Zhao Sheng’s eyes twinkled, watching the other party walk out of the courtyard gate, never making a move.
Ti has always been on his side, "today" was rely their first encounter, and there was no need to risk taking action.
At this mont, the elderly Taoist with a solemn expression ca over.
Upon seeing him, Zhao Sheng imdiately bowed his hands in salute, "A junior Zhao Gongzhu, pays respects to Qin Temple Priest."
"Oh, it turns out to be the Young Master from Landlord Zhao’s family. What important matter brings you here today? If there is none, our temple is tired, please feel free to leave."
The elderly Taoist’s tone was indifferent, exuding a deanor that kept people at a distance.
Seeing this, Zhao Sheng straightforwardly said, "I have so doubts that require guidance from Qin Temple Priest. If my concerns are resolved, tomorrow night I will send soone with 300 taels of incense money."
Upon hearing the offer of 300 taels of silver, Qin Temple Priest’s attitude changed drastically, warmly inviting Mr. Zhao to the Quiet Hall for a discussion.
Zhao Sheng followed the person into the Quiet Hall, each sitting down.
Qin Temple Priest personally poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Zhao Sheng, smiling as he asked, "I wonder what doubts Mr. Zhao has? This old Taoist will certainly strive to guide you through the maze."
Zhao Sheng responded with a smile, "I am very curious about the origins of the Ten Thousand Temple. Perhaps the priest could start from the beginning, and let’s chat leisurely."
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Qin Temple Priest’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, quickly observed by Zhao Sheng.
His mind racing, Zhao Sheng feigned curiosity and asked, "Why? Have others also asked similar questions before?"
Qin Temple Priest waved his long sleeve, pondered, and said, "Indeed! Including you, today there have been three people asking nearly the sa question."
"Oh, aside from Old Madam Chen, who else inquired?" Zhao Sheng was startled but continued to feign curiosity while pressing the question.
Qin Temple Priest looked at him aningfully and said in a deep voice, "Apart from you and Old Madam Chen, there was a young scholar. He claid to be a wandering traveler, and he visited the Ten Thousand Temple this morning. He was the first to inquire."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng instantly recalled encountering that young scholar upon entering.
With a thought passing, Zhao Sheng carelessly laughed, "Quite a coincidence indeed. But no need to mind it. You may proceed."
Without further question, Qin Temple Priest began narrating the establishnt of the Ten Thousand Temple...
"...To this day, the offspring of the three surnas are sparse, with each generation furthering the solitary transmissions, showing signs of extinction. Though this old Taoist is secretly anxious, the course of heaven is as such, beyond human alteration... Alas!" Qin Temple Priest’s expression turned dull, his tone full of helplessness.
At this mont, Zhao Sheng’s heart was stirred; he initially thought the township records were detailed enough, never expecting more hidden secrets behind the Ten Thousand Temple.
The establishnt of the Ten Thousand Temple originated from an unprecedented flood.
Thirteen hundred years ago, when Mingxi Town was still called Ming River Town, an unforeseen flood suddenly erupted, fierce waters destroyed riverbanks, subrged Ming River Town, and turned a thousand miles of fertile land into a vast ocean.
The flood raged, the river frequently changed course, and incessantly carved out ravines.
When the flood receded, a new channel erged near Ming River Town, revealing an unmarked tomb.
The tomb contained nurous artifacts, with walls adorned with eerie and bizarre patterns.
Upon opening the coffin, several ancient manuscripts were found inside, docunting the "stories" of the Ten Halls of Yama and Hell Reincarnation, which beca the original source of the Ten Thousand Temple.
At that ti, only three people discovered this unmarked tomb, naly the ancestors of the Qin, Chen, and Li clans.
The ancestors of the Qin, Chen, and Li families divided the tomb’s relics, gaining a windfall, subsequently co-funded the establishnt of the Ten Kings Temple.
Ever since then, the temple priests have been rotated among the people of the three surnas, which remains unchanged to this day.
Qin Temple Priest is from the Qin family, and the previous temple priest was surnad Li, who passed away many years ago.
Zhao Sheng pondered for a mont after hearing this, suddenly inspired, he imdiately took out that White Jade Cup, placing it onto the table.
"I wonder... Whether this item originated from that unmarked tomb?"
Oh?
Qin Temple Priest exclaid softly and promptly picked up the White Jade Cup for examination before his eyes.
After repeatedly discerning the "character patterns" on the cup’s surface, he nodded emphatically, his expression complex as he said, "This cup also known as Bright Moon Reflected Lamp, is indeed one of the many artifacts. Three hundred years ago, an ancestor from my clan once pawned it away, and its whereabouts have since been unknown. Unexpectedly, I see this lamp again today."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng confird that the unmarked tomb might be the key to unraveling the puzzle.
With this thought, he hurriedly inquired about the tomb’s location.
