Night Stay at the Monastery (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The bamboo forest under the moonlight rustled, and the footsteps of the crowd rustled along with it.

Lin Jue walked at the very front, which was truly a helpless measure.

Ever since these people had followed him, they refused to walk ahead of him. Whenever Lin Jue slowed his pace even a little, they hurriedly slowed down as well. Even though the dim night made it impossible to see and caused some jostling, they still refused to step to the front.

At the same time, Lin Jue could still feel that many people were secretly sizing him up.

Some would even exchange glances with their companions after finishing their inspection.

The rest who did not secretly size him up happened to be those who frequently stumbled while walking. They likely rarely found themselves in situations where they might have to walk at night, and thus did not regularly drink pine needle tea or similar herbal decoctions, suffering from night blindness.

"Young... Immortal Master..."

Finally, someone could not hold back anymore and spoke up, breaking the silent atmosphere as he asked Lin Jue, "Was that a monster just now?"

"Hmm?" Hearing the voice, Lin Jue let out a breath of relief and replied, "It was the very monster that often comes out to scare people on this road."

"..."

The crowd immediately exchanged blank glances.

Those who could not see held their breath in concentration, looking around in bewilderment.

"Dare I ask, Immortal Master... from which sect do you hail?" a man dressed as a merchant asked with a cupped-fist salute.

"I have no sect." Lin Jue also looked left and right. Even with many people around now, he feared that the monster might still be lurking or that other monsters were watching from the shadows. Therefore, although he wanted to correct the way these traveling merchants addressed him and felt unworthy of bearing it, he still held his tongue and merely said, "Everyone, stop talking and focus on the journey."

Hearing this, the crowd did not dare to say anything more.

The atmosphere grew heavy once again.

Lin Jue had no choice but to say, "You all needn't be afraid either. With so many of us here, even if a demonic ghost were sleeping soundly on the path, it would have to get up and make way."

The atmosphere relaxed just a fraction.

Lin Jue quickened his pace, striding forward.

The crowd hurried to keep up.

As the speed increased appropriately, the travelers' minds inevitably drifted more toward their footing. Coupled with the occasional sound of someone about to trip and reminders to "be careful," their fear diminished a little more.

This stretch of the road passed uneventfully.

Lin Jue walked while deep in thought.

"Mount Yi..."

At this moment, he finally remembered the mountain and realized why it had sounded so familiar to him—

In the legends of Shu Village, Third Aunt went out on an excursion and secretly picked immortal peaches on Mount Yi. Upon returning, she ate them and first turned into a fish and then into a mountain. That mountain where Third Aunt went to pick the immortal peaches was called Mount Yi.

Since Third Aunt truly existed, what about the legends?

If the legend of Third Aunt was also true, then this Mount Yi really must be a rare immortal mountain.

Thinking of this, Lin Jue could not help asking aloud, "Young Masters, have any of you ever heard of an immortal mountain nearby called Mount Yi?"

"Yi Mountain? Which yi?"

"Never heard of it."

"We mortal beings..."

"Sounds a bit familiar..."

"I haven't... have you heard of it?"

"Mount Yi..."

A flurry of chaotic voices ensued, sandwiched by only two remarks that seemed useful, though they were uttered in extremely small voices due to uncertainty.

Fortunately, the night was quiet with only the sound of footsteps, so no matter how faint the noise was, Lin Jue still heard it.

"Someone has heard of it?"

"Vaguely heard of it."

"Seems like I've heard of it."

The two people spoke as they walked.

Their voices came one after another, one near and one far.

"Could you tell me about it?"

"I heard it's a famous mountain with Taoist priests and immortals on it. A good number of immortal stories from our parts come from there," answered the person walking ahead, who was closer to Lin Jue.

"Isn't Mount Yi the mountain where the Yellow Emperor refined pills?" said the person further behind in a stumbling manner. One could see him holding onto another person's shoulders, his gaze hazy and unfocused.

"The Yellow Emperor refining pills? Are there any other legends?"

"Can't remember clearly."

"No others."

"Does anyone know the way to Mount Yi?"

"That I don't have a deep impression of. It should not be too far," said the person walking in front.

"Mount Yi is very remote, and the roads are difficult to travel. Since ancient times, those who visit immortals, seek the Tao, burn incense, and worship deities all go to Mount Qi Yun... ouch... none go to Mount Yi," said the person in the back, who nearly fell in the middle of his sentence, while someone else stepped into a puddle, splashing up a lot of water. "I only know a general direction. If the Immortal Master wants to go, you will likely have to ask as you go."

"How does one get there?"

"After passing Dangu County, head toward Mount Qi Yun first. Walk two hundred li, then head south. There are no official roads over there; only small paths used by mountain Taoist priests and locals."

"Many thanks."

As they spoke, the road ahead noticeably widened. By the moonlight, a temple could be vaguely seen in the distance.

Perhaps knowing that some people had been delayed by mountain rain and were traveling at night, the temple monks had lit a lamp at the entrance to welcome and guide them—the only speck of brightness along this mountain path.

"We've arrived!"

"We're here, we're here..."

"Immortal Master! We've arrived!"

The crowd instantly grew excited.

