The Path Toward Heaven

As soon as Jing Jiu returned to Guocheng Temple, he saw a familiar young monk head-on, but compared with that year, this monk's face was darker and more weathered.

The young monk looked at Jing Jiu, and was even more pleasantly surprised. He let out a cry, and subconsciously covered his mouth tightly, not daring to speak.

Jing Jiu had always been indifferent to people and affairs, but for some reason he was a little happy when he saw this young monk, maybe it was fate, and said with a smile, We meet again.

When the young monk saw him take the initiative to greet him, he was even more excited, and nodded desperately, not forgetting to fold his hands together, which was very funny.

Seeing his appearance, Jing Jiu asked a little surprised, Still practicing closed mantra?

The young monk was stunned before he came to his senses, put down his hands, and said in shame, I'm used to it, I'm used to it.

Jing Jiu asked, Where's your master?

The young monk said: Master went to the snowy field with my uncle who crossed the sea.

Jing Jiu thought that Zenzi would go there, and now even the head of Lvtang was going to reinforce him. He wondered if there was any movement in Xueguo, and the movement was not small.

But he didn't ask anything, he wasn't going north anyway.

The young monk still wanted to say something to him. Hearing the calling bell from outside the temple, he hurriedly said, There is an epidemic in Yujun, I have to leave first.

After running a few steps, he stopped again and asked, How many days will you stay in the temple?

Jing Jiu said, It's been a long time.

The young monk was very happy, saluted Zhao Layue with a smirk, and ran out of the temple gate.

Young master, do you know him?

Liu Shisui was a little curious as to why Jing Jiu knew the ordinary medical monks in the monastery.

Zhao Layue said from the side: When we left Qingshan for the first time to travel, we met this monk and his master in Chaonan City. They are not bad.

Liu Shisui remembered that he was preparing to betray the mountain gate at that time, and pretended to be crazy in the stone room of Tianguang Peak, so he couldn't help smiling.

It's all in the past. He has studied scriptures in Guocheng Temple for seven years, and he no longer cares about him, including his former teacher Bai Rujing.

After passing through many palaces, he returned to the deepest courtyard of Guocheng Temple.

Liu Shisui was a little surprised and asked, Do you live in Jing Yuan?

Zhao Layue asked: This is Jingyuan? Do you know this place?

A few years ago, the Duke and the Duke came to fulfill their vows for His Majesty, and those officials lived outside the Jingyuan, and I came to deliver food.

Liu Shisui pointed to a certain place outside the Jingyuan, where more than ten buildings could be vaguely seen in the forest.

Walking into the quiet garden, Da Changseng was sweeping the fallen leaves again, it seemed that he was not going to keep the front of the small stone pagoda absolutely clean.

Liu Shisui greeted Da Changseng, looked around curiously, finally landed on the small stone pagoda, and asked, My lord, is this?

Zhao Layue said beside him: This is the spiritual bone pagoda of the previous god emperor.

Liu Shisui was shocked and speechless, and he spoke after a while: It turns out that the legend is actually true, His Majesty the God Emperor really faked his death, and he is cultivating Buddha here...

Zhao Layue ignored him, looked at the three rain corridors in the courtyard, and judged which one had better light, so I could leave it to Jing Jiu.

I don't know what the holy name of the old man here is, but in the end, it is a tower to accommodate him. It's really...

Liu Shisui walked up to the stone pagoda, feeling extremely moved, and then saw the white cat sleeping in front of the pagoda, his expression slightly startled.

This cat is... what? Guardian? Lord White Ghost?

He hurriedly bowed and saluted solemnly, not daring to be careless.

Ever since Liu Shisui entered the tranquil garden, the sound has never stopped, like countless leaves falling from the branches, floating in the air non-stop.

Da Changseng thought that disciple Qingshan was very interesting, but also felt a little troublesome, so he couldn't help but sighed.

When Liu Shisui spoke, it was Zhao Layue who took the initiative to answer. Even so, Jing Jiu couldn't take it anymore.

I always forgot to ask, I asked Zenzi to teach you closed-mouth meditation, why do you still talk so much now?

Liu Shisui said blankly, I don't know, Chanzi never said that.

Jing Jiu thought to himself that the little monk was not very reliable in his work.

Zhao Layue was a little worried. Chanzi left Guocheng Temple and went to the north, which showed that there must be something wrong in Xueguo, and he couldn't help Ji et al.

It didn't matter to Jing Jiu, the little monk was profound in Buddhism, of course it would be helpful for him to refine the talismans, but he was too smart, if he met too many times, he would definitely be recognized. Of course, it's not a big deal to recognize it, it's just a little embarrassing. Back then outside Jingyang False Cave Mansion, he relied on Chanzi's lotus cloud to avoid Fang Jingtian's killing intent...

He still can't forget that little friend to this day.

