Three days later, the mountain road of Fire Temple appeared in view.
Kai stood at the foot of the mountain and looked up.
The stone steps are still the same, winding upward and disappearing into the clouds.
The flags at the mountain gate were swaying gently in the wind, and the sound of chanting was faintly heard. It seemed to be no different from when I left a few years ago.
Behind him was a group of people:
Moyochi En, Karin mother and daughter, Kimimaro, Bai, Tayuya, Kidomaru, Sora, and Might Nosuke.
Might Nosuke is three years old this year. He was pulled away by Tayuya, his little face tensed up, looking reluctant but curious.
Walking up to the mountain gate, the monk on duty saw Kai from a distance and was stunned for a moment.
Then his eyes lit up and he ran over quickly, his voice full of surprise:
"Sir Chief Seat! You are back! I will inform Abbot!"
Kai laughed and raised his hand to stop him:
"Don't worry. Help me settle them first, and I'll go find Abbot myself."
The monk nodded quickly and glanced at the group of people behind Kai.
Although he was confused, he didn't ask anything and stepped forward to lead the way:
"Several donors, please come with me."
Moyochi En saw this scene, and his heart was churning again.
He has long heard of the name Fire Temple.
Land of Fire The most prestigious temple, a place of spiritual cultivation, with strict rules.
Kekai Konoha Rogue Ninja swaggered to the door, but the gatekeeper monk not only did not stop him.
He even shouted "Chief Seat Master" with a look of surprise on his face.
It was so warm, it was like meeting a relative.
How does this treatment look like a traitor?
Huituo Tuo is the head monk who has returned from an outing.
He silently followed the leading monk and muttered in a low voice:
"The Venerable is the Venerable. Wherever he goes, people shout "Welcome home"."
Kai didn't explain much.
He glanced at the children and said, "Follow this master to rest first. I will come find you later."
Kimimaro and Bai nodded and followed.
Yui pulled Karin together.
She was very nervous along the way, fearing that Kai would leave her behind.
Kai did whatever he said.
Tayuya and Kidomaru knew each other well, so they dragged Might Nosuke away.
Might Nosuke looked back at Kai, his face was stinking, and he snorted.
Putting his hands in his pockets, he walked quickly forward with his short legs.
Kai looked at the back and couldn't help laughing:
"This little brat has learned to be arrogant at the age of three."
However, Might Nosuke's appearance made him feel at ease.
His personality has not changed, he is still the same arrogant Sasuke Uchiha.
Standing at the very back, I felt a little nervous.
Kai patted his head. "You go too and follow them."
Sora hesitated for a moment, then trotted after him.
When the others were gone, Kai turned around and strode towards the temple.
After walking a few steps, a figure hurried towards me from the corridor.
"Chief Seat! You are finally here!"
Kai grinned and walked over. "Chiriku! Are you back?"
Chiriku stood in front of him, with his hands clasped together and a look of surprise on his face:
"Daimyo I will come back after the matter over there is settled."
He paused, his tone a little excited.
"I've been waiting for you for so long, and finally I've got you back."
Chiriku smiled, but the smile quickly faded.
Kai noticed the change in his expression and asked directly, "Abbot Are you feeling well?"
Chiriku sighed and said nothing more, "You will know when you go in and take a look."
Kai's heart sank, he said no more, and followed Chiriku towards Huiyan's meditation room.
The moment I pushed Gate of Opening, an old breath came to my face.
The furnishings in the Zen room are simple, with a couch, a table and a futon.
Huiyan is sitting cross-legged on the futon. He is thin and his robe is very wide.
He closed his eyes and breathed weakly.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes.
The eyes that were once as deep as ancient wells were now a little cloudy, but when they saw Kai, they still had a gentle smile.
"Fahai, you are back."
Kai's nose felt sour when he heard the sound "Fahai".
He walked over quickly, squatted down in front of Huiyan, and clasped his hands together:
"Abbot, the disciple is here."
Huiyan raised his hand, his movements a little slow, wanting to touch Kai's face.
Kai took his hand and found it was dry and cold, with almost no flesh on it.
Kai secretly operated Chakra, transferring a gentle energy into Huiyan's body to help him sort out his meridians.
But after a while, he sighed in his heart.
Huiyan is different from Daimyo of the Land of Wind.
Daimyo of the Land of Wind is a physical deficit caused by extravagance and debauchery in early years.
After getting old, this kind of shortcoming can be repaired appropriately.
