Teaching Disciples in Jade Flower Prefecture (19)

Now, let's talk about Chang'an City of the China, the place where emperors of successive dynasties established their capitals.

To the left, it is protected by the Hangu Pass and the Two Xiao Mountains, and bordered by the Mount Taihua and Mount Zhongnan Mountains. To the right, Baoxie and Longshou, and bordered by the Hong River, Jinghe, and Weihe Rivers.

Since the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties, the three prefectures have been adorned with beautiful flowers, and eight rivers have flowed around the city, truly making it a land of scenic beauty.

Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Emperor ascended the throne and changed the era name to Zhenguan. He ruled for more than fifty years, and the world was filled with his fame and peace.

Therefore, he built a magnificent and extravagant city, with a golden wall ten thousand zhang high, and a deep pool around it. He also built three wide roads and twelve gates.

Inside, the streets and alleys are interconnected, with thousands of houses and markets open, and goods sold separately. There are neither people nor vehicles, the city is crowded and overflowing, with hundreds of shops lining the streets. The red dust Four Harmonies, and smoke and clouds connect.

A poem says:

The platform is lined with noble houses, where delicacies await the ringing of bells.

Three Thousand with embroidered curtains in small halls, twelve layers of brothels on the Great Dao.

A jeweled canopy, carved saddle, and golden bridle adorn the horse; orchid-adorned windows and embroidered pillars feature jade dragons.

Embroidered pillars and painted inscriptions reflect on the pink walls, while the sounds of gold and jade echo the grandeur of kings and nobles.

Another poem says:

A land of mountains and rivers stretching for thousands of miles, a city with nine layers of gates.

Without witnessing the grandeur of the imperial palace, how can one know the majesty of the emperor?

But in that market, there were 220 different trades, and the crowds were so dense that it was noisy day and night. People from all directions gathered there, and foreign merchants came and went in an endless stream.

Leaving aside major categories like clothing, food, housing, and transportation, even the small stalls selling miscellaneous goods are frequented by everyone.

A painting vendor shouted loudly.

"Paintings for sale!"

Both the paper and paint I bought and the paint I used were of good quality.

One here, one there, pasted up in the bright room.

Several passersby stopped to look.

But then I saw a picture of Bodhisattva, full of compassion and true holiness, holding two children, a boy and a girl, in his arms. The boy was adorable, and the girl was endearing, bringing joy to all.

Someone asked, "What Bodhisattva is depicted in this painting?"

The vendor said, "Sir, why don't you even recognize Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

The Human Way, "Guanyin Bodhisattva only saw someone carrying Jade-Cleansing Bottle, not someone holding a child."

The vendor said, "Sir, you must not be a frequent visitor to the city. Let me tell you, this painting actually has a remarkable history!"

The Human Way, "What is your background?"

Many people gathered upon hearing the noise.

The vendor said, "Before the New Year, Guanyin Bodhisattva manifested her power, granting both sons and daughters with unfailing skill. Wu Daozi, a master painter who had long been childless, heard of this and went to the Guanyin Temple to pray for a child."

The Human Way, "Have you gotten what you wanted?"

The vendor said, "Of course! The Bodhisattva was indeed efficacious then, appearing in my dream and bestowing upon me a child. To express his gratitude, Wu Daozi used his masterful brush to depict the true form, creating this painting that has been passed down through generations. The one on my stall is a copy, indistinguishable from the original. Gentlemen, buy it and take it home, hang it up and worship it; you will surely be able to pray for a son or daughter!"

Everyone was delighted to hear this and asked how much it cost.

The vendor said it would cost ten coins.

Public opinion is valuable.

Then he said five coins, or three would also be fine.

At that time, Ao Tu was not in Chang'an City, but was leading Nezha and Red Boy to spread the Daoism on both sides of the Luo River.

During this time, Ao Tu has deeply penetrated the land of China. Now, he is spreading his teachings and manifesting his divine power on both sides of the Luo River in order to further penetrate the heartland of China and spread his reputation.

Ao Tu possessed great Creation Supernatural Ability and had many connections in the Underworld. He could bestow men and women at will, which is why people everywhere believed in him.

Of course, Ao Tu would not abuse his Supernatural Ability; he would only bestow sons and daughters upon kind-hearted families who had been childless for many years. He would never grant every request indiscriminately in order to Incense Offerings.

After performing the miracle in the outside world, Ao Tu returned to the local temple to rest.

Because it was a small temple in the countryside, there wasn't much to maintain it. The temple was clean but not luxurious. There were a few fruit offerings, but Nezha found them too dry and gave them to the village children to eat.

