"Clang, clang... clang."
The morning bells rang out over Dragon Painting Temple, but today, far fewer people had come to offer incense at this early hour.
Although no strict rule forbade ordinary people from offering incense that day, the reigning emperor was coming to Dragon Painting Temple in person to burn incense and meditate. Imperial Guards lined the mountain, its foot, and even the streets below.
Faced with such a display, ordinary citizens chose to stay away for the time being. Even many who had been lodging at the temple had been sent down the mountain in advance.
For the temple's monks, however, everything continued as usual. Whether the monks, young and old, felt excited, nervous, or serene, at least outwardly they carried on as normal, and morning prayers were not neglected.
Master Dingzhen silently recited a Buddhist sutra in his meditation room. After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes.
The painted dragon spoke in that dream, yet the "friend" it mentioned has still not appeared. Has that friend not arrived yet?
Or should this old monk go down the mountain to search?
Of course, to the painted dragon that had endured long ages within the mountain, perhaps "soon" meant a very long time. Yet that thought did not quite sit right with Master Dingzhen. He simply felt that the answer would become clear very shortly.
After morning prayers ended, footsteps sounded outside the meditation room, and a monk spoke softly at the door.
"Abbot, His Majesty will soon arrive at Dragon Painting Temple. The Temple Supervisor asks that you join him at the foot of the mountain to welcome the imperial party!"
The old abbot emerged from his meditation room and left with the monk. As he looked toward the painted dragon on the mountainside, he almost