Chapter 1165: Chapter 1164: Nine Chimes at Fahua Temple
Lu Zheng originally planned to pick up Lin Wan after returning to the Prince’s Mansion in the evening, but for some unknown reason, Si Lingxi insisted on performing a duet with him.
Unexpectedly, as they played, they ended up in bed, spending the entire night until dawn.
So, early the next morning, Lu Zheng went to bring Lin Wan over.
"How many days have you been here already?"
"Have you visited the Chixiao Temple?"
"Even went shopping, had a feast, and ordered an outstanding zither?"
Lin Wan experienced a breakfast in the ancient Prince’s Mansion. Although simpler than lunch and dinner, it was still quite luxurious.
While eating, Lin Wan listened to the others talk about the past two days.
"We’ve been to the Chixiao Temple, but not yet to the Fahua Temple, we’ll go together then."
Lu Zheng quibbled, "As for shopping and feasting, that’s even simpler. Since we’re here, aren’t we going to wander around Central Capital City for ten days or half a month? Not just an outstanding zither, I’ll even let you play an outstanding xiao!"
"Get lost!" Lin Wan instinctively responded, "I still have work to do..."
"Qingyan has already taken leave, and you still want to work?"
Lin Wan paused, thought about it, and nodded firmly, "You’re right, I’ll go back and request leave!"
So when everyone finished breakfast and went out again, Jing Qianyu was surprised to find a new woman by Lu Zheng’s side.
However, compared to Liu Qingyan, Shen Ying, and Si Lingxi’s unfathomable abilities, Jing Qianyu could gauge Lin Wan’s cultivation as similar to her own.
This greatly increased Jing Qianyu’s goodwill!
Yesterday afternoon, they watched "Three Lifetimes of Love" at Zhibu Studio, so everyone headed to Chengyue Garden to watch "Mi Mountain Myth" today.
They dined at another grand restaurant for lunch and went to Northwest Yuxiang Square in the afternoon, purchasing plenty of appealing items.
Among them, Liu Qingyan and Lin Wan bought the most, planning to take them back as gifts.
...
In the following days, everyone roamed around various theaters, restaurants, and markets in Central Capital City.
Although they passed by buildings more luxurious and extravagant than Yizhou Xiu Yun Building multiple times during their wanderings, Lu Zheng and his companions never went inside.
Lu Zheng: Õ_Õ
I must come by myself once!
...
"Speaking of which..."
That afternoon, Lin Wan asked, "Didn’t you say you were going to the Fahua Temple? When are we going?"
Lu Zheng stroked his chin, "Zen Master Dejie said it takes seven hundred sixteen days, two hours, and forty-five minutes to cast the Buddha’s Golden Body. How many days has it been since then?"
"Seems like it’s just over a year." Shen Ying calculated the days, "Zen Master Dejie arrived last spring."
Lu Zheng nodded, as it was currently summer, they realized it had indeed just surpassed a year.
"However... they did give us a scripture as a gift, so since we’re here, we might as well visit." Lu Zheng suggested after some thought.
"Tomorrow morning, let’s set off for the Fahua Temple!" Lu Zheng declared, turning to ask Jing Qianyu, "Where is Fahua Temple located again? It’s not inside Central Capital City, is it?"
Jing Qianyu nodded, "Fahua Temple is over seventy miles south of Central Capital City, on the Nanhua Plateau."
"Chixiao Temple is in the west, Fahua Temple is in the south, what’s in the northeastern part of Central Capital City?"
"In the north of Central Capital City, there’s a place called Lingkong Mountain, which is said to house the Spiritual Void Celestial Realm, where Star Officials often reside." Jing Qianyu replied with fascination.
"Uh, right, I almost forgot about that." Lu Zheng patted his forehead.
If the Mountain God, Earth God, and City God are local Incense and Candle Gods responsible for inspecting local areas and warding off the Netherworld, then the Star Officials in the Spiritual Void Celestial Realm are the second layer of the Da Jing Court’s foundation. Although few in number, they are all masters.
Lu Zheng shook his head, "The Spiritual Void Celestial Realm is unrelated to us, let’s proceed to the Fahua Temple. We’ll head over tomorrow morning to offer incense to the Buddha."
...
So, early the next morning, the luxurious carriage was once again prepared.
"Huh?"
It was Jing Qianyu’s first time riding in Lu Zheng’s carriage, and she marveled, "It’s so comfortable, not bumpy at all. And the wheels aren’t wrapped in thick cowhide, what’s going on?"
Compared to Jing Gaoqi, who could instantly grasp the entire carriage’s extraordinary craftsmanship, Jing Qianyu’s abilities paled in comparison, leaving her clueless.
Lu Zheng chuckled, "It’s a little application of the Artifact Refining Technique. Internal hollow airbags made from cowhide or tree sap are wrapped around the wheels. Additionally, each axle has springs made from elastic steel, allowing balance to be maintained during rapid height changes."
Jing Qianyu: ???
Lu Zheng simply said, "Spiritual Martial King has also ridden this carriage. He knows it well."
Jing Qianyu could only sulkily express that she understood and wouldn’t ask further...
With the skilled driving of the Lingwu Royal Mansion’s coachman and the wide open official roads outside Central Capital City, they arrived at the Fahua Temple in less than an hour.
"Dong—Dong—Dong—"
Just as they approached the Fahua Temple, the sound of the temple bells rang out nine times.
"Huh?"
Jing Qianyu blinked, quite surprised, "Nine bell tolls? It doesn’t seem like any special occasion today, does it?"
Lu Zheng glanced at Si Lingxi and telepathically asked, "Is it in your honor?"
Si Lingxi narrowed her eyes slightly, shaking her head mysteriously, "No, it’s not."
The group came to the Fahua Temple primarily for sightseeing and incense offering, and Si Lingxi didn’t reveal her presence.
"Could it be His Majesty or the Empress coming to offer incense at the Fahua Temple?"
Jing Qianyu immediately speculated, "Wait, no, that shouldn’t be right. If His Majesty or the Empress were visiting, the entourage would be grand. If it were a private visit, the bells wouldn’t toll nine times."
"How peculiar!"
Lu Zheng looked at Si Lingxi, who calmly shook her head, "The whole Fahua Temple is shrouded in a layer of Buddhist aura. It would be impolite for me to forcibly probe."
Lu Zheng nodded, indifferent, "We’ll know when we see it. We’re almost there anyway."
The carriage continued onward, soon reaching Nanhua Plateau. Before long, they arrived at the mountain gate archway of the Fahua Temple.
At the mountain gate, a row of a dozen gray-robed monks blocked the path to the Fahua Temple, politely informing remaining visitors that the temple was closed today and not receiving guests.
Some folks heeded the advice and left, while others with devout beliefs burned incense and prayed at the mountain gate.
Upon seeing the elegantly adorned carriage of Lu Zheng’s group, the people realized distinguished guests had arrived, clearing a path to allow the carriage to approach the temple entrance.
"Amitabha Buddha!"
The chant resonated, causing the carriage to stop automatically.
"May I ask which esteemed guest is present?" A middle-aged monk in grey robes stepped forward at the mountain gate, "However, today the Fahua Temple is closed to guests. We kindly ask you to turn back."
Lu Zheng lifted the curtain, stepped out gracefully, unfurled his Cloud Qi, and saluted, "Lu Zheng from White Cloud Temple greets you, Master. I was invited by Zen Master Dejie of your temple to offer incense to the Buddha."
"I didn’t expect the temple to be closed today. It was presumptuous of me. I’ll come back another day." Lu Zheng said.
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