White Cloud Temple

White Cloud Temple

The carriage company pooled its shares and sent out a driver who looked honest and simple, carrying Lu Zheng and Uncle Li out of the city.

Though he had often seen them before, this was Lu Zheng's first time riding an ancient donkey cart.

All he could say was... it was so bumpy...

Still, it was meant for passengers, so the donkey cart was enclosed with wooden boards, with windows on either side and a cloth curtain at the front. Thick straw mats had been laid inside.

Though the road was rough and uneven, it was still a road after all. With the straw mats cushioning him, Lu Zheng felt his backside could still endure it.

The driver sat outside the cloth curtain, urging the donkey cart on with cries of "Gee-up, gee-up," as they left through the east gate and headed for Shaotong Mountain along the Official Road.

Lu Zheng bought some meat and steamed buns, and the few of them made do with a simple meal in the cart. After the sun passed noon, they finally arrived at the foot of Shaotong Mountain.

Beside the Official Road at the foot of the mountain stood a tea stall, where a scattered few customers were sitting down to eat.

"Young Master Lu, White Cloud Temple is not far up the mountainside. I'll wait for you here."

"Alright."

The rest of the way was mountain road, and naturally the cart could not go up.

Lu Zheng and Uncle Li climbed the mountain together. Along the way, they encountered several pilgrims coming down, but they were plainly dressed and appeared to be ordinary commoners.

"You said White Cloud Temple has plenty of incense offerings? Yet I don't see any country gentry or wealthy guests."

"Young Master, today is neither the first nor the fifteenth of the month, nor is it a festival. Unless something happens, who would come to the temple to burn incense?"

"Uh, I see. That makes sense."

There were only so many wealthy people. They could not possibly take turns coming to the temple every day to burn incense and draw lots. How insecure would that make their lives?

Before long, the two rounded a bend in the mountain path and looked up to see the archway of White Cloud Temple. The three words "White Cloud Temple" were elegant and flowing, set against the nearby green trees and blue sky, carrying quite the air of an immortal abode.

They had arrived.

Past the stone steps, a stone Azure Dragon and White Tiger stood on either side of White Cloud Temple's entrance. They were Daoist divine beasts that guarded the way, and a Daoist welcoming guests stood at the gate.

Seeing Lu Zheng in a silk robe, followed by a neat and clean old servant, and realizing that he was an unfamiliar face, the reception Daoist's eyes brightened. He straightened his posture, held one palm upright, and bowed. "Infinite Heavenly Lord, greetings, Young Master!"

"Greetings, Daoist Priest." Lu Zheng cupped his hands in salute. "I have only recently arrived in Tonglin County. I heard that White Cloud Temple possesses profound Daoist virtue, and that its lots and talismans are most efficacious. Thus, I have specially come today to pay my respects to the mountain and burn incense, praying for the Heavenly Lord's protection."

"Young Master is most sincere. Please!"

When ordinary commoners came on normal days, they merely paid their respects to the mountain, burned a few sticks of incense, and tossed one or two coins into the merit box in exchange for peace. At most, during festivals, they might buy the cheapest Peace Talisman.

Judging by Lu Zheng's clothes, however, he clearly was not here simply to stroll around and leave.

Had he not said it himself? The lots and talismans were efficacious! A big customer! The reception Daoist glanced at the sky. It was already past noon, and people generally came to worship in the morning. There were rarely visitors after noon.

Thus, the Daoist extended a hand in invitation and led Lu Zheng into the temple.

Upon entering through the gates, the Spirit Official Hall stood not far ahead. Lu Zheng stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

After passing through the Spirit Official Hall and worshipping at the Hall of Wealth and Wenchang Hall to the left, Lu Zheng finally arrived at White Cloud Temple's Main Hall under the Daoist's guidance.

The Three Purities Hall.

Led by the Daoist, Lu Zheng first burned incense and paid his respects outside the Three Purities Hall. Then he entered the hall and kowtowed three times before the imperial statues.

Then, beneath the gaze of a black-bearded Daoist standing to one side, he took out three Treasure Notes worth one string each and placed them into the merit box.

"Infinite Heavenly Lord!"

The black-bearded Daoist cupped his hands and bowed. "This humble Daoist is the Abbot of White Cloud Temple. My Daoist name is Mingzhang."

So this was actually the Abbot of White Cloud Temple?

