The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

Having made up his mind, Wang Zhenhuan no longer hesitated. After getting up and closing the door, he left the inn. It was just sunrise, and there weren't many pedestrians on the street.

Just as he stood at the door, hesitating about who to ask for directions to Puji Temple, he happened to see the shop assistant returning from shopping. The two exchanged a glance.

Wang Zhen felt ashamed and was about to speak when the waiter greeted him first, "Master, you're up so early? Are you preparing to head south? Would you like me to go to the kitchen and get you some provisions?"

Upon hearing his words, Wang Huanzhen cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I won't be leaving today. I have some matters to attend to and plan to visit Puji Temple. Do you know where Puji Temple is?"

"Really? That's great. I know Puji Temple. Shall I take you there, Taoist priest? Anyway, the boss has gone back to his hometown to visit relatives, and this inn is usually empty." The waiter asked.

"In that case, I'll trouble you, young man," Wang Zhen said somewhat embarrassedly. He had just refused someone yesterday, and now he was asking for help again, which made him feel rather guilty.

"It's nothing, it's only right. After all, you paid for your stay at our inn, Master. Please wait here for a moment while I take these things back," the waiter said warmly.

After the waiter returned the item, he locked the inn's door. The two then headed out of town. Since Wang Zhen hadn't eaten since dawn, and he still felt guilty towards the waiter, he decided to leave.

So when they passed by the steamed bun shop, they bought a few buns. The two of them shared them. The waiter didn't refuse them; in fact, he happily thanked Wang Zhenhuan.

"Thank you, Taoist priest. I've never eaten a bun with pure meat filling before."

"Don't call me Taoist priest anymore. My surname is Wang and my given name is Huanzhen. We're about the same age, so just call me by my name," Wang Huanzhen said, waving his hand as he ate a steamed bun.

"That won't do. People say there's a distinction between superiors and inferiors, and etiquette must not be disregarded. How about this, I'll call you 'Sir.' Sir, you can just call me Xiao Liu Zi," the waiter said, following Wang Zhen Huan.

Hearing him address him, Wang Huanzhen's heart softened suddenly. He recalled a familiar scene. It was just like this, the two of them walking together on the street in the early morning, eating steamed buns.

However, back then, it was he who addressed him as "sir," but now, the same scene had changed completely. He shook his head, shaking off his thoughts, and smiled at the waiter, asking...

"Don't you have a name? Why are you called Xiao Liuzi?"

"Hey, how could a wild child like me have a proper name? The temple keeper picked me up on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, so everyone has always called me Little Six. We've gotten used to it over time," the waiter said nonchalantly.

"I see, Xiao Liu is quite easy to remember. By the way, tell me about Puji Temple? How old is the abbot?" Wang Huanzhen nodded and asked.

"Speaking of Puji Temple, it's quite remarkable. I heard it was built by the government, so it must be several decades old now. The abbot of Puji Temple is Master Fashan, a truly accomplished master." The waiter exclaimed in amazement as he spoke of Puji Temple.

"Oh? A master? How master?" Wang Zhenhuan's heart tightened when he heard him say that. But he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he asked in a slightly curious tone.

"I don't know how tall it is, but I've heard that there are all sorts of supernatural things happening around Xiayi. If you're asking for a child or a good marriage, as long as you invite this master, he can solve all your problems," the waiter said, shaking his head.

"That's amazing! It can even help with marriage and fertility? Puji Temple must be very popular then, right?" Wang Zhenhuan pressed.

"Of course. I've heard that Puji Temple enshrines a relic of a high-ranking monk. The incense has never stopped burning there, and almost everyone in the vicinity, from high-ranking officials to ordinary people, has visited it."

The waiter's mouth was glistening with oil, his lips sparkling in the sunlight. But the words he uttered made Wang Zhenhuan's heart sink.

Seemingly sensing that Wang Zhenhuan was in a bad mood, the waiter suddenly asked in a low voice, "Sir, did I say something wrong? Oh, right, sir, you are a Taoist priest, I shouldn't have said that."

"It's alright, it's not because of that. How far is Puji Temple from the town? Let's go and come back as soon as possible," Wang Zhenhuan patted his shoulder, comforting him.

"It's not far, just on the mountain outside the town. The mountain isn't very high. The local earth god temple used to be built there, but it gradually fell into disrepair after bandits came. I lived on that mountain for over ten years, so I know it very well," the waiter said, patting his chest.

And so, the two walked and talked. After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they saw the earth god temple. Little Liu was right; the temple had indeed been abandoned for a long time, with only ruins remaining.

The local earth god statue in the temple was long gone. If it weren't for a few sections of the courtyard wall still standing on the ground, you wouldn't be able to tell that there had ever been a building here. Wang Zhenhuan stood outside the courtyard, feeling a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing sorrow, regret, and reflection).

As he traveled south, he encountered several abandoned temples. Most of them were local earth god temples or city god temples. And these abandoned Taoist temples and monasteries...

In stark contrast are the Buddhist temples. Most of these temples are bustling with worshippers, their incense burning constantly, a sight that evokes a sense of melancholy. And beside this overgrown, dilapidated site of a former earth god temple...

There was a set of smooth, shiny bluestone steps leading up the mountain, untouched by a speck of dust. It was clear that the steps were regularly cleaned and frequented by many people. The two of them climbed the steps.

After reaching the mountaintop, they finally saw the gate of Puji Temple. Although it was only early morning, it was not deserted at all. Wang Zhenhuan alone saw four or five groups of worshippers coming to offer incense.

A young novice monk was sweeping fallen leaves by the door. After watching for a while, Wang Zhenhuan stepped forward and asked the novice, "Young monk, may I ask if the abbot is here?"

"Amitabha, benefactor, the abbot is currently giving his morning prayers in the hall. If you have any questions, you may ask him yourself." The young novice put down his broom and bowed to Wang Huanzhen with his hands clasped together.

Wang Zhenhuan instinctively wanted to return the greeting with a cupped hand, but then he remembered that this was a temple, and he wasn't wearing a Taoist robe or revealing his identity. So he simply waved goodbye to the young novice monk.

After calling Xiao Liuzi, the two entered the front courtyard of the temple. As soon as they entered, they saw an old monk in a kasaya and a middle-aged man with a sorrowful expression walking out of the main hall.

The old monk said, "Benefactor Chen, do not worry. That person may come to your door soon. I will then visit your residence."

Upon hearing this, Wang Huanzhen narrowed his eyes and slowed his pace as he passed by...