Chapter 104: One thing you should not give up
"Well……"
Jiang Lin nodded in understanding, and his expression became strange.
Wudang Mountain is the ancestral home of Zhenwu. There are more than five famous Taoist temples on the mountain, including Zhengyi in the south and Quanzhen in the north, with different doctrines.
Among them, the most famous, or the purest Taoist temple of the Zhenwu lineage is Dayue Taihe Palace.
To what extent is it pure? Let me put it this way, the Taoist temple of Zhenwu Emperor is Wudang Mountain, and the place where Zhenwu Emperor resides when he is stationed in Wudang Mountain is called Taihe Hall.
The Dayue Taihe Palace belongs to Quanzhen.
The precepts of Quanzhen are much stricter than those of Zhengyi.
On the whole, it is closer to the precepts of Zen Buddhism, including precepts such as not eating meat and not getting married.
Moreover, the regulations in this area are very strict.
"Looking at the age of this Taoist friend Li, he is only a few years older than me. Has he received the first true precepts?"
Jiang Lin asked thoughtfully.
There are three major precepts in Quanzhen precepts, namely, the initial precepts, the intermediate precepts, and the celestial precepts, so they are also called the Three Altars Great Precepts, or the Three Halls Great Precepts.
If it is just the initial true precepts, perhaps there is still a little chance. If you can be friends with your wife, not have sex, and not destroy your original body, perhaps you can still turn things around.
Chen Qingning replied silently: "Although Brother Li is young, he is a natural sutra master. He is destined to have a connection with Taoism. In the future, he will achieve Taoism and walk the world to preach the Tao for Emperor Zhenwu."
"He received the Great Precepts of the Central Supreme Purity Cave True Wisdom Contemplation of the Body Sutra..."
Jiang Lin nodded silently and said no more.
The Zhongji Precepts are generally the limit for Quanzhen Taoists in the human world. It is also known as the Three Hundred Great Zhongji Precepts of Taishang Laojun. As the name suggests, there are a total of three hundred precepts.
The next higher precepts for celestial beings are "to abstain without abstention". Only those who have attained the Tao and become immortals, ascended to heaven, and left their names in heaven are qualified to observe these precepts.
Jiang Lin never imagined that Brother Li had already received the intermediate precepts at such a young age. Even within Quanzhen, only true practitioners of the Taoist generation would observe such precepts.
In a sense, Brother Li Dao can be called a "natural Taoist".
"The reason why he came to my Xuantian Taisu Palace five years ago was because the Taoist master of Taihe Palace wanted him to experience the difference between the northern and southern sects and let him know that preaching should be adapted to local conditions."
"It is also to familiarize myself with the similarities and differences among the Zhenwu lineages in the world."
"Xuantian Taisu Palace is just his first stop. After the five-year period is up, he will move to another Taoist temple to practice."
Chen Qingning counted on his fingers and said in surprise, "Ah, so in three days, Brother Li's stay will expire."
"A scene like the one just now will never be seen again in three days at most."
Chen Qingning said with some emotion: "After watching it for two years, I am somewhat used to it."
Jiang Lin smiled without saying anything. He looked not far away, where the girl had finally caught up with the Taoist priest.
Or perhaps it was because the Taoist felt sorry for her tiredness that he let herself be caught by her on purpose.
The girl was wielding her sword with all her might, while the Taoist lowered his head and looked submissive. It seemed like a show of being right but not letting the other party off the hook.
But only if you look closely can you see that although the girl is speaking harsh words, her eyes and eyebrows are full of joy and smiles.
Although the Taoist lowered his head and looked extremely aggrieved, the slight curve at the corner of his mouth was also very obvious.
This is not about being unreasonable, nor is it about a fierce woman bullying a docile person.
But it’s the little tacit understanding between the two of them, or... interest?
There was only a thin layer of window paper between us, but I didn't dare to break it.
How could a girl who grew up at the foot of Daomen Mountain not know the difference between Quanzhen and the one?
How could a person who was born as a Taoist and was like a banished immortal not know his own mission?
Maybe this can also be considered a kind of tacit understanding.
Jiang Lin sighed silently in his heart.
He withdrew his gaze and without further looking, followed Chen Qingning into the Yuxu Palace.
After worshipping the gods three times as usual, Chen Qingning was about to take Jiang Lin away to visit the next place, but he saw the Taoist Master Zhenzhuo walking towards them unsteadily.
"Master Tao."
"Grandpa."
The two of them saluted.
"Ah."
Taoist Zhenzhu nodded with a smile, looked at Chen Qingning, and said, "Qingning, I was confused. The two lay Buddhists of the Liu family are both girls. It is inconvenient for me to discuss many matters. You still need to go over and help."
"Yes, disciple will go there now."
Chen Qingning did not doubt it and nodded in agreement. After saying goodbye to Jiang Lin, he hurried towards the living room.
