Chapter 704: Chapter 704

The venerable Fuqing Temple elder, with his hair entirely white and esteemed for his virtue, bowed respectfully. The two middle-aged Daoists, famed throughout Qingcheng Mountain and even the surrounding tens of li below, were also extremely courteous. The seemingly ageless Daoist remained calm and composed, while the girl beside him stared expressionlessly, unafraid.

The younger Daoists in the temple exchanged glances but dared not ask questions. They quietly observed, listening to the conversation and speculating in their hearts.

“Is Senior Daoist Brother Guanghuazi still here?”

“Daoist Master, our master’s master has already passed away.”

“When did he pass away?”

“In the second year of Da’an.”

“The second year of Da’an… that’s eight years ago.”

“Yes, the second year of Da’an, in summer. It’s been almost exactly eight years,” Daoist Master Yingfeng replied.

Although Song You had long suspected it, he still let out a sigh.

The late Fuqing temple owner, Guanghuazi, had been an old acquaintance of his own master. Before Song You descended the mountain, the only person he could truly call familiar in Fuqing Temple had been Guanghuazi.

Now there were two more, both of whom had grown from the young Daoists of that time into middle-aged cultivators.

Life was but a grand dream, and the human world experienced many autumn chills.

“When our master's master passed, it was very peaceful, without pain or misfortune. He even had a last dinner. Afterward, he told us that his earthly life was complete and that the ghostly officials had already arrived at the mountain gate to escort him. He warned that if any of us with cultivation skills saw them, we must not interfere, for it would be both disrespectful and dangerous, possibly invoking the wrath of the spirits and officials of the underworld,” Daoist Master Chuyun recounted. “Then he sent us outside, and in an instant, we saw the ghostly officials pass through the mountain gate to accompany him away. When we returned, he was seated on his meditation cushion, but only his physical form remained.”

“That’s… actually not bad,” Song You said.

“Our master’s master cultivated for many years, had great Daoist ability, never committed wrongdoing, and even helped the people below the mountain by exorcising demons. Most likely, he now holds a position in the Underworld, and when we descend, we may yet see him again.”

“Daoist Master, please do not stand here. Kindly come inside,” the current Fuqing temple owner quickly said.

“All right.” Song You followed them inward.

Beside him, the girl carried the little Jiang Han on her back, and the jujube-red horse silently followed behind, the bell on its neck jingling softly.

The temple owner led the way, flanked by Daoists Yingfeng and Chuyun, who both involuntarily glanced back at the horse.

It had a large head and short neck, a strong build, broad chest, and long mane. Its skin was thick and coat coarse. It was a Beiyuan horse, which was rare to see in Yizhou, though somewhat shorter and slimmer than typical Beiyuan horses, with certain congenital weaknesses.

This was the same horse the two had personally delivered on a winter night years ago, braving the cold wind and fog.

In Yizhou, the common horses were southwestern breeds. They were skilled at climbing hills but small, weak runners, and less hardy than Beiyuan horses. Their master’s master had anticipated that this fellow Daoist would journey far and had arranged to obtain this horse from a long-time acquaintance. Though it had some flaws, it was the best available.

Yet, this horse had followed the immortal for twenty years.

At the same time, the jujube-red horse slightly turned its head, gazing toward them. Whether it remembered them, no one could say.

The two Daoists exchanged glances, their expressions complex.

Living atop Qingcheng Mountain, in Fuqing Palace, one often heard legends of wind and rain drifting up from the world below. In earlier years, it was easier. Most stories were vague, and each person told it differently, making it hard to discern truth from falsehood, let alone anything beyond that. In later years, as he traveled farther and longer, more and more legends accumulated. Gradually, by comparing them, discarding contradictions and keeping consistencies, separating fiction from truth, the stories became clearer and more vivid.

Those legends were both frightening and alluring.

Among them was a tale of a horse… This horse’s fortune was indeed greater than theirs.

At this time, night fell. In the hall, dinner was served.