The temple is now empty, without any lights or candles.

Ao Tu returned to his Original Form and sat cross-legged beside the clay sculpture.

Nezha, perched on Ao Tu's shoulders, stretched and transformed back into her Original Form, changing from a "three-year-old girl" to a "seven-year-old girl," muttering a complaint:

"That damned Demon Dragon! It said it would only transform for half a day, but it tricked me into transforming for so long! Putting aside the exhaustion, those believers are nagging me every day, it's so annoying!"

Ao Tu turned to look at him and said with a smile:

"Isn't helping those people have offspring a merit in itself? Besides, the Third Prince has always had a heart to help others; he just complains. If he truly doesn't want to manifest his divine power, how can I force him?"

Nezha snorted and swung his legs, ignoring Ao Tu, and said, "Red Boy, we're free tomorrow, I'll take you to play at the Luo River Aquatic Palace!"

Red Boy didn't speak; only the sound of his breathing could be heard.

Nezha looked down and saw that Red Boy had already fallen asleep on Ao Tu's lap.

Red Boy is unlike Nezha. Nezha is born of lotus root and, although he only looks like a seven-year-old, his Essence and Qi are already perfect; Red Boy, on the other hand, is still a child and has not yet reached adulthood, so he couldn't resist those chaotic Faith and fell asleep from exhaustion.

Ao Tu said, "Third Prince, those Faith are indeed diverse. If you are tired, you should rest."

Nezha snorted, "I'm not tired at all!"

Ao Tu asked, "Aren't you tired at all?"

Nezha said, "I'm not tired! It's just that there's too much Incense Offerings, which makes it a bit noisy!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu pulled Nezha off his shoulder.

Nezha asked, "What are you doing?"

Ao Tu said, "I will imprint a Primordial Heaven Dao Principles you will be free from all obstacles."

Nezha asked, "How do I brand them?"

Ao Tu said, "Take off your clothes, and I'll brand you."

Upon hearing this, Nezha opened his bellyband, and a cool breeze blew through it. Feeling inexplicably ashamed, he urged, "Hurry! Hurry!"

Ao Tu forced a drop of blood from his fingertip; this was his own essence blood, a supreme treasure. Imprinting it on him would connect him to the laws of heaven and earth.

Ao Tu traced lines on Nezha's chest with his fingertips.

Nezha suddenly said, "Wait, don't draw it here."

Ao Tu asked, "What's wrong?"

Nezha said, "I am the Third Lotus Prince. In the future, when I manifest my divine power to eliminate demons and fight evil spirits to the utmost, I will inevitably expose my chest to show my masculine vigor. If you draw it here and people see it, won't they laugh at me?"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu couldn't help but laugh.

Nezha angrily asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Ao Tu poked him in the chest with his finger and laughed, "You look no more than six or seven years old, all fair and clean, with the appearance of a girl, yet you talk about masculine vigor. It really makes me laugh!"

Hearing this, Nezha was extremely ashamed and angry. He punched and kicked Ao Tu, saying, "What do you know, you dragon?" He also said, "A true man is judged by his spirit!"

Ao Tu simply smiled and didn't refute. Seeing a small sword wound on Nezha's chest, inflicted by him earlier, he reached out and gently pressed it away, coaxing, "..."

"Alright! Alright! I was wrong! Where do you think we should draw it?"

Nezha said, "It's normal for men to have their chests and bellies exposed; you can draw it on the back."

Ao Tu said, "Since you're exposing your chest and belly, your back is exposed too, isn't it?"

Nezha suddenly realized, "That's true!"

Ao Tu said, "Alright, I'll just draw a little below."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and began to carve, imprinting the sacred blood into Dao Principles principles, drawing a Lotus Flower Precious Seal on Nezha's body.

After the depiction was completed, Nezha was indeed unaffected by those Faith.

This is because the mark is connected to the laws of heaven and earth, and incense and faith are themselves part of those laws. When the power is strong, one is naturally undisturbed.

Nezha exclaimed happily, "That's good! I can finally get a good night's sleep!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Didn't you say you weren't tired?"

Nezha snorted and said, "I'm not tired at all!"

Ao Tu said, "It's good that you're not tired! I'll chant some scriptures for you!"

Nezha said, "I'll listen then!"

Ao Tu then began reciting scriptures. After a while, Nezha couldn't resist and fell asleep leaning against Ao Tu.

Ao Tu shook his head and smiled, then continued meditating.

After a while, someone outside appeared to be riding on clouds and shouting along the Luo River:

"Ao Tu! Dragon Brother! I need to speak with you!"