Chapter 79

Two years later.

During the season of yellow plum rains, every household was drenched, and frogs croaked everywhere in the green grass by the pond. Li Jing of the Tang Dynasty defeated Fu Gongyou, who had rebelled, and the military turmoil in the south finally subsided, restoring peace.

In May, cicadas chirped incessantly, the sun shone brightly, and a light drizzle gently fell. Outside Wuzhou City, on the site of the old Lano Temple, a new, smaller temple had been built, still called Lano Temple. Although smaller than the original, the new Lano Temple was bustling with incense offerings. People said that praying at Lano Temple was very effective, and in this era of war and chaos, many villagers came to burn incense and pray for the Buddha's protection.

In the light rain, Wu Jin, who had grown plump, got off his carriage and looked at the three gilded characters "Lano Temple" on the temple gate.

"Wu Dazheng..."

"Wu Daren..."

The incense burners and rain-shelter seekers greeted Wu Jin, who smiled and returned their greetings. After expelling Fu Gongyou, the south returned to Tang rule. In March of this year, the imperial court appointed a Dazheng in each state to manage various personnel and rank matters.

Wu Jin, with his success over the past two years, surpassed many heads of noble families and secured this position, enjoying unparalleled glory.

Some incense burners joked that Wu Jin must have worshiped a god of fortune, as his official and financial fortunes had flourished, and he had even gained weight, with rumors of him taking several concubines.

Someone laughed and replied that Wu Jin had worshiped the Buddha at Lano Temple and received his protection, and was now here to fulfill his vow.

Wu Jin smiled but said nothing. Only he knew that he had hitched a ride with a nobleman. Entering Lano Temple, he first saw a pond with a few wild lotus flowers, their buds about to bloom, standing gracefully. He headed straight for the Great Hall.

"Sir, please follow me..."

A young monk greeted Wu Jin and led him to the back. Lano Temple had only four or five monks and novices, with only one hall, and a few meditation rooms and vegetable plots behind it.

A red-clad, charming young woman emerged, walking gracefully, and the pleasant sound of bells drifted over. Wu Jin glanced at her, surprised. When had such a beautiful young woman appeared in Wuzhou City?

The young woman seemed to notice Wu Jin's gaze and smiled, her laughter lingering as she disappeared.

Wu Jin rubbed his eyes, wondering if he had hallucinated. But what about the bell sound?

"Sir, Sir..."

The young monk called out twice, bringing Wu Jin back to his senses. "Sir, the abbot is already inside..."

"Oh? Oh, I see..."

Wu Jin looked around reluctantly, thinking he must have been mistaken. In two more years, he would be forty, and age did not spare anyone!

Pushing open the door to the meditation room, Wu Jin saw several people inside, which surprised him.

A woman like an iceberg, her face covered by a white veil, with a graceful figure, was likely a beauty.

A young man sat in a chair, his face pale, fanning himself.

Opposite him was a handsome scholar in white, leaning on a woman whom Wu Jin recognized as Xie Yanran, the top courtesan of the south.

In the upper left was a middle-aged man in green, wearing a jade crown, with a handsome face, well-preserved as if time had not touched him.

Wu Jin naturally recognized this man. After a moment of surprise, he closed the door and greeted the old monk sitting on the bed, "Master..."

He then bowed to the middle-aged man, "Chen Zhuangzhu, long time no see!"

"Wu Daren, long time no see, you look more prosperous!" Chen Qinglong returned the greeting and smiled.

"Where, where, it's all thanks to you, Chen Zhuangzhu!"

Wu Jin looked at the others, "Who are these gentlemen?"

"Oh, a few friends, Wu Daren, look..."

Chen Qinglong pointed to the right. Wu Jin looked over, seeing nothing, and as he turned back, a puff of smoke blew in, and he fainted.

Chen Qinglong caught Wu Jin, laid him aside, and patted his protruding belly, "Damn, this dead pig is so heavy, and he comes at the worst time..."

"You should be grateful that Jin Ling didn't ensnare his soul just now!" Yinggeye looked at Wu Jin.

Chen Qinglong shook his head, "I never thought Jin Ling would be one of the Six Paths, the Hehuan Path. She's a demoness."

"The Hehuan Path practices yang cultivation and yin supplementation, excelling in seduction. They have always been at odds with the Yuxian Path. Many of their disciples live in the secular world, so it's not surprising. Jin Ling has always suspected that the immortal connection of the Black Mountain Demon was taken by me, so..."

Yinggeye didn't finish, fanning herself and smiling, her gaze turning to Shi Zhixuan, "If you cultivate demonic arts, your talent is no less than mine. I can guide you. As for your wife, she has no Daoist roots and can only remain a mortal."

"Thank you, Young Master. Xie Yanran and I truly love each other. Being mortals is fine; we just want to live freely and happily."

Shi Zhixuan held Xie Yanran's hand and smiled gently, looking at the cold, white-clad woman, "Princess, you are now free. We will not stay longer."

Shi Zhixuan stood up, bowed to the old monk on the bed, "General Du, take care!"

"Amitabha..." The old monk recited a Buddhist chant.

Shi Zhixuan and Xie Yanran left together, dressed in white, like a celestial couple, free and easy.

"This person will surely join our demonic sect!" Yinggeye looked at the departing Shi Zhixuan, fanning herself, stood up, and looked at Chen Qinglong, "Aren't you joining me? Ning Wushuang has already reached the Qi Transformation stage, with a solid foundation. He will surely break through after this retreat."

"Ha ha, Young Master Yingge, I appreciate your kindness, but I have ties in the secular world and a family to take care of. When I see through the world, I will seek you out."

Chen Qinglong shook his head, declining Yinggeye's offer.

"Fine, fine, everyone envies immortals, but you are attached to the secular world. When you tire of it, come find me, and I will guide you into the sect."

Fanning herself, Yinggeye took a step and covered several yards, another step and she was a hundred meters away, and the third step, she vanished!

The power of a terrestrial immortal.

"Ning Xiaoye's great kindness, I cannot repay. Since Ning Xiaoye has already left, I should go too! Du Fuwei, take care."

"There is no longer a Du Fuwei; he is dead. I am only the old monk Pochen. The world is vast, and a small temple is enough for a home. But where is the home of the princess?" The old monk sighed softly.

"The secular world is broken, but the immortal connection remains. I will become a nun at the Yuxian Path and never return to the secular world!" Li Xiuning's voice was filled with infinite disappointment and sorrow as she left gracefully.

"Those who leave, leave; those who scatter, scatter. Fate comes and goes, how can the secular world be severed? Qinglong, why refuse Yingge for the old monk?"

Chen Qinglong stood up and bowed respectfully to the old monk, "The general has treated me with great kindness. I returned to the south to join the young general in rebellion, but now that the general has become a monk, I will serve you to repay your kindness!"

"Amitabha, when will the cycle of karma end? You saved me from Chang'an, which was enough to repay your debt. Go, I will sit by the Buddha lamp and recite the Sutra of the Deceased for the fallen soldiers."

Chen Qinglong sighed softly, lifted Wu Jin, left the meditation room, and walked away.