This is how life in Guocheng Temple began.

The courtyard in Jingyuan is really quiet, with the sound of birds in the distance, and no cicadas singing in the deep winter. The three rain corridors are occupied by Da Changseng, Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu respectively.

In addition to sweeping fallen leaves, the Dachang monk just sits on the futon and meditates, but he is too old and spends more time basking in the sun and taking naps.

Zhao Layue sat on the futon, with dozens of volumes of Buddhist scriptures piled up beside her, reading them carefully, occasionally closing her eyes and meditating for a moment.

The white cat sometimes lay on its stomach in front of the pagoda, more often on her lap, and occasionally slept in the pile of fallen leaves swept by the monk.

Jing Jiu didn't read Buddhist scriptures or meditate. He took out the bamboo chair and lay down on it.

The sky suddenly rained, and the white cat got out from the fallen leaves, and returned to Zhao Layue's side, lying quietly on its stomach.

Now in the deep winter, the Guocheng Temple is near the East China Sea, the climate is warm, and the Zen spirit is hidden in the mountains. Snow will only fall unless the cold wave comes from the north.

Liu Shisui finished his inspection and preliminary maintenance of Jingyuan, found the teapot, small stove and related things, and began to make tea by the porch.

Before and after the water in the teapot boils, there will be a purring sound.

Whether in the fallen leaves or on Zhao Layue's lap, the white cat would often purr.

Lord White Ghost is actually so cute.

Liu Shisui was thinking about this question, and secretly glanced at the cat from time to time.

After the tea is boiled, divide it into four bowls and put them in front of each other.

The rain was pattering.

The fragrance of tea is diluted by the rain, but it is even more fragrant.

Liu Shisui sat cross-legged in a corner of the rain corridor and began to meditate.

At a certain moment when the rain stopped and twilight enveloped the ancient temple, he woke up with his eyes open, cleaned up the tea stove and bowls, and went to tidy up the house again.

Just like in Nansong Pavilion back then, the so-called service is these small things.

Young master, I'm leaving.

Um.

In the twilight, Liu Shisui walked out of the Guocheng Temple and returned to the vegetable garden.

With a creak, the door was happily pushed open, and Xiao He said happily, I thought you weren't coming back.

Liu Shisui smiled, and said, There is only one bed in the guest house in Jingyuan, so I can't sleep on it.

Xiao He's eyes changed slightly, and he said in surprise: The two immortal masters... don't they all say that Immortal Master Jing Jiu and Fairy Bai Zao are a couple?

What are you thinking about? Young master likes to sleep on bamboo chairs.

Liu Shisui said with a smile, and then remembered that the bamboo chair was indeed a little old, so his eyes naturally fell on a corner of the vegetable garden. There were a few clumps of bamboo that he asked Gu Qing to find a way to move from Tianguang Peak. I don't know if it's because of water and soil or other reasons, but the growth is not as good as when it was in Qingshan, and I don't know if it is suitable for repairing bamboo chairs.

...

...

Five days later in the early morning, a bell sounded faintly. Jing Jiu stood up from the bamboo chair, took Zhao Layue out of the Jingyuan, and walked towards the temple.

The Lecture Hall starts today, and Master Chengjia personally lectures on the scriptures.

Guocheng Temple is very large, and there are temples, meditation rooms and stone pagodas everywhere. Jing Jiu walked freely among them, looking very familiar.

The lecture hall is a large hall. At this time, dozens of monks have gathered, wearing monk clothes representing different generations, sitting on futons, without making any sound. Seeing Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue walking into the hall, the monks were a little surprised, knowing that this is an inner temple, why did these two benefactors appear here?

A monk knew the identities of Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue, whispered a few words, and then his eyes fell on Master Chengjia, to see how he made a decision.

Master Chengjia was also a little surprised, wondering if these two really came to the monastery to listen to scriptures?

Both the Qingshan Sect and the Zhongzhou Sect are righteous leaders, and the Guocheng Temple will give them enough respect, but outsiders are never allowed to stay in the lecture hall...

Master Chengjia thought about the relationship between Zenzi and Shenmo Peak, smiled and shook his head, indicating that nothing happened.

Immortal Jingyang has a half-teacher friendship with Chanzi, even if he is a little bit today.

Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue walked to an inconspicuous corner.

Zhao Layue had reminded him at Qipan Mountain back then that such occasions should always be more elegant, so he didn't bring a bamboo chair, and sat on the futon like those monks.

There was no prologue in the lecture at Guocheng Temple, and it started with three stone chimes.

Master Chengjia's voice was a little deep, like the sound of a bell, extremely harmonious.

Today he was explaining the Seven Ginseng Sutra of the Heavenly Tree, which was quite obscure, and there was no ups and downs echoing in the lecture hall, and it was quite effective in helping sleep.