The Qin Temple Priest was straightforward, directly stating a location and repeatedly indicating that the place had long since turned into a mound of earth, making it unnecessary to visit.
Zhao Sheng nodded and smiled slightly without refuting, just as he was about to bid farewell, he felt an inexplicable stir in his heart.
"I wonder if the temple priest has any similar ancient artifacts, I am willing to pay a hefty price to purchase them."
The Qin Temple Priest shook his head and sighed, "There are no more. The descendants were unfilial; over a thousand years, the family’s collection of ancient artifacts were either pawned off or lost; now there isn’t a single one left."
Zhao Sheng nodded noncommittally and asked, "Then... does the temple priest recognize the writing on the cup wall?"
"These ancient characters are too obscure and difficult to understand; nowadays, almost no one can comprehend them. If there is anyone in the world who might understand, it’s probably the old scholar."
"Who is this old scholar? Where is he now? I want to pay him a visit." Seeing the situation, Zhao Sheng imdiately pursued the question.
The Qin Temple Priest, suspecting nothing, said, "The old scholar is the old shopkeeper of Weng Pavilion; if you inquire at Weng Pavilion, you’ll know."
Weng Pavilion is the town’s bookstore, and Zhao Sheng is quite familiar with it, but he has never t the old shopkeeper.
He does know that the old shopkeeper’s family surna is Chen, could it be part of the "Chen" in the three clans?
Zhao Sheng suddenly beca interested in the Qin, Chen, and Li Clans, so he subtly asked about the three clans’ "stories."
Out of consideration for the silver, the Qin Temple Priest did not refuse to speak of them but briefly recounted a few anecdotes.
It turns out that among the Qin, Chen, and Li surnas, aside from taking turns serving as the temple priest, the other clan mbers each have their expertise.
People with the Qin surna often beco rchants, known for being wealthy and influential throughout history, with the most serving as temple priests.
The Chen family prides itself on passing down scholarly and artistic talents, with most clan mbers proficient in literature and painting, producing many great scholars and painters over the centuries.
The Li family is renowned for fortune-telling, with clan mbers serving as either fortune tellers or Feng Shui masters; the most accomplished beco Life Masters, capable of predicting fate with one look and determining prospects in one word, never missing the mark.
"In that case, the various Hell Creatures Paintings in the Ten Thousand Hall were created by soone from the Chen family. I wonder where this person is now? I have a fondness for literature and painting and would like to pay them a visit."
As the words left his mouth, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt a bit dazed, only to realize he had said similar things before.
The Qin Temple Priest sighed and shook his head, "You’re too late. That person died three or four years ago. Now, only one grandson remains in the family, and if not for the temple’s frequent assistance, even this sole heir might not have survived."
It seems he could relate to his situation, and the Qin Temple Priest’s expression turned wistful, losing interest in the conversation.
Seeing this, Zhao Sheng straightforwardly bid farewell, again assuring that he would send three hundred taels of patterned silver tomorrow.
Upon hearing this, the Qin Temple Priest’s sorrow vanished, and a bright smile appeared on his face.
He personally escorted Zhao Sheng out of the temple gates, watching until he disappeared in the distance before returning inside.
Later that evening, the Qin Temple Priest unexpectedly t with disaster, and the killer fled swiftly, quickly alerting the governnt.
This is a story for another ti and won’t be elaborated on now.
...
An hour later, Zhao Sheng returned to Mingxi Town by a canopy boat, with another boat following about ten yards behind, never too far away.
Zhao Sheng didn’t mind those following him, as long as they didn’t attack; it didn’t matter if they stayed close.
Soon, Zhao Sheng walked along the main street of the small town toward Weng Pavilion.
"Have you heard? The arsonist has been caught. I heard it was a woodcutter. He secretly set fire to the woodshed while unloading firewood. When he tried to escape, he ran into Chief Liu by bad luck, and that’s how he got caught."
"That guy was really bold, setting fire to the Inspection Mansion; it’s true he’s tired of living. Just wait and see, he probably won’t last three days and will die in the Water Prison."
"Heh, everyone knows that the Inspection Bureau’s Water Prison is a place from which no one returns alive. Even the toughest would succumb in seven days."
"Hmph, I heard that a hero from the Prefecture fell into Inspector Chen’s hands over ten years ago. That man lasted six full days in the Water Prison before succumbing. When they carried him out, only bones were left of his lower body; his flesh had been picked clean by the parasitic fish."
Listening to the whispering street gossips, Zhao Sheng slowed his steps, only then realizing that the great fire was actually set by a woodcutter.
The woodcutter was captured alive; perhaps the one who did it was also an "Immortal Ruins Guest."
Could it be... Chief Liu? No, it’s not him; it’s soone else."
Zhao Sheng had t Chief Liu "yesterday," so he naturally knew he wasn’t an "Immortal Ruins Guest."
Reviews
All reviews (0)