"Master Dao sent Fellow Daoist Qingning away. Do you have any instructions?"
Seeing that there was no one around, Jiang Lin said with a smile.
Anything that is inconvenient to discuss is naturally false.
Not to mention the realm and practice of the Taoist master in front of him, he has long seen through the difference between men and women, and the distinction between yin and yang. Just talking about the age of this Taoist master, I am afraid he has long passed the barrier of following his heart without breaking the rules.
Jiang Lin said it directly. In front of such an old Taoist priest, hiding things would only make oneself uncomfortable.
"There is indeed something."
Taoist Master Zhenzhu said with a smile: "Come with me. Today I will test Qingci's homework, and the test is the Zhenwu Sword Technique. I will take you with me."
After saying that, without waiting for Jiang Lin's answer, he walked towards the square in front of Yuxu Palace.
Jiang Lin naturally followed.
There was already a Taoist waiting in the square. He was none other than Brother Li, who had been chased by Miss Yan like a rabbit.
"I am Li Qingci, a humble Taoist. Nice to meet you, fellow Taoist."
Zhou Zheng, who was born in Li Qingci, observed etiquette in every move and greeted Jiang Lin.
"I am Jiang Xuanying, a poor Taoist. Nice to meet you, Taoist friend."
Jiang Lin also returned the greeting meticulously.
After the two of them got to know each other, Master Zhenzhuo said without any nonsense, "Let's get started, Qingci goes first."
"Yes."
Li Qingci nodded decisively, raised his hand, and performed sword techniques.
"Zheng!"
The magic sword behind him suddenly hummed, bursting with Zhenwu's positive energy, and rose up with a bright rainbow light.
Jiang Lin watched carefully from the side. This Brother Li's Zhenwu sword technique was much more proficient than his.
This is normal. After all, Jiang Lin is just a beginner, while Brother Li has probably been immersed in it for five years. There is of course a big gap between them.
"Hold still."
Looking at this extremely solid sword technique, Taoist Zhenzhuo did not express anything, but just spoke lightly.
Li Qingci did not speak, but maintained the sword technique silently.
It took half an hour to stabilize.
It is already noon, the hottest time of the day. It also looks like it will rain today. Gray clouds cover the sky, which does not bring any coolness. Instead, it becomes even more hot and humid.
Li Qingci was unaware of anything and focused on maintaining the sword technique.
"Pulsus..."
At this moment, a swallow flew by at a low altitude and happened to fall into Li Qingci's eyes.
It is common to see swallows flying low before the rain.
It is not difficult to understand that there are swallows living in Taisu Palace, a blessed place.
Li Qingci has been practicing Quanzhen Jindan Dao for more than fifteen years and has long passed the barrier of being distracted by external things.
Logically speaking, it was just a swallow and would not have any impact on Li Qingci.
But this swallow flew by...
"laugh……"
As if deflated, Li Qingci's magic sword suddenly dimmed, and then fell back into Li Qingci's hand powerlessly.
This scene surprised Jiang Lin a little, and he looked at Li Qingci deeply.
Has it reached the point where seeing the object reminds you of the person?
Or has it reached the point where “when I’m apart from you, I miss you like crazy”?
Even if I just see a swallow, I will find it hard to help but think of her.
It will distract you and ruin your efforts.
"Grandfather..." Li Qingci pursed his lips, lowered his head and said nothing.
"You're upset."
Taoist Zhenzhu looked at him calmly, flicked his sleeves, and said, "Go to Yuxu Hall, in front of the statue of the ancestor, and recite the Sutra of Eternal Purity and Tranquility by the Supreme Lord Lao."
"Three hundred times."
"Yes."
Li Qingci did not argue, but accepted it silently. After bowing and saying goodbye to Jiang Lin, he turned and walked into the Yuxu Palace.
Jiang Lin watched quietly from the side and was not surprised at all.
It would be strange if I, the Taoist master, had not noticed something that I could see at a glance after so many years.
However, isn't it a bit... to force his mind to block like this?
Jiang Lin always felt that using force was not something a true Taoist would do.
It is impossible for the Taoist not to understand the principle that it is better to loosen than to block.
"Did you see it?"
The Taoist Master Zhenzhu smiled slightly.
Jiang Lin nodded, but was still a little confused. However, he also knew that the Taoist must have his reasons for doing this.
"Come with me."
The Taoist Master Zhenzhu smiled and stroked his beard, taking unsteady steps. Jiang Lin followed him, feeling a little confused.
"Master Dao, are you not going to test me on my sword skills?"
"...No, just practice hard and you won't make any mistakes."
"Oh."
Jiang Lin scratched his head, feeling that the Taoist didn't really want to bring up this topic.
He followed Taoist Master Zhenzhuo and went around to the back of Yuxu Hall. He went through the back door and came to the corner behind the statue of Emperor Zhenwu.