The smoked cured ribs glistened with oil, the fish slices cooked with rattan pepper looked highly appetizing, and the wild vegetables in sour soup were very appetizing as well. They had even specially prepared century egg and lean pork porridge for little Jiang Han, with more than half of it being meat.

The Daoists of this mountain were skilled cooks.

“Daoist Master, now that you have returned to Yizhou, is this the end of your travels? Are you returning to Yin-Yang Mountain?” Daoist Master Yingfeng asked.

“The immortal mountain of Lingquan County is finally opening,” Yingfeng said with feeling.

“Since you descended the mountain for your travels, Daoist Master Duoxing closed the immortal mountain. I’ve heard that people have been seeking it ever since, some from as far as the Western Regions, Hanzhou, and Zhaozhou. No one could locate it. Even in the past two years, those going to Yin-Yang Mountain in Lingquan County couldn’t find the temple,” Daoist Master Chuyun explained, pausing, then sighed. “Later, Daoist Master Duoxing even stopped receiving us.”

No sooner had Daoist Master Chuyun finished speaking than Daoist Master Yingfeng’s voice chimed in, “Back when our master’s master was still alive, he often mentioned that he hadn’t visited Daoist Master Duoxing at Yin-Yang Mountain’s Hidden Dragon Temple for many years. He wondered how Daoist Master Duoxing was doing, had questions he wished to ask, yet could no longer find anyone to consult. Even until his passing, he never had the chance.”

Meanwhile, Lady Calico was feeding little Jiang Han.

Song You sat quietly, listening attentively.

Those who traveled to Yin-Yang Mountain in Lingquan County, especially from Yizhou or nearby areas, were often motivated by stories of the temple’s efficacy or the Daoists’ unusual skills and powers. For those from faraway places like the Western Regions, Hanzhou, or Zhaozhou, it was mostly because the Hidden Dragon temple owners of old had once traveled there, leaving behind some information.

Over the years, most stories faded, leaving only the descendants of those who had personally experienced them to remember them well enough that they would travel thousands of li to seek it out.

As for the intentions of the two before him…

Song You had a general understanding.

“In the later years of my master’s life, she enjoyed solitude, which is why the mountain was closed to visitors. Now that we have returned, naturally the mountain gates will open again,” Song You said, glancing at little Jiang Han and at Lady Calico, who was holding a spoon and feeding her porridge. “At least for the next few decades, Lady Calico and I will remain on Yin-Yang Mountain. Since you are old acquaintances of our sect, such rare connections should not be broken lightly, even after so many years.”

“Next spring, I will certainly pay a visit,” said the current temple owner, immediately cupping his hands respectfully.

“We shall await your arrival,” Song You replied with equal courtesy.

This was one of the purposes of his visit to Qingcheng Mountain: to inform them that he had returned to the mountain, that Yin-Yang Mountain would open again, and that if they wished, they were welcome to visit.

They were old acquaintances with years of shared history. If that were to end, it would truly be a pity.

Song You found it remarkable.

Twenty years ago, when he first descended the mountain, he had visited Fuqing Temple in part to request that the temple’s Daoists send messages back to his master. At the time, he hadn’t felt much attachment to this old sect connection that originated with the previous generation of masters. Even though he had met Guanghuazi many times, their interactions had been limited; arriving here now, he would have felt unfamiliar.

Yet now, that once rather aloof Daoist was willing to actively maintain the relationship, even going so far as to inform him in person.

The change was truly fascinating. For more chapters visıt novel•fire.net

“This little one…” Daoist Master Yingfeng looked at the girl.

“She is a child who drifted down the river during last year’s heavy snow and severe cold. I felt a connection to her, and she has a natural aptitude for cultivation, so I took her in and named her Jiang Han.”

“Could she be the next-generation heir of Hidden Dragon Temple?”

“If nothing unexpected occurs, she should be,” Song You said with a smile. “Now that we have returned to the mountain, it is also time to accept a disciple.”

The temple owner, Daoists Yingfeng and Chuyun, and several slightly older, higher-ranking Daoists in the temple all widened their eyes, feeling as if they were witnessing the passing of Hidden Dragon Temple’s legacy firsthand, an event only they could fully comprehend.