Lu Zheng examined him carefully. He wore a clean blue Daoist robe, his hair bound with an ebony hairpin. His beard and hair were both black, his complexion ruddy, and his eyes bright.

"Greetings, Daoist Priest Mingzhang. I am Lu Zheng, and I settled in Tonglin County half a month ago."

"Greetings, Young Master Lu. Young Master is handsome and spirited, with an imposing presence. Truly, I have rarely seen your equal."

"Daoist Priest, you flatter me."

After they exchanged courtesies, Daoist Priest Mingzhang led Lu Zheng into a side room and served tea.

After that, Daoist Priest Mingzhang was mostly the one who spoke from time to time. Lu Zheng did not show off the knowledge he had gained in modern times, nor did he use the contents of the Dao De Jing to bluff anyone. He merely responded casually, gradually steering the conversation toward cultivation and strange happenings.

"Speaking of which, a few days ago, I encountered a reclusive master living amidst the dust of the mortal world. He helped me evade a disaster and emerge unscathed." Lu Zheng recounted the matter of the Old Beggar.

"Locking onto qi and recognizing one's breath, distinguishing people before striking—the old beggar truly was an Extraordinary."

Lu Zheng's eyes flickered. He understood the principle behind the Old Beggar's ability.

The cup had remembered Lu Zheng's breath. Perhaps it also contained the breaths of Uncle Li and Aunt Liu. If anyone other than those three approached it, it would automatically attack.

Good heavens, an automatic identification defense system!

Modern defense systems could identify fingerprints, voices, pupils, and even body shapes, but what the hell was a person's breath?

Still, thinking of how he had once handed the cup to Liu Butou, Lu Zheng knew that the cup only had the power for a single strike. By now, it was surely useless.

"After this incident, I have also developed the desire to cultivate Qi Refining." Lu Zheng smiled and asked, "Daoist Priest, do you think I have the aptitude for cultivation?"

"Young Master's qi blankets the halls of splendor, and you live in wealth and honor. Why seek that illusory immortal fate? Moreover, cultivation is difficult and unspeakably tedious. Young Master is a nobleman of the mortal world, so why abandon ease for hardship?"

Lu Zheng's eyes flickered.

His earlier words had been a test, to see whether White Cloud Temple possessed cultivation methods.

Yet Daoist Priest Mingzhang had deftly declined, smoothly sidestepping the test.

Did they not have one, or were they unwilling to teach it?

Was his aptitude insufficient, or had he not paid enough?

Lu Zheng certainly could not match this old fox in the art of language, so he asked directly, "Does White Cloud Temple possess cultivation methods?"

Daoist Priest Mingzhang smiled faintly. "This humble temple traces its lineage to Jizhou White Cloud Temple. Naturally, we have our inheritance."

"Then..."

"Since Young Master has encountered a master, you naturally have your own destined opportunity. It is merely that the time has not yet come. When the time arrives, wind and cloud will transform into a dragon—whether you pass the imperial examinations or enter the Dao."

Tsk, tsk. Those verbal barbs struck with a crackling slap.

True enough. A temple's inheritance was its household treasure. How could it be passed on carelessly?

It seemed this truly was a world of demons, monsters, ghosts, and strange beings. To establish itself within a county, White Cloud Temple must possess genuine skill.

"Young Master's ascent to the temple is also a fate shared with White Cloud Temple. This humble Daoist has a Peace Talisman here. Carry it with you, and it can keep evil and unclean things from invading."

Here it came—the return gift for the three strings of Merit Money he had given.

Daoist Priest Mingzhang took out a yellow paper talisman and, before Lu Zheng's eyes, folded it once, then twice, into a small square before handing it over.

"Many thanks, Daoist Priest!"

The two chatted for a few more sentences before Lu Zheng took his leave. Daoist Priest Mingzhang saw him off and had the reception Daoist waiting at the entrance escort Lu Zheng out.

Lu Zheng intended to probe, and the reception Daoist also wished for Lu Zheng to know, so Lu Zheng soon learned the Merit Money required for White Cloud Temple's various services.

Drawing a lot cost one hundred coins; interpreting it cost one string.

There were three kinds of Peace Talismans: one cost twenty coins, one cost one string, and one cost ten strings.

They also accepted requests to inspect the qi and feng shui of residences, as well as to set up altars and perform rites at people's homes to pray for blessings, though the prices varied.

Sure enough, people of the mystical Daoist sect had to eat too.