Jiang Lin didn't say anything, but just looked at Taoist Master with questioning eyes.
The Taoist Master Zhenzhu just smiled slightly, waved his hand to set up a ban, and then said: "Wait."
After that, there was no sound.
Jiang Lin blinked in confusion. What are you waiting for?
Wait for Brother Li to finish reciting the Pure and Tranquil Sutra three hundred times?
Jiang Lin calculated that it would take about three minutes to recite the Pure Tranquility Sutra once in Quanzhen rhyme, and one hundred times would take three hundred minutes, or five hours.
And three hundred times...
Wait seven and a half hours?
Now Jiang Lin really didn't know what the Taoist Master Zhenzhu was going to do.
I waited from noon till nightfall, and now it was already early morning.
At this moment, Li Qingci was the only one left in the Yuxu Hall. Apart from the occasional sound of the candle wick popping, the only sound was the chanting of scriptures.
Jiang Lin calculated that it would take about another hour to finish reciting.
What exactly does the Taoist really want to do?
Jiang Lin’s doubts did not last long, because the door of Yuxu Palace was opened.
A slender but agile figure walked in quietly, and came behind Li Qingci step by step, like a kitten, without any sound.
Li Qingci involuntarily stopped reciting the sutra and said softly, "Miss Yan."
"Yeah, that's boring."
Miss Yan snorted, sat cross-legged next to Li Qingci, supported her chin with her small hands, and looked at him sideways.
"You knew I was coming, right?"
Li Qingci did not answer, but said softly: "I still have scriptures to recite."
"Humph……"
Miss Yan groaned and said gloomily, "I heard that you were punished by the Taoist priest. I had a hard time avoiding the Taoist priest of Qing Temple and found a chance to sneak in to accompany you..."
Li Qingci did not say anything, but continued to recite the scriptures, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
She said she would come and accompany me.
Miss Yan saw that he didn't answer, but she wasn't angry either, as if she had already gotten used to it. She rolled her big eyes and said, "I know you are annoying me."
No, never.
Li Qingci answered silently in his heart.
"How about this, you listen to me tell a story and I won't bother you anymore?"
"it is good."
Li Qingci nodded in agreement without much thought.
He didn't care about the story, he just wanted to hear her say a few more words.
"My story is related to your Quanzhen precepts."
Miss Yan simply rushed towards Li Qingci, looked at his profile, and said with a smile: "This story is called Three Commandments."
Li Qingci turned his head curiously and met those sparkling eyes.
He withdrew his gaze as if he had been electrocuted, and nodded slightly, indicating that he should continue.
"Once upon a time, there was a small Taoist temple. There was only one old Taoist priest in the temple. He was a Quanzhen practitioner who had been practicing according to the precepts since he was young."
Miss Yan opened her mouth slowly and began to tell the story.
"Although this Taoist temple is small, it is well managed by the old Taoist priest, and pilgrims from all over the area come here to burn incense."
"Over time, a thief targeted me."
"This thief often comes at night, interrupting the old Taoist priest's chanting. The old Taoist priest is not tired of it, but he is too old to catch the thief."
"One day, the thief came again, and the old Taoist priest spoke to him through the door."
"You come here every day just to see the money inside. Put your hand in and I will give you the money. Don't bother me in the future."
"The thief was overjoyed and stretched out his hand as he was told. However, the old Taoist clamped his hand with the door, took out a ruler, and beat him while talking."
"Don't steal! Don't be greedy! Don't bully the elderly!"
"The thief was in pain from the beating, so he also begged for mercy and shouted."
"Don't steal! Don't be greedy! Don't bully the elderly!"
Miss Yan looked at the Taoist's profile and said with a smile: "So far, the thief has received the three precepts, turned over a new leaf, and has never done evil again."
“This is the story of the Three Rings.”
After listening to this, Li Qingci frowned and said, "You are wrong."
"What's wrong?"
Li Qingci said seriously: "The fifth of the Quanzhen 300 major precepts is not to speak frivolously or spread rumors."
"This old Taoist uses obscene words to deceive people, which is a violation of the precepts."
"you……"
Miss Yan was upset and glared at him fiercely.
Li Qingci pursed his lips and said nothing more, just reciting the scriptures silently.
Miss Yan could not calm down and whispered, "I know you have three hundred great precepts in Quanzhen, but I know there is one that you should not give up. Do you know that?"
Ok?
Li Qingci was stunned when he heard this, and thought hard for a long time, but still didn't know what "not giving up" meant.
"There is no such statement in the Daoist Canon."
In the end, he could only answer like this, and then asked seriously: "What is the meaning of not giving up one thing?"
Miss Yan suddenly became nervous, her little hands tightly grasping the hem of her skirt until her knuckles turned white.
She stared at Li Qingci closely and spoke with a slightly hoarse voice.
"This one is only for you."
"Said: Don't quit... Miss Yan."
(End of this chapter)