“It has been many years. Senior Brother Yingfeng and I are no longer as young as we once were,” Daoist Master Chuyun said. “Back then, we were still disciples; now we have become the masters of others.”

He then called his disciples forward: a boy and a girl, both around ten or so years old. The boy was the one who had opened the gate for them earlier that day.

Daoist Master Yingfeng followed suit and called his own disciples forward, two from the Qian Dao, one from the Kun Dao.

The young Daoists and novices, seated at the very end of the banquet near the door, listened with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Upon hearing their master speak, they quickly approached, keeping their heads bowed, too timid to meet the gaze of the young Daoist.

“Haven’t you greeted Daoist Elder Song yet?” Daoist Master Yingfeng asked.

“Greetings, Daoist Elder,” the small disciples replied obediently, heads still lowered.

“And Daoist Elder Calico,” Daoist Master Chuyun added.

“Greetings, Daoist Elder Calico,” the young disciples responded dutifully, though they couldn’t help sneaking glances at Lady Calico.

Lady Calico straightened her posture, her expression stern and composed.

“Don’t be fooled by how small Lady Calico looks. We saw her back when we were young, long before any of you were born,” Daoist Master Chuyun said, immediately causing the young disciples to withdraw their gaze.

“Remember this: Hidden Dragon Temple on Yin-Yang Mountain in Lingquan County has been old friends with our Fuqing Temple for generations. This one before you is now the current owner, you may call him ‘Daoist Elder.’ As for the one the Daoist Elder is holding, she is very likely the next-generation heir of Hidden Dragon Temple. In the future, if you cultivate enough and take over Fuqing Temple, you must recognize her.”

Song You smiled at them, offering a few words of praise.

An unexplainable sense of succession filled the air, accompanied by the quiet stir of reincarnation.

Unconsciously, yet another generation had come, and he himself had become an elder to be respectfully addressed. Twenty years later, when the next-generation heir descended the mountain, who knew who they might meet here?

Decades ago, was his master too?

Night deepened. The banquet dispersed, yet the young Daoists and novices remained busy, cleaning up the leftover bowls and utensils.

At the front of the hall, one young Daoist sought answers.

“Master, where is Yin-Yang Mountain in Lingquan County? And what exactly is Hidden Dragon Temple? Why is that Daoist Elder so young, yet you and the temple owner are so respectful toward him? And why do you call him Senior Daoist Brother?”

“Since we call him Senior Daoist Brother, that means he is older than us. Don’t be fooled by his youthful appearance, back when your Senior Uncle Yingfeng and I were your age, he already looked .”

“Ah? Could it be that he is immortal?”

“No human is immortal, of course. But this Daoist Elder… is unconcerned with longevity or the passage of age..”

“Just remember this: the heirs of Hidden Dragon Temple are all mortals who have attained the ways of immortals.”

“Mortals who are like immortals?” The young Daoist’s eyes widened. “Does that mean their Daoist cultivation is very profound and their divine abilities vast?”

“Indeed, their cultivation is deep, and their powers vast, but each generation is different,” Daoist Master Chuyun said with a faint smile, as if recalling his younger self. “You are too young and too inexperienced. No matter what I say now, you cannot fully grasp it. Only when your cultivation is sufficient, and your understanding of divine powers, the Heavenly Dao, and the Divine Dao is profound, will you truly comprehend. By the time you reach my age, fellow Daoist Jiang Han will likely have descended from the mountain, who knows what kind of disposition she will have? If you are fortunate enough to meet her, it will be a great blessing in life.”

“You must show them respect.”

Daoist Master Chuyun turned her gaze to the hall behind her. Originally, the hall contained a row of divine altars. The central altar would normally enshrine the Great Emperor Chijin, lord of the Heavenly Palace, yet that spot now stood empty.

And not just that, several divine seats in the temple were unoccupied.

“Truly, the immortal has great celestial power,” Daoist Master Chuyun murmured, narrowing her eyes in awe.