nagpurpolice Chapter 9: Taoist Xuanqing.
Chapter 9: Taoist Xuanqing.
The night was very quiet!
The campfire crackled and popped.
Unidentified insects chirped and sang in the woods.
Bai Chen was sleeping soundly.
I was awakened by a shout.
"Master Bai, something terrible has happened! Master Bai, wolves... so many wolves! Wake up!"
"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Bai Chen woke up groggily.
"Look, Mr. Bai! A wolf!"
Han Shuisheng huddled close to Bai Chen, as if only in this way could he feel safe surrounded by wolves.
Holy crap!
Bai Chen was startled and instantly came to his senses.
His eyes looked around.
Bathed in the moonlight and firelight, dozens of eerie green eyes slowly approached the campfire.
Click~ Click...
Bai Chen was startled and quickly took off the submachine gun hanging on his chest and unlocked the safety.
"Master Bai, I...I'm scared!" Han Shuisheng trembled, wishing he could squeeze himself into Bai Chen's arms.
"Let go, don't hold me, Shui Sheng!"
Bai Chen forcefully pushed Shui Sheng away, and without hesitation, pointed the gun directly at those eerie green eyes.
Fire!
Da da da... da da da...
Accompanied by the flash of gunfire, a deafening sound was emitted.
Pfft... Pfft...
Thermal weapons are the nemesis of all carbon-based life forms. No matter how ferocious or cunning these wolves are, they are nothing more than lambs to the slaughter under the 5.56 bullet.
"Awoo~~"
The wolves were terrified.
They had never seen anything like it before. Watching their companions fall down inexplicably, they were filled with boundless fear.
These wolves came quickly and left quickly.
However, when they left, they left behind six companions.
...
After this ordeal...
Bai Chen was also completely unable to fall asleep.
He replaced the magazine in his submachine gun, then took a torch and went to the remaining wolves.
Most of them died, but two others were not hit in vital areas and were simply incapacitated, lying on the ground whimpering.
Bang! Bang!
Two shots sent them to their deaths, lest their constant wailing annoy people.
"Shuisheng, go add some firewood to the campfire, let's have some midnight snacks."
Bai Chen found a wolf that looked rather fat, grabbed one of its legs, and dragged it to the campfire.
The rest of the work was handed over to Shuisheng.
They skinned and removed the legs, then skewered the wolf legs together with two sticks and roasted them over a campfire.
As for the remaining parts, they were naturally discarded, since there were only two people and not many left.
Sizzle...
The wolf leg sizzled with oil, emitting a fragrant aroma of meat.
"Slow down, let me add some seasoning."
Bai Chen directed Shui Sheng, then took out a jar of seasoning from his pocket and spread it evenly on the wolf's leg.
Of course, the so-called seasoning is actually just salted chili powder.
After the wolf leg is roasted.
The two of them each took one and started munching on it.
"Tsk, the taste isn't very good, it smells too strong." Bai Chen only took a few bites before finding it tasteless.
Han Shuisheng, standing to the side, almost swallowed his tongue.
"Delicious, Master Bai, this is so delicious!"
Han Shuisheng wolfed down the wolf leg, finishing it in no time.
He glanced at Master Bai's barely moving wolf leg, licked his lips sheepishly, and tentatively asked:
"Ahem, Mr. Bai, would you like to eat more?"
"I'm not eating anymore, you can have it." Bai Chen handed over the wolf leg that he had already nibbled on.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Master Bai. Thank you very much, Master Bai."
Han Shuisheng's throat bobbed as he snatched the wolf leg and began to gnaw on it, looking exactly like a starving ghost reincarnated.
Upon seeing this.
Bai Chen was amused.
However, he also understood, after all, this was a feudal ancient society with underdeveloped technology, where ordinary people couldn't even get enough to eat, let alone meat.
Although he went to the United States, he still works in a Chinese restaurant, so he doesn't lack food.
.....
The next morning.
After getting up and tidying up a bit, the two continued their journey towards the Qingyun Mountain Range.
The rest of the journey went smoothly without any unexpected problems.
They arrived at the foot of Qingyun Mountain around noon that day.
This area is dotted with a few scattered low-rise houses, all inhabited by local villagers.
Han Shuisheng's village is next to this village.
"Master Bai, let's go up the mountain now. We should be able to get there before dark." Han Shuisheng pointed to the high mountain not far away.
Look in that direction.
Bai Chen shook his head helplessly.
Why do these martial arts masters all like to live deep in the mountains, in such desolate places?
It's only noon now, but according to Han Shuisheng, it would take six or seven hours just to climb the mountain.
To save my own life, I had no choice but to crawl.
...
As the saying goes, "Looking at a mountain makes your horse run itself to death."
Qingyun Mountain was farther than expected.
It wasn't until sunset that the two of them saw a Taoist temple.
...
Before the two even entered, two young men dressed in Taoist robes came to greet them.
"May you two benefactors enjoy boundless longevity and blessings; what brings you to Qingyun Temple?"
"Greetings, esteemed Taoist priests. I have come to pay my respects and wish to become a lay Buddhist at Qingyun Temple."
Bai Chen cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
A lay Buddhist who visits the mountain?
The two young Taoist priests' eyes lit up. After exchanging a glance, their faces immediately broke into warm smiles.
"Junior brother, you help the layman settle in first, I'll go find the abbot." One of the young Taoists instructed the young Taoist beside him.
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
Another Taoist priest responded, then turned to Bai Chen and said:
"Please come in, layman!"
Thank you.
Bai Chen cupped his hands in greeting again, then beckoned to Han Shuisheng beside him.
It's already dark, so we should let the child sleep through the night and go back when it's light.
...
Under the guidance of this young Taoist priest.
The two first moved the donkey cart and three horses to the stable, and also put the luggage and other belongings into storage.
After waiting in the guest room for a while,
The Taoist priest who had previously gone to see the abbot reappeared before the two of them and said to Bai Chen:
"Layman, the abbot has arrived at the Sanqing Hall. Please move to the Sanqing Hall."
"Please lead the way, Daoist Master." Bai Chen stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Huh? Isn't this layperson going?"
Seeing that Han Shuisheng did not move, the Taoist asked in confusion.
"I...I'm not, I'm the coachman who's showing Master Bai the way." Han Shuisheng quickly waved his hands, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"I see!"
The young Taoist priest nodded slightly, said nothing more, and quickly stepped forward to lead the way.
.....
We arrived at the Sanqing Hall.
Three statues, each several meters tall, sit atop the altar.
The small cauldron on the offering table emitted wisps of blue smoke, filling the entire hall with a pleasant woody aroma.
In front of the offering table, neatly arranged prayer cushions were placed.
A middle-aged Taoist priest wearing a light purple robe, with his hair tied up with a Taoist scarf and sporting a goatee.
This Taoist priest is the abbot of Qingyun Temple, whose Taoist name is Xuanqing!
"Abbot, this is the layperson who wishes to pay homage to the mountain." The Taoist priest who had led the way earlier bowed respectfully to the purple-robed Taoist priest.
"Um."
Xuan Qing nodded slightly, his eyes looking in Bai Chen's direction.
"My name is Bai Chen. Greetings, Abbot." Bai Chen quickly cupped his hands in greeting before speaking.
"I heard from Doctor Liu Yongchang of Yong'an City that there is a Taoist priest with superb martial arts skills on Qingyun Mountain, so I came here to seek his guidance."