assist you with manpower and materials. This would be a way to establish a good relationship. What do you say?"

At this point, it's crucial not to lose face.

Qinghe Miao waved his hand, his expression indifferent, as if he were doing nothing at all:

"It's just a small expense in terms of manpower and resources, which I can handle myself. There's no need for your esteemed family to spend any more money."

Huang Liu immediately seized the opportunity and asked, feigning curiosity:

"The Taoist priest's magical powers are profound and extraordinary. I wonder... what name should this Taoist temple be given if it is built? So that people far and wide may know about it."

Naming?

Qinghe Miao was taken aback; he had originally planned to build it first and then figure it out later.

After all, anyone who has ever discussed politics on Tianya knows that disaster relief should never involve simply distributing food.

A certain level of organization is also needed to get them moving.

Using labor as a form of relief can reduce a lot of trouble.

Qinghe Miao thought for a moment, and a name that left a deep impression on him was the first one that came to mind.

He raised his hand, patted the half-broken pillar beside him, his hand covered in dust, and casually said:

"It's called 'Wind Spirit Moon Shadow View'."

Huang Liu's gaze swept across the surroundings. A cold wind swept through the withered grass, and the distant mountain shadows were hazy. He imagined that the moonlight would surely shine on this ruin tonight...

"Wind, spirit, moon, shadow... With wind and spirit, with moon and shadow, what a wonderful name! It has a profound meaning!"

He immediately clapped his hands in praise, and then tentatively asked:

"To be able to choose such an elegant and refined name, your master must be a highly learned and virtuous person with profound knowledge of Taoism. Is there any mystery to you about your name?"

Qinghe Miao knew it was time to reveal something.

"My master... is just an ordinary person, whose Taoist name is Waigua Daoren (Crooked Melon Taoist)."

He doesn't have any great skills; he just happens to be agile and has traveled to many places, so he has a wide range of knowledge.

I'm sorry, Master Chai.

A hint of reminiscence crossed his face, and he said with a smile:

"Look at my clothes, I bought them when I went to the Khitan with my master. It's a really harsh and cold place. I parted ways with my master in a hurry and haven't had time to change them since I got back."

As she spoke, she tugged at his dark-colored, simple-style cotton jacket, which she had deliberately chosen but still found out of place in this era.

"Oh—! I see!"

Huang Liu drew out his words as if he had just realized something, and took the opportunity to glance at Qing Hemiao's clothes a few more times.

They seemed to have accepted his explanation.

Then, out of kindness, someone asked:

"Since you came back from the Khitan, you must have had a difficult journey. Did you not encounter 'Master Liu's' troops? Things have been rather turbulent there lately."

The name "Master Liu" appeared again.

Qinghe Miao seemed to be deep in thought, but still answered following the same line of thought as before:

"Master Liu's troops? Perhaps it was because I was alone and had nothing, so I deliberately avoided the main roads and chose to travel along the secluded mountain paths, and that's why I didn't encounter them."

"May the Daoist be blessed with boundless fortune."

Huang Liu echoed Qing Hemiao's words, though something was swirling in his mind.

Then, Qinghe Miao stopped delaying and began recruiting workers.

Returning to the vicinity of the traces created yesterday using [Sub-Void Miasma], he cleared his throat and said:

"I have found a quiet place for cultivation in the western mountains, and I need people to clean and repair it. Today I am recruiting workers, and the rules are as follows: Anyone who is strong and able to work hard will receive one liter of coarse rice for a full day's work! Two meals a day will be provided by me, rice porridge and pickled vegetables."

Chapter 34 Traveling Through the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms to Become a Foreman

Qing Hemiao's rate was determined by him after he specifically went to an internet cafe to check the data.

During the relatively stable period of the Tang Dynasty, this daily wage was definitely lower than that of ordinary laborers.

And monetary payments are common.

But this is the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and he's not really here to work on a construction site.

This price is enough for someone who is starving to death to barely survive.

As for those who want to make money, they shouldn't come.

That's perfect for sieving out.

After all, he is only fourteen years old for now and has received the blessings of his parents in this life.

Without intending to leave the family, the restrictions imposed are quite severe.

He didn't have much food left either.

The onlookers were stunned when they heard this, almost unable to believe their ears.