Chapter 1106: Tongjing

Chen Changsheng made his way out of the city.

He headed toward Qingxian Temple.

Qingxian Temple was even grander now than it had been in the past.

The world was in a difficult state. With more people seeking refuge from worldly affairs, the number of those entering the mountains to practice cultivation had also grown.

For years now, Qingxian Temple had not taken in any outside disciples.

Chen Changsheng climbed the stone steps, making his way up the mountain.

There were quite a few pilgrims on the road. These days were far from peaceful, and most people coming up the mountain were here to pray for safety.

Chen Changsheng made his way straight into the temple.

Incense burned without end, and the sound of chanting scriptures drifted from the distant Main Hall. Curling trails of blue smoke rose into the air, carrying a deeply mesmerizing charm.

He approached a young Daoist priest and asked, "Young Priest, is Priest Xuan Chengzi currently in the temple?"

The young Daoist froze for a moment, then returned a respectful bow. "Martial Grandmaster passed away four years ago."

Chen Changsheng froze, momentarily dazed before asking, "Then who is the current abbot?"

The young Daoist answered, "The abbot's Daoist name is Xuanzhen, just so you are aware, Layman."

Chen Changsheng paused before replying, "This Chen came today intending to ask a favor of Fellow Daoist Xuan Chengzi. I did not expect that the Priest had already passed away. Might I ask you, Young Priest, to introduce This Chen to Abbot Xuanzhen?"

The young Daoist said, "Layman, this humble Daoist must ask for your details first. May I ask your name? Are you an old acquaintance of the Martial Grandmaster?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "This Chen goes by the name Changsheng. I knew your Martial Grandmaster in my early years."

The young Daoist nodded, then went off to ask his Senior Brother or an elder.

Not long after, someone came hurrying over.

They led Chen Changsheng inside.

...

In the Main Hall, Daoist Xuanzhen sat cross-legged, chanting Daoist scriptures as he practiced his cultivation.

Hearing the disciple's report, he could not help but reminisce.

"Chen Changsheng?"

Daoist Xuanzhen shot to his feet and ordered, "Follow me to welcome him!"

But by the time he stepped out the door, Chen Changsheng had already arrived.

When the two met face-to-face, Daoist Xuanzhen blanked in surprise.

He hurriedly went forward and bowed respectfully. "This humble Daoist, Abbot of Qingxian Temple, Daoist Xuanzhen, pays his respects to Mister Chen."

Chen Changsheng was stunned, then suddenly realized, "You are the young Daoist who once led the way for This Chen..."

Daoist Xuanzhen straightened up and nodded. "This humble Daoist did indeed lead the way for Mister in my youth."

Chen Changsheng smiled faintly, and then heard Daoist Xuanzhen say, "Mister, please come into the Main Hall to speak."

Daoist Xuanzhen personally led Chen Changsheng into the Main Hall, then closed the doors.

This scene left Daoist Xuanzhen's disciples staring in absolute astonishment.

They couldn't help but wonder just who this person was to make the abbot respectfully invite him inside.

Daoist Xuanzhen brewed a pot of tea and poured two cups.

"Thinking back to the time I led the way for Mister, this poor Daoist still remembers it vividly. It is good to see you are well..."

The two of them reminisced about the past.

Most of it was related to Xuan Chengzi, followed by Daoist Wuwei.

Chen Changsheng said, "In his earlier years, your master also frequently brought up Priest Zhixuan in conversation with This Chen."

"Martial Grandmaster?"

"Indeed."

Daoist Xuanzhen couldn't help but look a bit dazed, his expression gradually filling with relief.

"Junior Martial Brother often warned that I dwelled on my master too deeply and risked entering fire and falling into demons. It seems my master was just like me, unable to let go of the past..."

Chen Changsheng said, "It is not a bad thing. However, your Junior Martial Brother is right. If your obsession is too deep, you might indeed enter fire and fall into demons. He has passed away; you still need to let it go."