Dozens of monks sitting on the futon listened quietly, seemingly serious.

Some young monks with insufficient realm couldn't help but secretly pinch their thighs a few times to dispel their sleepiness.

However, Zhao Layue listened very attentively, without being distracted for a moment, her eyes became brighter and brighter, black and white became more distinct, and she was very energetic.

Half an hour later, there were three more stone chimes, and the lecture came to an end.

Most of the monks still sat on the futons and continued to understand the master's explanation.

Some monks stood up, went to the locust tree outside the lecture hall, or punched, or looked far away to recover some energy.

Looking at these pictures, Zhao Layue smiled slightly, recalling the scene of the Zhongzhou School Wendao meeting that Gu Qing had recounted, and thought that if Zhuo Rusui was here, he might fall asleep in a short while. Then she looked at Jing Jiu beside her, wanting to ask him something, but found that his eyes were closed, his breathing was long and gentle, and he was actually asleep.

What sutra is this listening to?

...

...

Liu Shisui went to the Jingyuan, and found that Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue were not there. He went to ask Mr. Bai Gui, but the cat ignored him, so he had to disturb the Dachang monk, only to find out that they had gone to listen to the scriptures.

He has already read and interpreted those scriptures, so there is no need to listen to them again, so what are we going to do today?

He went back to the vegetable garden, cut a few bamboos, and then went back to Jingyuan again to start repairing the bamboo chair.

Da Changseng went to the courtyard and began to sweep the fallen leaves. Seeing his more and more proficient movements, he smiled and thought, thinking that these Qingshan disciples are really interesting.

Where will the fallen leaves be transported after sweeping every day? Master, these things will be done for me in the future.

Feeling Dachang Monk's gaze, Liu Shisui repaired the bamboo chair and said, I heard from you that you used to be the Minister of Taichang Temple in Chaoge City, but you were born with the name of Dachang. It's just a little missing. It's really interesting.

Da Changseng's expression changed slightly, thinking that this kind of thing is not interesting, he didn't want to pay attention to this person anymore, and continued to deal with the fallen leaves with a bamboo broom.

Liu Shisui glanced back, and said concernedly: Your broom looks a bit old. I just brought bamboo today. Shall I make you a new one?

Da Changseng was very helpless, thinking to himself, no wonder Jing Jiu wants you to learn closed-mouth meditation.

Liu Shisui never needed an opponent when speaking, he continued to repair the bamboo chair with his head down, and kept chanting.

Da Changseng sighed, and the wrinkles on his face deepened. Looking at the small stone pagoda, he thought to himself that it is so noisy here, Your Majesty, do you want to move?

...

...

A peaceful and happy life is always the same, every day is the same as the previous day, only sometimes it rains, sometimes it is a breeze.

There are futons and bamboo chairs under the rain corridor in the quiet garden. Three people and one cat sit or lie down or lie down, just like that for a day.

Sometimes the white cat will go out for a walk when it gets tired of lying down. After all, this is Guocheng Temple, there are many taboos, and it will not go too far.

Every five or ten days, Jing Jiu would take Zhao Layue to listen to the master explaining the scriptures in the lecture hall. One time, the white cat followed him when he was really bored, and found it very interesting, so he listened seriously.

The bamboo chair has been repaired, and when Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue listen to the scriptures, Liu Shisui will stay in the vegetable garden to finish all the farm work that has been saved for several days, and also to exercise his muscles and bones. It's just that the winter cold is getting deeper, and the zhenqi conflict in his body shows some signs of recurrence, and the frequency of coughing has obviously increased, Xiao He is very worried.

In the meditation hall next to the pagoda forest of Guocheng Temple, Yin San was also reading scriptures.

It is far away from the Jingyuan and the lecture hall, and he has always been proud of the profoundness of Buddhism, and he disdains to listen to the teachings of those juniors, and has never been there.

In addition to reading scriptures, what Yin San does most often is to sit on the stone steps of the meditation hall and bask in the winter sun.

The most common thing for the ancestors to do was to go outside the temple to steal meat to eat, and his mouth was often full of oil.

Occasionally, Yin San would take out the bone flute and play a silent tune.

The old ancestor stood behind him, touching his red nose, looking into the distance, thinking about silent thoughts.

Yin San didn't know that Jing Jiu was here.

Jing Jiu didn't know Yin San was here either.

This pair of brothers, who are the most legendary in the history of the Qingshan Sect, even in the history of the monastic world, spent time together in Guocheng Temple without knowing each other.

One day, Yin San raised his head and looked out of the tower forest, and suddenly saw green eyes, and knew that spring had arrived.

He smiled slightly, and his Dao heart moved slightly, knowing that he would be able to solve his physical problems.

Then he thought of Liu Shisui.

One winter has passed, and I don't know if the little guy's cough has improved or not.

So he went to the vegetable garden.