But Huiyan's body had no hidden injuries, nor was he at a loss.
Just normal aging.
The functions of the internal organs have come to an end.
Just like a lamp, the oil is about to burn out, and it is useless no matter how hard you turn the wick.
Huiyan seemed to be aware of Kai's actions, and did not refuse, but just smiled and said:
"I understand my own situation in my heart. Fahai, don't worry about it."
Kai didn't stop and combed it again. It wasn't until Huiyan's hand was a little warm that he gently put it down.
There was a lump in his throat and he didn't know what to say.
Huiyan looked at him, with a hint of elder-like kindness in his cloudy eyes:
"I have roughly heard about your story."
"You built Hidden Spirit Village in Land of Rice Fields and took in many children. You did a great job."
"No matter where you are, do good deeds and don't worry about your future."
"I believe you know what's going on."
Kai nodded and said in a low voice, "Disciple, I remember."
Huiyan paused, then changed the topic. "When are you leaving?"
Kai suppressed the sadness in his heart and thought for a moment, "I'll leave in a few days."
He could see that Huiyan only had a few days to live.
Now that I'm gone, I'm afraid I won't see this old Abbot again.
Huiyan seemed to see through his mind and shook his head gently:
"There is no need to stay longer for me. Now that you are back, I feel at ease."
Kai opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Huiyan looked at Chiriku who was standing aside and waved to him.
Chiriku walked forward with red eyes and knelt down beside the futon.
Huiyan looked at him and spoke slowly:
"Chiriku, you have practiced with me for many years. You have a pure heart and solid cultivation."
"Fahai is here now. When I leave, Fire Temple will be handed over to you."
Chiriku trembled. "Abbot..."
Huiyan waved his hand and continued:
"From now on, you are Fire Temple's new Abbot."
"I have already written the abdication document and it is on the desk."
"After I leave, you will officially take over."
Chiriku's eyes turned red, his lips trembled, and finally he whispered:
"Disciple... accept the order."
Huiyan nodded and looked at Kai again:
"Fahai, although you have established a separate family, you will always be Fire Temple's Martial Monk Hall Chief Seat."
"If Chiriku encounters difficulties in the future, please help me more."
Kai nodded heavily. "Disciple noted it down."
Huiyan showed a peaceful smile and slowly closed his eyes.
His breathing became shallower and lighter.
Kai held his hand and felt the weak heartbeat slowing down a little bit.
Suddenly there was a sound of bells outside the window, long and distant.
Huiyan's hand dropped slightly.
His face was calm, as if he was asleep.
Kai knelt there and didn't speak for a long time.
Chiriku has already recited Rebirth Mantra in a low voice, with a suppressed tremor in his voice.
Kai finally let go of his hand, stood up, and bowed deeply to Huiyan's body.
He suddenly understood.
Huiyan's body has long since expired.
Now, it is precisely because I am waiting for Kai to come back that I have been holding on to this feeling.
When he came, Huiyan's tone was gone.
Outside the door, several monks who had heard the news stood far away, not daring to come near.
Someone asked in a low voice, "Abbot... is gone?"
The other person nodded, his eyes moist.
The news quickly spread throughout Fire Temple, and the monks put their hands together and saluted in the direction of the Zen room.
Kai walked out of the Zen room, stood on the corridor, and looked at the mountains in the distance.
The sunshine is just right, shining on the eaves of the temple, no different from what it was many years ago.
He raised his hand and wiped his face.
Chiriku came up from behind, holding the abdication document left by Huiyan in his hand, his hands trembling slightly.
Kai turned around and patted his shoulder. "Fire Temple will rely on you from now on. If you have any difficulties, come to Spirit Mountain to find me."
Chiriku sniffed and nodded heavily. "Yes, Chief Seat."
The mountain breeze blows in your face, carrying the scent of vegetation.
He suddenly remembered that when he first came to Fire Temple a few years ago, Huiyan shaved him with a razor and asked him in a calm voice:
"What do you want your name to be?"
He said, "Fahai."
Huiyan savored it for a moment and said:
"Dharma, Dharma, Dharma, and precepts."
"The sea is profound, broad, inclusive, and wise."
"Fahai, means to uphold the righteous Dharma with profound wisdom, like the sea that can accommodate all rivers, and like the sea that can wash away dirt."
"This number... is available!"
Those scenes seem to still exist yesterday, but the old monk is no longer there.
Kai stopped and looked back in the direction of Fire Temple.
"Amitabha, Abbot, keep going."