Daoist Xuanzhen nodded slightly. "Speaking of which, this humble Daoist heard from the reporting disciple that Mister came with a favor to ask?"

Chen Changsheng nodded and said, "There is a matter. A descendant of an old acquaintance of this poor Daoist is practicing cultivation in Qingxian Temple. I wished to come and pay a visit."

Daoist Xuanzhen froze, then said, "This humble Daoist was unaware of this."

"This Chen also only just found out."

"Does Mister know this person's Daoist name or worldly name? This humble Daoist will order someone to fetch them."

"The girl's worldly name is Wang Yingying, and her Daoist name is Tongjing."

Xuanzhen didn't have much of an impression of the name, but he immediately ordered a disciple to go find her.

...

Over in the kitchens of Qingxian Temple.

A young Daoist nun was busy adding firewood and keeping the fire going.

Unexpectedly, someone arrived from the front courtyard.

"Who is Tongjing?"

The young nun paused, then stood up. Wiping her hands, she said, "Greetings, Senior Brother. I am Tongjing."

"The abbot is looking for you. Please make a trip over."

"But my fire..."

"We'll arrange for someone else to tend to it."

"Oh..."

Before Tongjing could even figure out what was going on, she hurriedly followed the Senior Brother away.

On the way, she felt apprehensive and asked, "Senior Brother, do you know why the abbot is looking for me?"

The disciple shook his head. "I don't know either. You'll find out when you get there, but it's probably nothing bad."

"Oh..."

With an anxious heart, Tongjing arrived at the doors of the Main Hall.

The Senior Brother knocked, and she walked inside.

Taking two steps forward, Tongjing immediately knelt and kowtowed.

"Tongjing pays her respects to the abbot."

Daoist Xuanzhen asked, "Is this the person Mister is looking for?"

Chen Changsheng nodded and said, "It's her."

"This Chen will take her for a walk. It is stuffy in this hall, and the little girl is too timid to speak."

Hearing this, Daoist Xuanzhen gave a helpless smile and nodded.

Chen Changsheng stood up and led Tongjing out the door.

Tongjing was young; she looked to be only just over ten years old.

"Don't be afraid. This Chen was an old friend of your father's."

Chen Changsheng comforted her as they walked toward the rear courtyard.

Tongjing froze at his words. "Father..."

As they walked, Chen Changsheng said, "Your family suffered a disaster back then. How did you end up practicing cultivation in this temple?"

Tongjing opened her mouth and said, "It was Priest Wuwei. The Priest saw I was pitiful, so he brought me up the mountain."

Chen Changsheng nodded slightly upon hearing this. "So that's how it was..."

The two of them continued walking further to the back.

Tongjing gripped her Daoist robes nervously and asked, "Do you really know my father?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "My surname is Chen. Not only do I know your father, I also knew your grandfather and your great-grandfather. This Chen knew them all. Your father or grandfather should have mentioned This Chen."

Tongjing looked at the old man in front of her, but she shook her head. "I don't remember."

Chen Changsheng said, "That's alright."

Tongjing followed behind him and asked, "Where are we going?"

"To the mountainside. This Chen has a few other old acquaintances to visit."

Tongjing nodded and stopped talking, just following obediently.

She was somewhat timid, but more than that, she was wary of the person in front of her.

Chen Changsheng asked, "Have your days in the temple been alright?"

"They're fine."

"That's good."

After that, there was silence.

They continued forward until they arrived in front of several graves.

Tongjing watched as Chen Changsheng took out a Wine Gourd from his waist and poured some wine in front of each of those graves, one by one.

After that, he did not say a single word.

Tongjing stood to the side, timid and afraid to speak.

Chen Changsheng said, "The noodles your father and grandfather made were the most delicious. And there was also the porridge this fellow cooked, the tea he brewed..."

Tongjing's gaze followed his, and she saw the name Yan Huanglou on the tombstone.

Perhaps it was this person's old acquaintance.