Those who could not see in the dark also hurriedly asked those around them where they were and how much farther it was.

"Hoh..."

Lin Jue let out a breath of relief once again.

It was only then that he said with a serious expression, "I am no Immortal Master, nor do I have any cultivation. On the road just now, I merely managed by sheer luck to subdue and scare away that monster. I refrained from correcting your form of address all the way here because I feared monsters might be eavesdropping, but you must not call me Immortal Master any longer from now on!"

"Ah?"

Everyone was surprised and uncomprehending.

Lin Jue urged them repeatedly before finally moving forward toward the temple.

Only then did the courage of these traveling merchants grow. Someone stepped forward proactively and gently rapped on the door, and soon a monk holding a lamp came out to open it.

"Good alms-givers, are you here to lodge for the night?"

"Indeed."

"Are there still people behind?"

"Likely so."

"Please, come right in." As the monk welcomed them in, he said, "There was a rainstorm this afternoon, and there are exceptionally many people coming to lodge tonight—far more than usual. Our rooms are far from enough."

"We'll just squeeze in! When traveling out in the world, why fuss over such things? Young Master, please go first!"

Even though Lin Jue had already stated that he was no Immortal Master and had no cultivation, the merchants still felt deep admiration upon hearing of his actions. Having been led a distance by him, they still held him in extraordinary respect.

"You are too polite."

Lin Jue then moved forward, following behind the lamp-holding monk as they entered the temple.

As he walked, he observed the temple and the monk.

The monk was a very ordinary middle-aged man, neither tall nor fat, wearing a monk's robe made of very plain fabric. This temple was likewise not a large one; the tile walls, decorations, and furnishings all looked somewhat old. By this time, there were already many lodgers inside. Although it was already very late, these monks had actually gotten up to cook porridge for the people. Many early-arriving travelers were sitting or standing in the courtyard, by room doorways, or under the eaves, holding coarse pottery bowls in their hands and carefully slurping down the hot porridge.

This scene gave one a profound sense of reassurance.

Lin Jue smelled the fragrance of the porridge.

The slurping sounds also made the mouth water.

He had asked these travelers on the road earlier; this temple seemed to be just an ordinary temple. Because it was built halfway along the route and took in traveling guests, it even had a bit more of a copper coin flavor than most temples—acting somewhat like a Buddhist monastery that also ran an inn. He had never heard any talk of there being an eminent monk of great attainment in this temple, nor had he ever heard of any monk here knowing magic arts.

"Gurgle..."

Lin Jue's stomach began to rumble.

Just as he was walking through the center of the courtyard, Lin Jue glanced back at the mule he was leading, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.

A creature like a mule truly inherited the perfect advantages of both horses and donkeys. It was as hardy and durable as a donkey while possessing a load-bearing capacity close to that of a horse. Walking with this book basket strapped to his back was truly slow; if he had such a mule to help him, this journey would undoubtedly be much easier.

Perhaps he wouldn't even have been traveling by night tonight.

He very likely would have arrived before the rain.

"Sigh..."

Lin Jue let out a sigh. Then, his steps came to a halt. Without further hesitation, he raised his head and shouted loudly, "Who lost a mule on the road tonight?"

The night was naturally tranquil, and his voice carried a long way.

As his words fell, the entire temple fell silent.

What? Lost a mule halfway?

The price of a mule was not low at all.

Some fine mules could even sell for more than packhorses.

Many gazes swept over.

Yet while they were still pondering and digesting the matter, someone stumbled out from a room.

His foot caught on the doorframe, and he scrambled forward a few paces.

The leading monk had been somewhat dazed at first, but once he roughly figured out what had happened, he glanced back at Lin Jue, then raised his lamp forward to light the way for that person.

The man who came over was middle-aged.

He was not tall and sported three strands of mustache.

It was precisely that "Yao San."

At this moment, his expression bore a certain resemblance to the earlier Yao San—at least in terms of the fear on his face. Yet besides the lingering terror, his expression was also mixed with regret, heartache, self-reproach, and many other complex emotions. When he laid eyes on the mule, he became overwhelmed with excitement.

"Mine! I lost my mule!"

"..."

Lin Jue had originally intended to ask how it was lost, but upon seeing this face and his expression, all words left him. He merely handed over the reins:

"Met it on the road. Returning it to you."

"This..."

The man was at a loss for words for a moment.

"Congratulations, alms-giver, on recovering what was lost. Now you can finally eat a meal. Quickly lead the mule to the stable in the back," the monk urged with a smiling expression, holding up the lamp. Then he turned back to look at Lin Jue, his demeanor and conduct unconsciously growing even more respectful than before. "For the alms-giver to possess such virtue at such a tender age is truly admirable."

"I don't deserve such praise. It's merely what ought to be done."

"The alms-giver deserves to be an honored guest of our monastery."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."

"The alms-giver is too modest," the monk gestured with an inviting hand. "Please, continue following me, esteemed alms-givers. Our monastery knows how arduous your night journey was, so we have specially prepared white porridge to fill your stomachs."

The crowd hurried inside, mostly men in their thirties and forties, yet just as they had on the road, they deferred to Lin Jue with overlapping voices, letting him walk at the front.